lcionline Chapter 686 It's been a year. Qingchen, Chengdu is not like the capital; people's hearts a
Chapter 686 It's been a year. Qingchen, Chengdu is not like the capital; people's hearts a
Gu Qingchen frowned. "What are you yelling about? Is the sky falling down?"
The servant, catching his breath, his face showing a mixture of excitement and complexity, reported loudly, "Miss! The eldest young master... no, it's Lord Gu who has been promoted and is returning to the capital today! He's also bringing that... young master Lin with him!"
The noise in the private room suddenly stopped.
Gu Qingchen threw down the riding whip with a "bang," jumped off the chair, and pushed aside the table in front of him, causing the dishes to clatter.
"What did you say? Lin Jiayou is back?" She rushed to the servant and grabbed his collar.
"Yes, yes! The carriage should be almost at the city gate!"
"I'm going to pick him up!" Gu Qingchen announced loudly, then turned and rushed out.
"Qingchen".
A calm and gentle voice came from the corner, tinged with a hint of helplessness.
Only then did everyone notice that a man was sitting quietly by the window, sipping tea.
He was dressed in an elegant, moon-white long robe, which stood out starkly against the surrounding hustle and bustle and Gu Qingchen's fiery red attire.
Qian Zhenyun's gaze followed that red figure almost imperceptibly.
He put down his teacup and slowly stood up. "The area around the city gate must be under martial law by now. Lord Gu will have at least another hour before he can enter the city."
Gu Qingchen wouldn't listen to any of that. She rushed to Qian Zhenyun, excitedly shaking his arm, her eyes shining brightly.
"Gungun, can you hear that? It's Lin Jiayou! Our childhood playmate, he's finally back!"
Qian Zhenyun was a nickname her mother gave her because she thought his real name was too difficult to pronounce and because she was chubby when she was born.
Now only she is still calling out like this without any restraint.
In her mind, the image of that dark night ten years ago flashed by, showing the three small figures of them rummaging through the princess's mansion.
The thin, pale boy who clung to her was finally coming back.
She single-handedly sent him away from this place of trouble, and now that he has returned, he will certainly not be bullied again.
In her heart, Lin Jiayou was still that pitiful playmate who needed her protection and rescue.
Her memories of him have long been beautified by time and distance into a perfect picture.
The boy in the painting is exceptionally talented and grateful; he is the white moonlight that she pulled out of the mire.
Gu Qingchen looked at Qian Zhenyun with eyes full of self-righteous elation, completely failing to understand the complex emotions hidden deep in his eyes.
Qian Zhenyun let her sway, his eyes so tender they could melt water, yet he still softly reminded her, "Ten years have passed, Qingchen. The capital is not like Chengdu; people's hearts..."
"He won't change!"
Before he could finish speaking, Gu Qingchen waved his hand to interrupt him.
She pulled her arm away. "I read every single letter he wrote to me! He said he had been studying hard, hoping to one day make something of himself and come back to repay you and me! He's not the kind of ungrateful person!"
Seeing her like that, Qian Zhenyun knew that further persuasion would be useless, so he could only swallow the rest of his words.
Gu Qingchen firmly believed in his judgment of people, especially those he had "save" single-handedly.
She couldn't wait a moment longer; she wanted to give Lin Jiayou the grandest welcome.
She rushed downstairs in a flurry, her voice coming from the stairwell: "GunGun, wait for me here!"
She would ride her beloved Chiyan horse ten miles outside the city and be the first to greet him at the pavilion!
Watching her disappearing figure, Qian Zhenyun shook his head helplessly. He took out a few silver ingots from his sleeve, placed them on the table, and paid the bill for her.
"Shopkeeper, please calculate carefully, and refund any overpayment or charge any underpayment."
He then whispered a few words to his servant before getting up and following him out.
He knew that, given her personality, she was bound to cause trouble.
On the long street, the girl in red rode ahead of everyone else.
The fiery red figure drew the attention of passersby, and Gu Qingchen was filled with the joy of their impending reunion.
What will he look like after ten years?
Do you still remember the promise she made back then, patting her chest and saying, "I'll protect you"?
Meanwhile, on the official road outside the city.
Inside an elegant carriage, the newly appointed Beijing official Gu Lü was gently instructing the young man beside him.
Lin Jiayou, dressed in a blue robe, with handsome features and a gentle, refined demeanor, sat upright, listening respectfully to his instructions.
However, when he lifted the corner of the curtain and looked at the majestic outline of the capital city in the distance, a fleeting ambition and calculation flashed in the depths of his seemingly humble eyes.
Beijing.
It wasn't his hometown.
Rather, it was the hunting ground he had been planning for ten years, the one he was about to step into.
At the long pavilion outside the city, Gu Qingchen reined in his horse and waited, his heart pounding like a drum.
Unaware that in a grove of trees not far away, Qian Zhenyun was hidden behind the trees, calmly watching her while also warily observing his surroundings.
His gaze did not fall on the main road, but instead turned warily to another fork in the road.
There, a royal procession was quietly approaching, its bright yellow flags fluttering in the wind.
Gu Qingchen was getting impatient waiting on horseback. When she saw a procession of carriages approaching in the distance, she immediately straightened her back and her eyes lit up.
But as she got closer, she could see that the flags fluttering at the front of the convoy were bright yellow and decorated with intricate dragon patterns.
It was not a family-oriented carriage at all.
It is Crown Prince Zhao Chen'an.
Her initial joy instantly turned into a nameless anger, and she felt unlucky.
She yanked the reins sharply, turning the horse around. "Red Flame, let's go back to the city and wait!"
Zhuque Street has always been the liveliest place in the capital. She refused to believe that she wouldn't run into him there.
Inside the prince's carriage, velvet cushions insulated against most of the bumps.
A guard whispered outside the carriage window, "Your Highness, Miss Gu doesn't seem to recognize the entourage and has already turned back to the city."
A soft response came from inside the carriage curtain.
"Well, let's go."
His voice was gentle and mild, revealing no emotion whatsoever.
The guards obeyed, and the convoy continued its unhurried journey toward the city gate.
……
Zhuque Avenue was bustling with people, lined with shops on both sides, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares, children laughing, and wheels rolling all blended together.
Gu Qingchen had no intention of wandering around. She rode on her horse, her bright eyes anxiously searching through the crowd.
Her fiery red riding outfit had already become an eye-catching sight on the street, with passersby making way for her, afraid of bumping into the daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo.
Just then, a series of synchronized hoofbeats came from the street corner.
Gu Qingchen's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly pulled on the reins, turning the horse around to look.
The bright yellow banners and exquisite dragon patterns proclaimed the distinguished status of the group's leader. It was the Crown Prince's carriage again!
Gu Qingchen's face instantly darkened. This guy is really persistent!
Did she not check the almanac before going out today? How come she keeps running into him everywhere?
She didn't want to cause trouble, nor did she want to waste time bowing to the Crown Prince; she just wanted to leave as soon as possible.
"Crimson Flame, let's go!"
She suddenly spurred her horse, trying to squeeze through the gap on the side of the honor guard.
However, Suzaku Avenue was already crowded, and the Crown Prince's entourage took up most of the road. Although the Crimson Flame Horse was magnificent, it still needed space.