Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
âThankyou for your trouble, Auntie,â Guoguo said as she stood up.
âYour fatherâ¦â Gu Wanning hesitated momentarily before finally asking, âHow is he doing now?â
Guoguo was stunned momentarily before replying, âFather is very well. However, he couldnât handle the fatigue of traveling, so he didnât come over. He did ask us to tell you that heâs safe, though.â After saying that, she shot a warning glance at her two younger brothers. Their parents were no longer the same as before. They couldnât be affected by any karma, so it was better not to involve them again.
âYes, Fatherâs body canât take the dry weather up north,â Chenchen chimed in in agreement.
âItâs good to know youâre all still alive. It puts me at ease,â Gu Wanning sighed in relief. âBut you wonât be staying this time, will you?â
âNo, we mainly came back to see everyone,â Guoguo explained. âAfter that, we need to go back to keep our parents company.â
âSpeaking of keeping your parents company,â Gu Wanning continued, âyouâre not young anymore. You should be thinking about starting a family, right?â
âThereâs no rush,â Guoguo replied dismissively.
âYouâre already in your twenties! If you donât get married soon, youâll be considered an old maid,â Gu Wanning teased. âThere are many talented young men in the capital now. Would you like your aunt to help you find someone?â
Guoguo shook her head firmly. âForget it. Iâm actually quite envious of the monogamous relationships they have in other places. If I canât find someone truly compatible, Iâd rather not settle for anything less.â
âWhat about you two?â Gu Wanning turned her attention to Chenchen and Third Fatty.
âWeâre still young. We donât need to think about that yet,â the two brothers declared in unison.
According to their extended lifespans, they were still considered young by cultivator standards. They werenât interested in being tied down so early. Moreover, with their status, even if they didnât actively seek out cultivators, any potential partners would need to have spiritual roots. The thought of being abandoned by someone incompatible halfway through a relationship was simply too sad.
Seeing their resolve, Gu Wanning didnât press the issue further. However, she couldnât help but worry about her cousin and his wife. With their particular preferences, she wondered when they would ever find suitable partners and have grandchildren.
The conversation then shifted to the situation at sea and the current state of affairs on other continents. Learning that no country could currently compete with the Great Ming brought a smile to Gu Wanningâs face. At least the empire would be free from external threats for the foreseeable future.
Just as everyone was engrossed in conversation, Eunuch Qian hurried in. He bowed and announced, âMiss Guoguo, Young Masters Gu, the Emperor has requested your presence.â
âThankyou, Eunuch Qian,â Guoguo acknowledged as she stood up.
Gu Wanning also rose to her feet with a smile. âThe Emperor misses you all dearly. You should head over now. Remember to come by my place for lunch at noon.â
âSounds good, Auntie. Weâll be there shortly,â Guoguo replied. After saying goodbye to her two younger brothers, she followed Eunuch Qian towards the Emperorâs study.
Upon entering the room, they immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
The Emperor, holding a teacup, set it down and quickly rose to greet them. âWelcome back! Please, make yourselves at home. If youâd like a specific type of tea, Iâll have someone prepare it.â
Hearing this, Guoguo discreetly retrieved two cups of tea from her purse and handed them to Eunuch Qian. âWe actually brought our tea, Uncle. Why donât you try some and see if you like it?â
âWell, then Iâll gladly accept your hospitality today,â the Emperor chuckled. âBut if I enjoy it, youâll have to give me some to take home.â
âOf course,â Guoguo laughed in agreement.
A moment later, the rich aroma of freshly brewed tea filled the room.
âEven without tasting it, I can tell itâs good tea,â the Emperor remarked, sniffing the air appreciatively.
âIâll give you two packs later,â Guoguo promised.
After the tea was served, the four took a cup of tea. The Emperor then sent the palace servants out and asked, âHow are your parents?â
âHave they recovered their godly states?â