Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
âDonât even mention it,â Gu Ziyi grumbled. âHeâs a constable. Yesterday, some drunkards caused a scene and ended up killing someone. My husbandâs been out investigating the case since yesterday afternoon. When we left this morning, he still hadnât returned.â
âDonât be hard on him,â Gu Chengrui consoled her. âHe canât exactly stroll around when heâs on duty. As long as heâs safe, thatâs all that matters.â
âI understand that, of course,â Gu Ziyi conceded. âOtherwise, we wouldnât have made it this far.â
Following their reunion, a steady stream of visitors arrived to pay their respects. However, the couple only entertained those they considered close acquaintances. Everyone else was politely turned away, and any gifts they offered were declined.
After the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Gu Chengrui accompanied Mr. Gu and Second Uncle Gu to secure a large ship for their voyage. They returned on the eighth day, and the entire group set off for the capital the following day.
Due to Gu Chengruiâs health concerns, they maintained a brisk pace, finally reaching the capital on the fifteenth.
âUncle Niu,â Zhou Ying called out to Niu Fugui once they were settled back in. âHow has the residence fared these past six months?â
âEverythingâs in order,â Niu Fugui replied. He placed the twenty or so account books heâd brought with him on the desk.
âGood to hear,â Zhou Ying acknowledged. âEverything will continue as usual. Be sure to reward those who deserve it.â
âUnderstood,â Niu Fugui responded before turning to leave.
After he departed, Zhou Ying utilized her computer to scrutinize the accounts. Satisfied that everything was in order, she retrieved her account book. Apart from the windfall theyâd recently acquired, their holdings amounted to a staggering ten million and three million taels of silverâa truly remarkable sum.
Later that night, after the children were sound asleep, Gu Chengrui and Zhou Ying entered the interspace. Zhou Ying presented the ledger to her husband. âSince weâre leaving,â she began, âwe need a plan for the silver and property. What are your thoughts?â
âTechnologies like glass, rubber, and bicycles,â Gu Chengrui suggested, âwe can leave those to the Emperor. It doesnât matter whether they become his personal possessions or end up in the treasury.â
âAs for the rest,â he continued, âGu Chenglin can oversee it for the time being. If we have the chance to return, it remains ours. If not, we can entrust it to the Empress for her to manage.â
âThe cash can be partially exchanged and brought with us as a safety net,â Zhou Ying added. âThe remaining funds, we can divideâsome to the clan and some to the Emperorâto bolster the national coffers.â
âThat sounds reasonable,â Gu Chengrui agreed. âBefore we leave, do you think we should offer the Emperor some new technologies?â
âPerhaps we could share knowledge about engines and power generation? Weâll provide as much detail as we can manage.â
âAlright, then,â Zhou Ying declared. âLetâs split up for the next two days and finalize these arrangements as soon as possible. Time isnât on our side.â
âI understand,â Gu Chengrui replied, pulling her into a hug. âItâs just⦠the thought of being apart is difficult.â
While regaining his memories had restored his core identity, he wasnât entirely the same person. Naturally, their feelings for one another would be different.
âThe feeling is mutual,â Zhou Ying admitted, returning his embrace. âLetâs make the most of our nights together from now on. Everything else can wait.â
âAgreed,â Gu Chengrui said, a smile gracing his lips. He lifted her chin and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before carrying her back to their bedroom.
The following day, after breakfast, Gu Chengrui sought an audience with the Emperor. He presented a detailed report on everything heâd been involved in and discovered during his time away.
This even included the incident where Xiuxiu was forced to drown. He believed the scholar lacked the necessary responsibility for an official position. If the scholar hadnât already embarked on such a career path, perhaps things could have been different.
However, given the current situation, Gu Chengrui felt the scholar couldnât be recommended for further advancement.