Gu Beiyue answered Little Shadow in a low voice, "Mn."
Little Shadow was curious. His gaze moved back and forth between Daddy and Mommy. The more he looked, the more confused and uneasy he felt.
He never understood why Mommy lived with him in Ningzhou, and why Daddy didn't come back even once in three years.
Daddy didn't even come during the New Year. Only Mommy accompanied him to set off fireworks in the snow.
Mommy said that Daddy was busy with very, very important matters and could only come back after he was done. However, he still couldn't figure it out. The Emperor must be much busier than Daddy. He heard from Auntie Shaoyao that the Emperor had even brought the Empress, the Crown Prince, and the Little Princess south to spend the winter in Jiangnan's plum garden.
He always suspected that Daddy and Mommy had quarreled. Looking at it now, he was even more suspicious.
Little Shadow thought for a moment, then hurriedly moved closer to Daddy's ear and said seriously, "Daddy, don't quarrel with Mommy. Mommy is a woman, let her win."
Gu Beiyue finally realized that Little Shadow had discovered that something was wrong between him and Qin Min.
He hurriedly said, "Wife, it's been three years since we last met. You and the child have suffered."
Qin Min also returned to her senses and said mildly, "Husband has been working hard for the country. This concubine couldn't help or share Husband's burdens. How could I dare to blame you?"
The two of them each said this, then fell into silence again.
Little Shadow increasingly felt that something was wrong and was even more certain that the two of them had quarreled. He looked at the two of them and thought for a long time, then moved closer to Daddy's ear and said, "Daddy, hug Mommy. It'll be fine if you hug her."
When he occasionally threw a tantrum, Mommy only needed to hug him. She didn't need to say anything, and he wouldn't be angry, depressed, or sad.
He thought that Mommy must be like this too.
Gu Beiyue was about to speak when Qin Min suddenly walked forward and hugged Gu Beiyue with her large arms. At the same time, she also hugged Little Shadow.
She said, "I can't help Husband. I can only … miss you and hope day and night that you are well and healthy."
Gu Beiyue clearly froze. This should be the second time in his life that a woman hugged him. The first time was also in Ningzhou, and it was also Qin Min.
He wondered if Little Shadow had sensed it. Just like the first time, Qin Min could clearly sense Gu Beiyue's stiffness.
A trace of anger flashed through her eyes as she ruthlessly pinched Gu Beiyue's back.
Make him stiffen!
Let him be in a daze!
He had promised that he would lie to Little Shadow for the rest of his life. This was only the first time they met, and he was about to be exposed.
If he frightened her little shadow, she would not let him off!
Qin Min was really ruthless. Gu Beiyue woke up from the pain and knew what Qin Min meant.
He finally reached out and hugged her tightly. "I miss you and our child too."
Qin Min buried her head in Little Shadow's shoulder. Gu Beiyue lowered his head and rested his chin on Little Shadow's head. The little shadow was sandwiched between them and tightly hugged. Her heart was blooming with joy.
He had always known that he was an adopted son. Although his mother loved him dearly, he was still uneasy and suspicious when his father did not come back for three years.
Now that he was tightly hugged between his father and mother, his heart was finally at ease. He felt that he was lucky and happy.
He said, "Father, don't be busy anymore, okay? You'll stay with us here, won't you? "
Gu Beiyue did not answer immediately, and Qin Min pinched him again. She still felt sorry for him and did not pinch him in the same spot. Instead, she changed it.
"Mm, I'll stay here for a month, then I'll take you to the capital. The Grand Tutor's Residence has already been built. "Gu Beiyue was telling the truth.
The construction of the palace had been completed half a year ago, and the outer city walls of the capital had also been completed last month. The Emperor had rewarded him with the land of the Gu Residence, and he had hired people to rebuild it.
Little Shadow was overjoyed. "Mother, we won't be separated from Father anymore!"
"Mm, we won't be separated anymore!" Qin Min's voice carried a smile, but her eyes were filled with complicated emotions. She let go of Gu Beiyue and carried the little shadow over. She said, "Shadow, Father has traveled a long way and needs to tidy up. I'll rest this morning."
The little shadow immediately said, "Father, Mother found a spring behind the courtyard and dug a pool. Shadow will accompany you to take a bath. It's very comfortable! "
Qin Min hurriedly said, "Shadow, it's already so late. You have to sleep! Come, go sleep with Mother. "
Gu Beiyue patted the little shadow's head and said gently, "Be good. Father will personally teach you martial arts tomorrow. There's still something wrong with your footwork. "
Upon hearing that there was a problem with his footwork, the little shadow became nervous. "What's wrong?"
"Go to sleep first. Otherwise, Father won't tell you." Gu Beiyue threatened.
The little shadow then nodded resentfully. "Alright."
Qin Min secretly heaved a sigh of relief. She was really afraid that the shadow would drag Gu Beiyue to take a bath and have her serve him. One had to know that this little guy was shy. Since he was three years old, he refused to let the wet nurse and Shaoyao bathe him, only asking for her help. Now that he was five years old, he wouldn't let her help him bathe either. However, she would still accompany him when he was bathing by the shore.
Qin Min carried the shadow away. How could Gu Beiyue not heave a sigh of relief?
At this moment, Xi Yubo, who had been waiting at the side, came forward. "Master, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
Xi Yubo was also very puzzled. Master had clearly just sent the letter today. How did he arrive at night? It would take at least two days to send a letter by eagle from Yunning to Ningzhou. And it was impossible for Master to reach Ningzhou City from Yunning in one day.
Gu Beiyue pinched his brows and didn't say anything as he walked into the house.
At this moment, Shaoyao came over and held a set of clean clothes. She said cheerfully, "Son-in-law, you're finally back. Miss asked me to bring you some clean clothes. These are the ones you changed out of last time. "
It had been more than three years since the last time.
But this set of clothes looked as if they were new. They were clean and folded neatly without any wrinkles.
"Thank her for me," Gu Beiyue said mildly.
"Son-in-law, there's no need to be so courteous with Miss. Miss also asked me to ask what Son-in-law would like for breakfast? "Shaoyao asked again.
"Anything will do," Gu Beiyue replied.
"Then Son-in-law should rest early." Shaoyao went back happily.
Xi Yubo followed Gu Beiyue in. Seeing that his master was exhausted, he couldn't help but advise, "Master, the hot spring in the backyard is excellent. Madam regularly puts medicinal herbs in it and soaks in it often. Why don't you give it a try?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Beiyue immediately frowned and looked over. Xi Yubo hadn't recovered from his shock until he saw the sharpness in his master's eyes. Only then did he realize that he had said the wrong thing.
He hurriedly explained, "Master, this subordinate wouldn't dare peek. Shaoyao said all this. Madam personally tested the medicine and wanted to turn that pool into a medicinal bath, so she soaks in it often. "
Gu Beiyue didn't say much. He let out a long sigh and motioned for Xi Yubo to leave.
Xi Yubo was frightened by that look just now. In his memory, the last time his master had looked at him like that was at Medical City. That time, his master had wanted to kill him.
Xi Yubo hurriedly left, but when he reached the door, Gu Beiyue called out to him and said Coldly, "Pass down the order. All the guards are to stay a hundred steps away from this courtyard!"
"Yes, yes!" Xi Yubo accepted the order and left, groaning inwardly.
The guards were secretly guarding the courtyard. If they had to stay a hundred steps away and ensure the courtyard's safety, they would have to clear out the surrounding neighbors. They couldn't let Madam know about this either. It was really difficult.
Gu Beiyue sat alone with his head propped up. He was extremely quiet, and no one knew what he was thinking about.
After a long time, a knock on the door broke the silence. A familiar voice followed, "Grand Tutor Gu, are you asleep?"
Who else in this courtyard would call him that?
He frowned and didn't say anything.
"Grand Tutor Gu, Little Shadow is asleep. I didn't want to disturb you, but there's something I can't figure out, so I came to ask for your advice. If it's convenient, please respond, "Qin Min said again.
"Come in," Gu Beiyue said mildly.
After Qin Min entered, she deliberately locked the door before sitting down beside him.
She took a deep breath and smiled, "Long time no see."
He looked back, but for some reason, he couldn't smile. He said mildly, "Long time no see."
"I was rude just now. It hurts, doesn't it?" Qin Min said helplessly.
"Thank you for reminding me. Little Shadow is a smart child, "Gu Beiyue said.
"Not only is he smart, but his martial arts talent is also very good. When you took care of him back then, you must have carefully selected him, right? "Qin Min suddenly became serious.
"Yes," Gu Beiyue admitted generously, but he didn't intend to explain.
"You've long been determined not to get married and not have children. You married me because you wanted to give Little Shadow the right to be the Shadow Heir, right? "Qin Min asked again.
This was the enlightenment she had gained from Little Shadow in these three years. She had wanted to ask him for a long time, and she wanted to ask him face to face.
Gu Beiyue didn't say anything.
Qin Min deliberately stood up and walked in front of him. She looked into his eyes and asked seriously, "Gu Beiyue, you have someone you like, right?"
Gu Beiyue avoided her gaze, but Qin Min stubbornly chased after him and stared at him intently.
Gu Beiyue lowered his head, and Qin Min squatted in front of him. Gu Beiyue closed his eyes, and Qin Min stood up.
She stood there quietly for a long time, and finally sat back down. There was no need for words. Gu Beiyue silently agreed.
For a long time, Gu Beiyue didn't make a sound.
Qin Min said faintly, "Sorry, I was rude. This is your business. I shouldn't have said anything. "
When he married her, they had agreed that they would only be husband and wife in name. He didn't force her, and he didn't lie to her. He liked someone, so what was wrong with that? What did it have to do with her?
But … but why did her heart hurt so much? So much so that she lost her usual rationality?
The two of them just sat there like that.
After some time, Gu Beiyue said, "Eldest Miss Qin, have you figured out the things that you couldn't figure out?"
Qin Min then remembered the purpose of her trip. She said, "I haven't figured it out yet. Grand Tutor Gu, may I ask, what's with the letter and medicine dregs sent from Yunning tonight? Don't tell me that your qinggong has improved again in these three years, and you can travel a thousand miles in a day? "
He just sent the letter from Yunning yesterday, and he was here today? He arrived almost at the same time as the letter!
It was obvious that he didn't send the letter and medicine dregs himself, but someone else sent it on his behalf!
The letter was fine, but how could the medicine dregs be sent on his behalf?
How could it be?
Gu Beiyue sat in the room for so long, thinking about this problem.
In fact, he had been in Ningzhou for a month. After the matter of the pharmaceutical department was over, the Emperor and the Empress gave him three months of leave.
Rather than saying that he left on his own, it was better to say that he was chased away. The Empress joked with him. A man who didn't accompany his wife and children all day long couldn't let the Crown Prince's teacher stay by the Emperor's side for a long time. So that the Emperor and the Crown Prince wouldn't be affected.
He had been in Ningzhou for a month, three streets away from here. Even Xi Yubo didn't know that he had come.
He didn't know why he had come here tonight without anyone noticing.
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