CHAPTER 1288: CHAPTER 1287: WHAT ARE WE ESCORTING?

Over there, Song Chongjin glanced at Song Chongjuan and Song Chongxiu among the farewell crowd, recalling what Wang Yongzhu had said that day, and felt something stir in his heart.

He pretended to hesitate for a moment.

Song Hong had been observing Song Chongjin’s expression the whole time. Seeing this, he quickly asked, "Is there anything else you need to convey? Or anything you’re worried about?"

His warm attitude made the other siblings of the Song Family feel particularly uncomfortable.

When had Song Hong ever been so gentle in front of them?

Song Chongjin seemed rather embarrassed as he said, "Father, this trip of mine may last two to three years, possibly even four to five years. I can let other things go, but I’m reminded of my second and third sisters who have always been close to me. They’re not that young anymore, and might be considering marriage in the next few years."

"I’m afraid I won’t be able to return in time for their marriage. I hope you and Madam will be mindful when choosing suitable partners for my sisters, so I won’t have to worry about them from so far away."

Upon hearing this, Song Chongjuan and Song Chongxiu’s faces turned red, feeling both shy and pleasantly surprised.

Despite their shyness, their eyes couldn’t help but look at Song Hong with anticipation.

Song Hong was taken aback for a moment. He hadn’t expected that Song Chongjin would bring up the topic of his sisters’ marriages, and he turned to glance at Song Chongjuan and Song Chongxiu in surprise.

He quickly composed himself and patted Song Chongjin’s shoulder: "You, as their elder brother, care so much for them, which makes me, as their father, very happy! Don’t worry, when the time comes, I’ll let Madam choose good families for them!"

Lady Gao, standing nearby, also smiled and said, "Don’t worry, Brother Jin, when the time comes, I’ll send you a letter for your review once I’ve picked good families for them."

The implication was that in the end, the decision about the marriages would be left to Song Chongjin.

Song Hong wanted to say something, but seeing his two daughters’ eyes sparkling with excitement, his heart softened.

Moreover, when it comes to choosing families, he would certainly set the parameters, then let Lady Gao delve into them. In the end, the ones chosen would still be the ones he favored.

With this thought, Song Hong felt relieved.

Yet, looking at Song Chongjin, there was an extra hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

In Song Hong’s view, Song Chongjin’s public declaration today was very deliberate.

It was an effort to win people over, knowing that once he left, the other brothers in the house might become restless, and the eldest daughter, who never got along with him and had her own brothers, certainly wouldn’t be of one mind with him.

It would be better to draw in the two younger sisters with the matter of marriage, ensuring he remained connected to the household.

The approach might be a bit direct, but effective!

With this public promise, Lady Meng and the two younger daughters would likely become his eyes and ears in the house.

Indeed, he was worthy of being Song Hong’s son, finally showing some cunning! It was worth the many traps he had set, guiding him step by step; there seemed to be results after all!

Song Hong’s mood improved strangely, and under everyone’s gaze, he nodded, indicating his agreement with Lady Gao’s words.

Because of this, he even specifically had Song Wu lead people to escort Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu to the ship before returning.

Finally, with most of the Song family seemingly filled with reluctance, though they were actually eager to see the two off, Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu paid their respects to Song Hong and Lady Gao, boarded the carriage, and slowly headed out of the Capital City.

Just a mile beyond the Capital City, near the official road, there were a few grass pavilions.

Most people coming and going from the Capital City usually said their goodbyes here.

At this moment, several carriages were already parked beside the pavilion, with a few people sitting inside, surrounded by house servants who wouldn’t allow anyone to approach.

Upon seeing Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu’s carriage, someone stepped forward to introduce themselves, identifying as members of the Gu Family, and when Song Wu looked into the pavilion, sure enough, he recognized a few familiar figures.

Hastily, he had his men report back.

Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu alighted from the carriage and followed the Chief Attendant into the pavilion.

Inside, Yang Zongbao and Gu Zikai were engaged in small talk, while Old Granny Zhang and Jinhoo were anxiously watching them. Upon seeing the two arrive, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After the parties exchanged greetings, both Gu Zikai and Yang Zongbao felt much regret.

Gu Zikai patted Song Chongjin’s shoulder: "This journey will take you across many mountains and waters, take care!"

Meanwhile, Yang Zongbao was instructing Wang Yongzhu: "I brought two men along. They’ll follow you back to Qilidun, then move on to Chicheng City. Though their skills are average, they are reliable and experienced. You can entrust them with taking care of purchases or errands along the way."

"And also, after your uncle finishes his affairs in the Capital and your grandmother feels better, I’ll come find you!" he said, affectionately patting Wang Yongzhu’s head.

"Uncle, don’t worry about us. It’s better to stay in the Capital City and spend more time with Grandmother. Rest assured, I’ll write to you once I’m back in Qilidun, and again once we reach Chicheng City, how about that?" Wang Yongzhu knew that Yang Zongbao couldn’t be at ease about them. But now that he was back with the Gu Family, for his own sake, he should stay with them.

Yang Zongbao didn’t reply, only smiled.

Wang Yongzhu felt at a loss, knowing that he was extremely stubborn. Even though he had now acknowledged his family and stayed with the Gu Family, it was only because Old Lady Gu was indeed his biological mother and her health was frail. As a son, it was neither sensible nor ethical to leave at such a time, and he wasn’t particularly close with the Gu Family.

Yang Zongbao’s experiences in his youth had made him highly guarded, and now, other than their mother-daughter duo and Song Chongjin, no others had his trust.

It depended on whether the Gu Family, during the days they stayed together, could win over Yang Zongbao.

Anything that needed to be said had been said in the previous days. Seeing the time, Yang Zongbao proactively spoke: "Enough, you should get going!"

Yet Wang Yongzhu looked towards the direction of the Capital’s official road, saying: "No rush, let’s wait a bit longer."

"Is someone else coming?" Gu Zikai leaned closer to ask, "Who is it? Lee Changnan? Or who?"

Wang Yongzhu shook her head: "It’s my senior brother and the others. Since we’re returning home, they must have letters and items for us to bring to our master. Perhaps they were delayed on the road. Let’s wait a little longer."

The Chief Attendant, being very perceptive, had already gone to a nearby tea shop to buy a pot of boiling water, brought down a set of tea utensils from the carriage, and poured everyone present a cup of tea.

It was late spring turning to early summer, the willows gently swaying, the sights full of green, and the scent of grass in the breeze.

Not to mention Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu, who rarely left the city— even the few men, seldom out like this, were quite content, sipping tea amid the lush greenery, their spirits lifting.

Before even finishing a cup of tea, they spotted a few horses and a carriage rushing from the direction of the official road.

Who else could it be but Du Zhongjing and Du Xiuyan?

After exchanging greetings, as expected, they both had letters and gifts for Wang Yongzhu and the others to carry back.

Especially Du Zhongjing, who clasped his hands towards Wang Yongzhu: "I have one more item to entrust to you, little sister, to carefully escort to Jing County and hand it to my father."

Wang Yongzhu didn’t think much of it, assuming it was just an ordinary item, and nodded: "No problem, I’ll take it along with me. It’s no trouble."

Du Zhongjing breathed a sigh of relief: "That’s good, then I’m at ease. I’ll have to trouble you with the labor for this journey, little sister!"

Wang Yongzhu thought Du Zhongjing was just being polite, and was about to speak when she saw the sympathetic look in Du Xiuyan’s eyes, and she suddenly grew alert.

"What exactly is this item, dear brother, you want me to escort?"

Du Zhongjing smiled and clapped his hands, as someone emerged from the carriage behind.

Wang Yongzhu was dumbfounded on the spot!