Chapter 6: Just in Time

Ziye noticed that although Zhou Gu said to go to Jiangning County, he was reluctant, which appeared as a face full of resistance and an annoyed expression.

He tried to figure out a way, thinking that if the young master was not appeased, his own mood would also be affected, disturbing his eating and sleeping.

After thinking for a while, he finally came up with a good idea, "Master, you haven't been to Jiangning before, right? I've heard that although Jiangning is a small place, the local culture and atmosphere there are very good, there are many fun places, which are completely different from other places. It's very prosperous."

"Where did you hear that from?"

"From a travel memoir."

"Which one? Why haven't I seen it?"

"The bookstore sent it over half a month ago, but you were annoyed because you were scolded by the old duke, remember? I heard it was a travel memoir from the Jiangzhou region, and you asked me to throw it away immediately." Ziye said.

When Zhou Gu thought about it carefully, it seemed true, since Jiangning County was in the Jiangzhou region. He was so annoyed at that time, he immediately said: "Go and find it now."

Ziye nodded and turned to go.

Soon, Ziye came back with a travel memoir, brand new, and handed it to Zhou Gu, "It's from this book."

Zhou Gu took it and flipped through it for a while, and there was some interest, "So, can I take this chance to go out and have some fun?"

Ziye nodded directly.

Zhou Gu immediately sat up and urged him, "Then you hurry up and pack. I've never been this far from home before. This time, I can enjoy the opportunity to go out and play."

After he finished speaking, he jumped off the bed, "Grandfather said to set out in two days, why so late? You go and tell grandfather, I will set off with that guard from Jiangning County tomorrow."

He took the travel memoir and walked out, "The Crown Prince has been to Jiangning. I haven't seen him for many days, it's a good time to go to the Eastern Palace, tell him about it, and also ask him if Jiangning is fun. For the rest of the things, you arrange them quickly."

After he finished speaking in one breath, he ran out of the Frost Forest Garden, went to the horse stable to saddle up another horse, and left the Duke Residence for the Eastern Palace.

Ziye breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that the young master was willing to go, so he wouldn't have to worry with him. He immediately went to find the Old Duke.

The Old Duke was a bit skeptical when he heard that Zhou Gu was going, "Wasn't he reluctant to go? Why is he in such a hurry?" According to his thoughts, that guard had come a long way, he should rest for two days before setting off, and the gifts for the Su Family and Su Rong should also be prepared.

Ziye explained the reason.

The Old Duke huffed and puffed, but although Zhou Gu was not going to Jiangning because he wanted to see Su Rong, he was willing to go to Jiangning after all, so he didn't say anything, and nodded, "Alright, if it's tomorrow, it's tomorrow. Although the time is a bit tight, the gifts can still be prepared."

He called the housekeeper, and ordered preparations for the gifts, emphasizing, "The gift list must be generous. Prepare a gift for each person in the Su Family. Additionally, the gift for Lady Su Qi should be more valuable. Prepare more. After drafting the gift list, bring it to me to review."

The housekeeper was surprised, quickly agreed, and thought that the third master's marriage hadn't been settled yet, the young master was already on the agenda, and considering how seriously the Old Duke treated a coming-of-age ceremony, it was obvious that the future fourth lady of the house had to be that one from Jiangning County.

So, the housekeeper and Ziye got busy. Soon, the entire Duke Residence knew that Zhou Gu was going to set off for Jiangning the next day.

The eldest princess, Sheng An, was the first princess to be granted a title after the founding of the dynasty. She was the legitimate daughter of the founding emperor and a full sibling of the first emperor. Her status was honored. She was married to the only son of the Duke who had fought alongside the founding emperor, whos was now the Old Duke.

The Old Duke followed his father to fight alongside the founding emperor to establish the Daliang dynasty, and received a marriage granted by the founding emperor, allowing Sheng An, the eldest princess, to marry into the Duke Residence.

Although Princess Sheng An had her own Princess Residence, she never lived there, always stayed with the Old Duke in the Duke Residence and they lived happily together.

The Old Duke and Princess Sheng An had three sons and a daughter. The three sons all died in battle. The daughter married far away in Nanling. Now, only the three daughters-in-law, four grandsons, and five granddaughters were left in the Residence. Zhou Gu was the youngest, so he was doted upon by the whole house.

After instructing this, the Old Duke returned to the inner courtyard.

Seeing him return, Princess Sheng An asked, "I heard someone was sent from Jiangning? Is Gu about to set out for Jiangning immediately?"

The Old Duke nodded, sat down and said, "In one month, that girl will have her coming-of-age ceremony. The lady of the Su Family sent a letter to me asking what our intention was. Implicitly saying, that if we want to break off the engagement, the Su Family is willing to do so."