As evening approached, the setting sun cast its lingering glow upon the streets and alleys of Yanjing, as if draping the thousand-year-old imperial city in a golden cloak, shimmering brightly.
Beneath the setting sun, the streets and alleys of Yanjing bustled with traffic. Even Chang'an Avenue, closest to the red-walled compounds, was no exception.
On Chang'an Avenue, a Hongqi sedan bearing the license plate "Ministry of Public Security No. 1" stood out starkly amidst the traffic. Especially at intersections, it would draw sideways glances from surrounding drivers, with some even taking out their phones to snap photos.
For them, spotting a car with such a formidable license plate was a source of pride, something to brag about to their friends and satisfy their vanity.
Inside the car, Gu Lü sat in the back seat, his eyes closed, appearing to be resting but actually deep in thought.
As the sun finally dipped below the horizon, Gu Lü's car arrived at a small alley, where the driver parked in front of a Siheyuan gate.
Gu Family Courtyard.
One of the three most exclusive courtyards in Yanjing, and indeed in the entire Dragon Country.
The other two were the Ye Family Courtyard and the Red Wall Compound.
"Dad."
Gu Tianlong stood at the entrance of the Gu Family Courtyard. Seeing Gu Lü step out of the car, he quickly went to greet him.
Originally, he was supposed to accompany the current sect leader of the Dragon Gate, Long Yongjie, to the Valley of Medicine Gods to celebrate Apothecary Li's birthday. However, upon receiving Gu Lü's call, he returned to Yanjing and, as Gu Lü had instructed, came to the Gu Family Courtyard to meet the head of the Gu family with Gu Lü – Gu Zhengze!
Gu Lü first greeted Gu Zhengze's personal secretary before leading Gu Tianlong into the courtyard, "How long have you been here?"
"Just arrived a moment ago. By the way, Dad, why did you suddenly call me back to see Grandpa with you? Did something major happen?"
Gu Tianlong replied to his father before asking curiously.
As the eldest young master of the Gu family, Gu Tianlong knew very well that Gu Zhengze held a prominent position within the Gu family and even in the entire Dragon Country, making him inaccessible to ordinary people.
Even for Gu Lü and Gu Tianlong, their father and son, they rarely saw Gu Zhengze each year.
For this reason, he subjectively believed that something major had occurred in the Gu family, prompting such an urgent summons!
"It is something major, and it concerns you, but it hasn't happened yet. I called you back to discuss it together."
Gu Lü smiled, deliberately creating suspense, planning to elaborate after meeting Gu Zhengze.
Upon hearing this, Gu Tianlong's curiosity grew even stronger, but he did not press further.
He still had that much patience.
Similar to the Ye Family Courtyard, the Gu Family Courtyard was formed by connecting three Siheyuan courtyards, divided into an outer courtyard, a middle courtyard, and an inner courtyard.
The outer courtyard was used for receiving guests and for Gu family gatherings during festivals. The middle courtyard was where Gu Zhengze conducted his daily business. The inner courtyard was for his living quarters.
Gu Zhengze's study was located in the middle courtyard. The room was decorated in an antique style, with all the office furniture made of the finest redwood. On the wall behind his desk hung a calligraphy piece titled "Uphold Integrity and Innovate," penned by the most renowned calligrapher of the era.
As Gu Lü led Gu Tianlong into the study, Gu Zhengze stood with his hands clasped behind his back, facing the wall with the calligraphy piece, seemingly lost in thought.
"Dad."
"Grandpa."
Gu Lü and Gu Tianlong greeted him simultaneously, using different forms of address.
"You're here. Sit down and talk," Gu Zhengze said.
Upon hearing them, Gu Zhengze turned around, smiled slightly, and gestured for Gu Lü and Gu Tianlong to sit down. He then sat at his desk, his gaze falling upon Gu Tianlong. "Tianlong, how has your martial arts cultivation been recently?"
"Reporting to Grandpa, since my last period of secluded cultivation, Tianlong has dedicated himself to practice. I have now reached the peak of a one-star War God, which is the ninth stage. I have also mastered a forbidden technique from the True Dragon Treasure Arts!" Gu Tianlong responded with full confidence.
On one hand, after witnessing the battle between the Hall Master of the Battle Dragon Hall and Liu Xin, he had chosen to enter seclusion, and the results had been excellent, with a significant improvement in his strength.
On the other hand, although he had not yet reached the tenth stage of a one-star War God, he had mastered a forbidden technique, believing he could stand out in the one-star War God domain!
"Good, good," Gu Zhengze, as the head of the Gu family, understood martial arts far better than ordinary court officials. He praised him with a smile and then reminded him, "However, you must continue to strive."
"Yes, Grandpa!" Gu Tianlong nodded with a smile, then asked the question that had been on his mind, "By the way, Grandpa, why did you specifically summon me back to Yanjing to see you with my father? Is there anything important?"
"Hmm," Gu Zhengze nodded slightly and revealed the answer, "Your father and I have discussed arranging a marriage alliance with the Li family, for you to marry Li Lianyi of the Li family."
"Uh..." Upon hearing Gu Zhengze's words again, Gu Tianlong was stunned!
Even as the eldest young master of the Gu family and the successor of the Dragon Gate, Gu Tianlong had always admired Li Lianyi.
Because of that admiration, before watching the battle between the Hall Master of the Battle Dragon Hall and Liu Xin, he had proactively greeted Li Lianyi in front of everyone. The result was an embarrassing situation of trying to curry favor only to be rebuffed.
"What, you are unwilling?" Gu Zhengze asked, noticing his reaction.
"Willing, Grandpa, I am willing!" Gu Tianlong jolted back to reality, nodding his head vigorously as if he were a chicken pecking at rice, fearing that Gu Zhengze might change his mind.
"I've heard for a long time that you've had feelings for the Li family girl," Gu Zhengze said with a smile. "However, that Li family girl possesses miraculous medical skills, and her appearance, character, and emotional intelligence are all top-notch. She is indeed the best candidate to be your wife."
"Yes, Lianyi is indeed an excellent girl," Gu Lü also praised her highly.
"Grandpa, Dad, as far as I know, Li Lianyi's engagement with Jiang Wuming has not been broken. How can I marry Li Lianyi?" Gu Tianlong asked hesitantly.
"You don't need to worry about that. This matter was initiated by Li Qingyuan of the Li family approaching me. He told me that Apothecary Li does not favor that Jiang Wuming. When he returns this time for Apothecary Li's birthday, he will persuade Apothecary Li to break off Li Lianyi's engagement with Jiang Wuming and, at the same time, propose the marriage alliance between you and Li Lianyi!" Gu Lü explained, then looked at Gu Zhengze, "For your sake, your grandfather sent me to accompany you to the Valley of Medicine Gods to celebrate Apothecary Li's birthday!"
"Thank you, Grandpa!" Gu Tianlong stood up and thanked Gu Zhengze.
"The Ministry of Military Affairs and the Ministry of Health, the authority of these two departments is growing increasingly significant," Gu Zhengze waved his hand, looking at Gu Tianlong with anticipation. "Tianlong, if you control the Ministry of Military Affairs in the future, and Lianyi controls the Ministry of Health, our Gu family will reach new heights!"
"Please rest assured, Grandpa, Tianlong will not fail your expectations!" Gu Tianlong vowed, while inwardly sneering: Jiang Wuming, you wouldn't have thought it, but your fiancée will ultimately become my wife!
...
Southwest, Valley of Medicine Gods.
Apothecary Li received a call from Li Shanglai, learning about the self-serving actions of Li Qingyuan and his son Li Muzhi. He then met with Li Lianyi again.
This time, Apothecary Li invited Li Lianyi to his study.
"Grandpa, do you need me for something?" Li Lianyi entered the study, first bowed to Apothecary Li, then got straight to the point.
"Lianyi, I received a call from Shanglai this afternoon..." Apothecary Li directly relayed everything Li Shanglai had told him on the phone to Li Lianyi.
Li Lianyi listened quietly. Her expression remained calm from beginning to end, as if the matter had nothing to do with her.
"Lianyi, what are your thoughts on this matter?" Apothecary Li asked.
"My uncle and cousin have done this for the sake of the Li family, and also for themselves. Both publicly and privately, I can understand," Li Lianyi said faintly.
"Lianyi, this way, that Jiang Wuming fellow will be in an awkward position. Aren't you angry with them?" Apothecary Li asked with some curiosity.
"Grandpa, not only am I not angry with them, but I should thank them," Li Lianyi's statement was astonishing.
"Why?" Apothecary Li looked surprised.
"Before, I was unsure if Jiang Wuming would come to celebrate your birthday, but now, I am certain." Li Lianyi explained the reason, then looked at Apothecary Li, "Grandpa, your eightieth birthday celebration will likely be unprecedentedly lively!"
"Lianyi, I finally understand. So, your intention for not letting me invite young Jiang was deeply thoughtful!" Apothecary Li had a sudden realization, guessing what she meant.
"Back then, Jiang Zhan, for Ye Jinmei's sake, humbled himself when entering the Ye Family Courtyard," Li Lianyi said softly. "Jiang Wuming will not repeat the same mistake. He will stand tall, with the pride of a Jiang family man, and walk into the Valley of Medicine Gods!"