Let's ask first.
Qing Ya took a few steps forward before Lu Nian Fu could reply, "Officer Song, long time no see."
Song Ming's expression was somewhat vacant. Hearing the voice, his gaze gradually refocused. After a long moment, he forced a smile, "It has indeed been a long time. Miss Qing Ya, what brings you here...?"
"The young master's birthday is approaching, and I am accompanying my mistress to pick out a gift for him."
So many? Song Ming's lips twitched. He instinctively reached out to help.
Qing Ya dodged his hand. "No need, no need. You're carrying your own baggage, and this isn't heavy for me. Are you looking for my husband?"
"Yes, it's my first time in Yangzhou, and I don't know where the Boss lives. I was just about to ask for directions, and I happened to run into you."
"That's quite a coincidence. Wait until my mistress has picked out the gift, and you can come back with us."
Song Ming nodded in agreement.
Qing Ya felt that he seemed to be in a bad mood, but their acquaintance was limited, so she didn't ask further. Lu Nian Fu gave her a tap on the head. "Didn't you pick out the gift earlier? We have a guest, why are you still wandering around? Hurry and take Officer Song home. Officer Song, Brother Gu won't be back to the manor until dark. If you have any urgent matters, I can have someone take you to the barracks."
Song Ming shook his head. "No hurry."
"Then, come to the manor for a cup of tea first."
Song Ming nodded silently, and silently followed them home. In Lu Nian Fu's memory, Song Ming was a talkative young man. His sudden silence made her feel a bit unaccustomed.
Could something have happened? Lu Nian Fu was a little puzzled, so even though Song Ming said he wasn't in a hurry to see Gu Yan Chen, she still instructed the gatekeeper to go to the barracks.
Song Ming's state really didn't seem right.
The new gatekeeper was named Shuan Zi. He was twelve years old and the cook's son. He was plump and a little more taciturn than Xiao Wu Zi, but he was diligent and obedient.
Half an hour later, Gu Yan Chen rode back.
Seeing him, Song Ming called out, "Boss," his voice choked with emotion, tears flowing before he could speak.
Lu Nian Fu was stunned. A man of integrity does not shed tears easily. What had happened to Song Ming?
Gu Yan Chen patted his shoulder. "Your mother, in heaven, would not want to see you so heartbroken for her. Please accept my condolences."
Qing Ya's eyes widened abruptly. Lu Nian Fu was equally surprised. Wasn't Song Ming's mother perfectly fine? She hadn't heard of her falling ill.
But seeing Song Ming's demeanor, she couldn't bring herself to ask any more questions.
Song Ming clenched his fists tightly and knelt down with a thud. "Boss, my mother was murdered by the Japanese pirates. If I don't avenge this, I will not be human."
Gu Yan Chen sighed. "I know I can't stop you, but joining the barracks is unnecessary. They are currently recruiting. I will handle the procedures for you. Rest for a few days first, and when the time comes, you will train with them at the barracks."
"No, I can't wait another day."
"Be good. In your current state, if you go out to sea with me, encountering Japanese pirates would not be revenge, but suicide."
Song Ming's eyes were red. He looked stubbornly at Gu Yan Chen, but Gu Yan Chen's expression was calm, yet undeniably firm. In the end, Song Ming couldn't win against him and was obediently led to the guest room by Qing Ya.
Lu Nian Fu thoughtfully recalled, "Didn't Madam Song live in the county town? How was she killed by Japanese pirates?"
"On the day it happened, Madam Song was visiting relatives in the countryside and happened to run into a night raid by the pirates."
Lu Nian Fu gasped. "That's too much of a coincidence!"
"Who would have thought? Song Ming and his mother depended on each other. He originally planned to earn money with me at the barracks to lessen his mother's toil, but with his mother's presence, he wouldn't dare to risk his life at sea. Now that his mother has died at the hands of the pirates, this hatred is irreconcilable. He wants to avenge his mother, and how could I refuse him when he sought my help? However, in his current state, I truly dare not let him stay at the barracks. I can only trouble Madam to make arrangements for him to stay at the manor."
"There's no trouble at all. There are so many guest rooms in the manor, I was worried we wouldn't have anyone to occupy them. It's fine here, but I'm afraid if he sees any Japanese pirates, he'll only think of revenge. His martial arts seem average."
This was exactly what Gu Yan Chen was worried about.