"I knew the village chief would bring this up.
'Why are you all looking at me like that?' the village chief asked, staring blankly at Old Man Yun and Madam Gu. 'I'm trying to set Jinhe up with someone, isn't that a good thing? He's not young anymore, it's time he considered getting married...'
Madam Gu smiled and replied, 'Village Chief, Jinhe is currently dedicating all his attention to his studies and cannot be distracted. As for his marriage, our family is not in a hurry. We'll talk about it after Jinhe comes of age!'
A boy coming of age signifies turning twenty. By then, Jinhe should be established.
The Yun family doesn't expect him to become the top scholar, but just passing the provincial examination would suffice...
With a provincial scholar in Dashui Village, one could secure a position in the county or prefectural city in the future.
'I'm telling you, *hic!*' the village chief hiccuped and leaned closer to Old Man Yun. 'That girl is at my house right now. She's been visiting these past few days. What do you think? It won't cost you anything!'
Old Man Yun: '...'
He dared not make a decision. What if he arranged a marriage for Jinhe while he was away, and Jinhe didn't like it upon his return?
Although it's a matter of parental decree and matchmaker's words, Jinhe's opinion must still be respected.
Madam Gu smiled and refused, 'Village Chief, there's really no need. Please don't trouble yourself with this!'
Little Xi Tian also felt it was inappropriate. Her eldest nephew was being looked after by Sister Murong, and Little Xi Tian thought they made a perfect couple...
Seeing the Yun family's firm refusal, the village chief stopped persuading and began to drink his wine in silence.
Meanwhile, Gu Zhenshan had arrived at Dashui Village with his entourage.
They wandered from the village entrance to the end, finally stopping in front of the Yun family's house...
'Young General, look! This household's surname is Yun, and it's a grand residence. Could this be that little girl's home?' Steward Cao exclaimed excitedly.
In the county seat, Little Xi Tian and Yun San Man had met Gu Zhenshan.
Little Xi Tian knew he was searching for her sister everywhere, so she suggested he check out Dashui Village...
Gu Zhenshan had been delayed by escorting the Emperor, got lost, and took detours. Now, he had finally found the right place.
'You all wait outside. I'll go in and take a look!' Gu Zhenshan dismounted and strode into the courtyard.
Hearing unfamiliar footsteps, Xue Ling began to bark, 'Woof, woof, woof!'
Gu Zhenshan was startled and looked at Xue Ling. 'Wow, what a big dog! So strong, like a calf...'
Having traveled far and wide for many years, this was the first time he had seen a dog of such a size.
Four half-grown black and white puppies crawled out from the doghouse. Gu Zhenshan became even more curious. 'Who did you breed with? Your fur is pure white, how did you end up with a litter of black and white puppies?'
'Woof woof!' Xue Ling wagged its big tail and barked at him.
Gu Zhenshan reached into his怀, pulled out a piece of dried lamb, and threw it over. 'Have some. This is top-quality mountain goat meat!'
Xue Ling sniffed the meat, then picked it up and tossed it into the trash pile by the wall.
It didn't eat things given by strangers.
Gu Zhenshan: '...'
This family's dogs are all so peculiar.
Fine, if it doesn't want to eat it, so be it.
Inside the house, Old Man Yun heard the commotion and nudged Yun Er Man. 'Go out and see if someone's here.'
Yun Er Man responded, walked out of the house, and saw a tall, tired-looking man confronting Xue Ling...
The big white dog blocked his way into the house, but Gu Zhenshan insisted on pushing forward, which even drew Da Hei from next door.
'Who... who are you looking for?' Yun Er Man asked.
This man had a square face, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a high nose bridge. Yun Er Man seemed to see a familiar shadow in him.
Gu Zhenshan said, 'Your family's surname is Yun, right?'
Yun Er Man gestured with his chin towards the plaque at the main entrance. 'Isn't it written there...'
On the bottom right of the plaque 'Yao Men Zhi Jia', the character 'Yun' was carved. Xiao Jin Heng had asked Kong Xing Zhuo to carve it.
'How old is your mother? Is she at home?' Gu Zhenshan suddenly asked.
Yun Er Man: '...'
What's wrong with this guy? Did he drink too much fake wine? He's asking about his mother's age right off the bat.
What does my mother's age have to do with you?
'I don't know!' Yun Er Man said with a stern face. 'You should leave. My family is going to sleep!'
Gu Zhenshan, already exhausted and frustrated, saw Yun Er Man's attitude and rolled up his sleeves, ready to give him a beating...
'Young man, can you speak properly?' Gu Zhenshan said angrily.
Yun Er Man also got angry. This person actually came to their house to cause trouble. Was he asking for a fight?
Just as the two were about to get into a scuffle, Old Man Yun, Little Xi Tian, and others rushed out from the house.
Madam Gu had drunk too much mutton soup that night and felt unwell, so she had gone back to her room to rest...
'Who is it, making such a racket late at night?' Old Man Yun frowned.
Gu Zhenshan glanced at him, then looked at Little Xi Tian beside Old Man Yun, his expression suddenly changing. 'It's you, little girl!~'
'Uncle Gu?' Little Xi Tian was stunned for half a moment before realizing, 'You actually found Dashui Village!'
This person was too persistent.
A drop of cold sweat trickled down Gu Zhenshan's forehead. 'So, this is Dashui Village?'
If they had confirmed the location of Dashui Village earlier, they wouldn't have had to go through such a detour...
'Mhm!' Little Xi Tian nodded.
Upon hearing this, Gu Zhenshan suddenly looked at Du Lao San, who was swaying unsteadily and had a dazed look in his eyes. 'You dog, you dared to lie to this general... this old man! I'll break your legs!'
Little Xi Tian heard this and scratched her head. What did 'this old man' mean?
Du Lao San rubbed his eyes and cried out, 'Old Yun Tou, he's the assassin I told you about last time! You... you all run!'
Old Man Yun: '...'
If he's drunk, he should go back to sleep. What nonsense is he spouting here?
Seeing Gu Zhenshan charging towards him, Du Lao San turned and ran, disappearing in an instant.
'You wait for me!' Gu Zhenshan clenched his fists, stamping his feet in anger.
Old Man Yun stepped forward and cupped his hands towards Gu Zhenshan. 'May I ask who you are?'
Why did he inexplicably come to their house and what did he want?
'I'm looking for someone!' Gu Zhenshan said with a serious expression. 'Do you recognize a woman named Gu Ran'er? She's about your age...'
'Gu Ran'er?' Old Man Yun was completely bewildered.
The only person in their family with the surname Gu was his wife, Gu Xiang Qing. He hadn't seen any Gu Ran'er.
Little Xi Tian explained to her father that this person's sister had gone to Feiyan Village years ago and then disappeared. She also briefly recounted Gu Zhenshan's years of searching for his sister...
Old Man Yun blinked after listening. 'So, you suspect my wife is your sister?'
Gu Zhenshan nodded repeatedly. 'That's right. Is it convenient for me to meet her?'
'It's not convenient!' Old Man Yun refused outright.
Gu Zhenshan: '...' "