Chapter 111 - The General's Return

The day went by quickly and even before Jiang Ying Yue knew she was already standing at the entrance of the Gu Manor along with Gu Chen, his mother, and the servants of the manor as they all waited for the General's arrival along with Young Marquis.

"Are you nervous or excited?" Jiang Ying Yue asked Gu Chen as she came to stand next to him. She could clearly see the young man fidgeting around as his eyes were fixed on the entrance of the manor.

"I'm feeling both. I'm excited to finally see and meet my father and brother after so many years but at the same time, I'm feeling anxious about facing them in such a state. Do you think they will hate me for my incompetence?" Gu Chen couldn't hide his nervousness in front of Ying Yue, not like he was trying to in the first place.

Jiang Ying Yue turned to look at the young man as she replied, "Why would you even think like that? He's your father. No matter what, he can never hate you. Besides, you are not incompetent. Don't keep blaming yourself. If you will keep looking down on yourself, how can others treat you otherwise?" 

Gu Chen remained silent as he stared at her for the next few moments before finally speaking, "Why are you so good? It seems like you have a solution for every problem and every situation. You seem to see things differently from others. Aren't we of the same age? Then why do you sound like someone who has a ton of experience through the ups and downs of life?" Instead of being suspicious, he sounded impressed and amazed. 

Jiang Ying Yue let out a small sigh as she turned her attention back towards the entrance as her heightened hearing sense had already picked on the sounds of horses trotting down the street towards the manor. "Because I really have seen a lot. Besides, you don't need to be hundreds of years old to become mature. Some people learn these important lessons pretty early in their lives. Also, I didn't say anything impressive, to begin with. I just told you the truth."

Gu Chen opened his mouth to say something but got interrupted when a guard came running inside the manor to inform them about the arrival of General Gu and the Young Marquis.

Even though she had no particular reason to feel any sort of nervousness, Jiang Ying Yue was still feeling a little bit anxious for some weird and unknown reason. Probably because General Gu was an important person in her plan to make her business successful and his opinion about her mattered a lot. 

It took less than five minutes before the General and Young Marquis were stepping inside the Gu manor. 

Jiang Ying Yue swiftly stepped away to let the family reunite. The atmosphere became super emotional almost immediately. 

Though she didn't allow Gu Chen to take away his servants considering she had been training them to work at the stores, she did allow them to take the day off so that they could meet their Master and be a part of this happy moment.

It took around twenty minutes or so before she finally found herself greeting the General face to face as the furen kept complimenting her non-stop. She tried to signal Gu Chen to help but the man seemed totally oblivious to her request.

"On my way here to the capital, I got to hear a lot about Lady Yue from the Head Guard Fei. She praised you a lot for your talent and skills and also for your kind and humble nature that has won the hearts of our people. It's good to finally meet you, Lady Yue." General Gu spoke as he smiled warmly at the young lady who seemed uncomfortable because of all the praises that his wife had just voiced out.

Jiang Ying Yue bowed her head to thank the General as she tried to recall exactly when she acted kind and humble to any of the citizens. While it was true that she wasn't a mean person and was actually good at her work, she wasn't someone who went out of her league to help others. Then why did people keep labeling her as a kind person? 

"If Lady Yue doesn't mind, I have just one simple question to ask her. Can I?" This time the person who spoke was none other than the Young Marquis who was sitting beside Gu Chen.

"Sure. Go ahead." Jiang Ying Yur responded affirmatively and waited to hear his question. She was actually impressed by the young marquis' personality. Even though he was a young man, his aura was as powerful and dominating as one's should be in his position. He carried himself perfectly and even though he appeared aloof and hard to approach, he wasn't a cold person.

"Why did you decide to work with our family? Especially when we are in such poor condition?" The young man didn't waste any time in beating around the bush and came straight to the point.

Jiang Ying Yue's gaze landed briefly on Gu Chen and the young man nodded his head in return as if to encourage her. Returning her attention towards the Young Marquis, she replied, "Because I didn't want to work under Prime Minister."

There was a deep silence following her reply and it seemed like everyone was waiting for her to speak something more but to their surprise and dismay, she didn't.

"Just that?" The young marquis couldn't help but ask when the girl refused to add anything more to her answer.

"Just that." Jiang Ying Yue confirmed immediately with a firm tone.

"But why choose our family? We are in no condition to help you against the Prime Minister. Our family is no longer what it used to be. Don't you think you made the wrong decision?" General Gu questioned her as he observed her reactions closely. 

Jiang Ying Yue knew perfectly that she was being tested and she was happy because she could easily pass the test just by telling them the truth.

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"If Lady Yue doesn't mind, I have just one simple question to ask her. Can I?" This time the person who spoke was none other than the Young Marquis who was sitting beside Gu Chen.

"Sure. Go ahead." Jiang Ying Yur responded affirmatively and waited to hear his question. She was actually impressed by the young marquis' personality. Even though he was a young man, his aura was as powerful and dominating as one's should be in his position. He carried himself perfectly and even though he appeared aloof and hard to approach, he wasn't a cold person.

"Why did you decide to work with our family? Especially when we are in such poor condition?" The young man didn't waste any time in beating around the bush and came straight to the point.

Jiang Ying Yue's gaze landed briefly on Gu Chen and the young man nodded his head in return as if to encourage her. Returning her attention towards the Young Marquis, she replied, "Because I didn't want to work under Prime Minister."

There was a deep silence following her reply and it seemed like everyone was waiting for her to speak something more but to their surprise and dismay, she didn't.

"Just that?" The young marquis couldn't help but ask when the girl refused to add anything more to her answer.

"Just that." Jiang Ying Yue confirmed immediately with a firm tone.

"But why choose our family? We are in no condition to help you against the Prime Minister. Our family is no longer what it used to be. Don't you think you made the wrong decision?" General Gu questioned her as he observed her reactions closely. 

Jiang Ying Yue knew perfectly that she was being tested and she was happy because she could easily pass the test just by telling them the truth.

####

"If Lady Yue doesn't mind, I have just one simple question to ask her. Can I?" This time the person who spoke was none other than the Young Marquis who was sitting beside Gu Chen.

"Sure. Go ahead." Jiang Ying Yur responded affirmatively and waited to hear his question. She was actually impressed by the young marquis' personality. Even though he was a young man, his aura was as powerful and dominating as one's should be in his position. He carried himself perfectly and even though he appeared aloof and hard to approach, he wasn't a cold person.

"Why did you decide to work with our family? Especially when we are in such poor condition?" The young man didn't waste any time in beating around the bush and came straight to the point.

Jiang Ying Yue's gaze landed briefly on Gu Chen and the young man nodded his head in return as if to encourage her. Returning her attention towards the Young Marquis, she replied, "Because I didn't want to work under Prime Minister."

There was a deep silence following her reply and it seemed like everyone was waiting for her to speak something more but to their surprise and dismay, she didn't.

"Just that?" The young marquis couldn't help but ask when the girl refused to add anything more to her answer.

"Just that.." Jiang Ying Yue confirmed immediately with a firm tone.