Chapter 385: Renovation

Gu Jiu Ling didn't expect Gu Kang to actually take her out of the mansion, and she couldn't help but be slightly stunned.

Gu Kang gave a faint smile and said, "Elder sister, you're faking death, and you're not really planning to stay hidden in Shang Jing forever, avoiding everyone."

Gu Jiu Ling let out a light snort, got up and put on her clothes.

Although she had many quarrels with Gu Kang, even to the point of life and death, now she trusts this fellow the most.

After all, the same blood runs in their veins, and that familial bond cannot be easily cut off.

Gu Jiu Ling asked Yun Duo and Jiu Yue to stay and look after the two little ones; there was still a wet nurse, and she finally freed herself.

The sister and brother walked out through the side gate bathed in the sunset's afterglow, boarding a plain green‑curtain carriage out of the mansion.

Gu Jiu Ling didn't expect Gu Kang to actually bring her back to the Gu Xiang Residence.

No, it can no longer be called the Gu Xiang Residence; it has become Gu Kang's private residence.

She stood at the courtyard entrance, lifted her gaze to the plaque bearing two large scarlet‑gold characters—Du Mansion.

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes warmed slightly; this mansion was originally her maternal grandfather's, and after his daughter married a pauper with nothing, he gave the house to his daughter and son‑in‑law.

Good grief, now it's like inviting wolves into the house—troubles forever.

Now this mansion bears the Du name again, looping back around.

Gu Jiu Ling inhaled deeply, feeling the scene before her made her somewhat dazed.

Then she followed her brother into the house, whose layout had been slightly altered by Gu Kang.

The courtyard where Gu Nanxiang, Concubine Lin, Xin Yuxiu and their father had lived was completely renovated.

Their belongings were tossed by Gu Kang onto the streets, briefly providing cheap goods for the street beggars who lingered at the Gu household waiting for more to be discarded.

Gu Kang merged the courtyard where Gu Nanxiang once lived with Gu Jiu Ling's courtyard into a large yard, carving out a pond that housed ornamental koi.

He also planted camellias that elder sister loves; the scenery was quite beautiful.

Gu Kang looked at Gu Jiu Ling and said, "Elder sister, whenever living outside feels uncomfortable, just come back and stay."

"I've now taken a post at the Hanlin Academy, entered the Ministry of State Affairs, my salary is generous, and I will support you."

"The Du family will be your everlasting support!"

Gu Jiu Ling froze for a moment, a warm feeling rose in her heart, tears glimmered in her eyes, she awkwardly brushed them away, then landed a hard punch on Gu Kang's shoulder and laughed, "I know, I also have my maternal family watching over me; from now on this place is my fallback, I'm not afraid of anyone!"

"Alright, elder sister, thank you first; keep this place for me."

"Elder sister, while renovating the house these days, I uncovered things my mother left behind."

"They were hidden in the main courtyard," Gu Kang said, leading Gu Jiu Ling toward it.

The main courtyard had once been the residence of the late Madam Du and Gu Shijie; after the madam's death, Lin Qingxue occupied the nest for over a decade.

Now, upon entering the main courtyard, the bamboo and fir are impeccably refined, lacking the previous extravagance of the Lin family, and even any trace of Gu Shijie has been completely erased.

Inside the main hall stood Du Qingning's spirit tablet and portrait.

Gu Jiu Ling was amazed at how her brother found their mother's portrait; she felt he had been extremely meticulous.

She knelt before Du Qingning's portrait, bowed and offered incense, then rose and walked to a warm pavilion on the east side.

Inside lay a small box; Gu Kang opened it to reveal items for girls, evidently belongings Du Qingning had used before leaving the household.

Gu Kang said, "These were accidentally found by my men in the attic's hidden compartment while renovating; they're women's belongings, so I'm leaving them to you."

Gu Jiu Ling nodded and put the items away.

It was getting late, and Gu Kang carried the box as he escorted Gu Jiu Ling back.

The carriage passed a street in the southern city and heard a barrage of vulgar curses and a woman's sobbing wail.

The sound was oddly unsettling; Gu Jiu Ling couldn't help but lift a corner of the carriage curtain, and her complexion changed slightly.

The woman's face was covered with disfiguring knife scars, her tongue seemed cut off, eyes gouged blind, and even her kneecaps had been ripped out.

She lay on the ground, whimpering and crying, trying to grab a dandy.

The dandy snatched the few copper coins she had painstakingly begged for and kicked her.

She was still wearing a silk dress of a wealthy family, but it was so filthy it was unrecognizable.

Hu Jiuling turned sharply toward Gu Kang, expression incredulous, and pointed outside, "Is... the Lin family?"

Gu Kang nodded, his expression steady as usual.

The thought of someone torturing a person to such a living‑death state seemed utterly unlike this elegant, dashing youth.

At this moment, Gu Jiu Ling felt a faint chill in her heart.

Though seeing the Lin family's state was indeed gratifying.

Yet if she came to avenge this, it would be a swift reckoning.

For the first time, Gu Jiu Ling deeply sensed a strange, ruthless ferocity from her brother Gu Kang, leaving her trembling with fear.

Gu Kang seemed to notice his elder sister's odd mood and smiled lightly, "Elder sister, some things in this world either aren't done, or must be done ruthlessly!"

Gu Jiu Ling nodded, after a while looked at Gu Kang and said, "Gu Kang, if you get tired of traveling and don't want to continue, elder sister will find you a job, something else to do."

Gu Kang turned his face toward Gu Jiu Ling, steadied himself and smiled, "Elder sister, once the bow is drawn there is no arrow to turn back!"

Gu Jiu Ling was speechless, carrying a belly of thoughts and her mother's box, she entered her own courtyard.

Jiu Yue and Yun Duo hurried over, seeing little Gu Xiaoya sobbing loudly, while the other infant Gu Yi was busy playing with his rope.

Gu Jiu Ling lifted the delicate little daughter, soothed her to sleep, and placed her in the cradle.

She stepped aside, opened her mother's box, and found jewelry, bookmarks, combs…

Suddenly Gu Jiu Ling's hand paused mid‑air; a bead lodged in the box's corner glowed faintly, like a night‑bright pearl.

Gu Jiu Ling, naturally keen on treasures, reached out to pry the bead out, but the other end was still attached to something, firmly stuck inside the box.

Gu Jiu Ling strained, gave a hard yank, and with a snap the weathered box burst apart.

The lacquered layer inside the box fell off; Gu Jiu Ling kept muttering curses, just as she tried to re‑attach that layer, she froze for a moment.

She vaguely realized that after the inner lacquer peeled, there were still some patterns inside.

Gu Jiu Ling was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly poured out the things inside the box.

With a clatter, she emptied the box, raised her hand and peeled off all the loosened paint, then immediately brought the inside of the box to the candlelight, and let out a low gasp.