Chapter 2838: The Stand-In Was Taken by the Bandit's Wife 44

The next day, the sky was faintly light, and everyone entered the Capital they had not seen for seven years.

The Ninth Prince had already returned to the capital to prepare for his enthronement, but Gu Fanghe did not rush to enter the palace; instead, he turned his horse and headed for the Jiangjun fu in the west of the city.

That was the place where he grew up.

Seven years ago, when he left, he thought he would never come back.

But now the locust trees on both sides are still the same, only taller and with denser foliage.

The gate of the Jiangjun fu was tightly shut; Gu Fanghe dismounted, stood before it, and looked up at the plaque.

He reached out, his fingertips lightly brushing the door.

Long-forgotten memories surged forth: his father's teachings, his mother's kindness, and his younger brother's tender face.

Later, his father died on the battlefield, his mother passed away from depression, and his younger brother… his younger brother died in the cold residence.

After that, he left filled with hatred, and seven years passed.

Now that he has returned, things remain but people are gone.

Jin Chen walked to his side, simply reached out, and gently took his hand, warm in the palm.

Gu Fanghe took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

Every blade of grass, every tree, every brick and tile remained as in his memory, only lacking liveliness and gaining a touch of desolation.

Gu Fanghe took Jin Chen's hand and walked inside, his voice somewhat hoarse, 'This place… is my home.'

Gu Fanghe slowly released Jin Chen's hand, alone, and walked toward the depths of the courtyard.

Jin Chen did not follow; he stood at the doorway, watching Gu Fanghe stop beneath the old pear tree, lift his head, as sunlight filtered through the leaves and fell upon his face, bright and dim.

Gu Fanghe slowly turned and extended his hand toward Jin Chen.

This place is my home.

But without you, it is no longer that.

So please… come in.

Come to my side.

Jin Chen lifted his foot and walked toward the man who had extended his hand in the depths of the courtyard, step by step entering the realm that belonged to Gu Fanghe's past and moving toward their future.

Gu Fanghe's eyes held a fragility that only surfaced in front of Jin Chen.

"Young master…"

Jin Chen grasped his hand.

In that posture, Gu Fanghe stepped forward and threw himself into Jin Chen's embrace, burying his face in Jin Chen's neck, 'Jin Chen.'

Jin Chen raised his hand and lightly patted his back, letting Gu Fanghe feel at ease.

Just as many years ago, when he returned from battle at the frontier, exhausted and stepping through the manor's gate, as long as he saw the lights within and the relatives waiting for him, a sense of relief would well up in his heart.

Now, the home still exists.

【Detected Villain Blackening Value -10, cumulative 0!】

A commotion suddenly came from the rear courtyard; an aged figure leaning on a cane shuffled out, tears instantly welling in his cloudy old eyes upon seeing the people in the yard.

"Young… young master?"

Gu Fanghe shuddered, snapped his head up, 'Xu Bo…'

His voice choked, 'How… how have you been guarding this place all this time?'

Xu Bo was an old servant of the Gu family, having watched Gu Fanghe grow up since childhood.

Seven years ago, when the Gu family met disaster, the manor's servants dispersed or were sold; he thought… Xu Bo was no longer alive.

Xu Bo leaned on his cane, staggering over, tears streaming, 'Young master… truly you are the young master; this old servant thought he would never see your return in this lifetime…'

'This old servant did not die; when the manor met disaster that year, we old folks scattered or were sold; this old servant was originally consigned to a labor camp, but the Ninth Prince secretly sent people to ransom him out and settle him in a manor outside the city…'

He caught his breath and continued, 'The Ninth Prince said you, young master, would surely return! Sooner or later you would come back, letting this old servant… watch over this residence for you, waiting for you…'

'This old servant just waited and waited… from black hair to white, from sturdy to unable to walk; this old servant feared… feared not living to see this day, and thus never seeing you, young master…'

'Heaven has eyes… heaven has eyes! After all… after all, it let this old servant wait until this day!'

He stepped forward, trembling as he adjusted his sleeves, and bowed deeply to Gu Fanghe and Jin Chen.

This bow was offered for the deceased Old Master and Madam, as well as for himself, to welcome the new master back to this Jiangjun fu that had lain silent for seven years.

'This old servant… respectfully welcomes the young master home, and also welcomes… the madam.'

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, not denying it.

This home finally feels like a home again.

——

The Capital entered summer, the weather growing hotter day by day.

It has been seven days since returning to the Jiangjun fu.

The manor had already been repaired and arranged by people sent by Wu Chengjing; everything was complete, and many more servants had been added, all reliable individuals carefully selected; Xu Bo, as steward, was energetic, seeming ten years younger, keeping the inner and outer premises in orderly condition.

Jin Chen was habitually lazy, disliking social engagements; except when Wu Chengjing occasionally summoned him to the palace on the pretext of discussing affairs, he mostly stayed in the manor.

Ah Yan remained Jin Chen's most useful personal attendant; his temperament was steadier than when he was in the Black Mountain Stronghold, but toward his own young master he remained wholeheartedly devoted, as if he wanted to pluck the stars and moon for him.

Only Gu Fanghe was busy, rising early and returning late; with a hundred affairs awaiting attention in court, this General who had earned merit by following the dragon was naturally constantly on the move.

No matter how busy, his two daily unchanging tasks were returning to the manor for dinner and, before sleep, necessarily clinging to Jin Chen for embraces, kisses, and to hold him fast in his arms, inhaling his pleasant scent, only then could he rest peacefully.

This possessive desire and aggressive feeling were no less than in the Black Mountain Stronghold, indeed even greater; of course, Jin Chen reveled in it.

Yan Qi often came; he had little interest in court affairs, and when not fighting, his goal was to enjoy the Capital.

Liu Mianfeng, Chen Xiaoshan, and Shi Meng each had their duties, only occasionally coming by to sit.

Only Jin Chen had leisure; he was nurtured to look ever healthier, the languid elegance between his brows and eyes becoming more pronounced, like a piece of fine jade carefully carved.

This afternoon, Yan Qi came again.

He wore that baby face, grinning carefree, and as soon as he stepped inside he shouted, "Jin brother, tomorrow is Dage's birthday—what have you prepared?"

Jin Chen's hand, turning a page, came to a halt.

He lifted his gaze to Yan Qi, brows slightly furrowed, and asked, "Birthday?"

"Yeah!" Yan Qi blinked an eye, "Back when we were in the military camp, whenever Dage celebrated his birthday, Second Brother Chen would always sneak him an extra drumstick! Hahaha!"

Jin Chen really had no idea—Gu Fanghe hadn't let a word slip.

However, his mind lately has been wholly on his duties and… tangled up with himself, so he probably hasn't given the birthday a thought.

Jin Chen sat up, looked at Ah Yan, and said, "Go to the street and buy some things for me."

Ah Yan took note, received the silver, and went out happily.

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, saying nothing.

Seeing this, Yan Qi gave a hehe laugh, "Jin brother, you're planning a surprise for Dage, right? Don't worry, I'm tight-lipped—I won't spill it early!"

Jin Chen glanced at him, his eyes hinting at a smile.

Yan Qi said he was just coming to hang out, but in fact he was here to quietly leak the news; after drinking a cup of good tea, he left.

Jin Chen lay back down on the bamboo couch, but had lost the mood to read; he lowered his eyes, thought for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

No wonder Gu Fanghe has been acting hesitant these past few days—it turns out the birthday is approaching.