Chapter 389

Lv Jing pursed her lips and smiled, her fingers wrapped around the teacup, and said, "I asked the gatekeeper, who said you two left early and weren't at home."

"I inquired about your whereabouts, but the gatekeeper only said he didn't know."

"So I thought I'd wait a bit longer, hoping for luck, and not long after, you returned."

He Jinglan and Gu Xixi exchanged a glance.

I almost forgot.

Last night they didn't return home, going to that kind of decadent pleasure quarter in Pingkang Ward.

Also, the He family's servants all know the rules and keep tight-lipped.

Naturally, it was impossible to tell the truth to Lv Jing, an outsider.

He Jinglan laughed embarrassedly, saying, "Yes, good thing we didn't make you waste a trip."

Thinking Lv Jing might not have had breakfast, she called the maids to bring some snacks.

Gu Xixi asked Lv Jing, "Have you settled all the family matters on your return?"

Lv Jing nodded, "Yes, I have claimed my father's remains and buried my parents together."

"I held a ritual to console them."

As she said this, her eyes dimmed and her voice grew a little choked.

But she didn't want Gu Xixi and He Jinglan to feel sad too, so she pulled herself together and smiled:

The current magistrate is a good official, leading the entire County Office in working day and night without rest.

Registering and sorting out all the wrongful cases related to the Fan family.

And there are some victims who only dared to come forward after seeing Fan Dongping's downfall.

Although Fan Dongping is already dead and punished, the County Office still examines each case individually.

Once they have finished tallying all of Fan Dongping's assets, they will gradually return them to the victims.

"I was among the first to receive mine."

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan both let out a sigh of relief, happy for Lv Jing.

Lv Jing spared no effort, risking her life and devoting her lifetime to avenging her parents and redressing their wrong.

Although the departed can never return, the outcome cannot be called good.

But this matter has at least reached a conclusion.

From now on, Lv Jing can move forward without any burdens.

Gu Xixi said, "You have reclaimed your family's tea plantation and house."

As long as you restart your livelihood, your daily life should be fine.

If you have any problems tending the tea trees, you can ask me.

She paused, then smiled, "Although I will be returning to Xi Bei in a few days."

But afterwards, I should still come to the capital from time to time.

When I'm not around, you can write me letters, or come find Jing Lan for help.

He Jinglan agreed, "We live close by, so it's more convenient for you to come to me."

Lv Jing looked at the two with a smile, waited for them to finish speaking, then said, "Actually, there's no need for all this trouble."

"I just need to go with Xixi."

He Jinglan wondered, "You're going with Xixi? To Xi Bei?"

"Aren't you keeping your own home?"

Lv Jing said, "I have already sold Cha Yuan."

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan exclaimed in unison, "What?"

"Sold?!"

Lv Jing nodded, unlike when Gu Xixi had first seen her.

Now her eyes are calm, revealing confidence that she is in control of everything.

"I want to follow my benefactor and repay her for the rest of my life."

Lv Jing earnestly gazed at Gu Xixi, "These words are not a fleeting impulse; I won't just say them and forget."

He Jinglan clicked her tongue, "You really intend to give yourself to Xixi, don't you?"

Lv Jing laughed, "Yeah, you could put it that way."

Gu Xixi weakly waved her hand, "That meaning makes a big difference."

He Jinglan was still curious, eagerly asking Lv Jing, "Besides Cha Yuan, did you sell everything else?"

Lv Jing replied, "Only the old family house remains unsold; I let a relative stay there temporarily, just to have someone look after the house."

"That way, every year during Qingming and the Cold Food Festival, my parents, if they could return to look, would always be able to find home."

He Jinglan nodded, sighing, "You really have burned your boats and are determined to follow Xixi."

Lv Jing lifted her chin and said, "Of course."

He Jinglan chuckled, "I support you!"

"You two, wait a moment." Gu Xixi raised her hand to interrupt the conversation,

She looked at Lv Jing and said solemnly, "You said you would follow me for this lifetime."

"Don't you want to live this life freely, following your own heart?"

Lv Jing blinked, "Yes, I do."

"Following you doesn't hinder that either."

He Jinglan clapped her hands, "Right, Xixi, you weren't saying you lacked a most capable, thoughtful, and trustworthy assistant?"

"Who now is more suitable than Jing?"

"Mm, mm!" Lv Jing nodded vigorously.

He Jinglan continued to persuade, "Look, you need help. Jingjing, you need to repay kindness."

"At the same time, she can temporarily leave this place of sorrow."

"She can accompany you in starting a career, meanwhile learn skills, and gain her own foothold."

"You say, where can one find such a good thing?"

"Xixi, just agree to it."

He Jinglan gave a look, Lv Jing understood, and immediately said pitifully:

"Boss, I've already sold all my possessions."

"Although I have some money, it's not enough to last a lifetime."

"I want to work for you."

Gu Xixi wavered, after a moment said, "Alright."

"However, Xi Bei differs greatly from here; if you can adapt…"

"Later, when a suitable opportunity arises, using the money on hand to set up a livelihood is also good."

Lv Jing instantly rejoiced, "Then it's settled!"

Gu Xixi glanced sideways; sure enough, she had just been pretending to be pitiful.

The matter satisfactorily resolved, He Jinglan was also pleased, and simply let Lv Jing stay.

From now on, this girl belongs to Gu Xixi.

He Jinglan ordered someone to tidy up the side room.

Lian Xing took Lv Jing to settle her in, then He Jinglan turned to Gu Xixi.

"My brother has been coming to Jade Bamboo Institute these past two days, inquiring about our recent whereabouts."

"If I'm not mistaken, whoever wants to know this must be someone else."

She rested her chin on one hand, half-smiling, "Speaking of which… what exactly happened between the two of you?"

"I waited for you outside the palace gate, watching you two come out one after another; you both seemed off."

"Especially him."

"Even though his face is still as icy as ice, I clearly saw his face turn red."

Gu Xixi said calmly, "A flushed face? Normal people with ample qi and blood flush; it's quite normal."

"Fine." He Jinglan didn't intend to press further, smiling slyly, "I'm not in a hurry; sooner or later I'll find out."

"I'll just wait to see which of you and him loses composure first."

He Jinglan walked away smiling narrowly.

Gu Xixi closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

The days before returning home are few.

Mu Nan Zhao's side…

Better wait a bit longer.

Fortunately, it's raining today, so we can at least stay home and catch a breath.

After lunch, Gu Xixi went to sleep.

Until she was shaken awake, she opened her eyes to find lamps lit inside, and it was already dark.

He Jinglan wore a thin shirt over her inner garments, anxiously saying, "Xixi, wake up!"

"Mu Nan Zhao seems to have been poisoned."

Gu Xixi sat up instantly, all drowsiness gone.

The two words "poisoned" have become a sensitive term in her subconscious.

"What did you say? Again! Poisoned?!"

He Jinglan nodded, since the matter is of great importance, others must not be told.

She whispered, "My brother isn't home tonight."

"The secret guards of the royal palace sought help, couldn't find my brother, so they could only come secretly to Jade Bamboo Institute."