Chapter 134: Return to Green Mountain

"Xiao Si, take Young Master Xu to the Ling Shuang Pavilion to stay for the time being," Gu Qun instructed. "Young Master Xu, I hope you will forgive any lack of hospitality!"

"Clan Master Gu is too kind," Xu Weizhou replied with a faint bow, following Gu Weilan out of Taihe Residence.

The Gu estate was currently short-handed; many loyal servants had been dismissed by Chu Xingyun, and very few remained.

The three of them left Taihe Residence and traveled together to the entrance of the Green Bamboo Garden.

A small figure was huddled at the gate of the courtyard, standing on tiptoe and craning his neck, looking forward with anticipation.

"Sister—" When Gu Qingshi saw Gu Weiyu appear, he acted just as he had when he was young, rushing into her arms without a second thought.

Seeing Little Stone, Gu Weiyu felt a sudden softening in her heart. She reached out and hugged him tightly.

Gu Weilan and Xu Weizhou exchanged a glance, remaining silent by unspoken agreement, and quietly departed.

Peach Blossom Dock was not far from Ling Shuang Pavilion. Gu Weilan led Xu Weizhou to the pavilion first. "Brother Xu, please bear with staying here for these few days."

Xu Weizhou nodded faintly at Gu Weilan and entered the pavilion.

Outside the Green Bamboo Garden, the two siblings stood together for a long while before pulling apart.

Gu Weiyu took Gu Qingshi’s hand and walked into the garden. "Little Stone, let's go inside and talk."

Gu Qingshi nodded obediently and followed her into the bamboo building to sit down.

"Sister, when are we going home?" Gu Qingshi had been away for more than three years, and his longing for his parents had piled up like a mountain.

Three years was enough for a child to grow into a boy. Compared to three years ago, Gu Qingshi was not only taller, but the childishness had begun to fade from his face, replaced by the early signs of adolescence.

"Tell me, in these three years, did that man named Chu bully you?" Gu Weiyu examined him closely. Seeing the bruises on his face and hands, she couldn't help but curse Chu Xingyun in her heart.

"No, he just kept me locked in a courtyard, not allowing me to go home or see outsiders," Gu Qingshi shook his head, his mood very low.

Last night had been absolutely transformative for him. He had always believed that Chu Xingyun and Xin Niang were his relatives, and they would often buy him small gifts. In a sense, aside from being unable to see his parents and sister or play outside the courtyard, that man had treated him quite well.

Now, everyone was telling him that the man was a villainous piece of trash who had killed his clansmen and prevented him from returning home or seeing his family.

"Sister, that man... he..." Gu Qingshi stammered.

Gu Weiyu’s voice was indifferent, devoid of any warmth. "He is dead."

Dead?

An unreadable expression crossed Gu Qingshi's face. Gu Weiyu reached out and stroked his hair. "Alright, let's have some snacks first. Sister Yueya—"

As she finished speaking, a young girl of about ten emerged from the bamboo building. Her face was round and rosy, like a red apple. She was carrying a tray of snacks. Seeing Gu Weiyu looking at her, she quickly curtsied.

"This servant, Xiao Guo, greets the Eleventh Miss. Young Master Qingshi, Sister Yueya... she has gone home. Please have these snacks to tide you over; I will head to the kitchen right away!"

With that, Xiao Guo placed the tray on the low table in front of them.

Gu Weiyu watched the young girl hurry away, feeling a sense of bewilderment. The Gu estate looked the same as before, yet so much felt different. Having been away for so long, she had yet to see her Ninth Sister or Fourteenth Brother, and her heart could not help but sink with anxiety.

Xiao Guo was quick. Gu Weiyu and Gu Qingshi had only eaten two pieces of pastry when she returned carrying a large food box.

"You girl, what's the rush?" Gu Weiyu chuckled, seeing the beads of sweat on her forehead.

Xiao Guo smiled shyly, wiped her brow with a handkerchief, and laid out the meal.

Gu Weiyu beckoned to Gu Qingshi. "Little Stone, come eat. After we eat, we will go back to Qingshan Village together."

Gu Qingshi’s eyes lit up instantly. He could finally go home to see his parents!

After breakfast, Gu Weiyu summoned Qingtuan and, holding Gu Qingshi’s hand, climbed onto it. Under Xiao Guo’s envious gaze, Qingtuan soared into the sky, heading out of Qin County.

In an instant, they were above the towering mountain ranges.

Sitting on Qingtuan, Gu Qingshi exclaimed repeatedly, "Sister, Qingtuan is amazing!"

Gu Weiyu managed a weak smile, her heart heavy with worry as she thought of her Ninth Sister and the others.

Seeing this, Gu Qingshi leaned against the edge of Qingtuan, staring intently at the lush forest below.

"Sister, look! We’ve reached our village!" Gu Qingshi suddenly became inexplicably excited.

Gu Weiyu looked down. Stone houses were appearing and disappearing amidst the clouds; it was indeed Qingshan Village. Without needing a command, Qingtuan descended from the clouds and landed slowly outside the village.

This time, Gu Weiyu did not hide her presence, and people in the village soon discovered them.

"You are—" Uncle A-Wu, a middle-aged clansman standing guard on the high wall, was the first to spot them. His eyes darted between Gu Weiyu and Gu Qingshi, and he suddenly exclaimed with joy, "A-Yu, Little Stone, is it really you?"

Gu Qingshi could no longer restrain himself, his face bright with a brilliant smile. "Uncle A-Wu, Little Stone is back!"

"Oh, it really is A-Yu and Little Stone!" Uncle A-Wu climbed down from the wall, his voice booming like a gong.

In the village, many people rushed over upon hearing the news. Seeing the siblings, they were full of joy, chattering incessantly.

"Oh, A-Yu, Little Stone, you’ve finally returned! Your parents have been crying their eyes out waiting for you!"

"A-Yu—"

Gu Weiyu felt as if there were a thousand crows cawing in her ears, yet her heart felt completely full. She smiled, listening to the long-lost local accent.

Before long, the Clan Elder, Grandpa Gu Yong, and the witch doctor Mu arrived, and Gu Yun and his wife also came out, overjoyed.

Gu Yong dispersed the overly enthusiastic clansmen and told Gu Yun and his wife to take Little Stone home first. Then, he turned to Gu Weiyu. "A-Yu, come with me!"

The clansmen, knowing the Elder had serious matters to discuss, sensibly dispersed.

Gu Weiyu followed the Elder and Mu back to the Elder’s residence.

Gu Yong’s expression was solemn. "A-Yu, tell your grandfather the truth. Our Gu clan is currently..."

Knowing her grandfather’s concerns, Gu Weiyu briefly explained that Chu Xingyun was dead.

Gu Yong breathed a sigh of relief. Mu, standing to the side, smiled and said, "I knew that when A-Yu returned, it would surely bring good news!"

"Alright, A-Yu must be wanting to see her parents. A-Mu, go and see A-Yu off," Gu Yong said, stroking his beard with a smile.

Gu Weiyu’s gaze fell on Mu. "Sister Mu—"