Ji Xingmi's life seemed to return to its previous rhythm. She read books, drew, and when she was tired, she'd tend to the vegetable garden she had started. The garden was thriving, with even the bok choy beginning to appear on the table. Deng Caiyun had also returned to her post; she still had responsibilities and couldn't be away for too long.
"Grandpa, scar removal cream? Buy or not buy?" One day, Ji Xingmi, tired from drawing, put down her brush and propped herself on the desk, asking Elder Hua.
Elder Hua, without looking up, responded to her movement, "Are you out of money?"
"No, has the payment for the hemostatic medicine gone through? I don't know!"
"Just that money? Didn't you get a share from the cultivator and the thresher too?"
"Oh right, I forgot about that. But who ever thinks they have enough money?"
Elder Hua was momentarily speechless. He looked up at her. She was just lying there, her eyes unfocused. Was she lost in thought? Or was this just an excuse to take a break from drawing?
Ji Xingmi waited for a reply for a long time and then looked up. She saw Elder Hua watching her.
"What is it?"
"Give the prescription to Secretary Sun! He'll handle it for you!"
"Okay." Ji Xingmi searched her desk for a while and finally found the prescription she had organized amongst a pile of papers. She took it over and handed it directly to Secretary Sun. "Uncle Sun, you have to fight for me! Master Ye's last cut really hurt my wallet! We're on the same side!"
"Alright, tidy up your own desk. Do you even look like a young lady anymore!?"
"No, I think it's easier to find things this way! I have better ideas." Ji Xingmi said, propping herself back onto the desk.
"Quibbling!"
Ji Xingmi didn't stay in the study this time. She decided to go get something to eat. Her brain was tired and needed some delicious food to recover. Besides, she knew exactly why he didn't want her to keep reminding Secretary Sun. Humph, they were all trying to get her things for free! Speaking of which, she thought of her Uncle Gu, at least he was honest.
Ji Xingmi took a bite of an apple and thought of Gu Jingyi. She wondered what he was up to.
Gu Jingyi, however, was incredibly busy. After Ji Xingmi left, he had taken the time to visit Qian Shi Village and find Grandpa Gu. The elder Gu couple were relieved to know that Gu Jingnian was out of danger. But Gu Jingyi hadn't just come to deliver a message.
He and Grandpa Gu had a long talk in the study. Finally, Grandpa Gu sighed and let Gu Jingyi leave. He had known all along that his eldest son wouldn't be able to shoulder the responsibility of the Gu family. Fortunately, he had started cultivating Gu Jingyi early; otherwise, the Gu family would have been ruined by now.
After leaving his grandfather's study, Gu Jingyi went to see his younger brother and explained the family matters to him. Gu Jingzhao fell into silence for a long time before he found his voice and said, "Brother, do you think it's possible our mother was replaced by enemy agents?"
Hearing his brother say this, Gu Jingyi felt a pang of pain. If it were possible, he would have wished for that to be true. "Jingzhao, people have to learn to grow up."
"Big brother, do you think we were able to grow up because we're strong? We managed to survive in this environment where we weren't loved by our father or mother!"
Gu Jingyi looked at him without speaking. In fact, Jingzhao was relatively fortunate. His mother had been much harsher towards him, but it was through her harshness that he had learned a lot.
"Big brother, do whatever you think is best! I'll be fine. When I'm old enough, I'll follow second uncle and third uncle to join the army. You don't have to worry about me! Besides, we still have Grandma and Grandpa." Gu Jingzhao looked at his older brother and said. Gu Jingyi looked at his younger brother, ruffled his hair, and walked back with him.
Gu Jingyi also went to see where Ji Xingmi had lived before, but it was now a pile of ruins. Chen Jiangong received news of Gu Jingyi's visit and came to see him. He also gave Gu Jingyi a letter for Ji Xingmi. Gu Jingyi didn't know what was inside.
When Gu Jingyi returned to the capital, he began to put his plans into motion. The first thing he did was summon his second and third uncles back.
Gu Zhongye and Gu Zhongli received the news and rushed back. However, they didn't go back to the Gu family residence but met elsewhere.
Upon seeing his nephew, Gu Zhongli asked, "Jingyi, is it really okay for you to do this?"
"Uncle, I've discussed this with Grandpa, and he agrees." Gu Jingyi didn't evade the question.
"Jingyi is doing nothing wrong. After all these years, my elder brother still can't see clearly. If this continues, our entire Gu family will be ruined by the Luo family." Gu Zhongye agreed with his nephew's actions.
Hearing his second brother's words, Gu Zhongli quickly stated his position, "I'm just worried that it will be difficult for Jingyi. My point is, why don't I handle it?"
"Second Uncle, Uncle, I hope you don't blame me for being heartless!"
"So, you're planning to get engaged to Xiao Xing'er. Don't forget about your uncle if you have any good things. That girl has a lot of interesting stuff! But she runs away every time she sees me, it's so boring!" Gu Zhongli changed the subject upon seeing his nephew's demeanor.
"I have a document here! Uncle, find a way to get it to Elder Ye. With this document, the Luo family won't be able to recover. Once Old Master Luo steps down, they will be crushed. I don't want to see them in the capital anymore. And all those people of theirs in the military must be removed!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Zhongye immediately blurted out, "Isn't that grandson of the Ye family at the Ji family? Wouldn't it be more convenient to give this to him?"
Gu Zhongli picked up his second brother's words, "Do you want them to think our Gu family is incapable? Second brother, use your brain!"
Gu Zhongye fell silent. Didn't they know he wasn't good at thinking? What problem couldn't be solved with a fight? If there was one, then they should just fight to the death!