Chapter 624: Chapter 626: Mr. Gu is Back

The commotion quickly drew the attention of the villagers. At first, no one could believe it, but as the figures drew closer, they cried out in astonishment.

"Mr. Gu is back!" The shout came from Gu Xiaoli. Her shrill voice startled the birds in the woods and jolted the resting villagers out of their homes.

"Mr. Gu is back?" People came running out one after another. Ever since Ancient Wen Heng became Magistrate, the villagers had, at some point, stopped calling him Lao Gouqi. Instead, they had all started following the townspeople’s lead, addressing him respectfully as Mr. Gu.

"It really is Mr. Gu!"

Ancient Wen Heng and his family were seen walking on the village path, heading in the direction of Gu Dashishi’s residence.

Jin Qianqian was currently chatting with Gu Xiaoli. "Sister Xiao Li, it’s been a while. You’re looking much healthier and more prosperous."

In this place, praising someone for looking "prosperous" wasn’t an insult; it was an auspicious compliment that everyone loved to hear.

Gu Xiaoli hadn’t expected that even after becoming a high official’s wife, Jin Qianqian would still treat them with the same attitude. Hearing her speak so calmly about everyday matters, Gu Xiaoli couldn’t help but relax.

"It’s all thanks to you. Plus, my Heizi is a hard worker, so of course our lives are getting better and better.

When life is good, you’re bound to put on a little weight."

Jin Qianqian waved her own two children over. "This is your Auntie Xiao Li. Go on, greet her."

"Auntie Xiao Li," Gu Benluo and his sibling greeted obediently.

Gu Xiaoli’s heart melted as she looked at the two children’s smiling faces, especially with Jintong’s good looks. "What two well-behaved children! Their looks take after all the best features of you and Mr. Gu. It’s wonderful!"

"Why are you calling him ’Mr. Gu’? We’re all family. Didn’t you used to call him Brother Qi?"

"It’s just a habit," Gu Xiaoli said, glancing nervously at Ancient Wen Heng. He was clearly the same person, yet she felt he wasn’t.

If she had met this version of Ancient Wen Heng out in the world, she wouldn’t have dared to acknowledge him. Just looking at him made her feel a little flustered and breathless.

She stiffly turned her face back to Jin Qianqian; it was easier to talk with another woman. "Everyone in Fu County, including our village, calls him that now. We’re all used to it."

She didn’t know how to explain the profound reasons, but she felt they were like two different kinds of people now. She had to be extra careful with her words, afraid of causing offense.

Jin Qianqian hadn’t realized this was the case and was about to ask more, but just then, more and more villagers started appearing on the path to greet them. She had to divert her attention and put the matter aside for later.

The short stretch of road felt like it took a very long time to walk.

They hadn’t even reached the elders’ courtyard when his brothers emerged, supporting Li Cuicui, to welcome them.

When Ancient Wen Heng saw Li Cuicui, he pushed through the crowd, lifted the hem of his robe, and knelt directly before her. "Mother, your unfilial son has returned with his family."

Jin Qianqian, a step behind, was holding the children’s hands and about to follow suit when Li Cuicui barked, "Hurry up and help your younger brother up! This road is rough to kneel on, don’t let him hurt his knees!"

Meanwhile, Jin Qianqian was supported on her left and right by Liu Liu and Li Xiaohua.

"You silly boy, why are you so earnest?" Li Cuicui felt a pang of pain for her son just from the sound of his knees hitting the ground.

When Gu Yuanjin and the others helped Ancient Wen Heng up, she couldn’t help but pat his shoulder. "Even if you’re going to kneel, you should use a cushion. What if you hurt yourself?"

Ancient Wen Heng was speechless. ’So, it’s not that I shouldn’t kneel, but that I should choose a better way to do it? Is this really the proper way to treat your most successful son?’

"Mother, Seventh Brother and his family have had a long journey. We should hurry back inside," Gu Yuanjin said, noticing the growing crowd. He then added, "Seventh, you haven’t eaten yet, have you?"

Li Cuicui happened to see Gu Benluo’s little hand rubbing his belly and immediately said, "Let’s talk at home."

Gu Benluo was speechless. ’I ate so many snacks in the carriage just now. After walking such a short distance, when am I ever going to burn it all off?’

After walking a little further, Li Cuicui noticed that many people were still following them. She stopped with a sigh and said to the crowd, "Our Seventh has had a tiring journey home. Once he’s well-rested, he will pay everyone a visit."

"He should get some good rest," the villagers said, taking the hint. They all said their goodbyes and left.

Seeing that only her family was left on the village road, Li Cuicui held her head high and led the way home.

The moment she stepped through the door, she shouted, "Granny Song, hurry and get some people to make a few more dishes! Seventh and his family are back!

Don’t make them too complicated, just something to fill their stomachs is fine."

Granny Song and Luo Gang, who had been busy in the backyard, both ran out with looks of pleasant surprise.

After all, Ancient Wen Heng and Jin Qianqian were their true masters.

They replied with a cheerful "Yes!" and immediately rushed to the back to get busy.

"You didn’t even send a letter ahead. We could have had your eldest brother pick you up from the county seat," Li Cuicui said, now holding the two children’s hands with a particularly gentle smile.

Gu Yuanshui winked at his brother. ’The saying "distance lends enchantment" is really true. We sons who are always by her side never get such good treatment.’

"Mother, I came back as soon as I finished my official business. Sending a messenger would have been slower than me traveling myself.

How has your health been?"

"Look at me, I’m doing great. I can eat well and sleep well.

And with the filial piety from you and your brothers, everyone else can only be envious of me," Li Cuicui said, her voice exceptionally loud.

Jin Qianqian was a little surprised. Her mother-in-law’s personality seemed much more cheerful and open.

’But is she speaking so loudly because she’s getting older and having trouble with her hearing?

Looks like I’ll have to find some time to have a doctor give her a proper check-up.’

"That’s good to hear. Mother, if you’re short of anything at all, just send word to me. As long as it can be found, we’ll find a way to get it for you," Jin Qianqian said with a smile, also showing her filial devotion.

Li Cuicui looked at them, her eyes full of affection. "I don’t need anything. Every time, you send things back by the cartload. How much can an old woman like me possibly use?

If your eldest brother and the others hadn’t added several more storehouses, my house would be overflowing with things.

From now on, just focus on living your lives well out there. Don’t be so extravagant."

Jin Qianqian said, "Mother, how can you say that?

You’ve worked hard your whole life. Now is the time for you to enjoy your good fortune.

If there’s no room to store things here, we’ll just build you a bigger house."

The Gu Family was amused by Jin Qianqian’s magnanimous, money-is-no-object attitude. Even if they didn’t know the exact extent of her assets, they knew it was a considerable amount.

They weren’t the least bit envious of her situation, because their own lives weren’t bad either. In fact, things were getting better year by year, and they all had some assets of their own.

"By the way, where’s Father?" Ancient Wen Heng asked when there was a lull in the conversation, as if he had just remembered.

Everyone fell silent. At that exact moment, the sound of a cup shattering came from a side room, and the expressions on everyone’s faces turned a little awkward.

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