Chapter 202: Chapter 203: The Morning of Departure

Jin Qianqian caressed the red contract in her hand. "What about the stewards on the estate? Have they all been replaced too?"

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "Ye Yi should be delivering some new indentures shortly. For now, his people will help manage the estate. Once we can spare our own staff, we’ll send new stewards over."

Only when they truly needed the manpower did Ancient Wen Heng and Jin Qianqian realize how shallow their foundation was.

Moreover, the reason their estate and staff had been swapped out so easily was, in part, because they were minor figures with little influence, allowing the other party to make such a demand without any reservations.

Jin Qianqian saw the exhaustion on his face. "Let’s not think about this for now. You’ve been running around all day and probably haven’t had a proper meal. I’ll have the kitchen bring over some soup."

But Ancient Wen Heng reached out and stopped her. "Don’t trouble yourself. I just got back from dinner at Tianfu Restaurant."

At the apology banquet hosted by Bai Jinglie, he had shamelessly ordered a table full of their signature dishes and had already eaten his fill.

"Housekeeper Fu told you about Gu Lejia, right?" Jin Qianqian mentioned casually as Ancient Wen Heng came out from washing up.

Ancient Wen Heng embraced her, leaning back on the chaise lounge. "He did. I’ve already had someone watch him. Tomorrow, whether he changes his mind or not, we’re throwing him on a carriage and taking him with us.

I was too naive before. If we really let him stay here alone and he gets into trouble later, we’ll be held responsible.

Since we’re his elders, we have the right to decide whether he stays or goes."

Ancient Wen Heng mentally readjusted his own position. ’If I want to maintain good family relations, I naturally have to make proper arrangements for these nephews of mine.’

"I just hope he’s truly seen the light this time and won’t cause any more trouble for us." Jin Qianqian wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her head in the crook of his neck. "We’ve lived such a comfortable life here for so long. I’m really a bit sad to leave."

Ancient Wen Heng’s hands began to get busy. "When we have the chance in the future, we can come back for a short stay. It’s getting late now, so let’s not waste this beautiful moonlight."

"..."

***

Jin Qianqian was startled awake by the commotion in the residence. Seeing the light filtering through the window, she reached over to her side of the bed. A faint warmth still lingered under the covers.

She struggled to open her eyes, took a deep breath, and sat up in bed. Rubbing her sore lower back, she waited until she had recovered a bit before standing up to get dressed.

She had just finished getting dressed when Qing Mei’s voice came from the door. "Madam, are you awake?"

"Come in!"

"Madam, would you like to wash up first?" Following Qing Mei in were Qing Zhu and Qing Lan, each holding toiletries.

Jin Qianqian knew they couldn’t delay today, so she quickly and efficiently got herself ready.

"Have you all packed your things?"

"Everything is packed and loaded onto the carriages."

"Let’s go take a look outside. You don’t need to stay by my side. If you see anyone who needs help, go lend a hand."

Although they had prepared well in advance, things were still inevitably a bit chaotic now that the moment had arrived.

As soon as she reached the front courtyard, she saw Ancient Wen Heng standing there with his hands behind his back.

As she drew near, she heard his cold voice command, "Go tie up Gu Lejia and throw him directly onto the carriage. If he tries to cause a scene, stuff a rag in his mouth."

Housekeeper Fu quickly pointed at two household servants. With a clear order, it was easier for them as subordinates to act.

"Is he acting up again?"

Ancient Wen Heng turned to look at Jin Qianqian, frowning. "Why are you up so early? Did we wake you?"

He had wanted to let her sleep a little longer and only wake her when it was almost time to leave.

Jin Qianqian said, "I can rest in the carriage later. What’s going on with Gu Lejia?"

"Just now, Tianbao went to wake him, but he threw a huge fit, cursed out Hong Tianbao, and went back to sleep with the covers over his head." Ancient Wen Heng shook his head. "Some people are rotten to the core."

’Even if I want to help someone up, I have to see if they’re worth it.’

"That Xiuxiang hasn’t come over yet," Jin Qianqian said, guessing what Gu Lejia was sulking about. "Should we send someone to get her?"

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "Don’t be soft-hearted with people like this in the future. Her not showing up now is likely a ploy to push her luck, waiting for Gu Lejia to go back and beg her."

Jin Qianqian was thoughtful. "But if we just take him away like this, without any regard for the situation, rumors will probably start spreading here soon. If it comes to it, we should have someone clean up the loose ends."

Ancient Wen Heng nodded. "I’ll have someone keep an eye on things."

As they spoke, Gu Lejia was carried past them, trussed up.

When he saw Ancient Wen Heng, he struggled violently, making muffled sounds.

Ancient Wen Heng said, "Don’t forget, I am your Seventh Uncle. If you dare cause any more trouble for me, no one will say a word even if I break your legs."

Gu Lejia’s pupils dilated. Seeing the serious look in his Seventh Uncle’s eyes, he didn’t dare take the gamble. By the time he came to his senses, he had already been stuffed into a carriage.

Jin Qianqian looked back at the courtyard. "While you are here, please take good care of this courtyard for us. We will send someone to check on it every quarter.

If anything comes up that you can’t handle, you can go to Boss Ye first."

By now, everyone in the residence knew that the master of the house did business with a shopkeeper under the Heir of Marquis Wu’an. The steward left in charge, Yang Muxiu, nodded repeatedly.

Everything that needed to be arranged had been taken care of over the past few days. No matter how reluctant she was to leave the courtyard and the city, Jin Qianqian boarded the carriage with Ancient Wen Heng’s help.

"This return trip of ours is quite the spectacle." Jin Qianqian lifted the curtain and looked out at the still-dim sky.

For this journey, besides their two custom-modified carriages, they had rented another eight from a livery. A line of ten carriages was more than enough to attract attention.

The number of people returning had also grown from the original two to a bustling group of several dozen.

The servants who made soap, along with their tools, took up a full six carriages.

"You’ll get used to it over time," Ancient Wen Heng said, glancing at the sky. A different worry surfaced in his mind. ’I hope it doesn’t rain.’

Just then, Jin Qianqian thought she heard Song Xiuxiang’s voice.

"Listen. Is that someone shouting?"

Ancient Wen Heng lifted the curtain and asked Hong Da, who was driving the carriage from the outside seat, "What’s going on?"

Hong Da quickly reined in the horses and looked at his son beside him. "Tianbao, go see what’s happening."

Hong Tianbao leaped down, landing swiftly by the side of the road, and jogged back the way they had come.

"Wait! Stop, I beg you, please stop!" The desolate cries were particularly piercing in the early dawn.

This time, they didn’t need to wait for Hong Tianbao to return with a report. Ancient Wen Heng and the others already knew who it was.

"I can’t believe she still came," Jin Qianqian said, unsure whether to feel relieved or worried. ’Bringing someone like her back... Big Brother’s family is probably in for some drama.’