The Whole Family is Reborn, But I Transmigrated into a Book - Chapter 29

Liu Qingyue and Gu Qingjia made a grand entrance into Li Family Village, moving in with enough fanfare to set the entire community whispering.

“I heard they’re here looking for relatives,” one villager gossiped. “But in a backwater place like ours, where would we have such wealthy kin?”

“You can’t say for sure,” another countered. “Don’t forget Li Qingge’s ‘cousin.’ He doesn’t look like an ordinary man, does he? And ever since he arrived, the Li family’s fortunes have been looking up.”

“Didn’t they say that man has no family left? They’re getting married any day now.”

“Well, we can’t exactly press our ears to their walls to hear the truth. Only they know what’s really going on.”

The others considered this and agreed. This was the way of the world in the countryside.

These rumors didn’t stay secret for long. Thanks to Li Chunhua’s busy tongue, they soon reached Li Qingge’s ears.

“If my family had such wealthy relatives, we would have risen in the world long ago,” Li Qingge remarked with a huff. “I wouldn’t be sitting here listening to them wag their tongues.”

She continued, “If Brother Jian truly had living relatives, why would he travel thousands of miles to find us? My home isn’t exactly a palace. We aren’t starving, but we’re hardly wealthy.”

She wasn’t lying. In their village, most households lived exactly like that—doing just enough to keep fed and clothed.

“I agree,” Li Chunhua said, supporting her best friend. “Those people are just jealous of their money. They talk behind their backs because they don’t have the courage to say it to their faces.”

“Still, that family is incredibly rich,” Chunhua couldn’t help but marvel. “Even their servants wear better clothes than we do. And the young Madam’s maid? She’s a real beauty.”

“Alright, it’s none of our business how they live,” Li Qingge said, unmoved. She had already chosen her ideal husband; nothing else could trouble her now. “We may not be as rich as them, but our lives are good. We have food and drink. We’re a bit poor, but our hearts are at peace.”

Li Qingge knew her place. She knew whom she wanted to marry and which heights were not hers to climb. Jian Fan (the alias used by the Eldest Prince, Gu Qingzhan) was the best husband she could have asked for, even if her parents still harbored lingering worries about his mysterious past.

“It’s getting late; I should go home and start dinner. I’ll come back to find you this afternoon.”

Li Qingge packed away her needlework. With her wedding date approaching, she had much to prepare, including her bridal gown, which she was embroidering herself.

“Fine, go on then,” Chunhua replied. “My parents will be back soon, too.”

On her way home, Li Qingge happened to pass by the new residence. In the courtyard, she saw Liu Qingyue talking with Gu Qingjia. The “Madam” looked familiar, but Li Qingge couldn’t quite place her. She didn’t want to be caught staring, so she hurried home.

It wasn’t until she stepped through her own front door that it clicked: That’s the lady who bumped into me in the city!

“Qingge? What are you thinking about? You didn’t even hear me speaking to you.”

Jian Fan looked at her with a slight frown. He wasn’t used to Li Qingge ignoring him.

“Brother Jian! I just saw the people who moved into the village. I’ve actually met her before—she’s the lady I told you about who bumped into me in the city.”

Li Qingge shared the news with a smile, thinking nothing of it. But to Jian Fan, this felt wrong. A wealthy family from the city suddenly moving into a remote village right after a chance encounter?

He suspected they were like him—outsiders with a hidden agenda. Were they here for him? Or did they have another purpose? He hoped for the latter. With his wedding to Qingge so close, he didn’t want any complications.

“Qingge, do you know why they came here?” he asked. He knew the village gossip network was better than any spy ring.

“They say they’re looking for relatives,” she replied, sounding puzzled. “But our village is small; I know everyone. I can’t imagine who would have such rich kin.”

Jian Fan’s eyelid twitched. He felt a sinking suspicion that they were coming for him. However, he would have to see them to be sure.

“Who knows? Let’s not worry about them,” he said with a reassuring smile. “Our wedding is almost here; let’s just focus on ourselves.”

Li Qingge blushed. “I know, Brother Jian. I’m so excited. It still feels like a dream.”

“It’s not a dream, you little silly. We are truly getting married.”

He reached out to brush her cheek. He had waited for this for a long time. In his past life, he had lived with the crushing regret of never giving her a proper wedding. Her death had been his greatest sorrow. Now that he had a second chance at life, he was determined to make her the most envied bride in the village.

“Brother Jian, I’m already so happy,” she whispered, her eyes full of warmth.

“As long as you’re happy.”

He watched her head into the kitchen to start dinner. Once she was gone, his smile faded. He couldn’t shake the unease regarding the newcomers. He needed to know who they were. Know yourself and know your enemy, he thought.

He set off toward the new residence with long, determined strides.

Meanwhile, at the new house, Liu Qingyue was teasing Gu Qingjia.

“Husband, do you think someone like your Eldest Brother can stay calm for long?”

“He is the most calculating of us all,” Gu Qingjia replied thoughtfully. “His mind is deep. I don’t know when he’ll show his face, but if there’s someone in this village he truly cares for, he’ll come to us soon.”

“Could it be that Big Brother found a true love here? He’s at the age to marry, after all. Maybe he really has a little sweetheart in the countryside,” Liu Qingyue said cheekily.

“If you had a sweetheart out here, you’d be even more anxious than him,” she teased.

“You wrong me, my Lady,” Gu Qingjia replied, unruffled. “We’ve been betrothed for so long, and I have always been a man of my word. I never went to see other women in secret, did I?”

Liu Qingyue blinked, surprised by his response. “Did you actually ever think about doing that?”

“You…” Gu Qingjia laughed helplessly. He knew she was just trying to get a rise out of him. “Don’t overthink it. We’re here now; we just have to wait. But remember, we agreed to stay for only half a month.”

“I know, I know! I only suggested staying so you two brothers could bond. What if he really is getting married? You’d get a new sister-in-law!”

Gu Qingjia was skeptical. In the capital, countless beauties had been offered to Gu Qingzhan, yet he had never accepted a single one. He didn’t believe his brother would marry a village girl on a whim.