The Whole Family is Reborn, But I Transmigrated into a Book - Chapter 49

Gu Qingjia had not expected her to speak this way. He looked at her, momentary stunned, but his expression soon returned to normal.

“My lady, thank you for your consideration,” Gu Qingjia responded with a smile. In truth, he had been mentally preparing a way to coax Liu Qingyue, but the situation had taken an unexpected turn—she had managed to convince herself. Liu Qingyue always knew how to surprise him, and he found himself fond of this side of her.

“There is no need for thanks,” Liu Qingyue replied. “In any case, there is much about your affairs that I don’t know, and I’m too lazy to ask. My only hope is that, in the end, we both remain safe and sound.”

Her words were sincere. After all, Gu Qingjia was Prince Jing; he was destined to be embroiled in the war for the throne. While she could not guess why the Emperor had sent them to Jade City, it undoubtedly involved the imperial succession.

Lowering her eyes, Liu Qingyue thought to herself: Perhaps it is time we returned.

“My lady, you may ask me anything you wish to know. I will give you the answers,” Gu Qingjia said, his voice earnest.

However, Liu Qingyue did not actually want those answers. The moment the words left her mouth, she felt a flicker of regret. “Is it time for us to go back?” she asked.

She didn’t specify where “back” was, but Gu Qingjia understood perfectly. “We will set out in a few days. We must leave a bit earlier than the Second Brother,” he nodded. He could not return alongside Gu Qingzhuo. Regardless of whether their relationship had thawed or if they could be loving brothers in the future, they needed to maintain a certain distance for now.

“Very well, I shall prepare,” Liu Qingyue agreed. Knowing she couldn’t assist with the grander schemes, she was determined not to be a burden.

Gu Qingjia did not refuse her, even though there wasn’t much for her to actually do. He had many people at his disposal—not just those in the light, but numerous guards hidden in the shadows.

“The weather is growing colder by the day, and it may snow soon. Once it snows in Jade City, travel becomes difficult. I plan to depart before the snowfall so the journey won’t be as grueling.” This decision was the result of his consultation with the Second Prince. Compared to Gu Qingjia, Gu Qingzhuo understood the climate of Jade City far better.

“I understand,” Liu Qingyue nodded obediently. Calculating the time, they had been away from the Imperial Capital for quite a while. She wondered if they would ever have the chance to leave again once they returned. Yet, perhaps it didn’t matter; once back in the capital, she would likely be too busy dealing with endless conspiracies to worry about future freedom.

Seeing her lost in thought, Gu Qingjia guessed what was on her mind. “Do not worry about the future. We are not immortals; no one can predict what is to come. We will take it one step at a time. Whatever happens, I will fulfill the promises I made to you.”

He comforted her with a smile. Protecting Liu Qingyue was not a difficult task for him, given the secret guards at his command. She was not a threat to anyone. Even if he were to die, his brothers would have to treat his widow well, even if she chose to stay in the capital. However, he saw no need to tell her these darker thoughts.

“You must be tired from being out all day. Get some rest. I’ll have someone bring in food shortly.” Gu Qingjia ended the conversation there. Some topics could be discussed forever without an answer. There was no need to borrow trouble from the future to weigh down the present.

While Liu Qingyue and Gu Qingjia could speak freely, Ren Songyan found herself in a much more tense position. She was facing her superior.

“General, I do not understand your meaning,” Ren Songyan said, taking a step back with a wary look in her eyes.

“I have discussed this with the Fifth Brother,” Gu Qingzhuo began, his expression entirely serious. “If you wish to reclaim your identity, this is the best way. ‘Physician Ren’ did not survive the winter of Jade City. You, as his younger sister, naturally bear a resemblance to him. I will petition my Imperial Father to grant us a marriage. Once you are my consort, even if the truth comes out later, no one will be able to touch you.”

Ren Songyan felt as though he had gone mad. “You are the Great General of Jade City and the Second Prince of the Court. Your marriage should bring you immense political benefit. Are you certain you want to marry me?”

She stared at him in shock. Regardless of feelings, for someone of Gu Qingzhuo’s status to marry a mere female physician was nothing short of insanity.

“Of course. How could I joke about marriage?” Gu Qingzhuo nodded naturally.

“You are unwilling… Could it be that you already have someone in your heart?” Though he wasn’t as calculating as his younger brother, he was still very perceptive.

Ren Songyan shook her head. She had no lover; she simply found the proposal absurd. “General, I have no intention of marrying.” She knew that if she became a wife, she might lose her chance to practice medicine.

“If you have no one you like, why not agree? Our marriage won’t stop you from practicing medicine. When we return to the capital, you can still do as you please. If you no longer wish to be in the military camp, I can open a clinic for you,” Gu Qingzhuo said dismissively, as if it were a minor detail.

“Your disguise as a man is inconvenient, and I was the one who requested you from the Imperial Academy of Medicine. If you don’t make plans early, your life may be at risk in the future.” This wasn’t a threat; he knew that if he could discover her secret, others eventually would too.

Ren Songyan knew he wasn’t exaggerating, but she couldn’t bring herself to gamble everything on him. “I know you don’t trust me, but besides me, you have no better option.”

Gu Qingzhuo wasn’t incapable of subtlety; he just didn’t care to play games with her. Much like with his brother, he preferred a direct approach. Ren Songyan fell silent, knowing he was right.

“Can the General guarantee it? Is everything you said sincere? Can you truly do it?” Her resolve was wavering, but she clung to her last shred of logic to ask these questions.

“Naturally. Since I have said it, I will do it.”

“I agree, General,” Ren Songyan said. “But if you meet a woman you truly love in the future, I will personally explain the situation to her.” She was trying to strip the romantic element from the arrangement, but that was far from the outcome Gu Qingzhuo actually desired.

For now, however, he just needed her under his protection. The rest could be settled slowly. Her deception was dangerous; if the Emperor grew angry, her entire family’s lives would be forfeit.

“We shall leave that for later. Since you’ve agreed, do not leave the manor frequently from today onward. In a few days, I will announce that you have passed away from illness.” They were waiting for a heavy snow; death by “wind-chill” was common in the winter, and no one would investigate.

“I understand. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.” She needed to go to her room to calm her mind.

“Very well. If you need anything, find me or the housekeeper.”

After she left, Gu Qingzhuo remained in his study. Protecting Ren Songyan was just one of many tasks. He also had to ensure Gu Qingjia left Jade City safely.

Over the next few days, Gu Qingjia prepared for the departure. Traveling with Liu Qingyue meant he had to be extra cautious. The winter weather was unpredictable, and he feared she wouldn’t be able to withstand the harsh conditions of a rushed journey.

Finally, they set out on a clear, sunny day. Their entourage was much larger than when they had arrived.

“We won’t be stopping much; we must hurry back to the Imperial Capital,” Gu Qingjia told her. Liu Qingyue had no objections.

Though they had just started, the news of their return reached the capital ahead of them. Gu Qingjia didn’t care. He disliked meaningless struggles, often thinking that had he not been born into the Royal Family, he might have been much happier.

Liu Qingyue was unaware of the incoming reports, and the secret guards—loyal only to Gu Qingjia—would not tell her. Even Shuang Hua, the guard assigned to her, ultimately answered only to him.

“Husband, how much longer is the journey?” Liu Qingyue asked after they had been traveling day and night.

“About a month,” Gu Qingjia calculated. They weren’t moving slowly, but a carriage was naturally slower than a horse. “We will stop to rest tonight and resume tomorrow morning.”

Liu Qingyue didn’t usually worry about the logistics. What she didn’t know was that many assassins were lurking in the surroundings. The secret guards would use the cover of night to eliminate them.

Gu Qingjia helped her out of the carriage, looking at her for a long moment. Only after confirming that the journey hadn’t worn her down did he feel relieved. “Endure a little longer. Once we are back at the Prince’s Manor, you can rest properly.”

He knew many people wanted them dead on this road, making their swift return vital.

“Don’t worry about me; I’m fine,” Liu Qingyue nodded. She had no complaints; Gu Qingjia had taken excellent care of her. “Rather, your subordinates are the ones working hard. You should reward them well once we return.”

She felt that his men were exceptionally dedicated. If a master didn’t treat such followers well, it would eventually lead to resentment—a mistake she hoped he would avoid.