The Whole Family is Reborn, But I Transmigrated into a Book - Chapter 50

Liu Qingyue’s words were reasonable, and Gu Qingjia did not argue. He simply nodded in agreement.

“I understand. Rest easy, my lady,” Gu Qingjia replied with a smile. What Liu Qingyue did not know was that these secret guards had been raised alongside him since childhood; they would never betray him under any circumstances. However, since he had always treated his subordinates generously, and because Liu Qingyue had specifically spoken up for them, he intended to treat them even better.

“You needn’t worry about such trifles. Your husband is here,” he added. While Gu Qingjia might not have been perfect in every regard, he was exceptionally attentive to Liu Qingyue, never letting her fret over matters great or small.

Liu Qingyue was satisfied with this and said no more. As the group stopped to rest, she remained the most well-cared-for person among them.

Jiang Fu continued to follow them, acting as a common groom without any suspicious movements. Although Gu Qingjia found his presence somewhat unsettling, he did nothing to him, seeing how quiet he remained. After all, the mysterious Young Master Jiang had shown them no ill will—at least for now—which allowed Gu Qingjia to relax slightly.

Gu Qingjia himself could no longer count how many assassins had come for his life on this journey. Despite being a prince who had already been granted a title and a manor, history was full of titled princes who eventually seized the throne. Even if Gu Qingjia had no such ambition, there would always be those who feared him. Among the Emperor’s many sons, even one perceived as “useless” possessed some degree of capability.

Sitting by the campfire, Gu Qingjia handed a piece of roasted food to Liu Qingyue. “Would my lady like to sample my handicraft?”

Having grown accustomed to the rough conditions of the road, Liu Qingyue took it naturally and took a bite. “The taste is quite good. Your skills have improved, husband,” she praised with a nod. Throughout the journey, she had been pampered and hadn’t needed to lift a finger, so she made sure to offer a compliment for whatever he provided.

A smile touched Gu Qingjia’s lips. “Practice makes perfect. I suppose it was time I improved, considering how many meals I’ve roasted on this trip.” They chatted idly, as they often did these days.

“You’ve grown quite thin on this journey,” Liu Qingyue remarked, looking at his profile. “Once we return home, you must nourish yourself.”

Gu Qingjia had been lean ever since returning from the military camp, and their brief stay at the General’s Manor hadn’t been enough time to recover before they were back on the road. Fortunately, the weather had been cooperative, spared from frequent rain or snow.

Gu Qingjia looked up at the grey, overcast sky. The weather had turned gloomy over the last few days, as if brewing a storm. He hoped the snow would hold off; if it caught them in the wilderness, the path would become treacherous. Moreover, Liu Qingyue’s constitution was weaker than that of a martial artist; he feared she would catch a chill.

“I am fine,” he replied, not missing a word she said despite his wandering thoughts. “This is a lean strength forged in the military. It is you who has suffered these past days. Once we are back at the Prince’s Manor, I will instruct the servants to take good care of you.”

His eyes softened with affection. Although it was Liu Qingyue who had suggested staying away from court politics, he was the one who had petitioned the Emperor to seek out their Eldest Brother.

“Speaking of servants,” Liu Qingyue said, “I must trouble you to deal with the people I brought with me. They are spies placed by the Liu family to monitor me.”

She despised being watched. She preferred freedom and found it irritating to have someone constantly whispering in her ear about how she should behave or what the family expected of her. She was her own person, not a tool for her parents’ ambitions. The Liu family wanted to use her to achieve their goals, but that was impossible; she wouldn’t even visit them if she could help it.

Gu Qingjia knew exactly whom she was referring to and agreed without hesitation. “Rest assured, my lady. I guarantee you won’t see her the moment we step into the manor.”

Removing a person was a simple task for him, especially a spy within his own walls. He had many ways to handle such people.

“Then I thank you, husband, for removing that eyesore,” Liu Qingyue said with a smile, her mood visibly lifting.

After dinner, Liu Qingyue returned to the carriage to rest while Gu Qingjia stayed below to keep watch. He knew a fierce battle was coming. Those who wished to assassinate him would not let this final opportunity slip by.

However, Gu Qingjia was not an easy target. He wished to capture them alive, but unfortunately, this batch were “death soldiers”—fanatics who would die before talking. While the Emperor forbade the princes from keeping such private assassins, it didn’t mean they obeyed.

Surveying the corpses littering the ground later that night, Gu Qingjia fell into deep thought.

He knew the Eldest and Second brothers wouldn’t kill him. The Eldest Brother had been living as a commoner without any followers; to strike now would shatter the peaceful life he had worked so hard to build with his farm-girl wife. As for the Second Brother, he’d had countless chances at the General’s Manor and was too upright for such a move.

That left the brothers in the capital.

The Fourth Brother, who spoke constantly of Buddha and righteousness, seemed unlikely to engage in such underhanded tactics. He couldn’t judge the Third Brother’s character for certain, but doubted he’d risk the taboo of keeping death soldiers. The sickly Seventh Brother, unless he was faking his illness, lacked the energy for such schemes.

That left the Sixth Brother. That man was petty, vulgar, and loved causing trouble from the shadows. He and Gu Qingjia had been at odds since childhood.

“Master, these men intentionally concealed their identities, likely anticipating capture,” Yue Qing reported respectfully.

“Then let it be. Dispose of the bodies. Once we return to the capital, the culprit will reveal themselves,” Gu Qingjia said with a wave of his hand. He had a hunch but didn’t share it. Even with his elite secret guards, he maintained a professional distance. He viewed them as a finely crafted sword—if one becomes too attached to the sword and it breaks, the grief is too much to bear.

Nonetheless, the guards respected him deeply. He had rescued them from the streets when they were orphans. To them, he was their entire world.

“You have worked hard. Once we return, I shall grant you two days of leave,” Gu Qingjia said. It was the first time he had offered them a holiday.

“Master, we do not need leave. We wish only to follow you,” they replied earnestly. To them, “freedom” was a terrifying prospect compared to serving their master.

“We will discuss it later. We are still a month away from the capital,” Gu Qingjia replied. He checked on the carriage one last time before resting, a habit the guards were well-accustomed to.

The next day, the grey sky finally broke, and snowflakes began to drift down. Liu Qingyue lifted the carriage curtain, reaching out to catch a flake. In her previous life, she had spent every winter confined to a hospital ward, never able to touch the snow.

“Wow, it’s really snowing,” she whispered.

“Do you like it?” Gu Qingjia asked, noticing her reaction.

“I do. But will it make the travel difficult?” she asked worriedly.

“Don’t worry, the snow is light. I’m more concerned about you catching a cold. Since it’s not too chilly yet, would you like to come out and see?”

“No,” she shook her head, not wanting to be a burden. “It’s safer to keep moving and reach the next courier station.”

“There will be many more snowy days once we are home,” Gu Qingjia promised. “When we return to the manor, you must accompany me for a walk to admire the scenery.”

By nightfall, the temperature plummeted. At the courier station, Liu Qingyue huddled by a charcoal brazier. Gu Qingjia took her cold hands in his. “Your hands are like ice. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m fine. My hands are always cold in winter,” she said, gently withdrawing them. She didn’t know if her feelings for him were true love or a deep friendship forged on the road. Similarly, Gu Qingjia, a product of the imperial family, found it hard to believe in love. To him, interests and loyalty were more enduring.

After a month of travel and surviving various ambushes, they finally reached the Imperial Capital. Gu Qingjia returned to the Prince Jing Manor quietly, but his brothers found out immediately.

The Third Prince, Gu Qingyi, was the first to arrive. “Fifth Brother! You’ve been gone so long and you return without a word? I should have held a feast to welcome you!”

Gu Qingjia declined politely. “Third Brother, there is no need. It was a simple journey, nothing worthy of a feast.”

“How is it not a big deal? I heard you and Second Brother were quite brilliant in Jade City! Besides, my cousin has been away with you for so long, the family is worried. They asked me to check on her.”

“The Princess Consort is resting. I will have someone invite her,” Gu Qingjia said, signaling a servant to warn Liu Qingyue of the situation.

Gu Qingyi continued to probe. “I missed you dearly! I don’t know what Eldest Brother was thinking, running off and leaving this mess to us. Where is he now?”

Gu Qingjia kept his tone neutral. “I cannot know his mind. However, he is married and living comfortably. I have informed Imperial Father. Perhaps he will return for the New Year, as Father values family reunions above all.”

Gu Qingjia watched his brother. If the Third Brother proved to be a man of character who could tolerate his siblings, Gu Qingjia was more than willing to bow out of the race for the throne. He had no desire for the crown—unless it was the only way to stay alive.

“Since Father knows, we needn’t worry,” Gu Qingyi said dismissively. “You’ve grown thin, Fifth Brother. I heard you were injured in Jade City and came as quickly as I could to see you and my cousin.”

“It was nothing serious,” Gu Qingjia replied humbly. “With Second Brother there to protect me, I was merely a lucky charm.”