Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 382

Gu Yin smiled at her, then turned to ask Wu Qingyi if he wanted to join her.

It had been quite some time since Wu Qingyi and Gu Yin had been alone together. It felt like the last time was on the day Elegant Hall opened when he had gone to pick up Gu Yin from work. The weather had been bitterly cold back then.

Even though they continued to meet and have conversations occasionally, it usually happened when they were both at home. Every time they had something important to discuss, they had to be cautious, as Gu Ye or Mrs. Wang might arrive and interrupt their private moments.

Wu Qingyi promptly stood up and said, “Today, I’m free. I’ll change and go with you.”

He left the untouched tea cup behind and hurried to the study to change into casual clothes.

By the time he returned, Mrs. Wang, who had earlier claimed to have a headache, had already arranged for a carriage. Wu Qingyi approached her while adjusting his cuffs and suggested, “I can drive without the coachman.”

Mrs. Wang raised her hand to scold him. If the coachman hadn’t been present, she might have given him a good scolding.

“My son, my own!” Mrs. Wang repeated in her mind several times. Then she pulled him aside and spoke in a low voice, “Are you a fool? If the coachman drives, you and Da Ya can hold hands and chat in the carriage. If you drive, with Da Ya inside, what can you possibly talk about?”

Wu Qingyi contemplated this for a moment and realized she was right.

In the past, when he went to pick up Gu Yin from work, he would have the coachman drive the carriage back on his own. Although Gu Yin always sat with him in the carriage, the ride would be windy and dusty, and it wasn’t ideal for engaging in conversation. They usually sat in silence.

He didn’t dare to confess this to Mrs. Wang, who praised him for being considerate in picking up Gu Yin whenever he had some free time. He was certain that his mother would be furious if she found out about their past.

Concerned that his mother might press the issue further, Wu Qingyi quickly boarded the carriage.

Gu Yin had already taken her seat inside. Upon seeing his rushed entry, she smiled and said, “We still have plenty of time. There’s no need to rush. Take your time.”

She handed him a tea cup, saying, “I asked the maid to make some fresh tea for you. You’ve just returned from outside, and you haven’t had anything to drink.”

Wu Qingyi accepted it with a smile, only to realize upon opening the lid that it wasn’t ordinary tea but a scented tea more commonly favored by women. The fragrance was pleasant, but it didn’t quite match his taste. Nevertheless, since Gu Yin had offered it, he sipped on it.

Gu Yin elaborated, “You’ve been quite busy these past few days, and I thought you might become irritable because of it. This flower tea has wolfberry and chrysanthemum, which can dispel wind and heat.”

Wu Qingyi nodded and said, “That’s great. I’ve had some toothache recently, which could be due to an excess of heat.”

Gu Yin took the emptied tea cup and placed it on a small table. She inquired, “Why are you back early today? I assume there’s a banquet scheduled tomorrow. With your official and military matters, the ministers have been busy for a long time. It’s a significant day for the Emperor’s eldest son, and most people should still be at the palace.”

Wu Qingyi agreed, “Yes, I was the only one who left early. The others are still there. Now that our Ye has reclaimed his rightful identity, and everyone knows he was raised in our family, I’ll be in the spotlight if I remain until the end. After all, Ye is His Majesty’s son, and I wouldn’t want to agitate His Majesty.”

Gu Yin nodded, “I’ve advised Ye privately not to mention me in front of the Empress. He should never utter things like ‘my mother’ when he’s outside.”

“Furthermore, these past two days have been quite busy, as I had to explain things. I had to entrust both sides of the capital’s defense and the imperial army to capable individuals.”

He stated it casually, but even the most uninformed people knew the significance of the roles he mentioned. These individuals were heavyweights, indicating that Emperor Zhengyuan had entrusted them with significant responsibility, akin to his life and wealth.

Gu Yin looked at him in astonishment.

Wu Qingyi felt a bit embarrassed under her gaze and asked her why she was looking at him that way.

Gu Yin shook her head and smiled, “I always knew you were courageous and heroic, but I never expected you to be so meticulous and considerate, to have the courage to delegate power. I’ve underestimated you.”

While Wu Qingyi had heard many praises about his position from others, this was the first time he had received such direct and personal praise from Gu Yin.

His face flushed, and he coughed lightly as he brought his clenched fist to his lips, saying, “I don’t really have grand ambitions. I initially followed Emperor Zhengyuan due to the pressures of the old dynasty. Later, I believed that even if I persisted to the end while remaining confused, I might end up here. The world is now at peace, His Majesty is wise and strong, and whether it’s for the common people or our family, things will undoubtedly improve. So, what do I need all that power for? This way, I can accompany you at work and pick you up in the evening. It’s a good life.”

Gu Yin smiled, “Even if you don’t seek power, it’s not good to be completely idle. You’re always by my side during the day. What will others say?”

Wu Qingyi raised an eyebrow, asking, “What would others say?”