Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 486

Gu Yin led her disciple to the side of the carriage. Chef Xu, along with the two little disciples, marveled at the uniqueness of everything, praising the capital city as a splendid place. Chef Xu even boasted about the smooth bluestone road beneath their feet, contrasting it with the relatively uneven terrain in Hanshan Town, where only the main urban area had such well-kept paths, while the corners and nooks remained muddy.

The capital, however, presented a stark difference. Even beyond the city limits, the roads were impeccably repaired.

As they strolled and chatted, Gu Yin inquired why Chef Xu had brought so many belongings. She couldn’t help but notice that the gift he presented during the master ceremony at Food of Heaven was significantly smaller than the assortment laid out before them now.

Chef Xu, not appearing to be someone who saved money, explained, “The three of us have personal baggage with just a few necessities and changes of clothes. The rest belongs to the Ge family. They had considerable wealth, and it seemed a waste to discard these items. When they went to Beijing a month before us to reunite with Ge Zhu, I helped them with their affairs. I mentioned our plans to visit Beijing later, and they asked us to bring their belongings along.”

Gu Yin had arranged for the Ge family to work at Food of Heaven upon their arrival in the capital. This not only allowed them to be closer to their grandson Feng Yu, who occasionally accompanied Gu Ye, but also facilitated mutual care between them and Ge Zhu.

However, due to their advancing age and some minor health issues, Gu Yin had assigned only day shifts for the elderly couple. Ge Zhu, as the manager of Elegant Hall, often entertained female guests and frequently worked until curfew.

There were still some vacant rooms in the backyard, which Gu Yin had initially designated as staff dormitories.

However, each time Ge Zhu returned home late, the elderly couple would set off from their small yard with lanterns in hand to accompany her back. The trio would engage in conversation about the day’s events as they made their way home, creating a sense of warmth that Gu Yin cherished each time they met.

The Ge family’s residence was conveniently located near Taibai Street, prompting Gu Yin to suggest taking Chef Xu and the others to Food of Heaven to give the luggage.

With that, Gu Yin extended an invitation for them to board the carriage. Given the familial relationship between the masters and apprentices—akin to fathers and sons—and the bond between Gu Yin and Chef Xu as mother and son, there was no need to be concerned about the usual formalities between men and women.

Once Chef Xu settled into his seat, he resumed the conversation. “I’ve heard people say that everything in the capital is expensive. Renting a carriage like this must cost a lot, doesn’t it?”

As he spoke, his gaze lingered on Gu Yin, and it seemed he was about to comment on what he perceived as unnecessary extravagance.

It was at this moment that Gu Yin realized she had yet to inform her apprentice of this particular aspect.

When they were in Hanshan Town previously, the family refrained from talking about the Wu family, and no one asked about them.

Even the two elders of the Ge family, along with the mother and son from the Xu family, only learned about Duke Ying’s courtyard after their visit to the capital.

Although the Ge family elders had returned to Hanshan Town to sell their properties, their honest nature prevented them from publicizing it extensively.

“The carriage doesn’t belong to another family; it’s ours,” Gu Yin contemplated whether she should broach the topic during the carriage ride. After all, Chef Xu appeared young, but his temperament suggested otherwise. Dropping a bombshell might startle him.

Before Gu Yin could decide how to approach the conversation, Chef Xu discreetly signaled her to move closer. With a sly smile, he gestured for her to sit beside him. Observing this, the two young apprentices, Zhen Ban and Cai Dao, turned around voluntarily, facing the carriage’s wall and covering their ears.

Noticing Chef Xu’s intent to say something, he moved closer to Gu Yi.

Chef Xu spoke, “Master, I think Sir is truly a nice person.”

The unexpected remark left Gu Yin momentarily stunned.

Chef Xu continued, “Sir helped us carry things. Despite the scorching day, he remained patient and assisted us without complaint. You seem quite rich now…”

Chef Xu’s gaze settled on Gu Yin’s wrist, where she wore the red-gold double-buckle bracelet that Mrs. Wang had given her upon her arrival at Duke Ying’s courtyard. Over time, it had become one of the jewelry pieces she frequently adorned herself with when attending palace banquets or entertaining female guests.

“But you can’t abandon him just because of your wealth,” Chef Xu earnestly remarked, his tone filled with sincerity. “My master served the new dynasty, and even though now you only oversee the gate in the capital, you shouldn’t treat him with contempt. As the old saying goes, ‘the spouse one marries in times of poverty should not be discarded in times of richness.'”

Suppressing a smile, Gu Yin responded, “Am I really that kind of person?”

“Well, Master isn’t,” Chef Xu chuckled before leaning in to whisper, “Then, on such a hot day, why didn’t you let him get on the carriage?”

Unable to contain her laughter, Gu Yin playfully circled his chubby face and teased, “Are you not ashamed to bring that up?”

The carriage used by Duke Ying’s family was naturally spacious, but Gu Yin hadn’t expected Chef Xu to have become plumper than before.

Chef Xu took the first seat in the carriage, while Zhen Ban and Cai Dao retreated to the corner, surrounded by several large things, making the interior feel unexpectedly cramped.

Wu Qingyi, being taller than average, would have no space to stretch his legs if he joined them inside. He’d likely end up sitting huddled in the corner like Zhen Ban and Cai Dao. Chef Xu realized his mistake, causing his face to flush as if he were making steamed buns.

Upon entering the city, they reached the Ge family’s yard. Both elders of the Ge family and Ge Zhu were resting that day, an unusual occurrence as they typically had little time together due to work commitments. The family members were engaged in household chores, such as sweeping and drying bedding.

When Gu Yin led the group to the door of the Ge family’s house, Ge Zhu greeted her with a smile, “Why is the owner here in person? If you need something, just send someone to let me know.” She opened the wooden doors wide and invited Gu Yin inside.

Once inside, Gu Yin explained that her apprentices had assisted the Ge family elders with their belongings, so they brought them over first. Just as she finished explaining, Wu Qingyi and Chef Xu entered with the things.

The Ge family elders set aside their cleaning tools to welcome them. Wu Qingyi and Chef Xu nodded in acknowledgment.