Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 517

Fortunately, Gu Yin, recalling the teaching she received from her previous life, discovered that the little princess spoke an Indo-European language similar to English and Latin. While wiping away her tears, Gu Yin arranged for food, which significantly improved the little princess’s mood.

Enthusiastically sampling dishes from both the east and the west, the little princess became much more content. By the time the translator arrived, she was completely at ease. Subsequently, the officials facilitated smooth communication between the two parties by providing translations.

Gu Yin had had a lot of experience in coaxing children, and the little princess had had a good impression of her. She felt that she could guess her own thoughts without learning the language of her own country. She was very smart, and they got along just fine. 

After Gu Yin and the little princess became acquainted, Gu Yin took her to her restaurant, where they indulged in eating, drinking, and enjoying the entertainment on the fifth floor. The play on the fifth floor resembled Western stage plays, intriguing the little princess despite being incomprehensible to laymen. She appreciated the unique experience without making much noise, allowing Gu Yin to attend to her own tasks while occasionally checking in on her.

Meanwhile, Gu Ye warmly entertained the male envoys in the mission, showcasing some of the capital’s renowned restaurants. In certain places not suitable for young princes, Feng Yu, Gu Ye’s thirteen-year-old right-hand man and Princess Lu Guogong, accompanied them. Despite Gu Yin’s youthful appearance, she held an adult status in this era, with Emperor Zhengyuan personally naming her Princess Lu Guogong the previous year.

Feng Yu efficiently managed arrangements, ensuring everything ran smoothly without the need for explicit instructions. He took care of the practical aspects, such as sending messengers and returning home after dark, demonstrating thoughtfulness without engaging in the festivities.

The people hospitably entertained the envoy, and Emperor Zhengyuan’s fairness facilitated smooth peace talks. By the end of May, it was time for the mission to return back. The little princess, fascinated by Central Plains cuisine, expressed reluctance to part with Gu Yin. Gu Yin promised to fulfill any cravings for her hometown’s dairy products and meat-based food.

Although the little princess cherished the plays she enjoyed during her stay, she understood Gu Yin’s thoughtful gesture in providing the original script for her favorite play. Despite her reluctance, it couldn’t match the yearning for her hometown, and she prepared to return home. Fortunately, initial trade negotiations had been successful, promising future exchanges between the two countries.

On the departure day, Gu Ye personally bid them farewell. Gu Yin wished to accompany them, but the little princess, fearing she would cry upon departure, insisted otherwise. Consequently, Gu Yin entrusted Gu Ye with a large package of Central Plains specialties, including food, drink, and entertainment, along with the original script of the little princess’s beloved play. This thoughtful gesture allowed her to reminisce about her time in the Central Plains at any moment.

When the little princess received the gifts, she pouted and almost cried again. 

Gu Ye, with no interest in coaxing girls other than his sister, presented the gift and engaged in conversation with the other messengers for a brief period before taking his leave. Upon returning to the carriage, Xiao Luzi reminded him, “Some of the gifts prepared by Madam should be consumed promptly. What was the ‘expiration date’?” 

While seemingly trivial, Gu Ye valued Gu Yin’s hard work in preparing the food and didn’t want it to go to waste. As a result, he directed the carriage to a different location.

Gu Ye had no need to personally deliver the message. The translator accompanying him disembarked from the carriage on their own to relay the information.

Sitting in the carriage, Gu Ye patiently waited for the official to complete the task of delivering the message. Boredom led him to lift the curtain of the carriage, and in doing so, he caught sight of a slender figure stumbling toward the mission’s ship.

The figure appeared somewhat familiar, but Gu Ye struggled to recall the person’s identity. Frowning, he glanced at the guard beside the carriage. However, in the blink of an eye, the woman had already been caught by the guard.

Gu Ye didn’t get off the carriage, but just let Xiao Luzi put up the curtain so that he could take a closer look at the woman. 

The woman in her twenties was well-dressed, yet she seemed weary, with lifeless eyes and an air of impending demise.

Seated confidently, Gu Ye rested one arm on a small table, furrowing his brows as he stared for a long while, but still couldn’t recall who this person was.

If, a couple of years ago, his demeanor relied on deliberately maintaining his own composure, now, having been in a high position for a long time, he no longer needed to pay special attention to such things. Every word and action of his seemed naturally noble.

Although Gu Ye showed no expression on his face, he couldn’t help but wonder if he had made a mistake and created a misunderstanding.

He was about to instruct someone to take the woman away when she suddenly trembled and knelt down with a heavy thud.

Thanks to what she did, Gu Ye finally remembered who she was. Wasn’t she Shen Hanchun, the one who had saved his grandfather’s life and got sick out of nowhere?

This person had had something to do with his own family. He used to be responsible for visiting every day, so it was no wonder that she looked so familiar. 

While Gu Ye found her actions just as weird as before, given their past acquaintance and with the old doctor’s explanation, he realized that he had unintentionally harmed her. Therefore, he wasn’t inclined to put her in an awkward situation.

As he was about to speak, a messenger fluent in Central Plains language from the mission hurried over.

Glancing at Shen Hanchun kneeling on the ground, he reported, “His Royal Highness Lie, this person was spying near our inn earlier, attempting to approach our princess. She claimed to have valuable information about General Wu.”