Chapter 105: No Surrender (Double Update)

Thinking of some past memories, Lady Gu's expression seemed a bit absent-minded, as if there was a thin veil over her eyes, and her thoughts drifted to a distant place.
The shadows of the trees swayed again, and a few withered leaves fell, along with some remaining snow on the branches, which also floated down one after another.
Madam Gu felt a sudden chill on her forehead and raised her hand to brush away the snowflakes. She said with a serious tone, "If he wants it, give him the bow."
The snowflake quickly melted into a drop of clear and translucent water on her finger.
Madam Gu casually flicked away the water droplets from her fingertips, her gaze icy.
However, a bow can yield, but not a title.
"Send someone to inform the Marquis," Madam Gu ordered, intending to have Gu Jian come over and entertain the guest.
And then, after a cup of tea, Marquis Gu Jian of Dingyuan appeared with a broken right arm, "late and slowly".
He apologized to the guests, holding his son, saying that he was delayed due to illness. Whenever someone asked about Gu Yuan's whereabouts, he would smile helplessly and say, "What can I do?".
"Excuse me, Yuan's child has always been unable to sit still. He just said he wants to go practice martial arts."
"He is a young man with a childish temperament. It's normal that we can't communicate with him."
"Please bear with us."
顾简这番话说得实在不够漂亮，话里话外都是指顾渊少年意气，性情乖僻不合群云云。
These dignitaries who have been immersed in the court for decades are all old foxes. They can easily see that there is conflict between the main branch and the second branch of the Gu family.
How did the second-rank title of the Gu family come about? Even if it is not spoken openly, everyone knows it very well in their hearts.
At this moment, everyone can't help but think of those old things, exchanging meaningful glances in pairs.
Eight years ago, after the Marquis of Dingyuan, Gu Ce, "encountered an accident", Lady Gu immediately presented the case to the former emperor and abandoned the eldest son's position. Some people praised Lady Gu for being decisive, while others felt that Lady Gu was simply trying to save herself, but most people felt a sense of coldness.
After being promoted to the second rank, on the surface, the Gu family has also taken care of the two children from the main branch for the past eight years.
However, Gu Yuan is the legitimate eldest son of Gu Ce, and he should have been able to enjoy the favor and benefits of the marquis's mansion, directly serving as a military officer of the fifth rank. However, Gu Yuan had to start as a small soldier step by step... After years of honing in the military, he has also achieved numerous military merits, which led to his current position.
Gu Yuan obviously possesses the qualities of his father and is a natural born military commander. At such a young age, he has occupied the position of the Commander of the Imperial Guards and gained favor from the Emperor and the Duke of Weiguo. It is clear that he is destined for greatness.
As for Gu Jian...
Gu Jian is mediocre and unremarkable, far inferior to his brother. He hasn't achieved much since inheriting the title for so many years. This title is just a facade that can deceive people. In the next generation, it should be downgraded from "marquis" to "earl".
Who to get along with is clear to everyone present.
The Viscount of Yan'an stood up first and bowed to Gu Jian, saying, "Uncle, I still have tasks to attend to today, so I will take my leave."
The Marquis of Pingjin quickly added, "Brother, you are injured, so you must take good care of yourself. I won't disturb you today."
Gu Jian hurriedly tried to keep them: "My injury is not a big deal, brothers, since you rarely come, at least have a few drinks with me before leaving."
His right arm was still in a cast and wrapped in bandages, so this statement lacked persuasive power. The other person laughed and said, "We'll drink another day," and then left.
Not only the two Pingjin marquises, but also several other guests found excuses to leave perfunctorily, without giving any face to Gu Jian. In less than half an incense stick's time, the hall was empty.

Gu Jian's face was alternating between pale, red, and green. He awkwardly exchanged glances with Madam Gu, remaining silent for a long time.
Originally, Mrs. Gu Tai thought that Gu Jian would treat guests the same way.
However...
As she watched the departing guests in front of her, Madam Gu's heart plummeted, feeling a sense of loss.

From the moment Gu Yuan received the transfer order from the God Machinery Camp yesterday, something seemed to have changed. And today, they have completely lost control.
The young and spirited face of Gu Xiaonan seemed to have been stained with ink, and he also retired stiffly.
Gu Jian was trying to hold his ground and serve the guests, but he was also suppressing his anger. He felt restless and when he left the hall, he accidentally tripped over the threshold with his right foot and took a big fall.
This fall adds insult to injury as her right arm hits the ground, causing screams to echo throughout the Marquis's residence.
That day, the main courtyard invited renowned physicians from the capital to provide treatment. One after another, the doctors were brought in, causing a disturbance that lasted throughout the night and making the entire residence uneasy.
"Young master, I heard that Lady Ben originally wanted to invite Doctor Li, but Doctor Li got angry and refused to come again. So, as a second choice, they had to invite other skilled doctors in the capital who specialize in treating external injuries."
“那些大夫们全都说，侯爷旧伤未愈，又添新伤，再这么下去，这手怕是拿不了笔了。”
顾渊一夜好眠，安安稳稳地一觉睡到了大天亮，当他从小厮梧桐口中听到这些消息时，已经是次日清晨了。
Finally, Wutong hesitated and asked, "Young Master, Lady Tai wants you to go and check on Marquis Hou."
"No need."
Gu Yuan left these two words and went out.
Today is his first day as the Luan Yiwu Wei's pacification envoy, and his first task is to accompany the Crown Prince, Chu Yi, out of the capital.
This is the first time in eight years that the Kingdom of Yue has sent an envoy to visit Da Jing.
The visitor is the third prince of Yue State and is born of the noble concubine of Yue State. His elder brother, the Crown Prince of Yue State, was just appointed this year.
This time, the third prince of Yue State is visiting. Naturally, the selection of the person responsible for welcoming the envoy on the side of Da Jing cannot be too casual, so as not to offend Yue State.
Therefore, the court had already decided half a month ago that Prince Chuyou of the Kang Kingdom would go to greet the envoys from the Third Prince of the Yue Kingdom and others.
However, due to the King of Kang's unwarranted stabbing of the Crown Prince Fang Mingfeng not long ago, this action has caused the anger of the aristocrats. Duke Wei, Duke Ying, and others strongly oppose it.
The emperor immediately issued an edict, appointing the Crown Prince Chu Yi to be fully responsible for this matter.
King Kang's faction has just suffered a major setback, but with the support of Duke Weiguo and others, this matter has gone smoothly beyond expectations.
This is also the first task of the Crown Prince after returning home.
With so many eyes in the capital watching, Gu Yuan is also very cautious. Since then, he has not returned to the Marquis's mansion and has only sent someone back to inform Gu Yanfei that he is temporarily staying in the Ministry of War with the Crown Prince.
Anyway, Gu Yuan has always been away from home, and Gu Yanfei has long been used to it.
During the following days, she almost never left her house, devoting all her energy to the flintlock gun that Gu Yuan had left with her.
Gu Yanfei plans to draw a formation on this flintlock gun.
The last time, the one she casually drew in the garden was a disposable temporary formation, which could double the power of the flintlock gun.
At that time, even Gu Yuan was dumbfounded, took the flintlock over and looked at it again and again, attracting the attention of half of the Marquis Mansion. Gu Yanfei tried these two guns and roughly judged their power, and then did not continue.
Drawing a formation is not difficult, but what's difficult is that there is no spiritual energy to borrow in this little world.
The aura in the Fengwen jade pendant is ultimately too little, not even enough for her to cultivate her qi. After using up the spiritual power in her body, it takes a very long time for her to "recover".
An permanent "Formation of Sharp Edge", even the most basic one, requires a substantial amount of time for her. After drawing a segment, she has to wait for her spiritual power to recover before continuing...
Fortunately, I have the plum blossom jade hairpin given by Chu Yi, which can constantly nourish my sea of knowledge and accelerate the recovery of spiritual power.
Gu Yanfei, who does not go out, spends his days in the study room practicing meditation, drawing formation arrays, meditating again, and then continuing to draw formation arrays.
In such a monotonous repetition of days, seven days have passed in the blink of an eye, and it is already December 23rd.
After putting in so much effort, the result is not satisfying.
Looking at the array on the flintlock gun, which was drawn crookedly and sporadically, Gu Yanfei sighed deeply.
She is so ugly that she can't bear to look at herself.
If Master sees it, not only will she be mocked, but she will also be punished to draw three hundred more of the same formation.
Thinking back to the days when she just learned formations from Master, Gu Yanfei curved her lips.
The milk cat turned over and rolled on its belly carefree, sometimes rubbing against the ground with its back, and sometimes grinding its teeth on a plum blossom branch.
Gu Yanfei unexpectedly reached out and grabbed the milk cat, pressing one of its front paws onto the cinnabar, leaving a fresh red "plum blossom mark" on the gun.
Well, it looks much better now!
Gu Yanfei thought complacently.
"Miss, the young master has arrived," Juan Bi walked in with great joy, her hair tied up in a headscarf and holding a chicken feather duster in her hand.
The Hou Mansion has already started preparing for the New Year. On this day, the eve of the New Year, they must worship the kitchen god and sweep away dust and dirt. The maids and servants in the courtyard are all holding brooms and feather dusters, sweeping away dirt and cleaning up the courtyard, dredging the ditches... they are all happily sweeping away.
It's already the end of the year. Gu Yanfei suddenly realized the passing of time.
She pursed her lips and smiled, casually throwing the flintlock pistol aside, then picking up the Rhino Horn Bow on the desk.
Out with the old and in with the new, a good omen.
Guyan Fei happily left the study carrying the newly repaired Rhino Horn Bow.
She is not afraid of the cold, so there is no charcoal basin in the room. The afternoon sun shines through the open window and fills the room with brightness.
Gu Yuan has already sat on the Luohan bed and is drinking tea.
He is wearing a dark green straight robe with hidden patterns, tied around his waist with a silver silk ribbon. There is a sword on his waist.
His posture is upright, like a bamboo or pine, with the unique charm of a military man, and a touch of youthful pride in his expression.
"Sister!"
When Gu Yuan heard the sound, he put down the teacup and looked up at Gu Yanfei, with eyes as bright as stars.
Gu Yanfei also smiled.
Just a few days without seeing each other, Gu Yuan has changed a lot, with a newfound vitality. Even without smiling, he still appears radiant.
It seems that he is doing well in the Luan Yi Guard.
"Big brother," Gu Yanfei sits down next to Gu Yuan and casually throws him an orange from the fruit bowl. "Try this orange, it was sent by Zhuangzi, it's very sweet."
He caught the orange that his sister handed to him, and Gu Yuan smiled contentedly and happily.
Then, he restrained his smile and said, "Meng Rongyong was just reassigned yesterday, now serving as the captain of the Divine Machine Battalion."
That is, it replaced his previous transfer order.