“The prefect has to personally accompany them and show them the way. Just how high-ranking is this official...?”
The people’s whispers could not contain their curiosity.
They had seen plenty of soldiers and officials, but for so many officials to escort someone, that person had to be an extraordinary figure.
Seeing how slowly the procession was moving, the impatient Gu Baozhu nudged her horse forward and veered to the side. “I’m going to find Shixue. If my father asks, tell him where I went.”
Sitting on horseback, Gu Jinghong instinctively tried to stop her, but Gu Baozhu had already ridden away.
Gu Jinghong sighed and shook her head. Just how long were they going to keep walking?
Disappointingly, when they passed the second intersection and saw a cement road to the left, Gu Zhongxun turned onto it without hesitation.
“It’s still early. I’ll look around a little longer.”
With that, he turned and instructed Li Zhidao, “You take them to the post station to rest first.”
Seeing the determination in Gu Zhongxun’s eyes, Li Zhidao nodded in response. Only after Gu Zhongxun had gone some distance did he turn around and lead the others away.
Following behind them, Gu Jinghong quickly dismounted and tossed her reins to the young servant beside her. “Take my horse to the post station.”
Then she turned and ran after Gu Zhongxun. Song Qiming happened to glance back and met her eyes.
His brows rose in surprise, and he mouthed silently, “You came too?”
Gu Jinghong covered her mouth and replied in a low voice, “Grandfather doesn’t want to attract too much attention, so he had my aunt and me ride behind the others.”
Song Qiming asked, “Where’s Miss Gu?”
Gu Jinghong raised a hand and pointed toward Sophora Blossom Alley to the south. “She went to find Shixue.”
Song Qiming nodded.
Hearing the voices, Gu Zhongxun suddenly turned around.
The two of them instantly scattered like mice caught by a cat, ducking away and daring not to say another word.
Dressed in men’s clothing, Gu Baozhu dismounted and tossed aside the reins before running into the clinic. Her maid, dressed the same way, nearly failed to keep up.
“Miss, slow down!”
“Shixue—” Her voice arrived before she did.
When Song Shixue saw Gu Baozhu dressed as a young man, a trace of amazement flashed through her eyes.
What a handsome young man.
“Your face is so pale. Are you too cold?”
She hurriedly took Gu Baozhu’s hand and led her inside to sit down. Her hand was cold.
Gu Baozhu shook her head. “I’m not cold. I’m wearing plenty of clothes.”
Song Shixue asked, “Did you come with your father?”
Her brother had mentioned before that Gu Zhongxun would be coming to Suining City on an inspection tour before the New Year. At the time, she had guessed that Gu Baozhu might come along as well.
Heye lifted the curtain and entered, carrying a freshly brewed cup of milk tea. She placed it in front of Song Shixue.
Song Shixue pushed it toward Gu Baozhu. “Have some milk tea to warm yourself up.”
Gu Baozhu nodded and lifted the lid. The fragrance of milk mingled with the scent of red dates and wafted toward her, warming her face.
“My father thought the cement roads were fascinating and insisted on walking down each one. Your brother is here too, but I was bored, so I came to find you.”
She took a small sip. It tasted even better than the milk tea sold at the shop in Songzhou City. Apart from red dates, it seemed to contain osmanthus flowers as well.
When she chewed carefully, she found actual osmanthus petals inside.
Song Shixue asked, “Are your parents still in a hurry to find you a husband?”
Gu Baozhu smiled and shook her head. “After I went home, I told my mother that having children too early would harm my health, and that I wanted to bring a husband into the family. She never mentioned it again after that. My father also said I could wait another two years.”
Perhaps she had thought of something, because the smile on her face gradually faded.
“Sometimes, I’m actually rather envious of you. County Princess Linghui not only taught you medicine, but also allowed you to open your own clinic.”
“Unlike my parents. Although they don’t place too many restrictions on me, it would be impossible for me to enter military camps with Jinghong or lead troops into battle.”
Song Shixue placed a hand on her shoulder and comforted her. “My family comes from humble beginnings. We used to struggle even to have enough food to eat, so naturally we don’t have as many rules.”
“Your Gu family is different. Compared with the unmarried daughters of ordinary officials, you already have far more freedom.”
“Ladies in the capital aren’t even allowed to leave their homes whenever they please. At least you can go out whenever you want.”
Gu Baozhu leaned her neck back against the chair and complained, “What freedom? Jinghong has to come with me every single time.”
