"So, Jinrong favors Old Sixth Yan?" Gu Sinian asked, only realizing it now.
Qi Zhenzhen shot him a playful glare. "What do you think?"
"The Yan family are military men. The Yan sons have all practiced martial arts since childhood and possess the talent of generals. Old Sixth Yan, being the youngest, only had the opportunity to guard the border in the last two years. To marry a princess, one must remain in the capital and cannot hold important positions. I worry the Yan family might not agree." Gu Sinian frowned. "If Jinrong insists on favoring Old Sixth Yan and persuades His Majesty to issue an imperial decree, Old Sixth Yan will have no choice but to obey. However, this will surely breed resentment in his heart, which would be detrimental to their relationship."
"So, you're going to probe the Yan family's stance?"
Gu Sinian nodded. "Currently, only Madam Yan and Yan Qi are in the capital. General Yan and the other six Yan sons are all at the border. It's not convenient for me to visit them. However, Zhenzhen, you have a connection with Yan Qi and can try to find out. As for Old Sixth Yan, I will ask him myself when I see him."
See him? All the Yan sons were at the border, how could he see him?
"Are you going to the border again?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
"There are some matters that require my personal attention there," Gu Sinian replied apologetically.
So, the noble titles bestowed by Emperor Chongwen were because Gu Sinian was being sent to the border? Because he felt guilty that Gu Sinian had just gotten married?
They would be separated so soon after their wedding, only three days into their marriage?
Qi Zhenzhen wasn't a clingy person, but she still felt a peculiar pang in her heart.
"I'm not leaving immediately; there are three days to prepare," Gu Sinian said softly, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Qi Zhenzhen's ear. "I will handle things as quickly as possible and return."
"The danger last time was due to the่่ซ (gu worms). This time, I will protect myself well," Gu Sinian added when Qi Zhenzhen remained silent.
"I won't bring Xiao Niu with me this time, otherwise, he won't make it back for his wife's delivery. If anything happens to you in the capital, you can send for Xiao Niu. I recently received a letter from Lu Heng saying he will be coming to Da Feng soon, and Luo Wanqing will accompany him. They plan to stay for over half a year. Both Lu Heng and Luo Wanqing are trustworthy people! I will also inform Qian Yuanbao, and his grandmother can enter the palace freely, but she needs to send someone to inform Qian Yuanbao before going." Gu Sinian explained everything slowly and methodically.
Qi Zhenzhen remained silent.
"I'll try my best to return within three months, alright?" Gu Sinian embraced her gently.
Qi Zhenzhen understood. As a military man, when the court issued an order, he would have to leave immediately, regardless of whether he was newly married or even on his wedding day.
"Can I go with you?" Qi Zhenzhen asked quietly.
"I can't bear to see you endure hardships on the road, and your presence would distract me." Moreover, it would be dangerous. Gu Sinian couldn't bear to put her at risk.
Gu Sinian coaxed her gently and managed to appease her before the carriage came to a halt.
"Regarding the Yun family's affairs, I've learned some information from His Majesty. The Yun family can be exonerated, and their reputation can be restored, but they must sever ties with Qin Lang. Furthermore, the matter is not as Qin Lang claimed, that your father framed him. However, there is no precise explanation for the specifics." Gu Sinian relayed the information he had obtained from Emperor Chongwen to Qi Zhenzhen.
As expected, Qin Lang's true character needed further investigation.
"I will find time to inform Mother and ask her to keep an eye on things," Qi Zhenzhen said. "Also, can you arrange for a few people to be by Mother's side? Both for the inner courtyard and the outer courtyard."
Those for the inner courtyard would serve at Tinglan Courtyard, and those for the outer courtyard would run errands.
"I'll ask Qian Yuanbao to select a few people," Gu Sinian agreed.
Madam Yun was currently managing the Marquis's household affairs, so it would be easy for her to bring a few people into the manor.