Early the next morning, Lu Yun packed his official seal and luggage, ready to depart for the south. The court had hired over ten pages and servants to escort him to Changzhou. Seeing Gu Siyuan, Liu Angtian, Qin Zhonghai, Wu Dingyuan, and others waving farewell, Lu Yun was naturally moved. The previous night, Lu Yun and Gu Qianxi had talked of love all night long. Having finally reunited after such difficulty, neither wanted to separate. Now that departure was imminent and Lu Yun didn’t see Gu Qianxi come to see him off, his heart felt even more desolate.
Wu Dingyuan stepped forward and said: “Brother Lu, the Yanling Escort Agency case depends entirely on you this time. I hope you can vindicate the wronged victims and vent your brother’s anger.”
Lu Yun nodded: “Brother Wu, I’ve read the petition you wrote. It seems Tu Lingxin and Qian Lingyi are the most seriously criminal. If we can catch one of them this time and make him confess who ordered it, this case will surely be solved.”
Wu Dingyuan gripped his hands: “The Kunlun Mountain people are cruel and vicious in their actions. Be very careful in everything—don’t fall into their traps.”
Lu Yun smiled: “In a few days, Yang Langzhong will come down to assist. Then I can relax considerably.”
Wu Dingyuan nodded in agreement but couldn’t hide his dejected expression.
Qin Zhonghai stepped forward to bid farewell. Seeing a slight sadness in Lu Yun’s eyes, he couldn’t help but smile: “Brother Lu! Why are you teary-eyed again? Every time I see you, you have that unlucky look. How can you still have this expression even when becoming a prefect!”
Lu Yun smiled bitterly: “General Qin is joking. You must also take care of yourself!”
Qin Zhonghai laughed: “What do you mean take care? After you go down for a few months, you can return to the capital to report on your duties. Then we’ll drink together again!”
Lu Yun thought that during these months away from the capital, his relationship with Gu Qianxi might change again, adding to his worries.
Everyone wished each other well and waved farewell. Lu Yun suddenly noticed a hint of cunning in Qin Zhonghai’s eyes and wondered what strange scheme he had, feeling secretly suspicious.
Sitting in the carriage, Lu Yun picked up the Changzhou Prefectural Gazetteer to read: “Changzhou belongs to Suzhou Prefecture, with 37,155 households and 124,985 people. Changzhou borders Tiger Hill Mountain to the northwest, near Changshu, Yangcheng and other lakes. To the east is the Lou River, which originates from the southeast shore of Lake Tai, and the Grand Canal…” After reading for a while, he thought: “This time receiving the official seal, I must work hard for the people and never forget my aspirations from when I was poor.”
After thinking for a while, he felt his blood boiling with energy. Suddenly a cool breeze blew, bringing strong autumn atmosphere. In this autumn scenery, he suddenly thought of Gu Qianxi again. His heart felt melancholy, unable to dispel his romantic thoughts, and he couldn’t help sighing again.
The driver said: “Lord Prefect! You’re about to become an official, so why are you sighing continuously as if you’re going to be executed!”
Lu Yun heard the driver’s voice was unclear and his throat seemed tight, thinking this person must have caught cold with a sore throat. He immediately said: “Brother, speak less to avoid hurting your throat.”
The man laughed: “Hurt my throat? That won’t happen.” Then he asked with a smile: “I heard Prefect Lu hasn’t married yet! Do you have someone you fancy?”
Lu Yun thought of Gu Qianxi and nodded: “I’ve met the most beautiful woman in the world and have been very happy these past days.”
The driver giggled: “The most beautiful woman in the world? Could it be Yang Guifei?”
Lu Yun frowned, thinking: “This driver is very rude.” He immediately lowered his head and ignored him.
After a while, the driver asked again: “I heard Prefect Lu once served as a military advisor and even escorted a princess for a marriage alliance. Is this true?”
Lu Yun made a sound of surprise: “How do you know so much?”
The driver said: “I heard it from court ministers.”
Lu Yun thought of the princess and immediately sighed: “I wonder how the princess has been these years? Has Prince Karachi treated her well?”
While thinking, he suddenly heard the driver ask: “Why does Prefect Lu sigh? Are you thinking of that beautiful princess?”
Lu Yun nodded: “Yes! The princess was very kind to me. I wonder if she’s been happy these years?”
The driver smiled: “Why should Prefect Lu worry? If she’s not living happily, Prefect Lu could request transfer to the Western Frontier to visit her!”
Lu Yun heard his tone becoming increasingly frivolous and couldn’t help frowning: “How can you speak so rudely? Just concentrate on driving!”
Suddenly the driver pulled the reins and turned west. Lu Yun was alarmed: “What are you doing? We’re going south!”
The driver smiled: “I think we should go west instead! That way I can send you to meet the princess sooner!”
Lu Yun was very suspicious and suddenly jumped to the front seat, shouting: “Who exactly are you?”
The driver giggled and then removed his hat. Immediately, long black hair flowed in the wind. Lu Yun saw a lovely face before him, looking at him with a half-smile. Lu Yun was greatly shocked and trembled: “Qianxi… is… is it you…”
It turned out the driver was actually Gu Qianxi in disguise. She covered her mouth and laughed: “I think we should go to the Western Frontier early so I can send you to become a prince consort!”
Lu Yun remembered the cunning look in Qin Zhonghai’s eyes during the farewell—apparently he had known Gu Qianxi was disguised as the driver but just didn’t reveal it.
Seeing his beloved suddenly appear, Lu Yun felt surprised, delighted, troubled, and worried all at once. He was surprised that Gu Qianxi’s sudden arrival was completely unexpected; delighted that she showed such deep affection, meaning their relationship wouldn’t change again. But he was troubled and worried because Gu Siyuan and others, not finding their precious daughter, must be frantically anxious and furious by now.
Indeed, the Minister’s residence was already in chaos. Madam Gu and Second Concubine were so frightened their faces turned pale. They searched everywhere for the young lady but didn’t know where she had slipped away to. When they tried to catch Xiao Hong for questioning, this little maid had also disappeared without a trace. Gu Siyuan found a letter in his study—his precious daughter’s farewell note saying she was returning to her hometown to visit relatives and such. Gu Siyuan was shocked and uncertain. After questioning Second Concubine carefully, he learned that Gu Qianxi and Lu Yun had been in love two years ago. It seemed his precious daughter had definitely gone to find Lu Yun.
But strangely, just a few days ago getting her to eat at the same table as Lu Yun was as difficult as execution, yet after two days they were inseparable like glue. It seemed a woman’s heart was like a needle at the bottom of the sea—even he as her father couldn’t see any trace of it.
Fortunately, Lu Yun was a learned and proper person. Even if his daughter traveled and lived with him, nothing would happen that violated propriety. But thinking of his precious daughter being so willful, Gu Siyuan was still quite angry, regretting not disciplining her better in the past. Second Concubine was even more furious, wishing she could capture Lu Yun and cut him into a thousand pieces to vent her anger.