Chapter 444: Chapter 440: Master Tao’s Innate Goodness—Tao Gu Side Story (Part 6)

“Third Brother!”

Gu Wei turned his head and saw a young girl leaning halfway out of the carriage not far behind him.

Her brows were anxious, lacking the usual composure.

Before he could approach, the girl couldn’t wait and asked in a low voice, “Did the Imperial Guard arrest Tao Fen from Xinfeng today, Third Brother, do you know?”

Gu Wei nodded, “I know.”

“Why?” Gu Qinglan pressed on.

Gu Wei looked at her thoughtfully, “Do you have ties with Tao Fen?”

Gu Qinglan was momentarily at a loss, “Master Tao is kind and has helped me a lot.”

“For example?”

For the first time, Gu Qinglan wanted to hit someone, “Why was Master Tao arrested?”

Gu Wei finally let her go, “Suspected of being involved in the attempted assassination of the Prime Minister.”

Gu Qinglan was stunned by the news, then blurted out, “What does the assassination attempt on the Prime Minister have to do with Master Tao?”

“What does Tao Fen’s arrest have to do with you?” Gu Wei replied, expressionless.

Gu Qinglan was at a loss for words for a while, then said, “He… he saved me, and he’s Xiao Bai’s senior!”

“He’s Cousin Tang’s senior, and Cousin Tang will surely protect him.”

As if to verify Gu Wei’s words, just as he finished speaking, the people sent by Second Miss Tang arrived.

As Gu Wei was leaving, he turned back to glance at Gu Qinglan, still expressionless, “The Eastern Palace should try to have Tao Fen’s case transferred to the Ministry of Justice for trial.”

Gu Qinglan’s eyes lit up.

The Ministry of Justice!

Isn’t her brother-in-law Shen Du the Chief of the Ministry of Justice?

…

“Everyone says the Eastern Palace will definitely protect Master Tao, but with him in the Ministry of Justice prison, the Crown Prince can’t see him. Could you ask brother-in-law to take extra care?”

As expected, Tao Fen’s case was moved to the Ministry of Justice. As soon as Gu Qinglan heard, she went to the Shen Family.

Miss Gu furrowed her brow slightly, “I heard from your brother-in-law that the Eastern Palace has already instructed extra attention to Master Tao’s safety, ensuring no chance for illicit punishment. As for the rest—” her tone turned grave, “Xiaowu, the Ministry of Justice is not a place meant for keeping people safe.”

Gu Qinglan’s heart skipped a beat, stammering, “I’m just… worried about illicit punishment, nothing else…”

“Good to hear,” Miss Gu nodded, her eyes still warning, “I know, Master Tao saved you once; it’s understandable to want to repay him. However, with the Crown Prince guarding outside and his fiancée working tirelessly within, there’s no need for us to be involved further. Better to prepare more gifts for his wedding.”

Gu Qinglan remained silent for a moment, softly replying, “Yes.”

…

Perhaps because of the tension on her way there, Gu Qinglan felt somewhat weary on her way back.

Leaning weakly against the carriage wall, her mind was blank.

Not knowing how much time had passed, when the carriage slowed down, a maid casually peeked out and suddenly exclaimed, “Isn’t that Miss Zhong Chuchu?”

Gu Qinglan suddenly perked up and got up to look.

The carriage had arrived outside the Gu Mansion.

In front of the steps of the Gu Mansion, a petite and frail woman stood with her back to Gu Qinglan’s line of sight—it was Zhong Chuchu.

She was slightly raising her face to look at the young man in front of her.

In the slanting sunlight, the young man’s brows exuded the elegance of blue mountains and green waters, while his eyes held the gentleness of light rain and gentle breeze…

…

“What is Miss Zhong looking for Uncle for?” Gu Qinglan caught up with Gu Ling to ask.

Just outside the door, she had run into Zhong Chuchu speaking with Gu Ling. Before she could decide whether to interrupt, Zhong Chuchu had already noticed her.

Then she left.

An inexplicable anger simmered inside Gu Qinglan, even her tone became slightly sharp.

Gu Ling stopped and looked back at her, saying, “She came to ask about Master Tao’s situation in prison.”

“Uncle isn’t someone from the Ministry of Justice, what’s she asking you for?” Gu Qinglan frowned unconsciously.

Just after Tao Fen’s incident, Zhong Chuchu came with an excuse to see Uncle, making Gu Qinglan feel deeply uncomfortable.

Gu Ling chuckled, “She didn’t come to find me specifically, but happened to see me on my way back. Had you returned first, she would’ve asked you instead.”

Is that true?

Gu Qinglan pursed her lips and remained silent.

Gu Ling smiled and shook his head, “Next month, I’ll be going to Shangzhou.”

Gu Qinglan’s eyes lit up, “Is there news about Miss Ji?”

Miss Ji was Gu Ling’s childhood betrothed, who accidentally disappeared more than ten years ago.

Gu Ling has never given up on the engagement, nor on searching for her.

Having been close to Gu Ling since childhood, Gu Qinglan naturally hoped he could reunite with his fiancée.

But this time, Gu Ling still shook his head helplessly, “Just going to take a look.”

Gu Qinglan sighed inwardly, hesitantly asking, “Uncle, do you plan to keep searching like this forever?”

Thirteen years had passed; a person’s appearance could change significantly, finding her seemed nearly impossible.

Does Gu Ling intend to search for her his entire life?

Gu Ling smiled faintly, “I haven’t thought that far ahead. In any case, I’ll search this year, and probably next year too—” He suddenly stopped speaking, his gaze lost in space as the smile on his face gradually faded.

After a long silence, he smiled again, “Probably? I should keep searching for her!” His eyes were gentle yet resolute.

Gu Qinglan stared blankly, “Does Uncle really like Miss Ji that much?” Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of bewilderment.

Gu Ling smiled slightly, “Miss Ji was just nine when she disappeared. Since she often followed me around when she was young, I viewed her more like a little sister, not with the deep affection outsiders assume. But, if I don’t search for her, no one in this world will.”

Miss Ji’s mother had already passed away, her father had another beloved wife and son, long forgetting about the elder daughter lost in her early years.

“Uncle… you are a good person…” Gu Qinglan murmured.

Gu Ling’s heart was moved.

Also?

He wanted to inquire further, but the young girl had already walked away.

As she walked away, her head lowered slightly, she seemed to be pondering some difficult problem or perhaps feeling a sense of loss…

…

Tao Fen stayed in the Ministry of Justice prison for over a month.

During this time, Gu Qinglan didn’t inquire further and hadn’t run into Zhong Chuchu visiting Gu Ling again.

But she couldn’t resist secretly noting the time of Tao Fen’s release, passing by that street in her carriage during that time.

Just to take a look, nothing more, Gu Qinglan thought.

Not openly picking him up was because she truly didn’t have an appropriate identity for it, and appearing arbitrarily might invite gossip.

As she passed by, from a distance, she still heard Tao Fen’s voice clearly: “Next spring, when the imperial examinations commence, I’ll attain a scholarly title and wed Chuchu!”

His voice was lively and cheerful, like sunlight streaming down.

Gu Qinglan smiled while sitting inside the carriage.

She admired her uncle, who, out of pity, would spend a lifetime searching for Miss Ji’s whereabouts;

She also cherished Tao Fen, who, out of guilt, would spend a lifetime bearing the burdens of past errors.

She simply loved these gentle and kind-hearted people.

That’s all.

She hoped Uncle could soon find Miss Ji and that Zhong Chuchu could truly appreciate Tao Fen’s intentions.

Gu Qinglan mused dreamily, unknowingly nodding her head slightly.

Upon hearing the noise outside subside, she reached her hand toward the carriage curtain.

Since she was already there, she might as well catch a glimpse of his safe and sound appearance before leaving, right?

Gu Qinglan thought as she lifted a corner of the curtain.

In front of the Ministry of Justice prison gates, dozens of people were gathered.

Amongst brocade robes and plain clothes, a mix of all kinds of people.

Everyone greeted one person with smiles.

He was the tallest and most robust among them, although he didn’t appear very distinguished, the smile on his face was as warm as always.

With this, she was reassured.

Gu Qinglan thought calmly.

Just then, Tao Fen in the crowd seemed to sense something and turned his face unexpectedly.

Their eyes met.

Without a second thought, Gu Qinglan dropped the curtain with a swift “swish.”

“Go!”

…

On the other side, Tao Fen’s hand, which was halfway up in greeting, froze in mid-air.

Why did the young girl suddenly leave?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep