A Time-Traveling Mishap: I Became an Ancient Nobleman

Chapter 199 Pretending not to know what happened

Seeing his father like this, Zhou Hanzhang wondered why he had suddenly sighed. "What's wrong?"

Look, he's even asking himself what's wrong.

Zhou Huaide felt heartbroken and almost cried when he saw that his perfectly healthy daughter was treating him like a man.

He turned his head and wiped his eyes. "It's alright. She came all this way to see you, so it's only right that you go back with her. You should go back first, and remember to be careful on the way."

"I know."

After Zhou Hanzhang left, the emperor glared at Zhou Huaide and said, "Why did you agree to let them go first? What if they encounter any danger on the way?"

Zhou Huaide was a little puzzled. "How can I not agree? Then tell me, if I don't agree, how should I refuse her?"

The emperor was speechless, choked by Zhou Huaide's words. "But we can't just agree to her like that, can we?"

"Then how about I call her back and say you don't agree? If you don't agree, she definitely won't deliver it. As for Jiang Mingyun, we can let Gu Qingfeng deliver it instead."

The emperor's face darkened. "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Your Majesty, think about it. They came specifically to see Zhang'er. It wouldn't be right for Zhang'er not to accompany them, would it?"

"Forget it, let's allocate one-third of the secret guards to escort them back to the capital."

When Gu Qingfeng learned that Zhou Hanzhang was going to send Jiang Mingyun back to the capital first, he also insisted on going back with them.

Zhou Hanzhang had originally planned to leave secretly, but his biggest fear was that the eldest prince would find out and entangle him, making it impossible for him to leave.

"Brother, keep your voice down. Mingyun doesn't want people to know about our family matters. Besides, I'm in a hurry to go back and deal with the visit from the United States. What are you going to do with me?"

"I have nothing else to do, so I'll go back with you guys."

"You have nothing to do anyway, so you can't come back with me. My uncle needs someone by his side, and I've already spoken to him. I didn't say you had to come back with me."

Zhou Hanzhang continued, "Look at you, your kung fu is quite good. If you gain favor with the Emperor this time, your future achievements will certainly not be less than your father's."

Gu Qingfeng was pleased to be praised. "You're right, but I really want to go back with you... There's no one to talk to here, and my father beats me if I speak."

“What kind of relationship do we have? When can’t we talk to each other? There will be plenty of time after we return to the capital. What you need to do now is to showcase your talents to your Imperial Uncle in order to get a good opportunity.”

Although Gu Qingfeng knew that Zhou Hanzhang was right, "but..."

"No buts, this kind of opportunity doesn't come around all the time."

After a series of persuasive words, Zhou Hanzhang took Jiang Mingyun and set off for Beijing first.

Perhaps the eldest prince had already been discovered by the emperor and detained to return to the capital, so their journey thereafter was exceptionally smooth, and they returned to the capital in no time.

Before Zhou Hanzhang even reached the city gate, he saw Madam Zhou waiting there, craning her neck to look around. When she saw Zhou Hanzhang's carriage approaching, her eyes lit up and she immediately rode forward.

The coachman saw Madam Zhou and quickly stopped, saying to Zhou Hanzhang, "Young Master, it's Madam."

When Zhou Hanzhang heard that his beautiful mother had come out to greet him in person, he was quite pleased. He immediately stopped the carriage, lifted the curtain, and called out to Madam Zhou, who was coming towards him, "Mother."

When Mrs. Zhou saw her child get out of the car, her eyes crinkled with a smile, looking like crescent moons.

She extended her hand to Zhou Hanzhang, who immediately grasped it. "Why is Mother here?"

“I received your father’s letter a while ago, and I figured it would be in the next couple of days, so I came out to check on things as soon as I finished my work.”

Zhou Hanzhang was somewhat moved. Hearing her words, he realized that she had been standing guard at the city gate for the past two days, and judging from her appearance, she must have been standing there for quite some time.

“It’s my fault. I should have written to my mother and told her. I made her wait here for nothing.”

"What nonsense are you talking about? I just came to check on things. If you hadn't come back by now, I would have gone back already."

Zhou Hanzhang didn't believe her words. She knew that her beautiful mother was only saying this to put her mind at ease.

Madam Zhou looked at Jiang Mingyun, who had come down with Zhou Hanzhang, and smiled brightly, "Mingyun, thank you for your hard work."

"It's not hard work for Aunt Zhou."

Jiang Mingyun looked completely obedient in front of Madam Zhou.

Madam Zhou cherished her daughter, but she also knew that Jiang Mingyun had come specifically to bring her back, and that her mission was only complete once she had delivered her home.

"Zhang'er, you take Mingyun back first. I'll go home first and cook some of your favorite dishes tonight."

She didn't linger, said a few words, and left.

Just as Zhou Hanzhang was about to send Jiang Mingyun back, another person approached.

It was Ye Gui.

The eldest prince had already learned about Jiang Mingyun's long journey to Jiangnan to find Zhou Hanzhang during his journey, and immediately wrote a letter back to Ye Gui.

Upon hearing this news, Ye Gui naturally timed his arrival to ambush the person.

"Young Master Zhou, Miss Jiang."

Jiang Mingyun frowned as soon as she saw him. "What are you doing here?"

"I had an appointment with someone outside the city this morning, and I just happened to finish it and was returning to the city. I didn't expect to run into you two here."

He feigned ignorance, "You two look travel-worn, where have you been coming from?"

"Why would we need to report to you about where we came from?"

Jiang Mingyun retorted.

Ye Gui didn't care at all and smiled slightly, "That's not what I meant. I just saw that you two looked tired, so I asked a question. It doesn't matter whether Miss Jiang answers or not."

I brought back some medicinal herbs, originally intending to sell them to others for some money, but it seems you two need them more, so I'll give them to you first.

Zhou Hanzhang looked at the herbs being handed to him, but dared not accept them. Who knew what was inside?

“Young Master Ye, our family has already prepared a medicinal bath to relieve fatigue. You have these medicinal herbs to sell for money, so we can’t very well take them from you. However, we still want to thank you for your kindness.”

She tugged at Jiang Mingyun, who reluctantly thanked her.

"I need to take Mingyun home first, so I'll take my leave now."

Just as Zhou Hanzhang was about to leave, Ye Gui caught up with him again, "I think Young Master Zhou seems quite tired. Why don't I take Miss Jiang home for you? The pharmacy I need to go to is on the way to Miss Jiang's residence anyway."

Jiang Mingyun was afraid that Zhou Hanzhang would agree, so she quickly tugged at him, "Brother Hanzhang."

Zhou Hanzhang naturally understood what she meant and politely declined Ye Gui's offer, saying, "It's not a long way, so there's no need to trouble you, Young Master Ye. Since I've already promised to take her home, a little extra distance won't make a difference."

"Goodbye."

This time, Zhou Hanzhang gave Ye Gui no chance and pulled Jiang Mingyun into the carriage.