Rong Ruiyuan tidied up his clothes, lifted the curtain, and stepped out, only to see Gu Baijiang waiting outside with his two sons, followed by what seemed to be his granddaughter and grandson.

Rong Ruiyuan’s gaze paused slightly on Gu Antong, then quickly shifted to Gu Baijiang, "Lord Gu, I truly apologize for imposing on your household yesterday." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"It is our honor. Please rest well.

We will be departing soon. Would Your Highness like to have a meal first?"

"Bring it up," Rong Ruiyuan glanced around and noticed that many people were indeed packing their belongings, while the escorts watched from afar.

"Antong, go help your mother bring up breakfast," Gu Baijiang turned and instructed his granddaughter. He then stepped forward to support Rong Ruiyuan, "Your Highness, this wound needs to be treated by a doctor as soon as possible."

He sat outside last night, and his old arms and legs couldn’t quite take it.

He wanted to find Gu Kaiyuan but didn’t dare to leave lightly.

The lord would be leaving with them today, wouldn’t he also have to walk alongside?

But at the thought of his plan, he quickly managed his expression.

"Yesterday, Peifeng helped me apply medication, and there’s no major issue for now.

Since I don’t know when my people can catch up, I’ll have to travel with you for the time being. Over the next few days, I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble Lord Gu."

"It is an honor for this old official."

"Let us not address each other as criminals; this Prince hopes that one day you may return to the court."

"Thank you, Your Highness, I will comply."

Rong Ruiyuan briefly washed up, then went to the fire with Ming Peifeng, where the fire had gone out, but a pot of steaming rice porridge remained, along with a big bowl of freshly fried rice cakes and, most noticeably, a plate of stir-fried vegetables.

"The conditions are a bit simple, and the meal ingredients aren’t that good. I hope Your Highness will forgive us."

"Is this what Lord Gu has been eating these days?" Rong Ruiyuan’s tone carried concern, "Lord Gu, you’ve worked hard."

Gu Kaichen said, "How could that be? It’s just a bit more plentiful today; usually, we eat casually."

Gu Baijiang didn’t have time to rebuke, as his atmosphere-setting was thoroughly disrupted by this brat.

He could only accompany with an embarrassed smile, "Your Highness, please don’t listen to the nonsense from this brat of mine. Thanks to Lord Ming’s generosity, we’ve even had a banquet before."

"That was at the Prince’s behest," Ming Peifeng knew this was Gu Baijiang giving him trouble, but he didn’t mind, knowing the Prince had no tolerance for misconduct; he wouldn’t dare alter the books.

The silver notes given were as instructed by the Prince; he didn’t pocket a single copper coin.

"Yes, thank you, Your Highness, for your concern," Gu Baijiang bowed towards Rong Ruiyuan.

At this moment, Gu Antong knelt with white rice porridge in front of Rong Ruiyuan, her body slightly leaning forward, revealing her slender neck, her voice exceedingly gentle, "Your Highness, please have your meal."

Rong Ruiyuan’s gaze was profound; after a moment of hesitation, he finally took the bowl from her hands.

Her fingertips lightly grazed the back of Rong Ruiyuan’s hand, which startled her into lowering her head.

"Are you Lord Gu’s eldest granddaughter?" Rong Ruiyuan seemed unaware of everything, staring at the top of Gu Antong’s head, "I’ve heard of you before in Shangjing; truly, the reputation doesn’t compare to meeting in person."

Gu Antong felt a surge of joy inside; it seemed her prior preparations with her mother had been worthwhile. A good reputation indeed requires cultivation.

"Your Highness is flattering me," Liu Yun placed two pots before them, "There is still much my daughter needs to learn."

Rong Ruiyuan nodded, refraining from further conversation, and began eating.

Liu Yun felt a wave of regret in her heart, wondering if she had overstepped with her interruption, hoping her intended wondrous impact hadn’t backfired.

Gu Baijiang didn’t give her time to regret, urging them to quickly organize their belongings, as the escorts wouldn’t wait for them.

"Father, regarding this matter..." Gu Kaiping sidled up to Gu Baijiang, with Gu Kaichen hastily coming over as well.

"You two hurry and move the things," Gu Baijiang was almost infuriated by these two fools. Was this the time to discuss such matters?

"Hurry up," Ma Zhi was already urging, heedful of the orders given, acting accordingly, lest any delay occurred, causing later accountability issues.

The carriage proceeded forward, with Rong Ruiyuan sitting alone inside, the Gu Family closely following behind.

After about an hour, he seemed to hear complaints from the Gu Family’s two children.

"Grandfather, how much longer do we have to walk?" Gu Anwei was now utterly uninterested in walking, "My legs are starting to hurt."

"Grandfather, how about letting my younger brother rest on the cart shaft for a while?" Gu Anliang knew the car’s occupants were high-born, but what did that matter to them?

Due to his arrival, they had to endure once more, and with Gu Anwei speaking first, he seized the opportunity to push the boat forward.

"Hold on a little longer, we’ll stop to rest soon." Gu Baijiang wiped the sweat from his forehead; how could it be so hot when the sun had just risen?

The significant temperature difference between morning and evening made it easy to fall ill, causing him to worry.

"Lord Gu," Rong Ruiyuan lifted the curtain, showing a kind smile to the two Gu children, "Let the children board the carriage to rest, and you come up too."

"This is against protocol," Gu Baijiang hurriedly responded, "The children are ignorant and disturb Your Highness; please forgive them, Your Highness."

"Lord Gu, it’s all my fault for causing the children to suffer because of my presence. I feel uneasy.

Protocol should be flexible on the road; everyone should come aboard."

Gu Baijiang contemplated briefly, patted his grandsons’ heads, "Once aboard, you must not disturb the guests."

"Yes, Grandfather, I’ll watch over my brother."

The two children clambered onto the carriage, sensibly squeezing into a corner.

Rong Ruiyuan nodded in satisfaction and then said to Gu Baijiang, "Lord Gu, let’s chat together as well."

Gu Baijiang was assisted onto the carriage by his two sons, sitting alongside the children, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Rong Ruiyuan laughed heartily, "Lord Gu, you’re alienating yourself from this Prince. If thanks are due, it should come from me.

This space is still so empty; quickly bring the ladies aboard."

"This..."

"Lord Gu, are you defying this Prince’s words?"

Gu Baijiang dared not hesitate, allowing Liu Yun and the others to board, bridging the gap between people.

Whether intentional or not, Gu Antong ended up right beside Rong Ruiyuan.

Rong Ruiyuan, seemingly oblivious, continued discussing court matters with Gu Baijiang.

He recounted events from Gu Baijiang’s absence, intermittently seeking his opinions.

Gu Baijiang soon followed along with Rong Ruiyuan’s line of thought.

It felt reminiscent of the time before the household was raided when he advised Rong Ruiyuan.

As the road grew bumpier, more body contact ensued.