Destined

While Gu Jiusi waited for the little beggar to fetch someone, Liu Yuru followed Jiang Rou to the Magistrate Office.

The entrance to the Magistrate Office was densely packed with people, their accents mingling chaotically—not only southern dialects but even Northern Liang accents could be heard. Among the crowd, regardless of gender, the women spoke with loud, clear voices, showing no trace of shyness or restraint, clearly accustomed to life on the road.

Liu Yuru felt somewhat constrained as she stood in line, but Jiang Rou remained calm and composed. A woman in a blue dress standing in front of them turned around and struck up a conversation with Jiang Rou: "Are you here to get a permit from the authorities too?"

"Yes," Jiang Rou replied with a smile, then inquired, "Where are you from?"

"I'm from Heyang. My husband's surname is Shen, but you can just call me Sanniang."

"Sanniang," Jiang Rou didn't hesitate, addressing her warmly as the woman suggested, then introduced herself, "I'm from Yangzhou, and my husband's surname is Gu. I seem to be a few years older than you, so if you don't mind, you can call me Sister Rou. This is my daughter-in-law, Yuru. You can just call her by her name."

Shen Sanniang nodded, giving the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law a thoughtful glance before hesitantly asking, "There's something I'm not sure if I should ask. If it's inappropriate, feel free not to answer."

"Please, go ahead."

"Heyang is too close to the Eastern Capital and borders Cangzhou. With Prince Liang's Rebellion, Heyang has become chaotic, and the influx of refugees from Cangzhou has made things worse. My husband and I feared things would escalate, so we planned early to come to Youzhou. But Yangzhou is different—it's always been prosperous and far from the warzone. Why did you come to Youzhou?"

Hearing this, Jiang Rou and Liu Yuru exchanged bitter smiles and sighed. They briefly explained the situation in Yangzhou to Shen Sanniang. As soon as Jiang Rou finished, someone nearby chimed in, "Isn't that the truth? It's not just Yangzhou; our Bingzhou is the same, almost identical."

Once one person spoke up, everyone else joined in, sharing their own stories.

Listening to everyone's accounts, Liu Yuru gradually furrowed her brow, feeling a growing sense of unease.

Youzhou, especially Wangdu, had seen a sharp increase in new residents—merchants from all over coming to settle and do business, as the commercial environment here was far better than elsewhere. Consequently, the Wangdu authorities had imposed a daily limit of no more than ten business permits. Applicants had to submit their documents first, and if there were no issues, they would join the queue. Jiang Rou had submitted her documents several times, only to have them returned for various reasons. This was already her fifth attempt.

Liu Yuru and Jiang Rou waited in line until the afternoon before it was their turn. After respectfully handing over the documents, Jiang Rou said to the official, "Sir, we've completed all the necessary procedures for our tavern. It's been delayed for almost two months now. It's not a big business, but if we can't open soon, our employees will have nothing to do. Making a living is hard enough these days—please show some understanding."

"Alright, alright," the official replied impatiently, waving his hand. "No one has it easy. If it's your turn, it's your turn. Just wait."

Jiang Rou repeatedly thanked him before leading Liu Yuru out. Liu Yuru lingered slightly behind and overheard the official complaining to a colleague, "So many people come every day, all with mouths to feed. They think they can just buy low and sell high to get by. What are ordinary folks supposed to do?"Liu Yuru's footsteps paused slightly. After a moment of silence, she pretended not to have heard anything and walked out.

Once outside, Jiang Rou sighed and said to her, "More and more merchants are coming to Wangdu. I'm afraid things are getting increasingly chaotic out there."

The two boarded the carriage. Seeing that Liu Yuru hadn't responded for a while, Jiang Rou asked curiously, "Yuru, did you hear what I said?"

Liu Yuru snapped back to attention and quickly acknowledged. Jiang Rou inquired, "What were you thinking about so deeply?"

Liu Yuru sighed and spoke honestly, "I was just thinking, Mother-in-law, you said all the military forces in the realm are preparing for war. When war breaks out, those going to the battlefield need to eat, and those not going to the battlefield also need to eat. With so many mouths to feed, where will the food come from?"

"Naturally, it comes from the farmers," Jiang Rou replied, somewhat puzzled.

Liu Yuru continued, "Then tell me, who earns money faster—the farmers or us?"

"Of course, it's us..." As Jiang Rou spoke, she began to sense something amiss.

Liu Yuru expressed her concern, "That's exactly it. For so many years, the court has been meticulously devising ways to prioritize agriculture and suppress commerce. Isn't this the reason? Think about it—in the eyes of those officials, we are of little use. Even in peaceful times, it's like this. What about now? We've traveled a long way to seek refuge here. To the officials, we're just extra mouths to feed without contributing to food production. Wangdu is currently issuing ten merchant permits daily because they aren't preparing for war yet. But what if Wangdu starts preparing?"

The ambitious Wang Shanquan's first move was to force Yangzhou tycoons to hand over money, and similar situations were occurring elsewhere.

What if Wangdu also began preparing for war?

Upon hearing this, Jiang Rou broke into a cold sweat.

But she couldn't show weakness in front of her junior. She feigned composure and nodded, "You make a valid point. Let me think it over..."

Liu Yuru sighed softly and fell silent.

She turned to look outside the carriage, feeling a heavy weight in her heart. They had left Yangzhou, passed through Qingzhou and Cangzhou, yet still hadn't found a place of complete peace.

While Liu Yuru and Jiang Rou were handling matters at the government office, Gu Jiusi sat by the roadside. He had brought steamed buns and a water pouch. A circle of people gathered around him, and he listened to their stories from all corners of the land. The young beggar he had hired not only found refugees from thirteen provinces but also attracted many regular street beggars who lingered nearby. Gu Jiusi offered steamed buns to those who provided useful information. Though these people were lowly, precisely because of their status, others often spoke freely around them, and they overheard many conversations along their journeys.

For instance, the Wangdu military system was complex; Zhou Gaolang had poor relations with local gentry and lacked funds and provisions, giving Fan Xuan splitting headaches.

Or that Fan Xuan was currently in the countryside procuring grain and recruiting new soldiers.

Or yet another piece of information...

Thus, in just one afternoon, Gu Jiusi gained a thorough understanding of the situation in Wangdu. After listening to everyone, he set down the last steamed bun and bid farewell to all. The young beggar followed him and said, "Big brother, if you have such tasks in the future, remember to call on me."

Gu Jiusi smiled and asked, "What's your name?"

"My name is Huzi," the beggar replied promptly. "I was born and raised in Wangdu. You're not from here, are you, big brother? You'll need eyes and hands to help you with things."Gu Jiusi raised an eyebrow as he listened to the teenage boy's familiar haggling. He looked Huzi up and down before saying, "Alright. If I need anything in the future, where can I find you?"

"East City's Earth God Temple," Huzi replied immediately. "Just leave me a message there."

"Understood." Gu Jiusi nodded and tossed him a copper coin. "For you."

Huzi thanked him repeatedly, and Gu Jiusi returned to the Gu residence. Upon arriving home, he found Liu Yuru and Jiang Rou had already returned, both looking rather grim. Seeing them, Gu Jiusi smiled and asked, "Did the officials give you trouble?"

"Not exactly trouble," Jiang Rou sighed. "Yuru and I discussed it today. Our concern is no longer just about official documents, but whether Fan Xuan might turn out like Wang Shanquan..."

Before Jiang Rou could finish, Gu Jiusi chuckled. He glanced at Liu Yuru with a teasing look in his eyes. "Yuru is clever."

There was mockery in his gaze. Liu Yuru was momentarily stunned before realizing that his refusal to accompany them earlier was likely because he had anticipated this very situation.

She felt a surge of irritation, but with Jiang Rou present, she had to restrain herself. She listened as Gu Jiusi continued, "Actually, Yuru is right. Today, I went out to gather information on the streets. With each province declaring independence and others preparing for war, Youzhou may follow suit. In business, it's essential to maintain close ties with the authorities. Wealth without power cannot be protected."

"You're right," Jiang Rou sighed. "I wonder how your uncle is doing."

At these words, everyone fell silent. After a long pause, Liu Yuru glanced at their expressions and cautiously said, "Not just Uncle, but also Father..."

As she spoke, her voice gradually faded, as if she couldn't bring herself to continue. Yet she knew that if she didn't say it, neither of the others would be able to. She finally managed, "Even if he can't return... we should at least have a cenotaph for him."

Silence filled the room. Just as Gu Jiusi opened his mouth to speak, Jiang Rou interjected, "He hasn't returned yet."

Gu Jiusi was taken aback. He saw the cold, resolute expression on Jiang Rou's face as she said, "Until I see his body, I won't believe he's gone."

"Mother..."

Gu Jiusi's voice was hoarse.

How could there be any remains of someone who had been cremated?

Jiang Rou's words were nothing but a reflection of her refusal to accept his death.

Gu Jiusi lowered his head and murmured, "My father, he..."

"Let's not discuss this," Jiang Rou cut him off. "As long as there's even a sliver of hope, I will wait for him. Are you telling me he's gone? Did you see him die? Did you see his body? If not, how can you be sure he's gone? If I pass away and he still hasn't returned," Jiang Rou looked at Gu Jiusi, her lips trembling and her voice raspy, "then you can bury his cenotaph with me."

"Mother..."

"Jiusi," Liu Yuru sensed the finality in Jiang Rou's tone. She reached out and tugged at Gu Jiusi's sleeve, sighing. "Let it be. Let's discuss what to do next."

Gu Jiusi remained silent. Eager to change the subject, Jiang Rou looked at Liu Yuru and asked, "What do you think we should do, Yuru?"

"I think," Liu Yuru pursed her lips, "now might be the time to donate all our family assets to the government."Upon hearing this, Jiang Rou abruptly looked up, staring at Liu Yu Ru in shock.

Gu Jiusi remained unmoved. Jiang Rou glanced at Gu Jiusi, then at Liu Yu Ru. The two young people seemed utterly indifferent to donating their entire family fortune. Jiang Rou struggled for a long moment before finally saying, "Yu Ru, do you realize what you're saying?"

"Mother-in-law," Liu Yu Ru sighed softly, "the most valuable thing in this world will always be the future."

Trading vast wealth for a foothold in Youzhou, for a future.

Jiang Rou fell silent.

The Gu Family's wealth had been earned penny by penny through half a lifetime of hard work by her and Gu Lang Hua. She lacked Liu Yu Ru's resolute decisiveness to make such a clean break.

Money wasn't just money—it represented resources, it represented the power of choice.

Gu Jiusi understood Jiang Rou's thoughts. He sighed softly, sat down before her, and persuaded, "Mother, the truth is, we can't keep this money. Our Gu Family isn't like ordinary merchants—we're too conspicuous. We have no foundation in Youzhou. If we cling to this wealth, others will covet it."

"But we don't have to donate all..."

"If we only donate part, when others run out of money, they'll always think you still have some. And they'll always believe you only donated a small portion, without any sense of great benevolence. We should donate it all at once, and not only that—we should find someone to donate through. After donating, we shouldn't ask for anything in return. We must donate with noble integrity, so people will see us as righteous individuals."

Jiang Rou remained silent. Gu Jiusi continued, "Moreover, with a powerful backer, my future official career will be smoother."

Jiang Rou trembled slightly, and even Liu Yu Ru looked over. Gu Jiusi said calmly, "I want to become an official."

"I want to become a high-ranking official, one with power and influence capable of affecting the entire world. So, Mother," he looked at her seriously, "donating just some money is possible. But we might not be able to bear the subsequent risks. And I don't just want to establish ourselves in Youzhou—I want to climb higher."

"Then how do you plan to do it?"

Liu Yu Ru spoke up, looking at him: "Will you go directly to the government and give all the money to them?"

"No," Gu Jiusi said calmly, "I want Zhou Ye to introduce me to Zhou Gaolang and privately give all the money to him."

Liu Yu Ru was taken aback, exchanging a glance with Jiang Rou.

"Why is that?"

Jiang Rou was somewhat puzzled: "Rather than giving it to Zhou Gaolang, why not go directly to Fan Xuan?"

After all, the current military governor was Fan Xuan, while Zhou Gaolang was merely a general. If they wanted to curry favor, naturally Fan Xuan would be better.

Gu Jiusi smiled: "Right now, there are certainly more than just us trying to please Fan Xuan. If we go to him, even if we exert full effort, Governor Fan might only remember seventy or eighty percent of our goodwill. But General Zhou is different. First, we already have a better relationship with Zhou Ye, so our intentions won't appear too strong. Second, I've heard his army is currently short on funds and supplies. If I give him all the money, he'll surely be extremely grateful. Providing help in times of need is always better than adding flowers to embroidery."

Jiang Rou didn't speak. After pondering for a long time, she finally said, "This matter is of great importance. Allow me to think it over."

"Please consider it carefully, Mother," Gu Jiusi said seriously. "After all, Yu Ru and I are still young. We might not have considered everything thoroughly. Please think it over before making a decision."After saying all this, Jiang Rou was also somewhat tired, so Gu Jiusi led Liu Yuru back to their room. As they walked along the corridor, Liu Yuru reached out to pinch his waist, angrily saying, "You’ve already thought everything through in your mind, yet you still made me and Mother go all the way there. Are you making fun of me?"

"Ouch, ouch," Gu Jiusi pretended to be in agony, "Madam, be gentle, it hurts, it hurts!"

Liu Yuru couldn’t tell whether he was faking or not, so she reluctantly withdrew her hand. Gu Jiusi quickly tried to appease her with a smile, "How could I be that clever? I just had an idea. Since you were going out anyway, wasn’t it a chance to walk around and gather some information?"

As he spoke, Gu Jiusi lifted his sleeve to fan her, coaxing, "Don’t be angry, don’t be angry, calm down."

Liu Yuru put on a stern face, intending to keep up the act, but seeing his ingratiating expression, she couldn’t help but let out a "pfft" laugh.

Seeing her laugh, Gu Jiusi sighed, "Ah, making my wife smile is truly too difficult."

"Is it really that hard?" Liu Yuru looked at him with a smile. "I didn’t even ask for anything, and with just a few sweet words from you, I laughed. I’m afraid there’s no woman easier to coax than me."

"Then what do you want?"

Gu Jiusi suddenly spoke up. Liu Yuru was taken aback. Gu Jiusi looked at her, not joking but speaking gently, "It seems I’ve never given you anything. What kind of husband is so stingy?"

Hearing this, for some reason, Liu Yuru felt her earlobes grow warm. She turned her head away, lightly fanning herself with her round fan, and said somewhat awkwardly, "I already have everything I need, and there’s nothing I particularly want. Just give me whatever you think of—why even ask me?"

Listening to her, Gu Jiusi noticed the woman in front of him adjusting her hairpin somewhat uncomfortably. He couldn’t help but laugh behind her. Liu Yuru, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed, turned back and said, "What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing, nothing," Gu Jiusi replied. "Madam is so clever and wise, even the way you make requests is uniquely impressive. I admire you."

"Gu Jiusi!" Liu Yuru flared up. "You can spend your life alone!"

With that, she stormed off in a huff. Gu Jiusi was stunned for a moment, then quickly chased after her, "Hey, hey, I was wrong. I’ll buy you a hairpin."

"Buy what hairpin! Who wants a hairpin!"

"Alright, alright, I’ll give it to you. I want to give it to you." Gu Jiusi tugged at her sleeve, while Liu Yuru kept pushing him away. Unable to bear it any longer, seeing her persistent resistance, he grabbed her and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. Face to face, Liu Yuru was completely stunned. Gu Jiusi, however, seemed completely unaware, just holding her and smiling as he said, "Alright, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have laughed at you. When I find a job and earn my first sum of money, I’ll buy you a hairpin, okay?"

Liu Yuru didn’t say anything. She could feel his arms around her waist, radiating a warmth that didn’t belong to a woman. Her face flushed, and she turned her head away, murmuring softly, "As you wish."

Seeing her relent, Gu Jiusi felt relieved. Only then did he realize how intimate their position was.

He froze instantly. Letting go abruptly would seem awkward, but holding her like this was even more awkward.

Liu Yuru, sensing his stiffness, lightly tapped his hand with her round fan, her face red as she whispered, "Aren’t you going to let go?"Gu Jiusi hastily released his grip. Liu Yu Ru turned away and murmured softly, "Shameless."

In the past, she often said this, and he never thought much of it—even took pride in it with a carefree laugh.

But this time, he stood rooted to the spot, the sensation of the girl's soft waist lingering in his palm. He turned his head aside, feeling the air grow unusually warm. Those gentle words seemed to carry tiny hooks, soft and lingering as they brushed against his heart, stirring a tingling restlessness throughout his being.

For the first time, he truly felt that what he had done was indeed shameless.