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Shen Qingyao stayed at Gu Hui's residence after arriving in Ningcheng. Gu Hui treated her like his own daughter and prepared a separate courtyard for her. However, Gu Hui was usually very busy, so they didn't have many opportunities to meet.

On the tenth day in Ningcheng, Shen Qingyao received the first letter from Lu Zhao. At that time, she was sunbathing in her courtyard. When she heard someone from the capital had arrived, she couldn't wait for them to deliver the letter. She lifted her skirt and ran off, ignoring Cui Qiao and Hong Yun who repeatedly shouted, "Madam, be careful."

Seeing Shen Qingyao's joyful figure, the two maids felt both amused and worried. Unable to stop her, they quickly followed her.

When Shen Qingyao jogged to the front gate of the Gu residence, she met the messenger who came from the capital to deliver the letter. When they met, both were momentarily stunned and simultaneously exclaimed, "Why are you here?"

The one who came back to deliver the letter was Gu Ziyan. After not seeing him for three or four months, he seemed taller and sturdier. The harsh conditions of the Northern Frontier had stripped away much of his arrogance, revealing a sharpness like a blade drawn out of its sheath. Shen Qingyao almost didn't recognize him. Compared to their last meeting in Lingnan, Gu Ziyan seemed to have grown up a lot.

But as soon as he spoke, Shen Qingyao felt he was still the same reckless young master. Gu Ziyan got off his horse with a stern face. Seeing it was her, he leaned lazily against the horse, arms crossed, and asked teasingly, "This is my home. What's strange about me being here? But you, why are you here again?"

Without waiting for Shen Qingyao to answer, he suddenly seemed to realize, "No wonder! I wondered why the Prince sent me on this errand and Lu Zhao even gave me a letter. It turns out it's for you?"

Hearing there was indeed a letter from Lu Zhao, Shen Qingyao was delighted and didn't bother to argue with Gu Ziyan. She reached out for the letter, but Gu Ziyan teasingly refused to give it to her. Shen Qingyao glared at him and tried to grab it. Just then, a stern voice came from behind, making Gu Ziyan jump. He quickly shoved the letter into Shen Qingyao's hand and stood at attention, calling out cautiously, "Father."

Shen Qingyao turned to see Gu Hui had arrived without her noticing, glaring coldly at Gu Ziyan. "You unfilial son! You still know how to come back!"

"Father! You know where I went!" Gu Ziyan muttered, head down. After spending nearly half a year at the Northern Frontier, he had learned some of the inside story. His father had partly schemed to send him there. "Stop acting! Father! I have serious business this time!"

With that, Gu Ziyan lifted his head again and took out another letter from his pocket, waving it with some pride. "Look! A secret letter from the Prince! Do you want it or not?"

"What are you showing off for? Get in here!" Gu Hui was even angrier seeing this. How could a secret letter be flaunted at the gate? Losing patience, he kicked Gu Ziyan and dragged him by the ear into the house.

Shen Qingyao laughed secretly at the side. When Gu Hui looked over, she obediently gave way and bowed.

After they had walked away, Shen Qingyao looked down at the thin envelope in her hand, feeling expectant. What would Lu Zhao write to her?

"Miss, let's go back too," Cui Qiao suggested softly. Shen Qingyao nodded and was about to return when she noticed out of the corner of her eye a head quickly ducking behind a stone lion at the gate. She paused, recognizing the shadow as familiar. After a moment of thought, she decided to walk over.

Behind the stone lion was a small figure. Seeing her approach, the person seemed nervous but didn't run away. Instead, they looked at Shen Qingyao with a complicated expression, a mix of resentment and reluctance. As Shen Qingyao got closer, she recognized Lin Wan'er, Gu Ziyan's fiancée, whom she had seen a few times from a distance in Ningcheng a few months ago.