Chapter 140: The Crescent Moon's Secret Thoughts

Looking at Yueya, Gu Weiyu had so much she wanted to say, yet for a moment, she didn’t know where to begin.

In the end, all the words in her heart condensed into one question: “Yueya, when did you come back?”

As she spoke, Gu Weiyu walked over and sat down on the bamboo vine chair in front of the bamboo grove, then gestured toward a wooden bench nearby, inviting Yueya to sit.

“I heard from the clan members in the Yan Tea Village that the young lady had returned, so I came back,” Yueya replied, her eyes curved in a gentle smile, her expression as calm as flowing water as she looked at Gu Weiyu.

In truth, once Yueya learned that Gu Weiyu was safe and sound, she was so excited that she stayed awake all night. The next day, she begged the clan to bring her to the county seat.

Gu Weiyu’s gaze swept over Yueya’s slightly bluish eyes, and she understood.

She knew that Yueya had countless words she longed to share, just like herself.

As the two exchanged warm, affectionate looks, the soft, light footsteps outside the courtyard were soon accompanied by the crisp voice of Xiao Guo: “Sister Yueya, I’ve brought back the food box!”

Yueya rose with a smile and took the food box from Xiao Guo’s hands. “Miss, you must be hungry, right?”

Since Gu Weiyu had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, she had been abstaining from grains, rarely eating ordinary food, only indulging occasionally when she craved a treat.

But hearing Yueya’s question, she couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, I am a bit hungry.”

Gu Weiyu wasn’t truly starving, so she only picked two or three of her favorite dishes from before. The rest she generously shared with Yueya and Xiao Guo, inviting them to dine with her.

Yueya didn’t refuse. She pulled Xiao Guo to sit with her at a low table inside the bamboo house, and the three—mistress and servants—shared their midday meal together.

Xiao Guo busily jumped up to clear the dishes afterward. Seeing this, Yueya smiled softly and thought, This girl is quite diligent; that’s good.

“Sister Yueya, shall we go sit in the bamboo grove?” Gu Weiyu asked, pointing outside the bamboo house. Yueya nodded gladly.

They hadn’t seen each other for a long time, and Yueya had many things she wanted to say to her mistress.

Though their relationship was officially mistress and servant, in truth, they were like sisters.

Moreover, Yueya had grown up alongside Gu Weiyu and was also a member of the Gu clan, so in Gu Weiyu’s heart, she was already considered family.

Gu Weiyu approached the stone table inside the bamboo grove and casually cast a Purification Spell. The stone table and benches, once covered with bamboo leaves, instantly appeared clean and tidy.

“Miss, where have you been all these years?” Yueya asked curiously.

Yueya’s main purpose in returning to the Gu residence was to see Gu Weiyu in person, to ease her lingering worries.

Now that she was growing older, her mother was already looking for a suitable husband for her. Although she was reluctant to marry a stranger for life, she understood that she couldn’t stay by her mistress’s side forever.

Setting aside the difference between immortals and mortals, with her lifespan barely a century, she would not want her mistress to watch her grow old and wither away.

Gu Weiyu didn’t speak much about the hardships she had endured outside but only shared some joyful moments.

Yueya listened attentively, her eyes full of admiration. “Miss, the outside world truly is wonderful.”

“Yueya, the outside world is indeed wonderful, but it’s also dangerous,” Gu Weiyu said with a sigh.

Yueya nodded. She understood well; even within Qin County, danger lurked everywhere.

Outside the city walls, the world was fraught with peril, and even the mountain villages were not entirely safe.

She was merely a fragile woman—where else could she go?

Xiao Guo, having finished tidying the dishes, stepped out into the courtyard, then soon came skipping back.

Yueya noticed the two small tufts of hair bouncing atop Xiao Guo’s head and felt an inexplicable joy. “Little Guo is a good girl. With her by the young lady’s side, I can rest assured.”

“Sister Yueya, don’t you want to stay here in the Gu residence?” Gu Weiyu asked in surprise. “Where are you planning to go?”

“Miss, I’m getting older...” Yueya murmured wistfully, hesitating to speak further.

Gu Weiyu was silent for a moment. Of course—how could she forget? Yueya was mortal, and mortal women must marry when the time comes. Beyond a certain age, they become spinsters, looked down upon by their clan.

“Yueya, do you have someone you like... someone special?” Gu Weiyu asked, her voice a bit hesitant when touching on matters of love.

Yueya, seeing her usually straightforward mistress in this shy state, felt her heart warm. An image of a simple, honest man appeared unbidden in her mind:

Though he was a bit clumsy, he treated her very well. She just didn’t know what had become of him...

At that thought, a faint blush spread across Yueya’s fair cheeks, and she shyly lowered her eyes.

Seeing this, Gu Weiyu immediately realized her dear sister was experiencing the stirrings of first love. “Yueya, tell me! Who is it?”

“Miss, how can you ask? Aren’t you embarrassed?” Yueya whispered softly.

Gu Weiyu couldn’t help but giggle at Yueya’s flushed face and the pink tips of her delicate ears.

“Yueya, this isn’t the time to be shy,” Gu Weiyu leaned over and whispered into Yueya’s ear, “Just tell me.”

Yueya’s long, curled lashes fluttered as she nervously wrung the handkerchief in her hands. “Actually, I don’t even know how he is now...”

“Yueya, what’s his name and what does he do? I’ll have Uncle Sixteen find out for you!” Gu Weiyu said, clapping her hands.

“Well...” Yueya’s eyes lit up; she was truly moved.

With Gu Weiyu’s relentless persuasion, Yueya finally revealed everything about the man she liked.

Gu Weiyu stood up with a bright smile. “Yueya, come with me!”

They left the courtyard, and Gu Weiyu led Yueya straight to Gu Hui’s residence, to the Maple Evening Pavilion.

Outside the pavilion stretched a vast maple forest. It was the crisp and clear autumn season; the maple leaves blazed like fire, resembling a sea of red clouds glowing in the sunset.

“Stopping to enjoy love in the maple forest at dusk, the frosted leaves are redder than the flowers of early spring.”

Gu Hui had named his residence after this verse.

He was leisurely reclining in a vine chair amidst the maples, crimson leaves scattered upon his black clothes. Beside the chair, the scene was uniquely charming.

“Uncle Sixteen!” Gu Weiyu called out from outside the courtyard, then casually pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Gu Hui looked up from the ledger in his hands and glanced toward the maple woods. “Little Eleven, you never come without a reason. Tell me, what is it this time?”

Gu Weiyu covered her mouth to laugh. “Uncle Sixteen knows me so well!”

Amid laughter, Gu Weiyu told Gu Hui everything about Yueya.

A faint smile appeared on Gu Hui’s face as he glanced at the bashful Yueya. “No problem, I’ll send someone to inquire about him right away.”

“Thank you, Uncle Sixteen,” Gu Weiyu said brightly.

“You little girl, why are you so polite to me?” Gu Hui said with a sideways glance at Gu Weiyu.

Gu Weiyu made a playful face. After sitting a while in the Maple Evening Pavilion, she took her leave, knowing that Gu Hui was busy these days.

“Miss, someone from the mansion just came to say that Young Master Chu Liuxing is here looking for you. He’s currently at Taoran Residence...” Xiao Guo greeted her as soon as she returned to the Green Bamboo Garden.

“What?”