Chapter 37: What Truly Constitutes Repaying a Kindness

After hearing Gu Shiyan’s words, Li Xubai felt his image of her had been completely overturned.

Although they were not close, in Li Xubai’s mind, she had always been a bossy, selfish, green-tea bitch. Now that this green-tea bitch had suddenly stopped being green or bitchy, Li Xubai found himself quite unaccustomed to it. He clicked his tongue and said, "To think that in such a dangerous situation, you actually managed to bring a burden along with you. You’re actually a pretty decent person."

Hearing this, Gu Shiyan was displeased. She rolled her eyes and retorted, "What, am I really that heartless and unrighteous?"

Li Xubai nodded vigorously. "And more—you’re black-hearted and vicious, too."

Gu Shiyan: "..."

As they spoke, Gu Aman let out a huge yawn, her eyes streaming with tears from exhaustion. She clung to Gu Shiyan’s arm, her little head bobbing as she mumbled incoherently, "Sev-seventh sister, I, I’m sleepy."

"Oh, our little Ninth is sleepy." Gu Shiyan gathered Gu Aman into her arms with gentle tenderness, patting and soothing her.

Before long, Gu Aman fell into a deep sleep.

Song Shiyu watched all of this, her gaze flickering with complex emotions. In her previous life, Gu Aman had been particularly fond of her seventh sister, Gu Shiyan, constantly sneaking into her room for no reason. She had always assumed it was because Gu Shiyan was too good at bewitching people. But now, it seemed the truth was far from what she had guessed or imagined. Gu Shiyan truly harbored genuine affection for Gu Aman.

Song Shiyu felt a sudden sense of empathy, and her tone softened, shedding its former sharpness. "You have a child with you, and you have no money on you. What do you plan to do from here on out?"

Gu Shiyan had only run away on a whim, fueled by hot-blooded impulse. She hadn't considered the future at all. It wasn't until Song Shiyu asked that she realized how bleak her path ahead truly was. She had been raised in the lap of luxury and had never known hardship, nor had she seen much of the world. Playing petty tricks within the confines of the boudoir was where she thrived, but when it came to fighting for a path to survival in a desperate situation, she was at her wits' end.

"I, I haven't thought about it. I don't know." Before she could finish, Gu Shiyan’s eyes turned red. Only now was she truly afraid. The terror of going from a noble young lady to a wanted fugitive, and the bewilderment of shifting from a life of luxury to being homeless—it was enough to shatter her resolve.

"Oh, don't cry," Li Xubai said, unable to bear seeing a woman in tears; it made his head buzz.

"If crying could pave a way to survival, then there would be countless people crying their hearts out," Song Shiyu said ruthlessly. She could help for a moment, but not for a lifetime. In this life, Gu Shiyan would ultimately have to survive on her own.

Gu Shiyan slowly calmed down and pondered, "My concubine mother’s family is gone. Little Ninth’s maternal grandfather lives in Daming Prefecture. I thought I would take her to seek refuge there. Even if they won't take me in, they will have to take in Little Ninth. I... I can find another way to survive once I'm in Daming Prefecture." She paused, her eyes vacant yet resolute. "As long as I can leave Bianliang City and not get caught by the Imperial Guards, there will be a way to live anywhere."

"It takes about ten days to get from Bianliang City to Daming Prefecture, even if you take the main road," Song Shiyu shook her head. "But there will undoubtedly be checkpoints along the main road. You can only travel by small paths, you can't ride in a carriage, you can't ride a horse, and you have to carry a four-year-old child. Have you thought about what you might encounter?"

"..." Gu Shiyan was left speechless. Thinking of all the potential troubles, her face turned pale.

"Still, it's better than being caught by the Imperial Guards in Bianliang City," Gu Shiyan decided firmly. "I have to get out of the city, no matter what."

Li Xubai, who had been silent until now, suddenly interjected, "That’s not necessarily true. Haven't you heard the saying: the most dangerous place is the safest place?"

Song Shiyu and Gu Shiyan were startled and looked at Li Xubai.

Li Xubai had been transmigrated for a while now, and through his immersion in the Lu Lutong Carriage and Horse Agency, he had gained some understanding of the rules of this world. He analyzed the situation for them in detail: "Today, the Imperial Guards searched every household with great fanfare and found nothing. I suspect they won't go door-to-door anymore; the officials are afraid of inciting public resentment. However, they will likely start searching inns, brothels, and casinos—places where all kinds of people mingle. The city gates will also be under stricter surveillance. They know you want to leave the city, so they’ll surely expect you to try and escape as soon as possible. It would be better for you to hide here for a while. Once enough time passes and they fail to find you in the city, they might assume you’ve already escaped. By then, the risk will be much lower. Also," he continued slowly, "you cannot go to your relatives or friends. The Imperial Guards have surely mapped out your entire network. If they can't find you in Bianliang, they will definitely send men to search your friends' and relatives' homes. If you go there, you'll be walking straight into a trap."

Gu Shiyan didn't take in anything else except for the fact that Li Xubai was offering to let them hide there for a while. She was overjoyed and incredulous, wondering if she had misheard. "You... what did you just say? You... are willing to take us in?"

Li Xubai looked even more bewildered. "No, my ancestor, if I didn't want to help you, why would I risk being hauled away by the Inspection Bureau just to bring you home? Do I look like I have nothing better to do? Do I want a one-day tour of the Inspection Bureau?"

Gu Shiyan wept with joy, feeling deeply ashamed. "It is I who have wronged you; I was the one with the small heart. I once plotted against you, yet you hold no grudges and even help me like this. I... I am utterly ashamed of myself. But you... you have a younger brother and sister. I... I am afraid of dragging you all down."

"That won't happen," Song Shiyu shook her head. "Our Li family has no connection to your Gu family. The Imperial Guards will never suspect us. Besides, we only just moved here, and the neighbors aren't familiar with us yet. As long as you don't go outside, they won't know there are two extra strangers in our home." She paused to catch her breath. "While this is risky, it isn't impossible to deceive everyone. Don't worry, once the tension dies down, I will find a way to get you out of the city."

Only then was Gu Shiyan certain that she and Gu Aman were truly being taken in. Her heart finally settled. She knelt on the ground with a thud, raised her hands, and swore, "Thank you both for your help. I, Gu Shiyan, swear that as long as I am alive, I will surely repay your great kindness. Whatever you two want, as long as I can achieve it, I will never refuse."

Li Xubai and Song Shiyu were startled by her action and quickly pulled her up.

Li Xubai laughed, "No, Seventh Miss Gu, why aren't you playing by the rules? Don't people usually promise to repay debts in their next life? Why is it that with you, it’s all about immediate repayment?"

Gu Shiyan shook her head. "The embroidery mistress who taught me once said that those who talk about repaying in the next life are hypocrites, just trying to get something for nothing. Those who truly want to repay a debt will do so no matter how difficult it is."

Li Xubai nodded repeatedly in agreement. "That mistress of yours is quite an interesting person."