Chapter 26: It Is a Great Virtue to Correct One's Mistakes

In the past, whenever she mentioned that the Marquis was angry, Gu Tingye’s expression would have changed instantly. Without a word, he would have found an excuse to slip away, and under no circumstances would he have stepped foot inside the Marquis’s mansion.

But today—

Madam Qin observed Gu Tingye with a composed expression. His demeanor remained unchanged; he did not even furrow his brow. Instead, he calmly smoothed out his cuffs, appearing as though he were ready to return to the residence immediately. Could the water and soil of Yangzhou have been so nourishing that they had fattened his courage?

Nanny Xiang, whose composure was far inferior to Madam Qin’s, felt her expression shift upon hearing this, her eyes filled with astonishment.

"Are you truly going back now, young master?"

As she spoke, Nanny Xiang stole a glance at her mistress, finding her still wearing that mask of a benevolent mother.

"In that case, Erlang, do get in the carriage. Later, our whole family can sit down and have a proper reunion meal together. Before I left, I specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare the braised goose webs and steamed duck with sweet fermented rice that you love so much. During the days you were away, Tingwei kept mentioning you in my ear."

Although Madam Qin often whispered in Gu Tingwei’s ear, inciting him both overtly and covertly to vie with Gu Tingye for the title, Gu Tingwei had absolutely no interest in the inheritance. Not only was he deeply attached to Gu Tingye, but he also defended his older brother at every turn. In the entire Gu household, besides Gu Yankai, the person most loyal to Gu Tingye was Gu Tingwei.

Gu Tingye sneered inwardly, though his face remained unreadable. He gave a slight nod and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Mother."

The Ningyuan Marquis Mansion was located on Duke Street in the inner city of Bianjing. About an hour later, the carriage pulled up slowly outside the mansion.

Upon learning that Gu Tingye had arrived at the gates, Gu Yankai sat upright in the main hall, his face ashen, clutching a ten-foot-long ebony rod used for corporal punishment. The servants waiting in the hall were as silent as cicadas in winter, barely daring to breathe. Gu Tingwei, standing beside his father, kept his head low and his neck retracted, eyes fixed firmly on the tips of his shoes, not even daring to steal a glance at Gu Yankai. He looked like a startled quail.

"That unfilial son actually dares to return!" Gu Yankai roared, making Gu Tingwei tremble violently.

Recalling all the kindness his second brother had shown him in the past, Gu Tingwei mustered his courage: "F-father, Second Brother, he..."

"Shut up!"

Gu Tingwei jolted, nearly biting his own tongue.

The steward, Li Zhong, offered a teacup with great caution. "Marquis, please calm your anger. Since the young master has returned safely, there is no need to resort to family law."

"Calm my anger?" Gu Yankai sneered, slamming the rod hard against the floor. "He left the capital in secret for months without sending a single word, and now he finally knows how to come home? Does he still have this family in his eyes? Does he still regard me as his father?"

Before the words had faded, footsteps were heard from outside. Gu Yankai immediately straightened his back, intending to teach Gu Tingye a harsh lesson to ensure he remembered this.

Madam Qin stepped into the main hall first. Seeing Gu Yankai’s fury and the rod in his hand, she felt a slight sense of satisfaction. She stepped forward, feigning persuasion: "Marquis, what are you doing? Erlang is still young; how could he withstand a beating from the family law? If you were to strike him too hard, how could we face the spirit of his mother, Lady Bai? Come to think of it, I am also at fault; as his mother, I failed to teach him well, allowing him to grow up so reckless. If you must punish someone, you might as well punish me as well." As she spoke, she took out a handkerchief and pressed it to the corner of her eye.

As Madam Qin had anticipated, this only fueled Gu Yankai’s rage. "You are still protecting him! It is precisely this indulgence that has made him increasingly lawless!" He gritted his teeth and looked at Gu Tingye. "Today, I will discipline you properly on behalf of your late mother!"

Just as Madam Qin tucked away her handkerchief, prepared to enjoy the show, she saw Gu Tingye drop to his knees before Gu Yankai and say calmly, "I know I was wrong, Father. Please, punish me."

The apology was so clean and decisive that Gu Yankai was momentarily struck dumb, his grip on the rod loosening involuntarily. Gu Tingwei wore an expression of utter disbelief; as long as he could remember, he had never seen his second brother voluntarily apologize to their father.

"My departure without notice was only because I received word that my grandfather was critically ill and had sent his final will. I was so anxious that I rushed south without informing you first. During my time in Yangzhou, I learned much and even met a rare soulmate. He told me that a parent’s love for their child is profound, and that your strictness toward me was merely a hope that I would become a capable man. In short, all the faults are mine. Whether you wish to beat or punish me, I have no complaints."

These words left Gu Yankai stunned. He stared at Gu Tingye in bewilderment, feeling that the youth before him was somewhat like a stranger. Gu Tingye kept his head low, glancing at Gu Yankai from the corner of his eye. Seeing the man’s expression soften, he felt a secret thrill of triumph.

"Have you lost your mind?" Gu Yankai asked, silently setting the rod aside.

Madam Qin twisted her handkerchief tightly, nearly shattering her teeth in her fury. For years, she had exhausted every effort to ruin Gu Tingye’s reputation, all to make Gu Yankai despise him so that the title could eventually pass to Gu Tingwei. Yet, Gu Yankai had never been willing to give up on Gu Tingye; no matter what mistake he made, he always tried to clean up the mess.

Gu Tingye said sternly, "No, I simply realized my mistakes and will never repeat them."

The hall was deathly silent. A moment later, Gu Yankai personally helped Gu Tingye to his feet. He gripped the boy’s shoulder firmly with his rough hands and said meaningfully, "To acknowledge one's error is the greatest virtue. You must be tired from your long journey. Go and rest. If there is a next time, it will not be as simple as family law."

"I will keep your words in mind, Father," Gu Tingye said, bowing deeply.

As he turned to leave, he caught a glimpse of Madam Qin’s slightly twisted face. A chill ran through him, and he became deeply convinced of the truth in Zhao Han’s words.

On the way back to his courtyard, Stone followed behind, scratching his head. "Young Master, why do I feel like that Madam Qin is a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing?"

"Even you can tell?"

Stone nodded vigorously. Though he was not old, he had seen many people in his time with the漕幫 (shipping gang). Gu Tingye clenched his fist, took a deep breath, and quickened his pace.

—

Meanwhile, at the Sheng residence in Yulin Lane.

This was a grand five-courtyard mansion, far exceeding the Sheng family’s residence in Jiying Lane in both size and luxury. With its carved shadow walls, upturned eaves, and winding corridors, it was truly worthy of the wealthiest merchant in Youyang.

Under Sheng Wei’s arrangement, Zhao Han and Changqing were settled into a small courtyard in the southeast corner, a place that was not only quiet but also convenient for Zhao Han to come and go.

Sheng Wei stroked his beard and smiled. "If you lack anything, nephew, do not hesitate to tell the steward. Please, do not stand on ceremony."

Zhao Han bowed, "I understand, Uncle Sheng. Thank you for your concern."

No sooner had he spoken than he saw Pinlan, dressed in a peach-pink brocade skirt, pulling Shulan as they ran over from a distance.

"Father! I heard there is an incredibly vast polo field outside Jinming Pool! I want to go play polo!"