Chapter 43: This is Very Wrong

After leaving Shou'an Hall, Wang Ruofu's mind was filled with lingering doubts, unable to fathom why the Emperor had chosen to keep Sheng Hong alone in the palace to share the imperial meal.

"Do you think the Master is about to receive another promotion?"

Mama Liu smiled and said, "Why should the Mistress trouble herself with such thoughts? Regardless of whether he is promoted, it is a tremendous blessing that the master has won the Emperor's favor."

"Something is not right. This is highly unusual."

"Raising good children and purifying family traditions—since when do Emperors and their ministers chat so casually like everyday folk?"

"Hua'er is already betrothed, while Ru'er and Ming'er are both still young. Since coming to the capital, they haven't even stepped out of the gates more than a few times. Although Changbai studies diligently, he currently holds only the title of a XiuCai..."

Wang Ruofu directly excluded the people of the Lin Residence from her thoughts. Tugging at her handkerchief, her brows furrowed deeper as she pondered continuously.

"Could it have something to do with our future son-in-law?" As soon as the words left her mouth, she shook her head again. "It's true the top Tan Hua is glorious, but there is still the Zhuang Yuan ahead of him."

Mama Liu said softly, "Mistress, do not waste your efforts. Even the Old Madam cannot make sense of it, so I'm afraid we'll break our heads trying without ever guessing the imperial will."

"What you say is true." Wang Ruofu sighed softly, then turned her gaze back toward the direction of the Lin Residence. "Ever since moving to the capital, the Master has indeed grown much more indifferent toward that seductive creature."

"The capital is crowded and full of gossiping tongues, and the master now enjoys imperial favor, so naturally he must be more cautious in his words and deeds. Those petty, unpresentable tricks of Madam Lin will find it hard to play out here."

As soon as Mama Liu uttered these words, a flash of shared gratification involuntarily crossed the eyes of both mistress and servant.

***

Having paid his respects to his late biological mother, Lady Bai, Gu Tingye began preparing for his departure to study at the White Deer Grotto Academy.

For the future of the Gu family and Gu Tingye himself, Gu YanKai personally penned a letter, earnestly recommending him to several great Confucian scholars at the academy.

Out of respect for Marquis Gu, the scholars naturally looked upon Gu Tingye with high regard, replying early with invitations for him to enroll at the academy as soon as possible.

Early this morning, with the dawn just breaking and the thin mist still lingering over the Bian River, Zhao Han, as a close friend and confidant, naturally came to see him off.

Before long, the carriage of the Marquis of Ningyuan slowly approached and came to a halt in front of the dock.

Gu Tingye was the first to step out of the carriage. Seeing that Zhao Han was already waiting there, he quickly took a few strides forward. "Brother Zhao has arrived quite early. Could it be you were afraid I might sneak away?"

A smile played on Zhao Han's lips as he replied, "If you had left without a word, I certainly would have chased you all the way to the academy to settle accounts with you properly."

"I'm afraid Brother Zhao simply won't have the time for that!"

"In a few days, once you receive your official appointment, the affairs of the Imperial Academy will surely keep you so busy you'll be overwhelmed."

As the imperial court's cradle for talent, the Imperial Academy's duties were both prestigious and distinguished, as well as tedious and trivial.

Especially for newly appointed officials in the Imperial Academy, they had to undertake a massive amount of compilation work, and falling ill from exhaustion was a common occurrence.

"Today I am here to see you off; let us not speak of such vexing matters." Zhao Han smiled and waved his hand.

He remembered that when Zhang Juzing served as a compiler in the Imperial Academy, he had written to a friend complaining about being hunched over his desk all day long, acting no different from a mere clerk.

Gu Tingye nodded with a full smile.

Soon after, Gu YanKai was also seen stepping down from the carriage, followed by the Junior Madam Qin and his youngest son, Gu Tingwei.

Gu Tingye took the initiative to introduce them. "Father, this is the close friend I often speak of to you, Zhao Han, who is also this cohort's top Tan Hua."

Adhering to proper etiquette, Zhao Han immediately cupped his hands and said, "Junior Zhao Han pays his respects to Marquis Gu and Madam Qin."

Gu YanKai stroked his beard and looked him over. Seeing that the young man before him carried himself with upright posture and an extraordinary bearing, he could not help but nod in approval.

"No wonder Zhonghuai is always praising you in my presence; seeing you today, your reputation is well deserved."

"It is this rascal's good fortune to be able to make a friend like you."

Beside them, Junior Madam Qin wore a gentle smile, her brows curving gracefully.

"Master Zhao need not stand on ceremony. Second Lang has a straightforward temperament and has few confidants to speak of here in the capital."

"Fortunately, he has now made the acquaintance of a proper scholar like yourself, which I'm sure will help him settle his mind and apply himself to his studies at the White Deer Grotto Academy."

Zhao Han cupped his hands in return. "Zhonghuai is bold and chivalrous by nature. Interacting with him has instead brought me great benefit."

Junior Madam Qin's smile remained unchanged as she gently touched her temples.

"Master Zhao is truly eloquent. If Second Lang could learn even a fraction of your steadfastness, his father and I could finally set our minds at ease."

Gu Tingye merely glanced sideways at Junior Madam Qin from the corner of his eye. "What Mother says is true. Were it not for Brother Zhao, I doubt I would have settled down to study so quickly."

"From now on, I will surely learn from Brother Zhao in all things to bring honor to the Marquis's household."

Before Junior Madam Qin could speak, Gu YanKai’s eyes filled with gratification as he said in a booming voice, "Good!"

"On this trip to White Deer Grotto, you must pass the provincial examination and return as a Juren!"

"Rest assured, Father!" Gu Tingye bowed respectfully.

At that moment, a young servant dressed in gray cloth was seen running over from not far away.

"Second Young Master, this servant has finally found you! I only beg that before you leave, you clear this ledger so this servant can go back and report." Holding the ledger with an earnest look in his eyes, the servant stood pleadingly before Gu Tingye.

Seeing this, Gu YanKai's expression instantly darkened.

Gu Tingye glanced briefly at the ledger and said flatly, "Chunchun Pavilion? Since returning from Yangzhou, I have never set foot in Chunchun Pavilion. Where did this credit debt come from?"

"It is written here in black and white, signed by Second Lang of the Ningyuan Marquis Gu family, complete with your personal seal."

"My personal seal?" Gu Tingye gave a cold snort and instructed Shitou to fetch pen and paper.

After dipping his finger into some thick ink at the tip of the brush, he pressed it heavily onto the paper.

"Take this and compare it carefully to see if it is truly mine."

After taking the piece of Xuan paper and comparing it with the ledger, the servant noticed there were indeed discrepancies. Panicking, he added, "Second Young Master, you were heavily drunk when you signed that day, so naturally there are some differences from now."

"It's only a hundred and twenty taels of silver in total; please don't make things difficult for this humble servant."

"If I cannot collect the silver, I'm afraid my master will break my legs when I return!"

The servant wore a pleading expression, nearly on the verge of tears.

Gu YanKai's expression grew even more unsightly.

Junior Madam Qin furrowed her slender brows slightly and said softly, "Lord Marquis, calm your anger. There are many eyes and ears here; do not publicly reprimand Second Lang. In any case, I shall pay this small sum of silver on his behalf."

Then, shifting into the persona of a benevolent mother, she looked toward Gu Tingye. "It's just that, Second Lang, you must never run up credit like this again. If word gets out, it will inevitably bring shame upon the household."

"Your father has been praising you these past few days for finally becoming sensible; please do not disappoint him again."

These words, though seemingly filled with utmost care, were actually barbs intended to pierce the heart.

Not only did they solidify the fact that Gu Tingye had run up debts, but they also insidiously implied that he was incorrigible and would only disappoint Gu YanKai's expectations.

How could Gu Tingye fail to hear the hidden barbs in Junior Madam Qin's words now? He raised an eyebrow. "Mother, do not try to dump this filthy burden onto my head."

"When the people from the Fourth and Fifth Branches go out to drink, which of them doesn't charge it to my account?"

"In short, the debt at Chunchun Pavilion is not mine!"

Standing to one side, Gu Tingwei cautiously chimed in, "I also believe Second Elder Brother didn't run up this debt. The silver I use for drinking lately is all given to me by Second Elder Brother; why would he bother running up credit at a mere Chunchun Pavilion?"

Upon hearing this, Junior Madam Qin took advantage of the moment when no one was looking to glare fiercely at Gu Tingwei.

She could not fathom how she had ever given birth to a son whose elbows constantly turned outward.

Seeing that Gu Tingye was consumed by sudden anger and unable to prove his innocence on the spot, Zhao Han spoke in a gentle tone, "Ever since coming to the capital, I have frequently shared drinks and discussed literature with Zhonghuai. Might I trouble you to let me examine this ledger?"