Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 463 - 299: Faceless Woman

"I don’t know. When I went to his manor for a visit the other day, his father wouldn’t even let me see him!"

Gu Chengyu knowingly nodded, realizing that until the Imperial Examination, he would not be able to see Zheng Lun.

Zhu Pang suddenly remembered something, "Right! I heard from my father that the ranking of the examination will be readjusted. During the Dali Temple’s investigation, it was found that some candidates showed improper conduct. It seems they will petition the Holy Emperor to draft a new list."

Gu Chengyu was originally the first in the examination, worried that someone might use this opportunity to bring him down. Although Zhu Pang seldom concerned himself with such matters, he was familiar with the court’s dynamics from years of exposure.

In recent years, officials from the northern and southern factions at court have disliked each other. Although aristocratic families are numerous in the Capital, there are also many clear-stream aristocratic families from Jiangnan. Chief Minister Xia Qing’s ancestral home is Jiangnan, and in recent years, Jiangnan officials at the court have gradually ascended to high positions, with many Jiangnan officials being transferred to the Capital to become Capital Officials.

Gu Chengyu, coming from the Northern region, has seized the top spot in the examination, fearing that someone might be gearing up to pull him down and elevate Min Feng, the one ranked second.

"I know, when I visited my senior brother today, he already mentioned it to me and said he would think of a way to help me."

Gu Chengyu thought of those in the top twenty with no solid foundation, who might be pulled down, their positions usurped, and thereafter cut off from the imperial examination altogether.

"As long as you’re aware, the second place, Min Feng, seems to be a candidate from Jiangnan and has entered under the tutelage of Chief Minister Xia. You must be careful; your position as the top scorer might soon be replaced by someone else."

Zhu Pang feared that Gu Chengyu was being overly optimistic, so he hurriedly voiced a reminder.

Gu Chengyu found Zhu Pang’s words quite reasonable, acknowledging that Min Feng had always seen him as his primary rival, competing stealthily. And Gu Chengyu had consistently kept Min Feng beneath him, fearing that Xia Qing would remove him and replace him with Min Feng.

After all, without him, Min Feng would be more assured of the title of top scorer. It was evident that Xia Qing greatly valued Min Feng, even having Huang Junheng bolster his reputation.

"If they’re plotting against me, they’d better see if I agree first."

Gu Chengyu let out a cold laugh; everyone has their flaws. What’s the saying? If you don’t mind losing your own hide, dare pull the Emperor down from his horse.

And Xia Qing’s audacity was sustained because all his deeds were within the Emperor’s tolerance. Right now, it appears he is in the limelight, but when the Emperor no longer needs him, these deeds will become his fatal Achilles’ heel.

Zhu Pang did not know why but trusted that Gu Chengyu had this kind of confidence. Gu Chengyu seemed to always handle things with a plan, and indeed, he always achieved what he expected, never deviating from his plans.

In truth, Zhu Pang admired Gu Chengyu. There are people like this in the world, whom you try to resent but just can’t. As his father said, Gu Chengyu is a favored son of heaven, truly blessed by heaven.

Gu Chengyu had just one shortcoming — his less distinguished birth. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have achieved only this much and would have already stirred up waves in the court.

What Zhu Pang didn’t know was that Gu Chengyu had long since reached his hand into the court’s affairs.

"By the way, I wanted to tell you that there’s a night banquet at the Tianxiang Pavilion tonight. Are you going? I’ll take you to broaden your horizons." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Gu Chengyu felt speechless. This person could only stay proper for a few brief moments before reverting to his frivolous ways.

"No! You go if you want. Last time, didn’t you drag me to the Tianxiang Pavilion, causing my couplets to be plastered in the restroom? Oh! What exactly happened last time? Why were you drinking at Tianxiang Pavilion so early, and why did you drag Zheng Lun along? How did you bump into Min Feng and the others?"

Talking about it, Zhu Pang was also full of grievances. He originally wanted to vent to Gu Chengyu and the others, but recent major events made him forget all about that incident.

No, once he returned, he would talk to his father about not wanting to marry Lord Kong’s eldest daughter.

"Chengyu! When you come to my house tomorrow, please plead with my father for me!" Zhu Pang had a mournful expression, thinking about truly marrying that woman one day, which would simply be a life devoid of daylight.

Gu Chengyu found it extremely amusing, "What’s exactly wrong?"

"Didn’t my father already arrange the marriage for me?" Zhu Pang picked up the Jade Ruyi on the table beside Gu Chengyu, playing with it as he felt deeply troubled.

"I know you don’t want to get married, but it is natural for a man to marry and a woman to wed. You will eventually have to marry." When Gu Chengyu said these words, he felt a strange sensation in his heart.

He lifted his teacup, took a sip, and dismissed that strange feeling.

"Of course, I know! So I didn’t object afterward, did I? But last time, I heard that the eldest daughter of Lord Kong was plain-faced and riddled with pox scars. I begged my father to break off the engagement, but he disagreed and wanted to beat me."

Last time, it was because Zhu Pang heard the girl was ugly and tried to persuade his father to break off the engagement, but his father refused, so he turned to drink in sorrow.

Gu Chengyu nearly spat out his tea, feeling somewhat helpless.

"How can you believe idle gossip? You shouldn’t act recklessly. Since an engagement is already set with the three bows completed, and soon to exchange gifts, she is your fiancée. How can you cancel the engagement? That would ruin the girl’s reputation. Aren’t you being too reckless? No wonder your father wants to beat you."

Breaking off an engagement is no trivial matter. If a girl is jilted, especially due to her looks, she would either choose death or spend her life in a temple. It’s a lifetime’s ruin, and the two families would become sworn enemies.

Zhu Pang’s father refrained from thrashing him — that was lenient enough, but it was truly unbecoming.

"That was what the young master from Marquis Zhan’s Mansion said; I don’t want to marry such an unattractive woman." Zhu Pang also understood there’s no room for negotiation. He didn’t genuinely lack sense, just wanted to fuss a bit to feel better!

"Has that young master even seen the girl? Would she easily show herself to him? Who knows where he heard such a rumor? Maybe the girl is beautiful, and others spread bad stories out of jealousy. You should not believe hearsay so easily."

Gu Chengyu thought that in ancient times, officials’ wives could not be ugly, and their children even less so. Even if they weren’t heavenly beauties, they’d surely have attractive features, wouldn’t they? Of course, there might be exceptions, but they were scarce.

After hearing Gu Chengyu’s reasoning, Zhu Pang found it made a lot of sense and nodded repeatedly.

"You should stop behaving like this, lest the news reaches Lord Kong’s mansion, and Miss Kong harbors resentment toward you. When eventually married, there will always be a shadow between you two. Besides, if word spreads, Lord Kong would lose face, and your father would have to apologize for you."

Gu Chengyu’s words were earnest and well-intentioned, hoping that Zhu Pang would not further damage the girl’s reputation or put her in an awkward position.