Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 590 - 426: Invitation from the Princess’s Mansion

The Ye Family were all poor folks, and when he came to the Capital to study, the family managed to gather some silver taels as travel expenses for him. He was truly grateful for this in his heart.

If he could select some younger members from the family to handle some trivial matters for him, it would save him from having to do everything himself. Though he wasn’t wealthy or noble now, he could afford to give them some monthly salary.

Gu Chengyu smiled knowingly; this idea wasn’t bad. With no one to care for Ye Zhiqiu, there were things he couldn’t conveniently do himself. Besides, he now held an official position, and not having followers to handle affairs seemed unreasonable.

"This idea isn’t impossible; it’s also beneficial for your family. But since we’re all in the Capital now, even if the family wanted to send people over, it wouldn’t be easy."

Ye Zhiqiu pondered for a moment, "Don’t we have a home leave? I’m waiting for it! I originally didn’t plan to return, but it seems I have to go back once."

Since Ye Zhiqiu had already brought Ye’s mother and them back to the Capital, he didn’t care about returning or not. But thinking about his eldest sister in Jingyuan Prefecture, he felt it would be good to go back to visit.

"If I go back first, I can bring the people back for you! Write a letter to the family explaining this matter."

The night was as chilly as water, and the moonlight poured over the land as if cloaking it in a misty veil. The carriage rumbled over the cobblestones.

It was a narrow alley, quiet and different from the bustling streets outside.

"Sir! We’re almost at the mansion!" Ming Mo shouted back while driving the carriage.

"Hmm!" Gu Chengyu responded softly, rubbing his temples. Everyone was in high spirits tonight, and he couldn’t help but drink a few more cups. It wasn’t that he couldn’t handle his liquor, but rather the smell of alcohol on himself was overwhelming.

The carriage arrived at the side gate of the Gu Mansion. Hearing the carriage, the gatekeeper opened the door and saw that it was indeed their carriage. He quickly opened the gate to let it in.

Steward Chen, noticing his master had arrived, grabbed the invitations delivered to the mansion today and followed him into the inner courtyard.

Smelling the alcohol on himself, Gu Chengyu planned to take a bath and rest well. There had been many matters today, and he needed to clear his mind to analyze how the Emperor would handle the secret memorial.

"Sir! There were quite a few invitations at the mansion today, including one from the Princess’s Mansion," Steward Chen called out as Gu Chengyu was about to enter the house to rest.

"Oh? The Princess’s Mansion?" Gu Chengyu was a bit confused. He had no dealings with the Princess’s Mansion, so why would they send him an invitation?

Suspiciously, Gu Chengyu took the invitation and opened it. It was indeed from the Princess’s Mansion, with the personal seal of the Eldest Princess. As for the content, it was about holding a flower appreciation party.

After all, the Eldest Princess was the model lady in the Capital, and her husband was the Duke of Qin. Naturally, their mansion hosted numerous gatherings annually. Among those, the annual literary gathering attracted many young aristocrats and young officials.

To put it bluntly, it was a disguised matchmaking event. However, everything had its facade; marriage discussions still required parental consent and matchmaker’s words. Even if two people fancied each other, both sides’ elders needed to agree before a proposal could happen.

Any behavior not aimed at marriage proposal was considered frivolous.

Nonetheless, Gu Chengyu wasn’t interested in such banquets, and he wondered why an invitation was sent to his mansion. He thought perhaps it was because he had some reputation in the Capital and was young that they sent it to him?

He felt conflicted; if he didn’t attend, he might offend the Eldest Princess. Checking the date, it was on the ninth day. He calculated and found it was on his rest day, which was quite a coincidence.

But perhaps by then he’d have the approval to return to his hometown for a visit. So worrying about it now was pointless. Holding the invitation, he turned to head into the house.

"Sir! Shall I put these invitations away?"

Steward Chen routinely asked as there were always invitations delivered to the mansion, fewer being three to five, more than a dozen each day, mostly from Lord’s old classmates and scholars who admired Lord’s literary talent, inviting him to poetry gatherings.

Gu Chengyu nodded. He usually didn’t respond to them, leaving them high and dry. With so many invitations, if he were to reply to each, it would take up considerable time. Besides, for those he didn’t wish to associate with, leaving them unanswered was customary.

Letting others say that he forgot about old classmates after becoming an official or was too proud to care—those were just unfounded accusations. With people he had no intersection with, he didn’t need to compromise himself for fear of backbiting.

Gu Chengyu dismissed Steward Chen, went into the house, and instructed Lichun to prepare bathwater for him.

Ming Mo parked the carriage and came to Gu Chengyu’s room to report on the matters instructed before Gu Chengyu left for duty earlier in the day.

"Sir! As per your instructions, Ming Yan has taken a few skilled people to find a place in Hechuan Prefecture to keep Miss Ji under watch." Ming Mo reported once Lichun left the room with clothes for Gu Chengyu.

"Hmm! Make sure they keep a good watch on her. Once things here are settled, find a place far from the Capital and marry her off."

Considering she’s a niece, Gu Chengyu would also prepare a dowry for her. In the future, they’d basically stop any contact. No matter Ji Fuhu’s intentions, sending her far away meant he didn’t plan to dwell on past issues.

"Yes, Sir, people sent to Yingnan Mansion today have sent a message back." Ming Mo stood at the entrance to the inner room where Gu Chengyu was heading for a bath.

His master didn’t like others around when he was bathing. Seeing Lichun approaching, he waved her away to wait outside.

Noticing this, Lichun knew Ming Mo had matters to discuss with the Lord. So she glanced at the inner room, hearing the water sound, and turned to leave.

"Oh? Tell me about it," Gu Chengyu showed interest upon hearing this.

Ming Mo glanced at Lichun’s retreating back, then turned back respectfully.

"Your uncle, Gu Changbai from the second branch, indeed resides in Yingnan Mansion. The second elder had two sons. The elder son, a few years ago, was killed by bandits while trading, leaving Gu Wanfang, Gu Qian, and a youngest, Gu Wanke."

"Gu Qian, there was originally an elder granddaughter, but at five, she was taken by child traffickers. All these are accurate. The second son has one son, two daughters, and they all live in Yingnan Mansion, making a living by farming."

Ming Mo paused to relay the full story to Gu Chengyu.

"Recently, the second elder suddenly brought the children of the elder son, along with the second eldest lady, to the Capital."