Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 636 - 472: Provocation

He nonchalantly picked up the tea bowl and took a sip, ignoring the deeply furrowed brows of Liang Zhirui and Wu An, and continued, "Besides, if he behaves too mediocrely, how could the Emperor value my junior fellow like this? Nothing in this world is perfect; being too deliberate may cause one to miss a great opportunity."

Upon hearing this, Wu An immediately wanted to retort, but Liang Zhirui waved his hand. Everyone has their own ambitions, and there are millions of ways to live in this world.

Liang Zhirui felt that Gu Chengyu’s temperament was somewhat similar to He Jisheng, just more upright! Even if Gu Chengyu had a desire for power, he relied on his own abilities, never taking crooked paths, and never lost the conscience in his heart.

"By the way, Teacher, I received an invitation from the Princess’s Mansion, saying they were going to hold a flower appreciation gathering, but I have to set off for home in two days."

Gu Chengyu hadn’t planned to ask today, but he feared he wouldn’t have time to come in the next few days, and besides, it wasn’t a big deal.

"Oh? From the Princess’s Mansion? I didn’t expect the Princess’s Mansion to send you an invitation. After all, you are young, it’s good to broaden your horizons."

Before Liang Zhirui spoke, He Jisheng asked in surprise.

The flower appreciation gathering hosted by the Eldest Princess had other intentions. Young men and women of the Capital all wished to attend the gathering. The noble sons and daughters are even more eager, and the noblewomen who receive invitations would also gladly attend.

This is a good opportunity to secretly observe young ladies and noble sons. How could those noblewomen miss it?

He Jisheng’s eldest and second sons were not old enough and certainly would not receive an invitation. But his purpose wasn’t to find daughters-in-law, rather to have his wife mingle with those noblewomen.

After all, he was only a fourth-rank official, those true aristocratic families didn’t look favorably upon a Standard Fourth Rank.

Liang Zhirui pondered for a while, "When is the flower appreciation gathering? Will it hinder your trip home?"

"It just happens to be on the third day. My family also received an invitation." Hearing Gu Chengyu say this, Wu An remembered the matter.

He had three daughters, the eldest legitimate daughter and the second legitimate daughter were of age, and there was also a newborn concubine-born daughter still in swaddling clothes. The invitation from the Princess’s Mansion included the names of the two legitimate daughters.

"Then just delay going home for a day! After all, it’s the Eldest Princess we’re talking about. You should at least make an appearance, if nothing else, you can leave early."

What Liang Zhirui did not say was that the Eldest Princess was not someone easy to get along with. If Gu Chengyu did not go, he might offend her since she specifically sent the invitation. As for matchmaking, that was out of the question, Gu Chengyu had no elders present, he was merely there to join in the fun!

Gu Chengyu nodded. Since it was in the morning, he planned to take his leave right after having the noon meal. After all, he needed to return home, and the hosts would not be unreasonable, right? Besides, there would definitely be people leaving midway.

The four of them continued discussing the issue of the tea tax for a while, and then Wu An excused himself, saying he had matters to attend to.

This suited Gu Chengyu, as he had to return early to handle matters related to Gu Wanfang. Therefore, he also took the opportunity to excuse himself.

"Teacher, there are still some matters at my mansion, so I’ll take my leave now. When I have some free time, I’ll come by to see you and Madam. Please apologize to Madam on my behalf, I won’t be able to visit her this time."

Liang Zhirui was initially going to persuade Gu Chengyu to stay, but since Gu Chengyu had matters to attend to, he could only postpone the talk for another day.

"You should come by in the next couple of days when you have a moment, there are things I need to discuss with you," Liang Zhirui instructed Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu gave Liang Zhirui a glance, knowing that his teacher had something to say to him.

He Jisheng, who had not yet moved, glanced at Liang Zhirui, and with just one look, followed Wu An out of the outer courtyard.

Gu Chengyu got on his carriage and told Ming Yan to head straight back to his mansion.

"Second Senior Brother, I’ll ride with you in your carriage," He Jisheng smiled at Wu An before climbing into the Wu Mansion’s carriage.

Wu An found it odd; He Jisheng had come by with his own carriage, did he have something to say to him? Wu An speculated that what He Jisheng wanted to discuss might concern Gu Chengyu.

"Junior Brother, do you have something to say?" Wu An, having boarded the carriage, got straight to the point, skipping the small talk.

He Jisheng frowned slightly, "Senior Brother, did you know about the tea tax beforehand?"

Wu An shook his head, "No, I did not!"

He Jisheng leaned against the slightly bouncing carriage wall and looked at Wu An.

"I think the teacher knew about it beforehand, but whether the Senior Brother knew is uncertain."

He Jisheng recalled Yin Kun, who was sent to Yingnan Mansion to investigate a case. He actually thought Yin Kun didn’t know. If the Emperor had known about the tea tax earlier, he wouldn’t still be focusing on the silver of the Xia Clan.

The tea tax matter must have been brought up by Gu Chengyu to the Emperor not long ago. Yin Kun was sent to Yingnan Mansion after the Xia Zhou case, so he likely didn’t know about it.

However, he wouldn’t tell Wu An this, not believing Wu An didn’t harbor some resentment towards the teacher.

Back when the teacher was still Grand Secretary, Wu An only managed to become a fourth-rank official and was also a local officer. Surely Wu An had at least some grievances in his heart?

If, back then, the teacher had put some effort into arranging a good position for Wu An, he wouldn’t still be at this fourth rank.

Wu An glanced at He Jisheng, his eyes dark, just giving him a look before moving his gaze away.

"Senior Brother went to the Yingnan Mansion, probably unaware. It’s not strange for Jinyu to let the teacher review the memorial before submitting it."

Wu An inwardly sneered, realizing He Jisheng was trying to sow discord between himself, the teacher, and Gu Chengyu?

His nature was rigid, but that didn’t mean he was foolish; otherwise, how could he maintain his position as a fourth-rank official?

The teacher had a close relationship with Gu Chengyu. Before Gu Chengyu went to court, he would surely discuss the matter with the teacher to identify any shortcomings. This wasn’t strange, and he wasn’t one to be unclear about relationships.

The issue was not discussed with him because their relationship wasn’t that close, and the Emperor hadn’t announced it yet, so the fewer people who knew, the better.

Moreover, it was impossible for senior and junior brothers to disclose all their private affairs to each other. Had He Jisheng ever shared any confidential matters with them?

Understanding from one’s own perspective, Wu An had many things hidden from the teacher, let alone his senior and junior brothers. Would someone as shrewd as He Jisheng disclose everything to them?

His mother had said that although Gu Chengyu was still young, his prospects in the future were promising.

He had known He Jisheng for many years and was well aware of his character. He was someone who wouldn’t get up early without a profit, yet his mind wasn’t broad. So after Wu An became a Capital Official, he rarely interacted with He Jisheng.

He disapproved of people like that.

He Jisheng, feeling a jolt from Wu An’s glance, realized it would be unwise to speak too explicitly.

"Little Junior Brother indeed has great skills, very capable. I’m afraid in the future, we seniors might have to rely on Little Junior Brother," He Jisheng said with a full smile, as if teasing.