Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 638 - 474: Neither Soft Nor Hard

Xiao Chengzi asked once before, but the Prince only brushed him off with a sentence.

Although his master’s decisions could not be doubted, seeing the Prince put so much effort into Mr. Gu, Xiao Chengzi could no longer hold back.

In his opinion, his master was simply too eager. If Mr. Gu had talent, it wouldn’t be too late to make arrangements once he was promoted to the fourth or fifth-rank.

Having just entered officialdom for over a month, it was unclear why the Prince was in such a hurry.

"You! Why else are you just a servant!" Prince Jing chuckled and chided Xiao Chengzi.

"Yes, yes, yes! Master, you are wise and strategic, and we are just servants. How can we understand all of that? Aren’t we just waiting for you to enlighten us!"

Xiao Chengzi grumbled inwardly, isn’t it just because you have a good father?

However, he dared not say it aloud.

"Stop saying those pleasant words, does this prince not know what you are thinking?"

Prince Jing sneered, adding another stroke to the landscape painting.

"Do you think this prince does not need to be so hasty?" Prince Jing was dissatisfied with a stroke that spoiled the whole painting, so he threw the brush on the table.

Prince Jing turned to sit in the chair, took a book, and started reading.

After a long while, Xiao Chengzi thought the Prince wouldn’t respond, but Prince Jing’s voice rang out again.

"About the tea tax and salt permit, this prince has not hidden it from you; you are well aware. No matter Gu Chengyu’s rank, his ability is undeniable."

Hearing this, Xiao Chengzi couldn’t help but nod; Mr. Gu indeed had ability.

"If our people use his strategy and operate well in front of the emperor, the benefits will certainly be plentiful. Now, letting Gu Chengyu use it for a higher rank is indeed a bit of a waste. However, this prince is not after those things. If Gu Chengyu, being so capable, can be used by this prince, wouldn’t that be like adding wings to a tiger?"

At this moment, Xiao Chengzi had to admire his master’s foresight, but Mr. Gu did not seem like someone easily manipulated.

"But this servant sees that Mr. Gu is not interested in wealth or beauty. If you want to bring him under your wing, it won’t be easy."

Prince Jing shook his head and sighed. If Gu Chengyu were that easy to bait, he wouldn’t need to spend so much effort.

"It’s just unfortunate that Hua Lian’s parents aren’t around, and that Gu Changbai might not be reliable; I haven’t even seen Hua Lian yet."

Prince Jing had initially wanted to bring Hua Lian’s mother over, but the woman had remarried and had a family, making it quite inconvenient.

Gu Changbai’s affection for Hua Lian was not much; he intended to keep Hua Lian for last.

Unfortunately, someone moved faster than him and snatched Hua Lian away.

"Have you found the person who took Hua Lian?"

Prince Jing suspected that Gu Chengyu was the one who took Hua Lian; if only Gu Changbai’s appearance suggested this, he had to admire it.

"Not yet, Your Highness! This servant believes an internal asset must be placed in the Gu Mansion. Even if nothing useful is obtained, reporting the movements of the Gu Mansion can give us more clues and countermeasures."

Prince Jing stood up and paced the room.

"Does this prince not know? But talking about getting into the Gu Mansion is easier said than done. See what you can do when next they want to buy someone from the Gu Mansion!"

"Yes! But if you send Gu Changbai back to Jingyuan Prefecture, won’t Mr. Gu stop him from returning?"

Prince Jing’s lips curved slightly, "That depends on whether he can persuade Gu Changqing and the others. If Gu Changqing comes to the Capital, it wouldn’t be surprising to bring Gu Changbai along, and getting into the Gu Mansion wouldn’t be a big deal." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Confronting Gu Chengyu, one must not be too hasty. Gu Chengyu was very sharp, impervious to both persuasion and coercion.

However, Prince Jing was always patient. As Xiao Chengzi said, it was still early! He just didn’t believe he couldn’t take down Gu Chengyu.

"As for Hua Lian, continue to send someone to look carefully. Just now, it was reported that Gu Wanfang went to meet a fellow student. Why didn’t you send someone to follow them? Gu Wanfang should also be watched closely. Although he doesn’t know much, he is not entirely clueless."

"Yes!" Xiao Chengzi’s expression tensed, knowing the Prince was attentive to details.

Although he felt Gu Wanfang didn’t need to be followed, with the Prince’s instructions, he certainly wouldn’t argue.

"Is the child well taken care of, and has the teacher been invited?"

"Already invited. The Prince is kind; the child has practically fallen into a nest of blessings."

Xiao Chengzi thought his master was still kind-hearted, feeling guilty for capturing someone’s child and often caring about the child’s daily life.

Prince Jing nodded, knowing that great accomplishments required overlooking minor details.

Even though he owed Gu Changbai’s family, he hadn’t been harsh to the child.

Every day, staying in the mansion, he felt he was about to rot.

But he didn’t dare recover because he feared the emperor would remember him and send him to the fief.

Being far from the Capital, the news came too slowly.

Prince Jing’s face twisted slightly at the thought of something.

"Is the Imperial Physician coming for consultation tomorrow?"

Xiao Chengzi was startled and quickly replied, "That’s correct!"

"Go and tell the divine doctor; he knows what to do."

Prince Jing’s voice lazily came out, and Xiao Chengzi shivered, quickly responding.

Gu Chengyu sent Gu Changbai away before heading to the inner courtyard.

"Sir! He is right inside, staying obedient!" Ming Yan was waiting at the courtyard gate and hurriedly came up to Gu Chengyu as he arrived.

"Hmm!" Gu Chengyu entered the courtyard with Ming Yan close behind.

"Sir!" Li Zhuang, with a few guards, saluted Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu waved his hand, and the group stood outside the door. They knew Gu Chengyu was about to question someone, so naturally, they needed to step back.

They only did as instructed by the official; as for other matters, it was best for them to know less.

Gu Wanfang was anxiously uneasy inside the room; he had been bound here for nearly four hours, yet Little Uncle hadn’t come.

Actually, he already knew Little Uncle’s intentions for finding him, so when taken to the Gu Mansion, he didn’t resist at all.

The door opened, and upon seeing Gu Chengyu enter, Gu Wanfang hurriedly stood up and bowed to him.

"Greetings, Little Uncle!" He played a small trick, not calling him Little Uncle.

Gu Chengyu walked to the seat of honor and sat down, raising an eyebrow with a spark of interest.

If he had a keen sense and wasn’t of bad heart, it would not be impossible to pull him up.

The Gu Family could not rely on him alone; there simply had to be a few capable individuals.

"Sit down!" Seeing Gu Wanfang standing there somewhat constrained, Gu Chengyu pointed to a chair, gesturing for him to sit.

"Bringing you here, I suppose you know the reason. Did your family encounter some difficulties? You may speak openly with me—after all, we are family; what I can help with, I naturally will not withhold."

Gu Wanfang was a scholar; by saying so, Gu Wanfang should grasp the meaning.

Gu Wanfang hesitated, unsure of whether to speak.

Father had repeatedly instructed him not to disclose anything to others, or Xiao Yao might not return.