Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 652 - 488: The Princely Heir’s Invitation

Although Min Feng was also interested in Qionghua, he initially intended to join in the fun.

But he suddenly saw Gu Chengyu sitting alone on a stone bench ahead, which made him somewhat puzzled.

Gu Chengyu was always so aloof, sometimes appearing quite unsociable. Yet at times, he was very considerate in dealing with people and affairs. What a peculiar person.

"Mr. Gu!" Min Feng walked over to Gu Chengyu and gave him a salute.

Since Gu Chengyu was his superior, he had to come over to greet him.

Gu Chengyu raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. He had thought that someone like Min Feng, who wasn’t married yet, would be interested in Qionghua, so why did he come to him?

"Min Bianxiu! Why aren’t you with them playing pitch-pot?" Gu Chengyu said to Min Feng with a smile.

Regardless of whether Min Feng’s previous substitute merit was instigated by Xia Qing or not, the fact that Min Feng wanted to seize his merit was clear, and he and Min Feng were only a step away from tearing off the pretense.

But at this moment, in someone else’s mansion, it would not be suitable for him to lose his poise.

Moreover, in the officialdom, one relies on genuine abilities, not mere lip service.

It wasn’t that Gu Chengyu looked down on Min Feng, but he was confident that the current Min Feng was still significantly inferior to him, whether in literary talent or strategy.

But it also had to do with Min Feng’s youth, at least for now, he was far from being shrewd and calculating.

For Min Feng to disregard the previous grievances between the two and to bow to him despite the disgrace of being ordered by the Emperor to rest.

Gu Chengyu felt that Min Feng was somewhat more patient than before; at least, he didn’t show him a sour face directly, did he?

Of course, he didn’t think Min Feng had sincerely repented yet. Since he wanted to maintain a facade of harmony, he couldn’t lose his decorum.

However, he thought that although Xia Qing had learned a lesson, he still needed to find an opportunity to retaliate. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be to Min Feng’s advantage?

This matter needed careful planning, as Min Feng stayed all day at Hanlin Academy; making a move in official affairs was certainly impossible, and he didn’t have that authority anyway. It looked like he would have to find an opportunity during the future compilation of the canon.

"Great! Magnificent, you are indeed impressive!"

Min Feng wanted to say more, but was distracted by the shouting from the Lake Heart Pavilion.

Gu Chengyu also glanced over at the Lake Heart Pavilion to see that the pitch-pot game had already begun.

The Young Master Zhou among them seemed to have performed well in the pitch-pot game, which drew cheers from nearby.

Immediately, someone else, unwilling to be outdone, picked up arrows to join the game.

Gu Chengyu shook his head with a smile; from these young men’s behavior, there must be female relatives in the third courtyard.

Otherwise, why would they be so spirited, as if crazed like injected chickens?

Min Feng, after all, was a young man too and was tempted at this moment, hesitating about whether to go.

But now that he was a court official, mingling with these loafers would surely be undignified. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Furthermore, to go over there so abruptly would seem awkward.

"Mr. Gu! Let’s go and take a look. I’ve played pitch-pot a few times before and have some experience."

"Oh? It turns out Min Bianxiu is also proficient in pitch-pot. My eyesight is rather average. Min Bianxiu may go ahead; I’ll rest here for a while."

In truth, Gu Chengyu was just being modest! Could such a pitch-pot game compare to archery?

He could hit moving targets, let alone stationary pots.

Gu Chengyu felt a bit bored; the Lake Heart Pavilion was indeed crowded, with people spilling onto the bridge.

He didn’t want to join the bustling crowd; such excitement was dangerous, what’s more, you might end up in the lake.

Even though he could swim, being a guest at someone else’s place, getting wet would be uncouth.

Besides, doesn’t it always happen as portrayed in past shows? It’s easiest to run into problems while changing clothes.

Seeing that Gu Chengyu was indeed not planning to go, Min Feng had no choice but to join the merriment on his own.

In his heart, he couldn’t help but curse Gu Chengyu as a phony in aloofness, acting as if disinterested in women, yet who had purchased a concubine from Tianxiang Pavilion last time?

"Then I shall not disturb your rest, Mr. Gu, and will take my leave."

Min Feng turned and headed towards the Lake Heart Pavilion, while in his heart he was musing, having reached the age of adulthood and not yet married, he naturally had yearnings for women.

If he were lucky enough to catch the favor of some lady, he could then ask his teacher to propose, surely increasing his chances.

Gu Chengyu nodded and no longer paid attention to Min Feng, but drank his tea at his own leisure.

The truth is, Gu Chengyu was feeling a bit homesick, but the ship couldn’t sail until tomorrow, even if he wanted to return now, he would have to wait until tomorrow.

Moreover, there was Gu Changbai; there hadn’t been any returning ships the past two days, so this time he had to take Gu Changbai back with him.

Unfortunately, the inn’s attendant, who was originally a clue, had retreated, possibly because Gu Changbai was returning to Jingyuan Prefecture.

Without the attendant, Gu Chengyu had no idea who was plotting against him behind the scenes.

As for the promise to Gu Wanfang, it still had to be fulfilled. He had instructed Steward Chen to seek renowned academies in the Capital where the entrance examination was not too difficult.

Although he didn’t know Gu Wanfang’s level of academic attainment, based on his repeated rejections from various academies, it probably only entailed some reading of the Four Books and Five Classics, perhaps without understanding their interpretations.

According to Ming Mo’s recount, originally in the Yingnan Mansion, Gu Wanfang attended school only during the initial years.

Most of the time, he read books by himself at home because he couldn’t afford the tuition fee.

If Gu Wanfang had talent, he certainly wouldn’t mind lending a helping hand.

Besides, he needed Gu Wanfang to provide some insight in the future, especially regarding the meetings between Gu Changbai and the mysterious person.

Since Xiao Yao still hadn’t been found, Gu Changbai was bound to return to the Capital eventually; he wouldn’t give up.

Just as Gu Chengyu was planning his next steps, several voices came from behind him.

"Jinyu! Why didn’t you respond when called? Are you here to ponder over thoughts?"

Having been deep in thought just now, coupled with Zhu Pang calling from a distance and the noise at Lake Heart Pavilion, Gu Chengyu hadn’t noticed.

"Mr. Lu and Heir Qin have arrived, and request you to join them at Lake Heart Pavilion for the pitch-pot game."

As soon as Zhu Pang finished speaking, Qin Min’s voice sounded behind Gu Chengyu.

"Mr. Gu! Why are you here alone? This is indeed my negligence; it seems my house hasn’t been hospitable enough. I ask Mr. Gu to forgive me!"

Qin Min gave a slight bow to Gu Chengyu, his face full of apology.

Gu Chengyu quickly stood up, "Heir Qin overestimates, it’s just that I prefer quietude and am not inclined to engage with large gatherings! Someone must appreciate the blossoms in your estate, won’t you agree?"

Heir Qin was soon to become a Standard Fourth Rank official, so Gu Chengyu saw no need to act superior in front of him.

Their status was much higher than his, so naturally, he wouldn’t continue to refer to himself openly as ’this official.’

However, Gu Chengyu was somewhat surprised by Qin Min’s arrival; Qin Min was quite busy today, so why did he come specifically to invite him?

Moreover, it wasn’t just he who wasn’t attending, there were others nearby admiring the flowers and chatting as well, wasn’t there?

"We heard earlier about Mr. Gu’s superb skill in pitch-pot; could Mr. Lu and Heir Qin witness Mr. Gu’s outstanding prowess?"