Chapter 967: Chapter 803: The River Surges

Gu Chengyu believed that people must be sent to inspect Changtian Prefecture. If any unstable areas are found, they can be timely remedied, otherwise, it will be too late to regret.

"I’ve heard that places like Jiangnan have been experiencing continuous heavy rain, whereas it only rained here for two days. The weather is hotter than in previous years, it seems to be more abnormal than before."

Zhu Pang, dissatisfied with wintergreen’s slow pace of fanning, snatched the fan from wintergreen’s hand, pulled open his collar, and began fanning forcefully.

"Why are you here instead of cooling off in your own mansion?"

Gu Chengyu noticed this and ordered wintergreen to go to the kitchen to fetch some iced sour plum soup.

He had previously dug an ice cellar in the mansion and stored quite a bit of ice. His mother loves the iced sour plum soup, and even Mr. Gu cannot stop praising it.

Sour plum soup is excellent for beating the heat, and Zhu Pang hurriedly shouted for wintergreen to hurry.

"I’m only here to give you some good news. Honestly, you’re so stingy! The weather is so hot, yet you save on ice basins and blow warm air in the courtyard. Look, you’ve heated up your little maid."

Zhu Pang blinked and smiled lewdly.

Gu Chengyu was known for being unaffected by heat. Seeing wintergreen not around, he started to joke.

Gu Chengyu raised an eyebrow, feeling comfortable with the cool.

"If you dislike the heat, go inside the house! I’ve placed ice basins inside." After speaking, Gu Chengyu took the lead and walked ahead.

Zhu Pang had been sensitive to heat for a long time. Knowing his old friend’s thoughts after all these years was natural.

Zhu Pang followed cheerfully, saying, "I really don’t understand why you don’t cherish beauty. This young girl is blossoming beautifully, haven’t you thought of taking her as a concubine or something?"

He suddenly remembered that Gu Chengyu was already sixteen this year and didn’t even have a concubine. It’s unbelievable how committed he is to staying pure.

Gu Chengyu rolled his eyes, realizing the difference in conversation of old married men.

"You should mind your own business! I heard you recently took a concubine? I’m telling you, your wife just gave you a big chubby son, and you’re already in such a hurry to take a concubine, you better be careful not to hurt her feelings."

Three months ago, Kong Shuhuan gave Zhu Pang a big chubby son. Zhu Pang was so happy he couldn’t stop smiling and even came to Gu Chengyu to share the joy.

Their first child was a girl, only two years old this year. Generally, after the first birth, the body should be carefully nourished and open to having more children after two years. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Who could have imagined these two were so eager to have children?

However, Gu Chengyu could understand Kong Shuhuan’s thoughts, as the first child was a girl, so she must have been in a hurry.

Women in the backyards without a son must be worried sick, no sleep during the night. Truly, women in ancient times are pitiful.

Without a son, whether poor or rich, it’s always the woman’s fault.

Women live far less happily in their husband’s home than in their own parental home. Without a son, their backbones can’t straighten.

"It wasn’t me who wanted to take one; she herself proactively gave me a concubine! She was injured while giving birth to the son and needs a period of recuperation, so she gave me a concubine to serve me."

Zhu Pang wore a nonchalant face, thinking it was quite normal.

Gu Chengyu shook his head, deciding not to persuade further, as this was ultimately another person’s family matter.

Zhu Pang was native to this dynasty, accustomed to having multiple wives and concubines. It was impossible for him to remain loyal only to Kong Shuhuan.

Kong Shuhuan also had her considerations, finding a docile concubine to bind Zhu Pang was better than letting him find someone unseemly in the future or someone who stirs trouble.

"However, you’re already sixteen this year. Why haven’t you taken a concubine? Haven’t your mother and the others been urging you?"

Actually, he wanted to ask whether Gu Chengyu had any curiosity about women at all? With these maids in the mansion, seeing them every day must stir some romantic feelings?

Could it be that Gu Chengyu...

Gu Chengyu had no idea what Zhu Pang might be thinking of him. Speaking of this, it did give him quite the headache.

Just last month, his mother wanted to send over a beautiful maid to him. The purpose was evident!

He finally refused it with the excuse of practicing martial arts, claiming he couldn’t be around women. Indeed, this reason was laughable but quite effective.

His mother knew he practiced martial arts, so he deceived Mrs. Lv, saying he practiced child’s skill and couldn’t break his vow yet.

His mother believed it, temporarily dropping the matter. His current trouble wasn’t with having a concubine maid, but that he was already sixteen, and Yao Mengxian would come of age in a few months.

It’s time for the marriage plans!

...

While staying free-spirited in the mansion, Gu Chengyu was doing quite well. But things were not going smoothly for Lord Prefect Qian Hui Chun far away in Changtian Prefecture.

"Sir! It’s not good, the water near Yuanli Village is almost overflowing the embankment."

A Government Official hurriedly barged into the mansion and rushed directly into the study without waiting for introductions.

"What? Who is the official guarding the rise? Why haven’t they reported it sooner?" Qian Hui Chun was shocked upon hearing this and jumped up from his chair immediately.

He had a bad feeling, sensing disaster might be imminent.

"Sir! The river’s rise was very rapid; when I went to inspect this morning, the water was just at the stele’s horizontal position. I didn’t expect it to rise so quickly."

The Government Official’s clothes were thoroughly soaked, with water dripping down from his clothes onto the carpeted floor of the study.

But at this moment, no one was concerned about that since the sudden rise of river waters was a matter of utmost urgency.

Qian Hui Chun anxiously paced back and forth inside the study, clearly panicking.

"Sir! If the river completely surpasses the stele marker, it will definitely flood the farmland and housing, and Yuanli Village downstream will be the first hit. With one hundred and twenty-eight households, more than eight hundred people, it’s crucial to know the surrounding villages are densely packed, forming a continuous area downstream. If the river waters gush forth, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Chen Zhao looked at his master’s disoriented appearance and quickly reminded him.

"Nonsense! Naturally, I understand these things. But with the continuous heavy rain and the water level incessantly rising, what can I do? If nothing else, evacuate the common people first; nothing else can be managed."

Qian Hui Chun paced around anxiously, deciding that evacuating people was of utmost importance. Otherwise, if lives were lost, things would escalate greatly.

Qian Hui Chun hesitated given the urgency, wondering whether he should report this.

But if he reported it now and the rain suddenly stopped, wouldn’t it be a waste? This concerned his career, and reporting would impact his political achievements.

Qian Hui Chun was having an internal struggle, and after brief hesitation, decided to wait a bit longer!

After all, the embankment was reinforced earlier this year and should be quite strong. Even if the water surpassed it, it wouldn’t flood the villages and farmland so quickly.