He pondered deeply, could it be that he has taken a liking to that plum grove?
"Your Highness, that plum grove is indeed quite beautiful," he couldn’t help but say, testing the waters. As long as his Highness expressed satisfaction, he would imdiately order soone to purchase the estate.
The plum grove was not arranged in the usual manner but ford an unknown pattern. Looking from afar, it was simply breathtaking.
"Did you just say that the owner of that estate ca from Jingyuan Prefecture?" His Highness suddenly opened his eyes, picked up the tea bowl on the table, and asked with a distant gaze.
Xiao Linzi was a bit taken aback by the sudden question, but he quickly gathered his wits, understanding that his master wanted to know more about the estate owner.
So, he promptly replied, "In response to Your Highness, this person’s na is Gu Chengyu, who beca quite famous two years ago as the top scorer of the Provincial Examination. He has since beco the youngest closed-door disciple of the forr Grand Secretary, Liang Zhirui."
"Oh? So it’s this person? I heard his literary talents are outstanding; even my fourth brother speaks highly of him!"
His Highness beca sowhat intrigued. In the past, an adviser ntioned this person, saying he was a well-known prodigy of the current dynasty. However, he hadn’t taken it to heart.
Just a top scorer of the Provincial Examination, not worth his attention. Unless they were part of the court, regardless of them being a prodigy or not, he wouldn’t spare another glance.
Speaking of the fourth brother, he recalled how his fourth brother held this person in high regard, often buying poetry collections to critique. Apparently, he was quite certain of this person’s literary talents, regretful that the other was solely focused on civil examinations and not indulgent in poetry.
Many tis he wanted to et this top scorer, but his own health failed him; he spent half of each year confined to his ho for recuperation.
"The Fourth Prince, with nothing to do, loves to delve into poetry. It’s no surprise he would praise this person."
Xiao Linzi, seeing his master ntion the Fourth Prince, felt pity for the latter’s health. Yet, if it ant having one less formidable opponent for his master, he felt less regretful.
His Highness gave Xiao Linzi a sideways glance, scaring him into silence.
He faintly regretted interrupting; after all, the Fourth Prince and his master got along quite well. They were biological brothers; how could he dare interrupt?
Truly deserving a slap, today’s His Highness seed particularly hard to please. He should have checked the almanac before heading out!
His Highness twirled the ring on his finger, not addressing the earlier ntion of the plum grove.
Xiao Linzi discreetly wiped the sweat from his forehead. As the wind and snow intensified, the curtains swayed, a cold gust seeping in and making Xiao Linzi shiver.
He snuck a glance at His Highness, who was resting with closed eyes. Did he not want the plum grove? He felt sowhat uncertain.
Suddenly, he recalled a fleeting glimpse through the window, able only to see the hem of a green garnt swaying in the wind and snow.
Gu Chengyu and Ming Mo returned to their room, braving the wind and snow.
"Master! Do you wish to inform the two gentlen at their residences?"
Although they had inford the two gentlen’s residences before they left, both emotionally and rationally, they should send soone to report again.
Gu Chengyu also thought it reasonable upon hearing it, "Hmm! Have Ming Yan personally lead a servant there. As for the gift boxes, arrange them as you see fit!"
Returning to his room, Gu Chengyu’s mind was slightly hazy as the warmth from the brazier hit, perhaps due to the alcohol. Thus, he decided to rest for a while.
"Yes! I’ll arrange it at once!" Ming Mo replied, noticing Gu Chengyu seed inclined to nap.
He advised, "Master, do you want to rest for a while? The night will fall soon; beware of sleepiness later."
"No matter! You may go!" Gu Chengyu waved his hand. Apparently, the wine he brewed was indeed heady, and it wasn’t even the strong kind!
Perhaps he could increase the quantity to attract more custors to the tavern.
This nap lasted until the lamps were lit. Upon waking, Gu Chengyu faintly heard a commotion.
Ming Yan had returned and, seeing Gu Chengyu awake, hurried to serve him.
"What hour is it?" Gu Chengyu, just awake, felt a bit dizzy, shaking his head only made it worse.
"In response to Master, it’s already a quarter past 7 PM. Would you like sothing to eat?"
Ming Yan served Gu Chengyu as he washed, handing over a bowl of hangover soup prepared on the table, then retrieved another long robe from Gu Chengyu’s chest.
"What happened outside with all that noise? Has Brother Sun and the others woken up?"
Listening closely, Gu Chengyu thought the sounds seed too distant to be coming from their estate.
"The gentlen haven’t awoken; they’re more intoxicated than you were. You’ll need to ask Ming Mo about outside matters, as I’ve been serving you in here,"
Ming Yan concluded, holding the garnt, ready to assist Gu Chengyu in dressing. The blue robe from earlier was imbued with a wine scent and couldn’t be worn.
Turning to see, Gu Chengyu felt burdened imdiately, "Why did you bring this one out?"
Ming Yan looked peculiarly at his master, "This was made by Second Aunt for you! She ntioned that your Cousin Young Master has one with the sa material. The fabric is comfortable!"
The corner of Gu Chengyu’s mouth twitched; the striking red color shimred with dark embossed patterns under candlelight.
The material was indeed fine, but when Gu Chengyu thought of that Xiao Baozi wearing red clothes like a moving red packet, wearing this would make him resemble one even more!
Willing to forgo it, he then heard Ming Yan’s murmur.
"Second Aunt asked many tis! Why hasn’t she seen Master wear it?"
Gu Chengyu spread his arms, "Wear it then!"
It was his second sister’s thoughtfulness, after all. Since having Xiao Baozi, she loved dressing the child in red. A child looked adorable in it, plump and round, but him...
In the midst of dressing, Ming Mo entered the room.
"Master! A fire broke out at the estate near the mountains, and it’s quite large. Should we send people to help?"
Ming Mo, upon entering, inford him of the cause of the noise outside.
Although the estate wasn’t far, just past another estate, its large size ant more firefighting people were present, causing the disturbance.
"Oh? Did the neighboring estate send people over?" Gu Chengyu asked while opening the room’s window. From there, he could see the estate to the east and a corner of the burning estate.
Seeing the blaze lighting up the sky, it truly was substantial.
"They’re close neighbors; we can’t just stand by and watch. Take a few more people to help. Rember, don’t force your way in; you need the owner’s permission to enter."
Seeing the scale, Gu Chengyu quickly changed his mind and instructed Ming Mo to help.
Such an estate is likely a secretive spot for a wealthy family, and the owner might not welco outside help.
"Yes! The neighboring estate has already sent people, and we can’t just stand by, either. I’ll gather people and head over at once."
Receiving orders, Ming Mo turned and left the room.
Once Ming Mo departed, Ming Yan curiously asked, "How did such a large fire go unnoticed before?"
Gu Chengyu pondered, "Everyone was probably asleep by that ti and might have missed it!"
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