He felt a slight sense of foreboding, "Did the Eldest Prince say or do anything to you?"
Gu Chengyu found it a bit odd, "That day, I was with a few classmates. He gave us so face for Zhu Pang’s sake, so we weren’t asked to strip for an inspection. I’m just a minor scholar, probably not even on his radar. What could he possibly do to ?"
What he said was a fact. That day it was indeed because of Zhu Pang that the Eldest Prince showed so consideration.
Yin Kun, after hearing this, absentmindedly placed the black piece on the board.
Maybe he was overthinking it? That villa was the private residence of the Eldest Prince and had never been exposed to the public. Perhaps the Eldest Prince did not want to stir up trouble, just as Gu Chengyu said, due to his respect for Zhu Pang’s father.
"Senior Brother! Are you sure you ant to place the piece here?" Gu Chengyu couldn’t believe it as he looked at the black piece Yin Kun had just placed.
Was this a gift for him to take?
Yin Kun looked down and realized that in his distraction, he had placed it incorrectly.
"Of course, a true gentleman never regrets a move! I am, after all, a gentleman." At his age, he certainly wouldn’t take back a move.
The two played for a while longer, and Yin Kun still felt he should ntion it to Gu Chengyu. Although he felt it wasn’t necessary, Gu Chengyu was just too good-looking, and it worried him.
"I heard the Eldest Prince has an unsavory habit."
Gu Chengyu was deep in thought, contemplating his next move, and was startled, "What habit?"
"Not many people know about this, but the Eldest Prince has a liking for young boys, especially those around eight or nine." Yin Kun glanced at Gu Chengyu, then instructed him not to divulge the information.
Although the aristocratic families in the Capital know, they mustn’t let it spill from their lips. Since ancient tis, keeping young boys, having actors, such things have been common, with many wealthy families having such inclinations.
But since it’s a prince, it would have a bad impact. If it spread, it wouldn’t sound good, and it would be a blemish in future struggles for the throne.
Gu Chengyu had heard of such things; many bigwigs in the Capital kept young boys. So even indulge in male love, so the courtesan houses in the Capital are just as popular, equivalent to brothels.
These people indulged outside or drank to their heart’s content within their residences, yet it didn’t hinder them from marrying and taking concubines. These weren’t novel matters. However, for the Eldest Prince, a prince, to do so was highly inappropriate.
"Why is Senior Brother gossiping too? Isn’t that soone else’s matter?" Gu Chengyu wasn’t interested in such gossip. What if he knew? The person is still a prince, above all.
But those young boys were pitiable, being so mistreated.
No wonder the child traffickers particularly valued good-looking boys. These boys, like girls, if good-looking, were either sold to twisted masters or to places of ill-repute.
Only so legitimate brokerages would take these boys and girls to big families as servants or maids.
Gu Chengyu once again lanted the feudal dynasty’s strict hierarchy. The lives of lowly people were truly like ants.
Seeing Gu Chengyu seemingly indifferent, Yin Kun considered speaking more but didn’t know how to start. If he were too blunt and scared Gu Chengyu into fearing the Eldest Prince, it wouldn’t be good. He pondered, Gu Chengyu is smart, if sothing is off, he should notice.
Moreover, he hadn’t yet been admitted as an Advanced Scholar, hadn’t beco an official, and had few chances to et the Eldest Prince. Once he joins the court and ti passes, he might already be married, and besides, the Eldest Prince doesn’t like boys that old.
Yin Kun was reassured and continued to focus on the ga with Gu Chengyu.
"Have your second and third Senior Brothers visited him?" Yin Kun recalled Wu An.
These two senior brothers finally t, he saw Wu An the year before.
"I visited once before the new year, and recently, I went to pay respects for the New Year. I plan to visit both residences again in the next couple of days."
Yin Kun nodded, "In social interactions, we mustn’t give people reason to find fault. Your second Senior Brother, though rigid, is still the most proper. Once you know him better, you’ll understand. In front of your second Senior Brother, don’t be slick; he doesn’t like it."
"I’ll listen to Senior Brother."
Having t Wu An twice, Gu Chengyu noticed Wu An was rigid and self-disciplined, different from Yin Kun.
Yin Kun was strict but also warm. Once you got to know him, it was clear he was outwardly cold but inwardly warm.
As for Wu An, from their two etings, he deduced Wu An was very rigid, following rules, demanding of himself, much less others.
Gu Chengyu was always formal before him, answering questions straightforwardly, very proper.
For now, Wu An seed to have a good impression of him. On his last visit, Wu An even gifted him two valuable calligraphy collections.
Being sowhat taciturn, even with Gu Chengyu’s eloquence, Wu An’s responses were always silent or monosyllabic, which most people couldn’t bear.
"The teacher said he’d return to the Capital by March, not going to the Prefecture School this year. Senior Brother, did you get the letter?"
Since he received the letter, naturally Yin Kun did too.
Sure enough, a trace of joy appeared on Yin Kun’s face. He hadn’t seen the teacher in seven to eight years.
"I’ve received the letter. I thought the teacher didn’t want to return to the Capital but ended up doing so for his granddaughter."
Yin Kun sighed. The teacher’s granddaughter was also unfortunate. Her days at the Duke Mansion were tough.
If not for having servants frequently visit the Duke Mansion over the past few years, the girl would’ve had an even harder ti.
"Everyone has their own fate. After all, the teacher is just her maternal grandfather and probably can’t decide for her."
There are many ways to make things difficult for a girl, one being matchmaking. If a girl marries poorly, she may struggle to hold her head up for a lifeti.
Little did Gu Chengyu know they were talking about Yao ngxian here, while over in the Liang Mansion in Jingyuan Prefecture, they were discussing the sa.
"Sir! On our return to the Capital this ti, we should quickly settle Xian’s marriage, lest the Duke Mansion matches her with soone carelessly." Mrs. Ning put down the tray in her hands and looked at Liang Zhirui, who was practicing calligraphy, speaking with a worried face.
Liang Zhirui paused his hand, put down the pen, took the hibiscus dessert brought by his wife, and took a bite.
"Why do you seem unconcerned? The Duke Mansion has been urging Xian to return; they might be up to sothing. Our Xian is beautiful; I’m afraid they’ll sell her off."
Liang Zhirui leaned back in his armchair, sighing.
"How can I not be concerned? This return to the Capital, we planned to find her a good match. However, we’re only the maternal family, the Duke Mansion wouldn’t allow us to interfere in her marriage affairs!"
Liang Zhirui was troubled; if he were still the Grand Secretary, he wouldn’t fear the Duke Mansion’s disrespect.
"If only we had settled Xian’s marriage before you retired." Mrs. Ning felt regret at the thought.
"That would have been improper. If the boy were still young, how could we discern his character for the future? Moreover, personalities can change as they grow; I’m not in favor of discussing marriage so early."
Liang Zhirui shook his head. A girl’s marriage was particularly important. In his mind, he’d love to hold all the good sons of the Capital in his hand, carefully selecting the best.
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