A loyal minister of a good generation was wrongly accused of baseless charges, and even after death, his integrity was not preserved.
That Song Shuqing is also wronged! Exiled a thousand miles away, she could die on the road. Even if she doesn’t die, watching her family fall apart and suffering hardships, it must feel worse than death.
And then there’s Guo Shi, who ended up harming himself and others. His greed brought disaster. Pity his family, dragged into misfortune, unable to et a good end.
However, fortunately, the Guo Family left behind three bloodlines, and Gu Chengyu also managed to leave the Guo Family with so foundation.
Gu Chengyu felt a chill through his body, this political chess ga had dragged innocents into it, used as pawns by those who manipulate power.
Only now did he deeply feel this is truly the supremacy of royal power, this is the Zhao Family’s realm.
Thus, at most the Eldest Prince may be punished privately, there’s no way he will be dealt with openly.
To resolve such a grave mistake so lightly, the Emperor never intended to investigate thoroughly, did he? Gu Chengyu had a new realization about the Emperor’s favor towards the Eldest Prince.
"Master! Just now a ssage was received at the gate, it’s from the Hu Mansion." The steward of the outer courtyard delivered the day’s ssages, setting apart the one from the Hu Mansion. After all, it’s from a court official, while the rest were invitations to literary gatherings.
"Oh? Let take a look!" Gu Chengyu didn’t need to guess; he knew Hu Maoshen was impatient. Hu Maoshen might want to discuss counterasures or wish for stronger evidence from him.
Sure enough, when Gu Chengyu opened the ssage, it was an invitation to et, and the location was his own restaurant, with the ti set for 5 PM. Gu Chengyu pondered for a mont; at this point, even he couldn’t change anything, unless the Emperor changed his attitude; otherwise, the outco was irreversible.
Not to ntion, he had no evidence at hand. Even if Hu Maoshen was reluctant, he couldn’t dig his own grave, could he?
Although he didn’t want to go, Hu Maoshen had helped him before; regardless of Hu Maoshen’s motives, it indirectly aided him.
Besides, in the future, they will still work together in the officialdom; it wouldn’t be right not to go.
Gu Chengyu suddenly thought of the three children sent out from the Guo Mansion; he had been so busy these days that he had forgotten it. However, now that the case was closed, those children temporarily settled among the commoners, where they were relatively safer—like a big hermit among the urbanites!
But that legitimate daughter was already twelve, not an ignorant child; she must know what happened to the family. If the Guo Mansion was searched and the girl did sothing drastic, it could implicate Gu Chengyu.
"Those three children from the Guo Mansion, make sure the people watching them keep a tight rein, don’t let them run off." Gu Chengyu planned to send them far away once the storm passed. The Guo Mansion’s old master prepared lots of Silver Tael and expensive jewelry for those children beforehand.
However, to avoid suspicion, only the family won’s dowry was given, while the rest was untouched.
Otherwise, if they couldn’t find Silver during the search, more trouble could ensue.
"By the way, that girl wants to et you to thank you in person! She said she has sothing important to give you."
Ming Mo almost forgot this matter; it was reported by the guard watching over the three. Today was busy, and it almost slipped his mind. Ming Mo patted his head.
Gu Chengyu was sowhat curious, what could that girl want to see him for? Does she still think he could save them? As for the important thing, it was already useless to him. However, thinking again, there was no harm in seeing her.
"Tell her I’ll co over later, probably not until 7 PM." 7 PM was close to curfew; it was late enough not to draw attention. With his Qinggong, avoiding patrolling soldiers would be easy.
An hour should suffice for a talk with Hu Maoshen; actually, it wouldn’t take that long, as there was no room for maneuver in this matter.
As soon as 5 PM arrived, Gu Chengyu reached Juxiang Building, and Gu Wanqian, having received news in advance, ca out of the restaurant to greet him.
"Uncle! Mr. Hu is already here." Gu Wanqian had recently been helping out at the restaurant; Gu Chengyu thought of finding tasks for him. The restaurant had Manager Niu and didn’t need another manager.
"Hmm! Co to my residence tomorrow; I’ve been thinking of starting a new business and need to find a workshop. You’ll need to buy so workers, and the entire business will be entrusted to you."
Gu Chengyu entered the restaurant, ignoring the bustling hall, heading straight to the elegant room upstairs.
Gu Wanqian, upon hearing this, imdiately looked elated. He had been helping at the restaurant for two years, sotis managing the accounts of First-class House. He learned enough but started feeling idle, as his uncle’s businesses were limited.
His grandmother had soone write, saying he was getting older and should marry. But he refused, thinking sixteen wasn’t old, he’d saved nearly three hundred taels of Silver while working for his uncle. Another year, he could buy a small house in the South City, giving him his own place.
Now his uncle gave him a different task. As long as he did well, his reward and monthly salary would be greater, for now, he was capable of handling it alone. Once he bought the house, he would bring his grandmother to the Capital, living together with him.
Gu Chengyu, still young, had not considered lifelong matters. Even family letters hadn’t ntioned it, so naturally, Gu Chengyu hadn’t thought about it. He never imagined those around him were of age to marry and have children.
Thus, he hadn’t considered Gu Wanqian’s personal matters. After all, in his mind, sixteen was still young!
As they neared the elegant room, Gu Wanqian, leading ahead, collected his emotions, "Uncle! Mr. Hu is inside!"
Gu Chengyu nodded, opened the door to the elegant room, and walked straight in.
"Mr. Gu!"
As soon as Gu Chengyu saw him, Hu Maoshen called out. Gu Chengyu bowed to Hu Maoshen in return, "Mr. Hu!"
"eting Mr. Gu today, Mr. Gu must know the purpose of my visit." Hu Maoshen, after Gu Chengyu sat down, got straight to the point.
Gu Chengyu knew Hu Maoshen’s intention but rely smiled without speaking. Ming Mo perceptively stepped forward to pour tea for Gu Chengyu and filled a bowl for Hu Maoshen.
Hu Maoshen frowned; last ti, Gu Chengyu was anxious, but not with today’s attitude. Now that urgency fell on him, the taste was not so pleasant.
"Mr. Hu, last ti’s matter has been resolved, what brings Mr. Hu to now?" Gu Chengyu pretended to be ignorant, as he no longer intended to involve himself in this matter. Currently, his primary focus was preparing for the Imperial Examination; as for other court affairs, as long as they didn’t threaten his interests, awareness sufficed.
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