Zhang Hai only now started to feel that Gu Chengyu was becoming sowhat real. Previously, Gu Chengyu’s words couldn’t have been sincere, and there was inevitably so insincerity.
Being able to express his true thoughts now, Zhang Hai appreciated him even more, seeing him as a simple and honest young man.
When Gu Chengyu ca out of Zhang Hai’s room, he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Zhang Hai’s impression of him today should still be quite favorable, and after their conversation, it should be enough to reconcile any previous misunderstandings.
His previous worries were unnecessary, and he only needed to focus on doing his work diligently in the future.
Even if similar situations arise again, Zhang Hai might still stand on the other side, but all he wanted was to have a better ti at the Hanlin Academy!
Gu Chengyu returned to his room, and no one else asked about the reason Mr. Zhang had summoned him.
After all, when a superior summons a subordinate, it’s definitely work-related. So tasks are very confidential and can’t be inquired about.
After all, knowing too much sotis isn’t a good thing. Besides, if you ask, you might not get an answer anyway.
The day passed peacefully, and Gu Chengyu spent a stable day.
"Sir! Look ahead, isn’t that your second uncle?" Gu Chengyu was sitting in the carriage, and Ye Zhiqiu had already been sent back. In half an hour, he’d be at his mansion.
But after a while, he heard Ming Mo’s voice.
He lifted the curtain and saw the man in the crab shell blue cross-collared short shirt—wasn’t that Gu Changbai?
And the young man beside him, dressed in a splendid azure thread robe, looked quite young, likely Gu Changbai’s eldest grandson. The two were facing away from them, looking towards the Gu Mansion.
Gu Chengyu frowned; he had just had Ming Mo disperse Silver not long ago, so why did they co again so quickly?
When the two standing at the side of the mansion heard the carriage approaching, they turned their heads towards it.
Gu Changbai’s eyes brightened at the sight of Ming Mo driving the carriage.
He knew this hour was when Gu Chengyu typically returned from the governnt office. The person sitting in the carriage was obvious.
Even Gu Wanfang was staring intently at the carriage; inside should be the little uncle that his grandpa always ntioned.
Gu Chengyu felt a bit irritated but eventually instructed Ming Mo to have the gatekeeper invite the two into the side hall to wait.
Staying at his mansion’s entrance like that, letting other households find out and spread rumors outside, wouldn’t that ruin his reputation?
He planned to et the two first; yesterday he had already sent a ssage by pigeon to soone at the Yingnan Mansion to check the graves of Gu Changbai’s kids, to see if there were really any children there.
He even had neighbors go to identify them, for he couldn’t believe the child would suddenly die so abruptly.
After all, all these events happened too quickly and mysteriously.
It wasn’t a solution to keep entangling like this. Today, he’d test them, to see what Gu Changbai was planning.
When Gu Chengyu changed into his regular clothes and headed towards the side hall in the front yard, Gu Changbai and the others were already restless, not knowing whether they would get what they wanted this ti.
Gu Chengyu strolled into the side hall along the winding corridor.
Gu Wanfang was very curious about his little uncle, his grandpa said the little uncle was not very old yet had quite an imposing presence.
When they arrived today, the gatekeeper said the little uncle had invited them to wait in the side hall, indicating a chance to et in person.
As soon as Gu Chengyu walked in, he saw Gu Changbai and his grandson sitting on the lower seats, both staring dazedly at the tea cup in front of them, without exchanging words.
From the mont Gu Chengyu entered, Gu Wanfang’s eyes were fixed on him.
He saw that Gu Chengyu was wearing a dark blue robe with silver patterns bordered with black, and his appearance was exceptionally graceful and handso, perfectly described as "peach blossoms in full bloom, radiating brilliance".
Gu Changbai, noticing Gu Chengyu’s entrance, quickly tugged at Gu Wanfang’s sleeve, signaling him to stand up and greet.
Gu Wanfang, being junior to Gu Chengyu, naturally had to greet him.
Even if Gu Changbai considered himself an elder, Gu Chengyu hadn’t acknowledged him, and since Gu Chengyu was also an official, he could only follow in greeting.
Gu Chengyu lifted his robe and sat at the upper seat.
"No need for formalities, please sit!" Gu Chengyu, intending to lay things bare with Gu Changbai today, didn’t maintain his previously stern attitude.
Gu Wanfang found his little uncle very familiar, oh? Wasn’t this one of the youths he saw in the carriage in front of the inn that day?
Thinking of this, he felt a little uncomfortable. That day he and his grandma were thrown out of the inn by the keeper, who even shouted many harsh words, which his little uncle surely heard.
Gu Chengyu, after speaking, focused his gaze on Gu Wanfang. With just one look, he recognized Gu Wanfang as the poor scholar kicked out by the innkeeper that day.
"Fang! This is your little uncle!"
Gu Changbai knew that Gu Chengyu might not acknowledge them for the mont, but since Gu Chengyu was Fang’s elder, he had to be greeted first.
Blushing, Gu Wanfang bowed to Gu Chengyu, saying, "Nephew Gu Wanfang greets Uncle!"
Addressing soone much younger than himself felt awkward, but Gu Chengyu was his elder and the courtesy couldn’t be omitted.
Gu Chengyu nodded, looking towards Gu Changbai, "And who is this?"
"Oh my, I forgot to tell you; this is the eldest son my older brother left behind, nad Gu Wanfang. You can call him Fang," Gu Changbai replied to Gu Chengyu’s inquiry, realizing Gu Chengyu hadn’t t Fang before.
Gu Chengyu nodded knowingly; how could he not know Wanfang’s identity?
Ming Mo and the others had already made inquiries about Wanfang’s family.
Seeing no objections from Gu Chengyu about the title, Gu Changbai couldn’t help feeling pleased. Did this an acknowledgnt of their identity?
"Second Uncle! Previously, being unaware of your identity, I was at fault in many ways; I ask for your forgiveness!"
Gu Chengyu stood as well, bowing to Gu Changbai.
Though he was an official, he was also a junior and observed the junior’s etiquette.
Gu Changbai was overjoyed, hearing this, finally acknowledging their identity. Then, wouldn’t Gu Chengyu agree to the plea he would present shortly?
"Nephew, I told you I couldn’t deceive you; I am indeed your Second Uncle; how could I impersonate?"
Gu Chengyu, hearing these words, chose not to delve into them.
"Second Uncle, what brings you to my house this ti?" Growing impatient with Gu Changbai’s words, Gu Chengyu laid it out clearly.
Gu Changbai paused, seemingly not expecting Gu Chengyu to ask abruptly.
"This? Actually, I do have sothing to ask of you."
Gu Wanfang knew his grandpa would bring up his study matter, making him sowhat uneasy. This little uncle was just as his grandpa described: young, yet carrying significant authority.
Those eyes on him seed to weigh heavily, almost suffocating him.
"Oh? What is it? Second Uncle, please tell!" Gu Chengyu casually said, lifting his teacup.
"You see, we’ve been in the Capital for quite a while now. Hua is a scholar, but since arriving, he hasn’t found an academy to study at."
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