Gu Chengyu glanced at Zhu Pang, who wore a mischievous grin, "Oh? Has there been any word that I’ve received so task?"
Zhu Pang looked around and saw Ming Yan inside the room. He pondered for a mont, seemingly considering that Ming Yan was not an outsider.
Only then did he say, "Is it related to the treasure map?"
Hearing these words, Gu Chengyu was also taken aback.
Unexpectedly, these people knew about the treasure map, and even Zhu Pang knew, which probably ant that all the officials in the Capital knew about it?
With this in mind, Gu Chengyu kept a calm expression on the surface.
"Where did this rumor originate? Since you just said I took on a secret mission assigned by the Emperor, I can’t divulge it to you. Sotis, knowing too much isn’t good either."
Gu Chengyu didn’t want the camaraderie between them to beco tainted so soon, as he had just returned not long ago, and Zhu Pang had already co looking for him.
No need to guess, it must have been the elders from Zhu Pang’s household who told him. And for what reason, isn’t it obvious?
"Fine! I won’t ask then. Still, I was so worried about you when I heard you were ill. Who would have thought I’d co to your mansion and couldn’t even see you? Do you know how worried I was?"
Zhu Pang’s expression was unusually serious; even though Jinyu didn’t admit to it, he didn’t deny it either, right?
He was pushed by his father to co here, although he originally wanted to visit Gu Chengyu too, but not with such motives in mind.
Their friendship was genuinely sincere, and he didn’t want too much self-interest mixed in it.
Yet, living in this world often leaves one with no choice. His father didn’t an to plot against Gu Chengyu; he just wanted to learn more about the court’s movents!
As for whether Gu Chengyu had obtained the treasure map or not, he didn’t wish to ask, nor could he.
Looking at his earnest eyes, Gu Chengyu felt sowhat touched.
"Thank you, Cong Guang!" Gu Chengyu stepped forward and patted Zhu Pang on the shoulder.
Upon coming to this era, he gained friendship and family bonds. He felt that even if he never reached a position of high authority, he would have no regrets.
Zhu Pang’s eyes grew misty, his throat feeling as if blocked by sothing foreign.
"Ahem! I was so worried about you that I’ve gotten grey hairs, so you must compensate ."
Zhu Pang turned his face, not daring to et Gu Chengyu’s gaze. But Gu Chengyu saw his misty eyes and knew he was embarrassed.
"Alright! Didn’t you always like my green lotus leaf tray? I’ll give it to you."
This lotus leaf tray was intricately crafted with full-green jadeite, featuring a frog on top, carved by Gu Chengyu himself using jade from within a space of his own creation.
Though the craftsmanship couldn’t compare to that of the masters, it was quite intriguing, and Zhu Pang had liked it for a long ti.
"That’s one of your prized pieces, I wouldn’t take away sothing you love. I’ll tell you what, you must treat to a al at Juxiang Building; I haven’t been there in ages."
Zhu Pang glanced at Gu Chengyu, knowing not to take things others hold dear, as he was a person of tact.
"Going to Juxiang Building, have I ever stopped you? I had been planning to give you that piece for a while. Earlier, I was rely teasing you. If you truly don’t want it, I’ll give it to Zheng Lun instead. He even asked about it last ti."
"Hey~ Who said I didn’t want it? Give it to , give it to ."
Zhu Pang was imdiately anxious, thinking he would exchange the piece with Gu Chengyu later on.
He and Gu Chengyu often exchanged jade and ornants, neither of them being people who liked to quibble.
"You’ve gotten married, yet why are you still so childish?" Gu Chengyu rolled his eyes playfully, jesting with him.
Zhu Pang’s face turned red, an unusual mont of shyness.
Seeing this, Gu Chengyu knew that Zhu Pang and his wife were doing well, finally setting down the heavy stone that had been resting on his heart.
"It’s a good thing I listened to you and stopped causing a fuss earlier. Rumors truly can’t be trusted entirely."
Zhu Pang couldn’t help but exclaim. Although his wife wasn’t a peerless beauty, she was undeniably attractive.
Completely different from the rumors outside that slandered her as pockmarked-faced. Who was so despicable as to spread such malicious talk, saring his wife’s reputation outside?
"So, don’t believe everything you hear; learn to use your brain to distinguish."
Gu Chengyu shook his head with a smile; Zhu Pang still maintained a youthful spirit.
"Yes! By the way, Zheng Lun has beco engaged." Zhu Pang suddenly wore a gossipy look, grinning slyly.
"Oh? Who’s the girl?" Gu Chengyu showed an interest upon hearing about Zheng Lun’s engagent.
"She’s the illegitimate daughter of the Right Imperial Censor Hu Maoshen, fourth in the family!"
"Oh? How did this engagent co about?" Gu Chengyu was sowhat surprised. Given Zheng Lun’s mother’s temperant, she shouldn’t have chosen an illegitimate daughter as her daughter-in-law, right?
Although the Dingnan Marquis Mansion had been on a decline in recent years, and Zheng Lun’s father belonged to a concubine’s family, Zheng Lun’s mother’s standards were quite high.
She was determined to find a legitimate daughter from an aristocratic family as a daughter-in-law, to ensure her son’s official career was more stable and swift.
Zhu Pang knew the reason for Gu Chengyu’s surprise.
He had known Zheng Lun before Gu Chengyu and had a good relationship with him then.
Zheng Lun’s mother’s thoughts had been shared twice before in front of Zhu Pang with a hint of complaint.
Because Zheng Lun’s mother seed obsessed, insisting on finding legitimate daughters from aristocratic families.
But those families had better options, who would be interested in the legitimate son of a concubine from a declining Marquis Mansion?
After the mansion splits, if Zheng Lun’s father doesn’t hold a position, the family’s reputation would solely rely on Zheng Lun and his elder brother.
"How do you think Madam Zheng agreed? Although the girl is illegitimate, her concubine mother died in childbirth. The girl was raised by her legitimate mother from a young age, who had two sons and a daughter, with the eldest daughter already married. Her legitimate mother treated her well, almost like a legitimate daughter."
Zhu Pang chuckled as he revealed the inside story.
"Oh~" Gu Chengyu suddenly understood. In this light, this marriage actually felt like Zheng Lun was marrying up, which was undoubtedly true.
Hu Maoshen is now a Second Rank official, a considerable position.
If that girl got along well with her legitimate mother, Zheng Lun could rely on his father-in-law’s connections in the future.
Even not being advantageous in officialdom, at the very least, leveraging the father-in-law’s influence, people would treat Zheng Lun with due respect.
If the father-in-law gave him guidance, given Hu Maoshen’s connections in court, Zheng Lun’s future couldn’t be poor.
"This is a good thing, aligning well with Madam Zheng’s wishes."
Gu Chengyu was genuinely happy for Zheng Lun. In that era, freedom in love was impossible.
Under the constraints of romantic freedom, parental orders and matchmaking were unchangeable constants.
Finding a spouse that benefited a man’s career was a common pursuit among scholars of the ti.
Ancient people believed in marrying virtuous wives, which was not just about won’s virtuous qualities, but also about their family’s status and their position at their maternal ho.
The marriage between Zheng Lun and Hu Maoshen’s daughter constituted an aristocratic union.
"Ahem! But there’s a downside." Zhu Pang’s smile faded, showing so awkwardness.
"How’s that?" Gu Chengyu looked at Zhu Pang with curiosity. Was there sothing wrong with the girl?
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