The sun was setting in the west.
The street in front of the Gu Manor was bustling with carriages.
Luxurious carriages were parked by the side.
Dedicated coachmen led them to their parking spots.
Gu Mingzhi, dressed in a crimson robe, personally stepped out to greet guests.
“Haha, congratulations, Lord Gu.”
“Ah, it’s Cao Shangshu. Come, come, please come inside.” Gu Mingzhi smiled, cupped his hands in return, and said, “Tonight, we won’t leave until we’re drunk, so you must drink a few more cups.”
“Haha, good!”
Cao Shangshu walked forward.
He presented a pair of gold-inlaid jade to the steward.
The steward immediately picked up his brush to record it, then sang out in a sharp voice.
“Cao Du, Minister of Rites, presents a pair of gold-inlaid jade!”
“Cao Shangshu, you’re too kind.”
“It’s only right.”
This was the custom for banquets in the capital.
The guests who came were all important figures with status.
They certainly wouldn’t come empty-handed.
The more lavish the gift, the better the relationship.
Others, however, were there to curry favor.
Their gifts also varied.
Gold, beautiful jade, emeralds, agate.
Carriages, servants, beautiful concubines.
These were all relatively common.
Don’t ever think that once you receive a gift, it’s yours.
Later, when people need favors, they will all expect repayment.
Inside the manor, the lights were bright, and it was exceptionally lively.
Large red lanterns hung along the ancient corridors.
In the spacious courtyard, eight-immortal tables were set out.
Countless ripples spread across the pond.
The lights swayed with the wind.
Gu Yuan had specially changed into a vermillion crimson robe.
He wore a sable cicada crown on his head and a beautiful jade pendant at his waist.
He was handsome, extraordinary, and dashing.
“General Gu is truly young and promising.”
“Your Excellency jests.” Gu Yuan navigated the social scene with ease, smiling as he raised his wine vessel and said, “I am still young, and there is much for me to learn from all of you sirs in the future. Today, my Gu Family is hosting a banquet; may you all drink a few more cups and not leave until you’re drunk.”
“Haha, good!”
“Cao Shangshu!”
Gu Yuan went to greet him again.
Cao Du smiled faintly and whispered, “Although His Majesty did not personally attend the banquet this time, he prepared several imperial edicts, clearly intending to bestow great rewards.”
“Thank you, Lord Shangshu.”
Gu Yuan also understood implicitly.
If the imperial edicts weren’t for him, then who could they be for?
“General Gu.”
“Xianhong, how are you doing?”
“I’m fine.”
Lin Xianhong had specially changed into a red palace dress.
She had applied light makeup, drawn her brows, and colored her lips.
A hint of fatigue showed in her expression.
Gu Yuan observed her, his heart stirred.
He never wasted a single grain of food.
He wouldn't miss a good girl, nor waste a bad one.
Even if Lin Xianhong was not a virgin, it didn't matter.
Anyway, he wasn't picky; he just wanted to have some fun and then be done.
Marry her and make her the Gu Family’s matriarch?
Was she worthy?!
The Lin Family, this small and insignificant household, was completely useless.
Only Ning Que, that lovesick fool, would fancy her.
“General Gu, I have something I want to tell you.”
“Alright.”
Gu Yuan put down his Glass Wine bottle glazed wine vessel.
The two walked one after another towards the backyard.
Once they were alone, Gu Yuan moved to embrace Lin Xianhong.
The latter instinctively pushed him away.
“Xianhong, you…”
“Gu Lang…” Lin Xianhong’s pretty face flushed, as if it would drip blood, and she said in a voice like a mosquito, “It won’t be too late when you and I are married.”
“You are too beautiful today.”
Gu Yuan walked forward again.
But Lin Xianhong stubbornly pushed him away.
Gu Yuan appeared calm on the surface, seemingly carefree.
But inwardly, he was extremely annoyed.
You hussy!
You’ve already been in someone else’s bed.
Why are you still pretending to be pure in front of me?
Gu Yuan suppressed the anger in his heart.
“Gu Lang, the Lin Family has run into some trouble.”
“What trouble?”
“My elder brother, Lin Chao, impulsively went to Jingyang to cause trouble. As a result, he was captured by Ning Que, and is even to be sent to Dali Temple for punishment. It wasn’t easy for my elder brother to reach his current position, and now only the Gu Family can help.”
“Alright, I will do my best.”
Gu Yuan readily agreed.
Of course, he was just saying it.
It was just a pity that Lin Chao, this blade, wasn’t sharp enough.
Too dull!
The people he sent had all failed.
He even wanted officials to embezzle grain and force the common people to cause trouble.
Unexpectedly, Ning Que sent people for a secret investigation.
They were caught on the spot.
And these officials were subsequently removed.
This was equivalent to eliminating a hidden danger!
He hadn't expected even Lin Chao to fail.
He just asked him to set fire to the granary.
He couldn't even manage such a small matter!
“Gu Lang is still the best.”
Lin Xianhong’s eyes reddened.
The grievances of this period immediately poured out.
Gu Yuan just thought of taking the opportunity to embrace her, but unexpectedly he was rejected again. Lin Xianhong looked up, choked back a sob, and said, “Gu Lang, you must know about the troubles my family has been having recently. The Lin Family can barely hold on… Gu Lang, could you lend me fifty thousand taels first? Consider it a loan from you!”
“Fifty… fifty thousand taels?”
Gu Yuan was instantly startled.
After pacing back and forth a few times, he looked troubled and said, “Xianhong, it’s not that I don’t want to give it to you, it’s that my Gu Family also lost a lot this time.”
“Is that so…”
Lin Xianhong lowered her head in disappointment.
She inexplicably thought of Ning Que…
Ning Que had never refused her requests.
She remembered earlier when she wanted to prepare medicine but lacked a certain ingredient.
Ning Que used his connections to find it for her.
For this, he spent tens of thousands of taels of silver.
That’s why she was able to save the Empress Dowager.
She was granted the Third Rank and became famous throughout Chang’an!
Gu Yuan also realized something and quickly said, “The people of Jingyang are truly miserable. I risked being punished by my father to sell the Gu Family’s grain at a low price, just to help the disaster victims, and I also transported a lot of supplies. How about this, I’ll sell the rewards His Majesty gave me, and perhaps I can raise twenty or thirty thousand taels of silver.”
“Gu Lang, you are so good.” Lin Xianhong’s eyes reddened, and she whispered, “You’d rather suffer a loss yourself than benefit the people of Jingyang. It’s hateful that Ning Que stole your credit.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“As long as the common people are safe, that’s enough.”
“I never cared about these empty reputations.”
Gu Yuan, however, smiled casually.
One could only say that Lin Xianhong was truly easy to fool.
If she didn't still have some use, he would have kicked her out long ago.
Lin Xianhong’s own medical skills were not to be discussed.
Her master was the divine physician Chang Baicao!
She also had Ning Que’s favor.
Prince Qi had already said it.
This time, Emperor Feng letting Ning Que handle disaster relief was clearly an intention to let him inherit the princely title, which was obviously to curtail their power!
Emperor Feng… was not simple at all!
“Xianhong, let’s take our seats first.”
“Prince Qi will also be arriving soon.”
“I still have to entertain guests.”
“Alright.”
Lin Xianhong nodded.
Gu Yuan was her white moonlight.
They were childhood sweethearts, having known each other since they were young.
They had shared hardships and their feelings were deep.
It was Ning Que who forcibly separated them with his power.
Now Gu Yuan was a First Rank General.
He had even been exceptionally granted the hereditary title of Tiger Marquis, passed down from his grandfather!
With the Gu Family’s power, they no longer needed to curry favor with Ning Que!
Because Prince Ning was not irreplaceable!
Gu Yuan could also fight, and he fought even better!
Lin Xianhong was seated at the guest table.
The other three were wives of officials.
Their gazes towards her all carried a hint of disdain.
They were always the first to know any news in Chang’an City.
They had also heard things during their usual idle chats. When the Empress Dowager was protecting Lin Xianhong, they truly didn't dare to do anything.
But now?
The Empress Dowager had withdrawn all her rewards!
What did Lin Xianhong have to be arrogant about now?
Gu Yuan had no time to deal with them.
He still had to continue entertaining important guests.
“Prince Ning’s Heir, Ning Que!”
“Presenting… presenting… a three-foot sandalwood coffin!”
The announcement suddenly rang out!