Chapter 810: Beauty

Gu Jin’an: "This reason is even more far-fetched. With your temperament, how could it be possible that as early as February 6th you would start preparing for the March auction of hams?"

Gu Jinli: "Am I really this stupid? Seems I can’t fool you."

Gu Jin’an: "This has nothing to do with stupidity. It’s just that with your temperament, it’s impossible to start next month’s business so early."

Gu Jinli was frustrated; her big brother truly had the temperament of the family down to a science, just by observing one’s disposition he could tell whether she had something to hide.

"Spit it out," said Gu Jin’an. "If you don’t clear this up, I won’t be able to focus on the exam."

Gu Jinli had no choice but to explain that the Old Gu Family wasn’t dead but had sided with Lai Vice Magistrate. They had learned her family was doing big business and wanted to take it away.

Gu Jin’an, who was always calm, heard the Old Gu Family had returned and actually trembled slightly.

Gu Jinli was shocked: "Big brother, don’t be afraid, we’re no longer little kids; now we have the means to deal with them."

Qin San Lang was stunned by Gu Jin’an’s trembling... In their eyes, Gu Jin’an was always a calm person, unfazed even in the face of disaster. But now upon hearing the Old Gu Family’s return, he actually shook, showing how much their past actions had affected him.

Gu Jin’an clenched his fists tightly, pressed his shaking legs firmly with both hands to suppress the trembling, and said to Gu Jinli: "If they’re back to court death, then we can’t be blamed. Do whatever you need to do."

However...

"Don’t touch Grandpa... Elder Gu. After all, he’s our father’s biological father. Just deal with Granny Gu and Gu Youfu."

If they retaliated against their biological grandfather and Dad found out, he’d never have peace for life.

Gu Jinli wanted Gu Jin’an to do well in his studies, thought carefully, and finally nodded in agreement: "Hmm, don’t worry, big brother, I won’t act against Elder Gu."

Gu Jin’an was relieved to hear this: "You can’t blame your brother for being soft-hearted, but we have to consider Dad because of our grandfather."

No matter how much Dad loves them, if he knew they poisoned his biological father, he wouldn’t be able to handle it.

After saying this, he instructed Gu Jinli on many things, talked with Qin San Lang, and finally said: "San Lang, it’s hard on you this time. Take good care of Xiao Yu and come back as soon as you’re done with things."

"Hmm, focus on your exams; leave these things to us. We’ll handle them well." Qin San Lang saw it wasn’t early and said to Gu Jin’an: "You go back first; we have to embark for the Prefecture."

The Old Gu Family already harbors intentions of seizing assets, this can’t be delayed any longer; they must hurry.

Gu Jin’an nodded: "Hmm, be careful on the road."

With that, he got up, left Songzi Manor, and returned to the Ouyang Family.

Xiao Ji overheard and was stunned, wondering what Young Master and Brother An were discussing? Something about the Old Gu Family, grandparents, and revenge? Was Young Master coming to Songzi Manor a cover for going to the Prefecture to confront his grandparents?

After sending Gu Jin’an off, Gu Jinli looked at the petrified Xiao Ji behind her, pushing her: "Stop dawdling, hurry up and grab the stuff, we have to go."

Xiao Ji: "...Oh oh oh."

So shocked that she could only utter sounds, unable to have any complex reactions.

Gu Jinli glanced at her, flashed a silver needle, waved it slightly in front of her, and grinned: "Xiao Ji, you don’t seem all there mentally, you must be ill, let me give you a couple of needle treatments."

Xiao Ji shuddered, jumped up, and said: "Slave will fetch the things right away."

Saying this, she moved all the luggage to the mule cart, while Gu Jinli took a large box containing various kinds of—poison.

With Qin San Lang having earned quite a bit from the pearl business, he bought several horses, now replaced the mules, using horses to pull the cart, drove himself, and let You An ride a horse, heading quickly towards the Prefecture.

...

Gu Youwen was living quite comfortably lately. With exams approaching, as a Prefecture School Instructor, he was highly praised by the families of students.

Today, Old Master Gan himself set up a banquet to invite Gu Youwen and his son.

However, Gu Chengxian like Gu Ya, adept at pretending, in public seemed a charismatic young gentleman, didn’t attend with Gu Youwen, saying he had to study hard for the upcoming exams.

Old Master Gan immediately praised: "Young Master Gu is truly disciplined and diligent. If Brother Wei was half as hard-working as Young Master Gu, my whole family wouldn’t have to worry."

Gu Youwen sneered inwardly, thinking just your wastrel who only eats, drinks, and indulges could compare with my Brother Xian? My Brother Xian has the talent of a top scorer.

But outwardly he said: "Cheng Xian’s scholarship is average, with the exams so near, if he won’t study hard, he probably won’t pass."

Old Master Gan chuckled: "Lord Gu is modest; Young Master Gu is richly talented. In January, he attended several literary gatherings, producing excellent work. Both Brother Wei and I have read them, truly at a literary level. If Young Master Gu can’t pass, then all scholars in the Prefecture shouldn’t dream of passing."

Actually, the articles and poems Gu Chengxian wrote were quite ordinary; people praised him a bit due to Lord Lai’s influence.

Gu Youwen was quite pleased, smiled: "That’s overly praised by everyone."

Old Master Gan: "It’s Lord Gu’s modesty."

Old Master Gan was skilled at flattering, quickly noticed Gu Youwen’s vanity, and spoke sweet words, greatly pleasing Gu Youwen.

Halfway through the feast, as the atmosphere and wine flowed, Old Master Gan whispered something to the housekeeper, who promptly left and soon returned with a beauty.

The beauty, undeterred by the early spring chill, wore thin gauze clothing with a cloak over it, her graceful figure faintly visible beneath the gauze as she walked.

Gu Youwen had been arguing with Mrs. Gu over accepting a concubine, hadn’t touched one for nearly a month, now seeing such a beauty, was inflamed, nearly had a nosebleed.

Old Master Gan saw Gu Youwen’s flushed face, knowing the drug’s effect had taken hold.

Today, for convincing Gu Youwen not to expel his son from the Prefecture School, Old Master Gan put a potent aphrodisiac in Gu Youwen’s food and drink. Even if Gu Youwen were more moral, under the dual onslaught of the drug and beauty, he’d surely lose control and take the beauty right there.

The beauty was from Jiangnan, trained from an early age to serve men, seeing Gu Youwen’s flushed face, initially planned to dance to entertain but instead walked straight to him, bowing gracefully: "Sir~"

That call of "Sir" made Gu Youwen shiver, his bones turned to jelly.

He directly pulled the beauty into his arms, said to Old Master Gan: "Brother Wei is of decent nature; he cheated because he was led by that farm boy. It was that farm boy who wanted to make money, proactively wrote articles for Brother Wei. I will report this to the Prefecture Government Office, expel the farm boy from the Prefecture School, Brother Wei just needs to remember this lesson, and not repeat it."