Chapter 296 - 132 Inquiry

Chapter 296: Chapter 132 Inquiry

"I went to inquire, and indeed there is someone named Min Feng, one of the Three Great Scholars of Jiangnan! Yesterday, he competed in a poetry contest with several scholars, but he didn’t take first place. He might go again today; many people know about this, and I found out as soon as I asked!"

Xing didn’t dare to look at the shadow behind the screen, only staring at his toes, holding his breath, waiting for the question from the other side.

"What?" Yao Mengxian was very surprised, her voice momentarily sharp. She clutched the handkerchief in her hand, her mind in turmoil. Why is this different from the dream? Impossible! How to explain those past happenings? Could it all be coincidence?

Lianxin and Qing Dai exchanged a glance upon seeing this. The young lady had been doing confusing things recently. Who was this Min Feng? They had never heard of him before, yet the young lady knew. They were always with her; she couldn’t have contact with outside men.

Yet the young lady not only knew this person’s name but seemed shocked that he didn’t take first place.

Yao Mengxian forced herself to calm down. She pondered, could it be he lost to Fu Ming’s nephew, Fu Yanshan? But Fu Yanshan lives in the Capital, how could he go to Qunying Building? She clearly remembers in the dream, it was today; could she have remembered wrong?

The rules of Qunying Building are known all over the Capital; not winning first means not staying at the inn. No wonder Xing said Min Feng would challenge again today.

She suddenly thought of the first place winner. Who was that? Immediately, Yao Mengxian asked urgently, "Who was the first place winner?"

"Reporting to the young lady! It’s said to be a scholar named Gu Chengyu. I’ve already inquired; he comes from Jingyuan Prefecture to the Capital for the Provincial Examination!" Xing’s father works as a small steward in the outer courtyard, his mother is a gatekeeper at the Hanging Flower Gate.

He’s not young anymore; his father and mother can’t make a living in the mansion. Although his sister has become a second-class maid beside the firstborn young lady, but... Alas, never mind!

His mother said if he earns the favor of the third young lady, it’s better than being just a regular servant in the outer courtyard. Besides, his sister mentioned, since the last time the young lady fell into the water, her mind has become clearer. Might as well gamble on following the third young lady, he has no other place to go anyway.

"Did you find out any background about him?" Yao Mengxian’s gentle voice interrupted Xing’s plans.

"I heard that Gu Chengyu is only eleven years old now, praised by the Holy Emperor three years ago. Also heard he’s the Little San Yuan of Jingyuan Prefecture!"

Yao Mengxian was utterly shocked; she had never heard of such a person as Gu Chengyu.

Three years ago, she only focused on embroidery and writing indoors, unaware of outside matters. About this, she only heard it mentioned by her father during greetings; she didn’t pay attention, as daughters are generally uninterested in court affairs.

Why wasn’t this person in the dream? Even three years ago, it didn’t happen. Was she too oblivious before, and thus didn’t notice?

Her mind was chaotic, she needed to sort it out.

"Recently, go there more often, probe into Gu Chengyu and Min Feng, and report back on anything special!"

Yao Mengxian returned inside, dismissing Lianxin and Qing Dai; she wanted some solo peace.

Sitting on the rose chair, Yao Mengxian recalled the dream’s details. For more than a month, minor events in the mansion perfectly matched the dream, except this differing detail—coincidence or unexpected change?

She still needed to observe; tomorrow a small event would occur, just like in the dream. Looking at the old furniture, she opened the bottom drawer of the vanity box, finding some scattered jewelry—most quite old, with only a few fashionable pieces.

Yao Mengxian rarely went out, only occasionally attending incense offerings or visiting her maternal grandparents’ home, relying on these few pieces of jewelry to support her image. The nearby clothing cabinet, though old, held few garments.

She chuckled bitterly; she was supposedly the daughter of the Duke Mansion’s principal family, yet her living conditions would be unbelievable if told. Rumors likely spread among aristocratic families that she’s a sickly girl unable to leave her home.

If they have been unjust, she would be unmerciful. Tomorrow would be a good opportunity not only to verify the dream but also to gain benefits.

Gu Chengyu guided Sun Xian and the others around the Capital; one couldn’t always stay inside reading when visiting.

"Chengyu! Better use this energy reading at the inn!" Ye Zhiqiu wasn’t fond of going out; if left alone, he could stay inside for months.

Gu Chengyu considered him the ancient version of a homebody!

"Look, with your frail build, we’ll spend nine days and six nights at the examination hall for the Provincial Examination. Without moving around beforehand, will you manage? Just reading without a strong physique isn’t enough. Past examinees in poor health were carried out of there!"

Gu Chengyu worried about Ye Zhiqiu’s build; even now, he seemed paler, perhaps due to acclimation issues. This couldn’t do! Without proper health, how to attend the Autumn Examination?

"I’m not that weak! Just need a few more days’ rest; it’s all due to the boat ride!" Ye Zhiqiu recalled the nausea of the boat trip, fortunate for Gu Chengyu carrying medicine, or he would’ve been stuck at the medical hall.

"I see your appetite is still bad, better see a doctor!" Gu Chengyu scrutinized Ye Zhiqiu’s face, noting his waxy complexion, sunken eyes, looking listless.

"Indeed, Junior Brother Ye, let’s go check you out! Your complexion seems off, better check to be sure. Being outside, take care of your health, especially with exams soon—better early recovery for optimal performance!"

By the time Gu Chengyu and others returned to the inn, it was late. Indeed, Ye Zhiqiu carried several bags of medicine back, just as Gu Chengyu predicted; he was acclimating poorly.

"Master! Today, we visited several streets and went to a brokerage, viewed four shops, all with good locations, but they were quite expensive!" Ming Mo thought the owner’s asking prices were outrageous, those silver amounts sufficed to buy two houses in the Prefecture.

"Oh? Let’s hear about them!" Gu Chengyu naturally knew those shops weren’t cheap, but he had earned quite a lot of silver in three years; buying two shops was feasible.

"One is located southwest, quite large, two floors, asking 1,800 taels. Another two, one in the west, also two floors but smaller, only with a small courtyard, yet asking 2,200 taels!"

Gu Chengyu thought it was reasonable; locations influenced prices. The southwest shop was unsuitable, facing the South District, and his restaurant aimed for a high-end clientele, so he wouldn’t consider it.

"The last one’s on North Street, well-positioned, two floors with a large courtyard, several rooms in the back for storage and housing, but also costly, asking 2,800 taels!"

Gu Chengyu was intrigued by the last shop; North Street catered to high-end clients. Though many shops in the Capital existed, he planned to choose carefully, without haste.

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