Chapter 464 - 300: Are You a Man?

Chapter 464: Chapter 300: Are You a Man?

Zhu Pang finished listening to these words and gave Gu Chengyu a once-over. "No wonder my father always says that when it comes to scheming, I’m not even worthy of carrying your shoes. How do you not feel tired thinking so much all the time?"

Gu Chengyu gave him a sidelong glance, not very happy, "You don’t recognize a good heart. What bad things have you been saying about me in front of your father?"

Could this mean that he thinks I have too many plans? However, he was a child in Mr. Zhu’s eyes after all.

"What are you talking about? I only said that you are diligent and progressive, with a smart mind." When Zhu Pang spoke these words, he seemed a bit guilty, and Gu Chengyu definitely didn’t believe him.

"Do these things even require much thought? Anyone could think of them, right?"

Zhu Pang was a bit unconvinced and wanted to retort, thinking this implied he was stupid, but he was interrupted by Gu Chengyu.

"Back to the point, how did you run into Min Feng and Yu Ting that day?"

As for Yu Ting, Gu Chengyu could guess his purpose, which was nothing more than the chance to see a crowd, hoping to get a glimpse of Miss Xi Yan’s beauty. But how did Min Feng and the others end up there? And how did everyone bump into each other?

"They came together, looked like they had met before and went up to Tianxiang Pavilion together, saying they wanted to hold a poetry meeting. Later, they ran into us and invited Zheng Lun and me to join. You know, I’m not interested in poetry."

Zhu Pang put down the Jade Ruyi, picked up the pastry on the table, and began to eat.

While eating, he said, "I was a bit drunk, but I was clear-minded! I refused, but that Yu Ting kept grousing about me, insisting I join. They all know our relationship and that we’re good friends, so they kept slandering you, and I couldn’t take it, so I argued with them. As a result, we bumped into you on the street, which led to everything afterward!"

Zhu Pang glanced at Gu Chengyu to make sure he wasn’t angry and carried on his merry way eating the pastry.

Gu Chengyu nodded; this could be considered standing up for him. He couldn’t really blame anyone; if a friend was insulted and said nothing, that friend wouldn’t be much of a friend, would they?

He glanced over and saw that a plate of pastries on the table was almost gone.

"Ahem! I was planning to take you to Juxiang Building for a meal, but since you’re full, let’s drop it!"

Zhu Pang was a foodie who loved the dishes at Juxiang Building. Every time a new dish appeared, he would always go to support it. Gu Chengyu often hosted, satisfying his appetite.

"Huh? You should have said earlier! Who asked your pastries to be so delicious? They’re all from First-class House; my mother loves the pastries from First-class House, especially that cake, which she says is easy to digest."

"Then I’ll bring more when I visit tomorrow. Didn’t you say last time you like cookies? I’ll bring some too. If you can’t wait, go to First-class House tonight and get some, just mention my name."

"Oh no! I’m going back late today; I’m going to Tianxiang Pavilion, so don’t refuse, come along with me tonight and see for yourself."

Gu Chengyu shook his head; he wasn’t interested in these things, and he didn’t want to go.

"You don’t know, but there are many beautiful youngsters tonight, and Madam Hua is auctioning off their first nights for quite a bit of silver! I’m just going for a look; I’ve spent this month’s silver allowance, can’t afford it. Besides, my father doesn’t allow me to seek out those ladies; if he finds out, he’ll kill me."

Gu Chengyu was a bit surprised to hear this; he hadn’t expected Mr. Zhu to be so strict in this regard. True, it’s fine to play with those rich kids outside, but definitely shouldn’t adopt bad habits.

But upon hearing this, he thought of Hua Lian; had Hua Lian already taken the silver to buy her freedom?

"Sigh! You never go out, surely you haven’t been by Tianlan River at night? It’s really lively over there at night! There are plenty of painting boats and many ladies; the four great Oiran, each with their own talents, are truly enchanting."

Zhu Pang spoke with a face of relish, as if he longed for the banks of Tianlan River.

Gu Chengyu rolled his eyes at him, having talked for so long, and it was still about brothels, couldn’t he have some aspirations?

Gu Chengyu glanced outside, the sky gradually darkening, and he yawned. "It’s getting dark, aren’t you leaving? Aren’t you going to Tianxiang Pavilion? I’ll treat you to the restaurant next time; I also need to eat and rest early."

"Alright! Let’s go! Why are you so hesitant? Are you even a man? Tonight there are not only girls, but also talented people! Everyone will be composing poems to present to those beauties, whoever wins doesn’t even have to pay silver and can... you know!"

Gu Chengyu was a bit annoyed at the remark about being a man.

"I don’t know."

Finally, after some tugging and pulling, Gu Chengyu had no choice but to join him at Tianxiang Pavilion. No helping it, Zhu Pang said he had no one to accompany him, and just wanted to look around; they would leave after an hour. Gu Chengyu had to agree, but made it clear it was only for one hour, more and he wouldn’t stay.

Just a few days ago, Gu Chengyu said he wouldn’t go to Tianxiang Pavilion, yet in just a few days, he had gone twice.

At this moment, outside Tianxiang Pavilion, ornate lamps were lit, and a procession of lanterns lined up like a long dragon under the eaves of Tianxiang Pavilion. Inside, it was bustling with excitement; when Gu Chengyu and the others entered, it was already packed with guests.

Madam Hua flitted between the guests, dressed in red and green like a butterfly, busily occupied.

Seeing so many people gave Gu Chengyu a headache, "Why don’t we go back? With so many people, how could we even get in? Even if we wanted to see, we wouldn’t be able to."

Zhu Pang held onto Gu Chengyu, "Don’t rush! I’ll go see Madam Hua."

Gu Chengyu rubbed his forehead, alright then! This one was a regular at Tianxiang Pavilion.

Instructing Gu Chengyu to stand in the corner, Zhu Pang squeezed his way over to Madam Hua. Gu Chengyu, left standing, began to survey tonight’s guests, unexpectedly seeing many charming young men, some of whom he recognized, and he even spotted Min Feng in a private room on the second floor.

Min Feng really is wherever there’s a poetry contest. Wasn’t that Huang Junheng beside Min Feng? It seemed Huang Junheng had truly become his follower, going to such lengths for reputation.

Considering he had just recently been released from jail, he could tell Min Feng wasn’t in the best spirits, having caught a chill during his time there. Was he eager to prove himself? To let everyone know that he hadn’t cheated in the imperial exam?

After one look, Gu Chengyu shifted his gaze elsewhere, even spotting Fu Yanshan in another private room on the second floor. How could that bookworm end up in a brothel? Today truly challenged his worldview.

He felt an illusion; it wasn’t a brothel’s night feast but a literary meeting of scholars.

In fact, Gu Chengyu didn’t know that the night feast at Tianxiang Pavilion was a literary meeting hosted by scholars gathering at Tianxiang Pavilion, and it had evolved into a night feast held on this date for decades. Students flocked to it, eagerly participating; it was a golden opportunity to make a name for oneself.

Zhu Pang was vigorously waving at him from the other side, and with resignation, Gu Chengyu squeezed his way over.