Chapter 638: Chapter 474: Neither Soft Nor Hard
Xiao Chengzi asked once before, but the Prince only brushed him off with a sentence.
Although his masterâs decisions could not be doubted, seeing the Prince put so much effort into Mr. Gu, Xiao Chengzi could no longer hold back.
In his opinion, his master was simply too eager. If Mr. Gu had talent, it wouldnât be too late to make arrangements once he was promoted to the fourth or fifth-rank.
Having just entered officialdom for over a month, it was unclear why the Prince was in such a hurry.
"You! Why else are you just a servant!" Prince Jing chuckled and chided Xiao Chengzi.
"Yes, yes, yes! Master, you are wise and strategic, and we are just servants. How can we understand all of that? Arenât we just waiting for you to enlighten us!"
Xiao Chengzi grumbled inwardly, isnât it just because you have a good father?
However, he dared not say it aloud.
"Stop saying those pleasant words, does this prince not know what you are thinking?"
Prince Jing sneered, adding another stroke to the landscape painting.
"Do you think this prince does not need to be so hasty?" Prince Jing was dissatisfied with a stroke that spoiled the whole painting, so he threw the brush on the table.
Prince Jing turned to sit in the chair, took a book, and started reading.
After a long while, Xiao Chengzi thought the Prince wouldnât respond, but Prince Jingâs voice rang out again.
"About the tea tax and salt permit, this prince has not hidden it from you; you are well aware. No matter Gu Chengyuâs rank, his ability is undeniable."
Hearing this, Xiao Chengzi couldnât help but nod; Mr. Gu indeed had ability.
"If our people use his strategy and operate well in front of the emperor, the benefits will certainly be plentiful. Now, letting Gu Chengyu use it for a higher rank is indeed a bit of a waste. However, this prince is not after those things. If Gu Chengyu, being so capable, can be used by this prince, wouldnât that be like adding wings to a tiger?"
At this moment, Xiao Chengzi had to admire his masterâs foresight, but Mr. Gu did not seem like someone easily manipulated.
"But this servant sees that Mr. Gu is not interested in wealth or beauty. If you want to bring him under your wing, it wonât be easy."
Prince Jing shook his head and sighed. If Gu Chengyu were that easy to bait, he wouldnât need to spend so much effort.
"Itâs just unfortunate that Hua Lianâs parents arenât around, and that Gu Changbai might not be reliable; I havenât even seen Hua Lian yet."
Prince Jing had initially wanted to bring Hua Lianâs mother over, but the woman had remarried and had a family, making it quite inconvenient.
Gu Changbaiâs affection for Hua Lian was not much; he intended to keep Hua Lian for last.
Unfortunately, someone moved faster than him and snatched Hua Lian away.
"Have you found the person who took Hua Lian?"
Prince Jing suspected that Gu Chengyu was the one who took Hua Lian; if only Gu Changbaiâs appearance suggested this, he had to admire it.
"Not yet, Your Highness! This servant believes an internal asset must be placed in the Gu Mansion. Even if nothing useful is obtained, reporting the movements of the Gu Mansion can give us more clues and countermeasures."
Prince Jing stood up and paced the room.
"Does this prince not know? But talking about getting into the Gu Mansion is easier said than done. See what you can do when next they want to buy someone from the Gu Mansion!"
"Yes! But if you send Gu Changbai back to Jingyuan Prefecture, wonât Mr. Gu stop him from returning?"
Prince Jingâs lips curved slightly, "That depends on whether he can persuade Gu Changqing and the others. If Gu Changqing comes to the Capital, it wouldnât be surprising to bring Gu Changbai along, and getting into the Gu Mansion wouldnât be a big deal."
Confronting Gu Chengyu, one must not be too hasty. Gu Chengyu was very sharp, impervious to both persuasion and coercion.
However, Prince Jing was always patient. As Xiao Chengzi said, it was still early! He just didnât believe he couldnât take down Gu Chengyu.
"As for Hua Lian, continue to send someone to look carefully. Just now, it was reported that Gu Wanfang went to meet a fellow student. Why didnât you send someone to follow them? Gu Wanfang should also be watched closely. Although he doesnât know much, he is not entirely clueless."
"Yes!" Xiao Chengziâs expression tensed, knowing the Prince was attentive to details.
Although he felt Gu Wanfang didnât need to be followed, with the Princeâs instructions, he certainly wouldnât argue.
"Is the child well taken care of, and has the teacher been invited?"
"Already invited. The Prince is kind; the child has practically fallen into a nest of blessings."
Xiao Chengzi thought his master was still kind-hearted, feeling guilty for capturing someoneâs child and often caring about the childâs daily life.
Prince Jing nodded, knowing that great accomplishments required overlooking minor details.
Even though he owed Gu Changbaiâs family, he hadnât been harsh to the child.
Every day, staying in the mansion, he felt he was about to rot.
But he didnât dare recover because he feared the emperor would remember him and send him to the fief.
Being far from the Capital, the news came too slowly.
Prince Jingâs face twisted slightly at the thought of something.
"Is the Imperial Physician coming for consultation tomorrow?"
Xiao Chengzi was startled and quickly replied, "Thatâs correct!"
"Go and tell the divine doctor; he knows what to do."
Prince Jingâs voice lazily came out, and Xiao Chengzi shivered, quickly responding.
Gu Chengyu sent Gu Changbai away before heading to the inner courtyard.
"Sir! He is right inside, staying obedient!" Ming Yan was waiting at the courtyard gate and hurriedly came up to Gu Chengyu as he arrived.
"Hmm!" Gu Chengyu entered the courtyard with Ming Yan close behind.
"Sir!" Li Zhuang, with a few guards, saluted Gu Chengyu.
Gu Chengyu waved his hand, and the group stood outside the door. They knew Gu Chengyu was about to question someone, so naturally, they needed to step back.
They only did as instructed by the official; as for other matters, it was best for them to know less.
Gu Wanfang was anxiously uneasy inside the room; he had been bound here for nearly four hours, yet Little Uncle hadnât come.
Actually, he already knew Little Uncleâs intentions for finding him, so when taken to the Gu Mansion, he didnât resist at all.
The door opened, and upon seeing Gu Chengyu enter, Gu Wanfang hurriedly stood up and bowed to him.
"Greetings, Little Uncle!" He played a small trick, not calling him Little Uncle.
Gu Chengyu walked to the seat of honor and sat down, raising an eyebrow with a spark of interest.
If he had a keen sense and wasnât of bad heart, it would not be impossible to pull him up.
The Gu Family could not rely on him alone; there simply had to be a few capable individuals.
"Sit down!" Seeing Gu Wanfang standing there somewhat constrained, Gu Chengyu pointed to a chair, gesturing for him to sit.
"Bringing you here, I suppose you know the reason. Did your family encounter some difficulties? You may speak openly with meâafter all, we are family; what I can help with, I naturally will not withhold."
Gu Wanfang was a scholar; by saying so, Gu Wanfang should grasp the meaning.
Gu Wanfang hesitated, unsure of whether to speak.
Father had repeatedly instructed him not to disclose anything to others, or Xiao Yao might not return.