Chapter 133: Young Lord Gu

Chapter 133: Young Lord Gu

The attendants behind Yin Hongxue, upon seeing Gu Chaoning, bowed to him simultaneously.

Although he had not yet officially assumed his post, the new top scholar (Zhuangyuan), as a rule, would directly enter the Hanlin Academy as a compiler, a sixth-rank position.

When the Gu family first heard of this, they were astonished for quite a while, for the magistrate of Sui County, who governed an entire county, was only a seventh-grade official.

But after the surprise came joy.

How could they not be delighted that their child had achieved such success?

As it was already quite late, and to avoid worrying the Marquis's household, Yin Hongxue took his leave.

Seeing that they were only four in number, master and his servants, Gu Chaoning offered to escort them.

Since a brief chat alone felt insufficient, Yin Hongxue did not decline.

And so, the new top scholar Gu Chaoning, having just returned from the banquet, went out again.

The capital enforced a very late curfew, and there was even a dedicated night market with no curfew at all.

The two walked ahead, with Guan Qi, Zhimo, and the two attendants from the Marquis's household following behind.

Lanterns hung from nearly every eave and rooftop, so even at night, it didn't feel dark.

Yin Hongxue pointed to a pavilion ahead.

"This is the Star-Plucking Tower. After the palace banquet ends, it opens for a while. It stands ten stories tall, symbolizing perfection. On clear days, the stars look especially beautiful from up there, as if you could reach out and pluck them."

As he spoke, Yin Hongxue tugged at Gu Chaoning's sleeve. "Chaoning Ge (Brother Chaoning), this one, this one—the Peach and Plum Pavilion. Inside, there are many fascinating books and paintings. On the first and fifth of each month, someone comes to lecture. I once found a book there about rice-fish farming and bamboo-tube waterwheels."

"And here—this is the Leisure Abode. It has hot spring pools for soaking, and they even give massages. It's especially—really comfortable."

It must really be comfortable, since Yin Hongxue drew out the word "especially" for a long time.

Gu Chaoning listened as he recounted, one by one, the towers and pavilions he had known well in his past life, and surprisingly found them fresh and novel.

He had often visited the Leisure Abode in his past life as well, at first because Yin Hongxue was always there, and his colleagues praised the masseurs' skill there.

After trying it once, he understood why Yin Hongxue always came.

Later, whenever the court had big tasks that kept him working five or six days straight, he would go to the Immortal's Abode for a massage, and his whole body would feel refreshed and relaxed.

But there was one downside to the Leisure Abode.

He always seemed to bump into Yin Hongxue there, and the Yin Hongxue of his past life would always give him cold, disdainful looks.

Once, while soaking in the hot spring, he accidentally got his outer robe wet and sent an attendant to get a new one.

After waiting a long time, he heard a knock and, thinking it was his attendant, opened the door in just his underclothes—only to find Yin Hongxue standing there.

The result went without saying.

That was the first time Gu Chaoning had ever seen Yin Hongxue so furious. He first called him shameless, then threw the cloth he was holding right at his face, and stormed off in a huff.

At the time, he didn't understand and was even angry. To his surprise, Yin Hongxue was even angrier than he was, and kept mocking him for over half a month afterward.

But now he understood—understood Yin Hongxue's reaction, understood why he was so angry.

At that thought, Gu Chaoning rubbed his nose, feeling a rare hint of awkwardness.

Yin Hongxue was still enthusiastically describing how the hot spring pools at the Leisure Abode eased fatigue, how you could scatter flower petals in the water, and how they'd even developed a special mix that, when thrown into the water, would bubble up.

Gu Chaoning responded, a bit embarrassed: "Then I'll tell Father and Dad, and we'll have them come soak in the hot springs. And when we later go back to the countryside to pick up Grandpa and Grandma, they can come soak too."

Yin Hongxue gave him a sidelong glance. "Do you think you need to tell Father and Dad? We already soaked together when we hung out earlier."

It was spring now, and after a soak in the hot springs, two servings of chilled sweet drinks from the ice cellar, and finally a massage—the pleasure went without saying.

Hearing this, Gu Chaoning was stunned.

If they'd already been, then why...

Yin Hongxue crossed his arms and eyed him. "What's the matter, Young Lord Gu? Surely, being young and strong, you never feel the least bit tired?"

Before Gu Chaoning could respond, Yin Hongxue clapped his hands and laughed. "Well, that's perfect then! When I get the chance, I'll be sure to put in a good word for you with your superiors—since Young Lord Gu is so young and strong, he can work even more without getting tired~"

Gu Chaoning was first so annoyed he laughed, then his heart itched at the title "Young Lord Gu."

Young Lord Gu.

He savored those four words in his mind and couldn't help chuckling.

His laugh only made Yin Hongxue laugh even harder.

"Hey, you're actually laughing! Really, you're not tired, are you? I wonder who, after a day of reading, stretches his back, then hops around in place like a madman."

"No," Gu Chaoning felt he should defend himself, "I'm not, I didn't."

"Not what? Didn't do what?"

Gu Chaoning paused. "I didn't say I wasn't tired." The Yin Hongxue of this life, who didn't mock him, was even harder for him to handle than the one in his past life.

Maybe it was the lingering effects of the wine from the Qionglin Banquet, but Gu Chaoning felt his head spinning a little.

He begged for mercy: "Good Xue Geer, good Prince, let's change the subject. This humble scholar thanks Prince Baoqing for his kindness, and will surely come another day to try out this Leisure Abode."

Yin Hongxue snorted. "That's more like it."

Seeing his smug look, Gu Chaoning couldn't help laughing again.

As he laughed, something suddenly came to mind.

"By the way, what did you just call me?"

Yin Hongxue looked confused. "Young Lord Gu?"

Gu Chaoning straightened his back and hummed in acknowledgment, his posture exactly like the old tutor the Marquis's household had hired for Yin Hongxue when he stroked his beard.

Unaware of the amusement hidden in Yin Hongxue's subsequent smile, Gu Chaoning continued, "May I ask how Prince Baoqing finds this lord's performance as the top scholar?"

Yin Hongxue stroked his chin, furrowed his brow, as if deep in thought, but stayed silent.

Gu Chaoning was shocked: "!!!"

In a panic, he dropped his act and hurriedly leaned in close to Yin Hongxue. "Why aren't you saying anything? Didn't you congratulate me on becoming the top scholar when we first met?"

Gu Chaoning's gaze fixed intently on Yin Hongxue's lips, dreading that those cherry-red, beautiful lips might part and say "Useless Top Scholar."

Was he doomed to only ever get "Useless Top Scholar" from Yin Hongxue in both this life and the last?!

"Little Lord Gu's top scholar results are naturally impressive—after all, Little Lord Gu is sharp-minded, hardworking, good at thinking things through, and incredibly talented. The title of top scholar you've earned is a testament to the examiners' and His Majesty's recognition of you!"

Gu Chaoning paused, then burst out laughing as he realized Yin Hongxue had just been deliberately teasing him.

After all, the Yin Hongxue of today would never say something like "Useless Top Scholar."

But what really opened Gu Chaoning's eyes was how much Yin Hongxue had changed in the four years since he'd come from the Gu family in Xiaohe Village, Dukou Town, to the Marquis's residence in the capital. He'd truly become so much more cheerful and outgoing.

Thinking of this, Gu Chaoning's already bright smile turned even more radiant and tender.

Both had returned from Dukou Town to the capital, yet in the previous life, Yin Hongxue had been full of thorns, cold, and indifferent to everything, while in this life, he was pure and untainted with a silver tongue—how could that not be thanks to him?

Zhimo followed behind, watching his master's increasingly goofy smile, and shrank back slightly, turning his head to avoid the gazes of the two attendants from the Marquis's residence beside him.

"Young Master!"

A delighted call came from ahead as the steward of the Marquis's residence hurried over. "Oh, my dear young master, you've finally returned! Why didn't you have a carriage follow you? Why did you walk all the way back? Are you tired from the journey..."

Without realizing it, the two had already reached the street where the Marquis's residence was.

Gu Chaoning felt a pang of regret—that explained why he'd noticed fewer and fewer people on the road.

"Alright, go on in now. Rest early tonight, and have the servants bring you some hot water to soak your feet—it'll help you relax."

Hearing Gu Chaoning's voice, the steward, who had been fussing over Yin Hongxue, finally noticed him.

Somewhat embarrassed, the steward turned and bowed: "Ah, Lord Gu, please forgive me—it's just that the young master has never returned this late before, so I was a bit worried. Oh, and congratulations on becoming top scholar."

Gu Chaoning raised a hand to cut off the rest of his praise.

Knowing how close Yin Hongxue and Gu Chaoning were, the steward swallowed the rest of his words.

Gu Chaoning reminded Yin Hongxue of a few more things before getting ready to leave.

He'd only taken a few steps when Yin Hongxue called out to him again.

"Chaoning Ge, when do you plan to return to the village?"

After the palace examination, these new successful candidates would be granted a two-month leave.

Whether they stayed in the capital or were assigned elsewhere, these two months were for them to go home or move.

It was a prep period so they could devote themselves fully to serving the court two months later.

Of course, there was another purpose too.

It let these scholars, who had studied for over a decade or even several decades, return home in glory after the palace exam, savoring their success. This also attracted more students to take the imperial exams, continuously supplying the court with fresh talent.

Gu Chaoning thought for a moment. "We're tentatively planning on five days from now. We need to prepare a bit more at home and buy some things from the capital before heading back."

The small courtyard they currently rented in the capital had been rented hastily as a temporary stop. Once the whole family arrived, it would be best to rent a better place.

During these five days, they'd look for a new residence, stock up on things they needed, and buy some trendy things from the capital to bring back as gifts for his maternal grandparents, relatives, neighbors, and friends.

Additionally, since things were expensive in the capital, they'd need to look into renting a shop to open a restaurant. His grandfather and grandmother enjoyed farming, so it would be ideal to find an opportunity to purchase a few acres of land on the outskirts of the capital for the old folks.

Besides that, because of Yin Hongxue's ties to him, they'd also need to find time to visit Marquis Anding.

Thinking about it, there was quite a lot to do.

Yin Hongxue looked at him, then at the steward, blinked, and just nodded in acknowledgment without saying more.

Seeing that Yin Hongxue had no further questions, Gu Chaoning didn't linger either, gave the steward a fist-and-palm salute, and took his leave.

The Marquis's residence was vast, and it took Gu Chaoning a while to reach the end of the street. He turned back and, sure enough, saw Yin Hongxue still standing at the gate, not yet gone inside.

Gu Chaoning waved at him and gestured for him to go in. Only after seeing Yin Hongxue nod and enter did he finally leave.

At the gate of the Marquis's residence, Yin Hongxue peeked out from behind the door to watch Gu Chaoning depart before finally stepping fully inside.