Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 382 - 218: Promotion

"Then I’ll wait in the side room!" Yao Mengxian said, and led Lianxin towards the side room.

The maid breathed a sigh of relief; Miss was the old lady’s favorite, and she couldn’t afford to offend her.

Gu Chengyu made a few jokes with the teacher’s wife, and then Da Ya, Pearl, entered, bowed to Gu Chengyu, and whispered something in the old lady’s ear. The old lady nodded without replying, Pearl stood up straight and left the room without speaking further.

Gu Chengyu felt there might be something going on, so he hurried to take his leave.

"Is there something you need to do? If not, stay and have a meal at the mansion."

Mrs. Ning was very fond of Gu Chengyu, not just because he was smart, good-looking, and very respectful to elders. Before the granddaughter came, he often visited the mansion to keep her company.

"Today, I still have to visit Lord Prefect’s residence; in five days there will be a banquet. On that day, teacher’s wife, please join us with the teacher!"

Gu Chengyu had already talked to the teacher just now, the teacher said he would attend the banquet that day, so Gu Chengyu took the opportunity to invite the teacher’s wife.

However, women don’t always go out, as it can be inconvenient, especially since it’s a bit far.

"Then I won’t keep you, my old body can’t handle the bumps, I’m afraid I won’t make it. Let your teacher have a few more drinks for me."

Gu Chengyu bowed and then retreated.

Yao Mengxian came out of the side room and glanced at the distant blue figure of Gu Chengyu. They were somewhat acquainted, so she could easily recognize him.

After leaving the Liang Mansion, Gu Chengyu headed to the Jiang Mansion.

"You’re here?" Jiang Mingyuan hurriedly rolled up the painting on the table and placed it in the secret compartment of the bookshelf.

Gu Chengyu arrived at the Jiang Mansion without any hindrance and was directly led to the outer study.

"Student greets Lord Jiang!"

When Gu Chengyu entered, he only caught a glimpse of what seemed to be a woman on the painting, but it was rolled up too quickly for him to see clearly.

"No need for formalities between us, and congratulations on becoming a top scorer." Lord Jiang looked at Gu Chengyu with a smile, knowing this young man would certainly pass the exam.

However, becoming a top scorer was no small feat.

"It was just luck." Gu Chengyu quickly said humbly.

Jiang Mingyuan nodded, neither arrogant nor impetuous, steady in nature, not letting the title of top scorer go to his head.

"I can’t attend your banquet; after the year-end, I’ll be reporting back to the Capital, and we should be able to meet in the Capital next year."

Jiang Mingyuan gave Gu Chengyu a hint about next year’s official transfer in advance.

"So the lord is getting promoted next year? You should be staying on to serve in the Capital? Congratulations to the lord in advance."

Gu Chengyu had long known Jiang Mingyuan would be promoted, but being able to stay in the Capital, he must have made some moves.

Otherwise, vacant positions in the Capital are not easy to come by, and many officials want to stay there. Without connections, how could it be so easy to remain in the Capital?

Although the trial field succeeded and the court collected more grain tax, getting promoted two ranks was already compensation.

"Don’t spread this matter around, it’s not finalized yet."

Jiang Mingyuan was cautious, usually not sharing things until they were set in stone. Saying this showed he didn’t see Gu Chengyu as an outsider and was genuinely pleased.

"It should be almost certain; before your promotion, I promise to keep it a secret."

Gu Chengyu thought, Jiang Mingyuan must have handled things somehow to get promoted. It seems having people in the court is beneficial. In prior years, he hadn’t moved; perhaps he found a new patron, or maybe he didn’t have one before.

"I’ve always been under your care, but never properly thanked you!" Gu Chengyu said this, then stood up and bowed deeply.

Lord Jiang stepped forward to help, "Why are you doing this? You’re naturally talented, and I haven’t taught you much in your studies, only given some advice on dealing with people. You, however, helped me immensely with the trial field, so I should be thanking you."

Jiang Mingyuan knew in his heart that he took such good care of Gu Chengyu because he had been a great help and because Gu Chengyu was the son of someone he knew.

"I was just doing my duty. My lord, today my mother is also in the Prefecture, buying things for my second sister’s marriage. I’m afraid she might be waiting anxiously for me to return, so I’ll take my leave now."

Gu Chengyu didn’t want to discuss personal matters beyond official business. From the Liang Mansion to here, it probably took more than two hours, and it was now close to 7:30 AM; his mother might be anxious by now.

When Lord Jiang heard Gu Chengyu mention his mother, he swallowed back what he was about to say, paused for a moment, and said, "Then you should hurry back! Don’t keep your mother waiting. I won’t keep you today; we’ll play a game of Go next time you’re in the Prefecture."

Gu Chengyu got up to take his leave from the outer study and followed the outer manager out of the courtyard. As he reached the side gate, he ran into Cui Ming, who was about to enter the mansion.

"This old servant greets Young Master Gu!" Cui Ming quickly bowed when she saw Gu Chengyu.

"Aunt Cui, no need for formalities!" Gu Chengyu glanced at her; the basket she carried was covered with a cloth, and he wondered what was inside.

"This old servant does not dare to accept such a title from the young master." Cui Ming glanced at the outer manager, then stepped aside to let them pass.

Gu Chengyu did not reply, just smiled and followed the outer manager out.

Cui Ming watched as Gu Chengyu exited through the side gate and got into the carriage waiting outside until it left before she returned to the mansion.

Mu Jin was truly fortunate; originally noticed by the master, though she didn’t become a concubine, she married a rural widower. After that incident, the other women who served in the main hall with her felt sorry for her.

She had plotted against Mu Jin out of necessity. One of her good sisters was promoted to a concubine, and would look after them in the future. Why else would she plot without reason? She wasn’t so envious that the master would even favor her anyway.

But now, Mu Jin had unexpectedly become the mother of a scholar. Even if she was still a farmwoman, she was now her own mistress, which was surely better than being under the control of the master like them?

No one expected Mu Jin’s luck was just beginning! If her son became an official, maybe she’d even earn an honorific title. All her former sisters ended up marrying the mansion’s stewards, and few were released from the mansion.

She thought of the miserable main wife of the mansion; truly a fate gone awry. Previously a young lady of noble status, experiencing endless luxury. Yet after many years of marriage, she bore no children. Now she’s mad, with a face full of scars that’s terrifying to see.

Gu Chengyu instructed Ming Mo to first check that teahouse to see if his mother was waiting there.

"Xiao Bao!"

As Gu Chengyu arrived at the teahouse, just getting off the carriage, he saw Gu Chengli waving from a private room upstairs.

"Big brother! Where are mother and sister-in-law?" Gu Chengyu entered the room, only to find Gu Chengli alone, with no one else in sight.

"We’ve bought most of the things, but mother remembered she wanted to add some jewelry, so she went with your sister-in-law, and Ming Yan took the items to the teahouse and then went to drive the carriage to pick them up."

They must have gone to browse for items meant for ladies, and it would indeed be inconvenient for Gu Chengli to go along. Gu Chengyu appraised the goods in the room, which included various fabrics, small ornaments, some rouge and powder, toiletries, and grooming tools, all piled up.

Gu Chengyu held his forehead, pondering how to transport it all back.

Gu Chengli seemed equally astonished at the women’s purchasing power; there were also some larger items the shopkeeper said would be delivered with attendants for a small transportation fee.

Alright, that’s not even everything, and his mother was still shopping; he wondered if two carriages would be enough. If not, they’d need to rent another to return.

His mother insisted the goods in the Prefecture were better, supposedly trendier than those in the county, so she saved her purchases for trips to the Prefecture. He hesitated to argue that aside from slightly better designs, the material was likely similar to what was available in the county.