Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 399 - 235: Imperial College Classmates

"My lord, it’s already been mentioned. In another hour, we should arrive. The Second Mistress asked you and the Second Master to drink less wine."

Ming Mo suddenly remembered the Second Mistress’s instructions and hurriedly relayed them. Otherwise, if the Second Master got drunk, his lord would also face some scolding.

The Second Mistress refers to Gu Wan, a title adopted after her marriage. After all, as a daughter married off, it was inappropriate to still call her ’Second Miss’ all the time.

Speaking of Gu Wan, Gu Chengyu thought of the little nephew she gave birth to last year. Xiao Baozi was very cute, and in just over a month, he would be one year old. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Over the past two years, the manor had changed considerably. Entering the east wing room, Gu Chengyu looked at the hot spring pool connected to it and decided to use the place for hosting guests.

As soon as he entered the room, a wave of warmth greeted him. The pool was surrounded by marble allegedly transported from the south by the former owner who had put a lot of effort into it. The surface of the pool was shrouded in mist, resembling the celestial Jade Pool of the Ninth Heaven.

Gu Chengyu took off his crane robe, and Ming Yan quickly stepped forward to take it, hanging it on the rack.

"Are the cooks and the attendants arranged properly?" There weren’t many maidservants in Gu Chengyu’s residence, mostly old women and servants.

Since they were hosting guests this time, it was inappropriate for just the servants and old women to serve. Thus, he had transferred several maidservants from the house over.

"Don’t worry, my lord! With Nanny Liang here, nothing can go wrong," Ming Mo said with a smile.

Young Master seldom hosted guests on his own turf; he usually went to restaurants. Only close acquaintances like Second Master and Mr. Ye would come to the manor or the house. This time, his classmates got along well with him, which is why he brought them to the hot spring manor.

Gu Chengyu nodded and then went to the study in the inner room.

These past two years at the Imperial College, besides spending effort on reading, Gu Chengyu also diligently studied the Six Arts. The saying goes that a scholar should master both the Four Books and Five Classics, and the Six Arts are essential parts of a gentleman’s education.

While the guests hadn’t arrived yet, Gu Chengyu spread out a sheet of paper, preparing to paint.

From the rear window of the east wing room, there was a view of a plum blossom forest in full bloom, with a pavilion among them. Gu Chengyu planned to hunt some game, bring his homemade grill, and surround the pavilion. By then, enjoying grilled meat while admiring the plum blossoms would be a pleasure.

Just as he was about to finish the last stroke of the plum blossom painting, Ming Mo came to the study to report that Mr. Ye and Second Master had arrived.

"Chengyu! This hot spring manor of yours is truly a great buy. Enjoying the hot springs in winter is such a delight; it’s been so long since I’ve been to your manor."

Gu Chengyu placed the painting on the desk to dry and hurried out to greet the two.

Sun Xian, upon seeing Gu Chengyu, cheerfully praised him.

"Weren’t you here with my second sister just ten days ago? Come on in; it’s really cold outside." Gu Chengyu, being quite familiar with the two, jokingly admonished.

Sun Xian and Ye Zhiqiu followed him into the room, both sighing in comfort as they entered, "So warm!"

Gu Chengyu and the two sat down while Ming Mo came forward to serve tea.

"Chengyu! Are the classmates you mentioned inviting today the two you’ve been closest with at the Imperial College?" Ye Zhiqiu asked curiously as he sat down.

"I’ll introduce you when they arrive. They have pleasant personalities, and I’m sure everyone will get along well," Gu Chengyu said, recalling how one of them had a character very similar to Wang Qikai. If Wang Qikai were present, they might even become close friends.

Gu Chengyu seldom talked about his time at the Imperial College with Sun Xian and the others, but they knew that his studies over the past two years hadn’t been easy. Given his reputation, maintaining good relations without offending anyone at the Imperial College was an achievement in itself.

If Gu Chengyu knew Sun Xian’s thoughts, he would be hard-pressed to explain. Being a son of a farming family, his mentor had retired, leaving him with only three senior brothers with official positions and little else in terms of connections. After all, Liang Zhirui was no longer the Grand Secretary; once people leave office, their relevance fades accordingly.

The so-called ’fops’ at the Imperial College weren’t truly inept; having been raised in aristocratic families, how foolish could they be? Of course, there were exceptions to the rule. On the surface, everyone seemed amicable, but how they looked down on him for being of humble origin was beyond Gu Chengyu’s knowledge. He didn’t care, though.

One can’t choose their birth, so one must strive to climb upward through their efforts. If he were to reach a high position in the future, who would dare look down on his origins then?

He didn’t want to share this burden with Sun Xian and the others; telling them would only add to their worries.

"My lord! The two gentlemen have arrived," Ming Yan came in from outside, having been sent by Gu Chengyu to the entrance to welcome the pair.

"Oh? Please invite them in!" Gu Chengyu quickly stood up. The two had never been here before, so he needed to go out and greet them.

"Brother Sun, Brother Ye, please wait here for a moment while I go and meet them up front."

"Go ahead!" Sun Xian urged.

From a distance, Gu Chengyu spotted two young men of eighteen or nineteen years old, approaching the east wing from the corner of the corridor.

The one leading them was the somewhat simple-minded Zhang Da, which Gu Chengyu found odd. Steward Xu was generally astute; otherwise, he wouldn’t have become a manor steward. Why had he chosen such a lad to serve this time? This simpleton had poor manners.

Regardless, he brought the guests here. Gu Chengyu stepped forward and greeted the two.

"Greetings, Brother Zheng, Brother Zhu!"

"Junior Brother Gu, no need for such formality. Today, we finally fulfill our wish to enjoy your manor’s hot springs to the fullest!"

Speaking was Zheng Lun, clad in a feather-blue round-collared robe, wearing a white jade crown. He had distinct features and was a handsome gentleman.

As soon as Zheng Lun finished speaking, before Gu Chengyu could respond, another gentleman chimed in, "Why are you using such flowery language with no outsiders around? Isn’t it a bit pretentious?"

Gu Chengyu chuckled at the remark, recognizing it as coming from Zhu Pang, the third son of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. His slightly plump figure and round baby face gave him an adorable appearance, yet his words were at odds with his appearance, showcasing a rough personality.

"Chengyu! We’ve been looking forward to the hot springs for a long time. You’re quite the wealthy one, to acquire such an estate like this." Zhu Pang approached Gu Chengyu, playfully punching him on the shoulder.

"Hmm? You’re quite solid!" Zhu Pang had practiced martial arts from a young age, and his punch wasn’t light.

He was surprised that Gu Chengyu could take his punch, even though it wasn’t thrown with full force. Caught up in the moment, he forgot that Gu Chengyu was a scholar and casually threw a punch.

He was amazed to see Gu Chengyu unmoved by it; how could it not astonish him?

Zhu Pang’s playful nature was akin to Wang Qikai’s, but he had a tendency to be mischievous. Gu Chengyu rolled his eyes, "Who said scholars need to be frail? Otherwise, how do you think we endure several days of exams?"