Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 432 - 268: Trouble Brewing

Gu Chengyu had just sat down when he saw Xi Yan’s movements and hurriedly stopped her.

He was only here to discuss music, and when Yu Ting had suggested it earlier, he could already sense Xi Yan’s reluctance because her breathing had become slightly faster.

This time, he certainly wouldn’t force her.

"Hold on! I am merely here to admire Miss’s musical skills. There are a few areas I don’t understand about music. Would Miss be able to enlighten me?"

Xi Yan paused her fingers hooked on the veil but ultimately didn’t remove it. Following that, an unexpected sense of disappointment arose.

"Mr. Gu is too modest. I didn’t expect you to have such a deep interest in music as well." Xi Yan was genuinely a little impressed, as if nothing could stump Gu Chengyu.

"I merely know a little, which is why I’ve come to seek Miss’s guidance." Gu Chengyu sat upright and looked at Xi Yan expectantly.

Xi Yan smiled, then placed her hands on the strings and played a piece of Xiao Xiang Shui Yun. Xi Yan played wholeheartedly, and Gu Chengyu also closed his eyes to listen, both being captivated and immersed in the music.

When the piece ended, it took a moment before Gu Chengyu regained his senses, "Miss’s musical skills are superior; I am truly impressed."

Then, Gu Chengyu asked about a few unclear points, and Xi Yan patiently explained them to him.

Neither of them paid attention to the time. It wasn’t until the prostitute came to call that Gu Chengyu realized it was already 7:45 PM.

"Thank you, Miss, for enlightening me today. Your words have opened my mind." Gu Chengyu stood and bowed to Xi Yan.

They had been alone for more than an hour; surely Madam Hua had grown anxious, and the Ghost Slave had long been waiting outside.

"Sir, you give me too much credit. I practice music every day, while you are busy with various affairs, leaving little time for practice. In the future, if you have any questions, feel free to send a letter. Have the servant at the mansion hand it to my maid Hongzhuang."

Xi Yan spoke without much thought, but regret subtly crept in after the words left her mouth.

The prostitute waiting at the door glanced at her in surprise, aware of Miss Xi Yan’s inherent pride, not expecting she would converse so amiably with this gentleman or even arrange for written correspondence.

Miss Xi Yan, could she be smitten? The Ghost Slave pondered, planning to find an opportunity to tell Madam Hua about this.

Gu Chengyu was somewhat surprised as well, but then replied, "In the future, when I do have unclear matters, I might still trouble Miss Xi Yan. It’s getting late, I won’t disturb your rest any longer, I’ll take my leave now."

Gu Chengyu smiled, thinking to himself that though he said he might trouble her, he typically wouldn’t come and bother her again.

Xi Yan watched as Gu Chengyu’s figure gradually receded, a sense of loneliness welling up in her eyes.

As soon as Gu Chengyu exited the flower hall, Madam Hua approached him eagerly, "Ah! Mr. Gu, did you enjoy yourself today? Our Miss Xi Yan is truly a first-class beauty. Her true face must have captivated you; you must come visit Tianxiang Pavilion often in the future."

Gu Chengyu nodded with a smile, verbally affirming while leading Ming Mo out of Tianxiang Pavilion, only letting out a breath afterward.

It’s best not to come to Tianxiang Pavilion anymore; a single day cost him six hundred and eighty taels of silver. Although Yu Ting covered three hundred taels, he still had to shell out three hundred and eighty himself!

And that was merely for the company of some drinking girls. If it included spending the night with them, the cost would definitely be unbearable. But it was also due to it being so crowded today.

Gu Chengyu shook his head, realizing a brothel is truly a money pit!

The Ming Mo behind him, seeing Mr. Gu shake his head, couldn’t resist giving him a once-over.

Those servants said these girls are incredibly skilled, though he didn’t quite understand, his young master didn’t seem happy either!

Ming Mo was assessing Gu Chengyu, trying to determine whether or not his young master had lost his virginity today.

Perhaps Ming Mo’s gaze was too intense, as Gu Chengyu turned back and noticed Ming Mo’s leering look, and said, "What nonsense are you concocting? Am I the type to fool around?"

Ming Mo caught off guard, chuckled sheepishly, yet planned to brag about it later to Ming Yan.

A few days later, just after Gu Chengyu finished his morning practice, Ming Yan was attending him while he washed up.

Ming Mo hurriedly entered the study, "Sir, something bad has happened! Rumors are spreading that the examination papers for this time’s imperial exam had already been leaked, and it’s said that someone bribed the chief examiner."

Gu Chengyu sat at the table, ready to eat, when Ming Mo reported such a major issue.

Gu Chengyu’s expression grew serious, "A few days ago, there wasn’t even a whisper, could the news have just broken today? Quickly, tell me the details."

Ming Mo, knowing the gravity of the situation, wasted no time, "There was indeed no hint a few days ago, yet this morning, it’s as if it suddenly appeared out of nowhere, spreading rapidly everywhere. I’ve sent people to the teahouse, only took a little inquiry to get the information."

Ming Mo paused, then continued, "They say the one who leaked the questions is Vice Minister Wan from the Ministry of Rites, and the one bribed is Right Imperial Censor Song Shuqing. People outside are somewhat panicked; some examinees worried about getting implicated and are all scrambling for news."

"Sir! Your second cousin-in-law and a few other gentlemen have arrived." Ming Yan, seeing servants peeking in from outside, immediately went to ask; as it turns out, a few other gentlemen had come.

"Please, show them in! Ming Yan, send someone to my senior brother’s residence and wait, as soon as he returns, notify me immediately."

Gu Chengyu knew Sun Xian and the others must have also caught wind of the news and had specifically come to discuss the matter.

"Chengyu, have you heard about that issue?"

Indeed, as soon as Sun Xian entered, he raised the question.

"I just heard about it, everyone, please sit."

There was no time for courtesies now, even Zhu Pang was present.

Though he wasn’t participating in the exam, several of his friends were involved, and as soon as he gathered information, he quickly summoned Zheng Lun to rush to Gu Chengyu’s home.

They ran into Sun Xian and the others at the door, and entered the Gu Mansion together.

"Tell me, have you heard anything?"

Gu Chengyu instructed Ming Mo to clear the dishes off the table, no longer in the mood to eat.

"The primary official responsible for this examination is Vice Minister of Rites Wan Xue Nian, heard he leaked the exam questions. Also, Right Imperial Censor Song Shuqing is said to have been bribed. The matter surfaced suddenly; both households are in chaos now and have sent people to stand guard outside the palace."

Zhu Pang, being more informed, only knew that his father hadn’t returned from court, not knowing how the discussions at court were developing either.

Hearing this, Gu Chengyu realized the matter wasn’t just hearsay, fearing the Capital was about to be engulfed in turmoil; he sensed an impending storm.

"Wan Xue Nian is the maternal grandfather of the Third Prince, could it involve the Princes’ rivalry?"

Gu Chengyu could no longer afford caution now, recognizing Wan Xue Nian, being the Third Prince’s maternal grandfather, would unlikely take such a risk. To leave such a trail, was he out of his mind?

Throughout history, every Emperor has shown zero tolerance for exam fraud. Once proven, the crime would imply extermination of the entire clan.