Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 462 - 298 Gu Wan’s Worries

Gu Chengyu returned to the mansion after having lunch at the Yin Mansion.

"Chengyu! Your second sister and I planned to leave today. Now that you’re back, we can feel at ease." Sun Xian, knowing that Gu Chengyu had returned to the mansion, came to bid farewell.

"Brother Sun and Second Sister, stay a few more days! With you and Xiao Baozi here, the mansion would feel more lively. Living here alone is quite lonely."

Gu Chengyu was reluctant to part with Xiao Baozi, but he also knew that Sun Xian would likely disagree.

Sure enough, Sun Xian refused. There were no elders in this mansion. It’s not appropriate for married women to stay long-term at their maiden home, especially when his mother was alone at home, which worried him.

At this moment, Gu Wan came in with Xiao Baozi in her arms, "Brother Xian is right. My mother-in-law is alone at home. Though we have maids and servants, there are still inconveniences for a woman alone. Besides, she’s busy making pickles and doesn’t have any free time. If I go back, I can help her with some chores."

"Then let Xiao Baozi stay for a few days to play! I can take care of him for you." Gu Chengyu picked up Xiao Baozi, pinched his cheeks, and found them soft and pleasant to touch.

This made Xiao Baozi shake his head in protest, then he let out a sound and bit Gu Chengyu’s cheek.

Gu Wan quickly took Xiao Baozi from Gu Chengyu’s hands, "You’re just playing around. The imperial examination is only a month away. Shouldn’t you focus and read more books?"

Seeing the red marks on Xiao Baozi’s face, Gu Wan glared at Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu smiled sheepishly, knowing that Gu Wan would not agree. After all, the child was still young, and he couldn’t keep him if he cried at night.

"Xiao Bao!" Gu Wan suddenly became serious, then hesitated to speak.

"How about not taking that imperial exam? It’s already remarkable for our family to produce a scholar. I’ve heard that scholars can even get a position through donations. This time was so dangerous, why not strive for peace and safety rather than wealth and rank?"

Gu Wan was truly frightened by this incident. She even advised Sun Xian not to take the exam. In her eyes, being a scholar was already impressive. Although the Capital was prosperous, she felt more at home in Jingyuan Prefecture.

There were too many nobles here. Offending them could lead to dire consequences. Such aristocratic families and nobility, with a mere disagreement, could ruin you.

"Second Sister! Don’t worry too much. This incident was truly unforeseen. It was something that happens once in a hundred years."

Gu Chengyu knew this incident had scared Gu Wan. Since coming to the Capital, she had been more somber than when in Shangling Village. She used to stay at Shangling Village, rarely even going to town. Coming to the Capital might have been too big of a change.

"But in this Capital, there are so many officials and nobles. You don’t know; last time I saw an old lady selling vegetables, her stand was overturned by a group of young noblemen on horses. She fell and couldn’t get up until someone helped her. She didn’t dare make a sound; these people have power. I’m afraid if something else happens, Second Sister can’t help."

Gu Wan understood that Gu Chengyu wouldn’t agree, but she still wanted to persuade him. Not just Gu Chengyu, even Sun Xian wouldn’t agree. Speaking was in vain, so she sighed, holding Xiao Bao in silence.

Seeing Gu Wan’s state, Gu Chengyu felt something was off. He looked at Sun Xian, signaling with his eyes, asking what was going on, but Sun Xian was also confused.

Gu Chengyu could only comfort Gu Wan, "Second Sister, you don’t often go out, so you haven’t seen the harshness outside. No matter where you are, it’s survival of the fittest. Even in Jingyuan Prefecture, a scholar is nothing, the same as in the Capital."

"Second Sister! Don’t worry. Don’t you trust Xiao Bao? I will be careful in the future." Gu Chengyu sighed, looked at Gu Wan, and spoke earnestly.

It might be because she became a mother, Gu Wan developed a sense of responsibility for someone else. In the Capital, it was just the two of them; their parents weren’t here, so as the elder sister, she felt the need to care for Gu Chengyu. Knowing any further advice would be useless, Gu Wan stopped speaking.

Last night Brother Xian told her that Xiao Bao was smart and had a high chance of being among the top three. How could he give up such a bright future? Even if Sun Xian didn’t pass this time, he would continue to take the exam next time.

After Gu Wan and the others left, Gu Chengyu planned to rest for a while. He had spent considerable energy on the cheating case in the past few days. Although he had a plan in mind, he was still worried. Now that he relaxed, he felt a bit tired.

Just as Gu Chengyu entered the main room, Ming Mo came to report that Zhu Pang had arrived.

Gu Chengyu quickly gathered his energy to deal with it. Maybe Zhu Pang had come knowing he was back.

"Ah, you ungrateful guy. I worried about you at home, couldn’t eat or sleep, and you come back without letting me know." Zhu Pang entered Gu Chengyu’s bedroom angrily.

Seeing him, Gu Chengyu burst into laughter, "Didn’t I send a message to you through the servants? I was just planning to visit your house tomorrow! I was busy today, just now planning to take a nap when you arrived."

Zhu Pang sized up Gu Chengyu, "Not bad! No bruises, no missing arms or legs, you’re all intact!"

Gu Chengyu couldn’t get mad at Zhu Pang, knowing this was his way of showing concern. This was the kind of friend called a "frenemy" in the previous life.

"I think you should eat more. Look at your build and face, as weak as a chick." Zhu Pang observed Gu Chengyu’s face and hands, with his delicate complexion and slender, fair hands, he looked more like a lady.

Gu Chengyu was both amused and frustrated. Zhu Pang often lamented his own lack of a burly, masculine figure. Despite all his martial training, he remained with a rounded face, slightly fleshier build, looking refined and lovely, far from rugged.

"Don’t talk about me; you can’t even eat as much as I do! If I wanted to, I could eat at least two large bowls at a meal." Since taking up martial arts, Gu Chengyu’s appetite had increased significantly. When hungry, he could eat two large bowls in one meal. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"You didn’t suffer in prison, did you? Who would have thought that Wan Xue Nian would dare testify by death? My father said he died in vain. After his death, Mr. Hu presented Guo Shi’s retraction, such a pity."

Zhu Pang relayed the information he heard from his father, expressing some regret for Wan Xue Nian.

"Given a solution, who would choose death?"

Gu Chengyu felt that the Capital’s situation changed in the blink of an eye. Yesterday’s aristocratic family could become today’s prisoners. Without Wan Xue Nian, the Wan Mansion would likely decline, especially since there weren’t promising members in the Wan Family.

Gu Chengyu thought of Zheng Lun, unsure whether he’d been released from his father’s restrictions.

"I haven’t seen Zheng Lun for several days. Is his father still watching over him?"

Mentioning Zheng Lun, Zhu Pang got a bit upset. Even if his father was watching him, sending a message should still be possible, right? However, Zheng Lun wasn’t the type to shy away from trouble. He was worried about Gu Chengyu at first, but perhaps his father was keeping a tight watch.