Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 502 - 338: Visitors from the Duke Mansion

Gu Chengyu sighed, living in such an environment was truly exhausting! No wonder women in ancient times were often so delicate, fainting at the slightest provocation—wasn’t it because they had too many worries?

Mrs. Lian, seeing Hong Ling retreat in defeat, did not step forward to bring trouble upon herself but urged Yao Mengxian to board the carriage and return to the mansion quickly.

Mrs. Chen, standing to the side, secretly sneered. Hong Ling, relying on her position as a second-class maid by the old lady’s side, usually looked down on even those mammas who were trusted by their masters.

Today, first thing she did upon arrival was to subtly and overtly mock the third young lady, didn’t she? And wasn’t she met with resistance?

Mrs. Chen felt secretly pleased, thinking to herself that someone as arrogant as Hong Ling needed to be taken down a notch.

Mrs. Lian, with her deep scheming, would not act like Hong Ling, rushing to give a show of strength before the third young lady even returned to the mansion.

As the most capable side of Mrs. Ke, she even came up with ideas for situations where Mrs. Ke was indecisive.

She looked down on Hong Ling’s ways.

"Young lady! The old lady and the madam have been waiting in the mansion for a long time; let’s go now!" Mrs. Lian said, glancing at Gu Chengyu and his servant standing nearby.

She was puzzled; this young man, dressed lavishly, with an elegant demeanor, was someone she had never seen before.

Seeing him standing beside Liang Zhirui, it seemed he knew Liang Zhirui. However, since the people from the Liang Mansion did not introduce him, it was not her place as a servant to ask.

"Mrs. Lian, as you can see, there are only two carriages, and there are people to sit, so I’m afraid there’s no place for the luggage."

Yao Mengxian frowned as she looked at the carriage sent by the Duke Mansion. The one in front was meant for the household masters’ outings, but it was not often used because, though well-appointed, the carriage was a bit old. The one at the back was for the servants’ outings and had no space for luggage.

Over the years, her grandmother had given her many things. This time, she didn’t plan to take everything to the Duke Mansion, only half of it, leaving the rest at the Liang Mansion. She didn’t even plan to take all the precious jewelry and clothes. Even so, she packed enough to fill two carriages, not to mention the gifts for the family and the special products from Jingyuan Prefecture.

In fact, her grandfather, after many years of service, did not save much Silver. In recent years, a junior disciple of her grandfather made a significant contribution to the elderly couple’s finances, which all ended up in her pocket.

Thinking of this, her face flushed. The offerings meant for the teacher and his wife were given to her by her grandmother.

Therefore, she felt a bit guilty from the beginning until now, feeling that the good things she used were all Gu Chengyu’s.

Mrs. Ning didn’t want Yao Mengxian to return just like that—it was too humiliating. If she returned to the Duke Mansion like this, it would certainly make the snobbish people there look down on her even more, as those people were waiting to ridicule her!

Xian’s days in the mansion were difficult; even the second and third tier servants dared to bully her.

However, Gu Chengyu believed Yao Mengxian had to follow them back, and she must return.

Because Miss Yao had already returned to the Capital, and the Duke Mansion had sent people to fetch her. If Miss Yao didn’t go back, those people would just exploit the situation further.

By tomorrow, it would spread among the aristocratic families that Yao Mengxian was dissatisfied with her stepmother, dissatisfied with the Duke Mansion, and was staying unjustifiably at her grandfather’s house, nearly ruining her reputation. People would think of her as ungrateful, like a thankless wretch.

Yao Mengxian, of course, also considered these things, suddenly realizing that her stepmother just wanted to put her in a dilemma.

This matter involved her teacher, so Gu Chengyu felt obliged to step in and help. After all, seeing a young lady being troubled like this also made him feel quite sympathetic.

"Miss Yao, since there aren’t enough carriages, then you can use mine first."

Mrs. Lian, seeing that Gu Chengyu had spoken, focused her gaze on Gu Chengyu. Such an obvious action, Mrs. Ning couldn’t avoid an introduction.

"This is the master’s junior disciple. You can call him Young Master Gu."

Mrs. Lian suddenly understood, "Ah, so it’s Gu Huiyuan, my apologies for my offense."

Hong Ling had long been observing Gu Chengyu. After all, this young man, like the bright moon in the night sky, was impossible to overlook. Upon arrival, he was the first one to be seen, truly because he was too dazzling, standing out among the crowd.

Now knowing his identity, both Hong Ling and Mrs. Chen had to step forward to pay their respects.

Gu Chengyu nodded slightly, acknowledging them.

Yao Mengxian’s luggage was loaded into separate carriages, with a total of two carriages. When Yao Mengxian and the others packed, they sorted out the items to be left at the Liang Mansion along with the Liang Mansion’s luggage, so there was no need to repack.

Gu Chengyu offered his carriage, leaving the other two loaded with luggage untouched, instructing the driver to follow them back to the Duke Mansion.

Watching the carriages disappear into the distance, Liang Zhirui sighed deeply, his face full of melancholy.

Gu Chengyu saw this and didn’t know how to console him. As long as Miss Yao remained at the Duke Mansion, both the teacher and his wife couldn’t be at ease. Even persuading wouldn’t do much, just wasting words. It was better to change the subject, distracting them from constantly thinking about it.

"Teacher! I’ve already prepared everything at your residence; let’s head back now! It’s just about lunchtime, and I’ve ordered a table of dishes at the restaurant, ready to eat when we return."

The past days on the ship, no matter how skilled the servants, without ingredients, even they couldn’t create dishes. The journey only allowed two stops for supplies, so they had to buy more during those times.

Knowing that Gu Chengyu also had a restaurant in the Capital, Liang Zhirui nodded repeatedly. During these days on the ship, he felt his mouth had gone dry. Gu Chengyu’s Juxiang Building was famous for its innovative dishes and great flavors, which enticed even someone like him.

The Liang Mansion had a five-courtyard house in the north of the Capital, bestowed by the Emperor, hinting at Liang Zhirui’s grandeur in those days.

However, the Emperor’s temperament became eccentric in recent years, treating Liang Zhirui not as favorably as before.

Especially since Liang Zhirui often warned the Emperor of the harm of elixirs, which made the Emperor irritated just by seeing him, eventually leading to the Emperor not retaining him when he resigned, instead approving it.

Yet, this house wasn’t reclaimed. The Ministry of Internal Affairs proposed twice to the Emperor, but he didn’t reclaim it. Over time, the matter faded away.

Liang Zhirui certainly wouldn’t foolishly insist on returning it to the Emperor, using it as his residence in the Capital, saving the hassle of moving.

In fact, Gu Chengyu thought the Emperor still had some affection for Liang Zhirui. The approval of his resignation might have been impulsive, and he might have regretted it afterwards.

But this was an Emperor; as a Minister, if you didn’t yield, the Emperor would certainly not bow to you.

Moreover, capable people weren’t lacking in the court; the Emperor didn’t necessarily need you. Perhaps in a few more years, the Emperor’s affection for Liang Zhirui would completely wane, and this house would have to be returned to the court.

After a seven-year absence, Liang Zhirui returned to this house. He gazed at the carved eaves and painted corridors and the Hanging Flower Gate in front of him, recalling the most glorious days of the mansion.

Back then, visitors came to his mansion in an endless stream, and the servants were busy all day long, creating a lively atmosphere.