Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 509 - 345: Coming to Pick Up Someone

"This is a letter from my master, the second young master of Marquis Zhan’s Mansion, Lu Chen. Please inform your master that my master is here to escort the young master to a separate courtyard."

The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Lu Chen’s handsome face from behind it.

Upon seeing the owner of this carriage, the doorman, recognizing his extraordinary nobility, dared not delay, fearing this might be their master’s distinguished guest.

"Please wait at the side door, I’ll inform him at once!" The doorman wanted to invite the guest into the side door to rest, but saw the guest wave his hand.

"Tell your master I’m waiting outside; there’s no need to enter the mansion. I will visit another day. It’s getting late, so it’s better to depart soon."

Lu Chen intended to take Gu Chengyu to the Fourth Prince Mansion. The Fourth Prince had been mentioning it for two days. Initially, they planned to meet at a tea house but later thought it would be better to go directly to the Fourth Prince Mansion.

The doorman quickly ran to see the main steward of the outer courtyard and conveyed the message. The steward, surnamed Chen, was about forty years old and used to be a minor government steward. Gu Chengyu had checked and found no suspicious identity, so he trusted him to manage the outer courtyard.

As he was the steward of the outer courtyard, he also had the authority to inform Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu usually stayed in the outer study. Although the second courtyard was tidied up, he rarely went there. Now that Miss Ji was staying in the second courtyard, Gu Chengyu seldom entered the inner courtyard to avoid suspicion. The inner courtyard was separately divided, but it was still the second courtyard.

Gu Chengyu had previously arranged for Ming Mo and others to tidy up a room in the outer courtyard, and that was where he temporarily stayed.

As Gu Chengyu moved from the bedroom to the study, he saw a bowl of steaming lily seed soup on the study table. He rubbed his forehead; every day it was either soup or porridge. Could he say he was now afraid at the sight of these?

Twice a day, morning and evening, it was truly terrifying. Ming Yan, who was following the troubled young master, could only cover his mouth to avoid laughing out loud.

"Young Master! Miss Ji sent this over and asked you to drink it while it’s hot." Ming Yan emphasized the phrase "drink it while it’s hot." For Miss Ji’s relentless daily actions, Ming Yan was indeed impressed.

"Call Lichun here." Gu Chengyu took a deep breath; nowadays, Lichun was assisting Mrs. Liang in managing the affairs of the inner courtyard.

Since Ji Fuhu was only lodging temporarily, she was a guest, so how could she cook in person for the host every day? Wouldn’t that be neglecting her?

"Yes!" Ming Yan also noticed that the young master seemed reluctant to have too close contact with Miss Ji. Although he didn’t understand why the young master redeemed her and then treated her as a mere ornament, the young master must have his reasons.

Steward Chen hurriedly arrived and, upon seeing Gu Chengyu, promptly paid his respects.

"Young Master! There’s a guest at the side door who sent a letter, claiming to be the second son of Marquis Zhenyuan Mansion. He says he’s here to take you to some separate courtyard. What do you think?" Steward Chen handed the letter to Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu opened it and, sure enough, it was from Lu Chen. Why did he come so early? Moreover, he came directly to his mansion. Wasn’t it initially agreed to meet at the tea house? Could it be that plans have changed?

"Why not invite him to wait in the flower hall?"

"Young Master, Mr. Lu said it was getting late, so he wouldn’t enter the mansion." Steward Chen respectfully replied.

"Alright, go tell him I’ll be there soon." Gu Chengyu had no idea what Lu Chen had planned, but at most, it was just gathering with some literati!

Gu Chengyu was already dressed in his outfit to go out, planning to take a carriage to the tea house. Since the guest arrived, he decided to handle matters here first before leaving.

"Young Master! What would you like me to do?" Lichun was unsure of what was happening; it was rare for the young master to call her to the outer study.

"Don’t let Miss Ji go to the main kitchen anymore. Tell the cooks not to randomly accept silver. Though she’s just lodging here, she is still a guest. Inform the servants not to treat her with neglect."

Gu Chengyu spoke about this matter but didn’t wait for Lichun to respond before straightening his attire in preparation to head to the side door.

"Yes!" Lichun felt a chill, realizing the mansion’s cooks were shallow-minded. Miss Ji relied on the monthly silver given by the young master for her expenses; how much could she spare for tips? Serving in the young master’s room, she had no knowledge of the outer study, yet it seemed as if soup was sent there?

Watching Gu Chengyu tidy his robes, Lichun naturally stepped forward to assist. Ming Yan, arriving from the side, blinked. Such tasks were usually done by Ming Mo and himself; when did Lichun start doing them so meticulously?

Gu Chengyu wasn’t used to the closeness of a woman. For years, he had been attended by Ming Mo and others, and he was slightly uncomfortable, so he gently pushed Lichun away.

Lichun, being pushed aside, naturally stood at the side without a trace of embarrassment.

The young master would get used to her presence eventually; years of habit could not be changed overnight. Once accustomed, it would become natural.

Ming Yan raised his eyebrows slightly, suspecting that Lichun had her own thoughts.

Unbeknownst to Gu Chengyu, who only wished to quickly reach the side door, he couldn’t keep the guest waiting for long.

Lu Chen, feeling somewhat bored, fiddled with a tea cup, pondering how to tell Gu Chengyu about going to the Fourth Prince’s place.

Gu Chengyu had not yet taken the Imperial Examination, so being too close with the Prince was not favorable. That was why he came to escort him personally. Even if others noticed the carriage from the Fourth Prince Mansion, they would see it was from their Marquis Mansion, and it should be fine for Gu Chengyu to ride with him.

"Brother Lu!" Lu Chen immediately recognized Gu Chengyu’s voice at this sound.

Gu Chengyu was still a young man, and his clear, gentle voice always made others feel as if they were bathed in spring breeze.

Raising the curtain, upon seeing, who else could it be but Gu Chengyu? At first sight, Lu Chen’s eyes brightened; Gu Chengyu was dressed in a sky-blue round-collared robe today, lending his youthful face a gentle and handsome charm.

During their last encounter at Tianxiang Pavilion, Lu Chen had noticed that Gu Chengyu was exceptionally good-looking. Of course, Gu Chengyu was renowned in the Capital not only for his talents but also for his appearance.

Before seeing him, Lu Chen had thought it was an exaggeration, but after their meeting, he realized it was genuinely deserved.

"Brother Gu, come on up." Lu Chen repeatedly gestured for Gu Chengyu to get into the carriage.

Gu Chengyu had already instructed Steward Chen to have someone drive the carriage. What did Lu Chen mean by asking him to get on? Was it to share a ride? Wouldn’t that be inappropriate?

"Brother Gu, no more questions. Just get on board. The carriage is spacious, plenty of room for both of us." Without waiting for Gu Chengyu to refuse, Lu Chen urged him on.

Gu Chengyu, having no choice, climbed into Lu Chen’s carriage. Once inside, he stepped onto a patterned carpet without pause and seated himself on one side of the carriage.

Ming Yan, seeing the young master board the carriage of Marquis Zhan’s Mansion, was momentarily stunned. Watching as the driver was about to head out of the mansion, Ming Yan quickly jumped onto the carriage seat and sat beside the driver.