Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 545 - 381 Gu Changbai

Gu Chengyu said this because once he recognizes him immediately, he would have to bring him back to the mansion. This person’s purpose is unknown, and hastily bringing him back is indeed inappropriate. It’s better to observe for a while, and there’s no rush to acknowledge kinship.

The question left Gu Changbai stunned. He searched his belongings and finally discovered he didn’t have the travel permit with him, unable to prove he was indeed Gu Changbai.

"I have the travel permit, just not with me right now. It’s at the inn. Wait for me to go back and bring it for you to see." As he spoke, Gu Changbai was about to turn around and head back to retrieve the travel permit.

"Hold on! Even if you have the travel permit, who knows where you got it from? You say you are my Second Uncle, but my Second Uncle went to Jiangnan to enjoy life. And you..."

Gu Chengyu looked Gu Changbai up and down, the implication being why did he appear so downtrodden?

Gu Chengyu wasn’t making this up. He had heard his father mention it, saying that Second Uncle Gu went to join his brother-in-law who was doing business in Jiangnan. He even mentioned that the brother-in-law was quite successful in business, perhaps not extremely wealthy, but still well-off.

Logically, Second Uncle Gu shouldn’t be living such a destitute life, yet now he appeared in this state.

"That travel permit was mine at the time." Gu Changbai felt a bit frustrated. He had just noticed that Gu Chengyu referred to him as Second Uncle, which meant this was truly Changqing’s child.

How could Changqing have such an older son? Back then, it wasn’t until over a year after Changqing got married that he left his hometown. He had seen what Changqing’s wife, He, looked like. The young man in front of him bore no resemblance to He; her face wasn’t even as decent as Zhou Zheng.

Although Changqing’s facial features were somewhat better than his and his older brother’s, it could only be considered proper. Compared to the young man in front of him, it was vastly different, and he couldn’t quite understand it.

"So, tell me how you found this place?" Gu Chengyu had no doubt about whether he was Gu Changbai because his face bore a significant resemblance to Gu Changsong, making it clear they were brothers.

What intrigued him was who had prompted Gu Changbai to appear and what his purpose was in seeking him out. Otherwise, how would Gu Changbai know he was in the Capital without returning to Shangling Village? And he couldn’t say Gu Changbai had been living in the Capital prior, as that wasn’t possible because Gu Changbai had a travel permit.

Moreover, Gu Changbai had just mentioned that he was staying at an inn.

Upon hearing this, Gu Changbai suddenly recalled something. His eyes turned slightly red, and looking at Gu Chengyu, his expression was filled with grief.

"I lived in Yingnan Mansion. Several years ago, my family’s eldest son left, leaving behind a grandson and two granddaughters. But my eldest granddaughter was kidnapped by a child trafficker during a lantern festival on the street when she was five. Just recently, that child trafficker supposedly appeared in Yingnan Mansion again and was caught by Lord Prefect of Yingnan Mansion. Later, it was said my eldest granddaughter was sold to the Capital. I came to find family with my family members."

As Gu Changbai spoke, tears streamed down his face, and he repeatedly lamented for his poor eldest granddaughter.

Gu Chengyu was shocked upon hearing this; it was truly a melodramatic twist! Could it be what he was thinking?

"Later, I inquired in the Capital and learned that she was at Tianxiang Pavilion. I tried to redeem her and found out that my eldest granddaughter had been rescued by you. Unexpectedly, the deluge surged into the Dragon King Temple, and you turned out to be Changqing’s son."

Gu Changbai wiped his tears with his sleeve, speaking with relief.

"What do you mean ’boy’? He is already an official of the court, so mind your words." Ming Mo frowned; he feared that Gu Changbai might use the authority of an elder to assert himself.

At the same time, he also thought of who that person might be. Could it be Hua Lian, the one who was rescued and sent away?

Gu Chengyu, however, was not concerned about this at the moment. Gu Changbai claimed to have come to the Capital to find his granddaughter, who ended up in a brothel. Yet, Gu Changbai’s family persisted in their intention to take her back. This was hard for him to believe.

From aristocratic families to common folks, a woman’s chastity was held in high regard. Women from a brothel, regardless of whether their bodies were tainted, typically weren’t redeemed by their families, and they might even disown them.

Alternatively, those from wealthy families might redeem them only to send them to a family temple, a nunnery, or worse, drive them to death because they felt they couldn’t afford the loss of face.

But Gu Changbai’s willingness to redeem her, not minding the shame, was puzzling. Additionally, how could he be so certain that he was Gu Changqing’s son? There was no resemblance between him and his father.

Even if he had inquired, how could he have acquired such detailed information? With so many Gu family members, how could he be certain he was from Changqing’s family?

"Ah, nephew, you’re really successful now, already an official of the court?" Gu Changbai shed his earlier careful demeanor, becoming more relaxed in his speech and gestures.

"How did you know I was from Changqing’s family?" Gu Chengyu stared intently at Gu Changbai, not missing any subtle facial expressions.

"Well... of course, I found out from inquiries." Gu Changbai hesitated in the middle of his sentence, and his gaze was somewhat evasive. Seeing this, Gu Chengyu squinted his eyes, sensing something was off.

"You say you’re my Second Uncle, then tell me, why did you lose contact with the family for decades after going to Jiangnan?" Gu Chengyu threw out another question, which left Gu Changbai a bit embarrassed.

Back then, he had taken his eldest son and wife to seek refuge with his brother-in-law. Upon reaching Jiangnan, he was overwhelmed by its prosperity. His brother-in-law was skilled in business, and they lived well for a while, thanks to him.

Later, his brother-in-law got him into trading, but he didn’t have the capital, so he followed his brother-in-law twice, earning some hard-earned money. Then his brother-in-law was defrauded, lost money, and their lives became difficult.

The eldest son got envious of others’ success in trading and went on his own a few times before earning enough money. However, when he wanted to start his own business, he was brought back dead by acquaintances the first time.

The eldest son was gone, and the daughter-in-law ran off with someone else. In the end, the grandson left behind by the eldest son could only rely on his uncle for support.

As for how they came to the Capital and discovered the eldest granddaughter’s situation, there was a lot to explain.

"It’s my fault; I didn’t make a name for myself in Yingnan Mansion, and felt embarrassed to send news to the family. So, I’ve been putting it off, and this time, because my eldest granddaughter was brought back by you, I’ve come to recognize kinship."

Gu Chengyu somewhat believed Gu Changbai’s explanation, but he was sure Gu Changbai was still hiding many things, like where he got his information.

Gu Changbai said it was the Magistrate who caught the child trafficker, and this was easy to investigate. But Gu Chengyu wouldn’t inquire about it, as it was surely true, but it seemed too coincidental, making him suspicious.

"You say your eldest granddaughter was rescued by me. What if you’re mistaken?" Gu Chengyu had already devised a plan. He certainly couldn’t let Gu Changbai stay in the mansion since he was unsure of Gu Changbai’s intentions and had to proceed with caution.

If it was just some personal scheme, it would be fine. But if it involved the court, then it must be handled with care.