Chapter 265: New Year’s Visit Chapter
Zhou Shennian sat in the cart, his brows tightly furrowed.
The cart jolted, rolling over a low stone step and onto the stone bridge leading to the Prince’s Estate villa.
Zhou Shennian was jolted forward and, snapping out of his daze, knocked on the cart door and ordered, “Circle the villa once before returning.”
“Ah!” The servant sitting at the front of the cart exclaimed in surprise, then looked troubled. “Master, circling the villa once would take until the latter half of the night! Besides, we can’t get through the water wharf over there…”
“Then circle half of it and enter through the east gate!” Zhou Shennian impatiently interrupted the servant.
The cart slowly turned to the east gate. Zhou Shennian alighted, hands behind his back, brows furrowed. Midway, he stopped beside a cluster of vibrant peonies, staring blankly at them for a long while. He suddenly stomped his foot, turned, and strode towards Chunhui Courtyard, where Gu Yan resided.
Gu Yan had just returned and changed his clothes. He took the tea and, noticing the two deep lines etched between Zhou Shennian’s brows, gestured for him to sit and asked casually, “Didn’t you say you’d be back very late? Why are you back so early?”
Zhou Shennian had taken leave from him yesterday, saying he would be chatting with some old friends.
“The ones who invited me weren’t just a few old friends, but also Mr. Dongxi,” Zhou Shennian said, holding his breath slightly as he watched Gu Yan.
Gu Yan looked up at Zhou Shennian and softly said, “Oh.”
He had heard of this Mr. Dongxi.
In his previous life, it seemed around this time, it was He Chengzhe who had spoken the name Mr. Dongxi to him.
He Chengzhe had looked at him and asked, “Does Young Lord know of Mr. Dongxi?”
He had shaken his head blankly. He Chengzhe’s disappointed and contemptuous expression was still as clear as if it were yesterday. At that time, he was vigorously pushing through his new policies at the Maritime Tax Bureau, feeling triumphant and full of spirit. He Chengzhe’s question and expression had sent a chill down his spine. After He Chengzhe left, he had someone inquire about this Mr. Dongxi.
“Mr. Dongxi? I think I’ve heard a few things. Is he a recluse?” Gu Yan asked casually, with a hint of uncertain laughter.
“He is a master. As for being a recluse…” Zhou Shennian paused, then after a moment, took a breath and looked directly at Gu Yan. “Within a month of me joining Young Lord’s service, Mr. Dongxi invited me to meet him. The following month, he invited me to his riverside thatched cottage for tea.”
Gu Yan’s smile slightly faded. He put down his cup and looked at Zhou Shennian.
“To be honest, Young Lord, the first time I received an invitation from Mr. Dongxi, I was so excited I couldn’t sleep all night,” Zhou Shennian said, his expression somber.
Gu Yan stared at Zhou Shennian’s face, waiting for him to continue.
“This time, it was also Mr. Dongxi’s invitation. Mr. Dongxi asked me about your intentions regarding Miss Li. Mr. Dongxi said that if you intend to marry her, he plans to take Miss Li as his final disciple to inherit his legacy,” Zhou Shennian said to Gu Yan in one breath.
Gu Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly. After a moment, he chuckled, “A recluse, what legacy does he have?”
Zhou Shennian swallowed and looked at Gu Yan, forcing out with some difficulty, “The scholars in the south have many grievances about the Spring Imperial Examination’s selection of officials. Does Young Lord know about this?”
Gu Yan frowned slightly, looking at Zhou Shennian, and remained silent.
“Not only the Spring Imperial Examination, but in the nearly hundred years since this dynasty unified the world, no one from the south has ever served as Prime Minister. Seventy percent of those who have become ministers are from the north, as are most of the heads of departments. Mr. Dongxi believes this is because the south is the former territory of the Liang Kingdom, and the court suppresses the south.”
Zhou Shennian finished in one breath, looking at Gu Yan. He paused, then continued, “Mr. Dongxi is also extremely worried about Young Lord’s current rectification of the Maritime Tax Bureau, fearing that the court will increase its suppression of the south, making the future even more difficult for the scholars of Jiangnan.”
“Does Minister Wang know this Mr. Dongxi?” Gu Yan asked, meeting Zhou Shennian’s gaze.
“Minister Wang has a staff member named Zong Simo, who is a disciple of Mr. Dongxi,” Zhou Shennian replied.
Gu Yan hummed, “What do you think?”
“Does the court truly intend to suppress them?” Zhou Shennian asked Gu Yan after a moment of silence.
“The Spring Imperial Examination does indeed have quotas for each region. If there were no quotas, and selection was based solely on the quality of essays, what do you think would happen?” Gu Yan asked.
Zhou Shennian sighed. In his youth, he had been extremely indignant about this. In recent years, especially since following the Young Lord, he had gained a higher perspective and understood the unavoidable circumstances and a different kind of fairness involved.
“Doesn’t that Mr. Dongxi understand this?” Gu Yan asked.
“Mr. Dongxi feels it is too biased and detrimental to the cultivation of scholarship. The court should select more southern scholars, improve their learning, and then educate the north,” Zhou Shennian replied.
“What do you think?” Gu Yan continued to ask.
“Education is a very difficult matter,” Zhou Shennian vaguely replied.
“Mm, regarding taking A Nan as a disciple, is Dongxi asking you to tempt me or persuade me?” Gu Yan changed the subject.
“Mr. Dongxi believes that Young Lord would certainly not know of a reclusive scholar like him, and even if he heard of him, he would likely dismiss it. He said there was no need to let Young Lord know about taking Miss Li as a disciple,” Zhou Shennian said, his words carrying hidden depths.
“You seem to have thought a lot on the way back from Dongxi’s place,” Gu Yan said with a smile.
“Yes,” Zhou Shennian replied with a wry smile. “Originally, as I am now under Young Lord’s service, everything should be prioritized for Young Lord, and I shouldn’t consider other matters. But Mr. Dongxi… alas, my family has lived in Jiangnan for generations, and I have indeed thought a lot. I beg Young Lord’s understanding.”
“That is only natural. For Mr. Dongxi to come and tell me these things is to transcend personal and regional interests. Regarding the matter of apprenticeship, what does Mr. Dongxi think should be done?” Gu Yan asked, looking at Zhou Shennian.
“I dare not accept the title!” Zhou Shennian, startled by Gu Yan calling him “Mr. Dongxi,” quickly stood up and gave a deep bow with cupped hands.
Gu Yan looked at Zhou Shennian with a hint of amusement, tapping his fingers on the high table. “Sit down, sit down!”
“Yes,” Zhou Shennian quickly sat down, instinctively wiping his face. “I believe this is an opportunity. Mr. Dongxi knows of Young Lord…” Zhou Shennian’s tongue seemed to tie itself. “He knows a great deal about Young Lord’s past affairs in the Capital City. Mr. Dongxi looks down on Young Lord somewhat.”
“Does he still now?” Gu Yan raised an eyebrow.
“Yes. Mr. Dongxi believes that the most difficult thing for a person is to know and change oneself. If Young Lord were to undergo a life-or-death transformation, or a change of family ruin or national destruction, perhaps he could become a different person from before, but…” Zhou Shennian spread his hands and gave a dry laugh.
“That is very true. Please continue,” Gu Yan said with a half-smile.
That statement was indeed very true!
“Mr. Dongxi also knows a lot about Miss Li. However, Miss Li grew up among the villagers of Mengmei Village, and those villagers couldn’t say much. Mr. Dongxi thinks of Young Lord and Miss Li as, well, well…”
“Doesn’t take them seriously,” Gu Yan finished for Zhou Shennian.
“Mr. Dongxi greatly admires Miss Li’s talent in Investigation of Things,” Zhou Shennian added with a smile.
“It’s a good thing that Dongxi looks down on him like this. Please continue,” Gu Yan gestured for Zhou Shennian.
“I also believe this is an excellent thing. Mr. Dongxi wants to use Miss Li to reach out to Young Lord, treating Miss Li and Young Lord as puppets to manipulate. Young Lord can also use Miss Li to reach out and control the situation,” Zhou Shennian said.
Gu Yan hummed, then after a moment, nodded. “I’ll think about it further.”
Wishing everyone a smooth and prosperous Year of the Gui Mao, with happiness, health, and great fortune!
Mm, I’ve rested enough, and I’m starting to update.
