Chapter 283: Schemes
Gu Yan watched Li Xiaonan’s cart leave. He turned to see Zhou Shennian emerge and asked, “Is it recorded?”
“Yes.” Zhou Shennian stepped forward and handed Gu Yan the record of Dong Xi and Li Xiaonan’s conversation he had just compiled.
Gu Yan scanned it, folded it, and called over his trusted servant, instructing him to deliver it to the Crown Prince in the palace immediately.
Zhou Shennian watched Gu Yan give his orders and asked, “What are Young Lord’s plans?”
“Who is in charge of the Lu family in the Capital City?” Gu Yan asked, not answering Zhou Shennian’s question.
“It’s the Lu family’s Second Master, Lu Wentai.”
“How is he? Have you met him? What is your relationship like?” Gu Yan continued to ask.
“I’ve met him a few times. He specifically hosted a banquet to welcome me, so our relationship isn’t that close yet. He’s adaptable and resourceful, good at navigating social circles, though his scholarship is only average,” Zhou Shennian replied cautiously.
“Has he arrived?” Gu Yan gestured towards Fu Yin Hall with his folding fan.
“He has.”
“Good. Go find him. Dong Xi wants to take A Nan as his disciple, and about what just happened, ask him what he thinks and what his thoughts are,” Gu Yan instructed.
“Alright.” Zhou Shennian, with a dawning understanding, took his leave from Gu Yan and went around to find Lu Wentai.
Gu Yan mounted his horse, pondered for a moment, and instructed Wang Gui, “Go to the Pang Residence and ask if Young Master Pang is home. I want to visit him.”
“Yes.” Wang Gui agreed, gathered a few men, and galloped straight to the Pang Residence.
Gu Yan reined in his horse and rode leisurely towards the Pang Residence.
Young Master Pang, sitting in his wheelchair, met him at the courtyard gate of the backyard. Seeing Gu Yan dismount, he cupped his hands and bowed, “Your presence graces my humble abode, Young Lord.”
“I read some of your essays the other day. Not only were the prose elegant, but your scholarship has also greatly improved,” Gu Yan said, looking at Pang Mingxuan’s legs.
“Without the drudgery of official duties, I can finally focus on my studies. It’s thanks to you, Young Lord,” Pang Mingxuan gestured for Gu Yan to enter.
“Have you heard about the literary gathering at Fu Yin Hall?” Gu Yan asked as a servant pushed the wheelchair inside, and he followed, unfolding his folding fan.
Pang Mingxuan looked back at Gu Yan, paused, and nodded, “I just heard.”
“A Nan has a rather carefree nature. If Song Yun had only pointed out her lack of etiquette, she wouldn’t have cared. But Song Yun pushed his luck and started criticizing her two older sisters,” Gu Yan chuckled wryly. “A Nan’s sisters are her soft spot. A Nan is my soft spot. If A Nan hadn’t strongly advised against it, you know my temper.”
Pang Mingxuan leaned back against his chair, remaining silent.
Gu Yan also fell silent.
After walking in silence for seven or eight steps, Pang Mingxuan spoke, “My father wanted me to study diligently for self-cultivation. While my scholarship has improved, my temperament has not progressed at all. I ask for your understanding, Young Lord.”
“Just for these words, your temperament has not stood still,” Gu Yan smiled.
“You flatter me, Young Lord. You are very different from before. They say Prince Rui’s Mansion is blessed with great fortune, and it truly is,” Pang Mingxuan glanced at Gu Yan.
Prince Rui’s Mansion had a deep ancestral legacy, and Jiangnan was particularly fortunate for Prince Rui’s Mansion. These were things his father often lamented recently. It was indeed true.
“It’s quiet there. Let’s go there to talk,” Gu Yan said, pointing to a pavilion on the lake and smiling.
“Alright.”
The servant pushing Pang Mingxuan’s wheelchair brought him into the pavilion on the lake and then retreated to the shore, standing with hands clasped.
Pang Mingxuan looked at Gu Yan.
“In recent years, the most frequent literary gatherings in Jianle City have been among the scholars from Jiangnan, and among them, the scholars from Liangzhe Circuit are the most united,” Gu Yan said, looking at the lotus flowers and leaves swaying in the wind on the lake.
Pang Mingxuan showed a hint of surprise.
“The scholars from Liangzhe Circuit in Jianle City receive some silver from the guild hall every month. During festivals, they get local products from Jiangnan, in winter they get money for charcoal, and in summer, money for ice. Their lives are quite comfortable,” Gu Yan continued.
“The officials from Jiangnan in the Six Ministries are also more well-off than others,” Pang Mingxuan began to understand Gu Yan’s intention.
“If it were just to nurture literary talent, it would be nothing,” Gu Yan said, drawing out his words and looking at Pang Mingxuan.
“I’ve heard my father mention this Mr. Dongxi. He said he has a very high reputation in the Jiangnan literary circles,” Pang Mingxuan also looked at Gu Yan.
“I heard that the Ministry of Rites is discussing reopening the recommendation of reclusive scholars to officialdom, and they intend to recommend Song Yun for an official post,” Gu Yan slowly fanned himself with his folding fan.
“What are your plans, Young Lord?” Pang Mingxuan asked after a moment of silence.
“Reputation is the hardest thing to deal with. I plan to try,” Gu Yan closed his fan.
“Rest assured, Young Lord,” Pang Mingxuan bowed in acknowledgment.
“Prince Rui’s Mansion is blessed with deep fortune, and the Pang family also has a profound ancestral legacy that continues to bring blessings. After this great change, your progress is no less than mine. Congratulations,” Gu Yan nodded slightly.
“You flatter me, Young Lord,” Pang Mingxuan gave a wry smile and sighed.
“No need to see me out,” Gu Yan strode away.
……………………
Inside the palace, in the Zishan Hall.
The Crown Prince pointed at the few sheets of paper Gu Yan had sent and laughed, “This little girl has quite a temper.”
“Song Yun shouldn’t have verbally abused her older sister,” Gu Yan replied with a smile.
“Does Song Yun truly want to take Miss Li as his disciple? You’ve made it public, what are your intentions?” the Crown Prince asked, looking at the last few lines.
“The silk guilds in Jiangnan, in order to pay less tax, have been extensively bribing officials and scholars. In recent years, they have colluded with people like Song Yun, extending their influence further into the imperial court,” Gu Yan’s expression turned serious.
The Crown Prince frowned slightly and grunted.
“With someone like Song Yun, the most difficult aspect of dealing with him is his reputation,” Gu Yan said.
“You plan to use his desire to take Miss Li as a disciple? How?” the Crown Prince’s brow unfurrowed.
“Let him debate with A Nan face-to-face,” Gu Yan said with a smile.
“Is this a tactic used by the scholars of Yunlang Pavilion during Emperor Taizong’s reign to challenge the Hanlin Academy?” the Crown Prince laughed. “I’m just afraid Miss Li won’t be able to match Song Yun.”
“A Nan is very sharp-tongued,” Gu Yan laughed.
The Crown Prince picked up the papers again, pondered for a moment, and laughed, “Being sharp-tongued is secondary. Comparing her to the wife of Prime Minister Wang, Miss Li’s unconventional adaptability is rare. Do you really think it will work?”
Gu Yan nodded.
The Crown Prince weighed it for a moment and nodded, “Even if she loses, Song Yun winning an argument against a young girl isn’t something to be proud of. If Miss Li truly loses, will you really have her become Song Yun’s disciple?”
“Only if Song Yun can convince A Nan wholeheartedly, and if A Nan herself is willing,” Gu Yan spread his hands.
“That’s true.” The Crown Prince thought of Li Xiaonan’s fearless demeanor and chuckled.
Making that little girl wholeheartedly convinced would be extremely difficult.
“At that time, could we ask Prime Minister Wang to lend his support?” Gu Yan asked with a smile.
“That would be best. If Miss Li cannot win, and is unwilling to become Song Yun’s disciple, then you can ask Prime Minister Wang to mentor Miss Li,” the Crown Prince said after thinking.
“Yes,” Gu Yan replied with a smile.
Once, while chatting with Dou, I mentioned that there was no one to reference for my casual writings. Dou said it was because I had no imagination at all.
That statement was very accurate and correct. The characters and plots in my casual writings are all derived from books I’ve read, people I’ve met, and events I’ve experienced. I use pieces from what I’ve seen in books and encountered in life.
