Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 312 - 148 Discussing Marriage Matters
"Young Master Gu, trust me, I will do my best. You can expect good news! We and your steward are old acquaintances, so you can rest assured that the land is top-notch, as is the house. How soon do you need an answer?"
Jiang Yazi, after his initial excitement, was filled with determination. The fact that he could agree to this, naturally meant he had his methods.
After hearing this, Gu Chengyu calculated for a moment. He had to return tomorrow, and if time was tight, he could only have Gu Wanqian get the silver for him, as the schedule couldn’t be delayed.
"I need the news before the Si hour tomorrow, how does that sound? Of course, later we will still need to inspect the manor and house. I’ll have my followers call the steward over. For that 200 mu, offering 1,800 taels is no problem, right?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
Gu Chengyu was buying a lot, 1,800 taels for 200 mu, which was a fair price and no one would be getting a bad deal!
In terms of the manor and land, Gu Chengyu couldn’t be more knowledgeable than Yu Tuanzi, who had purchased several times before. It was most appropriate to have him handle it.
"Deal!" Everyone knew the price for that small manor wasn’t yielding much profit.
"However, tomorrow?" Jiang Yazi furrowed his brows slightly, indeed it was a bit urgent. But he still planned to give it a try. How can a duck that’s in hand be let to fly away?
"Then tomorrow it is. I’ll take your steward immediately to view the land and house. If satisfied, I’ll negotiate by afternoon!"
After Yu Tuanzi arrived, Gu Chengyu played the role of a hands-off shopkeeper. Before he left, he instructed that if the 200 mu of land was satisfactory, to immediately pay the silver.
He didn’t want this counted in the shares; he wasn’t foolish. He handed over 1,800 taels to Yu Tuanzi, with the land contract to be settled the next day!
Yu Tuanzi always admired his master’s bargaining skills, his method seemed like a loss, but if he could reduce a thousand taels of silver, it was worth it.
In fact, the five-year term had ended, but Yu Tuanzi had no intention of leaving Gu Chengyu.
Without Gu Chengyu, he would be nothing. How could he continue to be Yu the steward, sought after wherever he went?
Especially after knowing the poison Gu Chengyu had previously was merely a trick, his loyalty became even more steadfast.
Though Gu Chengyu was someone who would resort to any measures for his goals, his conscience remained, and he valued emotions and loyalty, where else could one find such a good master?
Gu Chengyu did not take the carriage and strolled leisurely back to the inn. Along the way, he bought a few trinkets that young girls would like, which were for Little Yue at home.
Returning to the inn, he knocked on the door of the opposite room. As he was about to go back to handle marriage matters, he felt there were things he needed to discuss with Sun Xian.
Sun Xian opened the door and saw Gu Chengyu standing outside.
"Back already? Did you visit your elder brother’s house? Have you eaten?" After letting Gu Chengyu in, Sun Xian closed the door and began to pack his belongings.
At this moment, Ye Zhiqiu had also awakened, though he was still somewhat groggy.
"I’ve been there, ate some biscuits for lunch. Tonight, I’m having dinner with our eldest brother. Is Brother Ye feeling better? You don’t handle your drinks well, do you? Drunk after so little!" Gu Chengyu watched Ye Zhiqiu, with amusement, as he tried to get up from the bed, holding his head, clearly still dizzy.
"Stop it, my head is splitting. Had I known, I wouldn’t have touched that damned wine. You’re lucky, being younger, no one forces you to drink! But don’t be so smug, in three years, the spring examination is coming, and you won’t escape it!"
Ye Zhiqiu retorted with a hint of irritation, embarrassed at being teased by Gu Chengyu.
"I have some hangover soup. Have Ming Mo prepare a bowl for you! It will make you feel better, and since we have to leave tomorrow, it won’t do to get seasick with a headache, it’ll be pure misery!"
Ye Zhiqiu gave Gu Chengyu a strange look, for Gu Chengyu’s usual character, he would have simply had Ming Mo deliver the hangover soup.
When Gu Chengyu winked at him, he understood immediately. This was an excuse to have a private conversation with Sun Xian! What would warrant such an alone talk? It must be about Gu Chengyu’s second sister, right?
Ye Zhiqiu sensibly got up, "I’ll go check on Ming Mo then."
Sun Xian, more experienced in manners and social etiquette than Ye Zhiqiu, understood that Gu Chengyu wanted to talk privately as soon as Gu Chengyu spoke.
After Ye Zhiqiu left, he stopped what he was doing, sat across from Gu Chengyu, and poured a cup of tea for both of them, "Go ahead, what do you want to talk about?"
The two were quite familiar with each other, Gu Chengyu was direct, "Now that the Autumn Examination is over, do you have any plans moving forward?"
"As for the spring examination in three years, I don’t have much confidence." Sun Xian took a sip of tea, looking at the cup in his hand.
Gu Chengyu was genuinely surprised, "What do you mean?"
"Despite my apparent top ranking in this autumn examination, I know luck played a big part. I have little confidence for the spring examination in three years, thinking I won’t make the list."
Sun Xian knew his own abilities well. Honestly, he was just as surprised by his high ranking in the autumn examination; he did not expect not only to pass but also to secure a good position.
He was well aware, luck might not favor him in the next spring examination, and he was acutely aware of his own shortcomings.
Gu Chengyu truly possessed talent and knowledge. Whether in civil exam questions or poetry and songwriting, he excelled in all. However, he too lacked confidence in the spring examination.
Hearing this, Gu Chengyu became quiet for a moment, "No matter what, as long as you’ve given your best effort, that’s what matters."
Sun Xian chuckled, "It’s not that I’m worried my little brother-in-law would think I’m merely a scholar, unworthy of your second sister."
Gu Chengyu laughed heartily, "A scholar is already quite impressive, why would I think that? Furthermore, it’s not like you’re planning to stop taking exams."
"Are you planning to study in the capital then? Are you going to apply to an academy? In our Jingyuan Prefecture, there’s no academy good enough to teach you, Mr. Scholar." Gu Chengyu teased, aware that Jingyuan Prefecture’s school was not suited for a scholar.
"Ye Zhiqiu and I have already decided, we’ll find a better academy to study. You have a teacher recommending you to the Imperial College, don’t let your teacher down!"
Sun Xian naturally felt envious of the Imperial College’s position, but he also knew it wasn’t the same as a local school’s admission, requiring recommendations to get in.
Gu Chengyu’s teacher had already retired, and getting Gu Chengyu into the college was no easy feat. They had already received plenty of help from Gu Chengyu on a daily basis and couldn’t overreach.
"I heard the Boshan Academy in Capital is very famous, you could give it a try!"
The two chatted for a while about their future studies, then moved on to discuss Sun Xian’s upcoming marriage.
"Since you plan to study in the capital, what will happen to my second sister? Do you plan to leave her at home?"
Gu Chengyu asked because Sun Xian’s family was currently building a house. He worried that his second sister would be left in the village, living with her mother-in-law, while the couple lived apart, which could weaken their relationship.
"I haven’t figured it out yet. I was thinking of taking Wan’er to the capital with me. But I’m worried about leaving my mother alone at home." Sun Xian also felt conflicted talking about this, as no one wanted to be separated from their new bride right after marriage.
"Then why not bring Auntie to the capital with you? The pickled vegetable business can also be done in the capital, where the demand might be greater." Gu Chengyu was slightly displeased; if Sun Xian were to leave his second sister in the village, he felt this marriage needed reconsideration.
