Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 544 - 380: Are you a child of Changqing’s family?

Gu Chengyu escorted Ye Zhiqiu back to the Ye Family, and then returned to the Gu Mansion.

Just as he arrived at the mansion entrance, he heard Ming Yan’s surprised voice, "Sir! Look, isn’t that the person who often wanders in front of the mansion?"

Ming Yan had just driven the carriage to the front of the Gu Mansion when he saw a man standing at the main gate, gazing at the mansion. His scrutinizing eyes, from head to toe, left an odd impression.

Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu also lifted the curtain to look outside.

Indeed, a man about fifty years old stood at the mansion gate. He wore a blue indigo wrap-over short coat, the fabric worn and slightly faded, but without patches.

Gu Chengyu merely glanced at the man’s attire, then focused on his face, finding him oddly familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.

But Gu Chengyu had a good memory; if he had met him, he should be able to remember. Suddenly, he thought of someone.

He hadn’t met him before; he just resembled that person greatly. Lowering the carriage curtain, Gu Chengyu pondered this in his mind.

This man stood in front of Gu’s father’s door, looking at this high gate, with large households, could it really be this one? But everyone entering or leaving this family did so in carriages, he couldn’t see the owner’s face, therefore he couldn’t be certain.

Moreover, these near surroundings hosted big families; even if he wanted to inquire, he couldn’t find anyone. The neighbor’s maidservant often came out to shop, but she was a snob, taking one look at his poverty-stricken appearance and not bothering to acknowledge him, even rolling her eyes before striding away.

Thus, he had been wandering at the mansion gate for several days, too afraid to approach and ask, fearing a mistake. Today, however, he’d resolved to ask.

He frequently saw this carriage coming and going in recent days, which should belong to the mansion’s owner. As the gatekeeper opened the side door, Ming Yan was about to drive the carriage inside. He signaled the gatekeeper with a glance and jerked his chin towards the man.

The gatekeeper glanced over and saw the man again. Catching on immediately, he quickly stepped forward to intercept him.

To their surprise, the man seemed intent on not leaving today, staying put. Seeing the gatekeeper approach, he hurriedly moved forward, calling out, "May I dare to ask if the owner is from Shanhe Town of Jingyuan Prefecture?"

Sitting in the carriage, Gu Chengyu heard this and realized this man must be that person without a doubt. He must have come to the Capital, but why come here instead of Shangling Village?

The Gu Family’s roots and ancestral land lay in Shangling Village, with only him and Gu Wanqian in the Capital. This man’s intentions seemed dubious, and how had he found them?

Regardless, since the other party asked, Gu Chengyu couldn’t ignore him. Mishandling it could spell trouble if those Imperial Censors exploited a loophole.

Ming Yan halted the carriage and turned back to look. His master was indeed from Shanhe Town of Jingyuan Prefecture, but he had no clue who this person was—perhaps a fellow villager? Ming Yan mulled it over, not recalling ever seeing this person.

Even less need to mention members of the Gu Family; Ming Yan had seen them all and was sure none matched this figure.

"Sir! What do you think?" Ming Yan, uncertain, sought guidance from Gu Chengyu inside the carriage.

"Instruct the steward to bring the person to the outer courtyard hall; I’ll be there shortly." Gu Chengyu closed his eyes, contemplating the man’s intentions, hoping it didn’t turn into a big mess.

Ming Yan found it peculiar—did his master know this person? He relayed the instruction to the gatekeeper, then drove the carriage through the side gate.

"Hey? Wait a moment!" The man tried to stop the carriage; if it went in, wouldn’t his trip have been in vain again?

"Sir, please don’t worry, our master invites you in for a discussion." The gatekeeper did not look down upon the man’s humble attire, considering he was a guest their master wished to see.

Moreover, the mansion’s outer manager repeatedly emphasized that regardless of whom—no disrespect shall occur. Any snobbery was to be severely dealt with.

The man was taken aback—were they inviting him in? Had the person inside the carriage recognized him? He’d gathered some intel over the past few days: this master might be with the Gu Family, but who in the Gu Family held an official position? His heart skipped; it’d been so long since he’d returned—had the Gu Family become prosperous?

The gatekeeper suggested he rest briefly by the side entrance while he went to fetch the outer courtyard’s steward.

Gu Chengyu returned to his quarters, discarding his official uniform. Ever since Ji Fuhu was sent away, he’d moved back to his own quarters. The front courtyard’s rooms were somewhat smaller than the inner courtyard, not as comfortable.

The inner courtyard consisted of separate small courtyards, with a study beside the bedroom—saving him the inconvenience of running to the outer study bright and early for calligraphy practice.

Lichun hurriedly stepped forward to take Gu Chengyu’s official uniform and hung it properly, handing him a bean-green round-collared robe edged with white embroidered bamboo leaves. Gu Chengyu casually donned it, causing Lichun to pause her approaching steps to assist him, then turned to hand him his pocket and other items.

Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but sigh; females were more meticulous. Not that Ming Mo and the others served poorly; they were attentive. Yet men couldn’t match women in meticulousness.

Lichun had managed the room well, with a keen eye for clothing and accessory combinations, tactful and efficient. Gu Chengyu found these qualities satisfactory.

Gu Chengyu proceeded with Ming Mo to the outer courtyard, where Steward Chen immediately approached, "Sir! The person is already waiting in the hall."

Gu Chengyu nodded and proceeded towards the hall. As soon as he entered, he saw the man sitting rigidly, not daring to move, staring blankly at the ground.

Upon hearing footsteps, the man raised his head to see an aristocratic youth, hastily standing from his chair.

Gu Chengyu said nothing, sitting directly at the head of the table, his gaze sharp as he examined the man, leaving him unsure of how to respond.

"Are you a child from Changqing’s family?" The man hesitated but decided to speak.

"May I ask who you are? And what’s your relationship with the Gu Family?" Instead of answering directly, Gu Chengyu inquired about the man’s background.

Seeing Gu Chengyu’s cold demeanor, the man felt a wavelength of resistance, yet mustered courage, "Gu Changqing is my younger brother. I am Gu Changbai."

As soon as he said this, Ming Yan was startled. That long-unseen second uncle from the Gu Family had appeared, coming to the Capital? This situation seemed rather fishy. If in search of family, wouldn’t he head to the hometown first, where most of the Gu Family resided, unless by coincidence in the Capital?

"You claim to be Gu Changbai. What proof do you have?"

Gu Chengyu could tell he was Gu Changbai, but his arrival seemed suspicious; reuniting with kin without proper caution was risky. He had never met his second uncle, only hearing about him from his father briefly. Over the years, who knew what kind of person Gu Changbai had become?