Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 553 - 389: Waiting for the Opportunity

Gu Chengyu speculated that the aristocratic families had already been significantly weakened. Among the noble sons and younger generations, few were talented, and most had already shown signs of decline. Whether Emperor Huiming had a hand in this, Gu Chengyu did not know. Nor was he aware if there were any who pretended to be foolish but were wise within these families, hiding their talents and biding their time.

He only knew that Xia Qing’s power had made the Emperor start to become wary. Now, the Emperor would surely support an official or family to counterbalance Xia Qing, wouldn’t this be the best opportunity for him to climb upwards?

Gu Chengyu felt that the Emperor had been quite satisfied with him previously, and with this analysis, he couldn’t help but feel restless. He forcibly suppressed the restlessness in his heart and took a deep breath. He mustn’t be impatient, just wait, wait for a few more days. If the Emperor still doesn’t think of him, then he’ll have to find a way.

Now the most important thing was to dispel Zhang Hai’s prejudice against him. As long as he gained Zhang Hai’s favor, his chances of being noticed by the Emperor would be greater. Otherwise, like now, staying in this dim Wenhua Pavilion organizing books, who would still remember him?

Gu Chengyu made up his mind and then put the book in his hand back in place.

"Sir! Following your method, we’ll be done with the organization today." Gan Dianji, looking at the freshly renewed bookshelf, felt instantly refreshed.

"Hmm! Everyone has worked hard these past few days. Today I have brought more food over to reward everyone." Gu Chengyu said with a smile to the three of them.

In fact, organizing the books was the most exhausting for these three people, as moving them up and down was quite laborious. Gu Chengyu merely talked and wrote some notes.

Gu Chengyu was hosting today because these three indeed worked hard over the past few days, and also because the books here had been organized and needed Gan Dianji to report it. If Gan Dianji kept delaying the report, wouldn’t he end up staying in this Wenhua Pavilion until he doubted life?

Although there were quite a few books in Wenhua Pavilion, many of which Gu Chengyu was interested in, staying here for years on end wouldn’t exactly be joyful.

For midday meals during this period, Gu Chengyu usually stayed in Wenhua Pavilion to eat, not going back to his office. Thus, when Gan Dianji and the others heard Gu Chengyu was hosting, their eyes lit up brightly, looking over in unison.

Gan Dianji had long been craving Mr. Gu’s meals, which arrived every day with a balance of meat and vegetables, full of color, aroma, and taste, comparable to the Juxiang Building in the Capital.

"How could I accept this? This is all part of my duty. It was already quite unsettling for you, sir, to handle it personally. If you keep saying such things, it’s truly embarrassing for me." Having spent a few days with Gu Chengyu, Gan Dianji discovered him to be a dependable person.

After coming to Wenhua Pavilion to organize books, he showed not a hint of discontent, and was quite courteous to them, the lower officials. He didn’t look down on them for being insignificant junior officials, which made Gan Dianji and Zhou Shushu much more comfortable.

Initially, there was resentment about coming to Wenhua Pavilion to organize books. There was nothing they could do, having not been favored by superiors and being sent here left them without a word to say, though there was some inner bitter frustration.

The past few days’ interactions have greatly increased their favor towards this newly appointed superior, with a feeling of mutual sympathy and shared adversity.

Gu Chengyu also knew these three thought he was being suppressed and they showed him some sympathy. He didn’t mind, as his current situation was indeed unfavorable.

"Today’s work is finished, and once Gan Dianji reports it, this official might be assigned elsewhere. We’ve all gotten familiar these past few days, so there’s no need for formalities with me."

After Gu Chengyu said this, he looked at Gan Dianji. This was meant for Gan Dianji to hear, as he wanted to test when he planned to report it.

While Gan Dianji might have a somewhat unsavory appearance, he was very shrewd and could certainly hear Mr. Gu’s underlying meaning.

"Then we will accept it openly, perhaps by tomorrow Mr. Gu won’t have such leisure time to chat with us juniors."

Gu Chengyu, upon hearing this, knew Gan Dianji understood his meaning. Seeing the other side was quite sensible, he didn’t say more. Although he could report it himself, it wouldn’t be as persuasive as Gan Dianji reporting it.

"Grandpa, who exactly is the nephew you found? Where is little brother now?" Gu Wanfang put down the book in his hand and asked his grandfather.

He had already asked yesterday, but Grandpa wouldn’t say. He thought that uncle’s family’s situation must not be too bad, otherwise why would they offer fifty taels of silver at once?

As for why they came to the Capital, he was somewhat puzzled. Little brother was taken away by someone, and Grandpa only said that little brother was in the Capital, and that the elder sister who was abducted years ago was also in the Capital.

Grandpa resigned from the second uncle’s family and hurriedly brought them to the Capital. He only took the family’s silver coins, leaving the two acres of land unattended.

He has yet to explain what exactly happened, why is little brother in the Capital? And they’ve been in the Capital for quite some time, why haven’t they seen little brother? Grandpa brought them to the Capital, but instead of looking for little brother and elder sister, he went to find some relatives of the Gu Family.

Regarding the Gu Family, Gu Wanfang naturally heard from Gu Changbai. Gu Changbai said that it was poverty that forced them to leave their hometown and move to the Yingnan Mansion. But now Grandpa says he’s looking for Gu family relatives in the Capital, and even brought back fifty taels of silver.

Isn’t this contradictory? Grandpa is hiding too much from him, leaving him a bit confused. Originally, he was indifferent to outside matters, but now with little brother’s whereabouts unknown, he has lost the heart to study.

Father has passed, and mother has remarried. As the eldest son in the family, he must take care of his younger siblings, otherwise, how could he live up to the spirit of his father in heaven?

Previously, with Grandpa’s care, he didn’t need to worry, merely focusing on his Holy Books. But now, with little brother missing, how could he calm down to study?

Gu Changbai looked at the young man in front of him dressed in a moon-white cross-collar fine cotton robe, washed so much it was faded, and felt a pang of sourness in his heart. The eyebrows, somewhat similar to the departed eldest son, reminded him of him. Xiao Yao was taken away, how could he not be anxious?

But anxiety was useless, as the mysterious man said, as long as he cooperated, Xiao Yao would be fine, and could even live well, eating good food, like children from wealthy households, living a life of abundance.

But this was contingent on their obedience, and now he could only do as the mysterious man instructed.

Thinking of that imposing figure, Gu Changbai couldn’t help but remember. The third child truly had a good son, who would certainly bring glory and success for Gu Chengyu.

He admitted that Changsun was clever with his studies, but unfortunately, the family was poor, unable to afford a good teacher, otherwise, he would’ve passed the Scholar exam long ago.

However, compared to Gu Chengyu, Changsun was still far from being comparable.