Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 887 - 723: Continuing the Family Line Is of Utmost Importance
He initially didn’t want to mention this matter in front of Yin Kun, but he thought that the teacher also trusted Yin Kun greatly, so the affairs of Duke Zhen’s Mansion would likely not have been kept from Yin Kun.
"What? How is this possible?" Liang Zhirui was greatly shocked, not expecting that old fellow to be so bold, daring to stoke the fire at such a dangerous moment.
"Actually, this matter can be seen from Mrs. Ke’s attitude. If it weren’t for Prince Jing promising her something, or perhaps making some promises to Duke Zhen’s Mansion, would those people let Mrs. Ke speak nonsense outside? Without the Old Duke’s consent, Mrs. Ke wouldn’t dare do this."
Gu Chengyu was only speculating, but he felt he was not far from the truth.
Mrs. Ke was just a stepmother; even if Yao Mengxian was out of favor, she was still the legitimate daughter of the main line of Duke Zhen’s Mansion.
With such a noble status, how could the Old Duke allow Mrs. Ke to ruin the legitimate daughter’s reputation outside?
On usual days, controlling the legitimate daughter’s food and clothing, or finding ways to trouble her were insignificant.
As long as it wasn’t excessive, the Old Duke could turn a blind eye.
This was also why, despite Mrs. Ke’s dislike of Yao Mengxian, she hadn’t dared to go too far.
However, when it came to the marriage of the legitimate daughter, the Old Duke wasn’t muddled to such an extent.
"Are you saying Duke Zhen’s Mansion has already colluded with Prince Jing? But the Old Duke is a shrewd man; how could he stake everything on Prince Jing? This could risk everything, so what exactly did Prince Jing offer him?"
Yin Kun was equally astonished, unable to fathom what Prince Jing, in his current situation, could offer to sway the Old Duke.
"Perhaps there was a transaction between them! It’s something we outsiders wouldn’t know."
Gu Chengyu pursed his lips, not particularly interested in these matters.
"Then what about my Xian, what should she do?" Mrs. Ning worriedly asked upon hearing Gu Chengyu’s words.
Liang Zhirui cast a deep glance at Gu Chengyu, then turned his head to Yin Kun and said, "Bo Wei, my health has improved a lot. It’s already late today, and you have to rise early for court tomorrow, so you should return early."
Yin Kun was taken aback, glancing at Gu Chengyu sitting by the bed.
The teacher didn’t mention Gu Chengyu. Could it be he had something to say to Gu Chengyu alone?
"Alright! Then shall my junior brother leave with me?" Yin Kun asked tentatively.
"Your junior brother just returned from Hejian Prefecture, and I need to ask him about the matters there, so I’ll keep him a while longer."
Liang Zhirui waved his hand, signaling Yin Kun not to say more.
Yin Kun glanced at Gu Chengyu, an idea suddenly occurred to him, then he nodded, saying, "Thank you for your concern, teacher, please rest early and take care of your health. Jinyu, I’ll head back first."
Though puzzled about why the teacher kept him back alone, Gu Chengyu knew the topic next would surely be unsuitable for Yin Kun to hear.
"Take care, senior brother, I’ll see you off!" Gu Chengyu escorted Yin Kun to the main house door before returning.
Liang Zhirui, leaning by the bed, watched the elegant young man approaching him and found it suddenly hard to speak the words rolling on his tongue.
"Do you have something to say to me alone, teacher?"
Gu Chengyu glanced at Mrs. Ning standing aside, but Mrs. Ning avoided his gaze, sitting despondently on the rose chair.
"Jinyu! I still remember when I first took you as my disciple; you were just a child. I didn’t expect that a few years would pass, and you’ve already grown into a young man."
Liang Zhirui’s gaze softened, but his eyes held a peculiar complexity when looking at Gu Chengyu.
Gu Chengyu found it strange why the teacher would suddenly talk about this.
"You’ve matured, but your teacher has aged. I used to often hear people say that when you get old, you like to reminisce about the past. I didn’t think much of it then, but now I feel it really is the way of people."
Liang Zhirui’s gaze dimmed, looking out at the gradually darkening sky, his demeanor melancholic.
"Neither you nor your wife are that old, teacher, so why speak of age? You’re truly sentimental today, don’t think too much. As long as you take your medicine on time, your health will improve. As for Miss Yao’s matter, I’ll think of a way."
Gu Chengyu knew that without resolving Yao Mengxian’s issue, the teacher and his wife would certainly not be at ease.
"This past couple of days, Xian has been confined by Mrs. Ke within the mansion, not allowed to leave easily. Even that old fellow thought Mrs. Ke was right, saying that once girls grow older, they should not go out often, lest rumors spread that they don’t understand the rules."
Mrs. Ning’s gaze tightened as she suddenly interjected, steering the conversation towards Yao Mengxian.
"It’s only natural for aristocratic families to have strict rules, and it’s common for Miss Yao not to leave the house. Don’t worry, after a few days, I’ll find a way to bring her over to stay for a few days."
Gu Chengyu finally understood why the old couple was so anxious. It turned out Yao Mengxian couldn’t leave the mansion, and without seeing her, the teacher and his wife naturally felt even more restless.
"Jinyu! You’re fourteen this year, has your mother begun arranging a marriage for you?"
Liang Zhirui paused, inquiring about Gu Chengyu’s matrimonial matters.
Gu Chengyu was baffled by the question, suddenly realizing the intentions behind why the teacher and his wife kept him back today.
He pondered for a moment, carefully considering how to respond.
Liang Zhirui fixed his gaze on Gu Chengyu’s eyes, dreading a disappointing answer.
"Not yet, I declined the match proposed once before. I just returned from Hejian Prefecture yesterday, and my mother hasn’t mentioned it again."
Gu Chengyu didn’t wish to deceive Liang Zhirui; his mother hadn’t brought it up after he declined the previous proposal.
However, he knew his mother would eventually bring it up because he had already reached the age for marriage.
Not just among the aristocrats, but even in ordinary families, as long as the family was doing well, by fourteen or fifteen, marriage would typically be arranged.
"You don’t want to get married?" Liang Zhirui lightly frowned, uncertain of what Gu Chengyu meant by not wanting to arrange a marriage. Could it be?
He knew Gu Chengyu had several followers around him, yet only two or three maidservants retained solely for managing household affairs.
Gu Chengyu was self-disciplined and hadn’t engaged in any inappropriate relations with the maidservants. Could it be that Gu Chengyu had a liking for boys and wasn’t interested in girls?
Considering this possibility, Liang Zhirui scrutinized Gu Chengyu, noticing his increasingly refined appearance, and couldn’t help feeling worried.
Noticing Liang Zhirui’s peculiar gaze, Gu Chengyu immediately understood the connotation in Liang Zhirui’s eyes.
"I’m still young and only wish to achieve something in my official career. I’m currently just Standard Sixth Rank, and my position is relatively low."
Gu Chengyu gave a brief explanation, yet Mrs. Ning grew somewhat anxious.
"Jinyu, a man should marry, and a woman should wed; it’s the natural order of things. Everything else is merely transient. When you’re older, you’ll realize having a companion makes life interesting. Be it children or others, who can truly accompany you to the end? Don’t be foolish, for your parents long to have grandchildren. Would you bear to disappoint them? It’s better to return to the right path!"
Mrs. Ning knew that among noble sons, many had a fondness for men, but those were mere whims, and ultimately, they still had to return to the proper path.
Which one of those with such whims didn’t eventually marry and bear children? Lineage is a significant matter and cannot be left to youthful whims.
