CHAPTER 199: CHAPTER 33 GU WANQIAN

April, the season when flowers bloom dazzlingly and willow branches sway gracefully, with distant mountain peaks enveloped in layers of verdant green and the fragrance of flowers permeating everywhere.

Gu Chengyu lifted the curtain of the carriage and gazed at the myriad of vibrant colors along the path, feeling that the floral fragrance had permeated his heart and soul!

"Young Master! It will take more than two hours to reach the Prefecture!" The carriage driver was Gu Chengyu’s follower Ming Mo, previously selected as Ding Qi, and Ding Shisan had been renamed as Ming Yan, but was not brought along this time.

"Hmm!" The Prefecture is much farther than the county town; they had set out early in the morning.

Gu Chengyu glanced at the silent young boy sitting in the corner of the carriage and sighed!

This child is his clan nephew, two years older than him, sent by Uncle Gu with much persuasion. His name is Gu Wanqian, his family has been living in dire straits, and several years ago, his parents succumbed to serious illness, leaving him to depend solely on his grandmother. However, recently his grandmother became too frail to sustain them, so she pleaded with the clan to find a compassionate household where he could work for some food!

Uncle Gu is the Clan Leader, and now the village chief, isn’t he obliged to handle such matters? Mr. Gu’s house is considered the most prosperous among the Gu Family, so they took him in. Considering his similar age to Gu Chengyu, they thought he could serve tea and do the work of an attendant student, without the need for a monthly salary, just some food to avoid starvation.

Gu Chengyu strongly opposed this, having never heard of a clan nephew serving as a follower to a clan uncle. He was willing to support with some Silver, but resented receiving someone. However, Uncle Gu insisted that youngsters serving elders was quite proper and left him no choice.

In fact, Uncle Gu mainly thought Gu Chengyu was promising; having a clan nephew work was better than buying help, at least family is preferred! In ancient clans, typically one person’s success could drive the development of the entire clan.

Gu Wanqian possesses some delicate features, yet prolonged malnutrition has led to his face looking very sallow, and his body weak. He was sent yesterday afternoon, arriving clad in patched coarse clothes, naturally unfit to wear. New clothes couldn’t be made in time, so he donned Gu Chengyu’s old garments that happened to fit, thinking to buy suitable ones upon reaching the Prefecture.

Given another person, Ming Yan couldn’t be brought, so steady Ming Mo was chosen by Gu Chengyu.

Recalling Uncle Gu, Gu Chengyu thought of the past village chief, Lin Lize. Lin Lize’s greedy actions amounted to quite a sum for tenant families! Discovering evidence, Gu Chengyu didn’t report to the government; actually, isn’t every village chief greedy? Government wouldn’t bother with Lin Lize’s minor thefts. Gu Chengyu merely showcased the proof to Lin Lize, scaring him into relinquishing his position.

Gu Chengyu hinted to Mr. Wang to recommend Uncle Gu. He didn’t aim for any benefits, just for Gu Family to have convenience in village dealing later!

Who realized that yesterday a trouble would be delivered? Nonetheless, Gu Wanqian was sensible enough, fairly perceptive, and swift in work. He didn’t speak much but was understanding.

The carriage was somewhat shaky; Gu Chengyu wasn’t reading. This trip to the Prefecture was for a government examination, they bought a carriage, which was much faster than the previous ox cart.

"Young Master! It’s noon, why don’t we rest and have some dry food?" Ming Mo loudly consulted from outside!

"Alright! Find a clean spot." Gu Chengyu wasn’t traveling alone to the Prefecture, behind was another carriage carrying Gu Wanhua and Sun Xian. As for others, they traveled separately; He Shunian and Ye Zhiqiu had set off before dawn, they could arrange lodging upon arrival, though Gu Chengyu knew they wouldn’t take advantage of him.

Sun Xian was no longer an outsider; a month ago, both families agreed that after the government examination, he would return and become engaged to Gu Wan!

Ming Mo found an open space, shaded by trees, comfortable for resting!

Gu Wanqian didn’t need instruction, having already taken down a blanket and food, arranging them on the blanket.

Ming Mo, having just parked the carriage, saw Gu Wanqian almost finish the work, feeling quite agitated! He was the master’s servant, supposed to take care of the master’s needs, initially intended to accompany the master alongside Ming Yan, yet this boy replaced him, competing for tasks all the way, rendering him, the official servant, useless.

These roles were unclear; neither servants nor superiors knew how to interact with Gu Wanqian. The master hadn’t decided yet.

"Chengyu! How long until arrival?" Sun Xian felt rattled; even in a carriage, after two-plus hours, they hadn’t reached the Prefecture!

"Little Uncle! This carriage isn’t much more comfortable than an ox cart!" Gu Wanhua descended from the carriage, massaging his waist, cherishing the solidity of the ground!

"Isn’t it because you’ve sat too long? This carriage is rented, naturally less comfy than our own; if you’re tired, you can squeeze with me this afternoon! Reaching the Prefecture would likely take another couple of hours!"

Gu Chengyu, possessing inner strength, found it acceptable, "Quickly have some dry food! We’ll need to continue soon!"

Before departure, he had the Dumb Granny, who came back for cooking, prepare dried pork, along with cakes and buns and bread cakes, sufficient for the journey, ensuring enough was brought for everyone!

"Little Uncle! Your maid’s cooking really is tasty! These dried meats are full of flavor!" Gu Wanhua eagerly devoured the meats.

"Wanqian! You and Ming Mo join us to eat!"

"Young Master! I’ll eat here! I have dry food!" Saying this, he started eating his dry food; it was prepared separately by the Dumb Granny, containing meat! He was a servant; how could he sit at the same table with the masters? That’s the rule!

Seeing him eat, Gu Chengyu didn’t insist!

Gu Wanqian was readying to eat with Ming Mo when Gu Chengyu called him unexpectedly.

"Wanqian! Come over!" Gu Chengyu wouldn’t consider his clan nephew a servant, planning for future arrangements.

"Uncle! Eating here works as well!" In truth, Gu Wanqian was swallowing by looking at the food on the blanket, but he was there to serve the uncle; his granny said to stay at Gu’s Family, he must be obedient and perceptive!

Gu Chengyu frowned slightly, "Come over!"

With Gu Chengyu insisting thus, Gu Wanhua joined in, encouraging Gu Wanqian to come and eat!

Ming Mo observed Gu Wanqian sitting on the blanket to dine, settling his mind. Seems they should treat Gu Wanqian more properly; Gu Wanqian differed from them, merely being servants.

Once they reached the Prefecture, the twilight glow was already fading, night had already passed!

"Ming Mo! Here!" He Shunian awaited at the Prefecture gate, surveying the area; he and Ye Zhiqiu calculated the hours, believing Gu Chengyu should be arriving about then, and waited by the gate, with Ye Zhiqiu overseeing the luggage at the inn.

Sure enough, wasn’t that Ming Mo ahead? Ming Mo was familiar to him, naturally recognizable.

Ming Mo noticed He Shunian at the gate, immediately driving the carriage his way.

"Young Master He! Were you waiting here specifically? Quickly board the carriage!"

"Is it Brother He? He indeed arrived before me!" Gu Chengyu lifted the curtain and saw He Shunian standing by the carriage.

Trying to board, He Shunian remarked, "Barely early before you! I had Junior Brother Ye overseeing the luggage at the inn!"