Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 98 Gu Tingye returns, Qi Heng joins
At the same time, in Yuyang, Sheng's house.

The old lady in the eldest house looked at the letter that Shulan had sent over at full speed, and her hands holding the letter kept shaking.

Seeing the old lady like this, Li frowned and asked anxiously, "Mother, what happened? Did Shu'er get wronged?"

"This... shouldn't be the case. I think Brother Han is the most steady..." Sheng Wei also looked worried.

Pinlan was so anxious that she stamped her feet. "Grandma, please tell me something!"

"See for yourselves."

The old lady exhaled, slowly handed over the letter, and kept stroking her chest with her other hand.

After a moment, the three of them suddenly looked up, widened their eyes, and looked at each other in disbelief.

Sheng Wei's lips trembled and the letter paper in his hand rustled.

"I've heard about this matter outside these days, but I didn't expect it to be Brother Han!"

Youyang is just a small county under the jurisdiction of Jiangning Prefecture, so news is inevitably delayed.

A few days ago, when Sheng Wei was having tea with several officials from the county government, he heard them briefly discuss this matter.

But he ignored it and never dared to think about Zhao Han.

"No wonder my elder sister earnestly advised me to marry Shu'er to her grandson-in-law as a concubine. She still has our eldest son's family in mind!"

"Thanks to the blessings of our ancestors, Shu'er is so lucky!" The old lady said in a deep voice, with a sharp light flashing in her eyes.

Pinlan took a deep breath, her heart beating fast.

"Prince... I actually asked him to play polo with me earlier!"

"Incredible, incredible, is this true?"

Sheng Wei glanced at her and said quietly, "Your second sister wrote this herself, how could it be fake?"

"But why do I feel like I'm dreaming..." Pinlan muttered softly.

Li pursed her lips and said softly, "Shu'er is able to do this, this time thanks to Second Uncle's family."

"Let's send more silver this year as a thank you gift."

"That's right." Sheng Wei nodded repeatedly, looking as if he had not yet recovered from his shock.

At this moment, a servant came forward and said, "Master, Madam, Sun Zhigao wishes to see you."

"I couldn't beat him away with my broom this time. He said that if he didn't see the master today, he would spread the news that you took the second daughter as a concubine throughout Yuyang."

That day, after Sun Zhigao's marriage proposal failed and he left in anger, he secretly vowed to study hard.

I hope to pass the imperial examination in the future so that the Sheng family, who flatter the powerful and look down on the weak, will regret it forever!
But after only three days of hard study, he gave up.

He continued to follow a group of friends who claimed to be literati and scholars to drink and visit prostitutes.

He had squandered the last few taels of silver he had gotten from the Sheng family, and was now being chased by the gigolos from Qianjin Pavilion to collect debts.

He knew that the Sheng family was a wealthy and prestigious family in Youyang and that they valued face the most. Seeing that his humble pleas had failed, he wanted to use this news to control the Sheng family.

At first, Sheng Wei did not want this matter to be publicized, but things are different now!

He stood up and said, "I'll go see him. This guy is becoming more and more shameless!"

Pinlan loved to watch the fun the most. Without waiting for Li to speak, she picked up the hem of her skirt and followed Sheng Wei.

Outside the gate of Sheng's house, Sheng Wei stood on the stone steps, looking down at Sun Zhigao.

Sun Zhigao's clothes were disheveled, his hair in a loose bun, but he still forced himself to act like a scholar. He put his hands in his pockets and squinted his eyes, saying, "Uncle! How could you be so cruel as to let our second daughter become someone's concubine?"

"Youyang City isn't a big city. If people knew that you, uncle, sold your daughter for fame and fortune, and that the eldest daughter of the Sheng family willingly became your concubine..."

Before Sun Zhigao finished speaking, Sheng Wei sneered.

"It's not your turn as an outsider to tell me who my daughter of the Sheng family should be betrothed to!"

Sun Zhigao rolled his eyes and said shamelessly: "Uncle, I came here today and only want fifty taels of silver!"

"Otherwise, I will go to teahouses and taverns and tell everyone about the Sheng family selling their daughter for fame and fortune!"

"Your fourth daughter will only be someone else's concubine from now on!"

Pinlan, who was hiding behind the door, was furious when she heard this and rushed out, "Sun Zhigao, you are so shameless!"

"It's true that my second sister was a concubine, but she married the prince recognized by the current emperor!"

"If you have the guts, go ahead and spread the word! Let's see who's more shameless!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Zhigao stumbled back a step, frowning and looking at her in disbelief, "Prince... this is impossible!"

"Your Sheng family is not that great, yet you still want to marry a prince? Dream on!"

A hint of approval flashed across Sheng Wei's eyes, and then he said in a deep voice: "Pinlan, go back."

Pinlan glared at Sun Zhigao with disdain before turning around and going back home.

Sheng Wei stood with his hands behind his back and said in a strong voice, "You hang out in brothels and other places every day, so I'm sure you've heard some rumors."

"My Shu'er has received this honor thanks to the blessing of our ancestors and the care of God."

"Brother Gao, you passed the imperial examination at the age of twelve. You are a gifted and intelligent person with a bright future."

"I see that your family is poor, and I have helped you in every way over the past few years. I have never lacked pens, ink, paper, and inkstone, clothes for all seasons, and a monthly allowance."

"But you, instead of being grateful, are even more demanding!"

"Now you dare to act wildly in front of my Sheng family! You have completely forgotten the most basic sense of honor for a scholar!"

"I advise you to be more sensible, otherwise my Sheng family has plenty of ways to make sure you can't stay in Youyang!"

Sun Zhigao saw that Sheng Wei's tone did not sound like he was bluffing.

Cold sweat suddenly broke out on his forehead. He was stunned for a long time, looked at him hatefully, and then left unwillingly.

As Sheng Wei watched Sun Zhigao's retreating figure, he secretly wondered if Sun Zhigao would one day actually pass the imperial examination and enter officialdom, and if so, would he come to take revenge on the Sheng family? After all, not long after Sun Zhigao was born, a renowned fortune teller from Youyang had examined his birth chart.

He was immediately surprised to find that the boy had a full forehead, a square chin, clear eyebrows and eyes, a straight nose and a square mouth, which was an excellent appearance.

With the help of Wenquxing, he will surely become a high-ranking official in the future.

Thinking of this, Sheng Wei clenched his fists and immediately sent his trusted servant to pay more attention to Sun Zhigao's movements.

-

A few days later, Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng set off for Jiangning.

Gu Tingye also returned to Bian Jing with Shi Tou, exhausted. After putting down his luggage, he held a banquet at Fanlou that night and invited Zhao Han to come without even taking a rest.

Fanlou is brightly lit, with the sounds of stringed instruments and a faint fragrance floating in the air.

In the private room on the second floor, the candlelight flickers red.

Gu Tingye, who was wearing an indigo brocade robe and had a hint of fatigue in his eyes, saw Zhao Han.

He immediately raised his wine cup and said respectfully, "Your Highness, I was blind to the truth and treated you as my brother. I was so arrogant and shameless. This is an unforgivable sin!"

Zhao Han laughed out loud, took his seat, and also picked up the wine cup.

"In that case, I will punish you by saying that you are not allowed to return home until you are completely drunk tonight!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Tingye said mischievously, "It seems that Your Highness wants to kill me!"

The two of them exchanged greetings for a while when Qi Heng and Bu Wei hurried over.

As the autumn examination was approaching, Princess Pingning had not allowed him to come to Fanlou, a place for pleasure, not to mention that it was Gu Tingye who sent the invitation.

When she learned that Zhao Han was also there, she reluctantly let him go, but still reminded Qi Heng to be sure to return home before the hour of Xu.

After all, Qi Heng is the only hope of the entire Qi family!
"Yuan Ruo greets His Highness, and Uncle Gu, I hope you are well."

Qi Heng bowed to everyone one by one, with a bright smile on his gentle and handsome face.

Gu Tingye acted like an elder, looking Qi Heng up and down. "It's been a few years since we last met. Yuan Ruo has grown quite a bit taller!"

"You are quite good at being the second uncle." Zhao Han said softly, holding the pot to fill the newly added wine glass.

Seeing this, Qi Heng's smile widened, "Second Uncle Gu is still as charming as ever!"

After he took his seat, Gu Tingye's eyes, which always had a hint of cynicism, now flashed with eagerness.

"Your Highness's heroic deeds in the northwest have been well-known to Zhong Huai even though he is in the academy."

"One day in the future, Zhong Huai is willing to serve Your Highness at his service!"

Zhao Han looked up at him. Gu Tingye was an upright and honest man, proficient in both civil and military affairs. He was a rare pillar of talent.

So, he said in a deep voice: "Okay, in the future, let's work together to pacify Xixia and recover Yanyun!"

Qi Heng followed suit and said, "Your Highness has such great ambitions. Yuan Ruo admires you deeply!"

"When I pass the imperial examination next year and enter the government, I will do my best to contribute my humble efforts to the court."

Zhao Han remembered that Qi Heng passed the imperial examination for the second time in spring and started as a sixth-rank counselor.

Although he was not as good as Changbai, he was able to enter the cabinet and inherit the title due to his talent and family background, which did not disappoint Princess Pingning's painstaking cultivation.

"Then it's settled!" Zhao Han smiled calmly and patted his shoulder.

After three rounds of drinking, Qi Heng asked, "Second Uncle, now that the Autumn Examination is over, are you still going back to White Deer Cave?"

Gu Tingye picked up the wine glass, pondered for a moment, and shook his head: "I haven't decided yet."

When Qi Heng heard this, his eyes lit up and he leaned forward.

"In that case, why don't you come with me to study at Master Sheng's house? I believe you have heard of Master Zhuang's great name."

"Although Master Zhuang is strict, his explanations of the classics are insightful and profound. I have benefited greatly from this in the past few years."

After weighing the pros and cons, Gu Tingye turned to look at Zhao Han.

After all, the Sheng family is a family of upright people. He was worried that his reputation would be ruined, and the Sheng family and Zhuang Xuejiu would be unwilling to accept him as a student.

Zhao Han immediately understood and smiled slightly, saying, "If you are willing to stay in Bianjing to study, and wait until you pass the autumn examination, I will personally guarantee you. Your father-in-law will definitely not refuse my favor."

"Thank you, Your Highness. I will stay indoors from now on. This time I will try my best to pass the exam!" Gu Tingye bowed with gratitude in his eyes.

At the Ningyuan Marquis Mansion, Xiao Qin was kneeling in the ancestral hall with her mother.

A gust of evening breeze blew by, and the candlelight on the altar swayed violently, causing my mother to shiver unconsciously.

Little Qinshi didn't move at all, she just raised her eyes slightly and looked at the tablets of the ancestors of the Gu family.

"Did you see what Erlang looks like today? He's hooked up with the prince and walks with the wind." Xiao Qin sneered, with a hint of gloom in her eyes.

He whispered to his mother, "Don't be angry, Madam. My second brother just got lucky."

"How can he be our opponent? When has he ever made a difference in your hands in all these years?"

Xiao Qin sighed softly, "Erlang has grown up now. Those sweet words can't coax him anymore."

"Da Lang's health is getting worse day by day, but the old Marquis is still strong enough to make new achievements in the northwest."

When Xiang's mother heard this, she frowned and felt a chill in her heart.

After looking around, he lowered his voice and said, "Madam, please don't say these things in the ancestral hall. This old slave..."

"What are you afraid of?" Madam Qin interrupted her mother, pointing to the layers upon layers of ancestral tablets belonging to the Gu family in front of her.

"What can these wooden stakes do to me?"

"It was the Gu family who ruined me first. One day, I will make them pay with blood!"

(End of this chapter)