Do you know: I am Qi Heng

Upon hearing this, Sheng Changbai remained silent for a moment before saying, "Is Zhonghuai really leaving? Why not stay in Bianjing, study with me and Yuanruo, and participate in the imperial examinations together? That would become a celebrated story in the future."

"Brother Zecheng is right."

Qi Heng chimed in, "Second Uncle, why don't you stay?"

Whether Gu Tingye leaves or not is not really his concern.

However, with Gu Tingye gone, many things will likely continue as before.

The Qi family's future crisis actually has two aspects.

On one hand, he married the Princess of Jiacheng County, and on the other hand, Zhao Zongquan succeeded to the throne.

The simplest way to avoid both of these is for the official to have a son.

Qi Heng didn't know if Old Madam He's treatment of Empress Cao could change this situation.

He didn't dare to gamble.

Gu Tingye was key to Zhao Zongquan's arrival in Bianjing; without his persuasion, Zhao Zongquan would not have come to the capital.

Therefore, Qi Heng wanted to change some of Gu Tingye's trajectory so that he could make some adjustments based on future developments.

Despite their persuasion, Gu Tingye remained unmoved, shaking his head and saying, "Let's not talk about this anymore. Shitou, go and urge them to send the food and wine. Why haven't they arrived yet?"

Seeing that Gu Tingye was unwilling to listen, Sheng Changbai hesitated for a moment and then did not try to persuade him further.

Qi Heng wasn't in a hurry, since Gu Tingye would come back later anyway. He and Zhao Zongquan met during his second trip away from the capital, not now.

Perhaps the Emperor already has a son before he even returns to the capital.

Before long, the food and drinks were served. Qi Heng refused to drink and ate the food while chatting with the two.

Gu Tingye was preoccupied, and he kept drinking cup after cup of wine. In less than half an hour, he was quite drunk and spoke less cautiously.

"When I was eight years old, I accompanied him to the palace to participate in the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. In front of all the officials, I performed martial arts for the Emperor. After receiving the Emperor's praise, I asked the Emperor for a reward."

Gu Tingye's eyes were blurry with drunkenness, and a hint of sarcasm appeared on his lips: "I thought this would earn me a compliment from him, but... but I still only get a cold look."

I've never understood why he... was so cold to me, and he started to give up on himself after that incident. This, in turn, changed his attitude towards me.

Although it was a reprimand, it was better than the previous coldness.

In just a few short years, I became the number one playboy in Bianjing. Now I realize how ridiculous I was. Do you think I can still stay in Bianjing?

"Zhonghuai, you're drunk."

Sheng Changbai advised, "Drink less."

He wasn't actually surprised by what Gu Tingye said.

Upon learning that the wealthy Bai family of Yangzhou was actually Gu Tingye's maternal clan, Sheng Changbai guessed that there was something fishy going on.

It's almost outrageous that the eldest son of a marquis would marry the daughter of a merchant as his principal wife.

Moreover, Gu Tingye only went to Yangzhou after Old Master Bai passed away, and only Gu Tingye from the Gu family went there, which in itself says a lot.

However, he was not a gossipy person and never inquired about these things in Yangzhou.

"I'm not drunk!"

A hint of hatred flashed in Gu Tingye's eyes as he gritted his teeth and said, "Can you believe there's such a father in this world? They say even tigers don't eat their cubs, but he's worse than an animal!"

In Gu Tingye's view, what Gu Yankai did and his attitude toward him were more painful than killing him.

"Zhonghuai!"

Sheng Changbai shouted, "You've had too much to drink. That's enough for tonight. Let Shi Tou take you home to rest!"

Parents are never wrong. Even if parents are at fault, children should not hold a grudge according to the principles of etiquette and filial piety.

Not to mention that Gu Tingye directly called his father worse than an animal.

If others were to hear this, it would be considered a crime of filial impiety.

Being unfilial is one of the ten evils, and if investigated, being exiled to the army is considered a light punishment.

"Second Uncle, Brother Zecheng is right. It's getting late, let's call it a night," Qi Heng advised.

He didn't think there was anything wrong with Gu Tingye's insults. Many people might think Gu Yankai was affectionate, but Qi Heng found him disgusting.

Objectively speaking, Qi Heng didn't see anything wrong with Gu Yankai agreeing to divorce his wife and marry Bai Shi, or even being cold to her after marrying her.

The former was due to parental demands, and the latter was due to a family crisis.

At the time, that was the only solution; there was no right or wrong answer.

As for Gu Yankai's coldness towards Bai Shi, that's only natural.

After all, he didn't like Bai Shi, and he was forced into a divorce. The idea that marrying Bai Shi would guarantee marital harmony is utter nonsense.

What's most disgusting about Gu Yankai is that he knew there was something wrong with Bai Shi's death, and he knew that Xiao Qin Shi was plotting against Gu Tingye, but he didn't punish Xiao Qin Shi, nor did he tell Gu Tingye.

It's impossible for Gu Yankai to be unaware. Even outsiders could see that Madam Qin wasn't as kind as she seemed on the surface; as her husband, Gu Yankai couldn't possibly be completely oblivious.

Qi Heng felt that Gu Yankai must have guessed it after Bai's death.

In his eyes, however, Madam Qin was avenging her sister.

Although he didn't want Xiao Qin to do this, he didn't dare to break the ice with her.

After all, his actions were not honorable, and coupled with his sense of indebtedness to the Qin family, he pretended not to know.

That's why Qi Heng felt disgusted.

Gu Tingye had sobered up a bit by now and said, "You guys go back first. I've booked a room at an inn near Fanlou. I'll have another drink by myself."

Qi Heng wanted to say something, but Sheng Changbai shook his head at him, then stood up and said, "Then Yuan Ruo and I will leave first. We'll see you off tomorrow!"

"Okay, I won't see you off." Gu Tingye nodded.

"Yuanruo, let's go," Sheng Changbai said.

"Second Uncle, we'll be going now."

Qi Heng greeted Gu Tingye and then left the room with Sheng Changbai.

Upon arriving at the outer room, Sheng Changbai gave Shi Tou a few instructions, and then left with Qi Heng and his entourage.

"Zhonghuai is in a bad mood, let him drink away his sorrows by himself. With Shitou looking after him, he'll be fine."

Once outside the pavilion, Sheng Changbai saw that the corridor was empty and explained, "This involves Zhong Huai's family affairs, so it's not appropriate for us to offer advice."

Qi Heng pondered for a moment and understood Sheng Changbai's meaning.

Gu Tingye was feeling down, and as his friends, they should have stayed to listen to him and offered him comfort and advice.

But it involves the Gu family's secrets, and they have no way to comfort them.

How can I persuade Gu Tingye not to harbor hatred?

Honestly, they themselves couldn't do the same if they were in that situation.

Conversely, one should not advise Gu Tingye to hate or seek revenge.

Because it does not conform to current values.

According to current ideas and values, even if parents are wrong, their children cannot blame them, let alone hold a grudge.

"Brother Zecheng is truly a gentleman!" Qi Heng exclaimed in admiration after understanding this.

He knew about Gu Tingye's situation, even more in detail than Gu Tingye himself.

So he wasn't curious, but an ordinary person would definitely be tempted to gossip and find out more inside information.

Even if she didn't do that, she would still righteously advise Gu Tingye not to hold a grudge.

In Qi Heng's view, a true gentleman is one who can strictly adhere to morality without being pedantic.

Don't persuade others to be kind to others without suffering.

Many people like to stand on a moral high ground to criticize and attack others.

Even if those so-called great scholars were to judge right and wrong regarding Gu Tingye's situation, they would still advise him not to hold a grudge.