The person who reported back said: “The Gu family’s eldest daughter is just an ordinary young lady. Due to reputation issues, I hear she still isn’t betrothed. With their family now in a precarious position, no one dares to associate closely with the Gu family…” Not knowing why the Third Master inquired about Gu Jinchao, the person reporting could only try to be as detailed as possible, “Gu Dezhao now realizes the danger and is also seeking protection.”
Chen Yan’yun remained silent after hearing this.
So be it. Since he had already spared the person, he would let it go.
A few days later, he encountered Gu Dezhao outside the Meridian Gate.
He was speaking with another official from the Ministry of Revenue, their voices barely audible.
Seeing Chen Yan’yun’s sedan chair approach, both quickly stood by the roadside and called out “Lord Chen.”
Chen Yan’yun glanced at Gu Dezhao. Gu Dezhao appeared extremely nervous, bowing anxiously. Normally when seeing officials like Chen Yan’yun, they would respectfully call out once and wait for the person to pass, given the vast difference in status. Why was today so unusual…
Gu Dezhao couldn’t help but think of Gu Deyuan being stripped of his position and punished.
“What were you two discussing that made you so happy?” Third Master Chen suddenly asked.
Gu Dezhao was startled by this question. After being nudged by the official beside him, he quickly said: “Oh… it’s this official’s family matters.”
“I heard your elder brother was imprisoned for embezzlement,” said the Third Master.
“Thank you for your concern, Lord Chen. My elder brother indeed behaved inappropriately,” Gu Dezhao’s heart skipped a beat, wondering why the Third Master would ask him this.
The Third Master smiled faintly: “Then Lord Gu should be more careful with his conduct. It’s always good to be cautious in one’s actions. After all, these are turbulent times, wouldn’t you agree, Lord Gu?”
Gu Dezhao forced himself to answer: “This official understands.”
The Third Master nodded and entered his sedan chair.
Gu Dezhao watched as the Third Master’s sedan chair disappeared into the distance before sighing.
The accompanying official asked him: “Lord Gu, when did you become acquainted with the Third Master?”
“How could I know him? I’ve never spoken to him before!” Gu Dezhao shook his head. How could he possibly know Chen Yan’yun?
“I wonder what he meant by those words… Alas! When the Marquis of Changxing was alive, I received no benefits. Now that he’s dead, I must suffer along with him. I don’t know what to say about this…”
The man laughed: “You refuse to admit your foolishness! Now that Lord Chen shows concern for you, instead of seizing the opportunity to build a good relationship with him, you’re complaining that no one can protect you. Do you expect people to deliver protection to your doorstep?”
Gu Dezhao was half-convinced: “But… how can I establish a relationship with Lord Chen…”
The man shook his head: “Forget it, I won’t bother with you. With your attitude, you’ll be a Director for life!”
After hearing this, Gu Dezhao thought for a long time and finally decided to invite the Third Master to a tavern for drinks.
As a result, he waited outside the Ministry of Revenue for a long time, but the Third Master never came out to see him.
When Jiang Yan went to see the Third Master, he curiously observed Gu Dezhao for a while. When he finally reached the Third Master’s presence, he mentioned Gu Dezhao: “Director Gu says he wants to invite you for drinks. Do you wish to see him?”
The Third Master said: “What would I drink with him? He’s merely desperately seeking help.”
Jiang Yan thought this was indeed true—how could the Third Master agree to drink with Gu Dezhao? He had asked unnecessarily.
“Director Gu truly is desperate,” Jiang Yan said with a smile. “I heard he plans to marry his eldest daughter to a Pacification Commissioner from Western Hubei who happened to visit the capital once and will take her back with him. That place in Sichuan and Guizhou is full of treacherous mountains and waters, avoiding tigers by day and snakes by night—who knows what accidents might happen on the way.”
The Third Master put down his brush and asked: “Which Pacification Commissioner?”
“The hereditary Pacification Commissioner of the Qin family from Shishi Wei. You met this person a few days ago, the one who won an arm-wrestling match against the Commander of the Palace Guards but couldn’t even recognize his name.”