After Grand Tutor Qin finished his conversation with Yan Huisheng about the assassination attempt on Princess Qingping, the subject of Zhou Gu came up.
He looked at Yan Huisheng, "After the exam, that child Zhou Gu disappeared. The old Duke told me he planned to refuse official positions and take a trip after the exam. Do you agree with him, Your Highness?"
Yan Huisheng briefly responded, "I rarely venture beyond Capital City. I once went to Jiangzhou, where I saw a relatively prosperous life. I know though, in the vast area of Daliang, there are many places struck by disasters, poverty, and hardship. People lack warm clothes and full meals. It’s good that Zhou Gu has ambitions to see these sights. After all, travelling thousands of miles is far more insightful than going through thousands of books. When he returns from his journey, he will know better about how to be a good official."
Grand Tutor Qin sighed, "I have been looking forward to him becoming useful for some time now, and now if he leaves, your Highness has no one to lean on."
Yan Huisheng smiled, "Don’t worry, Grand Tutor, I have others to depend on."
Grand Tutor Qin looked at him puzzledly.
Yan Huisheng said, "I will leave Su Xingze in Capital City."
Grand Tutor Qin, who had not met Su Xingze yet, doubted, "Yes, this eldest son of the Su family indeed has a reputation and has been tutored by Master Xie. He is also living in Shen Xian’s Residence and enjoys his protection. However, Inspector Su Xu of Jiangzhou has not made it clear whether he will take your side. Now that his daughter has broken her engagement with Zhou Gu, will this Su Xingze turn to you? Will he stay neutral like Shen Xian?"
Yan Huisheng shook his head, "No, Su Xingze will choose me."
Seeing his conviction, Grand Tutor Qin did not ask further, "As long as your Highness has thought it through."
He then mentioned Yan Huisheng’s marital plans, "Since the exam results have been announced, it’s time to arrange your marriage. The Eastern Palace cannot be without a Crown Princess. Have you decided on your choice?"
Two or three months had passed since he last asked.
Yan Huisheng shook his head, "I’m not in a hurry, let’s wait a bit!"
Having no choice, Grand Tutor Qin gave up.
Back at Duke Residence, upon hearing the news of the assassination attempt on Princess Qingping, Zhou Gu’s brow wrinkled and he asked Ziye, "Did anyone get hurt?"
Ziye understood who he was referring to, "Lady Su Qi was not injured."
Zhou Gu glared at him, about to retort that he wasn’t asking about her but changed his mind. He turned back and sat at the table, frowned and said, "How many years has it been? Princess Qingping has offended many, but she has never been openly attacked. Yet now someone dares to plot against her in broad daylight. How peculiar."
Ziye nodded, gleefully, "Indeed! Especially since Princess Qingping recently offended the Crown Prince. At this point, the Crown Prince is likely caught in the crossfire. Even if he didn’t do it, he is now probably under suspicion. I bet he’s cursing whoever did it inside his mind."
Zhou Gu agreed, "It shouldn’t be the Crown Prince, he wouldn’t dare. And even if he did, he wouldn’t be so bold."
Ziye said, "We don’t know who it was, but according to the reports, the arrow flew fast and sharp. If it hadn’t been for Fen Ling knocking it down, the Princess would’ve been seriously injured or worse."
Zhou Gu hesitated at this, "You’re saying the arrow was knocked down by Fen Ling?"
"Yes, Jingzhao Prefecture is currently borrowing him to assist in the investigation." As Ziye had just freshly gathered the information, he relayed it clearly, "When the attack happened, all the guards from the Princess Residence were stunned. Only Fen Ling reacted promptly."
Zhou Gu’s brow furrowed, "What was Su Rong doing at the time?"
"Lady Su Qi?" Ziye shook his head, "I’m not sure."
Zhou Gu suddenly rose from his seat and marched towards the door.
Ziye hurriedly followed, "Young Master, are you leaving the Residence?"
Zhou Gu waved his hand, "I’m going to see my grandfather."
Ziye stopped in his tracks.
Upon arriving at the old Duke’s study, Zhou Gu found him talking to the housekeeper. Upon seeing him, the housekeeper withdrew and closed the study door behind him.
Zhou Gu didn’t say a word, but stared intently at the old Duke.
The old Duke glared back, "Brat, why are you staring like that? If you have something to say, say it." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
Zhou Gu asked directly, "When Su Rong came to cancel the engagement that day, why did you so readily agree? I heard it was her mother and you who determined our engagement. You never told me what the cause was, since the engagement has been called off, can you tell me now?"
The old Duke didn’t expect him to bring this up just a few days after the cancellation of the engagement. He twirled his beard, "Now that the marriage is canceled, why are you digging it up?"
Zhou Gu replied, "Just tell me."
The old Duke stared at him, "What if I don’t?"
"Then I’ll ask grandmother."
"What if she doesn’t tell you?"
"Then I’ll go to Jiangzhou and ask Uncle Su, and ask Master Xie. I don’t believe they won’t tell me." Zhou Gu didn’t mention asking his mother. If neither his grandfather nor grandmother would tell him, he was confident he wouldn’t be able to get an answer from his mother either.
The old Duke growled, "Why don’t you go ask Su Rong?"
Zhou Gu sneered, "Do you want me to ask her?"
The old Duke was taken aback, his beard twitched. After a while, he pointed at Zhou Gu, "With your impatience, you are not fit for a great undertaking. What do you want me to tell you? That day when Su Rong came to call off the engagement, you could have sat down, talked and weighed your options. Instead, you insist on putting a cold face, threatening people. In the end, did you succeed? And why did you not do anything in the days before she came to break the engagement? You clearly anticipated something unusual when she came to the Capital City and stayed in the Princess Residence instead of the Duke Residence. You could have visited her and dissuaded her from the thought of breaking off the engagement, or prevent her from calling it off. But you did nothing. You were upset and proud, waiting to see if she dared break off the engagement. Subsequently, when she showed up, you were angry and unwilling, but what is the result? Anyway, you couldn’t keep the marriage."
Zhou Gu remained silent, standing there, biting his lower lip and did not utter a word.
"If you have the courage, go ask in Jiangzhou yourself!" Having finished his rant, the old Duke said, "I can tell you, her mother made a prior promise if Su Rong wished to break off the engagement one day, I had to agree. I’m an old man, I promised back then, and now the young lady showed up to break off the engagement, how could I go back on my words? No matter how good the lady is, if she is not willing to marry you, I can’t lower my pride to help you insist."
Zhou Gu stood still, unmoving.
"Get out! Where is your pride from before? Since you were proud before, you might as well continue, at least this way you’re consistent," the old Duke sounded like he regretted showing Zhou Gu compassion on the day of the breakup. He now seemed to find Zhou Gu annoying.
Zhou Gu’s expression flickered, and after a moment, he turned and walked away.
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