When Zhou Gu arrived, he just happened to meet Grand Tutor Qin coming out of the Eastern Palace, and they ran into each other at the entrance.
Zhou Gu dismounted from his horse, and respectfully saluted Grand Tutor Qin, "Grand Tutor."
Grand Tutor Qin stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Zhou Gu, and nodded at him, "I haven’t seen you for many days, why have you lost so much weight? Has your wound healed?"
"It has healed."
Grand Tutor Qin nodded, looking at him, "The announcement will be made soon."
Zhou Gu nodded.
Grand Tutor Qin continued, "Will you leave the capital after the announcement?"
Zhou Gu nodded again.
Grand Tutor Qin observed him and found him much more steady than before. He used to be arrogant and showy, not taking even the formalities seriously. His face would be full of defiance when he was scolded. Now, he seemed to have become calm. Grand Tutor Qin was astonished at the transformation in Zhou Gu, but he could vaguely understand. It was probably due to being jilted by Su Rong, and after experiencing a brush with death, that these changes had occurred.
He thought this was a blessing in disguise. How can one grow without going through adversities?
He said to Zhou Gu, "Before you leave the capital, come to my residence."
Zhou Gu nodded again.
With nothing more to say, Grand Tutor Qin waved his hand at him, got into his carriage, and Zhou Gu watched him get into the carriage, saying, "Safe travels, Grand Tutor." He then entered the Eastern Palace after the carriage left.
Yan Huisheng had just bid farewell to Grand Tutor Qin when he heard that Zhou Gu had arrived. He ordered his servants to invite Zhou Gu in.
Zhou Gu entered Yan Huisheng’s study, and greeted him with a formal salute. Yan Huisheng glanced at him, "Did you run into the Grand Tutor? He just left."
Zhou Gu made a sound of affirmation.
Yan Huisheng gestured for him to sit and told him, "The Grand Tutor said the list of examination candidates has been compiled. After the scholars present it to our father for approval tomorrow, the results will be announced."
Zhou Gu nodded, "I thought we would have to wait a few more days."
He did not expect it to be so quick.
Yan Huisheng said, "Our father has been urging for the results to be announced. He’s very concerned. The scholars have been reading the examination papers day and night, which is why the process has been sped up."
Zhou Gu nodded.
Yan Huisheng asked, "Will you leave after the announcement?"
Zhou Gu hesitated for a moment, "Today, I pried some information out of Ning Ze and Ning Yao together with Xie Lin. I came to inform you specifically. If you need me, I will stay a few more days to help you deal with this matter. If not, I plan to leave after the announcement. It will not be more than three to five days."
Yan Huisheng responded with an "Oh?" and asked, "What matter?"
Zhou Gu relayed everything that he had extracted from Ning Ze and Ning Yao about the Crown Prince and the Second Prince.
After hearing everything, Yan Huisheng smile formed on Yan Huisheng’s face, and he said to Zhou Gu, "I also had this idea earlier. I planned to meet Ning Ze and Ning Yao, but I didn’t expect you to have done it for me in advance. No wonder the Grand Tutor was praising you just now."
Zhou Gu was surprised, "The Grand Tutor praised me?"
"Yes, praised you."
Zhou Gu was curious, "What did he praise me for?"
Yan Huisheng looked at him and relayed Grand Tutor Qin’s compliments verbatim.
After listening, the smile on Zhou Gu’s face gradually disappeared and he fell silent.
Yan Huisheng watched him, "You sought to borrow the files about Nanchu from me. Do you want to get to know Nanchu, plan to go there, or intend to stay there in the future?"
Zhou Gu pursed his lips, "Do you want the honest answer, your highness?"
"Of course."
Zhou Gu stared straight into Yan Huisheng’s eyes, "The truth is, I want to be Su Rong’s husband, I do not want to be the auxiliary minister of Daliang anymore."
Yan Huisheng had already anticipated it, still, when he heard Zhou Gu say it out loud, he took a deep breath, "Are you prepared to burn your boats? Do you know whether Su Rong is willing or not?"
Zhou Gu lowered his eyes, looking down at the table, "She is unwilling, but I want to."
Yan Huisheng looked at him, "How long have you had this idea? Since you borrowed the archives of Nanchu?"
"A few days earlier than that."
Yan Huisheng asked again, "Does the old Duke know about your thoughts and plans?"
Zhou Gu shook his head, "My grandfather is unaware."
Yan Huisheng continued, "So, you are certain that my kind and caring heart will indulge your thoughts and proposals? And you want me to help persuade the old Duke?"
Zhou Gu raised his head and shook it at Yan Huisheng, "I am not certain that Your Highness will indulge me, nor do I dare to trouble Your Highness to help persuade my grandfather. I just want to try. Compared to being a renowned Auxiliary Minister, I would rather be with her."
Yan Huisheng’s face was calm, "She rejected your proposal, which means she has given up on you. She readily agreed to Ye Guixue’s marriage proposal without leaving any room for retreat. Even so, you still insist?"
Zhou Gu clenched his fists, "I do."
Yan Huisheng watched Zhou Gu.
Zhou Gu looked at Yan Huisheng.
The study was quiet. The whiff of incense filled the air, and the fire in the high-quality gold-charcoal stove burnt warmly.
They had accompanied each other in Eastern Palace for many years, both prepared for their roles as ruler and minister. Yan Huisheng did not expect Zhou Gu to choose a different path. Zhou Gu had naturally not thought so too until he met Su Rong. He didn’t dare to gamble on his feelings for Su Rong, he just knew that if she was not in his life, he feared he would spend the rest of his life in sorrow.
After a long time, Yan Huisheng spoke, "I heard from a secret guard that Su Rong and Ye Guixue get along very well. They even tied a matrimonial cord together on the Marriage Tree at the Buddha Temple."
Zhou Gu’s face turned pale.
Yan Huisheng continued, "You should know Su Rong better than I do, given the amount of time you’ve spent with her. She’s strong-minded and headstrong, resilient in both mind and will. Once she has decided on a path, she doesn’t look back. If she chooses someone, she won’t let go easily. With the support of Ye Xiang Residence of Nanchu, marrying Lord Guixue benefits her in every way. As for you, even though the prestige of Duke Residence doesn’t make you any less suitable than Ye Guixue, the Duke Residence is ultimately in Daliang, and can’t help her in Nanchu. While Ye Guixue offers her timely help, you can not."
Zhou Gu pressed his lips together and said laboriously, "I am aware of all this."
Yan Huisheng asked, "Even knowing this, and knowing it is impossible, you still refuse to change your mind?"
Zhou Gu nodded, whispering, "I can’t let her go unless I tear my heart out."
Yan Huisheng was silent for a moment, handed him a cup of tea, and asked, "Besides me, who else have you told about this?"
"My grandmother and mother."
Yan Huisheng raised an eyebrow, "And they agreed?"
"Yes."
Yan Huisheng sighed softly, "They do spoil you."
Zhou Gu remained silent.
Yan Huisheng asked again, "How long were you originally planning to travel?"
"Three years."
Yan Huisheng said, "In that case, I will give you three years. If you haven’t changed Su Rong’s mind by then, you will come back."
Zhou Gu raised his head to look at Yan Huisheng.
Yan Huisheng spoke calmly but meaningfully, "Zhou Gu, you are the fourth son of Duke Residence, groomed with care by the old Duke and Grand Tutor Qin to be my auxiliary minister. You carry the Zhou surname, you can bend for love, can lower your pride for the woman you love, but you cannot tarnish the reputation of Duke Residence for love. Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, trust, respect, loyalty, filial piety, integrity, courage; even if you are possessed by a devil in the future, do not forget that you are part of the Zhou family. The Zhou family has consecrated its blood on the battlefield generation after generation for the peaceful longevity of Daliang and its people. Since you bear the Zhou name, as a member of the Zhou family, do not let others look down on you, and never make yourself shameless."
Zhou Gu’s face turned pale. He felt uneasy, a tight string in his heart taut and breaking, then stretching and snapping again. After several rounds of this, he closed his eyes, murmuring, "Your Highness, you can rest assured."
Although just four words, they weighed heavily.
Yan Huisheng put his hand on his shoulder, stern words first, followed by softer ones, said in his usual calm tone, "I believe in you. The person from my Eastern Palace should not be less competent than the one groomed by Ye Xiang Residence of Nanchu. No matter how cold-hearted a person is, once you pry open her hard exterior, you will find a soft heart inside. You are smart, you will always find her weaknesses. Besides, if you use your skills, it may not be impossible to help her. Ye Xiang Residence is not irreplaceable, and as for Ye Guixue himself..."
Yan Huisheng paused before adding, "May not be without weaknesses."
Zhou Gu looked up sharply, "Your Highness, are you supporting me?"
Yan Huisheng sighed, "I just don’t want you to come back crestfallen in three years, making me lose face along with you."
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