Two or three days later, Xu Nian reported to Bobo: "Your Majesty, the people I sent have found that Liu Wenyu's son, Liu Ming, has been making some small moves recently."
"What kind of sneaky move?"
Xu Nian said, "Is he plotting to frame his classmate Guo Shu?"
"Guo Shu?"
"He is the only son of the second branch of the Guo family, a prominent local family. He is the second young master of the Guo family. His family produced a fourth-rank prefect who was appointed to a post outside the capital. In addition, the Guo family has relatives by marriage who have some connections in the capital. The Guo family has some reputation in the local area."
"Why did Liu Ming want to frame Guo Shu? And how did he plan to frame him?"
Xu Nian then told him everything he knew.
"What this servant has learned is that Guo Shu and Liu Ming are studying at the same academy. Guo Shu is in Class A, and Liu Ming is in Class D. People often compare Guo Shu and Liu Ming, and over time Liu Ming has harbored resentment. A few days ago, he ran into Guo Shu's cousin at Chu Xiang Pavilion. Guo Shu's cousin, Duan Kun, is the nephew of Guo Shu's aunt. He is also a mischievous scoundrel. As soon as Duan Kun and Liu Ming met, they plotted against each other."
Then Xu Nian explained how Liu Ming planned to frame him. After listening, Bobo was silent for a moment, and then asked, "How is the investigation on Liu Wenyu's side going?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, it should be in the next few days."
"When exactly did Liu Ming frame Guo Shu?"
"The day after tomorrow, at the academy."
Bobo then said, "Let's see what's going on with that Guo Shu. If necessary, we'll lend a hand and investigate him as well."
"This servant understands."
Bobo understands a principle: those who are not envied are mediocre, and those who are envied must have some merits that others envy. So Bobo asked Xu Nian to inquire about him. If he really is a talent, he can use him first. There aren't many people his age, and he is at an age where he needs to communicate with others. He also wants to get to know more about his peers.
Madam Guo said she would stay at home for a while, with her nephews and nieces by her side. The nieces were easy to manage, as they were girls and could pass the time in the backyard.
She couldn't stand her nephew Duan Kun being idle and unambitious, so she enrolled him in the academy where Guo Shu usually studied.
When Guo Shu learned of this, he sighed. He was actually hoping that Duan Kun would leave as soon as possible. They were not on the same wavelength and could not get along. Duan Kun was not a magnanimous person either. In Duan Kun's eyes, his departure that day must have been a very disrespectful act. He wanted to study hard, but he was afraid that others would not allow it!
"Father, I'm worried that Duan Kun might not be able to control himself."
Guo Shu told his father about what happened the night before last, the day after he returned from Chu Xiang Pavilion. His father was physically weak, but his spirit was strong; otherwise, he wouldn't have achieved such extraordinary skill in calligraphy and painting.
There are many people who are good at calligraphy and painting, so why are his calligraphy and paintings so valuable for collection? He is not a pedantic person. For the sake of his wife and children, if he were regarded as the second master of the Guo family who was in poor health, then his wife and children would not be able to stand in the mansion.
Now that he has a good reputation, the mansion can't afford to neglect the second branch of the family. At the very least, they wouldn't be lacking in anything if they separated themselves.
“He’s going with you tomorrow. Don’t pay too much attention to him. You’re not in the same class and don’t spend much time together. There are a lot of people and eyes at the academy. If he goes too far, your aunt won’t tolerate his insolence.”
Ultimately, once Madam Guo married into the Guo family, she was a member of the Guo family. No matter how much she loved her nephew, if she wronged her husband's nephew for the sake of her own family, and if people found out, she would have a hard time maintaining her position in the Guo family.
"I understand what Father has said."
Just don't take Duan Kun too seriously; in reality, he's nothing special.
Madam Guo had no idea that her nephew from her maternal family and her husband's nephew had reached the point of irreconcilable conflict. In the morning, she had called the two of them over and given them some earnest advice to love each other before having them put on their carriages.
The two were not on good terms, and since they were alone in the carriage, they simply stopped talking to each other. Duan Kun was unwilling to talk to Guo Shu, and Guo Shu was unwilling to be polite to him. The two remained silent all the way to the academy.
As soon as the carriage arrived, Jin Fu, who was standing next to Liu Ming, ran over and said, "Young Master Duan, our young master is already waiting for you."
Duan Kun smiled and said, "Okay, lead the way."
Guo Shu naturally recognized Jin Fu, Liu Ming's most trusted servant. How did these two become so successful? When did this happen?
Guo Shu was well aware of the Liu family's power. Liu Ming was spoiled rotten by his mother, and it was said that he had offended a powerful figure a few days ago. His father had specifically instructed him to keep his distance from him, as he was acting without discretion and might implicate the family.
As it turned out, his cousin, who had always been at odds with him, ended up associating with Liu Ming like this.
Guo Shu watched Duan Kun's retreating figure, sighed, and then said to the page beside him, "Keep an eye on them; who knows what might happen if they get together!"
"Yes, young master."
But as the saying goes, "There are those who steal for a thousand days, but there are no those who guard against thieves for a thousand days."
After Duan Kun met up with Liu Ming, the two talked in hushed tones. Even though there was no one else around, they didn't dare to speak too loudly, because they had done something wrong and felt guilty.
Duan Kun asked, "How are you raising it?"
Since Duan Kun was unfamiliar with the area, he naturally had to entrust this task to Liu Ming.
Liu Ming said with a smile, "Brother Duan, don't worry, I guarantee that Guo Er will be deeply impressed and never forget it."
Duan Kun was now satisfied.
"Are you sure it's tomorrow?"
Liu Ming nodded: "It's confirmed. Tomorrow is an auspicious day. I'll have someone create some commotion to lure the teacher over. I want to see if the teacher will still tolerate such a dissolute student. What good is it if his academic performance is excellent? If his character is not up to par, it will be a stain on his reputation for life."
Duan Kun smiled and said, "Then it's up to you."
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