At the Mid-Autumn Festival family dinner, Xu Shaoqing was completely ignored once again.
Although the old lady had a good impression of Zheng Jin and the second master, she didn't have much patience for her granddaughter-in-law.
This is an ignorant person who made the maids and servants who served the Lady of the Marquis do things specifically for her.
I wonder how the Anbo family raised their daughter; she'll need to work on her temperament.
Gu Ting was at the men's table, so even if he wanted to coax her, he couldn't come over.
Apart from the second wife, who would exchange a few words with her, none of the ladies and young women in the mansion paid any attention to her.
Xu Shaoqing felt wronged, but she was unwilling to put on a brave face and say nice things to coax him. She even said a few auspicious words reluctantly and stiffly, and then sat down to eat by herself.
Even though Madam Zheng didn't want to offend her, she couldn't help but darken her face. She glared at her sideways.
She then put on a smiling face, picked up the eighth young lady, and acted coquettishly and silly towards the old lady, making her happy.
The idea of splitting up the family property resurfaced in her mind, and this time she even planned to kick the second master over as well.
The second branch of the family was always just Gu Ting, Aunt Yang, and the second master—these three were the troublemakers. And Aunt Yang wasn't particularly troublesome outside the home.
Now that Xu Shaoqing has been added to the mix, the second wife feels she can't handle it.
After we got back, we discussed how to split up the family property. We'd really had enough!
Gu Ting and the Second Master, both troublemakers, glanced at Xu Shaoqing and felt that she had gone a bit too far.
The second master is quite old and has been in office for many years; he is experienced and can remain calm.
Gu Ting, on the other hand, was impatient and irritable. He had endured her for so long, and each day felt like an eternity. He had long since lost his patience.
When she got back, she wanted Xu Shaoqing to send a letter to her older sister's family, inviting her to attend the hand-playing gathering that Madam was hosting in a couple of days.
Gui Xiang changed the subject, saying that the young lady wasn't good at playing chess, and Gu Ting finally gave up.
But they didn't give up, because the Double Ninth Festival, the day for climbing mountains, would be here soon.
Gu Ting wrote several drafts of the invitation beforehand, selecting the one with the best writing and the most sincere words.
They had someone deliver it to the residence of the Hanlin Academician and handed it to Xu Shaoqing's elder brother-in-law. The man couldn't refuse, so he had to accept it.
Gu Ting felt delighted. Even Xu Shaoqing was unaware that the invitation had been sent, let alone Gui Xiang.
This time, no one had any reason to stop him, and he was able to directly arrange a meeting with the person in question.
On the day of the ascent, he specially brought along his two servants, Lin Mu and Wang Xing. He also prepared several poems at home beforehand.
Lin Mu brought along writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, Go sets, incense burner, bamboo cane, raincoat, and dogwood sachets.
Wang Xing carried a food box filled with Chongyang cakes, chrysanthemum wine, rice crackers, spicy strips, pork jerky, tea, tea sets, and other items.
After everything was ready, Gu Ting excitedly led the two to meet up with his friends and go hiking together.
Xu Shaoqing's elder brother-in-law, Su Heng, was a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy, holding the rank of seventh grade.
But he got in through the proper exams. The old man of the Su family is old-fashioned and upright, and doesn't do anything roundabout.
His own grandson has been in jail for two years, but he hasn't tried to pull strings or use connections. He just relies on his own abilities to climb the ranks.
Therefore, Gu Ting's plan to target the Su family, thinking he could leverage their influence, was a terrible move.
However, they themselves have only themselves to blame for causing this misunderstanding.
One problem is that the second master lacks connections and can't get any accurate information. The other is their own conscience; they believe that as long as they get close to Xu Shaoqing, they'll definitely be able to get things done through connections.
I used to dream that the Earl would help me, but reality slapped me hard in the face.
Soon, Gu Ting was about to receive his second slap. The moment he saw Su Heng, Gu Ting warmly greeted him as "brother-in-law."
Unexpectedly, Su Heng waved his hand and refused, saying, "Young Master Gu, please follow the proper etiquette and call me brother-in-law."
Gu Ting's face stiffened. If Lin Mu and Wang Xing hadn't realized the timing was inappropriate, they would have burst out laughing long ago.
The two of them lowered their heads, trying very hard to suppress their laughter.
Upon reaching the mountaintop, aside from the occasional poetry contest among the group, Su Heng was also willing to exchange a few words with him.
He wasn't particularly friendly with him at other times. Several times he wanted to suggest visiting Su Heng's father at the Imperial Academy.
But looking at Su Heng's indifferent expression, he couldn't bring himself to speak even after several attempts.
We're about to part ways, and who knows when we'll have another chance to meet?
Gu Ting made up his mind. "I heard that the Hanlin Academy's Bureau of Calligraphy and Painting has recently been recruiting poets and writers. Is my cousin-in-law involved in the recruitment process?"
Su Heng appeared puzzled, but he knew perfectly well what was going on. He didn't want to argue further, so he decided to be direct.
"Aren't you already serving in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices? The position of Imperial Poetry Attendant has no official rank or duties. Why would you give up your existing rank?"
This selection of poets for the imperial examinations is mainly overseen by Lord Zhou of the Hanlin Academy. I've heard that only those with solid literary talent and profound scholarship are eligible for selection.
Gu Ting took a deep breath. Why did he give up his position at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices? He could say it openly: it was because he had entered the Hanlin Academy.
Even a lowly attendant without official rank or title could have the opportunity to meet the emperor and climb the ranks quickly.
Unable to speak, and then being met with Su Heng's disapproving look, she suddenly lost her composure. "Brother-in-law, just tell me how many taels of silver are needed to smooth things over?"
Unexpectedly, these words offended Su Heng, who then turned and left with a remark:
"Orchids and artemisia have different fragrances, so it's naturally difficult for them to be harmonious. I don't see eye to eye with Brother Gu, so I'll take my leave now."
After saying that, he immediately showed no respect and summoned his page to leave.
Gu Ting wanted to go up and chase after him to explain and appease him, but he felt too embarrassed to do so.
The last few people dispersed hastily. Lin Mu glanced at the young master's ashen face as he walked briskly ahead of them, and secretly asked Wang Xing...
"What did they mean by that 'orchid' and 'artemisia' they were talking about? Isn't it about climbing to a high place to compose poetry? Why are they getting so worked up?"
Wang Xing glanced around and answered in a low voice.
"It's not about composing poems about climbing high and appreciating the beautiful scenery. What the young master meant was that we have different paths and cannot work together. He doesn't think much of our third young master."
Lin Mu couldn't help but grimace. No wonder the young master was so angry; it turned out he had been looked down upon in front of a group of literati.
The path down the mountain was slippery, and the two of them were carrying heavy loads. After walking for a while, Gu Ting complained that they were too slow.
"Hurry up, you clumsy bunch, do you expect me to wait for you?"
After being scolded, Lin Mu Wangxing panicked and hurried to catch up, but soon he tripped and fell, cracking the young master's inkstone.
Gu Ting was immediately displeased and kicked Lin Mu a few times.
“This inkstone of mine costs 20 taels of silver, which is more expensive than your entire body, you dog servant.”
The more he talked, the angrier he became. Lin Mu had just stood up when he kicked him twice more, this time sending him sliding to the side.
There was a sudden precipitous fall that landed on a cliff, which startled Wang Xing. He took a large step forward and grabbed the man.
But Lin Mu's legs were already hanging in mid-air. The weight of the two of them was too heavy, and Wang Xing kept sliding forward.
Gu Ting seemed to be stunned as well, standing there motionless, watching the two of them slide down.
Wang Xing called him for help, but he was still in a daze. Fortunately, Wang Xing saw a low wooden stake that reached his knees standing nearby.
He immediately tripped over it with his foot. His other two hands gripped the tree tightly.
Just then, several young masters came down with their servants and, seeing the situation, quickly came to help.
With others coming over, Wang Xing felt much more confident. Two people tied a rope around his waist and hugged him tightly.
The other seven or eight tried to pull them back, but Wang Xing held on tightly to Lin Mu with both hands.
After Lin Mu came up, Wang Xing's two arms were also dislocated. The men were all lying on the ground, panting heavily.
Gu Ting only realized what was happening now, and scolded guiltily, "You two were fooling around like that, and now look what happened!"
Upon hearing this, the other young masters who were busy handing water to the servants who were rescuing the people all looked up.
One of them spoke very rudely, and on the spot, he peeled off his face.
“How could it be these two servants playing around? We saw it all from the mountain; it was you who was kicking people.”
Gu Ting's face turned red and then pale. He was speechless, but urged the two of them to drink some water before continuing down the mountain.
Lin Mu and Wang Xing, however, kowtowed deeply to these young masters to express their gratitude for saving their lives.
When they reached the foot of the mountain, Wang Xing dislocated his arm, so he took leave to go to the clinic to find a doctor to fix it.
Gu Ting impatiently agreed and left with Lin Mu.
Lin Mu wanted to stay and accompany them to find a clinic, but the Third Young Master disagreed.
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