Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 809 - 645: Wild Mandarin Ducks

"Previously your father asked him, and I saw he was hemming and hawing, just wouldn’t say. You are around his age, maybe he’ll tell you if you ask."

Mrs. Lv finished speaking and glanced unhappily at Mr. Gu, thinking this old man just stirs up trouble for Xiao Bao.

Their own son was not yet married, yet he was busy arranging things for his grandnephew.

"Your second uncle begged me when he left to put some thought into Fang’s marriage arrangements, even left me fifty taels when he left."

When Gu Changbai left, he almost knelt down to beg him, and in the end, he couldn’t harden his heart.

Those fifty taels were taken from the travel expenses Xiao Bao gave to Gu Changbai, indicating he wanted to offer some support.

He originally didn’t want it, but Gu Changbai insisted, saying it was the grandfather’s intention for his grandson.

Before leaving, he even expressed remorse, saying he let his family down, let Xiao Bao down.

Also said not to vent anger on Fang, and entrusted Fang to their family when leaving.

His heart softened, in the end, family ties run deep.

Gu Chengyu was not surprised, fearing Gu Changbai would cause trouble before he left, he had Ming Mo closely watch, hence he knew about the fifty taels.

"Just help ask, don’t worry about anything else, you don’t need to provide money for the marriage. You, an unmarried elder, shouldn’t manage the younger generation’s wedding affairs."

Mr. Gu didn’t plan to have Xiao Bao provide more support, he and his wife would just supplement a bit.

Naturally, it couldn’t be as extravagant as big families’ weddings, just like an ordinary folks’ marriage.

Gu Chengyu didn’t think much about it, since his parents wouldn’t lack money in his mansion, it was the same whoever provided it.

"Then I’ll just help ask!" Gu Chengyu nodded in agreement.

As soon as Gu Chengyu returned to the study, he heard Ming Mo say that there had been progress on Manager Xing’s issue in Jingyuan Prefecture.

"This matter was indeed a trick by the Huifang Building. They set up Manager Xing. The concubine Yang and her brother were caught, but there’s no news about Hua Yutou. Here’s their confession, sir, please have a look."

Ming Mo handed over the letter in his hand, explaining, "They had been off the radar, but just ten days ago, they reappeared in Jingyuan Prefecture and were caught red-handed by our people."

Gu Chengyu took the letter and read through it quickly.

"Seems like Hua Yutou can’t be found, but Manager Xing is truly foolish. What siblings? These two are actually accomplices and a wild conspire-to-marry pair."

Gu Chengyu let out a cold laugh, Manager Xing was truly dumb. These two were openly having an affair right under his nose!

Manager Xing not only provided a venue but also spent money on the adulterer, the most ridiculous part being the green hat on his head.

Ming Mo was also a bit shocked, speechless for a moment.

"And Huifang Building?" Ming Mo queried.

Seeing someone else bully them, shouldn’t they retaliate?

"The owner of Huifang Building is called Chen Hongwei, and he has some distant familial ties with Zhang Shuo, Xia Qing’s senior apprentice. But for now, let’s not worry about these, they came in the dark, so shall we."

He suspected the real owner behind Huifang Building was either Zhang Shuo or Xia Qing.

Confronting them directly would be foolish; why not use a strategy if there’s a plot involved?

"Send someone to thoroughly investigate Chen Hongwei’s affairs, we’ll use their tricks against them!"

Just as Ming Mo responded and was about to leave, Ming Yan came in to report that Gu Wanfang had arrived.

Gu Chengyu was taken aback by the quick visit.

"Dear nephew greets Little Uncle!" Gu Wanfang respectfully saluted Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu felt a bit troubled, Gu Wanfang always seemed somewhat apprehensive in front of him, making the matter feel extremely awkward.

"Have you had any difficulties with your studies these past few days? I heard from your uncle you came to find me twice before."

"There are a few points I’m unclear about, I hope Little Uncle can clarify."

Gu Chengyu addressed all the questions Gu Wanfang raised, the two discussed academic matters for almost an hour before Gu Wanfang finally stopped.

"All knowledge should be comprehensively understood, your insight is quite good, if there’s anything you don’t understand in the future, just come ask me. Don’t be reserved when you come to the mansion, we’re all family."

Gu Chengyu found this kid to be sensible, visiting the mansion while deliberately avoiding meal times. Unlike Gu Changbai, who always pushed boundaries.

Gu Wanfang quickly agreed, though he didn’t quite take it to heart.

"Little Uncle, actually..." Gu Wanfang hesitated, feeling somewhat embarrassed to speak out.

"Just say what you want to say!" Gu Chengyu was unaccustomed to his indecisive manner, his brows furrowed slightly.

"Nephew feels uneasy about receiving Little Uncle’s support constantly. I’m thinking of opening a small bookstore on South Street, just to manage my own living expenses. But nephew is short of money, I hope Little Uncle can lend me some silver, once I’m more well-off, I’ll return it to Little Uncle."

After finishing his words, Gu Wanfang only felt his face burn fiercely.

This was actually just like trying to use Gu Chengyu’s money to open a bookstore, earning money from the bookstore to pay back, essentially earning with someone else’s investment.

So he felt quite embarrassed, having pondered this for half a month, and visited the Gu Mansion several times without managing to ask.

Yet constantly relying on the Gu family’s support wasn’t feasible, his grandfather left him only five taels, now his living depended on the Gu Mansion.

Not that the Gu Mansion mistreated him, all the clothes and stuff were provided by them, and he received a ten taels monthly salary.

The rented courtyard was also paid for by the Gu family, they even found a woman to cook and wash for him, he only needed to focus on his studies.

Gu Chengyu squinted at Gu Wanfang, wondering if he wanted to break free from his control, or simply felt embarrassed leeching off him like a parasite.

The room fell silent, Gu Wanfang’s forehead was already sweating.

After a few moments, Gu Chengyu finally spoke.

"Alright! You, a young man, shouldn’t just live off others. As long as the bookstore doesn’t interfere with your studies, I’ll support it. You need to arrange your own marriage eventually, having an occupation is indeed appropriate."

Gu Chengyu agreed, regardless of the reason, he appreciated his determination to improve.

Gu Wanfang had visited the mansion several times, and if he had taken advantage of his absence to coax Mr. Gu for money, his father would certainly agree.

But Gu Wanfang didn’t do that, knowing he should discuss it with him, no matter the reason, it showed a sense of propriety.

Gu Wanfang felt relieved hearing this, initially worried that Little Uncle wouldn’t agree.

"Starting a bookstore is not easy, I won’t send anyone to help you, you have to figure it out yourself. I’ll let Steward Chen draw four hundred taels of silver for you from the account, is that enough?"

Gu Wanfang quickly bowed and replied, "It’s enough, Nephew only plans to open a small shop, this amount is more than sufficient, thank you Little Uncle!"

In fact, for a small shop in the south, annual rent isn’t much, the most expensive part is the books.

He planned to manually copy some to sell at the bookstore initially and also pay classmates with good handwriting to copy books for him.