"What is it? You were unwilling to speak earlier; isn’t it because you don’t want to overturn the case? Now you come to ask me, what is your intention? Furthermore, why should I help your Xue family clear the injustice? You mentioned that those people, once involved, cannot get rid of it. I am merely a weak scholar and have just stepped into the officialdom, why should I set myself on fire?"

Gu Chengyu sneered at Xue Miao repeatedly. Xue Miao had previously shown much disrespect to his teacher, so Gu Chengyu naturally spoke unkindly to him.

Moreover, why should he agree to this matter? Is he very familiar with Xue Miao?

He is investigating this matter now to clear his teacher’s name, not for Xue Miao.

"I remember Xue Haozhen’s son, Xue Shiqian, should have had an elder son. Why wasn’t he saved?"

Gu Chengyu suddenly recalled something and couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Ancient people often prioritized males, believing that males were the hope for a family’s prosperity.

Since they could save a baby girl, why not save the legitimate eldest grandson?

"Xue Lin is exceptionally wise, though only eight years old, he is quite accomplished in painting and calligraphy, and is already somewhat famous in the Capital; many have seen him."

Xue Miao shook his head, as Xue Lin was also considered a prodigy of his time, known far and wide. Who in the Capital didn’t recognize him? Even trying to find a replacement was impossible.

Gu Chengyu knowingly nodded his head; it seems that being too famous is not always a good thing. Too many people knew Xue Lin, unless using Disguise Technique, it’s truly impossible to replace him.

After binding Xue Miao onto the carriage again, Gu Chengyu instructed Ming Mo to drive the carriage faster to return to the Capital as soon as possible.

Xue Miao couldn’t provide more clues; to investigate this matter, the child and the maid taking care of the child must be the starting point.

Five days later, Gu Chengyu finally returned to his residence in the Capital.

At this hour, it was still early, just in time for dinner. As soon as Gu Chengyu entered the residence, he went to the main courtyard to pay his respects.

He hadn’t seen his parents for several days and missed them very much. As for his teacher’s side, after a few days of pondering, Gu Chengyu finally calmed down.

This matter indeed needs to be clearly asked from his teacher, but Xue Miao’s matter is not suitable to be discussed openly with the teacher.

He has to deliberate on how to mention it to his teacher. Today, he should first accompany his parents for dinner, fulfilling his filial duties is the most important thing.

"Xiao Bao, you went out for so long this time, why does your mother feel you’ve grown thinner again?"

Mrs. Lv looked at her youngest son with a face full of concern, scooped a full bowl of chicken soup from the table, and handed it to Gu Chengyu.

"Eat more, you never seem to take care of yourself outside. I always say you need two maids by your side; those followers can’t take good care of you!"

Mrs. Lv brought up old issues again; the two followers by Xiao Bao’s side were quite foolish, unable to learn to cook.

Her mother’s full care made Gu Chengyu smile sincerely, "Mother! I’ve been away for so many days, I really missed you, mother, did you miss me?"

He indeed lost quite a bit of weight this time out, his mother is correct.

"Of course, I missed you. I was looking forward to your return every day! How did you get so thin? Eat more."

Mrs. Lv picked up a large chicken leg and placed it in Gu Chengyu’s bowl; soon, his bowl was filled up.

Looking at the greasy chicken leg, Gu Chengyu felt a bit queasy, but he still put the chicken leg into his mouth, eating it with a broad smile.

Seeing this, Mrs. Lv’s face broke into a smile; when the child has a good appetite, eating heartily always brought her joy.

Gu Chengyu stared more at Mrs. Lv for a few moments, suddenly noticing white streaks quietly staining her temples.

Time waits for no one; his mother was also aging. Even though she has lived comfortably the past few years, time forgets no one, let alone spares anyone.

Thinking about the future when his mother will have to leave him one day, his eyes blurred over with a thin mist, and Mrs. Lv’s face gradually became indistinct.

"Ahem! Xiao Bao went out for serious business; how could he bring maids along? You, being a woman, shouldn’t interfere in men’s affairs."

Mr. Gu had long become accustomed to the mother and son’s affectionate moments anywhere.

"Father! Are you still in good health lately?" Gu Chengyu looked at Mr. Gu with a smile, and inquired.

Mr. Gu is a man and isn’t used to expressing emotions. This single greeting from Gu Chengyu caused Mr. Gu’s wrinkles to gather into a grin.

"Good! Recently my meals are delicious, and I sleep well! Your mother and I don’t have significant skills but do try to take care of yourself outside and don’t neglect your health."

His youngest son’s filial piety, he is well aware of. Sometimes he wonders, what good fortune he must have had in a previous life to have such a good son.

"Xiao Bao! Last time I met your teacher’s granddaughter, the girl isn’t bad."

Mrs. Lv suddenly recalled something, and her initial smile faded slightly.

Gu Chengyu was stunned; did she meet Yao Mengxian?

"Last time I went to your shop to buy powder, I bumped into her. The girl is quite pretty, well-behaved, talkative, and handles things well, she’s rather good."

Mrs. Lv remembered bumping into her son’s fiancée last time; the girl indeed was nice, even to her picky nature, there was nothing wrong.

But the girl was too composed, lacking a certain liveliness expected of young ladies.

That Princess Rong Jia, on the other hand, was lively, and being with her, even her old age felt a bit of youthful enthusiasm.

Heard the princess hasn’t betrothed yet, but relationships still depend on fate.

Although Gu Chengyu heard his mother praised his fiancée, the smile on her face wasn’t quite happy.

He pondered for a moment, "Miss Yao is steady, her manners are indeed good."

"Your mother says the girl isn’t easy to criticize, in the future, you must treat her well."

Mr. Gu knew Mrs. Lv had initially been impressed with that Princess, who indeed was very nice.

But the mother was a Princess and likely looked down on their background, forcing connections would not be sweet.

After all, people need a connection; his wife sees the Princess as perfect everywhere.

Yet Xiao Bao’s fiancée is also a good girl, despite her being perfectly good, the wife always feels indifferent.

Clearly needs to find time to advise the wife; Xiao Bao’s fiancée is the proper daughter-in-law, need to differentiate inside and out.

Seeing Gu Chengyu’s face turn embarrassed, he quickly changed the topic.

"When’s Fang’s marriage scheduled for?"

"It’s set, just a month later." Mrs. Lv, diverted by Gu Chengyu, started to chat about the difficulties of Gu Wanfang’s marriage.

Speaking of this matter, Mrs. Lv couldn’t help but sigh.

The family of the previously mentioned concubine daughter made outrageous demands later, so that engagement was dropped. Now it’s a girl from a landlord’s family in the suburbs, with thousands of acres of good farmland, living quite comfortably.

Though not an aristocratic family daughter, the girl’s temperament is good.

People aren’t made of grass and trees; how can they be without feelings?

Gu Wanfang, honest by nature, has been visiting the residence to care for the elders, making Mrs. Lv willing to spend extra thought on her marriage.