Entering the Duke's mansion, Zhang Xiaoniu's eyes couldn't take it all in. The capital was so prosperous, how could it be this prosperous?
Seeing Gu Sinian's gaze fixed ahead, Zhang Xiaoniu also reined in his thoughts. He was now the Crown Prince's man; he couldn't appear too ignorant, or it would be the Crown Prince who lost face.
Servants and maids constantly bowed to Gu Sinian, and after bowing, they would furtively size up Zhang Xiaoniu.
Sensing their gazes, Zhang Xiaoniu puffed out his chest, trying to look as dignified as the Crown Prince.
"Unfamiliar face, not one of the household's people. Where did the Crown Prince find this youth? He looks so foolish." Many people muttered this to themselves, resolving to inquire about the youth's identity later, lest they inadvertently offend the Crown Prince.
The news of Gu Sinian bringing a youth back to the mansion quickly reached Gu Changwei. Recalling his subordinate's previous report, Gu Changwei, who had been quiet for two days, was already furious about going out to find Qian Yuanbao again. Now, without a word, he had brought back another youth. Was this unfilial son trying to anger him to death?
Gu Changwei couldn't hold back. He stood up abruptly and strode out, determined to beat the young man so badly that even his own mother wouldn't recognize him.
Gu Sinian led Zhang Xiaoniu to the study, intending for Zhang Xiaoniu to write a letter.
But the young man scratched his head and said he was illiterate.
Gu Sinian chuckled. He had just been talking about writing a letter, and it turned out the boy couldn't even read. Truly...
"Your Highness, would you be so kind as to write for your subordinate?" Zhang Xiaoniu shamelessly asked for help.
If it were anyone else, they wouldn't dare to speak like this. Zhang Xiaoniu, new to the mansion, hadn't encountered many rules and naturally spoke his mind. It was just writing a letter, and after following him, Zhang Xiaoniu should inform his family, so they wouldn't worry if they couldn't find him after arriving in the capital.
Spreading out paper and grinding ink, Gu Sinian stood before the desk, pen in hand, and raised his eyelids. "Speak."
Zhang Xiaoniu prattled on, saying whatever came to mind, writing a letter without any structure. He even exaggerated how he had encountered injustice on the road, by chance met the Crown Prince, how the Crown Prince found him skilled and took a liking to his talent, deciding to keep him by his side. He told his family to wait for him to achieve great success and bring them to the capital to enjoy a life of comfort, and so on.
Gu Sinian couldn't help but laugh as he continued to help write the family letter.
When Gu Changwei entered, he saw his son and the youth beside him smiling brightly. If it had been a pretty maid standing next to his son, Gu Changwei would have happily kowtowed to his ancestors. But now, Gu Changwei felt like killing someone.
He yanked the horsewhip from his waist and struck it onto the study desk. The thick huanghuali wood desk was split in two by a single whip.
One could imagine the force contained in that whip. If it had landed on a person, it would have likely taken their life.
"Father." Gu Sinian stared coldly at Gu Changwei. "May I ask what I have done to incur your displeasure again?"
"You still have the nerve to ask? After a few days of quiet, you couldn't wait to go find that Qian Yuanbao. A grown man dressing like a peacock, acting like a sissy, what is it about him that you like?" Gu Changwei demanded, breathing heavily. "One Qian Yuanbao wasn't enough, and you brazenly brought someone back. You have no shame, but I still have mine!"
Zhang Xiaoniu?
Heh. He had done nothing at all, yet his father never believed him.
Gu Sinian's heart grew completely cold. "As Father wishes, Qian Yuanbao is too effeminate, so your son has brought back someone more heroic."
Saying this, he pulled Zhang Xiaoniu closer, reducing the distance between them.
Gu Changwei was enraged. With a flick of his wrist, he raised the whip again, this time aiming it at Zhang Xiaoniu.
Gu Sinian turned, presenting his back to Gu Changwei's whip.
After all, he was his own son. No matter how angry he was, he couldn't take his life. He lessened the force of his blow considerably, but the whip still landed squarely on Gu Sinian's back.
Zhang Xiaoniu, looking helpless, only heard Gu Sinian groan and spit out a mouthful of blood.
What was happening? The Crown Prince called this man Father, but how could this man be so cruel as to strike him? He had beaten someone until they vomited blood.
"If Father strikes him, then your son will sever ties with Father." Gu Sinian slowly turned, his eyes devoid of any emotion as he stared at Gu Changwei.
This statement almost made Gu Changwei spit blood again. Gu Changwei's expression shifted, and he finally threw down the horsewhip with a fierce force and strode out.
He was so angry, so angry! What sin had he committed in his past life to be given such a son in this life? This was going to kill him with anger.
Gu Changwei left, and Gu Qing hurried in, helping Gu Sinian to lie down.
His clothes were torn, and the whip marks on his back were gruesome, with flesh turned outward, looking terrifying.
"Your Highness, please bear with it. I will treat your wound." Gu Qing found a medicine box and skillfully began tending to Gu Sinian's injuries.
With the wound on his back, he wouldn't be able to lie on his back until it scabbed over. Gu Qing bandaged Gu Sinian's wound and sighed, saying, "Your Highness, why must you go against the Duke? If you had explained a little more, the Duke might have believed you. To have it escalate to this, you've only given that person cause for amusement."
Gu Sinian was silent for a long time. "Haven't I explained enough? But has he ever believed me?"
Never. Not once.
Gu Qing also sighed. They were father and son, yet they were like enemies. Was the Crown Prince at fault? Others might not know, but he had always been by the Crown Prince's side. He knew the Crown Prince was diligent and studious, outstanding in both literary and martial arts, even surpassing the eldest son personally taught by the Duke. But...
Was the Duchess not beautiful? Once hailed as the most beautiful woman in Da Feng, a beauty with both talent and looks coveted by many young masters of noble families, she married the Duke when he was still the Crown Prince. To the outside world, they were a perfect match, a divine couple! In reality, they were a resentful pair.
The Duchess's passion was gradually extinguished. After the Crown Prince was born, she and the Duke became like strangers sharing the same bed.
The grievances between them were something outsiders could never fully comprehend.
"Gu Qing, take Xiaoniu down and teach him well. He has a talent for martial arts; don't let it be buried." Gu Sinian ordered wearily. "Bring him back after he has learned everything. Xiaoniu, I've remembered the content of your letter; I'll write another one for you later. Don't worry."
Although Gu Qing didn't know Zhang Xiaoniu's background, since the Crown Prince had brought him back, it proved he could be kept by his side.
"Your subordinate obeys."
The commotion on Gu Sinian's side was naturally not hidden from the Duchess. The beautiful Duchess of the Duke's mansion sat on the couch, her hands clasped, tears falling. "How could he be so heartless?"
"Mother, please don't cry. It's your son's filial impiety that angered Father. Your son will be cautious and prudent from now on and will not anger Father again." Gu Sinian comforted the Duchess, Madam Qin.
"Aren't you cautious and prudent enough?" Madam Qin dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. "It's all my fault; I've implicated you. If you hadn't been born from my womb, you wouldn't have to endure all this anger."