Chapter 261: The Demeanor Has Changed

Gu Jiu Ling never expected that after not seeing each other for several months, she would see Gu Kang again under these circumstances.

She fixed her gaze on the tall, slender youth; the earlier air of frivolity that had been on him seemed never to have appeared on him.

He now wore a plain blue cloth robe, his hair simply tied back with a black ribbon.

Even the cuffs were worn white, revealing a white trim, showing they were often turned while reading.

His clothes were also shabby, because they had been washed too many times, looking overly old, even somewhat grayish.

In just a few short months his height had grown a bit, and he now bore a hint of handsome elegance.

Gu Kang stood with his back to her; even just looking at that back gave him a different air.

Indeed, studying makes one handsome.

Gu Jiu Ling could not possibly compare the Gu Kang before her, who bore the scholarly air and proud bones, with the dissolute young man who had been immersed in wine and women a few months earlier.

It felt as if this person had been completely reborn.

Xiao Yin also saw the good-for-nothing Gu Kang, and his brows furrowed slightly.

This brat had often caused trouble for Gu Jiu Ling before, even wanting to join outsiders to deal with his own sister; he was a little beast who betrayed his own kin.

For this he had even cut off one of his fingers, never expecting that this brat would now turn out like this, moreover gaining a poor, scholarly look for no reason.

At this moment, Gu Kang's brows and eyes had also opened up a bit.

Before he had a round face; now, no longer indulging in wine and women and with regular rest, his cheeks had lost their baby fat, showing a few distinct angles and a clear handsomeness.

Even though the people around her kept shouting insults, she still kept her head down, focused on her feet, her boots already worn out, yet her whole person remained clean.

He had been invited onto the boat by a classmate today, originally thinking that this classmate still had some friendship with him, but it turned out the other party had set a trap for her, merely wanting to humiliate her.

He slowly raised his gaze, looking at the noble young man standing not far outside the crowd, who was his third brother Gu Huai, whom the Gu family loved most.

Gu Huai is now the hot pick for the examinations throughout Shang Jing; from childhood he was gifted and inherited his father's talent.

In his studies Gu Huai stood out exceptionally; in the whole academy he was the one whose writing was the best.

Gu Shijie also valued his son greatly, now doing his utmost to help his third son mingle with the great scholars of Shang Jing; after receiving their comments, Gu Huai's fame spread widely among the scholars of Shang Jing, and even a casually written poem of his would be praised and passed around as a fine work—

I never expected that the idiot expelled by the Gu clan would also want to take the spring examination together with him, which made Gu Huai feel especially disgusted.

Gu Kang's previous reputation was too foul; now his sudden decision to take the spring examination spread, provoking a chorus of mockery from the surrounding scholars.

Everyone thought Gu Kang must be mad, but in the previous murder case, thanks to the opposition of the Princess Consort of Rui, this boy received no punishment at all.

The only punishment was probably being expelled from the Gu clan.

Now this brat again declares he will take the spring examination, which is simply an insult to the other students and has aroused their discontent.

They could tolerate seeing Gu Kang trampled into the mire and dragged into hell, but they absolutely did not want to see him join their ranks and enter the sacred Examination Hall together; they felt that if Gu Kang were admitted, the Examination Hall would no longer be the Examination Hall.

Those scholars, for reasons unknown, all began to blame Gu Kang.

Who would have thought that the more they pressed Gu Kang, the more they would incidentally mention his other brother Gu Huai.

Gu Huai's painstakingly built reputation would always be damaged by Gu Kang's fate.

Whenever people pointed at Gu Kang, they would inevitably jab his spine as well; after all he was also a Gu, and Gu Huai wished Gu Kang would just die, so as not to embarrass them.

At this moment he coldly regarded the bewildered silent youth standing in the crowd, a flash of harshness crossing his eyes; anyone who cared about face should just turn away and jump into the Imperial River to drown.

He did not expect this brat to show any sorrow on his face; indeed he was calm and composed, merely that his eyes were extraordinarily beautiful.

Gu Huai especially disliked Gu Kang's eyes; looking at him now felt as if one wanted to pull his soul out of his body.

Gu Huai gazed at Gu Kang's eyes, and his heart secretly felt a hint of fear.

He then couldn't help but laugh at himself, afraid of Gu Kang? What a huge joke!

Gu Kang had previously offended the Gu clan; this time Gu Jiu Ling finally saved his life, which could be considered complete. That dead mother's—affection.

Now Gu Kang has been removed from the Gu clan's genealogy and has also offended his own elder sister.

In Shang Jing he has no relatives left; Gu Huai even knows that Gu Kang previously liked a girl from the Red Fragrance Courtyard, but that girl has also drifted away from him.

Such a good-for-nothing; even just looking at him once, what could it do?

He even hatched a plan: if only he could order someone to gouge out those eyes, it would be fine, though it was just a thought. Now he is about to set out; his body must not have a speck of stain, for any blemish would be detrimental to his future entry into society.

He is now the Gu family's third young master, while the other is merely a discarded member of the Gu family; what is there to fear?

Gu Jiu Ling's lips curled slightly in a smug smile, and she even raised her hand to lightly wave at Gu Kang.

Moreover, with the crowd surrounding Gu Kang and pointing at him, the talk grew ever more heated, even rising to personal attacks; Gu Kang indeed seemed not to have heard a word, standing there motionless, which left those who scolded her feeling bored.

Among them, one or two hot-tempered individuals stepped forward, shoved Gu Kang aside, and shouted loudly: "Trash like you also wants to take the spring examination, and even sit with us? What are you? Are we giving you face?"

Gu Kang's frail body retreated a few steps, he coldly looked at the noble young man before him who was supposed to be a blessing, and softly laughed: "No reply?"

At this moment the boat had already stopped at the shore; Gu Kang lifted the hem of his robe and trembled as he walked toward the bank, when suddenly a strong force from behind pushed him.

He staggered and fell into the water; on one side Xiao Yin turned his face toward Gu Jiu Ling and whispered: "Should we intervene?"

Gu Jiu Ling slowly shook her head and whispered: "Thank you, Prince, but no need."

"One person's sin is his own to bear; what he owes he must repay himself; others can never be his crutch."

As the nine o'clock words fell, before he could say anything more, Gu Kang, who had already fallen into the water, suddenly grabbed the sleeve of one of the men and, with a jerk and a pull, dragged that man into the water as well.

He then used that force to get ashore; the few young nobles who had fallen in were instantly startled and cried out.

The young nobles beside him also jumped in fright and all shouted for someone to go down and fish them out.