Chapter 275

The lively street scene finally faded away, and everyone's look at Gu Kang shifted noticeably.

Entities: Gu Kang

As Gu Kang turned to leave, a few impoverished scholars began following him, and soon a few more joined the group.

Entities: Gu Kang

Watching the Gu family's disdained playboy now have true followers behind him—not for his money, nor because he's the Gu family's young master, but simply for himself.

Entities: Gu Family, Gu Family Young Master (title). Actually 'Gu Family Young Master' is a title for the young master of the Gu Family. It could be considered a title: 'Gu Family Young Master'. However, since we already have Gu Kang as the person, the title is generic; we might skip it. We'll keep Gu Family.

Gu Kang has gathered his first group of followers in Shang Jing.

Entities: Gu Kang, Shang Jing

Gu Huai got onto the carriage with a grim face; even when his good friend Yao Qing, Young Master Yao, shouted at him, he couldn't be bothered to answer.

Entities: Gu Huai, Yao Qing. (The title 'Young Master Yao' refers to the same person, so we skip it to avoid duplication.)

He promptly returned to the Gu Minister's residence; as soon as he arrived, Concubine Lin called him over and burst into tears, snot and tears streaming.

Entities: Gu Minister's Residence, Concubine Lin

'Huai'er, you must take this spring exam seriously and aim for top scholar to show those blind folks.'

Entities: (Huai'er is a nickname for Gu Huai; we treat it as the same person, so we skip listing it separately.) Spring Imperial Exam, Top Scholar.

'Let those fox spirits look—just because someone's pregnant with a bastard doesn't mean they can ride roughshod over me; they'll have to see if she can hold her own in the Gu Minister's residence.'

Entities: Gu Minister's Residence

'What's going on?' Gu Huai felt extremely vexed.

Entities: Gu Huai

That bastard Gu Kang, whom he and his older brother had completely ruined, is somehow making waves again.

Entities: Gu Kang

He wouldn't care about other matters, but that rascal catching Mr. Wen's eye has unleashed Gu Huai's repressed jealousy, twisting his feelings.

Entities: Mr. Wen, Gu Huai

Concubine Lin's wailing grew louder and louder; recently, the elder brother left the capital to run an errand for the Crown Prince.

Entities: Concubine Lin, Jing Cheng, Crown Prince

The third prince has been deposed; the sixth prince, Xiao Zheng, poses no threat; the Crown Prince's side is already making frantic preparations, and the elder brother is busier than usual.

Entities: Third Prince, Sixth Prince, Crown Prince. Also, the Sixth Prince's personal name is Xiao Zheng (Xiao Zheng). We'll include Xiao Zheng as a named entity.

Also, 'elder brother' is a generic term.

Lately, the father has been especially fond of the newly taken concubine Xin Xiuyu; she's quite capable and has actually wrapped him around her finger.

Entities: Xin Xiuyu

His mother, too—being old and faded, can't win the father's favor, yet now she dresses gaudily to compete with Concubine Xin, which is truly demeaning.

Entities: Concubine Xin

He lifted his gaze to Madam Lin seated in the place of honor; her face was twisted with anger, her pallid makeup making her look like a vicious ghost.

Entities: Madam Lin

At this moment, Madam Lin wept with tears like pear blossoms, but lost any beauty; instead, the wrinkles at her eyes combined with her pale pink robe made her look quite strange.

Entities: Madam Lin

Even his mother's outlook is so low now that he can't bear to look.

Entities: mother (generic term)

With him and his elder brother in the Gu family, his mother can rest easy; although she lacks the title of principal wife, everyone in the household treats her as the mistress.

Entities: Gu Family

Concubine Lin only needs to bear the air of a principal mistress, and she can rest easy in this household.

Entities: Concubine Lin

What he should do is maintain good relations with the noble ladies of the Shang Jing aristocratic families, which might give him and his elder brother some support.

Entities: (none – the terms are generic).

As a result, up to now he has done nothing worthwhile, focusing all his attention on his father Gu Shijie; moreover, because Concubine Xin quarrels with his father without hesitation, it has drawn his father's dislike toward her.

Entities: Gu Shijie, Concubine Xin

Gu Huai also feels that Concubine Lin is clueless and detests her intensely.

Entities: Gu Huai, Concubine Lin

Upon hearing her son's question, Madam Lin was overcome with waves of grievance, covering her mouth with a handkerchief and bursting into tears.

Entities: Madam Lin

'That wretched Xin Xiuyu is actually pregnant, and she had been hiding it all along.'

Entities: Xin Xiuyu

'Don't you think your father is also worried that I'll harm that fox spirit, yet he won't tell me clearly about this important matter?'

Entities: (none – both generic)

'Today I had a female doctor brought in to examine her; after I seized her and questioned her, I learned that the wretch's child has been five months along—settled in the womb, just waiting to be born.'

Entities: (none – generic)

'Is this even human? Your father has kept me in the dark so badly! That damned thing!'

Entities: (none – both generic)

'Concubine Lin, watch your words!' Gu Huai suddenly stood up, impatiently cutting off Lin Qingxue's lament.

Entities: Concubine Lin, Gu Huai, Lin Qingxue

Lin Qingxue is actually afraid of her two sons, but she still discusses matters with them first.

Entities: Lin Qingxue

Just as she began to speak to her son, he couldn't contain his anger, and she could see the atmosphere turning tense.

Entities: (none – both generic)

Gu Huai's face turned cold and grim, simply because this woman's lowly birth causes him and his elder brother to be looked down upon.

Entities: Gu Huai

Although the elder brother is now a compiler at the Hanlin Academy and his talent is renowned, it is precisely because of this disreputable woman that the two brothers are sidelined and suppressed by the Shang Jing elite.

Entities: Hanlin Academy, Shang Jing

At this moment, Concubine Lin was rebuked by her younger son and could not utter a word, opening her mouth unsure what to say.

Entities: Concubine Lin. (The terms 'younger son' and 'don't know what to say' are generic.)

Gu Huai coldly stared at his mother and rebuked her: 'I'm about to take the spring imperial examination; at this critical juncture we cannot allow any mishaps, especially your wicked act of poisoning the concubine's child—don't do it!'

Entities: Gu Huai, Spring Imperial Exam

A flicker of guilt crossed Madam Lin's eyes—how did he guess this?

Entities: Madam Lin

She had indeed entertained that thought, but after Gu Huai's warning she immediately calmed down.

Entities: Gu Huai, Madam Lin

The sons' futures are important; we cannot let her implicate them, even if it comes to the point of forcing her to death—we must let her think of another way.

Entities: (none – generic)

Gu Huai coldly laughed: 'This time, mother must not harm Concubine Xin; instead, you must find a way to feed and care for her well. As for what she ate, if she suffers a difficult delivery in childbirth, aren't you experienced? Why are you panicking now?'

Entities: Gu Huai, Concubine Xin

Madam Lin's face flushed slightly with embarrassment—how does this brat know everything?

Entities: Madam Lin

Back then she used that trick to kill the former madame, Lady Du, on the bed, leaving no chance to look upon her lovely children again.

Entities: Former Madame Du

Concubine Xin, the daughter of a minor official, was merely a tool the father sent to the Gu Minister's residence to gain advantage.

Entities: Concubine Xin, Gu Minister's Residence

No matter how capable she is, she can't match the former madame's pedigree; killing her would be as easy as turning over one's hand.

Entities: Former Madame (generic) – but we already have Former Madame Du, so we skip adding a generic entry.

Madam Lin's anxious heart, upon hearing her son's consolation, settled down at once.

Entities: Madam Lin

'Huai'er, mother's been muddle‑headed; since you've come back, just have a meal here.'

Entities: (Huai'er is a nickname for Gu Huai; we treat it as the same person, so we skip listing it separately.)

Ever since her daughter Gu Nanxiang was cast out to the borderlands, she has been extremely worried; the household lacks a daughter who can speak heart‑to‑heart, so she harbors resentment, hoping her sons will understand a bit.

Entities: Gu Nanxiang

Unwilling to let Concubine Lin say more to her son, Gu Huai turned and walked out of the warm pavilion.

Entities: Concubine Lin, Gu Huai, Warm Pavilion

Gu Huai's thoughts are troubled and distressing; right now the main concern is the spring imperial examination. Given his reputation for outstanding literary talent in Shang Jing, no one can compare to him—he is destined to be the top scholar.

Entities: Gu Huai, Spring Imperial Exam, Shang Jing, Top Scholar

But now Mr. Wen has taken Gu Kang as a closed‑door disciple, and he is genuinely afraid.

Entities: Mr. Wen, Gu Kang

If people had previously said Gu Kang could win the spring exam, he would surely have rewarded them handsomely; but now a Gu Kang has appeared out of nowhere, making him feel as if his mouth is stuffed with filth.

Entities: Gu Kang, Spring Imperial Exam

'Come here!' Gu Huai stood up, and his trusted servant outside hurriedly lifted the curtain and rushed in.

Entities: Gu Huai

'Third Young Master? Are you looking for me?'

Entities: Third Young Master

Gu Huai ordered his trusted attendant to close the doors and windows, then beckoned them, spoke for a while, and only then relaxed.

Entities: Gu Huai