Chapter 24: A Sycophant Comes to No Good End

Year 12 of Yongsheng.

September 18.

Wei hour.

Wenxin Study Hall.

Gu Jin Nian did not attend morning class, sleeping until noon before getting up.

Several consecutive days of sleeplessness made Gu Jin Nian truly feel fatigued.

Inside the study hall.

As usual, Gu Jin Nian was diligently practicing calligraphy.

Perhaps absorbed in thought, in the blink of an eye an hour had passed.

After practicing calligraphy for an hour, Gu Jin Nian's wrist felt sore, and as the school bell rang, everyone let out a sigh of relief.

I don't know why, but upon coming to the study hall today, Gu Jin Nian clearly noticed that Zhang Yun's hostility toward him had lessened considerably.

This made Gu Jin Nian feel somewhat uneasy.

After all, he still needed to earn resentment from Zhang Yun.

Gu Jin Nian understood this clearly in his heart.

The ancient tree in his mind was of great significance; he had to perfectly bring it forth.

Setting aside the system, not to discuss it.

The only thing that could currently benefit him was resentment.

More importantly, the things brought by this resentment were very helpful.

Gu Jin Nian didn't much like fighting and killing; just putting on a show in the capital was enough, no need to go through pointless trouble.

This meant he had to obtain a large amount of resentment.

However, Zhang Yun was not the only option, after all, disgusting this guy was meaningless, and the resentment gained was hardly any.

Look, just exchanging a few words with the emperor yields a great deal of resentment.

Arguing with Zhang Yun for ten days probably wouldn't even yield that.

This has a lot to do with one's status and cultivation level.

Thinking of this, Gu Jin Nian felt a bit resentful.

"Damn, he's a good-for-nothing; at seventeen he still hasn't condensed Qi, and he's the son of a Great Scholar, a disgraceful embarrassment."

Gu Jin Nian set down his brush, his gaze falling on Zhang Yun, his eyes full of frustrated hope that he would improve.

Feeling Gu Jin Nian's gaze, Zhang Yun looked over and saw that Gu Jin Nian was staring at him, and a look of disgust also appeared in his eyes.

Although a wisp of resentment drifted over, for the ancient tree it was merely a drop in the bucket.

"No, we can't just focus on him alone."

"We need to find someone else."

Gu Jin Nian thought to himself.

The ancient tree absorbs resentment based on one's cultivation level and status.

Zhang Yun's status and standing are both quite ordinary.

Although even a mosquito is still meat, for Gu Jin Nian who has already eaten meat, this is truly uninteresting.

Fortunately, in a few days the Da Xia Academy will commence.

The Da Xia Academy is a renowned academy across the world; it can be said that half of the Great Scholars of the Da Xia Dynasty are within it.

Moreover, this time the Da Xia Academy's admissions are not limited to scholars alone.

This means that within the Da Xia Academy there are certainly hidden talents.

It is an excellent place to farm resentment.

Upon thinking of this, Gu Jin Nian's mood inexplicably improved; he turned his head and saw Yang Hanrou also putting down her brush, intending to rest.

And she glanced sideways slightly, also noticing that Gu Jin Nian was looking at her.

In that instant, Yang Hanrou felt a bit panicked inside.

Gu Jin Nian said nothing, but rose and left, heading toward the Three Incense Courtyard.

Seeing Gu Jin Nian rise, Yang Hanrou immediately understood something; yesterday Gu Jin Nian's absence had not made her happy, but instead made her feel increasingly tormented.

Mainly it was fear and dread.

As Gu Jin Nian left, not long after, Yang Hanrou rose and headed outward.

"Hanrou sister, are you going out?"

Seeing Yang Hanrou rise, Zhang Yun immediately also rose, wanting to follow.

"I have some private matters."

But Yang Hanrou spoke, then quickly left, leaving Zhang Yun feeling inexplicably strange.

But he didn't say more, merely watching Yang Hanrou's departing back, he silently followed.

About a quarter of an hour.

Inside the Three Incense Courtyard.

Gu Jin Nian gazed at the pond surface, his mood somewhat calm.

Just then, Yang Hanrou's voice sounded.

"What do you want from me?"

Her voice was cold, carrying questioning and also some doubt.

"What business do you have with me? I believe you know better than I do."

Gu Jin Nian turned his head, looking at Yang Hanrou.

I must say, Yang Hanrou is truly graceful and slender; both her looks and figure are top‑notch, calling her a beauty would not be an overstatement.

But Gu Jin Nian is not the type who freezes at the sight of a woman.

"I don't know."

"If there's nothing else, I'll leave."

Yang Hanrou fell silent for a moment, then gave this reply.

"Leave?"

"Where are you going?"

"You pushed me into drowning, that was bad enough, then you spread rumors while I was unconscious and amnesiac—shouldn't that debt be settled?"

By the pond.

Gu Jin Nian's expression was icy; as he stared at Yang Hanrou, his eyes held not anger but coldness.

"You're talking nonsense."

"It was you who made the advance first, and Brother Zhang Yun saw it with his own eyes."

Hearing that, a flash of panic crossed Yang Hanrou's eyes, but she quickly steadied herself and flatly refused to admit it.

This attitude was unsurprising.

It would be strange for Yang Hanrou to admit it.

With no witnesses or evidence, stubbornly denying is the proper way.

"Zhang Yun witnessed?"

"Who doesn't know you and Zhang Yun are extremely close?"

Gu Jin Nian spoke slowly.

"I have nothing to discuss with you."

"If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."

Yang Hanrou ignored Gu Jin Nian; she came to the meeting simply to see what Gu Jin Nian would say, or whether there was any concrete evidence.

Now that she finds none, she is unafraid.

The die is cast; Gu Jin Nian cannot change anything.

"Fine."

"Then you may leave."

"As long as you leave Sanxiang Courtyard, this prince can guarantee, at any cost, that my father and grandfather will clear my injustice."

"If even my father and grandfather are powerless, my mother is Princess Ningyue, the current emperor's sister; the Da Xia Ministry of Justice has the Mirror of Inquiry, and I don't believe you could still lie before that mirror."

Gu Jin Nian spoke.

Word for word, his words made Yang Hanrou's expression grim.

The Da Xia Ministry of Justice possesses a celestial artifact called the Mirror of Inquiry; it concentrates the ministry's righteous qi and is generally reserved for truly major cases—some even say it cannot be used for major cases.

To employ it requires expending the ministry's righteous qi, which is accumulated through handling cases.

Unless a critical moment arises, the ministry will never bring out the Mirror of Inquiry.

But if Gu Jin Nian truly goes mad and spares no cost, the ministry might indeed relent.

Thinking that, Yang Hanrou's face turned sour.

She said nothing.

Yet she also did not choose to leave.

Her meaning was clear.

"What exactly do you want to do?"

Yang Hanrou looked at Gu Jin Nian, her expression solemn, and said,

"Four matters."

"If you agree to these four things, I can drop the case."

Gu Jin Nian opened his mouth slowly.

"Then what are the four things?"

Yang Hanrou asked.

"First, I don't want this matter to continue causing trouble; be more careful with your words and actions thereafter."

"Second, when you see me in the future, don't treat me as you would a foe; address me with some respect—I prefer softness over hardness." "Third, stay away from Zhang Yun; there's nothing else, I simply don't like him."

"Fourth, give me a thousand taels of gold."

"If you can fulfill these four points, let this matter pass; if you can't, the scandal will blow up and neither of us will be fine."

"I'm fine. To put it bluntly, it's just a scandalous reputation… As the Minister of Rites' granddaughter, think about how your father would treat you, and how the civil officials would speak of you."

Gu Jin Nian spoke, putting forward four demands.

He doesn't want this to spread; now his uncle has also issued an order, so the capital's gossip will somewhat subside. Gu Jin Nian isn't asking Yang Hanrou to watch her words, but for her backing forces to be cautious.

First reduce the impact, then find a way to act gradually—that's the wise course.

Gu Jin Nian dislikes taking losses; this matter will eventually have an outcome, just not now, but that doesn't mean the other side can keep slandering.

Facing Gu Jin Nian's four demands,

Yang Hanrou was slightly silent.

However, Gu Jin Nian's next words made Yang Hanrou even more silent.

"You needn't pretend to be conflicted."

"From the first moment I saw you, I knew what kind of person you are."

"You're clever, smarter than Zhang Yun; you appear demure, and I feel pity for you, but you're certainly not that naive girl—after pushing me into the water, you could instantly spread rumors to lessen your own impact; such a tactic isn't something ordinary people can pull off."

Yang Hanrou, I like dealing with smart people. The four conditions I mentioned don't have much impact on you; if I must say, it's just making you lose a backup.

As the granddaughter of the Minister of Rites, I imagine your fish pond isn't just a mere Zhang Yun, right?

Gu Jin Nian stood with his hands behind his back, his speech very calm, yet his eyes were filled with a smile, an indescribable smile, as if he could see Yang Hanrou clearly.

As for Yang Hanrou, she didn't know what a backup was, nor did she understand the meaning of the fish pond, but combining the context, she could roughly grasp the meaning of these words.

However, that delicate fragility on her face had indeed diminished, replaced by a complex emotion.

Of course, she was indeed torn.

But just then, a figure appeared inside the Three Incense Courtyard.

It was Zhang Yun's figure.

After Yang Hanrou rose and left for half an hour, Zhang Yun secretly followed her over.

After searching, he found Yang Hanrou in the Three Incense Courtyard, and she was with Gu Jin Nian; he instantly exploded, storming over with a fierce aura.

"Gu Jin Nian, what do you want to do?"

"Do you want to take advantage of Hanrou again?"

Zhang Yun's voice was extremely loud, he was filled with anger.

After communicating with his father, he had calmed down and didn't want to argue with Gu Jin Nian, but today he couldn't bear it.

It was only because Gu Jin Nian touched his reverse scale, making him furious.

With Zhang Yun's arrival, strands of resentment surfaced and sank into himself.

Looking at the furious Zhang Yun, Gu Jin Nian didn't speak, but turned his gaze toward Yang Hanrou.

"Zhang Yun."

"Brother Jin Nian, I didn't do anything to you, don't misunderstand."

Feeling Gu Jin Nian's gaze, Yang Hanrou instantly understood his meaning.

After a slight delay, Yang Hanrou gave a reply.

Moreover, this reply was very subtle.

She didn't call Zhang Yun 'elder brother' or 'big brother' as usual, but directly called him by name; yet when addressing Gu Jin Nian, she called him 'brother', leaving Zhang Yun stunned on the spot.

"Hanrou little sister."

"What is this?"

Zhang Yun was somewhat dazed, looking at Yang Hanrou with eyes full of disbelief.

"Zhang Yun."

"I and Brother Jin Nian were just explaining the misunderstanding about the drowning; now it's cleared up, so there's nothing more."

"I hope from now on everyone avoids any conflict."

Yang Hanrou said expressionlessly.

She's not stupid; as the granddaughter of the Minister of Rites, if she were stupid, that would truly be laughable.

Some things her father wouldn't teach, but her mother would.

Gu Jin Nian had long seen what kind of person Yang Hanrou was.

A typical type: men are responsible for conquering the world, I am responsible for conquering men's thoughts — a woman.

Being good to Zhang Yun is nothing more than seeing him as a potential stock; plus the drowning incident, she needed to find someone to share responsibility.

Otherwise, if she truly liked Zhang Yun, she would have already given herself to him; the question is whether she has.

Definitely not; if she had given herself, Zhang Yun wouldn't really be licking like this.

So, regarding Yang Hanrou's behavior, Gu Jin Nian is quite satisfied; he doesn't fear trouble from her, only fears she lacks brains.

"Hanrou little sister, how did you suddenly become like this?"

"Is it that brat Gu Jin Nian threatening you?"

"If so, I'll now take you to see the dean and have him uphold justice."

As for Zhang Yun, Yang Hanrou's sudden drastic change was unacceptable to him; he subconsciously thought Gu Jin Nian was meddling.

"Zhang Yun."

"I've said it, I have nothing to do with Brother Jin Nian."

"Besides, we grew up together since childhood; our relationship is indeed good, we're friends, but you're not my father, my affairs don't need your management."

Yang Hanrou felt a hint of annoyance.

Just as Gu Jin Nian guessed, her closeness to Zhang Yun is entirely due to his status and talent, but limited to the fact that they are childhood sweethearts.

If Zhang Yun could become a Great Scholar in the future, with smooth official career, she wouldn't mind marrying him; that would also be a fine story.

But if Zhang Yun fails, she absolutely won't touch him.

Deep down, she greatly dislikes Zhang Yun, extremely so; every day she follows behind him, likes to show off, always pulling out extremely childish things to flaunt in front of her.

She still has to cooperate with him.

As for things like asking about warmth and cold, they make Yang Hanrou feel even more nauseated.

Once or twice is fine, but daily asking about warmth and cold is truly nauseating.

What she worries about most now is nothing more than the scandal being exposed, Gu Jin Nian clearing his name; if she agrees to his four conditions, and Gu Jin Nian chooses to settle the matter peacefully, how could that not be a good thing for her? As for Zhang Yun.

Ignoring him is fine; she doesn't lack this older brother.

"Hanrou little sister."

"This."

This time Zhang Yun was numb; he didn't expect that the Hanrou little sister who always admired and respected him would suddenly become like this. "Zhang Yun, in private calling me little sister once is fine, but in the study, still call me by my full name."

"Brother Jin Nian, the matter these past days was my fault; I'll take you to the distant Lookout Terrace for a walk, to relax your mood, also considered as my apology."

For some unknown reason, Yang Hanrou inexplicably felt somewhat relieved.

Release one's own nature.

Of course, the main thing is that Zhang Yun really annoys her, but she just can't express it.

Relying on Gu Jin Nian, she spoke her mind.

Good.

By the pond.

Seeing such decisive Yang Hanrou, Gu Jin Nian couldn't help but feel moved, but after glancing at Zhang Yun beside him, Gu Jin Nian readily agreed to Yang Hanrou's request.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yun beside him clenched his fists, and waves of resentment surged, far more than before.

Indeed, love breeds hatred.

However, Gu Jin Nian feels no pity for Zhang Yun at all.

Because a sycophant comes to a bad end.

Without waiting for Zhang Yun to say anything, Yang Hanrou walked toward Lookout Terrace, guiding Gu Jin Nian.

After the two left one after another.

The hatred in Zhang Yun's eyes almost turned into flames.

Gu Jin Nian.

Me and you.

Until death do us part.

He roared angrily in his heart repeatedly.

If he couldn't beat Gu Jin Nian, he would have already attacked.

After a moment, Zhang Yun couldn't help but have a doubt arise in his mind.

That is why Yang Hanrou suddenly became so cold toward me? Did I offend Little Sister Hanrou somewhere?

That shouldn't be.

Oh, Little Sister Hanrou, I understand, you are being coerced by him.

Afraid that Gu Jin Nian would expose the matter, implicating me, so you pretended like this, I understand.

I understand your feelings.

Rest assured, when we reach Da Xia Academy, I will definitely make him pay the price.

For now, you should endure a little.

Wait for me.

Zhang Yun clenched his fists tightly, muttering to himself in his heart.

He instantly understood the cause and effect, and afterward his resentment toward Gu Jin Nian grew even greater.

(End of chapter)