Chapter 25: Who exactly wants to harm me?

Wenxin Study.

Lookout Platform.

As the two figures appeared, they broke the tranquility of this place.

Gu Jin Nian stood on the Lookout Platform, quietly gazing at the rosy clouds on the horizon, appearing especially calm.

Yang Hanrou also changed from her usual gentle and weak demeanor, replacing it with aloofness.

An arrogance that came from deep within her bones.

She is the granddaughter of the Minister of Rites of the Da Xia Dynasty; although she is not as precious as a Da Xia princess, she can still be considered a young lady of wealth.

From childhood she lived in luxury; how could she be simple and pure? Not to mention the complexities of the deep palace—actually, it's all the same.

A second-rank court official, one of the Six Ministries, to say he is a heavenly official is no exaggeration; his mansion is filled with servants and maidservants, and even though he speaks of benevolence and righteousness, Minister of Rites Yang Kai, aside from his main wife, also has four concubines.

With such a family background, could a simple-minded woman possibly come from it? 'The four conditions you mentioned, theoretically I can agree to all of them.'

'But one thousand taels of gold is somewhat difficult for me.'

'My father is an honest official; his annual income is only about three thousand taels of silver, so I cannot come up with one thousand taels of gold.'

Yang Hanrou looked at Gu Jin Nian and said this.

After all, the Minister of Rites is a capital official; his salary is not high, he has no integrity stipend, and cannot compare to those provincial governors or circuit inspectors.

One thousand taels of gold equals ten thousand taels of silver, which she cannot produce.

'Hanrou sister, you're overthinking.'

'Your family doesn't have it, but many people around you do.'

'I suppose even Zhang Yun could come up with one thousand taels of gold.'

Gu Jin Nian did not make his words very clear.

But the meaning is exactly that.

Beautiful women are never short of silver, after all, there are sycophants.

Upon hearing this, Yang Hanrou immediately understood; after a brief pondering, she looked at Gu Jin Nian.

'If sister agrees, are these matters truly over and done with?'

Yang Hanrou's voice sounded; she calmly gazed into the distance, not looking at Gu Jin Nian, merely asking this.

But she is very clever; from beginning to end she never admitted what it was, instead hinting at it indirectly.

'See how you perform.'

'I don't care a bit about reputation; as long as Minister Yang doesn't keep harping on this, in a few months no one will pay attention.'

'By then, everyone will be happy.'

Gu Jin Nian appeared somewhat indifferent.

He is like this for four reasons.

First, to disgust Zhang Yun.

Second, to control Yang Hanrou.

Third, also to investigate my own drowning incident through Yang Hanrou.

Fourth, to obtain some gold and silver; the Gu family also has gold, but we cannot take it out.

To get silver, one must go to the treasury; you say asking for two or three hundred taels is still okay to mention, but blurting out one thousand taels of gold will definitely raise questions.

Others might not care, but my father will surely come asking about this and that; if I can't answer, it will cause trouble, so it's better to get some from Yang Hanrou.

As for who ultimately ends up giving me the gold, that's none of my business.

Of course, mentioning the silver is just in passing; the main point is still the previous matter.

Drowning is not a big deal.

The real big issue is who exactly wants to harm me from behind, why they want to harm me, and what their purpose is.

That is the true big issue.

Reputation is not something that can be eliminated in a day or two; after all, time reveals people's hearts, so there's no need to waste time on it—better to clarify the situation.

'The public opinion in the capital is not solely caused by my grandfather; many people are involved.'

'Besides my grandfather mentioning it at the start, afterwards there wasn't much more said; the Gu family is deeply rooted, but it has also offended many people.'

'But rest assured, today I will go back and have a good talk with my grandfather; however, I ask Brother Jin Nian for understanding, after all, some things are also unavoidable.'

Yang Hanrou spoke up, explaining the rumors and gossip in the capital.

At the same time, she did not forget to show weakness, intending to use the methods used against Zhang Yun on herself.

Hearing Yang Hanrou repeatedly call him 'Brother Jin Nian,' Gu Jin Nian couldn't help but feel moved by the 'hero's tomb in the gentle countryside.'

Fortunately, having lived two lives, such tactics no longer have much effect on Gu Jin Nian.

'Since I sought you out for a private talk, it also means that this prince does not wish to continue entangling in this matter.'

'Let's settle things peacefully; you're fine, I'm fine.'

'However, there is one thing I truly want to ask you.'

'Exactly who ordered you to push me into the water?'

Gu Jin Nian's earlier words were still calm, but the last sentence changed his expression to a serious and solemn one.

He gazed into Yang Hanrou's eyes.

However, she appeared very calm.

'No one ordered it.'

'It is in itself a farce.'

'Brother Jin Nian, are you overthinking?'

Yang Hanrou showed no panic at all, but answered seriously.

However, Gu Jin Nian didn't speak, still staring straight at Yang Han Rou.

Yang Han Rou also didn't resist, her beautiful eyes meeting Gu Jin Nian's gaze.

Just a little.

Gu Jin Nian restrained his solemnity, replaced by a natural ease.

Yang Han Rou is someone with deep scheming, yet she likes to pretend.

Logically, for someone so clever, if she truly wanted to harm me, she wouldn't use such a lame excuse; that doesn't fit Yang Han Rou's character.

In other words, Yang Han Rou certainly knows something, but not much.

It needs to be gradually honed.

Otherwise, Gu Jin Nian wouldn't have come to see her.

Alright.

Since it's really just a farce, let it pass.

Gu Jin Nian didn't bring up the matter anymore.

Yang Han Rou didn't speak, merely turning slightly away from Gu Jin Nian.

Gazing at the scenery, Yang Han Rou's eyes looked a bit strange as she pondered something, though there was no obvious trace.

She indeed knows something.

And it's indeed not much.

Can't say, shouldn't say, and doesn't want to say.

If this matter could be as Gu Jin Nian said—let bygones be bygones—she would also be glad.

After a short while.

The literary bell rang. Gu Jin Nian stretched, then looked toward Yang Han Rou and said.

Han Rou sister, it's time for class, let's go.

He wore a smile, with no trace of the earlier solemnity.

Mm.

Da Xia Academy is about to start; Brother Jin Nian now has a direct admission slot. If you also enter the academy, you'll have to rely even more on Brother Jin Nian in the future.

The two walked side by side; Yang Han Rou also spoke softly, in the process of feigning weakness, she was also seeking an opportunity to manipulate Gu Jin Nian.

In her view, Gu Jin Nian was merely wary because of this drowning incident.

As for why he treats me this way, it's nothing but being attracted to my beauty.

Aren't men all like that?

And regarding Yang Han Rou's such coquettish talk, Gu Jin Nian doesn't dislike it; with no substantive conflict of interest, she's just his good sister.

Think about it: if Yang Kai saw this scene, wouldn't he faint from anger? That could be considered another kind of revenge.

Sister, you don't need to worry.

Brother, I'm strong and healthy; I will fiercely protect my sister.

Gu Jin Nian smiled and said.

But Yang Han Rou blinked slightly, feeling inexplicably that the words were a bit odd, though she couldn't put her finger on it right away.

Right.

Han Rou sister, I've heard that many people at Da Xia Academy have already set their sights on me; do you know about this?

Gu Jin Nian continued to ask.

Mm.

I've heard of it.

However, it's not really related to my grandfather, nor to the drowning incident.

It's mainly due to your family's situation.

Yang Han Rou gave the answer.

My family?

Now it's Gu Jin Nian's turn to be curious.

He had come over half a month ago; the first half he was in a dazed state. Although he roughly knew the Gu Family's situation, he truly didn't know about other matters.

Brother Jin Nian has been too leisurely and refined for too long, paying little attention to many things.

A few months ago, His Majesty casually mentioned the Thirteen Border Cities, sparking a civil-military dispute.

In just September, four deputy commanders were demoted, six commanders removed; the Ministries of Personnel, Justice, and Revenue jointly investigated the three armies of the Ministry of War.

Among civil officials, within the six ministries, one vice minister, three assistant ministers, seven clerks, and twelve Hanlin officials were also removed.

Moreover, about half of them were investigated by the Gu Family.

May I ask, Brother, will those scholars at Da Xia Academy let you off?

It's a pity that sister is just a frail woman; if she were a man, she could still help brother a bit.

Yang Han Rou obviously took some pleasure in the misfortune, but her words actually cleared her own family completely.

After hearing this, Gu Jin Nian also suddenly understood.

Indeed, nothing is free of interests.

There are no grudges without cause in this world; thus, the city's turmoil, Gu Jin Nian understood.

These civil officials targeting him also make sense.

The Gu Family is the core representative of the military faction, surely advocating war.

The scholars are the core figures of the civil official faction, surely not wanting war.

After all, once war breaks out, many things become troublesome; the core reason is simply that the military's status rises sharply.

And during this period, the military generals can do many things—paving the way for future generations, amassing wealth, and so on; in short, the great empire must be organized around the generals.

No matter how powerful these civil officials are, they still have to honestly make way.

After all, losing a war is not just a matter of shame; it involves the nation's destiny and its territory.

Of course, for civil officials, the greatest impact is the disruption of balance,.

Understanding this, Gu Jin Nian said little more.

But seeing Yang Hanrou's gloating, Gu Jin Nian also did not want to be at a loss.

"It's not that there's no way."

"I'll go back to see my grandfather today and tell him that Sister Hanrou has feelings for me. You and I are strangers until we meet, so I'll have my grandfather propose at the Yang residence. As long as you agree, even if your grandfather refuses, it won't matter."

"Then we'll have a civil‑military marriage, become great and strong, create new glory; it will protect me and fulfill you. Sister Hanrou, what do you think?"

Gu Jin Nian said seriously with a solemn expression.

And Yang Hanrou's faint smile instantly froze, her complexion turning somewhat unpleasant.

She had no particular fondness for Gu Jin Nian, nor any special dislike, but the person she favored must be someone with soaring literary talent.

In her eyes, Gu Jin Nian was merely a good investment; if the Gu Family remained, he could enjoy prosperity, but if the Gu Family fell, what would Gu Jin Nian amount to? Therefore, she had no interest in his proposal, and was even a bit fearful, fearing that Gu Jin Nian might take it seriously.

Seeing the faint resentment Yang Hanrou gathered, Gu Jin Nian felt satisfied.

"Brother Jin Nian, the dean of this Da Xia Academy this time is not my grandfather; actually, you needn't worry too much."

Yang Hanrou spoke.

She feared Gu Jin Nian would seriously go propose.

"Who is it?"

Not Yang Kai? That's somewhat curious—Yang Kai is the Minister of Rites of Da Xia, so it would be reasonable for him to hold the dean's position.

"I'm not sure; my grandfather said they'd invite a true Great Scholar with saintly talent."

Yang Hanrou said.

"Saintly talent?"

Gu Jin Nian was indeed curious, but he didn't ask further and kept moving forward.

Soon after.

The two entered the lecture hall one after another.

It drew many astonished gazes.

Who could have imagined Yang Hanrou walking together with Gu Jin Nian? Facing the crowd's shocked looks, Gu Jin Nian's playmates were each stunned, then couldn't help but give him a thumbs‑up.

Only Zhang Yun's expression was as gloomy as water.

And upon entering the hall, Yang Hanrou once again transformed into a pitiable, delicate beauty, seamlessly fitting in.

The next lesson remained copy‑practice of calligraphy.

Gu Jin Nian thought of nothing more.

He practiced calligraphy honestly.

Two double‑hours later.

When the bell rang, everyone stood up and left.

And a figure also appeared in the study.

It was Zhang Yun's father, the figure of Zhang Yunhai.

(End of chapter)