Chapter 4: Conspiracy

Inside the great hall of the Duke's Residence.

Four figures slowly took their seats.

Grandfather Gu sat on the grandmaster's chair, occupying the chief seat, his expression somewhat solemn.

Gu Qianzhou, Gu Jin Nian's father, sat at the first spot on the left, with not a hint of gentleness on his face.

The third seat was Gu Ningfan, Deputy General of the Xuanwu Army and the Gu family's third son.

The fourth was Gu Leng, Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice (Da Xia) and the Gu family's fifth son, seated second from the left.

The four remained silent, making the hall exceedingly oppressive.

It is no exaggeration to say that any one of these four is a top-tier figure of Da Xia.

A duke, a marquis, a Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice, a Deputy General of the Xuanwu Army—power terrifyingly great.

"Father, the Minister of Rites has agreed to grant a Da Xia Academy slot to Nian'er; I hope this matter ends here."

It was Gu Qianzhou's voice.

As the voice fell, before Grandfather Gu could reply, Gu Leng's voice rang out first.

"End it here?"

"Ridiculous, Nian'er suffers this great hardship, and you just write it off?"

"The Da Xia Academy slot is indeed precious, but putting it bluntly, our Gu family has no scholars; to outsiders the direct admission slot is valuable, yet what does it mean to us Gu?"

"Eldest brother, it's not that Fifth Brother says you, Nian'er took such a loss and you remain unmoved; if it's a matter of status, at worst I will step in."

Gu Leng's voice sounded, showing some displeasure.

The Gu family's third-generation sole heir almost drowned to death; this is no joke.

What does a direct admission slot to Da Xia Academy amount to? Yet hearing that, Gu Qianzhou couldn't help but frown slightly.

He knows the Gu family dotes on his own son, and that his Fifth Brother is aiding Gu Jin Nian, yet many things remain unclear.

His son almost died; isn't he angry? "This matter has already been decided by those officials, insisting that Nian'er provoked first, and since Jin Nian suffered amnesia before, remembers nothing; aside from turning hostile outright, what other recourse is there?"

"It can't be that we strike with thunder directly? Our Gu family could do so, but what would be the consequence?"

"Moreover, if someone is scheming against our Gu family from behind, wouldn't that mean we've been duped?"

"Especially since Jin Nian is now unharmed, we need to deliberate long-term, yet when it reaches your mouth it becomes as if I don't care for my own son?"

"Moreover, though Jin Nian is mischievous, he is also clever; Master Xu once said that if Jin Nian could focus his playful mind on study, he could become a successful scholar."

"Da Xia Academy has dozens of Great Scholars teaching; if Jin Nian studies earnestly, perhaps our Gu family could produce a 'kirin' child."

Gu Qianzhou spoke, somewhat displeased, for Gu Leng's words seemed to imply he didn't care for his own son.

Of course, the most infuriating reason was Gu Leng's earlier remark.

On what grounds do you think my son is unfit for study?

"And what about the Da Xia Academy."

"Did you not hear Jin Nian's words just now?"

"Jin Nian never said anything disrespectful first; it was Yang Kai's daughter who framed him, twisting right and wrong."

"If we send Jin Nian back to Da Xia Academy, wouldn't that harm him?"

"Father, those words were said by Jin Nian after he woke; I say, Jin Nian may be a bit mischievous, but not this vile; that Yang Kai, indulging his daughter's nonsense, is truly a hypocritical scoundrel."

Gu Ningfan's voice rang out, cursing furiously while also laying out the facts.

"Enough."

Just as the two were about to clash verbally, Grandfather Gu spoke.

He halted the three from continuing the quarrel.

Inside the hall.

Grandfather Gu sat upright on the grandmaster's chair, appearing venerable and imposing, his aura between brows like a mountain, causing the three to dare not speak further.

"Regarding Jin Nian's matter, now regardless of who is right or wrong, it holds no meaning."

"Rumors spread like molten gold, three men become a tiger; the whole capital is gossiping about Jin Nian."

"I, the old man, believe Jin Nian's words, but it's already too late, and there is no witness, no material evidence; a hundred mouths cannot argue."

"We, the Gu family, accept this loss."

"But using a Da Xia Academy direct admission slot to settle this grievance over Nian'er's severe illness is also impossible."

"However, the court is chaotic now; every move of the Gu family is being watched, we cannot claim righteousness, so we can only endure for now."

"Moreover, this Da Xia Academy slot is indeed important, its significance great."

Grandfather Gu spoke, voicing his thoughts.

Then he glanced at the three and continued.

"However, I still think Nian'er's drowning this time is not as simple as it appears."

"I don't care about a bit of gossip; the Gu family isn't afraid, but if it targets Jin Nian, it's not a trivial matter. I don't demand Jin Nian have an especially good reputation; I only wish him to grow up healthy."

"Eldest, third, and fifth, you investigate secretly, especially the eldest—Jin Nian is your son; with rumors outside intensifying, the matter isn't that simple, so investigate thoroughly in secret."

"If indeed Nian'er is merely ignorant, not as I think, the Gu family isn't unreasonable; we'll swallow this loss, and once His Majesty sets a national policy, we'll act against those people."

"But if there are hidden matters that shouldn't be, the capital's officials won't find peace."

Grandfather Gu spoke.

As he spoke further, his tone grew cold.

Regarding Gu Jin Nian's drowning, outsiders see it as child's play, but in their eyes the matter is far from simple.

It needs to be investigated thoroughly.

"Understood."

"Got it, Father." "Father, rest assured."

The three of them nodded.

"As for Jin Nian's matter, it's enough that you both have a clear idea of it."

"Jin Nian's going to Da Xia Academy, you, elder, also need to pay attention. Those Confucian officials may not be much, but if they want to truly take root in the Da Xia Dynasty, our Gu Family really needs a scholar."

"Nian'er is indeed clever, but we also blame ourselves for spoiling him, letting him run amok."

"From now on, let him go to the academy and study properly; I won't demand that Nian'er become some prodigy. In the future, if he can rely on his own ability to pass the imperial examination, that will still bring glory to the family."

At this point, Grandfather Gu paused briefly, then continued to add.

"Being a scholar is fine too; as long as he's not inferior to you, I'm satisfied."

Grandfather Gu said with some helplessness.

It's an unavoidable fact: the Gu bloodline consists of warriors; the whole family has no interest in studying at all. Sending them to war makes each of them more eager.

Making them study is more painful than cutting flesh.

If it weren't for Gu Yuan's extremely high status, the Gu Family couldn't hold so many high positions.

But everyone who enters the officialdom knows that once the nation is stable, the power of scholars surpasses that of generals.

In conquering lands, generals are favored.

In times of peace, civil officials are favored.

If one truly wants to establish a hereditary aristocracy in a country, scholarship must be supreme; this is the principle that all else is inferior, only study is lofty.

The Gu Family has already reached the third generation and must develop toward scholarship.

Otherwise, a whole clan of warriors will suffer great losses in the future.

"Alright, let's not discuss unnecessary matters."

"During this period, we must also keep low; the matter of Sixth Uncle's return has probably already been known, and those censors have likely started drafting a memorial to impeach Sixth Uncle."

"At this critical juncture, whether it's the Gu Family or other clans, we must stay low; His Majesty is about to make a big move, and no mishaps can occur."

"Otherwise, the years of planning will be wasted."

Grandfather Gu said very seriously.

Upon hearing this, the three grew even more solemn; they understood what Grandfather Gu meant.

Now, in the entire Da Xia Dynasty, if one had to name a major event…

There is only one.

Recapturing lost territories.

This matter is huge and involves the greatest struggle between civil and military, so naturally all other affairs are insignificant.

"Understood."

The two nodded together.

Then they said nothing more.

As for the mansion interior.

Gu Jin Nian has already let Sixth Uncle go.

He didn't boldly ask about anything, and since his Sixth Uncle had just returned, not knowing anything was normal.

However, Gu Jin Nian also knows that an event like the White Rainbow Piercing the Sun certainly draws attention in the capital.

Only no one realized that the thing had already been taken by him.

Or perhaps someone knows, but due to their status, they dare not act recklessly.

There is another matter.

It concerns my own drowning incident.

After Sixth Uncle left, Gu Jin Nian sat alone under a tree for a long time, pondering many things.

On one hand, the matter of the ancient tree in his mind; on the other, his own drowning.

He always felt something was off, but after thinking for ages he couldn't pinpoint why.

Gu Jin Nian suspected someone wanted to lay a trap for him.

But thinking carefully, no one in the capital really wants to kill him, right? Moreover, the existence of the ancient tree makes it hard for Gu Jin Nian to judge.

"Forget it, stop thinking about it; since it's come, we must make peace with it."

Gu Jin Nian muttered to himself.

At present, many tasks still await him.

Reading and studying are the immediate priorities.

Since his transmigration, Gu Jin Nian has been reading constantly, mainly history and some odd tales.

Of course, he has also deliberately read Confucian and Daoist poetry and the like.

He is a liberal arts student, well‑versed in the poetry of his previous life; his solid knowledge makes it possible for him to become a renowned screenwriter.

But this world is not the ancient past; every poem has its own story.

It's not that reciting a poem will earn you universal applause.

Only poems that suit the occasion or the matter are considered famous.

Otherwise, after a full meal with nothing to do, you might force a poem—awkward, right? Mastering history and adapting poems to circumstances is the true way.

Thus, time passed bit by bit, and before long it was the next day.

(End of Chapter)