Chapter 237 - 238: Each Has Their Own Struggles

A look of disdain crossed Bai Jinglie’s face at the thought of his cousin from the Kuang family, who was living right in their rear courtyard.

Every time he returned to the mansion, this cousin always managed to corner him, forcing him to find an alternate route.

"Sigh... They say even an upright official can’t settle family disputes. I can’t issue an edict to rebuke her. But I would hate to see you truly forced into a post as a small official in the provinces."

"Actually, being a small official has its advantages. It would just be a nominal position, allowing me to travel far and wide and earn some more Silver Taels for us."

When Bai Jinglie recalled that the Marquis Wu’an Mansion had long been operating at a loss, he understood their motive for trying to place people by his side.

Not to mention the enormous dowry his mother, the former Lady Wu’an Hou, had left him, the glass he controlled now was enough to make most people green with envy.

But in a city as vast as Shangjing, everyone was shrewd. Most knew who was backing him, so even if they had ideas, they had no choice but to suppress them.

At the mention of Silver, Hua Shunming shot Bai Jinglie a mournful look. "Can’t your workshop move a little faster? I’ve only decorated one palace hall so far. You can’t expect me to just stay in one place all the time."

Bai Jinglie replied, "...It should be finished before the selection of new concubines."

Hua Shunming instantly lost interest. "My situation is just as difficult as yours. No, it’s probably even more difficult.

You only have that stepmother of yours making trouble, whereas I have to face all the civil and military officials of the court.

Every last one of them is staring at my harem. If I yield any further, they’ll probably be the ones deciding on my concubines."

He let out a sarcastic laugh. "Tell me, you think their daughters just can’t find husbands otherwise?"

Bai Jinglie remained silent. ’It’s more like the throne you’re sitting on is just too tempting.’

"Actually, I rather envy Gu Wenheng," Bai Jinglie said. Since he was receiving a share of the profits from Gu Wenheng, it was only natural to bring him up and give him some credit.

"He’s married, I believe," Hua Shunming said, trying to recall. "Didn’t we agree last time that his family’s soap would be presented as tribute? Has it arrived yet?"

Having received such a huge benefit, Hua Shunming couldn’t be stingy. This was his way of openly acting as Gu Wenheng’s patron.

Bai Jinglie replied, "It’s probably not here yet. I remember Gu Wenheng was also taking the provincial examinations. With his talent, he should have successfully become a scholar."

Hua Shunming mused, "Actually, I’m quite curious about this man. To go from being a refugee to where he is today, the transformation has been incredibly fast."

Although his wife’s influence was undeniable, Hua Shunming still had higher hopes for Gu Wenheng. If the man truly possessed great talent, recruiting him to his side now would make him a powerful ally in the future.

"He is more than capable," Bai Jinglie said with conviction. "If the Holy Emperor were to actually spend time with him, you would understand what I mean."

When Hua Shunming saw Chief Eunuch Le Shan carry in another large stack of memorials, he lost all interest in chatting. With a wave of his hand, Bai Jinglie immediately bowed and excused himself.

"What are you doing here?" To his surprise, he ran into Marquis Wu’an, Bai Yugang, just as he was leaving the palace gates.

"Father, the Holy Emperor summoned me for a chat," Bai Jinglie said coolly.

The Marquis Wu’an sized Bai Jinglie up. "You’re not a child anymore. Stop bothering the Holy Emperor all the time. And though you managed to become a scholar this time, your ranking was far too low. You should spend more time studying, lest you fail to become an Advanced Scholar and bring shame upon the family."

Bai Jinglie gave him a sardonic smile. "I wonder why Second Brother couldn’t even become a Scholar last time? With such a disgraceful example right in front of him, perhaps Father should devote more of his concern to him."

"You—" The Marquis’s eyes widened. "How can you be compared to your brother? You are the eldest son of the primary wife, the heir who will one day be the head of this family. Naturally, my standards for you are much stricter."

But Bai Jinglie just replied nonchalantly, "No matter what you say, I am the rightful Princely Heir. Even if I don’t apply myself, I’m still guaranteed to become a First-Rank Marquis in the future.

"Second Brother, on the other hand, is different. If he doesn’t forge a path for himself through the imperial examinations, he’ll be nothing more than a rich idler after the family assets are divided."

At this, Bai Jinglie covered his mouth in mock surprise. "Tsk, tsk. On second thought, he might not even get to be a rich idler. I hear our current Marchioness is mismanaging things so badly that the household has to cover its losses with personal funds every year. Who knows if the fortune accumulated by our ancestors will even last until the estate is divided?"

Seeing Bai Yugang so enraged his eyes looked ready to pop out, Bai Jinglie decided to add fuel to the fire. He called out to Ye Yi, who was leading his horse over, "The main kitchens in the mansion can’t even afford to serve meals anymore. Let’s not go back and add to our Marquis Wu’an’s burden. We’ll just find a place and grab a quick bite."

Watching his son gallop away, Bai Yugang clutched his chest in fury. It was only when he noticed the subtle glances of passersby that he turned and stormed off in a huff.

"Young Master, was that really necessary?" Ye Yi asked, looking at his master with concern. They had only just ridden away, yet his master’s face had already turned grim.

"Tell our men to be on high alert for a while. A cornered dog will still bite," Bai Jinglie said. He was in a foul mood, but he hadn’t forgotten about important matters.

"I understand. Our old retainers within the mansion are all still in place. Lady Kuang won’t notice anything."

"Have the goods from Sea City arrived?..."

"..."

§

Gu Wenheng remained busy for the better part of a month before life finally began to settle down.

The same went for Jin Qianqian. She had a constant stream of social invitations, and they only stopped once word got out that they were moving into a new residence.

"I feel like we’re always moving," Jin Qianqian said, looking at their small courtyard. They hadn’t even moved out yet, and the courtyard already had a new owner.

As soon as word spread that Gu Wenheng was moving, his current courtyard became a hot commodity.

After all, Gu Wenheng had passed the examinations to become a Scholar and then a scholar while living in this courtyard. Everyone was secretly saying it was an auspicious place, which caused the price to quadruple.

They weren’t selling the house because they were short on Silver, but because keeping it no longer made sense. They couldn’t very well live in their large new compound and still send someone over to maintain this place every other day.

"Are you sure it’s alright to sell the house to your junior brother at such a high price?" Jin Qianqian didn’t believe a house could change a person’s destiny. Gu Wenheng had managed to pass one exam after another in such a short time thanks to more than a decade of test-oriented education, supplemented by the time differential of his special space.

Gu Wenheng knew what she was worried about. He affectionately poked her slightly plump cheeks. "You seem to have gained some weight lately. You’re looking a little rounder."

"Really?" Jin Qianqian quickly cupped her cheeks. "I suppose I have gained a little weight with all the feasting lately.

Thankfully, this whirlwind of social obligations is finally ending. Otherwise, I was afraid I’d eat myself into a little chubster."

"It’s a good thing. You look healthy." He remembered how terribly thin she used to be, and how he had worried that her frail body wouldn’t hold out for much longer.