Chapter 643: Chapter 645: Untitled

Ning Yuchen quickly waved his hand and said, "Don’t you go doing that sort of rough work. Just wait a little longer.

"I’m already pulling some strings. Maybe this time I’ll get a chance for an external posting. Once I’m a chief local official, our lives won’t be so difficult."

The salary from the Hanlin Academy was fixed, and it was barely enough for his family to get by in Shangjing. If one truly wanted a better life, the only way was to secure a post outside the capital.

Lady Yao’s eyes lit up as she looked at him. "If this works out, then Brother Ning will be a local magistrate!"

Seeing Lady Yao gaze at him with excitement and adoration, Ning Yuchen’s feelings of inadequacy vanished, and his desire for an external post as a local official grew even stronger.

He used to think being a Capital Official was the best option, but after years of experience, he knew that minor figures like himself were merely pawns in the Capital.

Even wearing an official’s robes and holding a rank, he had to walk on eggshells and handle every matter with extreme care, terrified that offending some seemingly insignificant person would be enough to cast him back into the dust.

"I just don’t know if your wife... would be willing to accept someone like me?" Lady Yao lowered her head. "Perhaps I should just stay here and not cause Brother Ning any trouble."

"What nonsense is that? I’m the one who makes the decisions in my household. What does a woman like her know?" Ning Yuchen was all fired up now and couldn’t bear to stay a moment longer. All he could think about was finding a few of his superiors to inquire about the situation.

"You just wait here for my news and don’t worry about a thing. I’ll handle the rest.

"I have some things to attend to. I’ll come see you another day."

Watching Ning Yuchen’s hasty departure, Lady Yao bit her lip, lost in thought.

’Previously, Ning Yuchen had arranged for her to wait in a private teahouse room for that Mr. Gu. As soon as he entered, she was to throw herself at him.’

’Once they had made physical contact, she was to create a tearful scene by the window. For the sake of his reputation, Gu Wenheng—even knowing he’d been set up—would have to grit his teeth and accept it.’

’She had been happy about it at first, as she had long since inquired about the wealth and status of the Gu family.’

’But when she was grabbed and thrown from the second floor, she came to her senses.’

’She was just an orphan girl with no backing. Even if her scheme against Gu Wenheng had succeeded and she was taken into his household, she would have to live at the mercy of his primary wife.’

’She could already imagine how miserable her life would be with no one to protect her.’

’If she was going to be a concubine, why not target Ning Yuchen directly? Between their youthful affection and his guilt toward her, she might even be able to contend with his lawfully wedded wife.’

’Besides, back then, if the Ning Family hadn’t been looking for a moneybag to fund his imperial examinations, the position of his proper wife should have belonged to her, Lady Yao.’

&

Although Gu Wenheng said there was no need to investigate, he wasn’t willing to be taken for a fool.

When he heard the report from Ming Feng, Gu Wenheng was at a loss for words.

’Ning Yuchen really let becoming an official go to his head. Even if he was once engaged to this Lady Yao, he made his choice. He shouldn’t be getting entangled with her again.’

’To think he would even try to scheme against me for a woman like that... It’s utterly absurd.’

Jin Qianqian remarked, "If that Miss Yao were smart, she wouldn’t be going after Ning Yuchen. A man who could cast aside their childhood bond back then won’t hesitate to sacrifice her again in the future."

Gu Wenheng scoffed. "Hah. They’re both scheming. Do you really think Ning Yuchen plotted against me just to find a place for that woman?

"If his plot had actually succeeded, he’d probably dare to start meddling in our family’s affairs, and maybe even make greater demands."

...

He Gaofei and the others had been walking tall these past few days. Officials in Shangjing who used to look down on them would now greet them whenever they crossed paths.

Not to mention the unprecedented welcome they received upon returning to their clans.

These past few days, they were attending banquets with different families every day.

"It’s a shame it’ll be hard for us all to meet again in the future." Finding a rare moment of leisure, the men sat together chatting while they waited for Gu Wenheng to arrive.

He Gaofei said, "Mr. Gu probably asked to meet so he could say goodbye. His new post is the furthest away, so he definitely won’t be able to return during his term of office.

"The posts for the rest of us are a reasonable distance apart, so remember to stay in touch when you have free time."

’Who would have ever thought that a nobody like him could have such good fortune?’

’The magistrate of a whole city! It had let him cut a grand figure within his clan.’

"Of course," said Lu SenGen. "It’s just a shame that we all get along so well but can’t stay together. If it were up to me, I’d still rather be following Mr. Gu." He knew he wasn’t as clever as the other two and just wanted to ride Gu Wenheng’s coattails.

"Listen to yourself. Who wouldn’t want that?" Wu Yichen retorted. "It might be tiring and busy following Mr. Gu, but at least we don’t have to worry about a thing."

The man plans ten steps ahead for every one he takes. Minds like theirs could never keep up.

"SIGH!" Lu SenGen sighed. "A few of my family’s elders analyzed the situation for me. They think I’m being sent near Sea City because they want me to achieve something tangible over there.

"But as you know, we’ve been relying on Mr. Gu all these years.

"We don’t have his kind of guts or brains, and now the pressure is really getting to me.

"If I weren’t still so young, I’d want to submit my resignation and go home to retire."

He Gaofei, however, felt a surge of relief. ’Thank goodness my clan pulled some strings, or I’d be just as distressed as he is right now.’

After a moment’s thought, he offered some comfort. "It’ll be fine. Even if the higher-ups just want you to copy the model, you’ve seen everything clearly during your years in Lu City. You were involved in every aspect, so it won’t be that hard to implement."

"If only it were that simple," Wu Yichen said, recalling the words of an elder from the day before. "Now it really comes down to our own luck. If your superiors and subordinates are cooperative, you can make some political achievements. But I’m afraid some people just won’t cooperate, and then it doesn’t matter how many ideas or how much experience you have—you’re still helpless."

Although he didn’t say so explicitly, both He Gaofei and Lu SenGen knew there must be something wrong with the people Wu Yichen was assigned to work with.

Just as they were about to comfort him, the waiter’s voice sounded from outside the door. "Your Excellencies, the Master has arrived."

Shortly after, the waiter pushed the door open, and Gu Wenheng strode inside.

"Mr. Gu!" The three of them rose in unison to salute him.

"We’re all friends here. No need for such formalities." Gu Wenheng walked to the head of the table and sat down.

He Gaofei and the others smiled and took their seats on either side of him.

"I leave the day after tomorrow. I came today to say my goodbyes."

"It’s a shame we can no longer serve by your side. All we can do is wish you the best from here." He Gaofei had become so accustomed to official-speak lately that flattering words now came to him naturally.

Gu Wenheng smiled at him, and He Gaofei realized his words had sounded a bit too formal.

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