Gu Wudu saw Lin Fu coming to visit, and said with excitement: "I just mentioned you, and you came. On this New Year's Eve, you must stay and have a few cups with me..." Seeing the brocade box in Lin Fu's arms, he raised an eyebrow and said, "You can come over, why bring these things like others?"

  "Sir, you want to scold me? Let's take a look at what's inside the brocade box first." Lin Xueru was now more casual when speaking in front of Gu Wudust, smiling as she opened the brocade box containing her manuscript and presented it to him. "I've been hiding in the mansion these past few days without coming to pay my respects, but I haven't been out causing trouble either. These past few days, I've been working with Zhao Shuhan, the chief of the Jiangning Penal Department, on a book manuscript. Today, I brought it specifically for you to review..."

  "Ah," Gu Wu Chen took the box containing the manuscript, over three hundred pages of paper were packed tightly in the box, still a bit heavy. Gu Jun Xiang considerately walked over and took the box from his hand, letting him hold the manuscript to read. At first, Gu Wu Chen's face showed some puzzlement, but as he flipped through the stack of papers, his expression became increasingly absorbed...

  Lin tied up the opportunity when Gu Wu Dun was focused on reading the manuscript, and handed over a brocade box containing two southern pearls to Gu Shi beside him, saying: "A few days ago, the young master of Jin'an Hou came to my house and gave me this thing. I really couldn't refuse it, but I felt that leaving it with me was useless. Thinking that the New Year's festival is approaching, I brought it over to offer to the lady for good luck..." He thought that Xiao Fei Hu should bring a batch of precious southern pearls to Jiangning City to make a big show, and maybe the Gu family would also receive gifts. So he explained the origin of the two southern pearls to Gu Shi.

  Gu's family opened the brocade box and saw that it was two grains of dragon eye-sized, shiny white southern pearls. A few days ago, when Xi's aunt came to visit, she also received two southern pearls from Xi's gift, but she didn't know that Xi Feihu actually gave four southern pearls to Lin Xie, only thinking that Xi's family treated her family the same as Lin Xie, and was already quite displeased with Jin'an Houfu. Of course, she had no opinion about Lin Xie, but when she heard him directly admit that this was just something he borrowed to curry favor, she felt even more that he was sincere and trustworthy, smiling with narrowed eyes: "This treasure, you should keep it for the future to win over your wife... oh, speaking of which, you're turning 21 next year, haven't settled on a marriage yet?"

  "Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Lin Xuan is just following the adults and doing some things with his heart, and has not had the heart to think about this matter." Lin Xuan said.

  "Building a family and establishing a career are inseparable, you young people have thin skin, I'll keep this in mind for you, don't worry that I won't take responsibility to find an ugly wife for you, it has to be someone you're satisfied with." Madam Gu said with a smile.

  Madam Gu had few people she could get close to in Jiangning, and the people she usually came into contact with were not as comfortable or trustworthy as Lin Xie. Moreover, her husband, Gu Wudu, also appreciated this young man, so she was naturally more willing to do some favors for him, and wanted to take charge of Lin Xie's marriage herself.

  Lin Xuan felt bitter in his heart, but still had to pretend to be grateful, especially when Gu's family spoke to him in a tone that others would not dare to use. Gu Wu Chen was distracted by the manuscript and didn't mention Lin Xuan sending Nanzhu again, listening to this side mentioning Lin Xuan's marriage, he chimed in: "Lin Xuan should indeed get married early, after getting married, he can focus on his work..."

  "It's a pity that the Xiao family's daughter is already married, otherwise, even if she was born into a humble background, it would be suitable for her to become Lin Xuan's legitimate wife." Madam Gu said, casually throwing in a remark that seemed to be probing who among the young ladies from other families might be a match for Lin Xuan.

  Gu Jun Xun helped her father hold the manuscript, occasionally stealing a glance at Lin Xuan with her beautiful eyes, and spent more time either staring at the embroidered shoe tips that slightly exposed her underdress or staring at the manuscript, also perking up her ears to listen to her mother standing there whispering about whose daughter was getting married.

  During this time, Gu Jun Xiang and her mother stayed at home every day. The wives and daughters of officials, wealthy merchants from Jiangning often came to visit. She got to know many young ladies from Jiangning city. Listening to her mother whispering some girls' names, she also whispered in her heart: How can these girls be worthy of Lin Xie? But it's not good to say it out loud.

  Gu Wudu shifted the topic elsewhere, pointing to the manuscript and saying to Lin Xie: "This part is truly ingenious. I was worried that you, as a prison officer, wouldn't be able to do it, but it seems I overthought it. You are a young talent with such profound knowledge, how many people in the world can match this? This manuscript, have someone copy another version and I'll take it to Yanjing for you. Both Zhang Xiang and Xun's maternal grandfather will be delighted to read such an article..."

  "I've already taken the manuscript to Zhengyedang for printing," said Lin Fu, "This manuscript is actually a credit to Mr. Zhao Shuhan, he insisted on putting my name on it..." Gu Wu Chen always faced the problem of lack of personnel in Jiangning, and Zhao Shuhan's talent, experience, and achievements were all top-notch, if Chu Dang was willing to use him, even promoting him to the position of Zhengwucheng (a high-ranking official) would not be excessive. At that time, Gu Wu Chen could directly use Zhao Shuhan as his assistant in Jiangdong. Although Lin Fu felt that Gu Wu Chen was intentionally avoiding mentioning Zhao Shuhan, he still persisted in bringing up Zhao Shuhan's name.

  "Hmm," Gu Wu Chen let out a light sigh, speaking to Lin Xuan with a serious tone, "I've heard of Zhao Shuhan when I was in Yanjing. Although it was just a small matter back then, he was still personally kicked out of Yanjing by Chen Xinbo... Whether or not Chen Xinbo will leave his position is up to the Emperor's decision. If I were to recommend Zhao Shuhan in Jiangdong, wouldn't that give others an excuse?"

  Although Gu Wu Chen said that he didn't use Zhao Shu Han to avoid suspicion of party strife, it actually made Zhao Shu Han a complete sacrifice to the party strife. Lin Fu felt sorry for Zhao Shu Han in his heart and thought that Gu Wu Chen didn't have the magnanimity to use Zhao Shu Han. He spoke even more respectfully: "Lin Fu was too abrupt..."

  "There's nothing much to it, you'll understand later; for now, you're still full of vigor, which is a good thing." Gu Wu Chen didn't mind Zhao Shu Han at all.

  At this moment, Gu Siyuan walked into the garden and saw Lin Xie and Gu Yuanqiao were also there. He said: "You are here too..." His face was flushed, his words were full of wine, it seemed that he had been drinking since noon and just returned now.

  "Where have you been? On this New Year's Eve, you also went out to fool around and didn't even come back for lunch," he scolded, shaking the manuscript in his hand. "You're only two years younger than Lin Xuan, when can I see you writing books and making a name for yourself?! Go back to your study, if I don't see you walking around the house before dinner, I'll whip you!"

  Gu Suiyuan was scolded, sobering up more than half, and didn't dare to speak out in front of his father. When he lowered his head to take the blame, his eyes glanced at Lin Xian.

  Lin Xuan was already quite annoyed, thinking to himself: "Director Gu just wants to teach his son a lesson and not take the blame for himself, that's all." Director Gu had never had a good impression of him in the first place, and now he was being compared unfavorably again. It would be a miracle if Director Gu's impression of him improved. Lin Xuan couldn't say anything, so he just stood there silently, his face solemn, waiting for Director Gu to leave the garden.

  Before dinner, Lin Xie and Gu Wu Chen discussed many things about prison governance. These days, the study of prison governance has been almost thoroughly discussed with Zhao Shuhan. At this time, it is natural to talk about it fluently. Gu Wu Chen said: "After the manuscript is printed, you give me a few copies, I will send one to Lord Jia for free and see how he dares to question your ability in prison governance!"

  Lin Xie felt that he had submitted to Gu Wu Chen's tutelage, and Gu Wu Chen had also strongly recommended him to take charge of the Jiang Island Prison. It was not surprising that the Surveillance Commissioner, Jia Peng Yu, questioned his ability. After staying at Gu's residence for dinner, he bid farewell and left.

  In the past, when Lin Xie came to visit Gu's family, she never brought any gifts. This time, when Lin Xie was leaving, Gu's wife handed her a beautifully crafted silver paperweight in the shape of a lion, wrapped in a brocade box, and said: "I don't have any close relatives in Jiangning either, so I feel affectionate towards you, and there's no need to bring gifts. This silver paperweight was chosen by Xun Niang, who said you would like it... Besides, you don't have any other relatives in Jiangning City, come over for a reunion dinner on New Year's Eve."

  Gu Sui Ming and Gu Tian Qiao are both considered juniors of the Gu family, so they wouldn't be able to receive such a precious gift. Lin Fu only felt that this period of time spent trying to please the Gu family was worth it today. He spoke with deep emotion: "Lin Fu has been an orphan since childhood, and I have always felt a close connection to you, madam... in my heart, I have already considered you as a member of my own family..." He opened the brocade box again to take another look at the silver lion paperweight, then turned to Gu Jun Xiang to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Jun Xiang sister, for your trouble."

  Gu Jun Xiang saw Lin Xie being so affectionate towards her, and she knew he didn't have any other intentions. However, she couldn't help but blush, fidgeting with the hem of her clothes as she softly muttered "uh-huh" without saying anything else. Seeing that he liked the silver lion paperweight she had chosen, she inexplicably felt a liking for it too.

  Gu Wudu was also very happy and said: "I still have something to tell you, I'll take you to the front yard..."

  Lin Mou didn't know what else Gu Wu Chen had to instruct, so he didn't decline Gu Wu Chen's personal escort. The Gu family and others naturally didn't suspect anything and didn't follow them out. Gu Tianqiao followed from a distance, not disturbing Gu Wu Chen's conversation with Lin Mou. He had long understood that in the eyes of Gu Wu Chen and the Gu family, Lin Mou was incomparable to his own clan relatives. Not to mention him, even if it were Gu Si Ming, he would still be far from comparable. Looking at Gu Wu Chen's expression, he seemed to resent that Lin Mou wasn't his biological son.

  Gu Wu Chen said he still had something to say, and walked all the way to the front yard without opening his mouth. Lin Fu didn't dare ask either. Zhao Hu and Zhou Pu were preparing the horse carriage in the front yard. Gu Wu Chen seemed to have made up his mind and said: "Liu Niang is a pitiful person, you must treat her well..."

  "Uh," Lin Xuan was slightly taken aback, he knew that Gu Wu Chen didn't need to test him with this, but still felt surprised, and could only say, "Lin Xuan has always had a deep respect for Miss Liu in his heart..."

  Gu Wu Chen patted Lin Fu's shoulder and said, "Remember to come over for dinner on New Year's Eve, I won't let anyone bother you..." Then he stood in the front yard, watching Lin Fu get into the carriage.

  Lin Xie sat in the carriage with a confused mind, Gu Wu Chen's words made him completely give up on taking Liu Yue Er as his concubine. He had always thought that women shouldn't be treated like commodities to be taken and discarded at will. Today, after hearing Gu Wu Chen's reminder, he felt even more deeply that one couldn't apply the habits of a thousand years ago to the relationships between men and women in this time period. His mind was a jumbled mess as he returned to Ji Yun Residence, where Wu Qi had been waiting in the front courtyard. Seeing them return, she came over to greet them, leaning in close to whisper: "Guess who's come?"

  Lin Xian saw Wu Qi's appearance and was overjoyed, asking: "Is it still Mr. Qin or Zi Ang?" In his heart, he thought that only Qin Chengzu or Cao Zi Ang could make Wu Qi look like this.

  ********************

  PS: Today's two chapters have been updated, they are two chapters, don't miss the previous chapter.

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