Chapter 7: Response - Part 2

Yan Huisheng looked at him, "Which young lady from Jiangning?"

"The seventh young lady from the Governor of Jiangning's residence..." Zhou Gu almost blurted out the words 'low-born', but he felt that he should maintain the dignity of his betrothed, whom he had been engaged to since childhood. If he publicly belittled her without reservation, wouldn't others trample on her even more?

"There is no lady of principal birth in the Governor of Jiangning's residence, all are concubines' daughters. The Duke arranged for you to marry the seventh concubine's daughter?" Yan Huisheng was taken aback, quite surprised.

"Yes." Zhou Gu didn't bat an eyelid, "My grandfather said the Su family owed him a favor. I was of similar age, so it was settled."

Yan Huisheng wondered as he hadn't heard of the Su family in Jiangning owing any favor to the Duke Residence. He nodded understandingly, "Alright, I get it."

He then turned his head, smiling to Grand Tutor Qin, "Grand Tutor, you may go now. I wish to have a private conversation with Zhou Gu. He seems uncomfortable with you here."

Grand Tutor Qin snorted at Zhou Gu, "I am waiting to see what rank you get in the autumn exam. Don't disgrace me." He paused, "Even if you go to Jiangning, you still have to study diligently. After all, the examination is only a few months away."

"Understood." Zhou Gu inwardly rolled his eyes, but outwardly agreed.

Grand Tutor Qin bid farewell, left the study, and departed.

Once Grand Tutor Qin had left, Zhou Gu took a deep breath, finally relaxing, and admiringly said to Yan Huisheng, "Your Highness, I don't know how you tolerate it. Despite finishing school, I still fear this old man – always so stern and severe."

Yan Huisheng smiled helplessly, "Grand Tutor Qin may be severe, but he is reasonable and doesn't force others. How could you not have gotten used to it by now? Everyone says you're fearless. But in my eyes, you're not that brave."

"I will never forget, Grand Tutor Qin asked me to memorize 'The Book of Rites' in ten days. Otherwise, he would confine me to the Eastern Palace, not allowing me to leave the palace or go home. His Majesty had even sent a master from the imperial guard to supervise me. No matter how brave I was, I was subdued by him."

The arm can't twist the thigh. He learned this lesson then.

Yan Huisheng laughed, "Who asked you to misbehave in the study hall? Grand Tutor Qin was also disciplining you for that. Well, it's really effective. You've behaved much better over the years."

Zhou Gu cleared his throat and said without energy, "Your Highness, I actually don't want to participate in this fall's examination. I want to travel for a while and then participate three years later."

Yan Huisheng ceased laughing, "Don't you want to enter the court early?"

"Yes, I do have that idea." Zhou Gu sighed, "My grandfather won't let me join the military, but I also don't want to enter the court too early. The world is so vast and I haven't had the chance to traverse it yet. Without understanding the people's livelihood, how can I govern and serve them?"

Yan Huisheng asked, "Does your grandfather agree?"

"I haven't talked to my grandfather about this, for fear that he wouldn't agree. However, if you support me and persuade Grand Tutor Qin to support me, my grandfather should not object." Zhou Gu strategized, "Your Highness, could you help me?"

"You came to me because after you go to Jiangning, you don't want to return to the capital, but travel abroad directly?" Yan Huisheng saw through his thoughts.

Zhou Gu nodded, "That's the idea." he was amazed, "Your Highness, you are very astute."

Yan Huisheng sat down, "It's because your intentions are clear and not concealed that I figured it out." He looked at Zhou Gu, "Your grandfather is sending you to attend your fiancée's Coming-of-age Ceremony in Jiangning. He probably plans to fix your wedding date after that. But you're saying you want to travel, wouldn't that delay your marriage? For how long? One year, two years, or three years? Can the girl wait for you for three years? How old will she be then?"

Zhou Gu also sat down, sprawling bonelessly in the chair, deflated, and finally showed his troubled feelings, "That's the tricky part."

Yan Huisheng thought for a while, "You haven't met your betrothed yet, right? First go to Jiangning, meet her, then think carefully, or ask her if she's willing to wait. Don't just leave, come back to the capital first. After your return, if you still decide not to take the examination this autumn and wish to travel, discuss it with your grandfather again. Apart from not allowing you to join the military, your grandfather hasn't refused your requests over the years; perhaps he'd be willing to negotiate."

Zhou Gu wanted to say, "I don't want to marry that little low-born girl, my grandfather absolutely disagreed and even threatened to disinherit me. He doesn't always agree with my wishes." But he didn't speak these words. He nodded, "That could work."

He took a sip of tea, looking at Yan Huisheng, "Your Highness, you visited Jiangning a while ago, is it a fun place?"

Yan Huisheng nodded, "It's a beautiful place."

Zhou Gu was pleased, "That's good."

Yan Huisheng looked at him, thought for a moment, and suddenly said, "Help me find someone and investigate her identity. I was attacked in Jiangning and she saved me. It was urgent at the time and after I got away, I rushed off without asking her name. After returning, I wanted to send someone to look for her, but I was afraid that it would attract the attention of those with ulterior motives and cause trouble for her."

"Sure, Your Highness, describe what she looks like." Zhou Gu accepted readily.

"She's a young woman, about fourteen or fifteen years old. It was dark then, so I didn't see her clearly, but she should be very beautiful, and her smile is also attractive." Yan Huisheng described, "She's skinny, but not weak."

Zhou Gu sighed, "Your Highness, there could be many girls like this in Jiangning. You need to mention something that could be instantly recognized and remembered."

"I gave her my dagger." Yan Huisheng recalled, "She liked it very much and should carry it with her."

Zhou Gu nodded, that's one clue, "Anything else?"

"She appears to be a fisher girl from a rural area. When I met her, she was by the river, alone, fishing with a net." Yan Huisheng was unsure, "That's about it."

Zhou Gu felt this person might be difficult to find, but since he'd agreed, he kept nodding, "Okay. Don't worry, Your Highness. I'll be in Jiangning for at least a month, I'll try my best to find her."

Yan Huisheng smiled, "Thank you very much." He added after a pause, "Be discreet, don't make a big show of searching for her, just find her."

Zhou Gu responded, "Fine."