Chapter 4 Zhou Gu

Jiangning County is a thousand miles away from the Capital City, reachable by a fast ride in five days.

Housekeeper Li Fu's son, Li Yan, recommended by Madam Wang, is trustworthy. He serves as a guard in the governor's residence in Jiangning, often ventures out and has plenty of experience. Li Yan traveled without incident and easily entered the Capital City. Instead of immediately heading to the Duke's Residence, he freshened up at an inn and then visited a tea house and tavern.

The duchess had instructed him to inquire about the young master Zhou Gu of the Zhou family, from the Duke Residence.

Not much inquiring was needed though. The latest ruckus in the Capital City was a public brawl between Zhou Gu and Prince Xie Lin of Rui'an's royal family over a girl.

Word had it that the woman was Qin Luan, the legitimate second daughter of imperial censor Qin Yuan, who had recently got into trouble. After Qin Yuan was beheaded, the women in the Qin family had become slaves. Qin Luan, beautiful and accomplished in poetry and song, was a renowned talented lady in the city. Both Zhou Gu and Xie Lin had long had their eyes on her. When they heard that she had fallen on hard times, both were eager to take her home.

So, two groups clashed on the street, neither giving way, sparking a brawl.

Rumour had it that Zhou Gu, single-handed, fought against a group of guards from Rui'an's royal household, decisively defeating them. Not only was he uninjured, but he also beat up Xie Lin. Boastfully, he took the girl and warned Xie Lin to steer clear of anything Zhou Gu had his eyes on, be it a person or a thing.

Infuriated, Xie Lin could do nothing to Zhou Gu and was forced to watch as his desired lady was snatched away.

If the incident had ended there, it would merely be an amusing scandal created by two pampered young masters, providing entertainment for the populace.

However, that was not the end. When Zhou Gu returned home with the girl, he was met by the old Duke, waiting at the door with a military baton. Without a word, he beat Zhou Gu.

After the beating, the old Duke warned him that he was already engaged. If he dared to bring another woman home before his grand wedding, the Duke would beat him to death. This time, Zhou Gu was only half-beaten because he hadn't brought the girl into their residence.

The old Duke denied Zhou Gu the chance to resist, ordered him to be carried into the residence. Then he ordered for the pale-faced Qin Luan to be sent to the palace, asking the Emperor to decide her fate. Surely, the Emperor wouldn't turn a blind eye to the commotion she had caused.

The Emperor did hear of the incident and intended to reprimand the two for their reckless actions, but seeing that both were seriously injured, he had nothing more to say. Instead, he advised King Rui and the Duke to better educate their children. How disgraceful it was to publicly fight over a woman!

Thus, the Emperor dealt with the matter lightly. He pardoned Qin Luan and made her a palace maid, saying that the Crown Prince could use more people around him. He asked the Empress to train her before sending her to serve the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace.

Given the Crown Prince's high status, neither young man would dare to claim her again!

With a thousand miles distance between the Capital City and Jiangning, messages did not reach too accurately. The news that reached Jiangning was only half the story, without the latter part.

After learning the history of the incident, Li Yan quietly asked about Zhou Gu's daily behavior and character.

Some said: "Ah, young master Zhou, he's only sixteen this year and quite handsome. Whenever he's out, all the girls and married women can't help but stare at him. He hasn't fully matured yet, but when he does in a few years, he will be absolutely stunning."

Some said: "Zhou Gu, he is the youngest son of Duke Residence. He has three older brothers. The Duchess gave birth to him shortly before the Duke died in battle, so she dotes on him. Fortunately, the old Duke is strict with him. Normally, he isn't too arrogant, does not bully ordinary people, and only messes around with the children of officials. He hasn't been seen in brothels or opium dens, but he does love midnight horse races, going in and out of the city, making the noise of the horse's hooves disturbing people's sleep."

Some said: "Young master Zhou has wanted to join the army since he was little, but the old Duke would not let him and insisted on him learning classical texts. He studied with the princes in the classroom. Heh heh, Zhou Gu always stirred up trouble in the classroom, either making people fight crickets or folding papers into kites for fun, angering the teacher for disturbing the class. Eventually, the Emperor ordered him to leave the classroom and sent him to the Eastern Palace to accompany the Crown Prince in his studies. The Crown Prince's teachers are strict, and the Crown Prince himself is rather serious. As there is no one to stir things up, Zhou Gu has straightened out."