Chapter 808 - 810: Receiving Guests

Chapter 808: Chapter 810: Receiving Guests

He Nan touched his nose and said, "Mr. Gu, you have been rising steadily in the ranks, while I have been stagnating in the same position for so many years. I’ve long felt too ashamed to face you."

Gu Wenheng walked over and gave his shoulder a firm pat. "We’ve been brothers for so many years; saying things like that makes us sound like strangers.

"I have been away for all these years, and I’ve always troubled you to look after my family for me. I haven’t even properly thanked you yet."

"It’s the least I could do. After all, I promised you back then," He Nan replied. He finally felt a bit more at ease. Gu Wenheng still had the same familiar attitude; it seemed he had just been projecting his own petty insecurities.

Gu Wenheng said, "Still, you’ve helped me so much, Brother He! It’s just a shame that I’ve been so busy out in the field all these years and haven’t been able to help you in return."

The main issue lay in the internal conflicts within the He Family. They were known as a scholarly aristocratic family, and He Nan had even taken third place in the imperial examinations. If his family had just given him a little support, he wouldn’t have stagnated in the same position for so long.

But unfortunately, He Nan had a youngest brother who was solely doted on by their mother. With her interference, the promotions that should have rightfully gone to He Nan were ultimately reassigned to her youngest son through her web of connections.

Thinking of the mess at home, He Nan felt too ashamed to bring it up. "I’ve taken advantage of you plenty, too. I can’t even count how many free meals I’ve had at your Tianfu Restaurant. You know what they say: you can’t bite the hand that feeds you. It was only right that I looked out for your affairs.

"By the way, where is the Holy Emperor planning to send you this time?"

Naturally, Gu Wenheng wouldn’t reveal anything before a final decision was made. "I don’t know yet. Having been away from home for so many years, I asked the Holy Emperor for a leave of absence after reporting on my duties in Shangjing. It’s been so long since I last returned; it was high time I came back to see the elders in the family."

He Nan was well aware of his friend’s career path over the years, and his previous envy faded slightly. "Every time I heard you were being dispatched to those troubled regions, I broke out in a cold sweat for you.

"I hope that this time, you can be reassigned to a better place."

Gu Wenheng remained silent for a moment. He thought, "No, I hope they throw me as far away as possible this time, but that’s obviously impossible."

He chuckled and said, "Let’s hope so!

"Do you really plan to stay here in Dao City forever? Have you never thought about transferring somewhere else?"

If it were up to Gu Wenheng, with a family dragging him down and superiors suppressing him, he would have long since fled to a place beyond their reach.

He Nan offered a bitter smile. "I’ve already endured to this point. I just hope there won’t be any more unexpected changes this time.

"Unlike you, I don’t possess world-changing talents. I’d better just stick to my duty and take things slowly!"

"That doesn’t sound like the He Nan I know," Gu Wenheng said, patting him on the shoulder again. "If you run into any difficulties, just say the word. As long as it’s within my power, I will definitely lend a hand."

It was exceedingly rare for him to make such a promise. He did so out of the deep friendship they had cultivated through years of correspondence, and in recognition of the fact that Fu County’s current stability was all thanks to He Nan’s care over the years.

"Thank you!" He Nan said. He was no longer the hot-blooded young man who had just entered the officialdom. Years of grinding reality had taught him that sometimes, it was necessary to borrow another’s influence.

They went on to chat about the interesting things they had encountered over the years. Suddenly, He Nan asked, "Wasn’t Ning Yuchen stationed with you in Yi Province before? Did you two keep in touch after that?"

The man’s face instantly popped into Gu Wenheng’s mind. "Ah, him. We met once, but after my term ended, I left. Why do you ask? Is there a story there?"

"Not really," He Nan replied. "It’s just that he wrote me a letter a few days ago. I hear he’s now the Magistrate over in He Xi County. His entire letter was nothing but him bragging."

Back when they were dispatched outwards, Ning Yuchen had been two full ranks below him. Now that the man had climbed over his head, it was no wonder he sought out the chance to show off. He Nan understood that this was simply human nature, but it still left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"That man is not someone you should associate with deeply," Gu Wenheng said, raising an eyebrow. "Do you interact with him often?"

He Nan smiled bitterly. "I rarely interact with him on a normal basis. His sudden letter actually caught me off guard, but thinking back on it now, he just wanted to rub his success in my face.

"I heard he latched onto the maternal family of Lord Imperial Uncle. Relying on that connection, he has been promoted quite rapidly these past few years."

Although Ning Yuchen couldn’t compare to Gu Wenheng, his rise in the officialdom was still considered a steady upward climb.

The pieces of information in Gu Wenheng’s mind instantly clicked into place. Back then, he himself was the one Ning Yuchen had been scheming against. It seemed someone else had been played for a fool and fallen into Ning Yuchen’s trap instead.

"Everyone has their own path," Gu Wenheng said, noticing the disappointment in He Nan’s eyes. "However, you should be decisive when necessary. It’s time you started making plans for yourself."

He Nan asked, "Mr. Gu, what do you mean?"

"Transfer to a different place," Gu Wenheng advised. He understood He Nan; although the man could be a bit pedantic at times, he had an upright character.

Gu Wenheng pointed straight at the sky. "A storm is brewing. It’s time to find a place to take shelter from the rain."

He Nan’s expression drastically changed. Because his Family had been entirely focused on supporting his youngest brother, his own access to information had become quite delayed. He had always disdained the thought of bowing his head to others, choosing instead to jealously guard his own small plot of land. It seemed he had truly been mistaken.

"Then, Mr. Gu, what is your brilliant opinion?" He Nan stood up and bowed. His attitude was even more respectful than before.

Gu Wenheng reached out and helped him up. "There’s no need for these empty formalities. What do you think about going somewhere a bit more remote?"

This time, He Nan did not hesitate in the slightest. "Anywhere is fine with me. I will never forget your immense kindness, Mr. Gu."

Seeing that he had thought things through, Gu Wenheng made him a promise. "Brother He, just wait quietly for the good news."

Over the years, Gu Wenheng had served as an official all over the country, fighting tooth and nail in every impoverished and struggling region. Yet, within those hardships lay his greatest opportunities.

During his first few years, everyone had simply watched from the sidelines. Later on, the Holy Emperor had assigned many capable people to his side. Eventually, these individuals were transferred to various positions, invisibly spreading his network of connections all over the land. Now was the time of the bitter struggle for the imperial succession. Everyone’s eyes were solely fixed on the few cities surrounding Shangjing. As long as he operated carefully, He Nan could still be placed in a suitable position.

Since he was about to enter the center of power, Gu Wenheng also needed to start paving his own way. He didn’t care for fighting over fame or fortune, but he still needed some ability to protect himself.

...

Jin Qianqian held Yang Wenlan’s hands, thanking her profusely. Although they hadn’t lived near each other, Jin Qianqian had never been short of the He Family’s secret brew; Yang Wenlan sent someone to deliver a fresh batch every year.

Jin Qianqian said, "Wenlan, you are truly too thoughtful. I’ve never been able to thank you face-to-face for persistently sending us wine all these years."

Yang Wenlan replied, "It’s only right. We’ve also received plenty of the local specialties you’ve sent from all over the country.

"I haven’t seen you in so many years, yet you haven’t changed a bit. I, on the other hand, have gotten old!"

Touching her cheeks, Jin Qianqian said, "I love hearing you say that, but my age is plain for all to see. Just look at the wrinkles around my eyes; I couldn’t hide them even if I tried.

"Sigh, in the blink of an eye, we’ve both reached the age of being grandmothers. Time really spares no one!"

"Isn’t that the truth," Yang Wenlan agreed, also touching her own face. Compared to Jin Qianqian’s two inconspicuous crow’s feet, she had aged significantly all over.

Even though she was an official’s wife, there were simply too many things she had to worry about and too many miscellaneous matters she had to manage. She hadn’t enjoyed a single day of true leisure.