Chapter 742: Dog Hole
Qin Heng’s eyes twirled, and he whispered, "To be honest, there’s a big task I’d like some help with. It’s such a coincidence that Fu Ya Nei is here; it’s really great. Perhaps Fu Ya Nei might have some solutions."
Fu Ya Nei snorted proudly, "You’re still young, and focused on your studies at the Imperial College, so you naturally have too few friends to rely on. It’s understandable."
Having said that, he intentionally or unintentionally glanced at the black-skinned Brother Xiao Hong standing nearby.
The expression on the black-skinned Brother Xiao Hong’s face was unreadable, given his dark complexion.
Qin Heng smiled and said, "Fu Ya Nei, there is something I’d like transported to a gazebo in the suburbs."
"How is this a big task?" Fu Ya Nei looked at him suspiciously. "You could just have your family’s servants do it. Why trouble someone else?"
The black-skinned Brother Xiao Hong immediately said, "Yes, Brother Heng. If you don’t want your family to know, I can handle it for you."
Qin Heng replied, "Ahem, indeed, I don’t want my family to know.
Plus, this thing is quite heavy. Without three or five people, it’ll be difficult to move it.
Furthermore, it needs to be stored for a day and then sent out to the suburbs early the day after tomorrow, which is a journey of several dozen miles."
The home of the black-skinned Brother Xiao Hong is not spacious, and to transport it so far, a cart is necessary.
Having to rush early in the morning with a cart to the suburbs is indeed somewhat challenging.
The black-skinned Brother Xiao Hong remained silent.
Fu Ya Nei, full of bravado, patted his chest.
"Leave it to me, then. Where do you want it to be placed? I’ll have the house servants send it over, and they’ll be sure not to mess up."
Qin Heng immediately smiled and performed a polite gesture, saying, "Then many thanks to Fu Ya Nei. I never expected Fu Ya Nei to be such an honest, generous, and warm-hearted brother."
Fu Ya Nei was instantly in a great mood.
This young master from a scholarly family is different from the common idlers he usually hangs out with. They should maintain more contacts.
Thus, he said, "Such a small matter, no need to worry. Shall we go get the item now?"
Qin Heng nodded, "I ask that Fu Ya Nei not make a scene at my house, but act discreetly."
"Of course," Fu Ya Nei was very understanding.
Everyone has little secrets, especially young noblemen their age.
It wasn’t long before Fu Ya Nei regretted it.
He stood before the dog hole of the Qin Mansion, scowling, asking, "Are you sure you want me, Fu Ya Nei, to crawl through this dog hole to get into your courtyard?"
Qin Heng clasped his hands together, "Please, please, I have no other way. If Qi Gu were here, he is skilled enough to climb into the yard without anyone noticing.
But for the two of us, this is the only way through."
Hearing Qin Heng mention Qi Gu, Fu Ya Nei inexplicably calmed his anger, his expression a bit awkward, and he asked, "Are you very close with that Qi Gu?"
Qin Heng replied, "We often associate."
Fu Ya Nei bit his lip, "Then you go first."
To find out the identity of that mysterious Mr. Qi, he was determined; crawling through a dog hole was not that big of a deal!
If Qin Heng could crawl through it, so could he.
"Just don’t tell others," Fu Ya Nei added solemnly, "Otherwise, if the people in the Capital City find out that I, Fu Ya Nei, crawled through the dog hole of your house, wouldn’t it damage my dignity?"
"Yes, yes, yes," Qin Heng nodded seriously, inwardly laughing uproariously.
This Fu Ya Nei was indeed easy to handle.
The mysterious Mr. Qi rode off the main road, reaching the northern boundary of the city, and urged his horse, "Faster, faster."
The guard behind asked, "Why is Seventh Miss in such a hurry?"
Gu Baoshu replied, "Today, Third Sister-in-law is hosting a farewell banquet for me. How can I not hurry?"
"Indeed, Seventh Miss needs to change and dress up upon returning to attend splendidly."
Gu Baoshu laughed, "You guys don’t know, before Third Brother said he would give me Sixteen to accompany me to the White Crane Academy. Today at the banquet, I must confirm this in front of everyone to secure Sixteen, and, naturally, he should be obedient and listen."
The guards looked astonished.
Gu Shiliu is Marquis Gu’s right-hand man and manages the private treasury, so why on earth is he going to serve Seventh Miss?
Did Gu Shiliu do something to anger Marquis Gu?
"That doesn’t sound right."
The guards exchanged looks, signaling to confirm.
"Gu Shiliu is laboring under orders from Marquis Gu one moment, then another, so diligently."
"No rumors have suggested Gu Shiliu’s incompetence, provoking Marquis Gu’s wrath."
Someone gestured, "Offended the Madam?"
Everyone had a sudden realization.
That must be it!
Gu Shiba even said the Madam was unhappy because of Hong Ye.
Poor Gu Shiliu!
Because of Hong Ye offending the Madam, he’s been sent to the White Crane Academy to tend to Seventh Miss.
A beautiful disaster, indeed!
Best to be more respectful to the prominent figures Hong Ye and Cui Ming in the future.
"But I heard that Sixteen is to wed Hong Ye, how could the Madam care for Hong Ye, then allow Sixteen to follow Seventh Miss?"
Another smart one said, "That’s why the Marquis regrets it, and Seventh Miss is worried he’d renege, wanting to secure Sixteen at the farewell banquet."
"Do you think Seventh Miss can succeed?"
"I think it’s difficult."
"I also think it’s unlikely."
"..."
Gu Baoshu rode eagerly at the front, while the guards behind, winking and gesturing at each other.
Gu Shiliu rode up to meet them, and from afar, he quickly saluted on his horse to Gu Baoshu, "Greetings, Seventh Miss."
Gu Baoshu, wanting to reassure Gu Shiliu, immediately beamed, "Sixteen, haven’t seen you in ages. Is it because Third Brother isn’t considerate to you and loaded you with tasks?"
Gu Shiliu was bewildered, unsure how to respond to Gu Baoshu, while the guards behind him were all stifling laughs, gesturing to each other.
"...This..."
Gu Shiliu frowned.
Gu Baoshu said, "Sixteen, don’t worry. With me around in the future, you won’t be so busy. We’ll practice martial arts every day, and when my skills are honed, we’ll accomplish an earth-shattering feat together, guaranteeing you a prestigious future."
Gu Shiliu gave Gu Baoshu a complicated look.
Finally, he said, "Seventh Miss, I’ve remembered all you said."
Gu Baoshu nodded with satisfaction, "It’s good you’ve remembered."
Gu Shiliu added, "The Marquis has instructed me to go to the Prince Qi Mansion; does Seventh Miss have any other orders?"
Gu Baoshu said grumpily, "Isn’t anyone else available for the Prince Qi Mansion task, why you particularly? Never mind, go on. In the future, even Third Brother can’t order you around."
Gu Shiliu dared not respond, only complying humbly.
Finding it boring, Gu Baoshu waved her hand, "Go on."
Gu Shiliu hastily urged his horse to leave.
Gu Baoshu excitedly returned to the Marquis Mansion, groomed and dressed, then rushed to Qiuxiang Pavilion, where the banquet was already set up inside and out.
The women sat inside, and the men sat outside.
The two groups could hear each other but were separated by a screen, keeping it intimate but respectful.
𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎
Across the waters from the pavilion, several women were already seated, holding various instruments, each dressed in flowing Liuxian skirts, gently playing.
Listening to the music across the water, it was quite melodious.
Even Gu Baoshu thought it sounded nice.
Suddenly, she asked, "Why is there a collision?"