Be Wary of the Yin Family
It was only after the imperial banquet came to an end and everyone had returned to the manor that they let out a sigh of relief.
“Little Yu Fu, I’ve been holding it in for a long time. Quickly tell us, who exactly did you learn to play the zither from?”
“…”
Upon returning to the manor, Gu Yi circled tightly around Yu Fu while asking this question.
It was not just him, as everyone, including Gu HuaiJiang, wanted to know this.
“I learned it from my master.”
Yu Fu replied with a half-truth.
The truth behind it was that as a princess, she could begin learning the zither from a young age. This was not limited to the zither and included all of the refined things that all proper girls should learn. She had learned all of those things under strict guidance.
But truly being able to grasp the emotions of the song was something that she had learned after being taught by Xun Chi.
Everyone came to a sudden realization.
The medical god of legends was an exceptional person, thus it was possible that he exceptionally skilled at the zither, just like the legendary Bo Ya.
Gu ShuBai looked at her as if he had something on his mind.
When her song had reached its climax, that style did indeed feel like one belonging to a hermit secluded in the mountains, but the style from the start clearly originated from the imperial palace.
It was an ancient and noble grace.
She had not told the truth. At the very least, she had not told the full truth.
“Little Yu Fu, why didn’t you tell us? When Princess DanYang called out your name, we were given quite the fright!”
To this moment, Gu Yi was still frightened.
Yu Fu knowing how to play the zither was something that even the members of Marquis Gu’s Manor did not know. Princess DanYang definitely would not know; however, she deliberately had Yu Fu go and perform in front of so many people.
Was this not done for the sake of troubling her?
Yu Fu innocently said: “But you guys have never asked me…”
This was indeed true.
They had always tacitly believed that Yu Fu did not know how to do anything. It was only after she said that she wished to learn to read that everyone found out how cultured she was.
It was not their fault that these were Eastern Ling’s customs. Rather, it was just that it was already amazing for young misses to be proficient in the four arts.
Of course, they never thought that Yu Fu would already be proficient at the age of twelve.
“Princess DanYang was absolutely infuriated by eldest brother. His Majesty hinted at eldest brother’s marriage once more to father and was refused. Princess DanYang must be quite anxious to make use of this ploy. Poor Yu Fu, being pushed to the point of needing to show off.”
Gu JiuGe suddenly fell silent, finding the current situation to be very detrimental to Marquis Gu’s Manor.
“Princess DanYang has the heart of a young girl and is not cause for concern. It’s just that from Yu Fu unexpectedly falling into the water to Yao Yue’s appearance at West Lake, I keep feeling that there is someone watching our Marquis Gu’s Manor from the shadows. His Majesty’s attitude tonight was also strange.”
It was indeed strange. It seemed as though he wanted to ingratiate himself with Marquis Gu’s Manor yet was also suspicious and envious of them.
Everyone looked toward Gu HuaiJiang.
It had to be said that Gu HuaiJiang, having spent multiple decades with him, understood Emperor Ning better than anyone else.
He let out a sigh and wanted to avoid this topic. He did not want to reveal too much to the children.
“His Majesty is getting old. The conflict between the eldest prince and the second prince is getting more and more obvious. The generals and officials do not get along in court, and the people are uneasy. If someone was to provoke him, it is inevitable that he will become suspicious.”
Since ancient times, whenever a ruler is faced with a great general who commands large armies, when have they not boiled the hound after catching the hare?*
Gu HuaiJiang had always kept a low profile and never flaunted his military achievements because he was considering this line of reasoning.
“I keep feeling that this can’t be unrelated to the prime minister’s manor. When Yu Fu fell into the water, I was present, and Yin Shuo’s appearance was truly suspicious. Yu Fu is very young, yet His Majesty is suspicious of her. It is true that there was her performance tonight, but there are also signs of someone’s meddling.”
Gu ShuBai had always been thorough, and his suspicions of Yin Shuo were well-reasoned, which lined up perfectly with what Gu HuaiJiang was feeling.
He nodded, “Father was also thinking like this. It’s just that Yin Shuo is even harder to predict than his father, yet His Majesty likes him very much and will likely assign him an important task.”
This important task was most likely to follow in his father’s footsteps and have Yin Shuo take the role of replacing Prime Minister Yin.
“It’s whatever with that Yin Shuo, but I think that the eldest prince and second prince are a little too diligent with their visits to our manor. The two don’t train properly and always try to get close to Yu Fu!”
Gu Xiang let out a snort. He always felt that the two of them had bad designs for Yu Fu.
He suddenly thought of something, “Father, could it be because they frequently come to the manor that His Majesty is worried that you will help one of the princes commit…”
Gu JiuGe rushed to cover his mouth, not allowing him to finish his sentence. Gu Xiang then tried a few times to protest.
That sound was quite similar to when Yu Fu’s Pang Jiu became miserable. His barks would become sad whimpers.
Gu HuaiJiang glanced over at him. He understood Gu Xiang and Gu Yi’s dispositions very well, and he did not have high hopes that they would mature overnight.
On the contrary, he hoped that they and Yu Fu could continue to live their lives without a care in the world.
“There’s no need to worry too much. I will find a chance to request that His Majesty take back my tiger tally. Between Prime Minister Yin and me, His Majesty trusts me a little more.”
After all, if he, Gu HuaiJiang, wanted to commit treason and rebel, based on the soldiers under his command and his prestige in the military, it would have happened long ago.
The most important thing was-
“When you guys run into Prime Minister Yin and his son in the future, just be a little careful, especially with Yin Shuo.”
“Yes.”
After all important matters had been taken care of, Gu Yi poked Yu Fu’s arm.
“Then do you know how to embroider?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know how to dance?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know how to play chess?”
This was finally something that she should not know, right?
“Uh… Also yes”
“…”
*TN: Idiom for getting rid of somebody after they have served their purpose.
Be Wary of the Yin Family
It was only after the imperial banquet came to an end and everyone had returned to the manor that they let out a sigh of relief.
“Little Yu Fu, I’ve been holding it in for a long time. Quickly tell us, who exactly did you learn to play the zither from?”
“…”
Upon returning to the manor, Gu Yi circled tightly around Yu Fu while asking this question.
It was not just him, as everyone, including Gu HuaiJiang, wanted to know this.
“I learned it from my master.”
Yu Fu replied with a half-truth.
The truth behind it was that as a princess, she could begin learning the zither from a young age. This was not limited to the zither and included all of the refined things that all proper girls should learn. She had learned all of those things under strict guidance.
But truly being able to grasp the emotions of the song was something that she had learned after being taught by Xun Chi.
Everyone came to a sudden realization.
The medical god of legends was an exceptional person, thus it was possible that he exceptionally skilled at the zither, just like the legendary Bo Ya.
Gu ShuBai looked at her as if he had something on his mind.
When her song had reached its climax, that style did indeed feel like one belonging to a hermit secluded in the mountains, but the style from the start clearly originated from the imperial palace.
It was an ancient and noble grace.
She had not told the truth. At the very least, she had not told the full truth.
“Little Yu Fu, why didn’t you tell us? When Princess DanYang called out your name, we were given quite the fright!”
To this moment, Gu Yi was still frightened.
Yu Fu knowing how to play the zither was something that even the members of Marquis Gu’s Manor did not know. Princess DanYang definitely would not know; however, she deliberately had Yu Fu go and perform in front of so many people.
Was this not done for the sake of troubling her?
Yu Fu innocently said: “But you guys have never asked me…”
This was indeed true.
They had always tacitly believed that Yu Fu did not know how to do anything. It was only after she said that she wished to learn to read that everyone found out how cultured she was.
It was not their fault that these were Eastern Ling’s customs. Rather, it was just that it was already amazing for young misses to be proficient in the four arts.
Of course, they never thought that Yu Fu would already be proficient at the age of twelve.
“Princess DanYang was absolutely infuriated by eldest brother. His Majesty hinted at eldest brother’s marriage once more to father and was refused. Princess DanYang must be quite anxious to make use of this ploy. Poor Yu Fu, being pushed to the point of needing to show off.”
Gu JiuGe suddenly fell silent, finding the current situation to be very detrimental to Marquis Gu’s Manor.
“Princess DanYang has the heart of a young girl and is not cause for concern. It’s just that from Yu Fu unexpectedly falling into the water to Yao Yue’s appearance at West Lake, I keep feeling that there is someone watching our Marquis Gu’s Manor from the shadows. His Majesty’s attitude tonight was also strange.”
It was indeed strange. It seemed as though he wanted to ingratiate himself with Marquis Gu’s Manor yet was also suspicious and envious of them.
Everyone looked toward Gu HuaiJiang.
It had to be said that Gu HuaiJiang, having spent multiple decades with him, understood Emperor Ning better than anyone else.
He let out a sigh and wanted to avoid this topic. He did not want to reveal too much to the children.
“His Majesty is getting old. The conflict between the eldest prince and the second prince is getting more and more obvious. The generals and officials do not get along in court, and the people are uneasy. If someone was to provoke him, it is inevitable that he will become suspicious.”
Since ancient times, whenever a ruler is faced with a great general who commands large armies, when have they not boiled the hound after catching the hare?*
Gu HuaiJiang had always kept a low profile and never flaunted his military achievements because he was considering this line of reasoning.
“I keep feeling that this can’t be unrelated to the prime minister’s manor. When Yu Fu fell into the water, I was present, and Yin Shuo’s appearance was truly suspicious. Yu Fu is very young, yet His Majesty is suspicious of her. It is true that there was her performance tonight, but there are also signs of someone’s meddling.”
Gu ShuBai had always been thorough, and his suspicions of Yin Shuo were well-reasoned, which lined up perfectly with what Gu HuaiJiang was feeling.
He nodded, “Father was also thinking like this. It’s just that Yin Shuo is even harder to predict than his father, yet His Majesty likes him very much and will likely assign him an important task.”
This important task was most likely to follow in his father’s footsteps and have Yin Shuo take the role of replacing Prime Minister Yin.
“It’s whatever with that Yin Shuo, but I think that the eldest prince and second prince are a little too diligent with their visits to our manor. The two don’t train properly and always try to get close to Yu Fu!”
Gu Xiang let out a snort. He always felt that the two of them had bad designs for Yu Fu.
He suddenly thought of something, “Father, could it be because they frequently come to the manor that His Majesty is worried that you will help one of the princes commit…”
Gu JiuGe rushed to cover his mouth, not allowing him to finish his sentence. Gu Xiang then tried a few times to protest.
That sound was quite similar to when Yu Fu’s Pang Jiu became miserable. His barks would become sad whimpers.
Gu HuaiJiang glanced over at him. He understood Gu Xiang and Gu Yi’s dispositions very well, and he did not have high hopes that they would mature overnight.
On the contrary, he hoped that they and Yu Fu could continue to live their lives without a care in the world.
“There’s no need to worry too much. I will find a chance to request that His Majesty take back my tiger tally. Between Prime Minister Yin and me, His Majesty trusts me a little more.”
After all, if he, Gu HuaiJiang, wanted to commit treason and rebel, based on the soldiers under his command and his prestige in the military, it would have happened long ago.
The most important thing was-
“When you guys run into Prime Minister Yin and his son in the future, just be a little careful, especially with Yin Shuo.”
“Yes.”
After all important matters had been taken care of, Gu Yi poked Yu Fu’s arm.
“Then do you know how to embroider?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know how to dance?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know how to play chess?”
This was finally something that she should not know, right?
“Uh… Also yes”
“…”
*TN: Idiom for getting rid of somebody after they have served their purpose.
