Chapter 1325: Chapter 1161: Broken

Duke Zhen thought for a moment and still wasn’t at ease, reminding again. These few pots of orchids were cultivated by the old lady, cherished like treasures every day. If they are damaged, the old wife is sure to fly into a rage.

"Understood!" Before leaving, Lianxin bowed to Gu Chengyu, then walked towards the inner screen.

After three rounds of drinks, even though Gu Chengyu had a good tolerance for alcohol, he was slightly drunk. Calculating the hour, there was still more than half an hour until he was on duty; he must leave the table first.

After all, he still needed to go back for some grooming, change his clothes; he couldn’t go to Dali Temple smelling of alcohol, could he?

"Oh no!" Just as Gu Chengyu turned to bid farewell, unexpectedly, a maid by his side spilled wine all over him.

Today, he was wearing a robe with a bean-green stand-collar and knotted buttons. The wine spilled onto his chest, dyeing the light color fabric.

"What’s going on? Clumsy!" Duke Zhen’s face instantly turned cold as he scolded the maid who was already frightened and kneeling.

"This slave deserves death!" The young maid was still holding the tray, with the tipped wine jug not yet upright, causing wine to drip onto the carpet.

"What is wrong with you, maid?" Yao Qinglan glared at the maid; this was Gu Chengyu’s second visit. Now he’s a Standard Third Rank, a real court official, unlike before when he was an insignificant minor official.

"No harm done, I turned and accidentally bumped into her, don’t blame her!" Gu Chengyu wiped his chest with a cloth, feeling the wine seeping through the inner garment, sticking to his skin and making him uncomfortable.

"The clothes are soaked, if not changed immediately, you might catch cold!" Duke Zhen’s face was iron-like, he waved to the servant beside him.

"Quickly take Mr. Gu to change clothes!" Yao Qinglan also realized, immediately speaking to the servant.

Yao Qingcheng’s eyes shifted with a flash of cleverness, "Mr. Gu, it’s the mansion’s staff that mishandled, it’s really impolite. The weather is icy, soaked like this will get you cold easily."

He suddenly turned and shouted to the table behind him, "Min, go fetch your unworn new clothes for Mr. Gu. I find you both have similar builds, Mr. Gu should fit in your clothes."

Yao Yimin was somewhat surprised, he glanced at Gu Chengyu, then at the wine cup in front of him, feeling somewhat unwilling.

"I’ll send someone to get it!" Such tasks are certainly done by servants, why should he personally go?

His father is flattering too obviously, but what’s the use of more flattery? Gu Chengyu is the eldest son-in-law of the main house, unrelated to their second house; once the family divides in the future, any benefits are unlikely.

"Thank you all for your kindness, it’s just a little damp, not a big deal. The younger will still have to report to the government office this afternoon, it’s best not to stay any longer, I will take my leave first."

Upon hearing about changing clothes, Gu Chengyu quickly refused; it’s an old trick, who knows if accidents might occur when changing clothes?

In any case, Gu Chengyu concluded that neither males nor females should change clothes when visiting other people’s mansions, lest they be mistakenly paired.

After speaking, Gu Chengyu stood up; he wanted to leave, but someone didn’t want to let him go.

"Ah~ Mr. Gu leaving like this would make our Duke Mansion lose etiquette, should you catch a cold and delay the Emperor’s appointed duty, then it would be the mansion’s fault. Changing clothes wouldn’t take much time."

Yao Qingcheng stepped forward, blocked Gu Chengyu’s path, and smiled at him.

Gu Chengyu lightly furrowed his brow, if this dragged on, he might miss his duty hour.

Duke Zhen subtly narrowed his eyes, deeply gazed at Yao Qingcheng, then said: "Since you have duty this afternoon, you’ll certainly go back to groom yourself; the time is about right, we shall not detain you further. Today our mansion was abrupt, failing to send a post in advance, inviting you in haste, it is indeed somewhat rushed."

Yao Qingcheng glanced at his father warningly, feeling a bit guilty after seeing the warning in his father’s eyes.

Yao Qingcheng’s evasive gaze made Duke Zhen’s face sink even more; he knew the second son surely had some crooked idea. Thinking of the unwed Si Ya, Duke Zhen sighed, realizing some things cannot be remedied.

"Sir is courteous; it’s also this junior’s fault for not knowing today was Second Uncle’s birthday. I should have prepared gifts to visit earlier!"

Since Duke Zhen had spoken, others felt embarrassed to insist further.

After bowing to Duke Zhen and bidding farewell to everyone, Gu Chengyu left the flower hall.

He had seen the silent showdown between the father and son duo just now; Yao Qingcheng definitely had some plot, otherwise, he wouldn’t act so eager.

After all, Yao Qinglan is the Princely Heir, the future master of Duke Zhen’s Mansion, not to mention the father of his fiancée. If Yao Qinglan wasn’t hasty, why was the uncle so eager?

No matter their intentions, if Gu Chengyu doesn’t respond, they would have no choice. He followed the followers ahead out of the courtyard, just prepared to head towards the outer yard, only to hear a commotion as he walked not far.

"Third Sister, the orchids are damaged, Grandmother will definitely punish us. Qing Dai was too careless, two pots were knocked over, Yu Linglong and Lu Yun are Grandmother’s favorite orchids, treasured to a point of reluctance even for a glance. Damaged now, Grandmother will be heartbroken?"

The young girl’s voice was crisp, like an oriole leaving the valley, particularly loud amidst the chatter.

Gu Chengyu heard her calling ’Third Sister’, realizing this was the fourth girl of the mansion. However, the girls from aristocratic families often adhered to gentle speech; shouting so loudly was rare, as if fearing not being heard.

"Indeed! Since it’s damaged, it’s damaged! She even stepped on it, trampling the flowers to ruin. Originally, it could be re-potted and carefully cared for to potentially survive, but now, with petal damage, it’ll definitely not survive."

"Is that orchid very precious? Why are you all so frightened?" The youngest girl of Jiang Family, Jiang Shao, was adorably lifting her face and asked innocently.

"Of course, it’s of rare variety, one might not find a similar one throughout the Capital, this time grandmother will surely be very angry. Oh my! Third Sister, look, what should be done?"

"Madam, it was truly unintentional, at that time someone pushed this slave, causing the flower pot to fall. Only after steadying, did I realize I had stepped on the orchid. Madam, please investigate clearly! This slave knows that it is Old Lady’s beloved, how could one dare to be careless?"

Qing Dai had tears in her eyes, she was truly terrified. The matter had already been reported to the old lady; if the old lady knew it was she who broke the orchid, she would surely be severely punished. At best, sold out of the mansion, at worst, beaten to death.

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