Chapter Forty-Nine: The Overnight Stay Incident!

It is often said that the capable bear the greatest burdens. The first difficult problem was solved by Li Zhao, so naturally, the second challenge was also expected to be resolved by him.

To quell the financial crisis, prices had to be raised, which required a large amount of currency. But where would this money come from?

“Everyone, there’s no need to look at me like that. I’m just an ordinary man, no magic to turn stone into gold, nor can I conjure mountains of wealth. However… I might be able to borrow some money!”

“Borrow money? From whom? Who could possibly lend such a vast sum?”

“Heh, two people: Wang Yuanbao and Mei Xianzi!”

A bright spark lit in everyone’s eyes. Both Wang Yuanbao and Mei Xianzi were among the Four Great Gods of Wealth. Their personal fortunes far surpassed those of Guo Wan Jin. If they were willing to help, nothing could be better.

The problem was, raising prices and buying goods to stabilize the market was clearly a losing proposition. Both Wang Yuanbao and Mei Xianzi were merchants at heart, driven by profit. Would they really do such a foolish, unprofitable thing?

And who could possibly persuade these two gods of wealth?

“Yulang, I heard you have a good personal relationship with Wang Yuanbao and Mei Xianzi. Do you have absolute confidence you can convince them to lend a hand?”

“Absolute confidence? Of course not!”

“Ah, well said. This matter is too difficult. Then how confident are you?”

“About… ninety-nine percent!”

One must never be too absolute, nor speak too plainly. Sometimes, humility is necessary, thought Li Zhao.

…

The financial crisis was urgent and could not be delayed. After the meeting, Li Zhao did not return home but went straight to Wang Yuanbao’s residence with Bai Mo. There, in a secret chamber, he discussed matters with the greatest god of wealth for an entire afternoon. No third party knew what was discussed.

What was known was that upon leaving the secret chamber, Wang Yuanbao immediately ordered all his treasure vaults to be opened, taking out all the gold, silver, and jewels inside, preparing to buy goods to stabilize the market and end the financial panic.

Next, Li Zhao and Bai Mo left the Wang residence and rushed without pause to the Plum Blossom Manor to seek help from Mei Xianzi…

At dusk, the two arrived near Plum Blossom Manor, unexpectedly encountering a group of over thirty people. Leading them was a white dragon horse, atop which sat a handsome young man: the Peerless Young Master, Gu Du Junchen. It seemed he had just come out of Plum Blossom Manor... What was he doing here?

“Ah, it’s Young Master Zhao. Long time no see. How have you been?”

“Thanks to Young Master Gu Du’s blessings, I am well.”

“Ha ha! With your talents, wherever you go, everything must go smoothly. Why would you need others’ blessings? Rather, we should be the ones seeking your blessings!”

“Much obliged, much obliged!”

Gu Du Junchen bowed with a polite and courteous tone, giving off a refreshing and pleasant aura.

Li Zhao smiled broadly, showing great pleasure on the surface but inwardly growing wary.

There is an old saying: no gold is pure, no person perfect. Everyone has seven emotions and six desires, and naturally various flaws.

For example, the Fierce Tiger Young Master, Xue Song, fiery in temperament and quick-tempered, somewhat rough in speech and deed.

Or the Wise Young Master, Yang Yan, taciturn and cold, unwilling to get close to others.

Both have obvious character flaws, but precisely because of these, they are real, flesh-and-blood men of genuine temperament. Once they become friends, they are comrades for life, trustworthy to the end.

As for this Peerless Young Master, Gu Du Junchen, refined, gentle, virtuous, and well-liked… not a single flaw could be found. But the more perfect he seemed, the more unsettling it felt.

No one is flawless—unless they are pretending.

Li Zhao sensed that Gu Du Junchen was a master of disguise, hiding a treacherous and cunning soul beneath his perfect exterior. This reminded Li Zhao of a character from a great novelist’s work: the Gentleman Sword, Yue Buqun.

Seemingly a noble gentleman, but actually despicable, deceitful, and ruthless.

Interacting with such a hypocrite required extreme caution, lest one die without knowing how.

“The evening grows late. Pray tell, Young Master Zhao, what brings you here?”

“I have come specifically to seek Mei Xianzi.”

“Heh, Young Master Zhao wishes to see Mei Xianzi, but I’m afraid today that won't be possible.”

“Oh? Why not?”

“Heh, haven’t you heard? Mei Xianzi has a rule: after dark, no male guests are received within Plum Blossom Manor!”

As he spoke, Gu Du Junchen pointed toward the horizon where the setting sun was nearly below the horizon, the night about to fall.

This rule was personally decreed by Mei Xianzi to preserve her chastity and avoid gossip. After all, a woman as beautiful as a flower and as wealthy as a nation is easily drowned in slander.

Since the rule’s establishment, it had never been broken.

For instance, today, Gu Du Junchen visited and stayed most of the day within the manor, lingering until dusk, seemingly testing the rule.

The result? Mei Xianzi’s cold gaze delivered a clear signal—tea was served and guests were shown out. Even Gu Du Junchen’s thick skin couldn’t justify staying longer, so he left, only to encounter Li Zhao outside.

“Ha ha, thanks for the reminder, Young Master Gu Du. But I have urgent business and must see Mei Xianzi tonight. As for the rules of Plum Blossom Manor, since they are made by people, they can be broken by people… I bid you farewell!”

After clasping his fists in respect, Li Zhao spurred his horse forward, heading straight for Plum Blossom Manor, with Bai Mo close behind.

Night was falling, and the manor’s gates were already closed and guarded by servants. Li Zhao approached, announced his name, and waited patiently.

One incense stick’s time passed.

Two incense sticks’ time passed.

…

The manor gates remained tightly shut and silent inside, but Li Zhao continued to wait outside.

Nearby, Gu Du Junchen had not left. Seeing this, he scoffed inwardly: ‘A wild boy from the countryside, thinking he’s clever enough to do as he pleases, even seeking to visit Mei Xianzi at night. Isn’t this like a toad lusting after a swan?

Who is Mei Xianzi? A famed ice beauty. Even I have not earned her favor. And you, a mere toad… toad… ribbit?’

Suddenly, Gu Du Junchen was dumbfounded. Rubbing his eyes hard, he realized he had not imagined things. The manor gates truly opened, and Mei Xianzi herself, dressed splendidly, came out to welcome Li Zhao in person.

How was this possible?

What merit had Li Zhao earned to have Mei Xianzi break her own rule? Why had such an honor never fallen upon him?

“Wang Er!”

“I’m here, Young Master. What are your orders?”

“You stay here and watch the manor gate closely. See when that boy leaves, then come report to me immediately!”

“As you command!”

Leaving a trusted guard to keep watch, Gu Du Junchen, thoroughly vexed, led his entourage back to the Prime Minister’s residence.

…

The Prime Minister’s residence lay within Pingkang Ward of Chang’an City, occupying over three hundred acres, adorned with pavilions, towers, splendid halls, and lush gardens—its grandeur rivaled that of a prince’s mansion.

Within the residence, Gu Du Junchen had a private courtyard. In terms of luxury and number of servants, it even surpassed those of the Prime Minister’s legitimate sons.

Some might ask why Gu Du Junchen lived in the Prime Minister’s residence and enjoyed treatment akin to a legitimate son.

There were two reasons: first, Gu Du Junchen was clever and cunning, having assisted Li Linfu in many schemes, proving himself a capable aide.

Second, his identity was complicated—he was not only Li Linfu’s nephew but also his illegitimate son!

About twenty years ago, Li Linfu’s father passed away. By tradition, a son must mourn for three years, refraining from wearing silk, consuming alcohol or meat, and avoiding women.

Unfortunately, Li Linfu was unfilial. During mourning, he indulged in women and secretly became involved with a married, beautiful cousin.

After their illicit liaison, she bore a child—Gu Du Junchen—a bastard who should never have been born.

Subsequently, Li Linfu rose rapidly, becoming Prime Minister of the Tang Empire. Gu Du Junchen’s parents died in succession, leaving him an orphan with no support.

Thus, Li Linfu took him in under the pretense of an uncle raising a nephew, caring for him specially to make up for the lack of paternal love.

As for the matter of his true paternity, Gu Du Junchen knew but could not reveal it; if the scandal leaked, the Peerless Young Master’s reputation would be destroyed.

…

Back in his courtyard, after dinner and a hot bath, Gu Du Junchen sat in his study reading, waiting for his guard Wang Er’s report.

Midnight came, but Wang Er did not return.

The first watch passed, no Wang Er.

The second watch passed, still no Wang Er.

Already with dark circles under his eyes, Gu Du Junchen grew restless. What was going on? Had something happened to Wang Er? No, that was impossible.

…

The next morning, Wang Er finally returned, also bearing heavy eye bags, yawning repeatedly.

“Wang Er, I ordered you to keep watch. Where did you go that you only return now?”

“Young Master, I followed orders strictly, never leaving my post even for a moment. I kept watch all night until this morning, when I saw Young Master Zhao leave Plum Blossom Manor. Only then did I come back to report.”

“What? You mean Li Zhao stayed inside Plum Blossom Manor all night and only left this morning?”

“Exactly. I also saw Mei Xianzi personally escort Young Master Zhao out. They whispered together for quite some time before parting with a warm farewell... That closeness…”

“Enough! Stop talking!”

Gu Du Junchen’s anger nearly burst his lungs, but he dared not lose control. He could only stew in silence, the bitterness beyond description.

Mei Xianzi seemed like a celestial fairy, intelligent and immensely wealthy. When he first saw her, his heart was captivated, and he vowed to marry her.

For years, he had tried every means to please and obey her, yet never won her affection.

What was Li Zhao? A disgraced and idle member of the royal clan, holding only a minor official post. Attending one Qujiang banquet and gifting a broken lantern had earned him Mei Xianzi’s favor!

Not only did he break the rule against receiving guests at night, but also disregarded gossip to stay the night inside Plum Blossom Manor. Were they living in the same courtyard, even the same room? Could it be… ah!

“Mei Shuying, have you lost your sight? Forsaking a mighty dragon for a toad? Or am I less than a toad myself?

Just wait, Mei Shuying. You will be mine sooner or later, and that Li Zhao will be left with no place to escape death!”

…

Having sworn this secret oath, Gu Du Junchen took a deep breath, forcing his emotions under control. He then led his guards out to visit Guo Wan Jin, one of the Four Great Gods of Wealth.

Currently, his top priority was to let the financial crisis worsen, thereby weakening the power of the Prime Minister’s faction.

…