I want to make progress

Chapter 86 Reliable Brother

The old Duke had deep wrinkles between his brows. This year has been truly eventful!
"So please help me, big brother!"

After paying his respects to his elder brother, Gu Changning understood that he would still have to rely on his elder brother for the matter of the Autumn Examination.

"The Autumn Examination is to select talents for the imperial court. It is of utmost importance. As an official of the imperial court, I will not stand idly by if I know that someone may be detrimental to the Autumn Examination."

A hand helped the man up. Gu Changting's face did not look relaxed. The Liangyi Sect was more difficult to deal with than he had imagined. The emperor probably did not expect that a small organization that he did not take seriously at that time would develop to this point one day.

But there are assassinations and troubles in the academy, the purpose of the Liangyi Sect is questionable!
"I have my own plan for this matter. I will naturally have someone keep an eye on those students from Mingxin Academy. Don't worry about it."

Looking at his thin brother, a trace of worry flashed in Gu Changting's eyes. His face was pale and bloodless, and his health was getting worse and worse.

"You are not in good health, so you should rest at home and accompany your parents. Also, Aunt Shu is very good at making soup. I have asked her to make some nourishing soup for you. Remember to drink it all."

"Yes, your elder brother is right. The nourishing soup cooked by Aunt Shu is indeed unique. If you are not feeling well, drink more."

"Yes! I made Dad and Big Brother worried."

He is already in his twenties, but is still being taken care of by his elder brother like a child. Gu Changming touched his nose and smiled awkwardly. Mr. Gu, who is gentle yet distant and difficult to approach in the eyes of outsiders, now smiles like a young boy.

The three of them talked in the study for a long time before they dispersed. Gu Changning followed his eldest brother Gu Changting out of the study. Without his father around, Gu Changning seemed much more lively and kept asking about what happened in the mansion when he was not at home.

It is obvious that although the old father loves his son deeply, in the eyes of his youngest son, he is still a serious father.

"Brother, what happened to the second brother? Why didn't you call him to discuss the matter? I can see that the second brother looks unhappy."

Thinking about how his father had called the two brothers after dinner, but only his second brother was ignored, he knew that a lot of things had happened to his second brother while he was away, "Is it because of that woman again?"

Family members know each other's family members. Gu Changning also understands the character of his second brother Gu Changheng. He is fine with everything else except the matter of the woman named Su.

After a pause, he continued, "And there's Aunt Shu. My second brother has been unwilling to marry for all these years because of that woman, and he doesn't have any other women around him. How come he suddenly took a concubine? And I think the two of them seem to be very distant."

"I see that although Aunt Shu is pretty, she has clear eyes and is good at making soup. She doesn't look like a seductive person. How did she become my second brother's concubine? What happened?"

He had only been away from home for a while, but he didn't expect so many things to happen. Gu Changning was full of curiosity, especially after drinking Aunt Shu's tonic soup and feeling much lighter, he became even more curious about Aunt Shu.

"It's all just a coincidence."

Thinking of what happened in Xuancheng, Gu Changting's eyes were filled with obscurity. If something had not gone wrong at the beginning, things would not have come to this point.

The elders didn't know much about the inside story, but seeing how distant the two of them were in recent days, they must have some guesses in their hearts. However, facing this younger brother, Gu Changting didn't want him to misunderstand, so he just told him all the truth.

Gu Changheng and Su Meiren did not hide the bad things they did to Shu Yunfu. They subconsciously wanted to distance themselves from each other. "Second brother is getting more and more confused. He wants to kill the whole family!"

After hearing these things, Gu Changning's gossipy smile disappeared from his face. Only anger appeared on his delicate face. "I only knew that my second brother was a lovesick man. I didn't expect him to be so confused. No wonder I avoided him today. Indeed, he was so absurd for that woman. It's unbelievable."

"I'm telling you this just to let you know that you need to be careful when interacting with him in the future."

Looking at this sensible younger brother, Gu Changting felt relieved. Fortunately, he only had one brother who was so confused.

"The Su family has great ambitions, and we must be on guard. They took such a big risk to stay connected with Gu Changheng, just to use him to take advantage of our Duke of Ying. Their ambitions are huge, but Gu Changheng can't see clearly and refuses to change his ways despite repeated admonitions."

"Father has decided to find him a wife and put an end to his thoughts. This is also the last chance father will give him. If he is still so confused, father will not let him ruin the entire Duke's Mansion."

Patting his thin shoulders, Gu Changting sighed, "You usually live in Mingxin Academy, you don't know these things, don't worry about it now, just leave it to us, you just need to take good care of yourself, stay at home for a few more days this time..."

Gu Changning still had a lot to say. He really wanted to tell his elder brother that he was no longer a child, he was also a member of the family, he could help with household chores, and there was no need to treat him as fragile as glass.

But seeing how worried his elder brother was, and thinking of his own weak body, he swallowed back all the words, a trace of loneliness flashed in his eyes, and he just nodded silently.

"I……"

"smell good!"

The two brothers had not seen each other for a long time and had a lot to talk about. They planned to find a place to warm up a pot of wine, order some snacks, and talk by candlelight all night.

I didn't expect that when I passed by the lotus pond, a cool night breeze blew by, bringing with it a huge fragrance that could not be ignored.

As soon as he opened his mouth, Gu Changning quickly closed it, his eyes widened and he swallowed his saliva, he was surprised, what was so fragrant, he almost lost his image by drooling!
"barbecue?"

He moved his nose and sniffed the familiar fragrance. A smile flashed in Gu Changting's eyes, and he walked towards the direction where the fragrance came from.

"Hey! Where are you going, brother? Wait for me!"

Seeing this, the confused Gu Changning hurriedly followed. No matter what it was, it smelled so good that he had to go and see it!
In the entire Duke of Ying's mansion, the person who loves food the most is none other than the third master of the Gu family, Gu Changning!
He not only loves delicious food, but is also very picky about food.

Due to physical reasons, Gu Changning started taking medicine since he was born, and he had been taking medicine for as long as he had lived. Later, the imperial physician said that medicine is three-part poison, so he stopped taking medicine and started eating medicated food instead. Although the taste was much better, in his eyes, it was still medicine.

Taking too many medicines not only ruined his appetite, but also made his tongue dull. Everything he ate tasted like medicine. There were very few things he could swallow, and even fewer that he thought tasted good.

(End of this chapter)