novelraw Chapter 91 The Butterfly Effect
Chapter 91 The Butterfly Effect
Chapter 91 The Butterfly Effect
"There's nothing we can do about it, Bianjing has too large a population," Gu Tingye said.
"Although I have never been to Jiangnan, I think it has its own charm, whether it is quiet or lively," Qi Heng said.
Wang You laughed and said, "Yuan Ruo is right. The world is not lacking in beauty, but rather in eyes that can see it."
"Cousin, are you saying I'm blind?" Sheng Changbai said, feigning displeasure.
"I wouldn't dare."
Wang You smiled and said, "I just think that the different local customs and traditions are part of the beauty of the place."
"I was just making a comment."
Sheng Changbai laughed and said, "But you're right, these things are part of the scenery in themselves."
The four of them took a boat trip on the Bian River, and the atmosphere gradually became harmonious.
The conversation shifted from the scenery along the river to other topics.
The most talked-about topic in Bianjing these days is the establishment of an heir apparent, but they know the gravity of the matter and naturally dare not discuss it.
Therefore, most of the topics discussed are not sensitive.
By the time the ship docked, it was already noon.
The four of them disembarked and took a car to Fanlou.
Gu Tingye booked a private room and ordered more than a dozen of Fanlou's signature dishes.
If Sheng Changbai hadn't stopped him, Gu Tingye probably would have ordered every dish at Fanlou.
After inheriting the Bai family business, he became extremely wealthy.
Moreover, the Bai family's salt shops produce salt every month.
He didn't know how to spend so much money.
Because Wang You and Qi Heng were too young to drink alcohol, Gu Tingye ordered a pot of fine sake and drank it with Sheng Changbai.
This sake isn't the kind you'd find on a small day; it's just the literal meaning of the name.
After several rounds of drinks, Gu Tingye said, "Zecheng, Yuanruo has been determined to enter officialdom through the imperial examination since he was a child. He was studying at the Imperial Academy, but because of his status, he inevitably had to deal with some people who wanted to curry favor with him, which annoyed him."
I've heard that the Sheng family has hired Scholar Zhuang to set up a private school, and I'd like to study at the Sheng family's school. Would that be convenient?"
"Yuan Ruo is of noble birth, yet he possesses such unwavering faith; it is truly admirable!"
Upon hearing this, Sheng Changbai looked at Qi Heng with some surprise.
Studying is very hard work, and to achieve academic success, both talent and perseverance are indispensable.
He experienced it firsthand and knows very well how difficult the process is.
Given Qi Heng's family background, even if he were to enter officialdom through hereditary privilege, he would have a very promising future.
"Brother Zecheng, you flatter me. I simply do not wish to rely on the legacy of my ancestors," Qi Heng said with a smile.
"But I can't make that decision myself; I still need to ask my father's opinion," Sheng Changbai said apologetically.
If Qi Heng were of ordinary status, and he found him agreeable, he could simply agree.
But Qi Heng was, after all, the son of the Duke of Qi, and his mother had been raised in the palace since childhood and was a princess personally bestowed by the emperor.
It wasn't his decision to send Qi Heng to study at the Sheng family's school.
"Of course, I'm mentioning this to you in advance. Yuanruo's mother will pay a visit later," Gu Tingye said.
As Wang You listened to their conversation, his brows furrowed imperceptibly.
"Gu Tingye said yes, there are some," does that mean Gu Tingye doesn't plan to go to Bailudong Academy?
At this time, Wang You had no idea whether he would just drift through life or help Zhao Sheng.
Even his knowledge of Zhao Sheng's identity was merely speculation.
Therefore, it is best not to change the course of events for the time being.
That way, even if he really has some ideas, and the course of events hasn't changed, there's still a possibility of him taking action.
Although Gu Tingye's stay in Bianjing may not have much impact on the course of events.
But what if?
However, Wang You quickly calmed down. Even if Gu Tingye wanted to pursue literature, his first choice would definitely be to study at the Sheng family's school.
Going to Bailudong Academy was just an escape.
In other words, the fact that Gu Tingye hasn't yet had this idea doesn't mean he will stay in Bianjing.
Having figured this out, Wang You felt relieved.
After a satisfying meal, the four of them sat and chatted for a while while enjoying tea before setting off again for the Daxiangguo Temple.
Daxiangguo Temple is the largest temple in Bianjing (Kaifeng) and also a royal temple.
On some holidays, even the emperor would leave the palace to offer incense at the Daxiangguo Temple.
In addition, Daxiangguo Temple was also the largest trading market in Bianjing.
However, it is only open on fixed days, and today is not a day when Daxiangguo Temple is open for business.
The four of them went to Zisheng Pavilion, enjoyed the gentle breeze of Zisheng, and then took a car out of the city to Yishan to watch the sunset.
By the time we parted ways and headed home, it was already dark.
After arriving home, Wang You first greeted his grandmother, then his parents, played with Mu Jie'er for a while, and then returned to his room.
"As expected, I guessed right, Wei Xiaoniang is not dead," Wang You thought to himself.
Today he went out for a stroll, while Madam Feng took Mu Jie'er to the Sheng family.
Just now, Mu Jie'er chattered on and on about how she played with Minglan at the Sheng family home, and even mentioned that Minglan had a younger sister.
He even asked Feng for a younger sister, but Feng scolded him in embarrassment and anger, and then drove Wang You away.
This incident also confirmed for Wang You that many things are not immutable.
Some things can take a different turn just because of a very small change.
Of course, this refers to some accidental events, not inevitable events.
The so-called inevitability refers to the inevitable result produced by the situation and the personalities of the people involved.
In Wang You's view, Wei Xiaoniang's death was a combination of chance and inevitability.
Given Lin Xiaoniang's personality, she would definitely take action against Wei Xiaoniang if she felt threatened by her.
However, given Wei Xiaoniang's personality, it was only by chance that she could make Lin Xiaoniang feel threatened.
Since he thwarted the Yuan family's original plan, Sheng Changfeng did not engage in a duel with Gu Tingye.
Sheng did not hold a grudge against Lin Xiaoniang because Sheng Changfeng had brought shame to the Sheng family.
He did not frequently visit Wei Xiaoniang's room just because Minglan had preserved the Sheng family's reputation to some extent.
Since Wei Xiaoniang posed no threat, Lin Xiaoniang would naturally not be foolish enough to harm her.
This incident also served as a reminder to Wang You that when judging the future course of events, he should carefully consider which aspects are inevitable and which are accidental.
The next morning, Wang You was reading in the courtyard when Xu Mama, who was by Feng Shi's side, led four maids over.
"This is a new maid that the eldest mistress has added to the second son's courtyard," said Granny Xu, bowing.
Wang You glanced at the four maids behind Granny Xu and felt insulted.
These four maids were all rather ordinary-looking.
He remembered that the maids in Sheng Changbai's courtyard were quite ordinary-looking; they weren't ugly, but they were not exactly attractive either.
The purpose was to prevent Sheng Changbai from becoming obsessed with women and neglecting his studies.
The fact that Madam Feng assigned him these rather plain-looking maids suggests that she probably learned them from Madam Wang yesterday.
After all, the maids in his courtyard before were all quite good-looking.
The reason for doing this is simply to prevent him from losing his virginity too early and harming his body.
Although Wang You didn't have those kinds of thoughts, he saw the maids around him every day, and if they were pretty, it would be pleasing to the eye.
These four maids look to be only eleven or twelve years old. What could I possibly do to them?
"Haitang, take them and teach them some manners," Wang You said listlessly, waving his hand.