CHAPTER 759: CHAPTER 759: FAVORITISM

Gu Youlu was delighted by this, for he had been waiting for Lord Lai to secure an official appointment for him.

He’s dreaming!

Does he truly believe that he could choose official positions in Great Chu as he wishes?

Lord Lai had to put in a lot of effort and silver to secure the teaching position for Gu Youwen, who at least is a Scholar. What is Gu Youlu? Not even a student, how could he hold an office?

Atop the city gate, the Military Officer finally called for Section Leader Bi.

Section Leader Bi shouted down from above: "Are you the family of Vice Magistrate Lai from the Capital, coming here to take office?"

Steward Yue replied: "Exactly, please open the gate!"

Section Leader Bi said: "I heard you are reluctant to hand over the official seal and appointment letter. If that’s the case, you need to move back thirty feet and then send up the travel document. If there is no problem after we review it, we will open the gate and check the official seal and appointment letter."

He added: "Brother, don’t think we’re being troublesome. These are the regulations from above, we’re just following orders."

Gu Youlu was furious, and angrily said: "You lowly soldier, how dare you ask Lord Lai’s carriage to back away? Hurry and open the gate for us!"

Steward Yue frowned, overwhelmed by fatigue and hunger, he truly wanted to slap Gu Youlu. Ignoring Gu Youlu, he placed the travel document in a basket and hoisted it up for Section Leader Bi to check.

He then turned and instructed all the mule carts to back up thirty feet.

Lord Lai’s carriage, wherein he was seated, did not need to back up as it was already parked on a spacious roadside.

It was after seeing that it would not affect Lord Lai that Steward Yue agreed to Section Leader Bi’s suggestion.

Gu Youlu was quite resentful; Steward Yue really wasn’t forceful enough, agreeing so quickly, wasn’t this losing face for Lord Lai?

But he didn’t dare to shout at Steward Yue, so he could only smile and cooperate.

After Section Leader Bi checked the travel document, he opened the gate but did not let Steward Yue and the others enter, only after reviewing the official seal and appointment letter did he finally open the gate wide: "We welcome Lord Lai into the city!"

Lord Lai’s carriage was the first to enter. As it passed by Section Leader Bi and the others, Housekeeper Lai handed over a red envelope with twenty taels of silver to Section Leader Bi: "This is from my master to the Military Officers as a token for your hard work during the festive season, thank you for your efforts."

Receiving such a significant red envelope made Section Leader Bi and the others very happy, they smiled and said: "Lord Lai has braved the snow to take office, that is the true hardship."

Housekeeper Lai said: "We left the Capital two months ago, but Young Master Sun fell ill on the road, which caused the delay in our journey."

Then he asked, "Is there any famous doctor with good medical skills in the Prefecture? Our Young Master Sun is still ill, and we need to find a doctor to see him once we’re in the city."

After living in the Prefecture for a long time, Section Leader Bi quickly replied: "You can go to Qingshan Medical Hall to find Doctor Xiao or Doctor Xu, both of them have excellent medical skills. However, today is New Year’s Eve, and it’s already late, I’m not sure if they are willing to make a house call? If they’re not available, you can try Liu Family Clinic’s Doctor Liu, as long as you are willing to pay extra, Doctor Liu makes visits rain or shine."

Doctor Liu was notoriously greedy for money in the Prefecture, but his medical skills were also widely recognized as excellent.

Upon hearing this, Housekeeper Lai laughed and said: "Thank you, Military Officer, you have really helped our family a great deal."

With that, he followed Lord Lai’s carriage.

As soon as they entered the city, they immediately called over two Protectors, handed them silver notes, and instructed them to go invite doctors from two different medical halls.

The Protectors, with the silver notes in hand, immediately rushed to Qingshan Medical Hall and Liu Family Clinic.

After Lord Lai’s carriage entered the city, the other mule carts slowly began to move.

Little Sister Gu, seeing Housekeeper Lai send the Protectors to invite doctors, lowered the carriage curtain and gossiped in a low voice to Granny Gu, "Mother, it seems that Young Master Sun of the Lai Family is seriously ill. Just as we entered the city, Lord Lai hurried to ask for doctors... Could he be in danger of dying young?"

Little Sister Gu’s words were somewhat schadenfreude; she utterly despised that sickly boy. If it weren’t for him, they would have already been enjoying a lavish New Year celebration in the Vice Magistrate’s residence. They could also have collected a wave of New Year’s gifts sent by commoners, thanks to Lord Lai’s influence. Now they’ve got nothing, a great loss to her family!

Granny Gu scolded Little Sister Gu, "Little Sister, how many times have I told you? You mustn’t speak like that again."

In truth, she wished even more than Little Sister Gu for Young Master Sun of the Lai Family to suddenly drop dead, but such words could not be voiced, Lord Lai would be angered.

Granny Gu quietly taught Little Sister Gu, "You must treat Young Master Sun of the Lai Family as if he were your nephew, be gentle and caring towards him. If he falls ill, you must seem sadder than he is; you cannot let others see that you dislike him."

Little Sister Gu replied, "I know, mother. Aren’t you confident in your daughter? I’m just venting in front of you. In front of others, I am very gentle."

And she was very good at putting on a show.

Young Master Sun’s nanny did not like her and prevented her from seeing him, but when she saw Housekeeper Lai, she broke down in tears on the spot.

Sure enough, on the next day, she received jewelry sent by Lord Lai. So mother, please be at ease, she is very clever.

He’an Prefecture was large; the Lai Family’s caravan took half an hour to traverse the city before finally arriving at the Vice Magistrate’s residence.

It was customary for noble families and wealthy families in Jianghuai and Jiangnan to gift properties to the government office. This Vice Magistrate’s residence, donated by the Great Shang An Family, has stood in He’an Prefecture for over a hundred years, housing countless Lord Vice Magistrates. Consequently, although the residence was large, it was not new, showing the mottled marks of age.

"We’ve arrived; this is the Vice Magistrate’s residence. Please alight from the carriage, my Lords." Housekeeper Lai said, coming to Lord Lai’s carriage, ordering the servants to bring over a chair covered with a cotton blanket, pulled open the carriage curtain, and said to Lord Lai, "Old Master, please alight. After you are out, the servants will carry out Young Master Sun."

"Uh-huh." Lord Lai responded, and said to his grandson inside the carriage, "Brother Yan’er, don’t be afraid, Grandfather will alight first, and then the servants will carry you down."

Eight-year-old Lai Yan, despite running a fever, smiled at Lord Lai and said, "Uh-huh... Grandfather need not worry about Brother Yan’er."

"Good child." Lord Lai gently stroked Lai Yan’s forehead and got off the carriage.

Gu Youlu immediately came over and said, "Uncle Lai, Happy New Year. You must be weary from the journey. How is Brother Yan, my nephew, doing?"

He added, "Brother Yan is a treasured one, protected by God. He will certainly get better. Uncle Lai need not worry too much. On the second day of the year, my parents and I will go to the temple to burn incense and pray for blessings for Brother Yan."

Gu Youlu’s demeanor was sycophantic, and Steward Yue felt disgusted watching him, thinking flatterers are the most incompetent.

However, Lord Lai did not disdain Gu Youlu, and, comforted by his words, smiled, "Brother Lu is thoughtful."

He continued, "You all must be tired from the journey as well. The servants have gone to the restaurant to book the meal, and it will be delivered to you. Tomorrow night, as in previous years, let us have a New Year’s Eve meal together."

"Eh, my nephew thanks Uncle Lai." Gu Youlu was delighted. Seeing Housekeeper Lai and others lifting Lai Yan out of the carriage, he hurriedly went over to help. Although he wasn’t actually of much help, Lord Lai found his presence comforting.

Steward Yue’s frown was tight enough to trap a mosquito, resenting how much the Old Gu Family’s grandchildren were blatantly favored by Lord Lai.