Destined

Gu Jiusi's sidelong glance carried an indescribable charm.

Jiang He had played the role of a dashing young master in the Eastern Capital for over twenty years, relying largely on his eyes. Gu Jiusi's eyes resembled his, yet held an additional clarity of youth. The noble young master's skill in captivating hearts blended with a young man's purity—this was truly the kind of tenderness that could make a woman feel utterly overwhelmed.

Liu Yu Ru couldn't help but blush, turning her head away as she fanned herself with a round fan and changed the subject: "I've settled the matter."

"Hmm?" Gu Jiusi showed curiosity. "How was it settled?"

After Liu Yu Ru explained the general situation, Gu Jiusi listened but grew somewhat uneasy: "Was the Lozi Merchant Guild so accommodating?"

"Of course they were."

Liu Yu Ru smiled: "Since he's willing to invest in my merchant fleet, he becomes a co-owner. When it concerns his money, he'll naturally put in effort. Regarding the Yellow River Renovation project, the reputation already belongs to him. Now we're offering him profit as well. Moreover, the Yellow River Renovation benefits Yangzhou merchants too, so the merchant community's concerns are resolved. If he still refuses to listen to reason, we'll genuinely have to increase their taxes."

Gu Jiusi nodded while listening, then said: "My wife is truly remarkable. With you handling matters, everything gets resolved."

"I'm doing this for my own business too," Liu Yu Ru pondered before adding, "Please pretend you know nothing about this. To be honest, I'd prefer you not get too involved in my business affairs."

"Hmm?"

Gu Jiusi looked puzzled: "Are you worried I'll interfere with your business?"

"I'm worried about affecting you."

Liu Yu Ru sighed: "Jiusi, I don't want to become your burden someday."

"How could that happen?"

Gu Jiusi laughed: "Don't worry. If anyone's a burden in our family, it's me to you. Just look—today you went and gave money to others for my sake again."

"This wasn't giving money away!" Liu Yu Ru glared at him. "I was clearly negotiating business. If he doesn't repair the Yellow River, my route to the Eastern Capital would require several detours. With the Yellow River repaired, I can travel directly to Yangzhou."

"Right, right," Gu Jiusi nodded. "It's all your clever planning."

The couple returned home chatting and laughing. A few days later, Luo Zishang forwarded a memorial from Yangzhou stating their willingness to cover all costs for the Yellow River Renovation.

Upon hearing this news, everyone felt relieved. Soon after, the court began preparing teams for the Yellow River repairs.

After the court struggles finalized the Yellow River Renovation plan, Liu Yu Ru started lobbying various merchants to fund her merchant fleet preparation.

Establishing a merchant fleet required far more capital than what she and Luo Zishang alone could provide. Luo Zishang covered thirty percent of the startup costs. To maintain decision-making power, Liu Yu Ru invested twenty percent herself. Additionally, as the project manager, she received another twenty percent in sweat equity, giving her forty percent total ownership. The remaining thirty percent needed other investors.

Knowing that Lu Yong and Jiang He had substantial funds, Liu Yu Ru began visiting the Lu residence daily, returning late each evening to pester Jiang He about investment.

Unable to bear the harassment, Jiang He finally approached Gu Jiusi: "Can you control your wife? She's money-crazy—asking me for 1.5 million taels straight out! 1.5 million taels! Does she think the national treasury belongs to me?! She's completely mad."Gu Jiusi watched Jiang He vent his anger at him, his hands tucked into his sleeves as he leaned lazily against the corridor pillar. With a smile, he said, "Uncle, it's just one and a half million. Yu Ru is so adorable—if she wants it, just give it to her."

Hearing this, Jiang He stared at Gu Jiusi in shock. After a moment, he took a deep breath and said, "I was wrong. You're out of your mind. I shouldn't have discussed this with you."

With that, Jiang He handed Gu Jiusi a silver ingot and waved him off, saying, "Hurry up and leave. Find a doctor to take a good look at you, take your medicine properly, and don't neglect your condition."

"Thank you, Uncle, for the reward."

Gu Jiusi chirped happily and quickly added, "I'll be on my way now."

Seeing that reasoning with Gu Jiusi was futile, Jiang He had no choice but to adopt another approach—avoiding Liu Yu Ru. This evasion lasted until the day of Gu Jiusi's Crowning ceremony.

On the day of Gu Jiusi's Crowning, many guests were invited, and even Fan Xuan attended.

Fan Xuan's presence was enough to show everyone the favor he held for Gu Jiusi. Gu Jiusi promptly invited Fan Xuan to take the seat of honor.

"I am here today in the capacity of an elder. If you don't mind, allow me to serve as the Chief Guest," Fan Xuan said after taking his seat, addressing Gu Lang Hua.

Gu Lang Hua was momentarily taken aback but quickly knelt down with Gu Jiusi and the others, saying joyfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Having Fan Xuan as the Chief Guest meant that he would be bestowing the courtesy name. Receiving a name directly from the emperor was an even greater honor than being an Imperial protege.

Gu Jiusi understood clearly that Fan Xuan was paving the way for him. He glanced at Fan Xuan, performed a deep bow, and said earnestly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Once all preparations were complete, the formal Crowning ceremony began. On this day, Gu Jiusi was not his usual playful self. With a solemn expression, he followed the rituals meticulously. With Jiang He's assistance, he first donned the Black linen crown, then the Leather cap, and finally the Ceremonial cap.

Each time he changed headwear, he presented himself to all the guests, and Fan Xuan recited the blessings.

Liu Yu Ru sat in her seat, watching Gu Jiusi in his ceremonial robes, wearing the ornate crown, his expression grave as he bowed to everyone. An indescribable feeling welled up inside her.

It was like planting a flower—you sowed the seed yourself, watched it break through the soil, and witnessed it bloom boldly and magnificently. Having accompanied him on this journey, the moment you see the flower blossom, you feel a deeper emotion than anyone else.

After the Crowning ceremony concluded, Gu Jiusi knelt on the ground, awaiting the bestowal of his courtesy name from Fan Xuan. Fan Xuan looked at him warmly and said, "My dear subject, though you are not yet twenty, you are already a pillar of the court and a trusted minister. I often tell the Crown Prince that the future of the world belongs to you, the younger generation. Today, I say the same to you, Minister Gu. The future of the world belongs to you, the younger generation. Minister Gu possesses extraordinary talent and will undoubtedly become a crucial asset to the nation. I hope you will embody the virtues of jade—its purity and brilliance. Thus, I bestow upon you the courtesy name 'Cheng Jue.'"

Hearing this name, Gu Jiusi's eyes flickered slightly. He lowered his head and kowtowed in gratitude.

After the Crowning ceremony, everyone stayed for the banquet. Fan Xuan was seated alone in a separate hall, accompanied by Gu Jiusi.

Fan Xuan gazed at the young man before him, now crowned, and after a long while, he smiled and asked, "Do you know why I gave you the name Cheng Jue?"

"'Jue' signifies twin jades," Gu Jiusi replied calmly, "the king among jades. Your Majesty hopes that I will become a nobleman and, at the same time, reminds me to diligently assist the Crown Prince."Two pieces of jade form a pair; with only one piece, it is merely an ordinary gentleman.

A minister without a sovereign is but a wanderer groping in the dark.

Fan Xuan smiled gently and said, "I have always known you to be clever. Jiusi," he lifted his gaze to Gu Jiusi and sighed, "you are still young, with many days ahead. In the future, the Crown Prince will rely on you."

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi lowered his eyes and finally bowed, saying, "I will do my utmost."

It seemed Fan Xuan had been waiting for these words from Gu Jiusi. He nodded, looking weary, and said, "Very well, go and join your friends. I am old and no longer fit for gatherings with you young people."

After Fan Xuan finished speaking with Gu Jiusi, Gu Jiusi escorted him to the door and finally saw him off.

Upon returning, as soon as Gu Jiusi entered the courtyard, he saw the stone table filled with wine jars. Shen Ming, Jiang He, Ye Shi'an, and others were gathered around, waiting for his return.

Jiang He propped his chin on his hand, watching Gu Jiusi approach, and said with a smile, "Come, little Jiusi. Today is your Crowning, and your uncle will show you how a man should drink."

Gu Jiusi wore a somewhat fearful expression and took a step back, saying, "Um, is that really necessary?"

"Brother Jiu, don't be afraid," Shen Ming immediately grabbed hold of Gu Jiusi. "I'll keep an eye on you. When you're drunk, I'll carry you back."

"But... Yu Ru won't be happy," Gu Jiusi continued to decline. "What if I get drunk?"

"No worries," Ye Shi'an chuckled. "I've already spoken to Yu Ru. She won't say anything."

After the three of them spoke in succession, Gu Jiusi sighed, sat down at the stone table, and could only say, "Well then, I have no choice but to risk my life to accompany gentlemen."

With that, Gu Jiusi raised a wine jar, looked at Jiang He with a resolute expression, and said, "Uncle, let's begin."

Jiang He, full of enthusiasm, began drinking with Gu Jiusi.

After several rounds of drinking, the bright moon hung high in the sky. The three men lay slumped over the table, but Gu Jiusi remained clear-headed. Propping his chin with one hand and idly tracing the rim of a bowl with the other, he said calmly, "Shall we continue drinking?"

Jiang He waved his hand, looking pained, and said, "No more."

Gu Jiusi scoffed, stood up, and said, "If we're not drinking, I'm heading back. You may not have wives, but I do."

The three men: "..."

With that, Gu Jiusi turned and left. After he drifted away effortlessly, Jiang He held his head and said with difficulty, "How can he hold his liquor so well?"

"Uncle... Uncle Jiang," Ye Shi'an hiccupped, "back in Yangzhou... Yangzhou..."

There was no need to finish the sentence; Jiang He understood.

This young man used to live a dissipated life in Yangzhou, drinking, gambling, and fighting every day. His capacity for alcohol was indeed beyond ordinary people. Jiang He looked at Ye Shi'an's flushed face and knew he was heavily intoxicated. Just as he was about to have someone take him back, a calm woman's voice said, "Brother."

The three men turned to see Ye Yun standing in the corridor. She looked at Ye Shi'an, approached, and helped support him along with the servants. Sighing, she said, "Brother, how did you end up so drunk?"

"Ye... Ye Yun!"

Hearing Ye Yun's voice, Shen Ming instantly sobered up. His eyes brightened as he looked at her and said happily, "You're here too?"

"Master Shen," Ye Yun nodded, then instructed the servants nearby, "Master Shen is drunk. Help him back to his room."People came to help Shen Ming up, but he refused to leave. Clutching Ye Yun's sleeve, he muttered, "Ye Yun, why have you been checking accounts so often lately? You haven't made enough Red Bean Cakes to go around."

Ye Yun was caught between laughter and exasperation. Nearby, Jiang He rested his chin on his hand, sipping wine as he watched Shen Ming complain about Ye Yun's delayed Red Bean Cakes with amusement.

After much coaxing from Ye Yun, the servants finally managed to lead Shen Ming away. Only then did Ye Yun have a moment to turn back to Jiang He. She hesitated briefly before asking, "Lord Jiang, do you need someone to help you back?"

Hearing this, Jiang He raised an eyebrow and smiled. "What, if I needed it, would you come support me yourself?"

Author's note: Shen Ming: No way