novelraw Chapter 1272 - 1271: Getting Him Drunk
Chapter 1272 - 1271: Getting Him Drunk
Yang Zongbao noticed Gu Changqing’s attitude and managed to keep calm. During their conversation, they were informed by the servants that lunch was ready, and everyone was invited to take their seats.
Only then did they stop talking, signaling Yang Zongbao to go first.
Yang Zongbao couldn’t decline and, turning sideways, was the first to exit the study.
Gu Changqing watched Yang Zongbao’s back, and for some reason, his eyes lit up, as though he had thought of something.
But being mature, he quickly restrained his expression.
With a calm demeanor, he came out to eat and even asked a few of the younger ones to toast Yang Zongbao.
Yang Zongbao, not entirely understanding what this Gu Family patriarch was planning, accepted the toasts from the young masters one by one.
The fine wine, though the brothers didn’t know Gu Changqing’s intentions, they had a tacit understanding, realizing that their father probably wanted to get this younger uncle drunk.
When the father has something in mind, the sons do the bidding; what more is there to say? Grab the wine jar and fill up!
Gu Zikai thought a bit more: could it be that after hearing his cousin call someone "uncle," his real father got jealous and upset, so he wanted to give them a hard time?
Unable to resist, he glanced at Gu Changqing, surprised at this side of his father, but was quickly glared at by Gu Changqing to look away.
Song Chongjin also noticed Gu Changqing seemed to intentionally want to get Yang Zongbao drunk, wanting to say something in Yang Zongbao’s defense, but was stopped by Gu Changqing.
Jinhoo had nothing to say, as the youngest, not daring to speak. Even though the table was full of delicacies he had never seen, he didn’t dare reach out with chopsticks, only burying his head and eating plain rice.
After all, the rice was fragrant and sweet, easy enough to have several bowls without needing any dishes.
It was Song Chongjin who couldn’t stand it, taking care of him, giving him some dishes, so he ended up half full.
Yang Zongbao also realized Gu Changqing intended to intoxicate him, yet he couldn’t understand why.
After some thought, after all, it was Old Granny Zhang’s family, Wang Yongzhu’s own uncle, with Song Chongjin by his side, and even if drunk, it wouldn’t matter.
He wasn’t the type to go wild when drunk; rather, he would quietly fall asleep.
He wasn’t worried about saying the wrong thing while drunk, wanting to see what the Gu Family was really up to.
Since he wanted to see the Gu Family’s intentions, he might as well accept everything, quickly finishing several jars, swaying unsteadily.
Not only him, even the Gu family brothers coaxing him to drink, though heavy drinkers themselves, were starting to feel overwhelmed.
Gu Changqing’s gaze was clear, having not touched even a drop, instructed others to help Yang Zongbao to the guest courtyard to rest, and dismissed everyone else.
The Gu family brothers were supported by servants back to their courtyards.
Jinhoo finished first, sent by Gu Changqing to the old madam’s courtyard in the back.
Song Chongjin didn’t drink, at this moment watching Yang Zongbao lay on the table, completely drunk, couldn’t resist saying, "Uncle, I don’t know how my uncle offended you, he’s always cautious, cherishes Yongzhu. Please, uncle—"
Before he finished, Gu Changqing interrupted him, "Rest assured, I have no malice against him, just need to verify something."
Song Chongjin’s heart skipped a beat, noticing something on Gu Changqing’s face, bowed, "I’ll wait outside."
Gu Changqing wasn’t angry, nodding casually.
Then they went to the guest courtyard together; a Doctor was already waiting there.
Next to Yang Zongbao were two young servants standing guard, he lay drowsily on the kang, the smell of alcohol heavy in his breath.
Song Chongjin stood in the courtyard, not entering, but his ears constantly listening for any movement inside.
Inside, it was quiet, only the sound of porcelain being set on the table, and the rustling of clothes.
After a good while, the Doctor’s voice was heard, "Sir, please look—"
It seemed like Gu Changqing’s breath quickened inside, calming only after a moment.
After another moment of silence, footsteps were heard, the door opened.
The Doctor bowed and left, escorted away.
Gu Changqing’s voice rang out, "Come in, I have some questions for you."
Song Chongjin entered, the room faintly smelling of medicine, with a trace of barely detectable blood scent.
He glanced at Yang Zongbao, his clothes unmoved, laying on the kang, shoes off, revealing his socks.
The socks, Song Chongjin’s gaze shifted, they were Yongzhu’s handiwork, marked to distinguish left from right. After hearing about it, he always wore them according to the marks.
Presumably, Yang Zongbao did too, but now looking at them, the socks were swapped.
And on his finger, a small red dot, as if pricked by a needle.
Gu Changqing sat in a chair by the kang, hands naturally resting on his knees, his expression calm yet with an indescribable feeling.
He gestured for Song Chongjin to sit across, slightly closed his eyes, fingers tapping his knee, calmly saying, "Tell me about his life story."
From Gu Changqing’s calm demeanor, Song Chongjin sensed something, thus he earnestly began narrating all he knew about Yang Zongbao’s story in full detail.
When Gu Changqing heard how Yang Zongbao was harmed so terribly, his gaze involuntarily changed, the fingers tapping his knee halted.
Song Chongjin paused, seeing Gu Changqing silent, continued narrating.
Beside them, Yang Zongbao’s breathing was even, the only sound in the room was Song Chongjin’s voice...
Until dusk, Yang Zongbao opened his eyes, seeing a silhouette sitting by the kang, flipping through a book.
Hearing movement, the figure turned, it was Song Chongjin.
Seeing him awake, Song Chongjin quickly poured a cup of tea for Yang Zongbao to drink.
Yang Zongbao drank three cups to relieve his parched throat, his first thought was, "Did I lose face while drunk earlier? Say anything wrong?"
Song Chongjin shook his head, "Uncle, rest assured, your conduct is good, drank and then slept, I stayed by your side throughout."
Only then did Yang Zongbao feel relieved.
A young servant came in with water to serve Yang Zongbao for washing up, followed by a bowl of hangover soup, clearing the alcohol fumes.
It was announced from the front, inviting them to dinner.
This dinner, only Gu Changqing, Yang Zongbao, and Song Chongjin attended.
Gu Changqing mentioned Gu Zikai and others drank too much, hadn’t sobered yet, to just leave them be.
During the meal, Gu Changqing said little, though slightly warmer in demeanor, whether it was Yang Zongbao’s illusion or not, he felt Gu Changqing occasionally glanced at him, but when he looked, he found nothing, leaving his doubts.
They finished a tasteless meal and were about to leave.
Gu Changqing didn’t insist on their stay, only told them to come if they needed anything.
Yang Zongbao grew increasingly puzzled, vaguely agreeing, he and Song Chongjin retrieved Wang Yongzhu and Jinhoo, and left the Gu Residence, seeing Song Chongjin seemed about to say something yet ultimately stayed silent, parting ways home.
On the carriage, Wang Yongzhu asked, "Uncle seemed like he had something to ask you, why didn’t he? Did anything happen earlier today? I asked Jinhoo, he said uncle arrived at the front courtyard, elder uncle had the cousins give you wine? Later heard you got drunk, did something happen?"
Song Chongjin hesitated, he was only guessing, not sure.
But Wang Yongzhu asked, so he leaned towards her ear, softly sharing his guess.
Wang Yongzhu widened her eyes in shock, looking at Song Chongjin, "What did you say?"