After Gu Bai was taken to the courtyard that Lord Fu prepared for Du Haitang, no one bothered with him anymore.
Du Haiyan didn’t came back until the next morning. Obviously, Lord Fu is very fond of his new concubine.
On the first day, he couldn’t familiarize with the environment and Gu Bai also didn’t dare to run around, so he settled into an empty room in the courtyard and improvised with the tea and snack on the table for the night.
Throughout the night, he was thinking about how to do this task.
Although the main partner of this mission is Fu Junli that demon* gong*, there are many other potential partners and dangers in this mission too, it’s those cannon fodder cucumbers that are eyeing the original host’s chrysanthemum.
*kichiku – a person who acts like a demon or a beast
*top/seme
Therefore, in order to complete the task, he must first have the ability to self-protect.
This is very important. The reason why the original host’s chrysanthemum was crushed so tragically, other than his low status, the most important reason is that he didn’t even have the slightest ability to resist, fully complying with the professional ethics of a weak shou* that will fall once pushed.
*bottom/uke
Therefore, if he doesn’t want to suffer from the painful experience of the original host, he must have power. At worst, if one cucumber comes, he will chop one, and if two cucumbers come, he will chop two!
This isn’t a problem, Gu Bai is very fortunate to have foresight and he also learned quite a lot in the previous fantasy world.
Other than power, he also needs to improve his status. This is an ancient dynasty that uses the “four classes”* hierarchy. A person’s status level determines the fate of that person.
*the four occupations/categories of people in ancient China (scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants)
The original host came from a brothel’s prostitute and is now the lowly son of a concubine. His status is lower than others from the moment he was born and he also doesn’t have any backing. With such a seductive and enchanting face, it’s very normal for people to eye him and push him down.
By turning over his mind*, he solved the power problem, but there’s still that status problem. Since he can’t become a rich second generation*, then he will try his best to become a first generation official. In ancient times, only the official career can lift a person’s status.
*左思右想 to think through from different angles
*nouveau riche/silver-spoon kids
And to strategize against Fu Junli the demon BOSS, talent and learning is also indispensable. Although Fu Junli is cold-hearted, he has one peculiarity, and that is his hobby.
In the plot, not only is Fu Junli a business genius, he’s also a well-known talented scholar, clear and bright, peerless and elegant, a gentleman well versed in musical instrument, chess, painting and calligraphy.
The reason why Fu Junli can’t forget the white lotus in his heart, aside from that person’s peerless beauty, is because his talent and learning also resonate with him. If he wants to strategize against him, he must first have a common language with him!
Fortunately, the plot is still in the early stages, he still has several years to prepare.
When Du Haitang came back with spring in her eyes, Gu Bai actively ran up to her and tried his best to persuade, saying that he wants to study.
“What? Study? Get lost, don’t mention the word ‘study’ to laoniang!”
Due to the ungratefulness of the original host’s father, Du Haitang hates scholars a lot and she became angered once it was mentioned. She ruthlessly smacked Gu Bai’s head and started scolding.
Gu Bai touched his head that was hurting from the smack. He ignored Du Haitang’s expression and continued.
“Mother, I want to study, I want to take the imperial exam. You think about it, if I have a good future, you will also bask in my glory...”
“Why do I need to bask in your glory? As long as I do my best and bear the son of Lord Fu, I won’t need to worry about the future. Why do I need you to take the imperial exam? You are just like your father, you will definitely discard laoniang once you have matured....” said Du Haitang hatefully.
“Mother, your son knows that your heart is bitter, but you were the one who gave birth to this son and will definitely be filial to you. What you said makes sense, but even if you gave birth to a little brother for Lord Fu now, little brother is still small, and there are so many young masters and misses in Fu mansion, it won’t be easy for mother to rely on the child*... But if you let your son study, your son will work hard and achieve the exam’s scholarly honor after a few years. I will be your backing, even if you are just Fu’s concubine, no one will dare to look down and bully you....”
*the mother’s honor increases as her son’s position rises
“You are very confident that you will definitely be able to bring back the scholarly honor for laoniang and won’t kick laoniang away?” Du Haitang stared at him with some disbelief.
“Mother, rest assured, your son can swear...”
Seeing Gu Bai’s appearance, Du Haitang’s heart turned twice and then she nodded after some hesitation.
This kid is right, her status is low and she has no family backing. It really won’t be easy to rely on the child in Fu mansion. Even if she gave birth to a son for Lord Fu, she will still have to suffer for more than ten years before her child grows up and have a good future.
So why not let my son give it a try. If this kid is cold and ruthless like his father, she can only consider herself to have been momentarily blinded!