Are you confused?

The next day, Gu Dao returned to the private school.

The teacher was both anxious and embarrassed. He never imagined Gu Dao would dare to come again.

What about the old madam?

“Ten taels…” Gu Dao held out his hand.

“Wasn’t it five taels yesterday? Why is it…” The teacher’s eyes darkened, his voice full of despair.

“I’m in a good mood today, so the price went up…” Gu Dao sneered, picking up the ruler.

The teacher actually brought money today—silver ingots worth twenty taels each—planning to enjoy himself later at Jade Alley.

Now, all of it was confiscated by Gu Dao.

“Isn’t it ten taels? You’re not giving me change?” The teacher wanted to cry but had no tears.

“Count it for tomorrow.” Gu Dao said and left with the ruler.

“Tomorrow… tomorrow… you’re coming again?” The teacher was overwhelmed with sorrow, feeling this job was impossible.

Gu Dao turned and strode next door.

An hour later.

Gu Dao was summoned to the Tiannian Residence.

The Gu family’s matriarch was clearly furious but forced herself to remain calm.

“Xiuzhi, what exactly do you want? Why must you cause such trouble?”

“Money. If you want the household safe, just pay!” Gu Dao picked at his nails with a casual air, like a protection racket collector.

“If you don’t give it, I’ll keep causing trouble. Maybe one day, if I’m in a good mood, I’ll set a fire.”

The old madam nearly turned away, gasping for breath.

If it weren’t for the risk of causing a bigger uproar, she would have locked this rebellious son away in the ancestral hall long ago.

“Fine, how about a hundred taels?” the old madam gritted her teeth.

Gu Dao glanced sideways at her.

“If you’re just trying to brush me off like a beggar, don’t bother. I’ve made nearly two hundred taels in the past days—I’m going to keep going.”

The old madam’s face twitched with anger.

“How much do you want?”

“Ten thousand taels.” Gu Dao demanded wildly.

“You’re insane! There’s no way I have that kind of money for you. Five hundred taels.”

“Nine thousand…”

“A thousand…”

They haggled back and forth until finally settling on two thousand taels.

The Gu family matriarch paid to buy peace for the household.

Gu Dao happily accepted the silver note, promising not to cause trouble in the short term.

“You could have just paid earlier. Why go through all this trouble? Is it Grandma’s idea?” Gu Dao smiled mischievously as he left.

The old madam’s chest was about to explode with fury.

Had a demon possessed him?

He used to be such a good-for-nothing, now he was practically a bandit. Yet no one dared lay a finger on him.

Just then, a steward hurried in.

“Madam, news from the palace: His Majesty intends for the Princess and the eldest young master to marry soon.”

The old madam’s eyebrows shot up as she glared fiercely at Gu Dao.

“You rebellious son, you’ve gone too far! Return the money.”

Hearing this, Gu Dao was stunned. What kind of logic was this?

“Madam, are you losing your mind? I’m the prince consort now. You want to touch me? Believe it or not, I’ll dress like a beggar and go marry the princess.”

At Gu Dao’s words, the old madam collapsed in despair, slumping weakly into a chair.

Gu Dao, seeing this, didn’t bother with more words—he took the money and left.

He made his way to Zhonghan Mountain and inquired until he found the Yancui Residence.

This mountain was less than a hundred miles from the capital, close enough to see each other from afar.

Yancui Residence was the Gu family’s villa here.

In summer, mist drifted through the valley, the green hills gleamed with jade hues. In winter, pine and snow shone together, and red plum blossoms stood proud against the frost.

It was a perfect place to escape the heat or enjoy the snow.

Second Young Master Gu Ling hosted guests here every winter and summer, with ample stores of food, wine, and even preserved summer fruits and vegetables.

At the entrance stood a thin man leaning against the wall, basking in the sun.

He was large-boned but gaunt, with hair and beard growing wildly like untamed weeds.

His thin winter clothes hung loosely on his stooped, listless frame.

Gu Dao found it strange—was this place inhabited only by old men?

“Wake up…” Gu Dao dismounted and spoke softly.

The man opened his eyes, looked him over, then suddenly snapped to attention.

“You are… Young Master Xiuzhi?” the burly man asked, trembling.