Chapter 14

Damn it.

Can this golden finger even be charged with gold?

Gu Jinnian was really frustrated.

No matter how he thought about it, he never expected that a branch would actually be related to gold.

In other words, including the system, one branch was still unknown, but the others had been figured out.

Putting aside the annoyance, this was truly a pleasant surprise.

Inside the private room.

Gu Jinnian had already withdrawn his hand, and no one noticed the gold disappearing.

On the surface, Gu Jinnian appeared extremely calm, even drinking a cup of wine leisurely.

But his mind was entirely on the ancient tree.

Grievance generates talismans.

Martial arts are unknown.

What the gold is, Gu Jinnian was curious about. He wanted to obtain grievance and inner qi, which would take time, but gold was different.

Although the Gu family didn't do business, they weren't short of silver. As long as it wasn't too outrageous, Gu Jinnian could afford it.

Inside the ancient tree.

After the golden light merged into the branch, the fruit formed, about the size of an apple, golden yellow.

Yes.

It was already ripe.

At least it was the same size as the previous grievance fruit.

"Ten taels of gold to ripen?"

Gu Jinnian was somewhat surprised.

But soon, Gu Jinnian tried to pick it, wanting to see what charging with gold could bring.

With a thought from Gu Jinnian.

Instantly, the golden fruit fell.

Soon, a piece of paper appeared.

It was more like a blank sheet of paper.

On the white paper, four characters were clearly written.

[It will rain tonight]

As the words appeared, Gu Jinnian was stunned.

Well...

What does this mean?

It will rain tonight?

I don't care if it rains or not.

Ten taels of gold, just for this?

Gu Jinnian, with his wealth, didn't think ten taels of gold was much, but the comparison was a bit depressing.

Is this second-to-last branch just a weather forecast?

No, no.

It can't be right.

Gu Jinnian shook his head and pondered.

It will rain tonight?

Glancing out the window, there were indeed some dark clouds, so the possibility of rain wasn't small.

Does this mean that money can buy future information? The more silver, the more useful the information?

Gu Jinnian speculated to himself.

Thinking about this, Gu Jinnian silently took five gold ingots in his hand, about as many as one hand could hold.

Immediately, the five gold ingots disappeared, turning into five beams of golden light, merging into the ancient tree.

Soon, the ancient tree bore fruit again, larger than before, like a durian, shimmering with golden light.

Without hesitation, Gu Jinnian used his mind to pick it again.

The golden fruit fell.

It shone brightly.

And it was still a piece of paper.

With the same four characters.

[It will rain tomorrow night]

Gu Jinnian: "..."

Ah... this.

Annoying, right?

Damn it.

Ten taels of gold, it will rain tonight.

Fifty taels of gold, it will rain tomorrow night?

Really just a weather forecast?

Are you kidding me?

Ten taels of gold is equivalent to ten thousand yuan in the previous life, and fifty taels of gold is fifty thousand yuan.

Then buy a weather forecast?

I'll buy your grandpa.

Gu Jinnian was really hurt inside, feeling cheated.

Indeed, charging with gold never ends well.

After a while, when Gu Jinnian calmed down a bit, he couldn't help but continue to study it.

"It shouldn't be that simple."

Gu Jinnian shook his head.

He didn't care about the gold, but he needed to understand the function of the ancient tree.

"Predict the future?"

"Intelligence?"

At the dining table, Gu Jinnian began to guess the function of the ancient tree.

Currently, it felt like he could buy intelligence with gold, and the intelligence came from the future.

It's just that the intelligence given so far is limited.

This is directly related to the amount of silver.

Gu Jinnian didn't think the function of the ancient tree was limited to predicting the weather.

Thinking about it, Gu Jinnian didn't waste words, using both hands to pinch five gold ingots each, wanting to see if the prediction for the day after tomorrow would also be rain.

As the gold disappeared.

Gu Jinnian was also thinking, who was trying to harm him.

To see if it matched his guess, he could buy corresponding intelligence, or if it was just a random prediction of the future.

With the consumption of one hundred taels of gold, the fruit grew to the size of a watermelon.

Without hesitation, Gu Jinnian chose to pick the fruit.

As the fruit landed, a piece of paper appeared again instantly.

To his delight.

This time, it was indeed not "it will rain tonight."

But the intelligence that appeared made Gu Jinnian's head hurt.

[More money needed]

It was really ruthless.

He thought the most ruthless thing in the previous life was spending money to draw fragments in a game.

Today, Gu Jinnian saw what true ruthlessness was.

Crazy for money?

One hundred taels of gold, just to tell him that the gold wasn't enough, and more money was needed?

I'll add your mother.

Refund.

I'm done.

Gu Jinnian was almost choking with anger.

One hundred and sixty taels of gold, not for anything specific, at least give him something useful?

Even a hint that someone was targeting him would be worth it.

At least it would confirm that his drowning wasn't a simple accident.

But the result?

One hundred taels of gold wasn't enough.

Not enough, why didn't you say so earlier?

Just tell me how much, and I'll give it to you now. Why make it so complicated?

Glancing at the gold on the plate, only four ingots were left.

Gu Jinnian didn't care about face anymore, taking them all, for one last try.

Four gold ingots bore fruit, and Gu Jinnian just wanted to ask how much gold was needed to get an answer.

But to be fair, although he was annoyed, it confirmed his guess.

He could ask questions based on his doubts, pay the corresponding gold, and get specific answers.

After the last forty taels of gold were absorbed by the ancient tree.

New information appeared.

The golden light dissipated, and the content of the note appeared in his mind.

[The Grand Prince of Daxia is in the next room]

Gu Jinnian: "???"

What is this?

I asked how much more silver is needed, and you tell me the Grand Prince is in the next room?

Are you crazy?

Damn it.

Fine.

Fine.

Fine.

You're so high and mighty, I can't play with you. I, Gu Jinnian, swear that if I give you any more silver, I'll jump from here and die here.

Damn it.

Taking a deep breath, Gu Jinnian was really frustrated.

Isn't this just messing with people's minds?

I asked how much more silver is needed, and you give me this nonsense?

What use is it to know the Grand Prince is here?

I can't go around telling everyone the Grand Prince is also here, can I?

Or should I go find the Grand Prince now, laughing, "Caught you, didn't expect you to be here too?"

Now, I'm giving you a way out. If you listen to me, I won't say anything. If you don't, I'll tell everyone that the Grand Prince of Daxia is here.

Is that how it is?

If this were said, once the Grand Prince became emperor, Gu Jinnian would be in big trouble.

What a lousy golden finger.

Go to hell.

Hurry up and die.

Gu Jinnian was so angry his scalp tingled.

Not because of the two hundred taels of gold, but because he felt like he was being played.

No, that's not right, remove the feeling.

He was being played.

Two hundred taels of gold.

Apart from the Duke and Marquis, the highest official in the Gu family, the monthly salary was only two hundred taels of silver.

Without mentioning private income.

Gu Jinnian's father, the Linyang Marquis.

Already a Marquis, with good land and assets, after deducting personnel costs and various invisible expenses, he would net about fifty thousand taels of silver a year.

Converted, that's five thousand taels of gold.

Equivalent to half a month's pure profit for a Marquis, just to buy some trivial intelligence.

Who wouldn't be angry?

Of course, the above is just the official income. How much private income Gu Jinnian had, he didn't know.

This involves a lot, various sources, and it's hard to say if they are legitimate.

Just then.

A voice broke Gu Jinnian's thoughts.

"Brother Jinnian, where's the gold on the table?"

"I've set my eyes on a girl. Give me two gold ingots, and I'll be back soon."

The voice sounded.

It was the young man who came with him.

With a clear face, he spoke somewhat nervously and shyly.

He had set his eyes on a girl.

He wanted to invite her to a private room.

Hearing this, Gu Jinnian glanced at the table, and the plate was already empty, not a single coin left.

Gu Jinnian was a bit embarrassed.

This was a bit awkward.

Taking two hundred taels of gold wasn't a big deal, but taking it all wasn't good.

And he couldn't come up with more now.

All of it was taken.

At this moment, everyone withdrew their gazes, returning to the dining table, looking at Gu Jinnian curiously.

Especially Li Ping.

He was a bit helpless.

This is what you meant by taking a little?

You took it all.

The scene was a bit awkward.

"Brother Liu, didn't we agree to just look before we came?"

"We are all scholars, real action is fine, but if it gets out, won't it be over?"

Gu Jinnian spoke, trying to explain, and Li Ping's voice also sounded.

"Right, right."

"Brother Jinnian is right, we'll just look, no funny business."

"If it gets out, it's one thing, but if Zhang Yun finds out, we'll be in trouble."

"Brother Jinnian is doing us a favor. When you all come of age, I'll book the Qingyue Tower for three days."

Li Ping followed, calming everyone down.

Hearing this, everyone understood, nodding. They were indeed young, not yet of age.

If they did something outrageous, their families wouldn't say much, but if it got out, it would be a problem.

"Right, I'm doing this for everyone."

Gu Jinnian nodded, satisfied with Li Ping's words.

But everyone understood the reason, their expressions were a bit complicated.

Didn't we come here to have fun?

Oh, you don't want to have fun, and you don't let us have fun?

Everyone has a moment of virtue, don't take it as permanent.

They were a bit frustrated.

But due to Gu Jinnian's status and moral high ground, they couldn't say much.

"Alright, it's getting late. We've seen enough. Are you leaving? If not, I'll go first."

Gu Jinnian didn't want to stay longer.

If it got any later, the Gu family would probably send someone to look for him.

Plus, he was in a bad mood after the ancient tree incident.

"Alright, let's go then."

"Indeed, if I stay any later, my father will beat me again."

"Alright, let's follow Brother Jinnian."

Everyone agreed, getting ready to leave.

"Brother Jinnian, are you leaving? The best part is coming, you believe me, aren't you staying?"

Li Ping pulled Gu Jinnian, trying to make him stay.

It was just the beginning, the best part was yet to come.

Hearing it was the best part, everyone stopped, especially those who were about to leave, now couldn't move.

Well, there was more to it?

Hearing this, Gu Jinnian perked up.

"I do have some urgent matters."

"But since everyone is willing to wait, I won't spoil the fun. Let's continue."

Gu Jinnian spoke, sitting in the front row, waiting for the best part.

He was looking forward to how good it would be.

Everyone laughed, but no one said anything, waiting for the best part.

A few maids smiled, personally massaging their shoulders to make them more comfortable.

Feeling the massage, Gu Jinnian felt so relaxed he wanted to sleep, his previous worries completely gone.

But deep down, he still had to criticize, the evil of the old society.

On the stage, it was still simple performances of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. After about half an hour, the best part finally came.

It was a woman, indeed beautiful, with long hair down to her waist, beautiful features, and Gu Jinnian's interest was piqued.

But soon, the excitement in his eyes turned to disappointment.

The entire performance lasted about half an hour, starting with music and dance, then gradually removing her clothes.

But in the end, only part of her clothes were removed.

Playing the game of half-hidden, half-revealed.

Gu Jinnian was incredibly disappointed.

Well...

Is that it?

Is that it?

Is that it?

I thought there was something, but it's just this?

Playing around, still a clean show?

Isn't this bullying the honest?

Ugh!!!

Give me a refund.

Gu Jinnian's mind was filled with countless galloping horses.

But looking at the others, they were all excited, breathing heavily.

Gu Jinnian almost couldn't help but say, "I'm ashamed to be in your company."

"I'm leaving."

Instantly, Gu Jinnian stood up, not wanting to stay. It was getting late, and most importantly, it was boring. He would wait until he came of age to go to the brothel.

This place, not worth coming to.

"Brother Jinnian? Leaving? The best part is coming, not watching?"

Li Ping stood up, looking at Gu Jinnian.

But this time, Gu Jinnian was determined.

"I never liked clean shows. Gentlemen, see you tomorrow."

Leaving these words, Gu Jinnian stood up and left, ignoring everyone's words, walking away without looking back.

After leaving the private room.

Gu Jinnian casually noted down the name of the adjacent private room.

The silver can't be wasted, the Grand Prince will have to pay it back.

But thinking about it calmly.

It was truly surprising.

The Grand Prince of Daxia, actually coming to such a place?

Secretly noting down the name of the private room, Gu Jinnian quickly left, not wanting to stay longer.

Calculating the time, it would take about fifteen minutes to get home from the Qingyue Tower if he walked fast.

These people would obviously stay longer than that.

After getting home, he would have the steward notify their families that their grandsons were at the Qingyue Tower.

And have someone notify Li Ping and the others in advance to slip away.

To see if goodwill counts as nourishment.

After all, grievance counts as one, theoretically, goodwill should count too?

Anyway, it's worth a try, no cost, no loss.

If it works, it's a huge profit.

With this thought, Gu Jinnian's steps quickened.

And indeed, it started to drizzle.

This proved.

The ancient tree's predictive ability was accurate.