Rome wasn't built in a day, and tasks must be tackled one by one.
Though the workload had piled up like a mountain, Gu Yanshu remained unruffled, methodically addressing each matter at his own steady pace.
Among the tasks at hand, the simplest was reviewing the draft manuscripts submitted by the storytellers.
Thanks to Gu Yanshu's earlier guidance and suggestions, the storytellers' submissions this time showed remarkable improvement—both in diction and narrative structure.
Gu Yanshu wasn't the type to nitpick unnecessarily.
After reviewing the drafts, he found no major issues and encouraged the storytellers to continue developing their tales at the same pace.
Next were the two teahouses.
Though geographically distant from each other, both—like Taoran Pavilion—boasted prime locations.
Each was a three-story building, and their renovations had consumed considerable time and effort.
However, since these teahouses had been the first to close for refurbishment, Gu Yanshu had already devoted significant attention to them.
Now, with the renovations well underway, they had become the least of his worries.
As for Taoran Pavilion, realizing he was stretched too thin, Gu Yanshu opted for a practical solution:
He reassigned some experienced staff from the two teahouses to assist there.
These workers were already familiar with his preferences and working style.
Coupled with Manager Tang's competence, Taoran Pavilion no longer required Gu Yanshu's constant oversight.
That left only two major tasks: the renovation of the Prince Li Manor's main courtyard and the launch of the Tianqi Daily.
The main courtyard posed little difficulty.
Gu Yanshu had detailed blueprints for every modification. His daily routine simply involved inspecting progress and conveying instructions to the craftsmen.
But the newspaper—that was another matter entirely.
Gu Yanshu had meticulously planned every aspect of the Tianqi Daily.
Drawing inspiration from newspapers both pre- and post-apocalypse, he had designed what he believed to be the perfect template for Tianqi.
There was a Gossip & Entertainment section catering to the common folk's interests.
Embracing the spirit of "sacrificing oneself to amuse the masses," recent scandals—like the feud between Taoran Pavilion and Yunci Zhai—would make perfect material.
Then came the Tales of the Strange section, dedicated to serialized fiction.
Not everyone had time to visit teahouses daily for storytelling sessions.
Yet even busy individuals needed entertainment. This section would satisfy that demand, allowing readers to stay updated on the capital's most popular tales from the comfort of their homes.
Of course, there were also the more serious readers—those uninterested in gossip or fiction.
For these politically minded individuals, Gu Yanshu prepared a Current Affairs & Policy section, publishing the latest imperial decrees and governmental updates.
But the primary target audience?
The scholars.
Those who buried their noses in the Four Books and Five Classics, wholly devoted to the imperial examinations.
This group was the Tianqi Daily's most crucial demographic—and Gu Yanshu had no intention of neglecting them.
Nearly half of the newspaper's layout was reserved for a single section titled:
"Ten Years of Exams, Eight Years of Drills."
The name, of course, was adapted from the legendary Five Years of College Entrance Exams, Three Years of Mock Tests—a perennial bestseller in his past life.
But given the imperial examination system's rigor, "five" or "three" years seemed insufficient.
Thus, Gu Yanshu adjusted accordingly.
Since this section was tailored for examinees, its content naturally revolved around the exams.
For instance:
Exam Trends: Helping scholars grasp subtle changes in the examination format, ensuring they were fully prepared.Top-Scoring Papers Analyzed: Breaking down past zhuangyuan (top scholar) essays to extract their essence, sparking inspiration, and broadening perspectives.Masters' Insights: Featuring new works by contemporary Confucian luminaries, allowing impoverished scholars—who lacked access to elite academies—to study under great minds vicariously.Mock Examinations: Predicting future exam questions based on historical patterns, ensuring readers entered the examination hall with confidence.
The goal?
To make every scholar who studied this section feel as though they were wielding a divine brush during the actual exam.
While the other sections posed no major challenges, this "Ten Years of Exams, Eight Years of Drills" segment gave Gu Yanshu a headache.
To execute it properly, he needed someone deeply familiar with the imperial examination system.
Moreover, the Masters' Insights column required contributions from scholars of such prestige that even the most arrogant literati would defer to their authority.
And therein lay the problem.
The Marquis Cheng'en household had long declined, its social circle limited to minor families of little influence.
None of these families could boast a true Confucian master.
Worse, the original Young Master Gu had been a notorious wastrel—skilled at drinking and carousing, hopeless at scholarship.
Such a scoundrel wouldn't have befriended esteemed scholars—he'd have more likely pulled their beards and earned their lifelong disdain.
As for Prince Li Manor?
Even less promising.
Everyone knew the Third Prince, Qin Lu, was a warrior who'd made his name on the battlefield. His associates were predominantly military men.
Getting these burly men to wield brushes instead of blades?
A futile endeavor.
Historically, civil officials and military officers had been at odds. While Prince Li Manor commanded respect among generals, its standing among scholars was undoubtedly poor.
A quick consultation with Xing Ren confirmed Gu Yanshu's suspicions.
With neither the Marquis's household nor Prince Li Manor offering viable connections, the newspaper project had hit a roadblock.
If no suitable candidate emerged, Gu Yanshu might have to abandon the "Ten Years of Exams" section altogether.
But since scholars were his primary target audience, he was reluctant to concede defeat.
Staring at the repeatedly revised newspaper template on his desk, Gu Yanshu sank into deep thought.
Just then, Baizhu entered:
"Young Master."
"What is it?" Gu Yanshu glanced up.
"Eldest Young Master has sent a visiting card." Baizhu stepped forward, placing the card on the desk.
"Elder Brother?" Gu Yanshu took the card and skimmed its contents. "Where is the messenger?"
"Waiting in the side hall for your reply."
"Tell him I'm free today. Elder Brother may visit at his convenience."
Perhaps wary of intruding unannounced, Gu Yanli had merely inquired about a suitable time.
Baizhu bowed and withdrew.
Gu Yanshu assumed it would take a while for the messenger to deliver his reply and for Gu Yanli to arrive.
Thus, after Baizhu left, he returned his attention to the Tianqi Daily proposal, lost in thought once more.
To his surprise, Xing Ren soon announced Gu Yanli's arrival.
Abandoning his schematics, Gu Yanshu hurried out to greet his elder brother.
He spotted Gu Yanli and his attendant Fuling following a servant through the courtyard gate.
Approaching swiftly, Gu Yanshu murmured:
"Elder Brother, you came so quickly?"
"I happened to be near the manor when I sent the card. Hearing your reply, I came straight over."
Gu Yanli's tone was casual, as though it were mere coincidence.
But Gu Yanshu suspected Gu Yanli had been waiting nearby even before dispatching the messenger.
Such urgency piqued his curiosity:
"Did something urgent bring you here?"
"Nothing urgent. I simply had some free time and thought to visit."
As he spoke, Gu Yanli scrutinized Gu Yanshu and Chengying Court.
Noting his younger brother's glowing complexion and even a slight increase in height since the wedding, it was clear he was thriving.
The courtyard's exquisite decor and the servants' deferential manner further reassured Gu Yanli.
Then his gaze landed on an oddly bare patch of land incongruous with the garden's design.
"What's that?"
"That?"
Following his brother's gaze, Gu Yanshu chuckled.
"It was originally a small flower garden. But the physician suggested daily exercise to improve my health, so His Highness had it cleared for morning drills."
The manor's training ground was near the main courtyard, while Chengying Court lay some distance away.
Though Gu Yanshu inspected the main courtyard's renovations daily, he balked at trekking there at dawn.
Qin Lu, recognizing his reluctance—and considering Gu Yanshu was still mastering basics—deemed the training ground unnecessary.
Thus, a section of the garden was repurposed into a small practice area.
Gu Yanli beamed at the explanation.
"Martial training is excellent! I've long wanted you to train with me, but you always refused. His Highness certainly knows how to persuade you!"
Gu Yanshu had no response to that, so he remained silent.
Unfazed, Gu Yanli changed the subject:
"I heard the manor is undergoing renovations?"
"Yes, in the main courtyard. Though 'renovation' might be an overstatement—it's more of a refurbishment."
Gu Yanshu led Gu Yanli into the study.
Gu Yanli surveyed the room as he asked:
"Why the sudden changes? Did His Highness decide on a whim?"
"Not sudden at all. The main courtyard should have been renovated before we moved in, but His Highness never cared for such things."
Gu Yanshu poured tea.
"I found it uncomfortable, so after discussing it with His Highness, we agreed on some modifications."
By now, all adult princes had been granted their own residences outside the palace.
With the capital long devoid of vacant land, these mansions were repurposed from existing estates.
Other princes had customized their homes before moving in.
Only Qin Lu's residence remained exactly as he'd received it.
In truth, Prince Li Manor was the most in need of renovation.
The exterior plaque had changed from "Third Prince's Residence" to "Prince Li Manor," and the household now had two masters—yet the interior remained untouched.
This was untenable.
By all logic, Gu Yanshu's decision to renovate was beyond reproach.
This was precisely why, despite rampant rumors, no official had dared censure Qin Lu over the renovations.
If a man couldn't refurbish his home after marriage, would brides henceforth be denied new residences?
Gu Yanli understood this perfectly.
Still, the gossip had grown so pervasive that he'd felt compelled to visit.
Now, seeing Gu Yanshu entirely unbothered, he relaxed:
"In that case, I'm reassured."
Guessing the reason for his brother's visit, Gu Yanshu felt a warm glow in his chest.
Not forgetting courtesy, he inquired:
"And you, Elder Brother? How have you been lately?"