Chapter 2: Don't Fear a Rich Second-Generation Who Enjoys Food, Drink, and Fun; Fear a Rich Second-Generation with Grand Ambitions

“What? He’s already taken off his belt to beat him? How can this be!”

After Xiaobai and Xiaoqing left the garden to report to Gu Lanyuan’s mother, Nangong Qin, Nangong Qin abruptly stood up, slapped the table, and then hurriedly rushed toward the garden.

When Nangong Qin arrived at the garden, what she saw was Gu Mingmu holding his pants up with his left hand and holding the belt with his right hand, chasing and beating Gu Lanyuan. Each strike landed precisely on Gu Lanyuan’s buttocks, beating Gu Lanyuan until he howled and leaped up and down like a monkey.

“Stop!”

Gu Mingmu and Gu Lanyuan stopped in their tracks at the same time.

Gu Lanyuan looked at Nangong Qin, immediately pouting with grievance, and ran toward Nangong Qin: “Mother~ Old Dad is beating me for no reason!”

Gu Mingmu immediately got anxious: “Kid, don’t you talk nonsense, I’m not for no reason…”

Nangong Qin’s willow-shaped eyebrows stood up vertically as she said: “Shut up!”

Gu Mingmu instantly fell silent.

Nangong Qin asked with heartache: “How is it? Does it hurt a lot?”

“Cough.”

Gu Mingmu, who had been told to keep his mouth shut, coughed heavily, signaling Gu Lanyuan not to say anything reckless.

Gu Lanyuan turned his head and flashed Gu Mingmu a big smile, which made Gu Mingmu’s heart pound with dread.

Turning back, Gu Lanyuan resumed his pitifully aggrieved expression, tears clinging to the corners of his eyes, and said with a choked voice: “I, I’m not in pain. It’s all my fault for making Old Dad angry. It was right and proper for Old Dad to hit me. But… Mother, I’m useless. Old Dad told me to catch up to Big Brother, to hold myself to Big Brother’s standards. But you know how excellent Big Brother is, Mother, I just can’t do it. When you and Old Dad gave birth to Big Brother, you gave him all the good traits. How can I, who was left with only the flaws, ever catch up to him? I’ve disappointed Old Dad. I’m just too incompetent~”

Gu Lanyuan was just wailing away.

Gu Mingmu’s eye twitched as he listened, and only one thought filled his mind.

We’re screwed!

Xiaobai and Xiaoqing’s gazes also turned extremely strange.

The way their young master was acting looked a lot like the “green tea” they had been told about before!

Nangong Qin was so angry that the veins on her forehead bulged. She roared furiously at Gu Mingmu, “Gu Mingmu! Why do you always compare Xiao Yuan to the Boss for no reason? What? Do you want to train another general, so you won’t see the child for several days a year!”

Gu Mingmu said softly, “I didn’t mean that. It’s just that Xiao Yuan is too lazy. I just said a few words because I couldn’t stand it.”

Nangong Qin’s almond-shaped eyes widened. “Just a few words? Do you think I’m blind? Wasn’t it you who was chasing Xiao Yuan with a belt just now?!”

Gu Mingmu said helplessly, “Qin’er, you spoil Xiao Yuan too much. You’ll spoil him rotten like this.”

Nangong Qin retorted, “What’s wrong with spoiling my own son a little? Xiao Yuan is just a bit lazy usually, but he hasn’t done anything bad. Xiao Yuan is so well-behaved. He’s not like other profligate sons who are proficient in eating, drinking, visiting prostitutes, and gambling. He just likes to enjoy life a bit usually. What’s wrong with that?”

Gu Lanyuan chuckled slyly.

And Gu Lanyuan’s sly chuckle was fully seen by Gu Mingmu, who clenched his fists.

This kid! He really wanted to press him down on his lap and give him a good beating.

Gu Mingmu sighed. “Yes, I admit Xiao Yuan has done quite well in this regard. But isn’t it because I hope he can cultivate properly? Even if he doesn’t cultivate, he could still study hard and become a civil official or something in the future. He’s already eighteen this year; he needs to properly do something, doesn’t he?”

Nangong Qin didn’t refute Gu Mingmu this time. Instead, she agreed, “That’s true…”

Now it was Gu Lanyuan’s turn to get anxious. If his old man and his mother stood on the same side, would his good days ever return?

Gu Lanyuan brainstormed for a moment and suddenly came up with a plan.

“Old man, Mother, have you heard the old saying? Don’t fear a rich second-generation heir who eats, drinks, and has fun; fear a rich second-generation heir with great ambitions.”

Gu Mingmu glared and scolded, “What kind of twisted logic is this!”

Gu Lanyuan argued, “Listen to my explanation. Now that Big Brother has already been appointed to the post of Second-Rank Military Official, General of Chariots and Cavalry, his future is clearly promising. What about me? Old man and Mother, you both know I have no great ambitions and can be said to be good at nothing.

What if I suddenly developed great ambitions and, in order to prove myself and surpass Big Brother, messed things up blindly and caused trouble?”

“Besides, Big Brother is already a General of Chariots and Cavalry, and he’ll definitely be aiming for the position of Grand General or General of the Flying Cavalry in the future. If I become a civil official, the Emperor certainly won’t have any objections, but the entire civil and military court will definitely have objections. Dad, you’re already one of the Three Excellencies, and Big Brother is a General of Chariots and Cavalry. If I go, won’t I have to become the Prime Minister?”

Gu Mingmu was so angry he laughed: “You, wanting to be Prime Minister? Who would believe that?”

Nangong Qin thought for a moment and said: “You know what, Xiao Yuan’s words are crude but make sense. You and Big Brother have already reached such high official positions. If Xiao Yuan were to enter officialdom as well, it would indeed make people think too much.”

Gu Lanyuan hugged Nangong Qin’s arm and said with a smile: “So, I am a man without great ambitions and can’t bear hardship. Having Big Brother at home is enough. I’ll just stay home and keep Dad and Mom company. I love Mom the most. As for Dad, I like him occasionally.”

Nangong Qin was delighted by Gu Lanyuan’s words.

Gu Mingmu curled his lip. What did he mean by “like him occasionally”?

Nangong Qin said worriedly, “But, Xiao Yuan, you need to start taking your marriage seriously. You’re already eighteen. Your eldest brother got married at seventeen. Others around your age might already have children old enough to run errands. The girl from the Yun Family I introduced to you last time is truly excellent. She’s proficient in the four arts of zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting, and she’s gentle and refined. She’s a perfect match for you.”

Gu Lanyuan’s expression immediately froze. He said guiltily, “Uh… I think the matter of continuing the family line can be left to Big Brother. In the future, Big Brother can have more children and then give one to me…”

Nangong Qin gently tapped Gu Lanyuan on the head. “What nonsense are you talking? Do you want to remain unmarried for the rest of your life? I’ll arrange for you to meet the Yun Family’s young miss next time. I won’t rush you, but you have to get to know each other!”

“Ah, I suddenly remembered I have something important to do. I’m slipping away now.”

Gu Lanyuan took off running without a hint of hesitation.

Because whenever Nangong Qin spoke of this, she would go on and on. He was a handsome man of the abstinent type; how could he possibly get married?

Seeing Gu Lanyuan run off, Nangong Qin clicked her tongue and sighed, “To be honest, I wish this child were a bit more lustful and would marry a few wives and concubines. Why is he so pure and detached from worldly desires? It’s worrying me to death.”

Gu Mingmu’s expression was extremely strange.

Back when he was appointed Grand Marshal, the Emperor wanted to marry his sister to him. He was nearly beaten to death by Nangong Qin, and in the end, he could only endure the pain and politely decline the Emperor.

When it came to Gu Lanyuan, he could marry several wives and concubines. How could she be so double-standard?