Chapter 151: Strange Makeup

Seeing that Xuanyuan Changfeng politely declined, Gou Ye did not press the matter further. Figuring he had stayed at home for quite a long time and had no pressing matters on hand, Gou Ye simply went out together with Xuanyuan Changfeng to the newspaper office.

Upon stepping inside, they found Gu Shen reclining in a rocking chair with one leg crossed over the other, leisurely humming a little tune and looking thoroughly content. On a small side table next to him rested a plate of dried fruits and a pot of tea. Gou Ye could not help thinking that Gu Shen certainly knew how to enjoy life.

Noticing that Gu Shen had his eyes closed and had not sensed their arrival, Gou Ye made a "shh" gesture, tiptoed quietly behind the rocking chair, and suddenly jerked it upward. Gu Shen was indeed a man trained in martial arts; an ordinary person would have already tumbled onto the floor, but Gu Shen merely placed one hand on the ground and executed a low-altitude spin, springing directly to his feet.

Just as a flash of annoyance crossed his face, he caught sight of Gou Ye and Xuanyuan Changfeng standing there with beaming smiles. "Oh, it's you two! You gave me quite a scare. I thought someone had come to smash the place."

Gou Ye laughed heartily. "Our esteemed Manager Gu is certainly living at ease! Having such a wonderful life—food, drinks, and humming tunes. Shall I find you a beauty to keep you company as well?"

Gu Shen chuckled. "Why, yes! That is precisely what this Gu desires."

"What brings the two of you here today? Changfeng can stroll around all he likes, but you, Gou Ye, are about to take your examinations. Have you memorized everything in your books yet, wandering about blindly like this?" Gu Shen asked, looking at Gou Ye.

Gou Ye pulled the rocking chair over, threw himself lazily into it, and casually grabbed a handful of dried fruits. Munching on them, he retorted, "Haven't you ever heard of balancing work and leisure? Master Changfeng here pointed out that I’ve been cooped up in the estate all day, completely unaware of what’s happening outside. Besides, I am a partner in this newspaper office too. It's only right that I come and check on things, isn't it?"

Hearing this, Gu Shen curled his lip and remarked, "Oh, so you still remember you're a partner in the newspaper office? At best, you're a completely hands-off boss. Look how much time has passed before you finally thought to come and take a look."

"Alright, alright, thank you for all your hard work, Manager Gu. Tell me, how has the newspaper office been doing lately?"

Through Gu Shen's account, Gou Ye learned that the newspaper's recent development had been quite favorable. Practically every daily edition was sold out completely. Moreover, shopkeepers drawn by its reputation had been increasing in a steady stream. Due to the growing circulation of the *Capital Daily*, it had generated quite a considerable impact throughout the capital.

Many of the shopkeepers who had joined early on had reaped genuine profits because of advertisements placed in the paper. Now, shops offering advertisements, property rentals, job recruitment, and leasing were countless. Most importantly, many scholars, drawn by the renown of Xuanyuan Changfeng and Gou Ye—the esteemed "Poetry God"—had come from afar, submitting numerous essays of their own composition as well as strategic treatises for the imperial examinations. Some even brought books they had written themselves, hoping the newspaper would publish them, though the office naturally could not allow such things.

In short, everything was progressing in a positive direction. During this time, Lu Yuanheng had not visited again, which Gou Ye did not find strange; presumably, he was currently pouring his heart and soul into the upcoming maritime trade.

At the same time, Gou Ye gave further instructions to the newspaper's editorial staff, urging them to strictly vet the categories of articles and carefully control what could and could not be written. Publishing a newspaper was a small matter, but violating the law would be a grave crime.

Just then, Laifu hurried into the newspaper office, announcing that the merchant clan had sent word inviting them to a gathering at the Exquisite Fresh Tower in the capital that evening, and noting that family members could be brought along. Yunniang had already begun preparing at home, waiting for Gou Ye to pick her up so they could go together.

Gou Ye gave a light chuckle, thinking to himself that this girl had made her own decision without even asking whether he would let her go. Oh well, it wasn't any extraordinary occasion, just familiar faces. Going was fine.

Thus, Gou Ye bid farewell to Gu Shen and Xuanyuan Changfeng, followed Laifu, and boarded the carriage.

When he finally saw Yunniang, Gou Ye was genuinely startled. She was dressed up to the nines that day, with heavy rouge applied to her cheeks. Likely due to a lack of makeup experience, she had applied a bit too much, making her face look extremely flushed. Most striking of all were her crimson lips, painted so vividly that the coloring had even spilled slightly beyond her actual lip line.

Yunniang looked at Gou Ye with a shy expression and asked softly, "Brother Gou Ye, do I look nice?"

Gou Ye suppressed a smile, nodded repeatedly, and replied, "Yes, very nice, very nice."

This must have been the first time Gou Ye had seen her wear such heavy, striking makeup since they met. It wasn't that Yunniang wasn't pretty, but rather that she had zero prior experience, and suddenly putting on such thick makeup left Gou Ye feeling rather awkward.

However, since it was well-intentioned, Gou Ye could not bear to dampen her enthusiasm, so he could only force down his amusement and shower her with continuous praise.

Yet Yunniang was completely unaware of Gou Ye's inner turmoil. She hurried back over to the dressing table, gazed at herself in the bronze mirror, and felt immensely proud of her handiwork. As she looked, she murmured, "I knew Brother Gou Ye would like it. This makeup took me over an entire hour to do; it exhausted me."

Gou Ye swallowed hard, lowered his head, and pulled Yunniang out of the room. When Laifu caught sight of Yunniang, he was similarly taken aback, freezing in place for a moment. Gou Ye immediately asked, "What are you staring at? Doesn't my wife look good?" Gou Ye blinked as he spoke.

Laifu instantly caught on, gave a subtle cough, and chimed in repeatedly, "She looks great, very great! Let's hurry and leave, Young Master, Young Madam."

Just as the three of them stepped out the front door, the Guo brothers happened to be returning. Scarcely had they greeted Gou Ye when they caught sight of Yunniang trailing behind him. Guo Bingyin could not help letting out a gasp, "Goodness!"

Both brothers froze in their tracks, staring fixedly at Yunniang's peculiar makeup. Yunniang lowered her head shyly, assuming they were simply stunned because they thought she looked exceptionally pretty today.

Gou Ye said nothing, feigning composure as he bid the Guo brothers farewell, and hurriedly pulled Yunniang onto the carriage.

Sitting inside the carriage, Yunniang grew somewhat suspicious and muttered aloud, "Why is everyone looking at me with such strange eyes? Brother Gou Ye, tell me, is my makeup really that ugly?"

With that, Yunniang parted her lips in a smile toward Gou Ye. Catching sight of Yunniang's slightly red-stained white teeth and her intensely flushed cheeks, Gou Ye instinctively shrank back a fraction and replied, "Don't overthink it. They were all captivated by how you dressed up today. When Yunniang puts on makeup, she truly looks lovely." Having uttered these insincere words, Gou Ye felt a twinge of discomfort himself, quickly turned his head aside, and lifted the carriage curtain to gaze outside on his own.