BDSMST -Chapter 21 The Capital’s Young Dandies “Pay a Visit”

While Jiang Suisui and Gu Xuan were living busy and fulfilling days at the rural estate, news of the Yongning Marquis Manor’s young heir being “exiled” had already spread like wildfire through the noble circles of the capital.

There were many versions of the story.

Some said the young heir was so unruly that he offended an important figure in the palace, and the old marquis had sent him away to the countryside to avoid disaster.

Others claimed it was his stepmother—born of a merchant family—who couldn’t tolerate him. After whispering in the marquis’s ear, she found an excuse to drive him out of the manor.

Still others embellished the tale vividly, saying the young heir was now living worse than livestock in the countryside—starving daily, dressed in rags, tortured until he was no longer recognizable as human.

Naturally, these rumors reached the ears of Gu Xuan’s former “companions.”

These so-called companions were all young sons of dukes and marquises in the capital. Around Gu Xuan’s age, they spent their days skipping lessons, gambling on cockfights, racing dogs—causing endless mischief together.

And Gu Xuan, as the only legitimate grandson of the Yongning Marquis Manor, had always been the “king of the kids” among these young dandies.

Now that their “king” had fallen from grace, instead of sympathy, they felt a hint of schadenfreude—and a strong desire to see the spectacle for themselves.

“Have you heard? That brat Gu Xuan was driven to the countryside by his stepmother. I heard he can’t even get enough to eat!” said Wei Ziqian, the young lord of the Duke of Zhenguo’s household. He had never gotten along with Gu Xuan; the two had frequently competed openly and secretly.

“Really? That’s miserable!” exclaimed Qian Duoduo, third son of the Marquis of Anyuan, widening his eyes as he gnawed on a drumstick.

“Why would I lie? One of my father’s estate stewards went near that manor to collect rent a few days ago. He said the place is as broken-down as a haunted house! Gu Xuan is probably wearing rags and digging in the mud right now!” Wei Ziqian described it vividly, as though he had seen it himself.

“Digging in mud? Hahaha! That’s hilarious! Wasn’t he the one who hated getting dirty? When we went fishing by the moat, he always complained about the filth!” another chubby boy laughed until he nearly toppled over.

Wei Ziqian’s eyes gleamed as a wicked idea formed in his mind.

He slapped the table and proposed, “Brothers, Gu Xuan grew up with us, after all. Now that he’s fallen on hard times, shouldn’t we go ‘visit’ him?”

He emphasized the word “visit.”

Everyone present was sharp enough to understand his meaning.

“Yes, yes! We should go!”

“We’ll bring some delicious food to ‘reward’ him!”

“And bring that Persian puppy we just got—let him broaden his horizons!”

The half-grown boys quickly reached an agreement. In name, they were going to “visit,” but in truth, it was more like “visiting a prisoner.” They wanted to see with their own eyes how far the once-arrogant Gu Xuan had fallen, so they could mock him and satisfy their petty vanity.

A few days later, a “visiting party” of three luxurious carriages and more than a dozen attendants set off grandly from the capital toward Qingshi Town.

The carriages were packed with delicate pastries, seasonal fruits, and all sorts of novel toys.

Wei Ziqian and the others could hardly wait to see Gu Xuan’s face—jealous, envious, yet helpless.

After a bumpy journey, the flashy convoy—utterly out of place on the rural dirt roads—finally arrived at the so-called “dilapidated estate” at dusk.

But when they stepped out of the carriages and took in the scene before them, every one of them froze.

This… was this really the “haunted house” they had imagined?

The courtyard walls were still made of rammed earth, but neatly repaired. The weeds were gone, replaced by a well-tended vegetable garden.

Green cucumbers, bright red chili peppers, glossy purple eggplants… all flourishing vibrantly.

The thatched cottages had also been renovated. The roofs were thickly and evenly layered with straw, looking clean and orderly.

In one corner of the yard stood a bamboo-built chicken coop and pigsty. A few speckled hens pecked leisurely at the ground, while two pink piglets grunted and rolled happily in the mud.

Though simple, the entire estate radiated warmth and peaceful pastoral charm.

This was nothing like the desolate, ruined place they had imagined.

“Did we… come to the wrong place?” Qian Duoduo rubbed his eyes uncertainly.

Wei Ziqian’s expression darkened. He pointed at a maid in coarse clothing who had just stepped out of the house and called out loudly, “Hey! Answer me! Is this the Yongning Marquis Manor’s estate? Where’s Gu Xuan? Tell him to get out here and see us!”

His arrogant tone made Chunxing frown slightly.

Still, she followed proper etiquette, gave a small bow, and replied, “Young masters, this is indeed the marquis manor’s estate. But our young heir is busy at the moment and likely has no time to meet you.”

“Busy? What could a disgraced heir possibly be busy with?” Wei Ziqian scoffed, not believing a word. “Where is he? Hiding inside because he’s too ashamed to face us? Or… in the pigsty?”

As he spoke, he pinched his nose exaggeratedly, prompting the other dandies behind him to burst into laughter.

Just then, a cool, slightly impatient voice came from the direction of the pigsty.

“What’s all that noise?! Can’t you see I’m feeding the pigs?!”

Everyone turned toward the sound.

And instantly, all laughter died in their throats.