When Mrs. Lv returned to the room, Mr. Gu looked at her and said, "Dear! Xiao Bao has grown up; it’s ti to let him do so things by himself. Now he’s by your side, and you can help him, but what if in the future he’s not with you? Won’t he know nothing?"
"How could Xiao Bao not be by my side? Anyway, I’ll follow Xiao Bao wherever he goes," Mrs. Lv was displeased upon hearing Mr. Gu’s words.
"Oh, you! You’d even follow him when he goes for exams? Haven’t you heard the saying, ’A loving mother often spoils her son?’ If it weren’t for Xiao Bao being bright from a young age, he’d have been spoiled by you already," Mr. Gu said a few more words, fearing Mrs. Lv would be overly caring.
This ti, Mrs. Lv said nothing, took off her clothes, laid down, and went to sleep, ignoring Mr. Gu.
Mr. Gu knew she had taken it to heart, so he said no more.
The next day, Gu Chengyu ntioned to Mr. Gu and the others that there was a part of the book he couldn’t quite understand and wanted to go to town to ask the teacher, receiving Mr. Gu’s consent.
Gu Chengyu sat on the ox cart driven by Gu Chengli, pondering about Senior Brother Sun. These past two years, he often discussed studies with Senior Brother Sun. Senior Brother Sun also planned to try the county examination next spring.
The teacher had once said that if Senior Brother Sun went for the exam, barring any accidents, he should at least pass, irrespective of the ranking.
Last year, at Tang’s Cloth Shop, the accountant was let go for making false accounts due to dishonesty. After learning about it, Gu Chengyu recomnded Senior Brother Sun to Manager Zhou.
Senior Brother Sun was not a pedantic person and gladly accepted. This year, with his mother’s health improved and so extra money at ho, he resud his studies, carefully preparing for the exam next year with Gu Chengyu.
At this mont, Gu Chengyu wasn’t thinking about the exam. Senior Brother Sun was sixteen this year; normally, he should be looking to marry, but the previous family poverty had stalled those plans.
Gu Chengyu thought of Gu Wan. Gu Wan was eleven this year, and in two years, she could be looking for a match. Gu Wan, being the elder, if she didn’t get engaged, the younger nieces and nephews of similar age would have to wait as well.
Senior Brother Sun was sincere, not pedantic, honest in dealing with people, and a scholar. He would make a good brother-in-law candidate. But he feared his second sister might not fancy Senior Brother Sun, considering Senior Brother Sun was five years older than her. Moreover, Senior Brother Sun might not fancy her either, primarily because she was too young, and marrying would ant waiting a few more years, by which ti he’d be over twenty.
This matter needed discussion with his father. This was possibly Senior Brother Sun’s ti of adversity. If ntioned now, rather than when he becos a Scholar, it wouldn’t seem like snobbishness.
Actually, Gu Chengyu felt that Senior Brother Sun was a potential talent; if they secured him now, even if he achieved great things in the future, his second sister wouldn’t have a bad life. Of course, both parties needed to be willing.
The ox cart entered Shanhe Town as Gu Chengyu was lost in thought.
"Xiao Bao! Do you want to stop at the private school entrance?" Gu Chengli turned back and asked Gu Chengyu, who was sitting in the cart.
"Big brother! Just stop by the entrance." Gu Chengyu planned to first visit Mr. Wen and then see the others.
"Alright! I’ll wait here for you." After dropping Gu Chengyu off at the private school entrance, Gu Chengli wanted to drive the ox cart to one side of the main entrance.
Gu Chengyu hurriedly stopped him, "Big brother! No rush! I’ll return later today; you go ahead! I might not be back until the afternoon!"
"Ah? How are you getting back? Weren’t you looking for the teacher? Why so late? Tell the hour, and I’ll co pick you up." Gu Chengli thought it hadn’t snowed for several days, but the snow on the ground was still thick, and it wouldn’t be easy to find an ox cart in town.
"No need! I’ve arranged with Wang Qikai, and his family’s carriage will take back." Gu Chengyu had to use Wang Qikai as a pretext, as he wasn’t certain when he’d return, and it wouldn’t be safe for his brother to drive the cart late in the day. It might be better to use Qinggong to return.
Although his Qinggong wasn’t yet at the level of Stepping on Snow Without Traces, and its duration was short, it should suffice for traveling.
"Alright then! I’ll head back first. Don’t wander around in town, co back early." Gu Chengli, being a rough man, wasn’t worried since Gu Chengyu had studied in town for almost three years and was familiar with the area.
"Be careful on your way back."
After parting with Gu Chengli, Gu Chengyu stepped forward and knocked on the private school’s door. When opened, he slipped into the school.
The private school was quiet since it had let out the day before. Gu Chengyu walked along the corridor toward the teacher’s study, not worried about the teacher’s absence as the doorkeeper would announce him.
Before dismissing class yesterday, Mr. Wen had asked him to visit the private school in a few days, the reason still unknown.
The lush flowers and plants along the corridor were now completely covered with white snow, leaving only stems, while others had collapsed to the ground, displaying a sowhat desolate sight.
"Oh! Miss! Don’t go any further; the outer courtyard is ahead."
Suddenly, Gu Chengyu heard a young girl’s voice from the other side of the corridor.
"Xiao Cui! What are you afraid of? There are no students in the front yard now, so there’s no chance of encountering any n. Father must be in the study now; I’m going to find him." At this mont, another slightly childish girl’s voice followed.
Their voices were so close, seemingly reaching the corner of the corridor leading to the study.
Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu paused, realizing it might be Mr. Wen’s family mbers.
Just as he stopped and prepared to turn back, the people across appeared in front of Gu Chengyu.
In front of him was a young girl, seemingly a maid from her dress, and a slightly shorter girl of about eight or nine years walked briskly ahead. Perhaps in a rush, her fair cheeks were flushed.
Gu Chengyu quickly lowered his head, avoiding looking. Boys and girls should avoid sitting together after the age of seven; he was about to turn eight and should be avoiding such situations. However, since it happened in broad daylight, there was no harm in speaking if need be; it would be impolite not to greet.
"Ah! Miss, there’s soone here." The maid Xiao Cui exclaid.
In fact, Yiqin had already noticed and, judging by his attire, assud he was one of her father’s students. Seizing the mont when Gu Chengyu lowered his head, Yiqin quickly glanced at him, noting it was a young boy of eight or nine, wearing a bluish cotton round-collared robe.
He seed sensible enough not to raise his eyes, a respectful act. Yiqin, confident that he wouldn’t dare look at her, boldly scrutinized his slightly lowered face.
Suddenly, Yiqin’s pupils narrowed; it was him?
"I’m Gu Chengyu, greetings, Senior Sister!" Gu Chengyu thought she must be Mr. Wen’s little daughter, as he had heard so rumors in the private school. Mr. Wen and his wife adored each other and had only two daughters, with the elder one already married and the younger one still unmarried. Therefore, this girl must be Mr. Wen’s little daughter.
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