"Ah? You just found out?" Aunt Wang was surprised by Gu Chengyu’s question, thinking he already knew.
However, after reconsidering, she thought it made sense. Xiao Bao was still a kid, maybe he hadn’t figured it out yet!
Gu Chengyu found it incredible. How could his second brother be interested in Wang Yue? With Silver, what kind of woman couldn’t he have? Yet, he got involved with this woman?
"Auntie, do my parents know about this?"
Gu Chengyu recalled that Aunt Wang had said his second brother and Wang Yue had been involved for two or three years.
Aunt Wang, being able to tell him about this, ant his parents likely knew too.
"They know. I told your mom a long ti ago. Later, your dad talked to your second brother, and things quieted down after that. Just didn’t expect they’d get involved again."
Gu Chengyu understood that his second brother was becoming increasingly disrespectful towards their father, so how could he possibly listen to Mr. Gu?
This seed unrelated to him, but they lived in the sa courtyard, and if this thing got exposed, it would disgrace the entire Gu Family clan.
He wouldn’t be an exception. Outsiders would just see his second brother as a Gu Family mber, not caring about any family or household divisions. The rumors spreading would surely affect their reputation.
Moreover, from what he knew, Wang Yue’s in-laws were still around and hadn’t given her a divorce letter, so Wang Yue was still part of the Yang Family. What did that make those two? Adulterers!
The Dayan Dynasty had strict punishnts for adultery. If caught, one could be drowned in a pig cage.
It didn’t require a governnt report; the village and clan could handle it internally. Even if the governnt knew afterward, they might not intervene.
The Yang Family in Daling Village was quite large. Would the Yang people let Gu Chengyi off?
This certainly could involve him. Those people might use it as leverage. No, he had to discuss it with his father and tell the Clan Leader.
The elder brother managed clan matters and had authority over his second brother. If his second brother wouldn’t listen to the Clan Leader, being expelled from the clan was very possible.
"Auntie! Do they know about them getting involved again? Did they try to stop it?"
Gu Chengyu felt Aunt Wang ca to deliver the ssage, all crucial information.
He didn’t expect that during the few months he wasn’t ho, so many things had happened.
"I told your mom the day before yesterday; they didn’t tell if they had any solutions. Anyway, your second brother doesn’t seem to have any sense of remorse; I saw them together just yesterday!"
Aunt Wang had thought the two had broken up, so she didn’t pay attention. She noticed their relationship two days ago and beca more observant.
Gu Chengyu pondered for a mont, then stopped asking further questions. He would eventually ask Mr. Gu when he got ho.
He returned yesterday, yet Mr. Gu and the others didn’t reveal anything. This was not a minor issue, how could they hide it from him?
After a long conversation, they arrived at town. Gu Chengyu told Aunt Wang that he might be late returning. If she got impatient, she should take Old Wang’s cart back to the village.
After dropping off Aunt Wang, he had Ming Mo drive the carriage to Mr. Wen’s private school.
It was school ti, so the gate was open, and the gatekeeper was yawning at the door.
Gu Chengyu had Ming Mo carry the gift box and park the carriage while securing it.
"Uncle Lin! You’re up early!" Gu Chengyu, having studied at the school for three years, was well acquainted with Uncle Lin.
"Eh? It’s Young Master Gu? Oh dear! I should be calling you Mr. Scholar now!"
Uncle Lin hurried over to greet him. Being a scholar was a big deal, even beyond a typical master!
The good news from the county office had already reached Shangling Village with great fanfare, thanks to a governnt officer. Everyone knew a top scorer ca from Shangling Village.
Uncle Lin had heard Mr. Wen ntion that Gu Chengyu would visit his residence and that he should not be neglected; he was to report the mont he arrived.
"Why so formal? I studied here for three years, we’re old acquaintances, no need to be so distant!"
Gu Chengyu was aware that his status had changed, which made even Uncle Lin more respectful, indirectly indicating Mr. Wen’s current attitude.
"Of course, please co in! I’ll inform the master right away; he’s been looking forward to your visit!"
Uncle Lin quickly invited Gu Chengyu inside and then jogged towards the outer study room.
The private school’s every tree and blade of grass were familiar to him. Three years later, he returned to this place where his education began.
Nothing had changed. It was still the sa garden, with the sa flowers and plants. He couldn’t help but reminisce about studying here, discussing academics with his classmates, and having special tutorials with the teacher in the outer study room.
The number of students seed to have increased; students were coming in one after another.
So students, unfamiliar with him, mistook Gu Chengyu for a new student. He glanced around but saw no familiar faces. Perhaps they hadn’t arrived, or they were now in Class A.
So students, once old enough, would leave the private school. Such candidates were mainly those who had failed the exams or didn’t have the aptitude for studies, feeling they wouldn’t pass the exams.
Wang Qikai and You Siyuan had already left the private school. Neither passed the scholar exam, but their families had found renowned teachers to tutor them, so they no longer attended the private school.
Gu Chengyu, with Ming Mo and Ming Yan, walked towards the outer study room. Passing his old classroom, he saw Class A students reviewing their books.
The sound of reading aloud drew him to pause and observe. He had been one of them; this scene made him nostalgic.
"Chengyu!"
His reminiscence was interrupted by a voice. Turning, he saw Mr. Wen.
Ti had passed, and Mr. Wen appeared slightly older with so gray hairs.
"Teacher! How have you been?" Seeing Mr. Wen again felt as if no ti had passed to Gu Chengyu.
He didn’t expect Mr. Wen to personally co out to greet him. Maybe their relationship would gradually change with his new status.
"I’m well; please co into the study!" Mr. Wen paused but didn’t address him as Gu Jieyuan.
"Of course!" No matter what happened, Mr. Wen was his first teacher, and he was very grateful and respectful towards him.
The two went to the outer study room, where Mr. Wen invited Gu Chengyu to sit and poured tea for them.
Gu Chengyu signaled Ming Mo to bring the gift over. Although he could have given it directly to Uncle Lin, the box contained tea leaves that Mr. Wen loved. He planned to open it and share a drink.
"Knowing you like tea, this is hand-fried mountain tea. Please try it!"
Gu Chengyu opened the gift box, which contained tea leaves, precious jade ornants, a golden crown, and so snacks from his shop.
"Oh? You know how to fry tea? Quick, take it out for a taste."
Mr. Wen indeed enjoyed tea and paid no attention to the other valuables; he was eager to try the tea leaves.
The initial sense of estrangent from three years of no contact seed to vanish at that mont.
User Comments
0 comments from readers