The purpose of Gu Changbai’s return this ti was to find a way to get Gu Changqing to go to the Capital, so he could conveniently stay at the Gu Mansion.
Unexpectedly, Gu Changqing’s family had such plans, saving him the trouble of persuasion.
"Third Brother! I think there’s no elder at Xiao Bao’s residence in the Capital, so you’d better go along."
After saying this, Gu Changbai glanced at Gu Chengyu, who didn’t even turn his head. Did he think that by encouraging his parents to move to the Capital, he could stay at his mansion?
I must say, that’s too naive. When he gets tired of it, he has plenty of ways to deal with them.
"The Capital must be very prosperous, right? It’s just too far away, and going to the Capital makes returning ho not easy." Uncle Gu had only been to the Prefecture, so he couldn’t imagine how far the Capital was.
Only then did Gu Chengyu turn around and smile, "Uncle! If Hua gets admitted as a scholar and then a scholar, you can go to the Capital and enjoy life with him!"
Uncle Gu placed all his hopes on Gu Wanhua, and saying this would make Uncle Gu happier than directly inviting him to visit the Capital.
Unfortunately, after hearing this, Uncle Gu didn’t show any happiness but rather sighed lightly. His face clouded with worry, clearly troubled.
Gu Chengyu guessed that sothing might have happened with Gu Wanhua. He recalled the concubine Gu Wanhua took earlier, seemingly nad Yan Bi. Could it be that he’s distracted and has lost interest in the imperial exams?
"Second brother, you and your wife have just returned, surely your belongings are not yet arranged. Let’s catch up when you’re settled."
Uncle Gu, too, had lost interest as he stood up and spoke to Gu Changbai.
Mrs. Lv perked up her ears at this mont. What did that an? Did Uncle imply he wanted them to stay at her house?
But where was there space in her house? Living in her courtyard seems inconvenient, doesn’t it?
Next to the main house were only two side rooms; Xiao Bao was sleeping in one, and Gu Changbai and his wife certainly couldn’t sleep in the other, which would feel sowhat awkward.
"Oh! Second Brother, would you rather stay at Third Brother’s house or co back with ?" Uncle Gu suddenly rembered that Third Brother’s house had been divided, and the once spacious courtyard was now split, no longer as roomy.
Although the main family no longer lived here, the house was locked, and there were still so miscellaneous items stored inside.
Of course, Gu Changbai wouldn’t go to his eldest brother’s house; his purpose for returning was Third Brother’s family.
Moreover, he had already inquired about the current state of the Gu Family; the real prosperity was with the third branch. The eldest brother’s family only ran a small business, which couldn’t compare to the third branch.
"I already moved my belongings into the courtyard, so? You see..."
Gu Changbai couldn’t speak directly; otherwise, it would seem like he was snubbing his eldest brother. Besides, if Gu Changqing didn’t speak up, it wouldn’t be easy for him to directly suggest staying.
Everyone else in the house understood Gu Changbai’s unfinished aning.
Uncle Gu was slightly displeased, but since the second brother already said so, he couldn’t force it.
Besides, third brother’s family lived comfortably, and it’s indeed better for second brother to live there than at his place, avoiding his wife’s complaints.
Mr. Gu felt a bit strange inside; wasn’t such matters supposed to be free to decide where they stay?
He didn’t have ti to speak before the second brother decided. However, he didn’t think much afterward; the three brothers were close, and it didn’t matter whose house they stayed in.
His house wasn’t very spacious, but didn’t the eldest family have an empty room? They could have the eldest clear one for them to live in if needed.
The front yard even had guest rooms, though they weren’t as spacious as those in the inner courtyard.
"Eldest Brother! Let Second Brother stay here; our courtyard is more spacious than yours, saving the hassle of moving belongings around."
Gu Changbai showed a smile when Mr. Gu spoke.
Though Gu Chengyu disliked Gu Changbai moving in, he couldn’t stop it.
It seed he needed to find an opportunity to discuss Gu Changbai’s motives with his parents to prevent them from being sched against.
"Xiao Bao! Uncle will call upon so clan mbers tomorrow to discuss setting up a banquet for you. The scholar’s archway has been erected, and since you’ve passed the imperial examination and beco an official in the Capital, we can’t wait any longer."
Gu Chengyu nodded; erecting an archway was indeed trivial—it would happen sooner or later anyway.
"While you’re still at ho, we need to open the ancestral hall once more; these matters of glorifying the ancestors must be made known to them."
Uncle Gu thought for a while, realizing there were many things to deal with upon Gu Chengyu’s return.
"Uncle! I can only stay for about a month before I must return to the Capital, so it’s better to keep everything simple."
"So rushed? You’re back, so naturally, more people would visit; this month is bound to be busy."
Uncle Gu understood social etiquette; with Gu Chengyu’s return, his classmates and friends would seek to et him, plus visiting teachers was necessary.
Though the status was now different, respecting teachers and principles must still be observed.
Gu Chengyu certainly understood; he had planned things before returning, and indeed there were quite a few matters this ti around.
"Uncle! Previously, I heard the Yang family started a small private school in the village. Why don’t we, the Gu Family, also set up one? Instead of a private school, let’s establish a clan school!"
Because the Yang family previously set up private education in the village, children from surrounding villages attended their school, leaving Gu Chengyu disinclined towards a clan school initially.
However, with the family rules now in place, and also planning to purchase more land for schooling, it’s reasoned.
Providing funds to an external school wouldn’t be as reassuring as having one run by the family with teachers they trust. If unsatisfied, they could even change teachers.
"Clan school?" Mr. Gu seed puzzled; with a private school already established in the village, why set up a clan school?
But Uncle Gu had so insight; he heard large families have clan schools. If the Gu Family could have one, it surely would be great, though he wondered if the family’s land could support its expenses.
"A clan school would be great; with thirty acres of land, it’s barely enough." Uncle Gu sat and calculated; if all Gu Family children ca to study, it surely wouldn’t suffice.
If they selected only the smart and agile ones, then it might be sufficient.
Gu Chengyu realized Uncle Gu was troubled. Before becoming a scholar, he contributed ten acres of land to the family, and later upon passing further exams, he added another twenty acres, making thirty.
Family mbers weren’t well-off, so if they had to pay out of pocket for schooling, they likely wouldn’t want to.
If they could waive tuition and help with stationery, parents might be willing.
"Uncle! I’ll contribute fifty more acres to the family for this, shouldn’t that be enough?"
Gu Chengyu did this for the family’s prosperity, hoping children could rise through education, thus doing good for the family.
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