"Brother Li, what are you saying? If it weren’t for your introduction, I definitely couldn’t have sold this ginseng for so much Silver. I ca here just to thank you." Mr. Gu said as he pulled out two ten-tael silver ingots from his bosom, "Brother Li, this twenty taels of silver is a token of my gratitude, please don’t find it too little."
When Gu Chengyu rose in the morning, he saw his father take so silver to his mother, who was muttering unhappily. He knew this silver was ant for Doctor Li. His father was indeed exemplary in handling social relations. Truly, mastering human relationships is a form of knowledge! He hadn’t realized it before; it seems he needs to learn well from his father.
"Brother Gu, please put it away. I won’t say any polite words; the ginseng was dug and sold by you, I just spoke a few words, how can I accept your silver?" Doctor Li marveled at Mr. Gu’s ability to handle people, but he resolutely would not accept the twenty taels. Although life had been a bit tough since moving to Shangling Village, he wasn’t a broker by profession. He couldn’t take the silver, but he could seize the opportunity to bring up another matter.
"Xiao Bao’s father, take the silver back! The master will definitely not accept your silver, please don’t insist. If you truly want to thank him, why not invite him for a al instead?" Mrs. Yao quickly stopped Mr. Gu from insisting on giving the silver.
"Quickly, put it away!"
Gu Chengyu knew that, given Doctor Li’s character, he would never accept the silver. If he were silver-greedy, he wouldn’t have stayed in Shangling Village for so many years.
Mr. Gu had no choice but to put it away, "Then I’ll invite you for a drink in a couple of days, you must not refuse."
"I’ll be waiting then. However, there is one more thing, and I’d like you, Brother, to consider it and give an answer."
"Brother Li, just say it, as long as it’s sothing I can help with, I won’t refuse."
"It’s like this. As you know, I have only one daughter who’s already married and left, so it’s just my wife and at ho, quite lonely. I see your Xiao Bao is smart and sensible, we both like him very much. I want to..." Doctor Li had not finished speaking when Mr. Gu interrupted him.
"This...this cannot be! Xiao Bao is the apple of our eye for and his mother; she would never agree. I’m sorry, Brother Li!" How could Mr. Gu agree to have Gu Chengyu adopted by Doctor Li? When there was no silver at ho, he would never have accepted, not to ntion now that life is more comfortable. Just thinking about Xiao Bao being adopted, calling soone else father, was like having his heart ripped out; he would never agree, not even if it were Doctor Li.
"Brother Gu, why do you say this? Don’t you know well about my character, Li Yuanfeng? I sincerely want to take Xiao Bao as my apprentice. I have no son and will treat Xiao Bao as my own in the future. Is there a misunderstanding, or do you have other plans for Xiao Bao?" Doctor Li was puzzled. Even before he finished speaking, Gu Changqing reacted so strongly, leaving him at a loss. Did he have so other dical scriptures in mind, feeling unworthy to be Xiao Bao’s teacher?
"What? Apprentice? I thought Elder Brother wanted to adopt my Xiao Bao, it’s a misunderstanding, misunderstanding! Please don’t mind, Elder Brother." Mr. Gu felt himself too rash, he should have waited for Brother Li to finish.
Gu Chengyu, after hearing Doctor Li’s words, was relieved. His father overreacted; he really thought Doctor Li wanted to adopt him!
"Indeed, it was a misunderstanding. How could I engage in such acts of taking foster sons? It was just a deep admiration for his talent. I wished to have Xiao Bao inherit my trade!" With the misunderstanding cleared, Doctor Li was confident Gu Changqing would agree, but to his surprise, it wasn’t as he anticipated.
"Alas! It’s fortunate Elder Brother considered Xiao Bao, a blessing indeed, but my wife and I decided yesterday to send Xiao Bao to study! I’m really sorry! It’s Xiao Bao who lacks that good fortune." Mr. Gu also felt regret, but having already made the decision, it wouldn’t change. Mrs. Lv wouldn’t agree to let Xiao Bao study dicine.
Gu Chengyu suddenly understood, no wonder he found Mrs. Yao’s gaze so peculiar; even if he was charming, that loving gaze was clearly toward one’s own child. Unfortunately, it would likely disappoint them.
Hearing this, Doctor Li exchanged a glance with Mrs. Yao. She had guessed correctly; the Gu Family had different plans. How had he overlooked it?
anwhile, Mrs. Yao also felt a sense of loss; she was fond of Xiao Bao but understood this wouldn’t work out. Nonetheless, she cherished this child and regretted their lack of destiny.
"No, no, all trades are inferior, only studying holds rit. Having such aspirations is admirable. Xiao Bao has good mory, patience, and a mind for thinking critically. He’s a good candidate for study, and I honestly cherish him, so I certainly can’t block his path. It’s just that we lack the master-apprentice destiny. If he’s free in the future, he’s welco to play at our house. If he encounters any difficulties in his studies, he can co ask . Although I’ve never taken any exams, I studied for several years, I can still read." Doctor Li was consoled to hear Xiao Bao would pursue studies, as passing the imperial exams was the right path.
"Xiao Bao, you must study diligently in the future and not disappoint your father’s expectations!" Doctor Li earnestly advised Gu Chengyu.
Gu Chengyu didn’t expect Doctor Li to want to take him as an apprentice, since he had other thoughts about Doctor Li!
"Uncle Li, I know this opportunity to study doesn’t co easily. I will definitely cherish it and not let my father and mother down. Nonetheless, to earn Uncle Li’s regard is an honor. Unfortunately, I have already promised my mother I would pursue studies." Gu Chengyu thought of recomnding his Fourth Brother, but then wondered if his Fourth Brother might prefer studying and the imperial exams himself. This matter needed consulting his Fourth Brother first. His Fourth Brother was ticulous and not fond of expressing himself; he seed quite suitable for becoming a doctor, but it was ultimately up to his Fourth Brother’s consent.
"No, as long as you can study diligently in the future, that is enough."
After this, Gu Chengyu and Mr. Gu stood up to take their leave, intending to visit Gu Changsong’s ho.
Gu Changsong’s house was located closer to the village center. As Gu Chengyu and his father walked back, they reached the courtyard gate of Gu Changsong’s house. Looking through the wide gap in the gate, Gu Chengyu saw that his Uncle’s house had a layout similar to theirs—a main room with east and west wings, enclosed like a courtyard. However, their main building had two rooms, with the kitchen built on the right-rear side of the main room, and the main house roof was tiled. This indicated the Clan Leader’s family was certainly more substantial than theirs, not to ntion they had Changsun Hua currently studying.
"Eldest Brother? Are you ho?" Calling out, Mr. Gu was already opening the gate and entering. In general, village families wouldn’t close the courtyard gate during the day if soone was ho, with Doctor Li’s ho being an exception.
"Is that Changqing? I’m here, co in and sit!" Gu Changsong was curious why his younger brother was visiting today, wondering if sothing was up.
Gu Chengyu followed his father into the main room and saw Uncle Gu sitting by the edge of the kang, conversing with Aunt Gu Yang. When the two entered, they stopped. "Changqing, is there sothing you need?" The brothers lived in the sa village and often saw each other, so there was no need for formalities.
"Eldest Brother, I’m planning to send Xiao Bao to study. Didn’t your Hua just return? I wanted to ask which private school in town is the best, and how Hua’s private school is?"
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