Gu An'an was both amused and exasperated. She rubbed the little devil's skin and said, "Didn't you want to learn medicine from Doctor Zheng and the others? You don't have that much time, and besides, you don't like practicing calligraphy. If you want to go, that's fine too. You can come along and practice calligraphy with Bao'er and your older sister every day from now on."

"Mingxu, don't argue with your mother. It's clearly because you don't like reading and practicing calligraphy that your mother is understanding and doesn't force you. How has it become your fault?"

Jiang Mingzhu's authority in front of her younger brother was far less than that of her older brother Jiang Mingyi, but sometimes her words still carried weight.

These words made Jiang Mingxu feel a little guilty, and he grabbed Gu An'an's hand tightly, "Oh, I'm just a child, I didn't understand Mother's good intentions. I knew that you loved Xu'er the most, Mother."

The Third Young Master Ming was extremely adept at changing his expression, much so that even Gu An'an was ashamed of her own abilities.

This is definitely something you were born with; it's not something you taught yourself.

Just as the family of five was discussing what gifts to give as a formal apprenticeship present, Chen Bei returned.

The young man still had a slight blush on his face and a faint smell of alcohol on his body.

Seeing Gu An'an, she couldn't help but step forward and said, "Sister Gu, I saw my brother off today, and he said a lot to me."

Chen Bei drank some wine and started counting on his fingers, "I've said more than I have in the past five years, I'm really happy."

He couldn't help but hug Gu An'an, and two lines of tears fell down his cheeks. "I always thought my brother looked down on me, but I misunderstood him."

Hearing this, Gu An'an gently patted the young man's back, "How could anyone not like such a good kid as A'bei? It's just that your brother became famous at a young age and spent most of his time in the army, managing so many soldiers, which inevitably made him a bit strong-willed. He only comes home a few times a year, so he naturally doesn't talk to you as much. You see, he came over after you wrote to him for help, which shows that he values ​​you as a brother very much."

Men don't easily shed tears, but Chen Bei couldn't control himself.

"I misunderstood him."

Gu An'an knew that what this child craved most was the attention of his parents and family. Now, he was only receiving a little bit of love and this was how he reacted. To be honest, she felt a little sorry for him.

"Alright, alright, look, even Xu'er is making fun of you."

The young master of the Chen family felt somewhat embarrassed upon hearing this. He wiped his tears on Gu An'an's shoulder a few times, managing to get them all over her. "Thank you, Sister Gu. I know it must have been you who said something to him."

Although his brother didn't say it, he knew it must be thanks to Sister Gu.

"Alright, if you really want to thank me, then hurry up and help me make a decision. I need to prepare a gift for Yi'er and the others to become disciples, but I haven't decided what to give them yet. A'bei, do you have any good ideas?"

The apprenticeship ceremony.

Chen Bei wiped away his tears before letting go of Gu An'an. He rubbed his red eyes and said, "When my mother hired a teacher for me, she gave me a pair of South Sea pearls, saying that they would be used to light my reading at night so as not to damage my eyes."

Gu An'an: "..." As expected of the wealthy and generous Mrs. Xie, she is always so generous.

Even if she did have South Sea pearls, she wouldn't give them away like that.

"We don't need such expensive things."

Jiang Mingzhu quickly pushed Chen Bei aside, "Mother, he's drunk and talking nonsense. Don't listen to him. I think it's enough to give Scholar Sun writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. He'll need them."

Although it's not very expensive, it's very practical.

The young master of the Chen family, who had drunk too much, nodded in agreement, "Zhu'er is right. If you're going to give an inkstone, it's best to give a Xi inkstone. Xuan paper from Jiangning and gold-thread ink are also good gifts."

Gu An'an: "...Abei, if you've had too much to drink, go to sleep, okay?"

Of course she knew that Xiyan was good, and she also knew that Xuan paper produced in Jiangning was famous throughout the world.

The problem is that all these good things are very expensive, okay?

Is sending these things an attempt to bankrupt oneself?

As soon as Gu An'an finished speaking, Jiang Mingzhu pulled Chen Bei into the courtyard, saying, "Go to sleep, don't talk nonsense here."

"Zhu'er..." The young master of the Chen family was somewhat flustered. Had he said something wrong?

"Go wash your face and go to bed!"

Seeing Jiang Mingzhu's angry face, Chen Bei dared not say anything more. He quickly went to the well to fetch water to wash his face and headed to the room in the front yard.

The young master who didn't know the value of money finally left, and Gu An'an breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright then, I'll go buy some writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones first thing tomorrow morning, and then come back to pick you up. We'll go to Master Sun's house to become his disciples. At noon, Mother will invite Master Sun to have lunch at Taibai Tower. You'll have to come with us, okay?"

Jiang Mingyi nodded in agreement, "Okay, Mother has made excellent arrangements."

With him agreeing first, Jiang Mingzhu and Bao'er naturally had no objections.

Jiang Mingxu had a problem with it. "Oh, Mom, even though I don't need to become an apprentice, how can we eat without someone to liven things up? I think I definitely can't be left out, don't you think? Anyway, whether you're herding one sheep or a flock, it's all the same."

Jiang Mingxu, who was best at spouting nonsense, chuckled and said, "How about I go too?"

"Of course, you'll be included."

Jiang Mingxu was immediately satisfied. "Chen Bei is acting drunk. We won't take him with us later. How can someone so young drink alcohol?"

It was fortunate that Chen Bei went to rest in the front yard, otherwise he would have definitely gotten angry with Jiang Mingxu after hearing this.

Gu An'an smiled and said, "Don't always argue with A Bei. He often plays with you too."

The little boy looked aggrieved and said, "I didn't."

"Mother, why do we have to go to Taibai Restaurant? Why don't we just cook something at our own shop?" Jiang Mingzhu suddenly felt that something was wrong with this arrangement.

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