"Forget it, I don't expect her to study for the imperial examinations anyway. I just want her to go to Jiangnan to avoid the storm." Old Madam Gu said dejectedly, "She has never left my side since she was a kitten. Now she will be gone for two years... People say that daughters are pampered guests, and the days they spend at their parents' home are the most carefree days of their lives. I have never been willing to restrict her. Now I have to set rules for her again. It breaks my heart to see this."

After thinking for a moment, Rong Momo said, "Madam, who hasn't gone through this? Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Let's just add more incense for the Seventh Miss in front of the Bodhisattva and accumulate more blessings for her."

"Yes, everyone has their own destiny, and there's nothing an old woman can do."

Wutong Garden.

Just as the maids set out the food, Gu Baozhu burst in. Seeing the simple meal on the table, she said, "Third sister-in-law, my third brother is back. I'm afraid we'll have to have more food prepared. They look very tired from this trip; Gu Shiliu has become so thin he looks emaciated."

Before she could finish speaking, Hongye asked urgently, "What's wrong? What happened to Sixteen?"

Gu Baozhu teased, "You silly girl, you're not worried about the Marquis, but you're worried about the Sixteenth Prince."

Hongye blushed and said shyly, "Seventh Miss always knows how to tease people."

Gu Baozhu said, "Your Sixteen is doing well, she's just very thin."

Hongye said with concern, "Miss, I'll go and ask the kitchen to prepare more food and boil some water."

Qin Yuan nodded in agreement.

Gu Baozhu hurriedly said, "I also want to have a meal at Third Sister-in-law's. I've been running around all day and I'm so hungry I could eat half a cow."

Hongye smiled and went to the small kitchen to give instructions to the cook.

Mo Zhu came up again and covered the food with a gauze cover.

Qin Yuan asked, "How come I haven't heard any news? Is your third brother on the main house right now?"

Gu Baozhu said, "They should still be here. Third Brother and Sixteenth Brother haven't changed their clothes. They're all wrinkled, with stubble and very dirty. Isn't it strange that Third Brother didn't change his clothes as soon as he came back and went to find my mother, saying he wanted to send me to Baihe Academy to study?"

Hearing that Gu Jinghui had returned, Qin Yuan felt relieved and became interested in teasing Gu Baozhu, so she asked, "You agreed?"

Gu Baozhu stiffened her neck and said, "Originally, I didn't want to agree. My third sister-in-law knows that I get a headache whenever I study, but my mother can't bear to part with me and insists that I go. I'm afraid there must be other reasons behind this. My mother and my third brother would never harm me. In order to let me go, my mother even agreed that I would find a husband after I come back."

Hearing this, Qin Yuan frowned and said, "You're going on a long journey. I should prepare a feast to send you off. How long will it take you to return? When will you set off?"

Gu Baozhu said, "I have already promised Qin Heng that I would go to play football on the Mid-Autumn Festival. How can I go back on my word? We have decided to set off after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Third Brother said he wants to stay there for two years."

Qin Yuan said, "Then I'll have to prepare some food and supplies for you properly, so that you won't miss the capital city if you don't get used to the food or supplies there."

“I’m not that kind of whine-loving person. As Mr. Songshan said, ‘Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.’ I’m going to broaden my horizons, so why would I miss the capital?” Gu Baozhu gestured and said, “I will miss my brother and sister-in-law, my mother and my nephews. Hmm, I’m afraid I’ll miss the dishes that Xiu Niang makes. But as long as my mother gives me enough money, I can also enjoy the delicacies of Jiangnan.”

Qin Yuan couldn't help but laugh.

Gu Baozhu asked again, "Third Brother said he finally managed to get me a spot at Baihe Academy, and it was through Mr. Songshan. Is Baihe Academy very famous? Does Third Sister-in-law know anything about it?"

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Baihe Academy is a famous academy in Jiangnan. It was founded by a high-ranking official after he resigned from his post and has cultivated many talented people. However, these people rarely serve in the court. When they have nothing to do, they like to gather together to talk and discuss current affairs. They have quite an influence among scholars. Jiangnan is rich and people value profit. Therefore, many wealthy families send their children to study and learn principles. They do not seek fame and fortune, but only to make friends with outstanding people."

The White Crane Academy was quite prestigious in Jiangnan and later had a great influence on the court, even able to stir up trouble in the court by leveraging public opinion.

Mr. Songshan and the dean of Baihe Academy were old friends. All it would take to get Gu Baozhu in was to write a letter.

Gu Baozhu exclaimed in surprise: "There are actually such academies in the world. I'd like to go and take a look."

Qin Yuan laughed.

Once she enters Baihe Academy, her future days may not be as good as Gu Baozhu imagined.

"You'd better behave yourself when you get there, and don't cause any trouble," Gu Jinghui's voice came in before he even entered.

"Understood, Third Brother."

Gu Baozhu pouted and said, "You make me sound like a troublemaker."

Qin Yuan hurriedly got up to greet him, just as Gu Jinghui rushed in, lifting the curtain in three quick steps.

"lady."

"My husband."

The two looked into each other's eyes, both having much to say, but Gu Baozhu, sitting there, found it difficult to say anything.

Qin Yuan said reproachfully, "Why haven't you changed your clothes yet? Fortunately, my sister came over and said that hot water has been prepared. You should go to the clean room to bathe and wash up."

Gu Jinghui said, "I was too busy to come. I originally wanted to wash up in the outer study before coming over, but I was worried that you would eat alone, so I rushed over."

If Old Madam Gu heard him say that, she would probably spit on him—thinking about his daughter-in-law's meal but not about his mother.

He's truly forgotten his mother now that he has a wife.

Qin Yuan smiled, "Seventh Sister, you've come to dine with me too. You two have big appetites, so I've already asked the kitchen to prepare. Sixteenth, would you like to eat here as well?"

Gu Jinghui said, "Sixteen went to the outer study to use it, don't worry about him."

He glanced at Gu Baozhu, who was in the way, and said, "Then I'll go to the washroom to wash up first."

Completely unaware that her brother disliked her, Gu Baozhu chatted happily with Qin Yuan, laughing incessantly from time to time, becoming increasingly unlike a proper young lady.

"You mean the Marquis gave Gu Shiliu to you?"

Qin Yuan was greatly surprised.

Gu Baozhu nodded emphatically, "Yes, I asked my third brother for Sixteen, and Sixteen agreed. My third brother also told me to bring Sixteen with me when I go to Baihe Academy."

Hongye had just returned from outside when she heard the news and asked loudly, "What, is Sixteen also going to White Crane Academy with Seventh Miss?"

Gu Baozhu said with a smile, "Yes, are you going to wait for Sixteen here, or go with Sixteen?"

Hongye stamped her foot and said, "Seventh Miss just loves to joke around. Who do you think I am? How could I possibly accept that?"

Gu Baozhu laughed and said, "I know about your affair with Sixteen. You still want to keep it from me?"

“We have nothing,” Hongye said through gritted teeth.

Seeing that things weren't going well, Qin Yuan quickly pulled Gu Baozhu aside and talked about other things. When Lord Gu came out after changing into his casual clothes, the table was already full of dishes that had been added from the small kitchen.

Gu Baozhu sighed with satisfaction, "Third sister-in-law is so thoughtful, these are all my favorite dishes."