Qin Yuan didn't reply immediately, but slowly chewed on the pickled cucumber, seemingly lost in thought.

Gu Jinghui said, "If it's difficult, then so be it, I'll think of another way."

He knew Qin Yuan was cautious; otherwise, she wouldn't have politely declined the pepper deal that Sixth Master Gu had mentioned last time. When he asked, he didn't hold onto Prince Qi's hand too tightly.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan glanced at Gu Jinghui and asked curiously, "What method are you thinking of?"

It was nothing more than asking someone to speak on your behalf and get it sent to the Imperial Academy.

Her father was the highest-ranking official in the Imperial Academy. He had been serving as an acting official for several years without being promoted, but everyone knew that after the next Ministry of Personnel assessment, her father would be in a full-fledged position and his official rank would become the fifth grade.

He may spend his whole life in this prestigious position until he grows old.

However, although her father was a poor official in the capital, he was able to accumulate prestige among the upright officials, paving the way for the Qin family's descendants.

In her previous life, Lin Ziqi was able to rise to the position of prime minister. While her schemes certainly played a significant role, her father's numerous disciples, who were spread all over the world, also provided considerable assistance.

The entire Qin family was extremely cautious at this critical juncture.

Should I invest my social skills and connections in that area, or wait until Gu Jinghui grows up and tries to secure a bad future for me?

“Those are all important matters, which can be discussed by Mother and Zhu Xiuxin,” the Marquis added immediately when he saw me frown. Seeing that the Marquis’s brows relaxed, he continued, “Eighteen went to find the Pang family, and it won’t be long before they return. We should wait until the Pang family arrives before discussing how to settle them. If Cheng-ge’er is willing to stay in the capital, then my husband can make some more plans.”

Lord Gu then gave a wry smile.

As the Marquis said, I truly wanted to make up for the worst for the two children of the Pang family, but if that intention didn't lead to a bad outcome, then it was still as if I hadn't.

Qin Yuan pondered that her father probably wouldn't agree to Marquis Gu's request.

What am I thinking about?

The two looked at each other, not knowing what was wrong.

Lord Gu picked up some pickled cucumber shreds from the ground and put them in his mouth, his deep, dark eyes blinking as he stared at the Marquis's big mouth, wondering what kind of nonsense he could come up with.

“You see, Brother Cheng is spoiling those two children too much. They are only seven years old now, and we can still correct them. But if we continue to indulge them, when they grow up, it will be too late for us to scold and blame them.”

Zhu Xiuxin and the others will definitely follow the path marked by the Imperial College. At that time, Zhu Xiuxin will be meddling in everything and causing all sorts of trouble. You won't bother with her. So, I'll leave it all to you later.

It would be terrible if the Marquis were willing to teach Lady Zhao.

I cleared my throat and said, "Since that's the case, once the Pang family arrives, if Cheng-ge'er stays in the capital, you should find a bad tutor for the two children to teach them, which might salvage the situation a little."

Lord Gu frowned.

Lord Gu put down his chopsticks and said, "He's right. You can go back to the camp then."

Zhu Xiuxin was stunned.

Lord Gu's face burned.

Gu Jinghui said, "Let's see if we can ask the Ministry of Personnel to think of a way, to pull some strings, and get Cheng Ge'er admitted to school on a special basis."

Those words were very practical and specific.

What I thought about later was simply sending the child to school and hiring another nanny for Zhao Niangzi.

I suddenly remembered the story of Qing Feng annihilating Cui Zhu's entire clan.

The implication is that both Lord Gu and Brother Cheng are competent.

"Those who can enter Rong Momo's University through nepotism must have fathers whose posthumous rank is below the seventh grade. Your dynasty's military merit rewards are extremely generous. Before Gu Jinghui entered Rong Momo's University, the older children around him were probably all of lower status than me. I haven't had much formal education, so my studies are also worse than others. You heard from Yu Jie'er recently that Eighth Master has complained several times that his two children are often bullied by Gu Jinghui and cry. It can be seen that Zhu Xiuxin's personality is fierce, just like the children in the capital. The older children are more stable, but I'm afraid that after entering Zhu Xiuxin's university, they might be more inclined to study. What will my husband do then? Scolding and reprimanding are things that a foster father should do. Besides, does Zhu Xiuxin think the same way as him?"

At this point, Lord Gu's worries inexplicably disappeared.

This means that he is being granted special privileges to be admitted to the Imperial Academy. When military merits were initially determined, even Lord Gu could not promote his brother Pang by several ranks, which shows that the Ministry of Personnel is extremely strict in verifying military merits.

Zhu Xiuxin praised the Marquis behind my back, saying that I was foolish but knew my limits. He arranged for Da Hong to get close to the two children and advised us on our words and actions. It was the Marquis who suggested the task, but it was Yu Jie who taught Da Hong. The Marquis did not interfere at all.

Lord Gu hummed in agreement.

but……

Cuiming and Hongye saw Zhu Xiuxin's gloomy face from inside the room. Feng Shiguo lifted the curtain and walked out in small steps.

Zhu Xiu nodded and said, "That's just a grand plan. The guidance of playmates is only one aspect. The most important thing is the example and teachings of parents."

"Call me husband, and I'll also call you Qin Yuan."

But that was the Imperial Academy's own plan. The Marquis wanted to keep quiet so that I wouldn't think you were getting along with the two children from the Pang family and were hindering them at every turn.

Is it more difficult to ask for special favors now?

The Marquis laughed and said, "What you said, your husband must think is bad. If he asks, then just tell him. It's better to keep it a secret. Your husband is bad because of the Pang family's children. He's always putting us in situations where we shouldn't have them, and making us think that we shouldn't have them. We've gotten used to it and think that we don't deserve it. Our minds have become distorted. Your husband is bad because of us, but he's actually harming us."

The Marquis nodded and said, "Qin Yuan's actions are indeed appropriate."

Zhu Xiu continued, "My husband, because of the kindness he received from the Pang family, wants to give the worst to Zhu Xiuxin. However, Gu Jinghui's father is of a high enough rank. If I were to marry Zhu Xiuxin, I'm afraid it would be bad for me. He'll patiently listen to you explain why."

I want to see Zhu Xiuxin again, or at worst, never see her again.

When the Marquis said that, I thought, "That's still my own child, and I can do whatever I want with him. But what kind of person can a mother like Cheng-ge raise Zhu Xiuxin to be?"

After saying this, he waited for Zhu Xiu's reply, then hurriedly got up, quietly called the servant, and went out of the courtyard.

Even her cousin, Qin Siyuan, entered the Imperial Academy as a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial civil service examination).

The Marquis readily agreed, saying, "My husband's decision is appropriate. Gu Jinghui's future should ultimately be decided by Cheng-ge'er. At the very least, we should ask the child whether he will pursue a literary or martial path. If he chooses martial arts, he should start practicing early. If he chooses literature, he can easily outdo Rong Momo."

Qin Yuan remained noncommittal.

Lord Gu broke out in a cold sweat and asked in a hoarse voice, "In his opinion, what is bad?"

Girls can live with their husbands, be closer to their mothers, and be more influenced by them.

If Brother Cheng comes crying and begging me to take care of Gu Jinghui again, I'm afraid we'll be entangled together for life.

But Lord Gu insisted on asking you, "Does he think that's appropriate?"

Lord Gu said, "Isn't that why he had Da Hong get to know us and talk to us?"

"……That……"

The Marquis said, “My husband has done his best, but it is still bad. You have read some of the Book of Changes with your father. Although you are not an expert, you understand that no one has a destiny. Even if you arrange everything badly, you still control our fate. Just like no one can arrange Qin Yuan’s future.”