Chapter 334 Departure

On a morning in mid-April, a thin mist shrouded the Qiushi Academy like a veil. The mountains in the distance were looming in the mist, and occasionally the clear chirping of birds broke the silence of dawn.

When the sky began to turn pale, Gu Yuhe jumped out of bed like a happy little rabbit. He ran towards his second brother Gu Yuchuan's room, the corners of his pajamas swaying behind him, humming a tuneless little song, thinking about how to scare his second brother.

But when he pushed open the door, he froze in place.

The morning light shines through the carved window lattices and falls on Gu Yuchuan.

He was already dressed, his moon-white robe spotless, sitting at his desk, his brush rustling across the rice paper, his handwriting strong and vigorous. A thick stack of papers lay on the corner, the ink still wet, evidently indicating he had been up long ago.

Gu Yuhe stuck out his tongue, his eyes widened, and he muttered to himself: Ever since my second brother recovered from his mental illness, he has become a completely different person. He is tireless every day, either studying books or practicing calligraphy at his desk, as if he has endless energy.

"Come in if you're here. What are you standing there for?" Gu Yuchuan didn't even raise his head. His voice was as cold as a spring, but it carried unquestionable majesty.

Gu Yuhe was like a deflated ball, his head drooping as he leaned over with a wry smile: "I have to go on a long journey today, so my sister asked me to call my second brother."

"Well, it's still early. Come over and write two big characters before leaving." Gu Yuchuan put down the brush and looked at his brother with sharp eyes, as if he could see through his little thoughts.

Gu Yuhe's eyes widened instantly, his mouth opened wide enough to fit an egg. He pointed at his nose in disbelief, his voice full of resentment: "Me?"

"Is there a third person in this room?"

After receiving the sarcastic reply, he felt as if his soul had been taken away. He moved to the desk dejectedly, picked up the brush listlessly, and felt extremely regretful.

If I had known this, I shouldn’t have volunteered to come here. It would have been better to let my second sister come. My second brother would definitely not dare to let her write big characters!

When the first ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds and cast its golden light on the earth, the school gate was already bustling with activity.

Led by Song Qiquan, the four new masters stood in a row in high spirits. Master Du, leaning on a cane, still had a sharp gaze despite being over sixty years old, and stood in the center of the team to lead the team.

Gu Yuchuan's tall figure stood out among a group of chattering children. He crossed his arms over his chest, and his eyes revealed a calmness that was inconsistent with his age.

Gu Jiayue was wearing a light blue long dress and standing on the steps, her eyes full of worry and reluctance.

She repeatedly reminded them: "Master Du, Master Song, thank you for taking great care of us on this trip. When you arrive in Juzhou, if you don't have a suitable address to live in, please contact the owner of Mingrenju, and he will help you." Her voice was soft but firm, and every word was filled with concern for her children.

Master Du smiled and nodded, his beard trembling slightly with his smile: "Okay, we will make our own arrangements. Don't worry, my old bones can still take care of these children."

Song Qiquan also quickly agreed, with a confident smile on his face: "Yes, Headmaster, my family is also in Juzhou. I will arrange everything, don't worry."

Despite this, Gu Jiayue was still worried and kept on rambling on for a long time until she saw the carriage slowly driving out of the school gate, and then she waved goodbye reluctantly.

Taohua Village had been buying bamboo paper for the better part of six months, and now the villagers had some money. After a unanimous vote, they decided to repair the village roads. The main road in the village is now paved with bluestone slabs, making walking on it smoother and more comfortable.

The carriage wheels rolled over the bluestone road, making a clattering sound and raising fine dust along the way.

Unlike Gu Yuhe and others, Zhang Zhaodi, Gu Huangan, Meng Ziqi and others have never left their hometown, and have not even been to the county town.

At this moment, they were like a group of birds just out of a cage, excitedly opening the car curtains, completely ignoring the fact that the early summer sun was gradually becoming scorching.

The scenery outside the car quickly receded. The golden rapeseed flowers in the fields swayed in the wind, and the weeping willows on the roadside swayed. Their eyes were full of novelty and amazement.

When the carriage drove into Juzhou City, the children's excitement reached its peak.

The streets were bustling with traffic, hawkers' cries and shouts echoing incessantly. Three-story buildings, their soaring eaves and arches imposing, stood on either side of the street. The air was filled with the aroma of delicious food, causing children to clutch their stomachs and gulp.

"Wow, Juzhou City is so prosperous?" Zhang Zhaodi leaned against the car window, her eyes wide open, and she exclaimed in sincere admiration.

"Oh my God, there is a three-story building. How did they do that?" Gu Huangan said while gesturing with his hands, his face full of disbelief.

"It's so lively. There are more people on this street than in our village, right?" There was a hint of timidity in Meng Ziqi's voice, but she could not hide her excitement.

Mr. Du is a native of Juzhou. He has not been home for two months since he arrived in Taohua Village, and he is eager to go home.

However, he frowned slightly, his eyes filled with worry. "Can you take good care of all these children if I leave them to you? I'm still a little worried. Why don't you give half of them to me?"

In his eyes, no matter how well-behaved a child is, he will always be naughty and active. If something goes wrong, how will he explain to the headmaster?

Song Qiquan smiled confidently, revealing two white fangs: "Master, don't worry, I have already notified my family to clean up the guest rooms. I will take them back directly and ensure that nothing goes wrong."

Master Du looked him up and down, and thinking of the huge mansion of the Song Mansion, he finally felt relieved: "Okay, then I will go home first. If there is anything, please let the servant come to find me."

Su Zhuxing, sitting in a carriage at the back, had a face so gloomy it looked like water could drip out of it. He slammed the door curtain down and snorted coldly, "Hmph! What's so great about having a few bucks at home? You talk like you don't even have a house."

He turned to look at the children around him and asked, "Would you like to live in my house?"

Zhang Zhaodi and Gu Huangan looked at each other, their eyes full of hesitation.

Finally, Gu Huangan stammered, "Master Song said he would teach us something more tonight!"

Su Zhuxing was immediately furious, his face flushed red: "What can he teach you? Can't I teach you?"

The three children lowered their heads in fear and dared not say a word. The atmosphere in the car froze instantly.

Su Zhuxing angrily lifted the door curtain and wanted to leave, but Song Qiquan stopped him.

Song Qiquan still had a smile on his face, and said calmly, "Brother Su, I've already asked my family to prepare dinner. Would you like to go home and have a few drinks together?"

That smile is like the warm sunshine in spring, which seems to be able to melt all the ice.

But some people don't appreciate it.

"Hmph!" Su Zhuxing's dissatisfaction was written all over his face, and he stiffened his neck: "Your temple is bigger, I won't go there!"

Song Qiquan remained unperturbed. He patiently advised, "You may be dissatisfied with me, but the competition is tomorrow. Shouldn't you also give the children one last explanation? This is their first time experiencing something like this, so they're bound to be nervous."

Su Zhuxing turned around and met the expectant eyes of Gu Huangan and others. Those eyes were like soft feathers, gently brushing against his heart.

He quickly opened the folding fan in his hand, covering half of his face, and turned back to the carriage, muttering, "If that's the case, for the sake of the children, why not put up with you for a few more hours?"