There were already two horse-drawn carriages parked in front of the Wu family's door. The third one had just arrived and collided with the Tai family's cart.
Old Man Tai helped Tai Yongning get out of the car. Although Tai Yongning tried his best to walk more steadily, it was still obvious that he had some difficulty walking.
A young man in a brocade gown jumped out of the third carriage. He was about twelve or thirteen years old and had a good-looking appearance. Unfortunately, his chin was a little too high and he looked down on people, which made him look arrogant.
He glanced at Tai Yongning without any intention of greeting him, and took a few steps up the stairs first.
Manager Wu was talking to a servant at the door. When he saw the Tai family members arrive, he was about to go out to greet them, but he walked across from the young man.
The young man thought that Manager Wu was coming to pick him up, so he casually bowed and said, "Please take me to see the master. My father has something to do and will be a quarter of an hour late."
Steward Wu was stunned for a moment, then immediately smiled and said, "Oh, it's Master Qi who has arrived. Please wait a moment, I'll find a servant to show you the way."
As he spoke, he motioned for a servant to come forward, then hurried down the stairs to help Old Man Tai, smiling in a very friendly manner.
"Old man, I haven't seen you for a few days. You look younger and more energetic. Have you been walking around the mountains these days? Did you find anything good?"
Old Master Tai laughed heartily and said, "Little brother, you look good too. You must be in high spirits when good things happen to you! I did go into the mountains, but unfortunately I only brought back two rabbits. Don't worry, if you get something good, it's definitely not from someone else's family, so I'll definitely send it to you soon!"
"Haha, then I'll wait for the old man to have a big harvest one day!" Manager Wu smiled happily, hoping that the Tai family would send more wild ginseng. Even if the remaining half of the ginseng at home was enough to make medicine, no one would have too much of this treasure that gathered the essence of heaven and earth.
He turned around and saluted Tai Jizu and Tai Yongning. Tai Jizu returned the salute solemnly and entrusted them with the task seriously, "Brother Wu, my child's leg injury hasn't fully healed yet. He's inconvenient on weekdays, so I'll have to trouble you to take care of him."
"Don't worry, don't worry!" Steward Wu quickly agreed, "Young Master Ning is our master's disciple. We will definitely take good care of him. Otherwise, our master will probably punish us."
As they were talking like this, everyone entered the mansion.
Earlier, the young man was angry that Manager Wu had left him to deal with other people, so he lingered with the servants. When he heard them talking and laughing, he couldn't help but feel even more uncomfortable.
At one point, everyone entered the front yard, and saw Mr. Wu sitting in the study drinking tea with two other families.
We had met each other a few days ago, so he was no stranger to us now. However, this was Tai Yongning's first time coming, so we greeted each of them for a long time.
Soon, the young Master Qi's father also arrived. He was a very amiable middle-aged man.
After Manager Wu asked for instructions, he placed a mat in the middle of the ground. The four young men lined up in order of age and came forward one after another to kowtow and pay their respects to the master, presenting the gifts of apprenticeship.
The other three people's gifts were very generous, most of them were writing brushes, inkstones, paper, and other things, such as the priceless plum-scented ink sticks, the rice paper that cost dozens of taels of silver per piece, and the only copies from the previous dynasty...
Only the gift from the Tai family was ordinary. If you had to say something novel, it would be the three sets of cashmere clothes.
Mr. Wu hadn't said anything yet, but Mr. Qi couldn't help but sneer.
In such an important occasion, there was naturally no one making noise in the room, so the sound seemed very abrupt.
Everyone subconsciously looked over, especially the other two students, who frowned slightly.
Master Qi also knew that he had been rude. His face flushed, but he still remained stubborn and muttered, "Becoming a disciple is such an important matter, but you are so careless and send such a cheap thing!"
Master Qi immediately started to scold, "How dare you, Qi Ming! Who told you to be so rude? Why don't you apologize to your junior brother right away!"
Tai Yongning is the youngest of the four disciples, and Master Qi Ming is the third and senior brother. They become disciples of Master Wu today and will be fellow disciples in the future.
No matter where you go, whether you are an official or not, you will share the same fate.
Unexpectedly, before the outsiders came to bully him, senior brother Qi Ming looked down on his junior brother first.
Qi Ming was scolded and actually regretted speaking too much.
But the young man was always proud, and he stiffened his neck and refused to say another word.
Tai Yongning was also unhappy. He clenched his fists and after a long while he took a deep breath and spoke.
"Brother Qi is wrong. The gift of becoming a disciple isn't about the value, but the thought. The wine I brought is what my grandfather said is the most mellow and fragrant on the market. The dim sum is the most delicious and crispy from the Min family shop, and the meat is the freshest."
"Speaking of those three sets of cashmere clothes and trousers, the cashmere was bought by my third uncle and eldest brother from the grassland. The elders of our tribe washed and spun the yarn themselves, and then my mother and others worked hard for five days and nights to weave them by hand.
"Sir, you are in poor health and are more sensitive to cold than most people. These cashmere clothes and trousers are perfect for you because they don't look bulky when worn under a long gown and they keep you warm.
"I believe this apprenticeship gift represents the whole family's heartfelt wishes, and I'm sure the master won't despise it. I didn't expect Senior Brother Qi to misunderstand me."
This statement not only explained the origins of each apprenticeship gift, but also highlighted the family's sincere feelings. In the end, it even defeated Master Qi!
Mr. Wu, the person who received the gift, didn't mind it at all. What right do you, an outsider, have to say anything?
If you are being picky, there are certainly some things wrong with these words, but it is rare for a twelve-year-old country boy who has only studied with his mother for a few years and has not received any teaching from anyone to respond in this way!
Master Qi's face looked very ugly. He felt like he was holding a breath in his chest, but he was in the wrong and couldn't say anything.
The oldest disciple, Song Hui, the second son of the Song family, couldn't help but nod slightly. He liked this strong-willed and difficult-to-bully little brother very much.
The second-ranked disciple, whose name was Teng Mingyu, was also secretly surprised and became more curious about this junior fellow disciple who came from a farming family.
Old Master Wu noticed the expressions of his disciples, smiled, and tried to smooth things over.
"It turns out that Yongning's apprenticeship gift contains such deep thoughts. I will try the cashmere clothes later to see if they are as warm as you said.
"The other three gifts are also good. Regardless of their value, as long as the thought is there, I will be happy as well."
After saying that, he motioned for Steward Wu to come forward, took out four sets of fine study supplies and four mutton-fat jade pendants from the tray in Steward Wu's hand, and distributed them to the four disciples respectively.
The Four Treasures of the Study were fine, as they could still be bought at calligraphy and painting shops. But the jade pendant was incredibly rare, its texture unique, and carved with four designs of plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell it was made from a single piece of mutton-fat jade, cut into four pieces.
Master Qi bowed and said, "Thank you for your expense, sir. This jade pendant is really rare."
Master Wu nodded and smiled, "I hope that the four of them will study together in the future, support each other, and grow together."
Tai Yongning and the others quickly lined up and saluted respectfully. Even Qi Ming lowered his head, no longer showing his previous arrogance.
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