The Gu family had few rules, and few servants stayed behind. They would gather with their acquaintances and drink and chat under the moonlight.
Since Yu Erniang was already frail and had thanked Yaoniang, she refused to sit at the same table with them. Bitao and the others simply brought over the few dishes that Yaoniang had left for them, and they made up a table in Yu Erniang's guest room where she was recuperating.
Seeing that Yu Erniang was about to get up, the others quickly stopped her.
Bizhu carefully lifted her upper body, while Bishuang placed a high cushion and soft pillows under her so she could comfortably lean against the bed. Then, together they lifted the table to the window.
Seeing that she couldn't do anything, Bitao nagged from the side, "Don't move! You need to rest properly and not move around."
Yu Erniang could only watch them busy, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.
When the letter from home was mentioned, Gu Yaoniang was slightly taken aback.
Speaking of which, letters from Qingyun County's family used to arrive almost every ten days.
However, the journey was long, and it was common for carriages and horses to travel back and forth in one or two days at a time.
The last letter I received from home was on the eighth day of the eighth lunar month, so everything seemed normal.
She calmed down.
"I received a letter from my mother on the eighth day of the month. She said that my younger brother is now highly regarded by the headmaster of Qingyun Academy and should be able to pass the county examination next year. She wants to send him to the capital to study in preparation for the next imperial examination."
When her family was mentioned, Gu Yaoniang's eyes were filled with a gentle smile. She left home suddenly, unaware that Gu Pingsheng had gone to the academy.
Having been in Shuojing for almost half a year, Gu Pingsheng had never written a letter to her; all the letters he received were written by his parents. He figured his younger brother was angry with him.
She felt somewhat guilty and secretly planned that once her younger brother arrived in Shuojing, she would make amends properly and try to coax Gu Xingzhi into not holding a grudge.
Gu Yaoniang's correspondence with her family was handled by Zhong Shu, Gu Xingzhi's most trusted subordinate.
Although his father and second uncle had a long-standing feud, and usually only he and his parents corresponded, with his second uncle having no direct contact with the family, Gu Xingzhi could easily find out if there had been any recent letters from home by asking Uncle Zhong; he surely knew.
She wondered why Gu Xingzhi had suddenly brought up the family letter, so she asked again, "Is there something wrong?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Xingzhi first nodded slightly, then shook his head: "Not exactly. It's a good thing that he's making progress in his life now, and I'd like to formally talk to you about it."
He pondered for a moment, and Qiaoniang picked up the wine pot on the table and poured him a new cup of osmanthus wine before sitting back down.
Gu Xingzhi, holding his wine cup, said, "A few days ago, our family did a business deal with the canteen at Hualing Academy."
Gu Yaoniang nodded. She knew that the Gu family's businesses mainly consisted of grain and oil shops.
Hualing Academy is located in the suburbs of Beijing. Students mainly eat and live at the academy, and it is common for the academy's canteen to make purchases. It is not surprising that it has dealings with the Gu family's business.
She waited for Gu Xingzhi to continue.
Gu Xingzhi continued, "The students of Hualing Academy are the future pillars of the nation. They need to be well-fed to do their studies, seek advice, and practice martial arts. If they lack food, the students, who are in their prime, will inevitably be hindered in their studies if they are hungry."
Gu Yaoniang nodded again. Her second uncle was right. One must first be well-fed and clothed before one can pursue studies and cultivate oneself.
Gu Xingzhi coughed lightly: "The academy has been short of money recently. I thought that we couldn't let the students suffer. So, I sold a batch of grain to Hualing Academy at a low price and promised that if the academy has any difficulties in the future, the Gu family can sell it to them at cost price."
Gu Yaoniang nodded again. That's right, this is a good thing!
My second uncle taught me to "always cherish a benevolent and righteous heart" and "one can serve the country even in business." Isn't my second uncle putting these words into practice right now? He is doing his best to protect the future pillars of the nation. He truly embodies the unity of knowledge and action, which is worthy of praise.
But she still didn't understand what this had to do with Gu Pingsheng.
Could it be that Second Uncle wanted to use this to teach Gu Pingsheng to have a broad mind and not be greedy for short-term gains? But Second Uncle has never seemed like the type to be a teacher!
Qiaoniang, who couldn't stand it any longer, chimed in, "Thanks to Second Master, the financial deficit at Hualing Academy was resolved. Hualing Academy owes Second Master a great favor. Headmaster Liu has already agreed that if anyone wants to study at Hualing Academy, they can come anytime!"
She glanced at Gu Xingzhi, somewhat helplessly. Why was he so hesitant and unable to explain something so simple?
Moreover, while Yao Niang was unaware of the reasons behind it, she understood them.
It's true that Second Master couldn't bear to see the students of Hualing Academy go hungry.
However, it wasn't because they sold the rice at a low price. Mr. Liu of Hualing Academy felt indebted to Gu Xingzhi, which is why he offered to let Gu Xingzhi enroll.
Instead, it was the Second Master who facilitated this deal, which involved no money, by offering Gu Pingsheng admission to Hualing Academy as a condition.
However, since the Second Master did not intend to tell Yao Niang, she naturally would not say a word.
Gu Yaoniang was first taken aback, then overjoyed.
That's Hualing Academy! It's a gathering place for talented people. Apart from the Imperial Academy, which is only accessible to families of officials, Hualing Academy is the best academy in Shuojing City.
Back then, Qin Yuxiu used the combined resources of both the Qin and Gu families to get into Hualing Academy.
If Gu Pingsheng were to enter Hualing Academy, not to mention his future academic achievements and any progress in the imperial examinations, the friendship he would have with his classmates would be enough to benefit him for the rest of his life!
However, she also had some doubts: "I heard that out-of-town candidates for Hualing Academy must pass the county examination to be admitted. Hualing Academy only accepts students from Shuojing who have not passed the county examination and have no official title. Headmaster Liu, do you know that my brother is still a commoner?"
Gu Xingzhi didn't take it to heart: "It's already agreed! It's not that I don't accept them before, it's just that I've never accepted them before. Once Pingsheng enters the capital, I'll buy him a house and transfer his household registration to Shuojing, then he'll also be a resident of Shuojing. It's fine!"
Yao Niang was very grateful for Gu Xingzhi's words.
She said, "Thank you, Second Uncle!"
She was deeply grateful, but words failed her. Saying more would only create distance. She simply didn't know how to properly thank Gu Xingzhi.
She felt a lump in her throat. Her father was stubborn and hadn't spoken to her second uncle for years.
But their second uncle still treated them, siblings and children, so well.
only……
Yao Niang said, "But you'd better not buy a house for Ping Sheng."
We must accept this kindness, but buying a house is no small expense. We have already troubled my second uncle so much, we cannot be ungrateful.
Gu Xingzhi's eyes widened: "Little girl, what's wrong? Are you trying to distance yourself from me?"
Yao Niang blushed with anxiety, while Qiao Niang glared at Gu Xingzhi but remained silent.
This was a family matter for the Gu family, and she shouldn't interfere.
Yao Niang hurriedly said, "No! It's... Oh dear! We've already troubled you so much, how could we trouble you to spend money to buy a house! It's fine for him to live here!"
Gu Xingzhi was aware of her concerns; he had only been teasing her earlier.
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