Gu Yaoniang hurriedly held back the tears that had welled up with her from being moved, her heart filled with anxiety, fearing that Gu Xingzhi would misunderstand.
Gu Xingzhi stopped teasing her and straightened his expression, saying seriously, "Yaoniang, you have to listen to me. Although I am now able to enter Hualing Academy, my relationship with Headmaster Liu was ultimately based on self-interest."
For someone to cause Hualing Academy to run into financial ruin, to the point where even purchasing supplies for the canteen is difficult, indicates either incompetence or greed. If it started for profit, there's no guarantee it won't collapse for the same reason in the future.
Only when he owns a private residence can he transfer his household registration to Shuojing. Only in this way can he be absolutely certain of success. Even if Liu Shanchang causes trouble in the future, it will not affect his ability to take the imperial examinations in Shuojing.
"My dear, do you understand? You must listen to me on this matter."
Gu Yaoniang understood and knew that Gu Xingzhi was right. It was the best arrangement for Gu Xingzhi to buy a house in Shuojing at the same time as he entered the academy.
Hualing Academy is indeed a place that produces outstanding talents. The teachers are excellent and the atmosphere is wonderful. Countless students are eager to get in and study there.
Being well-educated doesn't necessarily mean being virtuous. One should always be wary of others, and my second uncle was right.
However, buying a house is a huge sum of money, and his family certainly couldn't afford it. In the end, his second uncle would have to foot the bill.
But how could I possibly accept that!
Seeing that she was still hesitant, Gu Xingzhi said again, "It's settled then! Write a letter home to your parents and tell them to have Pingsheng come to the capital on a chosen day."
Finally, he didn't forget to add, "Don't say it was me who told you."
Gu Yaoniang's eyes reddened again, yet she also felt a pang of sympathy. Her second uncle was still the same; he clearly cared deeply for her family, but was too proud to let her parents know.
Gu Yaoniang sincerely said to Gu Xingzhi again, "Second Uncle, thank you."
Gu Xingzhi seemed a little uncomfortable. He wanted to raise his hand to stroke Yao Niang's long hair, but in the end he didn't.
He felt a little lost, looking at Yao Niang's porcelain-like face, which appeared even more radiant and full in the flickering candlelight.
He seemed to be looking through Yao Niang at someone else: "I am unmarried, I have no children, you..."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "You and Pingsheng are my children. Yaoniang, we are family. Between family members, thanking each other all the time makes us feel distant."
"Not just now, but even in the future, after I pass away, won't the Gu family business still be counting on you to take over? All of this will be yours!"
Yao Niang felt a pang of sadness at what she heard. Her second uncle was such a good man! Yet now he was all alone. She felt both grateful and melancholy, but her gaze involuntarily drifted to Qiao Niang, who was standing quietly to the side.
Qiao Niang's face was frosty at this moment. She snatched the wine cup that Gu Xingzhi was unconsciously playing with and slammed it on the table with a thud.
Her tone was reproachful: "Why are you saying such unlucky things on a holiday! What do you mean by 'after a hundred years'! You haven't even had a few drinks, have you already gone senile?"
His tone, however, carried an undeniable concern and tenderness.
After half a year, Yao Niang had gained some understanding of the relationship between her second uncle and Qiao Niang. The two should have feelings for each other, but for some reason, they hadn't confessed, each pretending to be oblivious.
And so the days passed by in a blur.
Yao Niang sometimes wondered why the two of them, who were not married, had been getting along as friends.
Although she was curious, she knew there must be some unspeakable reason behind it, so she never asked.
Gu Xingzhi was a little stunned by Qiao Niang's scolding, but when he came to his senses, he was somewhat helpless: "How could I be drunk!"
She then said in a low, ingratiating voice, "I won't say anything then."
Qiaoniang ignored him, simply lowering her head and remaining silent.
Seeing this, Gu Xingzhi turned to Yaoniang and said, "You don't know yet, do you? Today there is a custom of releasing river lanterns in Shuojing City. Take Bizhu and Bishuang with you and let them take you to see it."
His intention to send Yao Niang away was all too obvious.
Yao Niang suppressed her surging gossip and agreed, leaving the dining room with several glances back at each step.
Seeing Yao Niang walk away, Gu Xingzhi moved to Qiao Niang's side: "Don't be angry anymore."
"I'm not angry."
Qiao Niang's voice was muffled.
Gu Xingzhi leaned even closer: "You still say you're not angry? Then why won't you even look up at me?"
Qiao Niang's shoulders trembled slightly. Gu Xingzhi sighed, reached out and lifted her head, only to see two lines of tears on Qiao Niang's face, wetting her clean cheeks.
Gu Xingzhi let out another long sigh.
Qiao Niang was amused by his sigh and burst into laughter through her tears.
When Gu Xingzhi saw Qiao Niang smile, he also breathed a sigh of relief.
Qiaoniang didn't look at him, her eyes fixed on the ground in front of her toes, and said softly, "Second Master, I'll let you do whatever you want. But I just can't bear to hear you talk about what will happen after you pass away..."
Gu Xingzhi was very close to her, and he could almost smell the ylang-ylang scent she often used, mixed with the fragrance from her clothes.
His voice was tinged with melancholy: "Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural laws of all things, let alone you and me... Qiaohui, what we are doing is already doing things that harm our virtue and shorten our own lifespan, so why should we be afraid of life and death?"
"Ptooey! Ptooey! Spit it out right now!"
Qiaoniang couldn't bear to hear Gu Xingzhi say such things, and her tears flowed even more fiercely as she reached out and patted his arm.
Gu Xingzhi let her pat him without moving.
Qiaoniang choked back tears and said, "How is this a loss of good karma? You have saved so many people and done so many good deeds. Every single one of them is a good deed that requires both money and effort. So many people have benefited from your kindness. These are all good deeds that bring blessings and longevity!"
Gu Xingzhi's face still showed bitterness: "I always have selfish motives. But it's not for selfish reasons, nor is it out of kindness; it's to atone for my sins."
Qiaoniang shook her head vigorously: "No! You're not wrong! It's that person! You were deceived by him too!"
She cried earnestly, a stark contrast to her usual composed and smiling demeanor.
Gu Xingzhi patted her back silently without saying a word.
He hesitated for a moment before reaching out and placing his arm around Qiaoniang's shoulder. Qiaoniang trembled slightly and leaned obediently against his shoulder.
The two faced outwards, and could vaguely see the moonlight when they looked up.
Although it was the fifteenth of the lunar month, and the full moon hung high in the sky, it was hidden behind the clouds and could not be seen clearly.
The two nestled together quietly, gazing at the moonlight, neither of them uttering a word.
After a long silence, he finally asked, "Qiaohui, do you regret it?"
Qiao Niang was taken aback: "Regret what?"
"Will you regret following me?"
Qiao Niang shook her head: "I don't regret it. If it weren't for Second Master saving me and teaching me, I'm afraid I wouldn't have survived."
She was leaning against Gu Xingzhi's chest and naturally didn't see the undisguised smile on Gu Xingzhi's lips.
The moon finally peeked out from behind the clouds, its silvery light spilling into the courtyard, leaving behind a tranquil glow.
"Make a wish, Qiaohui."
Gu Xingzhi said softly.
He felt Qiaoniang's chin twitch, as if she wanted to speak, and quickly added, "Don't tell anyone. It won't work."
Qiaoniang gave a muffled laugh before saying, "Okay."
She silently wished in her heart, "I hope that Second Master can let go of his worries soon, live a peaceful and joyful life, and live to be a hundred years old."
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