After hearing what her mother-in-law had said, Chang Hushi felt embarrassed. She straightened her sitting posture and stopped talking. Nanny Chang glared at her again before slowly saying, "My short-lived son is gone. It was because Brother Ye sent people to escort him that we dared to send the coffin back to our hometown so that Brother Nian's father could rest in peace!"
As she spoke, her voice choked with sobs and her eyes became red. Minglan hurriedly advised, "Madam, don't be too sad. It's important to take care of yourself. Sister Chang and her mother and son still rely on you." Chang Yan and Chang Nian, the brother and sister, also came over from both sides to give her some advice.
"Look at me like this, I'm really embarrassed, Madam." Nanny Chang returned to normal, wiping her handkerchief and smiling.
At this time, Mother Hua brought Sister Rong over.
"Sister Rong, look who's here?" Minglan said with a smile, "Come, pay your respects to Madam."
Rong Jie'er was wearing a light red pearlescent satin jacket, which made her face look as white as tofu. When she saw the Chang family, she swept her eyes from the nanny to the Chang siblings, bowed respectfully, and whispered, "Hello, nanny."
Nanny Chang's expression was very complicated, like pity, but also a little disgust. She changed her gaze several times before she said, "You... have grown a lot, and your appearance is fairer. This is very good."
Rong Jie'er looked up at Minglan, opened her mouth, but still said nothing.
Nanny Chang looked at Minglan and said bluntly, "Sister Rong is lucky to have met Madam. She has a very stubborn temper, but Madam, you don't have to take it to heart. Just teach her what needs to be taught and say what needs to be said."
Minglan nodded and said nothing, only asking Rongjie'er to sit aside. Nanny Chang looked at her, then turned back and smiled at Minglan, saying, "We've been talking for a while, but you didn't ask how the lady is doing now? How is Ye'er?"
Minglan saw a genuine concern on her face, and was deeply moved. She said gently, "Everything is fine. I'm new to the household and I have to learn everything. Master is a little busy with official business, but he's in good spirits."
Hearing Minglan's sincere words, Nanny Chang's wrinkles turned into a smile: "That's good, that's good. I've said it before, Brother Ye has great potential. One day, he will definitely bring honor to our family!"
Minglan turned her gaze to the children below. She saw Chang Yan sitting next to Rong Jie'er, talking quietly. She had always sat upright and listened to the adults. Minglan smiled and asked, "We've been talking for so long, but I haven't asked Yan Jie'er and Nian Ge'er yet. What are they doing for fun now?"
Nanny Chang glanced at her grandchildren and said with a smile, "Yanzi is a little girl. She can read a few words and do a little needlework. She will marry into a good family. As for my brother Nian, he is studying now."
Minglan glanced at Changnian. Changnian, noticing the adults were talking about him, stood up respectfully. Minglan looked at the young boy and asked jokingly, "You are so evil and stinky at first, but so lustful now. Where does this come from?"
Changnian seemed surprised. He glanced at Minglan, his childish face turning serious as he said, "To be sincere in one's intentions is to avoid self-deception. To initially dislike evil and filth as if you were attracted to beauty is to be content with oneself. This is from The Great Learning."
"Why?" Minglan asked again.
He has been answering questions fluently for many years: "The so-called sincerity means not only being sincere to others, but also being sincere to yourself, just like hating bad smells and loving beautiful colors. This is the real honesty." The boy's voice still has a childish tone, but his attitude is bright and his words are meaningful.
Minglan raised an eyebrow, but without commenting, she asked, "To judge a village by its own village, to judge a country by its own country, where does that come from?"
Changnian smiled, revealing two endearing little fangs, and spoke aloud, "Those skilled in swordsmanship never draw their swords, those skilled in holding a sword never let go, and their descendants will continue to offer sacrifices to them. Cultivate this in oneself, and one's virtue will be true; cultivate this in the family, and one's virtue will be abundant; cultivate this in the village, and one's virtue will be long-lasting; cultivate this in the state, and one's virtue will be abundant; cultivate this in the world, and one's virtue will be universal. Therefore, observe oneself through oneself, observe one's family through one's family, observe one's village through one's village, observe one's state through one's state, and observe the world through the world. How do I know that the world is like this? Because of this. This passage is from the Tao Te Ching."
Then, without waiting for Minglan to ask again, Changnian began to explain, "If you extend virtue to yourself, your family, your town, your country, and even the world, then morality will extend infinitely. And if you use yourself to observe others, use your family to observe other families, and use your country to observe other countries, then you will know everything in the world."
This time Minglan smiled, secretly surprised.
To put it simply, in the imperial examination system, the Four Books and Five Classics were like required courses, while other classics, such as the Tao Te Ching, were optional. It was surprising that a young boy, studying only in the countryside, possessed such a solid knowledge. Minglan remembered that when she first learned this passage, she had copied a full page of annotations, yet this boy summarized it in just a few words. His explanation was concise and clear, a remarkable feat.
Minglan turned her head and looked deeply at Nanny Chang. The clear admiration and slight surprise in her eyes made Nanny Chang very comfortable. She looked at her grandson with pride and happiness on her face.
"Where is Nian'er going to school now?" Minglan asked.
Nanny Chang sighed: "When we were in our hometown, we studied with an old scholar in the countryside for a few days. Later, when we came to the capital, we were unfamiliar with the place, so we studied in a private school of a teacher in the countryside. However, Nian Ge'er studied on his own most of the time." Judging from the expressions of the two men, this Mr. Liu was obviously not very satisfactory.
Minglan lowered her head in thought. Studying was indeed a matter of talent. She was not trying to undermine her family's reputation. The Sheng family had an excellent atmosphere for studying. Not only did all the men in the family have academic titles, but her father also whipped and shouted at them all day long. But to be honest, Changdong's studies were not as good as those of the young man in front of her.
Although Changnian is younger than Changdong, his manners and conversation are open and bright. He does not show any fear when meeting people in high positions, and he does not feel indignant or envious when coming to a wealthy place. He just appreciates it happily with a bright and appreciative attitude, neither humble nor arrogant, and has the style of an ancient gentleman.
Only now did Minglan understand why Nanny Chang acted this way.
If Chang Nian wanted to take the imperial examination and become an official in the future, he could not have any flaws in his identity, otherwise he would be easily attacked in official circles. His grandmother could be a wet nurse, but could not be a slave. Perhaps this was what Nanny Chang considered for her only son back then.
It’s so pitiful to see the love of parents all over the world.
Seeing Minglan remained silent with her head bowed, Nanny Chang probed, "Madam comes from a family of scholars. I've heard that your brothers are all very well-educated..." Minglan looked up and smiled, "We can't say we come from a family of scholars, but my father certainly values learning. My younger brother from my mother's side is about the same age as Nian Ge'er and is also currently studying."
He studied at the famous Hai family private school, where a large group of students, scholars, and even retired old scholars, as well as famous scholars and literati who came to stay as guests, took turns teaching him. Every time Xiao Changdong came back, his eyes were covered with circles of mosquito-repellent sticks.
Nanny Chang said in a trembling voice, "If Madam can help me find a good husband, I will be very grateful!"
Education was not popular in ancient times, and there were no tutoring advertisements plastered all over lampposts. If you were not an expert, it would be difficult to know which teacher was a good teacher. For example, Mr. Zhuang was a hermit, living in a small alley with no house number. It took Sheng Hong's grandmother to find out about him, and it took his grandfather to invite him to Dengzhou.
Minglan pondered for a moment and nodded: "I can ask my eldest brother to look for it, but it depends on Nian'er's own luck."
She already knew what Nanny Chang meant, but she didn't object. Even in modern times, parents would do anything to get their children into good schools.
Nanny Chang trembled her fingers and stammered excitedly. Minglan smiled and said gently, "How about this? I'll give Nian'er a topic, and he'll write an article. I'll send it to my eldest brother and then ask him to make his own assessment. How about that?"
Nanny Chang hesitated and said, "Now? Why not go back and write slowly?"
For the first time, Xiao Changnian got anxious and said quickly, "It's okay. I'm willing to write it now."
Minglan smiled at him, thought for a moment, and said, "Only when things are understood can knowledge be achieved; only when knowledge is achieved can intentions be sincere; only when intentions are sincere can the heart be upright; only when the heart is upright can the body be cultivated; only when the body is cultivated can the family be in order; only when the family is in order can the country be governed; only when the country is governed can the world be at peace. Half an hour should be enough."
A blush appeared on his face, which was always slightly dark, and he bowed respectfully to the ground: "Student obeys your command."
Minglan was in a very happy mood. After being in this era that devalued women for so long, she almost doubted her own intelligence. She raised her voice slightly, "Danju, take Nian Ge'er to my desk and help him grind ink for writing."
Danju walked forward with a smile and led the people away.
Such an instant examination not only tests calligraphy and basic skills, but also psychological quality. If, under such circumstances, the articles written over the years can still gain the approval of Changbai, then he is truly a promising talent. It is not a bad thing to bring another promising and talented student to his mother's family. Maybe he can also be a helper in the officialdom in the future.
Even if it doesn't work out, it shouldn't be a big problem to find a school that is better than the private school in the countryside.
Next, Nanny Chang couldn't sit still and kept looking out the door. Chang Hu didn't dare to speak. As soon as she opened her mouth, Nanny Chang glared back fiercely. She herself spoke incoherently and was obviously not in the right state of mind.
Minglan was not in a hurry to talk to them. She just chatted with a smile. At this time, Gu Tingye finally came back.
Gu Tingye didn't even change into his court robes, but instead strode into the side hall with his front skirt straightened. As his tall and straight figure appeared at the door, Nanny Chang stood up, her voice filled with joy: "Brother Ye!"
"Madam, please sit down!" Gu Tingye walked into the hall with the gait of a dragon and a tiger, and helped Madam Chang to sit down. Minglan quickly gave up her seat and let Gu Tingye and Madam Chang sit closer. She sat on the other side of the upper seat.
Chang Hu, her daughter and Rong Jie'er all bowed to Gu Tingye. After standing up, Chang Yan glanced at the man with a blush on her face, but Gu Tingye seemed displeased. He just nodded lightly to Chang Hu, turned his head away, and talked to Nanny Chang.
"Brother Ye looks much more energetic now!" Nanny Chang touched Gu Tingye's sleeve, looked him up and down, and said repeatedly with tears in her eyes, "Good, good, this is good. After getting married, you will be an adult in the future. You must take good care of yourself!"
Gu Tingye smiled shamelessly: "It's natural."
"Hey, bro!" Nanny Chang glared at him and smiled at Minglan, "Look, you've got a lovely new bride, and I, an old woman, am such an eyesore! Forget it, I'd better go back quickly."
"That won't do. Nian'er is still on my desk. Madam, don't you want a grandson?" Minglan joked.
Nanny Chang feigned annoyance and said, "There's nothing we can do now!"
Inside the house, Chang Hu's mother and daughter, along with several maids, all laughed. Gu Tingye looked at his wife in confusion. Minglan explained softly, "I saw that Nian Ge'er was quite knowledgeable, so I asked him to write an article and show it to my brother. I'll see if I can find him a good teacher."
Gu Tingye smiled and praised, saying to Nanny Chang: "This is very good. Nanny, don't you think I have married a good daughter-in-law?"
Minglan was mortified and blushed slightly. Nanny Chang pointed at Gu Tingye and scolded him with a smile: "Just brag! Do you need me to say that your wife is good?!"
The room was filled with laughter and joy. Seeing that her unruly daughter-in-law was about to speak again, Nanny Chang quickly said to Minglan, "This is the first time for them to come here. Why don't we ask someone to accompany them for a walk in the garden so that we can have a chat."
Minglan glanced at Gu Tingye, then nodded and said, "That's a good idea. Wanggui's wife is very eloquent. Why not ask her to accompany Sister Chang and Yan Zi to visit the garden together? If Sister Rong wants to go, she can come along."
Mrs. Chang wanted to say a few more words, but seeing her mother-in-law's fierce look, she had no choice but to take her daughter and Rong Jie'er out of the hall.
After everyone else left, Nanny Chang calmed down and carefully asked about Gu Tingye's health. She also gave Minglan a lot of instructions: "Alas, from now on, Brother Ye will rely entirely on your care. He is a wild horse without a bridle. Once he gets angry, he will not take care of himself. He has several wounds on his back and shoulders. Madam, please keep a close eye on him. Make sure he takes medicine when he needs it and applies ointment when he needs it. He must take good care of his injuries!"
Gu Tingye smiled and interrupted, "Mammy, you're here again. This is an old injury from ages ago. The Emperor had already asked the imperial physician to see me. I'm almost healed now, so it's nothing serious."
"Nonsense," Nanny Chang glared at him. "A few years ago in the winter, you had a cold where you were injured, and the pain was so severe that you broke out in a cold sweat. I rubbed ginger and medicated oil on you every day, and it took more than half a month before it started to heal. Don't tell me you've forgotten the pain now that the wound has healed!"
Minglan lowered her head and thought carefully. Sure enough, there were several sword and gun scars on Gu Tingye's shoulders and back. One of them, which extended from his left shoulder to his back, was particularly scary. She secretly took note of it and went back to prepare some tiger bone ointment and medicated oil.
Seeing Minglan eager to grab a pen and paper to write it down, Gu Tingye felt both amused and touched, so he said, "Didn't you say last time that you wanted to go to the manor to take a look?"
"Yes." Looking at the account books every day is just paper talk. Minglan holds several farms in her hands. Although the income and expenditure are clearly written, she always feels uneasy because she has never seen the farms.
"I'll go with you and visit all the farms." Gu Tingye looked relaxed and cheerful. "Madam, why don't you come with us?" But Madam Chang smiled and refused. "You rich people don't care about farmland and farms. We just moved to the city from the countryside and are tired of mountains, rivers, forests and springs."
Minglan was surprised and happy: "What? You have a day off?" The vacation system in ancient times was simply outrageous.
"That's not the case," Gu Tingye said with a smile. "The emperor issued an edict today to inspect the military exercises at the western suburbs camp. I have to go there to prepare for the next few days. It's closer to the farm, so we can stay here tonight. Aren't you going to take the fish-scale book to check the land and investigate the farmers? Take your time. After the emperor finishes his inspection, I have two days free. Then we can go to the West Mountain to soak in the hot springs."
Nanny Chang opened her mouth wide when she heard this, and she sighed with a smile, "Brother, you know how to love your wife! Well, well, it's time for you two to relax. You're so busy every day, aren't you bored?"
Minglan listened to Gu Tingye's clear and logical words, knowing that he must have thought about it several times in his mind. She was moved and looked happy. She looked at Gu Tingye with a soft smile.
When Nanny Chang saw this, she knew that the couple was living in harmony and felt relieved.
…
A small gray oilcloth carriage was carrying the Chang family back home. Outside the carriage was the old driver's shouting, and inside the carriage was a warm and friendly family conversation.
"Brother Nian, how is your writing?" Nanny Chang asked impatiently.
He always smiled easily and didn't seem nervous: "Same as usual."
"How can that be possible?" Nanny Chang was anxious. "You must write a good one to make it count!"
Changnian comforted his grandmother, saying, "Grandma, don't panic. I think Madam Gu really wants to help me."
Nanny Chang heaved a sigh of relief, somewhat relieved. Mrs. Chang Hu, who was sitting opposite, couldn't help but complain, "Madam, why did you tell everyone what happened in our room? Master Gu is so angry! Instead, you let Madam Gu laugh at us!"
Nanny Chang was furious and blurted out, "What do you know?! This matter can be concealed from us for the rest of our lives!"
Changnian saw that her mother was still unconvinced, so she advised, "Mom, Grandma is right. When I saw Grandma speaking just now, Madam didn't look like someone who didn't know."
"Nonsense! I think Madam Gela Shiguang is quite panicked!" Chang Hu said stubbornly.
Changnian shook his head and advised, "Madam is a little nervous, but I don't think she knows about this matter. It's because Grandma didn't tell her in detail that she was a little surprised."
"Nian Ge'er is still the one who sees things clearly!" Nanny Chang looked at her grandson proudly, then turned around and scolded her daughter-in-law, "You are such a coward! Don't think you can fool people just because you are young. I heard that Chengyuan has been treated like an iron fence by your wife these days! She will find out about our affairs sooner or later, and when the time comes, she will be in trouble. It is better for her to tell the truth herself!"
"Then...what about Yan Zi? Didn't you say before that you would let Yan Zi marry him?" Mrs. Chang Hu glanced at her daughter.
As soon as these words were spoken, Nanny Chang flew into a rage: "How can you be a mother like that? These kinds of matters are for adults to discuss between themselves. How dare you tell Yan Zi about this? This matter has already happened! Don't even mention it again in the future!"
Chang Hu was furious: "Why?! Mr. Gu's official position is getting higher and higher, and he has great wealth and honor right before his eyes. Why doesn't he let Yan Zi go?"
Matron Chang cursed: "Bullshit! You're a piece of shit, and you're starting to feel dizzy again! My son was studying hard back then, but you, seeing how wealthy other people were, got jealous and tricked Nian Ge'er's father into doing business, ruining his family! Now, after just two days of peace and quiet, you're already feeling dizzy again, aren't you?!"
When Chang Yan and Chang Nian, her brother and sister, saw their grandmother getting angry, they shut up. Chang Hu's face turned red from being scolded, and she stammered, "Mom, the children are still here." She meant to save her face.
Nanny Chang thought of her son and was filled with rage. She yelled at the top of her lungs, "You black sheep! You are such a jerk! I was so blind to ask you to be my daughter-in-law! You have plenty to eat and wear, but you just got sick and killed my son! If it weren't for Yan Zi and Nian Ge'er, I would have kicked you out long ago. You don't know your place! Do you think Ye Ge'er likes you? He knows what kind of person you are, so he doesn't bother to pay attention to you!"
When Nanny Chang gets angry, she never cares about anything, she just scolds people. Now that she is in a good mood, she scolds people with even more energy, and her finger almost hits Chang Hu's face: "I had that idea at the beginning because I saw that no one loved Ye Ge'er, so I thought of letting Yan Zi take care of him. Now that Ye Ge'er has found a good wife and is living a good life, why are you here to join in the fun! I have been unlucky all my life. They say that there are three kinds of suffering in life: losing your father in youth, losing your spouse in middle age, and losing your voice in old age. I didn't improve myself in my previous life, and all three have happened to me! Now I only hope that Yan Zi can marry a good man and that Nian Ge'er can be successful. If you make trouble again, I will kick you out of the house immediately! It's better for you to be dead!"
Chang Hu was spitted all over her face, but she didn't dare to talk back and could only lower her head and endure it.
Chang Yan saw her mother being scolded and didn't dare to raise her head. She couldn't help but say, "Grandma, Master Gu is close to you. If I choose him as my concubine, he will treat me well!"
Nanny Chang's eyes widened, she grabbed her granddaughter's ear and cursed, "You look just like your mother, and you're so careless. Let me ask you, in all these years, has Master Gu said ten things to you?"
Chang Yan covered her ears and cried out in pain, blushing and saying, "Master Gu treats me like a child and doesn't pay much attention to me."
"Bah!" Nanny Chang bared her teeth. "Look at how old the Madam is today. She's about the same age as you, right? Why doesn't Ye'er treat her like a child?! I tell you, give up on this as soon as possible. When you see the Madam today, take a mirror and look at yourself. Compare yourself to her manners, knowledge, and appearance. You two, one is a phoenix in the sky, the other is a leech in the field!"
Chang Yan's eyes turned red with grievance, and she pouted and said, "It's just talk! If you don't want to go, then don't go!"
Nanny Chang was still not satisfied and continued to scold, "Anyway, your father's mourning period is over. I'll tell you about it when I get home. Don't go out and embarrass yourself! You and your mother have already seen Chengyuan. There's no need to go there again! Tell me to stay home honestly, or I'll beat you all with a stick!"
"You think it's easy for women in wealthy families? Back then, Old Master Bai just couldn't figure it out, so he sent his eldest daughter to live in the Marquis's mansion. Only a few years later, she's gone!" Nanny Chang roared in agony, pulling her granddaughter's ears. "With your character, even if you enter such a wealthy family, not even a bone will be left!"
The Chang family mother and daughter were both scolded in silence. Nanny Chang sighed and said, "With my old face, your brother's future will finally be a good thing! If Nian Ge'er can succeed, then you, as his mother and sister, will also have a glorious future. Alas... It's not easy to pass the imperial examination. My father said at the beginning that ordinary people have no one to guide them. If they want to pass the imperial examination, they will have to spend decades more hard work."
"Sister, grandma is right. Forget it. I think the brother next door, Aqing, likes you very much. His family is pretty good too, with fields and shops. He won't let you suffer any loss." After losing his father for many years, he gradually became mature and whispered, "Besides, I think Mr. Gu likes Madam very much. He won't look at anyone else."
"Oh, you noticed it too?" Nanny Chang was interested. She had always trusted this sensible grandson since he was young.
Changnian nodded and smiled shyly: "When I handed the article to Madam, I saw Madam put the half-eaten fruit on the plate. Later, Master Gu picked it up and ate it."
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