After returning from Xiying, Grandpa Gu wrote a letter to the Empress Dowager.
He inquired about the Empress Dowager's health, expressed that his family was doing well, and finally mentioned the Peng family's marriage proposal and Gu Hui's attitude.
In his opinion, the two children are likely to get married.
They're both getting on in years; Peng Ze is twenty-one and Gu Hui will be nineteen soon. Now that the wedding date is set, it will definitely be held in Kuncheng.
...
After Cai Xiaolian finished her postpartum confinement, she talked to the Yang father and daughter about the furniture factory.
They had left two of Grandpa Yang's apprentices at their previous furniture factory. This time, Grandpa Yang brought another group of carpenters with him.
Since everything can be bought and sold in the trading area, Cai Xiaolian's plan is to open a furniture shop there, just like the one she had in Zhoujia Town.
After spending two days discussing the specific procedures, on August 18th, Cai Xiaolian took Gu Xin, Gu Si, and Uncle Yang's Master Yang out of the city.
As for Gu Xiaoqi and Gu Xiaoba, well, their mothers are both destined to be strong women, so they have to accompany them, being held by their wet nurses.
Grandma Gu was worried, so she came along too.
Grandma Xiao has been gathering herbs in that area and hasn't returned yet.
The group, in two carriages, headed north into the mountains after leaving the city.
Grandpa Yang and Uncle Gu were choosing timber, while Cai Xiaolian and Mrs. Yang were choosing the location for the furniture factory.
Gu Xin and Gu Si, unable to stay still, called Bai Erbaisi and the others to go into the woods together.
Bai Er was on the verge of death last time, but was saved by Gu Xin's jade bead. He recovered completely after a month of rest, which amazed everyone. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, he started following Gu Xin again.
"Xinxin, Sisi, don't go too far, it's deep in the woods!" Uncle Gu called out as he saw the two girls walking further and further away.
"It's alright, Fourth Uncle. There's a salt lake and people from the imperial court in there, so there's nothing to fear." Gu Xin turned her head and replied loudly, then pulled Gu Si along as they continued walking.
The two women, dressed in neat men's clothing and carrying bows made by Gu Shouxin, were learning to hunt!
Bai Er and the others stood by and gave instructions.
Even after Uncle Gu and Master Yang had finished their tour, the two of them were still reluctant to leave.
However, both of them were obedient children, and they returned home laden with several wild rabbits and pheasants.
That evening, the prey that Gu Xin and Gu Si hunted became food on the dinner table.
Gu En looked on with envy and pleaded pitifully, "Second Uncle, can you give me a day off too? I want to go hunting with Third Sister and Sisi too."
Gu Shouxin glanced at him: "Don't you spend all your free time carrying out your money-making plans with Renren?"
Gu En: "..."
Gu Ren said, "Second Uncle, you should put what you've learned to practical use. Fourth Brother has learned kung fu; you need to let him go out and practice!"
Grandpa Gu also said, "Second son, let Enzi go out to play for a day every ten days! It's not right for a boy to be locked up at home all day. Besides, he'll be going back to Qingzhou next year to take the exam, and once the exam starts, he won't have much free time."
Gu Xin slapped her forehead: "Oh right, Enzi is taking the exam next year! Enzi, I remember you said you wanted to surpass Huo Shentong and become the third-ranked scholar or the top scholar at fifteen!"
Gu En: "..."
That was just a moment of excitement!
Madam Zhang laughed: "Enzi, study hard and don't think about playing! You should study more these next two years, what if you really pass the exam? You'll be the youngest top scholar in our Great Zhou!"
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