Qin Heng, concerned about his reputation, scolded the old servant, "I'm talking to a friend right now, why are you in such a hurry? Have the servant send a message back saying that I'm having dinner with a friend outside and will be back later, so that Mother won't worry."
Gu Baozhu laughed and said, "You're not afraid of your mother, but I am. It's almost dinnertime, so we should say goodbye."
After saying that, he casually cupped his hands in greeting and said to Brother Hong, who was standing aside watching the commotion, "Brother Hong, I'm going back now. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow." The dark-skinned young man's face gleamed with a dark gleam, clearly pleased.
Qin Heng stamped his foot and exclaimed, "Hey, hey, you're leaving already?"
"Of course, otherwise why would I eat with you? I'd rather go home and stay with my mother and my sister-in-law than eat with you. Today's dishes in the main room are all my favorites."
Gu Baozhu strode away.
Qin Heng stood aside listlessly, and the old servant cautiously asked, "Young Master, are you going home now? Madam is urging you to go home."
"Alright, alright, I'll go back and have my meal too," Qin Heng waved his hand, then said goodbye to the dark-skinned young man, chatted and laughed with the others for a few moments, and then headed home with his old servant.
The moment his left foot stepped into the house, he heard his mother yell, "You little brat, you're finally back! I've been waiting for you for ages. Close the door right now and get the family discipline done to you!"
...
Gu Baozhu went straight to her own courtyard after returning to the mansion. After changing her clothes and getting ready, she went to the main house to pay her respects to the old lady Gu. When she arrived at the main house courtyard, she saw Gu Shiliu, who was missing an eyebrow, leaning lazily against the corridor pillar, staring blankly at the water lilies under the corridor. His clothes were wrinkled and dirty.
"I don't know what important things Third Brother and the others have been doing these past two days. Why did they rush back to look for Mother without even changing their clothes?"
Gu Baozhu thought to herself, then changed her mind and thought that this was the perfect time to launch a sneak attack. So she lightly stepped over the artificial hill, bypassed the covered walkway, and went straight for Gu Shiliu.
"This time I'm sure I'll be able to withstand one move from Gu Shiliu."
Gu Baozhu stretched out her hands, but before she could get close to Gu Shiliu, she was forced back a step by a cup lid that suddenly shot out from inside the window.
"Third Brother, why did you launch a sneak attack?"
Gu Baozhu shouted angrily.
Gu Shiliu then turned around and looked at her with a smile.
Gu Baozhu was stunned and asked in surprise, "Sixteen, what happened to you?"
Gu Shiliu remained silent.
Gu Jinghui said from inside, "Gu Baozhu, you've really gotten to the point where you can use sneak attacks now. Get in here right now."
Gu Baozhu dusted herself off, coughed lightly, and said, "Coming."
As she passed by Gu Shiliu, he handed her the cup lid. Gu Baozhu took it and said, "Brother Shiliu, shouldn't you go and rest? My third brother is really something, he works people to death and doesn't know how to care for them at all. If Hongye knew this, I don't know how heartbroken she would be."
Gu Shiliu just looked at her and smiled.
Gu Baozhu added, "If you follow me, I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury, and I won't let you lose a single hair."
Gu Jinghui's furious shout came from inside again, "What are you still babbling about outside?"
"Coming, coming," Gu Baozhu quickly replied, then whispered, "Look at my third brother's temper, it's really tough on you."
Gu Shiliu's eyes were practically overflowing with laughter.
Gu Baozhu, clutching the cup lid, chuckled as she crept along the wall into the room. As soon as she entered, she said, "Third Brother's might remains undiminished. I've missed you dearly these past few days."
In the past, she had never failed to succeed when she used this tactic.
But today, the atmosphere was very quiet.
The old lady Gu, sitting at the head of the table, did not smile and invite her over as usual. Instead, she stared at her, her beautiful eyes glistening with tears, her gaze filled with emotion. Gu Baozhu froze on the spot, unable to utter a single word of coquettishness or pleading.
Gu Jinghui, who looked much older, said with a dark face, "You're never staying in the manor, always running around. Who was it that promised to stay home and help your sixth brother take care of your nephews and nieces? Now you're nowhere to be seen. You don't even go to listen to Mr. Songshan's lectures."
Just as Gu Baozhu was about to defend herself, Gu Jinghui said again, "You're unruly and difficult to tame all day long. I think you'll only cause trouble if you stay in the capital. Why don't we send you to Baihe Academy to study? That way you can curb your spoiled and rascal-like nature and make some decent friends."
"White Crane Academy? Studying?"
Gu Baozhu pointed her index finger at her own nose, widened her eyes, and said, "Let me study at Baihe Academy?"
She's grown up living a carefree life, and now she's leaving her hometown to study. Anyone would find that a joke.
"Gu Baozhu, do you think I'm joking with you?"
Gu Jinghui's face darkened even more.
He hadn't shaved for only two days, and a large patch of dark stubble had already sprouted on his cheeks and around his lips, making his cold face look even more imposing.
Gu Baozhu was startled by his glare and looked at Old Madam Gu in a panic: "Mother, didn't you just say you were going to find me a husband? Why are you making me go to Baihe Academy to study now? My head hurts whenever I study, isn't this just torturing me?"
Madam Gu suppressed her heartache and said, "Your third brother has already discussed it with me. It would be good for him to temper his temper. Don't you envy your third sister-in-law? It's probably too late to hire a tutor for you now. Why don't you go to Baihe Academy to study for two years and change your temper?"
"...But, but..."
Gu Baozhu hesitated.
Going to Baihe Academy to study is not a bad idea. She has never left home to travel before. Being able to travel the world like a man, help those in need, and uphold justice would be a wonderful thing.
“…Mr. Songshan said that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. It’s several thousand miles from here to Baihe Academy, so wouldn’t I have a lot of knowledge to learn in the future?” Gu Baozhu said, then became worried again. “But I can’t stay at home for many more years. If I go to Baihe Academy to study, it will be even harder to be with my family. What should I do if I miss home?”
Gu Jinghui sneered, "Why don't you go out and study for a couple of years? I'm afraid no one will dare to marry you in the future. You'll have plenty of time to stay at home."
"Mother, you don't even mention Third Brother. He just looks down on me like that," Gu Baozhu quickly snuggled into Old Madam Gu's arms and acted coquettishly.
Madam Gu stroked her hair affectionately and said with a smile, "Silly girl, your third brother is just thinking about you. Your marriage hasn't been settled yet. After you've studied for two years and learned some manners, we'll arrange a good marriage for you. Don't you like scholars like Qin Juren? Staying at Baihe Academy for two years can make you a talented woman. Even if you can't be like your third sister-in-law, it'll still be acceptable. After all, not everyone can be both scholarly and martial."
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