With Chen Jinheng's assurance, Gu Cixiu felt relieved about Gu Qianluo's marriage. He turned to the Second Prince, and said nervously...
"Second Prince, has Xue'er caused any trouble in the manor?"
The second prince had been cared for by a wet nurse in the mansion since childhood, so Gu Cixiu could not inquire whether the current emperor and empress liked this daughter-in-law.
Upon hearing this, the Second Prince raised an eyebrow slightly and said in a gentle voice, "Xue'er is graceful and poised, and all the old servants in the manor like her very much."
"That's good! Xue'er has been pampered since childhood, so I hope the Second Prince will be more understanding."
The second prince nodded slightly and smiled.
Suddenly, a commotion arose outside the main gate. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw seven or eight teenagers of all ages crowding around the porch, peering inside.
Seeing this, Gu Cixiu smiled sheepishly and quickly explained, "They're just a bunch of mischievous boys, son-in-law, don't be so formal! Hehe!"
The old lady narrowed her eyes slightly and glanced at Gu Cixiu beside her. "What kind of behavior is this, making such a racket? Let them all come in and see them."
With the old lady's permission, Gu Cixiu was overjoyed.
He was just thinking about how to start the conversation!
After all, he had boasted to his uncles that he would help his nephews arrange schools in the capital.
It is said that the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion and the Second Prince often had tutors come to teach them. Now that both of them are present, he should hurry up and find out!
"Fang Qi, bring them all in and let them pay their respects to the elders."
Steward Fang bowed slightly and retreated with small steps, saying, "This old servant will go now."
A moment later, six boys and four little girls walked into the main hall of the courtyard one after another, knelt on the ground and bowed to their elders in unison.
After exchanging greetings, the children swarmed around the old lady, some talking to her, some massaging her back, and some serving her tea and snacks, creating quite a lively scene.
Chen Jinheng watched as a group of children surrounded the old lady, clicking his tongue in admiration.
"The old lady has many children and grandchildren; she is truly blessed!"
The old lady's eyes sparkled with joy. She gently waved her jade fan, pointed at the child in front of her, and smiled softly.
"They're all here to collect debts, and they're all incredibly mischievous, refusing to go to school."
Children, this is your eldest sister's husband, and this is your second sister's husband.
My eldest brother-in-law is a brave and skilled general, and my second brother-in-law is well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics.
You should learn more from them in the future.
After the old lady finished speaking, the second prince smiled faintly and replied humbly,
"You flatter me, madam! I'm just naturally slow-witted, nothing more than a bookworm!"
"Oh! Zhiyan is too modest! These naughty children are old enough to take the imperial examinations."
Instead, they prefer these useless little gadgets, spending their days doing nothing and never learning anything. How will they ever amount to anything in the future?
Gu Cixiu picked up the toy from the child's hand and started rambling on, covering his forehead with one hand, looking sullen.
Your eldest uncle and third uncle have been worried about the children's schooling lately.
My eldest and second uncles immediately echoed this.
"Yes! We need to stay in the capital for half a year to manage our business."
But the children's studies can't be interrupted! They have to take the imperial examinations next year. I wonder if my husband's parents could recommend a few academies?
After hearing the elders' words, Chen Jinheng and the Second Prince understood Gu's father's thoughts.
The second prince spoke first, offering a helpful suggestion: "My younger brothers and sisters are eager to learn, and I have a good place to recommend."
"Oh? Second son-in-law has a good academy to recommend."
"That's right, the closest place to my residence is Xianzhi Academy."
Master Liu there was once the Crown Prince's teacher, but he resigned from his position as Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince due to health reasons.
He currently teaches at Xianzhi Academy, but Master Liu is very strict with his students; those who are studious but also playful are turned away.
After the Second Prince finished speaking, Gu Cixiu exchanged a glance with his eldest and third uncles, and said earnestly...
"Brother, how about we let the three older children, Zikang, Zilin, and Ziyan, try out the academy first, while the rest of the children stay at home and are taught by a teacher? What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, the Second Prince solemnly reminded him, "I think my father-in-law's suggestion is feasible. If my eldest uncle and third uncle agree, you can give me the information on the three children's studies today, and I will go to Xianzhi Academy to talk to Teacher Liu about it."
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Second Son-in-law!" With the Second Prince's help, the eldest uncle's eyes shone with joy.
The third uncle stepped forward warmly and grasped the second prince's hands, "Thanks to the second son-in-law, this has been a great help to us!"
The second prince slightly withdrew his hands, gave an awkward smile, and said, "It's my honor to be able to help."
Once the issues concerning the three older children are resolved, it will be time to consider the educational needs of the younger children.
Before Gu Cixiu could speak, Chen Jinheng, having pondered for a moment, said...
“Father-in-law, the Marquis of Zhongyong’s mansion has had the habit of hiring private tutors for the past ten years.”
However, the school was located in the suburbs, which was quite far from the capital.
If my father-in-law thinks it's feasible, you can come with me to take a look tomorrow.
Just as Gu Cixiu was about to agree, the old lady spoke first and refused.
"Thank you for your kindness, son-in-law, but the outskirts are too far, and the children are too naughty, so we won't trouble the private tutor."
Chen Jinheng frowned, then quickly suggested again,
"What the old lady said is absolutely right. My younger brother and sister are still too young to travel far."
I do have a few tutors in my household who know a little about literature. We can borrow them to come to the Gu residence while we have some free time recently.”
Upon hearing this, the old lady's brow twitched, and she smiled broadly, saying...
"If you gentlemen are free, then please trouble your son-in-law to invite you all over. The treatment will be very generous."
"You're too kind, Madam!"
With the children's schooling issue resolved, the elders of the Gu family chatted with the two new sons-in-law about other matters.
Inside the Gu family mansion, a rare moment of leisure was spent as the women gathered together to do needlework.
Actually, doing needlework is just a pretext; the real purpose is to gather together and show off.
When it comes to showing off, Madam Lu is the best at it. Aunt Fang and Aunt Mai sit comfortably on her left and right, like her two guardian deities.
Gu Qianluo didn't like to show off. She sat quietly on a small couch not far from them, concentrating on her needlework and carefully outlining the colorful patterns in her hands.
Xiao Cui stayed beside her, secretly learning Gu Qianluo's exquisite needlework skills.
Gu Qianluo doesn't like to gossip, but there are plenty of people in the inner quarters who do.
"Mistress, you're really going to have a wonderful life from now on! Xue'er has found such a good match!"
"What's so good about it? Our Xue'er is now living like a maid, serving the young master."
"Aren't there maids who share the same room? Why does Xue-jie have to worry about this?"
"Oh dear, it's all because our son-in-law is so loyal to Xue-jie and doesn't want that maidservant to get close, for fear of upsetting Xue-jie."
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianlu raised an eyebrow and thought to herself, "..."
"The Second Prince is loyal? Ha! He's just putting on an act for you all!"
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