Zheng Huaiyu nodded heavily, his eyes shining with determination: "I understand. I will definitely pass this test. Please wait for good news, Mother!"
"I'll give it my all right now!"
Zheng Huaiyu was a woman with a clear goal; once she had set her mind on something, she wouldn't waste a single second. She immediately got up and hurriedly left with her personal maid.
After she disappeared into the distance, Zheng Fenghui couldn't help but speak, with a hint of joking: "Didn't you just get her all confused?"
Gu Qinlan glanced at him, a hint of amusement in her eyes: "Do you think I'm misleading her?"
Zheng Fenghui smiled mischievously: "Isn't that right? You let her focus on learning the rules, so she won't have time to cause trouble for the next two months. Then let her learn how to manage a household, and you'll have more time to handle your own affairs."
Gu Qinlan glanced at him disdainfully, her tone tinged with dissatisfaction: "In your heart, am I that kind of person?"
Zheng Fenghui answered without hesitation, "Yes."
Gu Qinlan reached out and lightly tapped him on the head, her tone stern: "What about your own affairs? When do you plan to start dealing with them?"
Zheng Fenghui rubbed his head and said in a slightly coquettish tone, "Why are you in such a hurry? I haven't had enough fun yet!"
Seeing the anger flash in Gu Qinlan's eyes, he quickly changed his mind: "Okay, I'll take care of it tomorrow, alright?"
Gu Qinlan said without room for argument, "Three days. If you still can't find a school within three days, our previous agreement will be null and void."
Zheng Fenghui became anxious: "Aren't you being a bit too harsh? Can you give me two more days?"
Gu Qinlan turned and left, her tone resolute: "Three days, no room for negotiation."
Zheng Fenghui let out a series of mournful cries, which made Gu Qinlan burst into laughter.
That afternoon, Zheng Fenghui, accompanied by his entourage and carrying some gifts for the apprenticeship ceremony, hurriedly stepped out the door.
Gu Qinlan was curious about what he would do next, so she sent Hongye to secretly follow him.
It wasn't until nightfall that Zheng Fenghui returned, looking dejected and exhausted.
His dejected expression clearly indicated that he had encountered a setback.
Hongye couldn't help but chuckle as she reported, "The young master first visited his first mentor, but he couldn't even cross the threshold. The teacher even sent people to set dogs to chase him away, and the young master even lost one of his shoes."
"The second teacher was slightly better off, but that teacher actually begged the eldest son to be lenient and let him go."
"As for the third mentor, he did not explicitly refuse, but the students in the school protested strongly, claiming that if the mentor accepted the eldest son, they would drop out of school and transfer to other schools."
Gu Qinlan laughed out loud after hearing this: "Serves you right!"
After laughing for a while, Fuyu asked, "Will the eldest young master really be unable to find a school?"
Gu Qinlan replied with a smile, "It's hard to predict. In any case, let him experience the setback himself first, otherwise he will never truly understand the hardship of asking for favors."
The next morning, after having breakfast, Zheng Fenghui went out again to continue his studies.
Gu Qinlan still sent Hongye to follow.
This trip took a whole day.
When Zheng Fenghui returned at night, he looked disheveled, his hair was messy, and his clothes were wrinkled, as if he had just gone through a fierce battle.
Hongye looked on with a pang of sympathy: "Today, the eldest young master only went to the first teacher's place. He just squatted at the school gate the whole time, not even letting any attendants follow him. That teacher repeatedly released his dogs to chase him away, but each time he was scared away, he went back to squat there again."
After listening, Gu Qinlan raised her eyebrows slightly and commented, "Hmm, you've got some skills; you're starting to use your brain."
Hongye looked puzzled: "Use your brain?"
Gu Qinlan chuckled lightly: "He's setting up a strategy, using a self-inflicted injury ruse."
Hongye was stunned for a moment, and asked in surprise, "The eldest young master is so wise?"
"Sizzle..."
Fuyu couldn't help but chuckle, then quickly covered her mouth with her hand to stifle her laughter.
Gu Qinlan couldn't help but laugh out loud: "If he heard that, he would hate you for sure."
Hongye smiled awkwardly.
Gu Qinlan slowly said, "He is just a little reckless and young, and the people in the manor spoil him too much, so he seems to lack cunning. However, he is not stupid."
It could even be said that he possesses both courage and wisdom.
Otherwise, in his previous life, he would not have risen to the rank of general at such a young age. Unfortunately, fate is cruel to the talented, and he died on the battlefield in his early twenties.
"Just yesterday, he visited three well-known schools and indicated that these three were his top choices. Then, he carefully selected the one that satisfied him the most from these three."
Hongye asked in bewilderment, "But the teacher at that school was very cold to him, and even sent dogs to bite him. Wouldn't it be easier for him to go to the other two schools? Why does the young master insist on making things so difficult for himself?"
Gu Qinlan smiled and shook her head: "Perhaps it was precisely because he felt that the teacher had a unique personality and that his temperament was compatible with his own that he chose this school?"
The next day, Zheng Fenghui went out early again.
This time, without waiting for Gu Qinlan's instructions, Hongye took the initiative to follow him.
Gu Qinlan did not inquire about Zheng Fenghui's affairs. Instead, she called Liang Shi and left the mansion with Fuyu and Xiaoman.
Today is the day Jiang Wenyuan sets off for Lingnan.
Recently, Jiang Wenyuan has been extremely busy, traveling around looking for helpers and purchasing carriages and horses.
Gu Qinlan had discussed it with him and believed that instead of cooperating with other caravans, it would be better to form their own caravan. Jiang Wenyuan himself had rich experience in caravan operations, and Gu Qinlan was not short of funds, so forming a caravan was the most suitable choice for them.
Therefore, Jiang Wenyuan has been so busy lately that he hasn't had a moment to rest, but he has finally prepared all the necessary manpower and transportation.
During this process, Jiang Wenyuan's friends also provided a great deal of help.
This friend was none other than Liu, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) of the Longmen镖局 (escort agency). Jiang Wenyuan had also invited him to join the caravan as a guard on this trip to Lingnan.
Upon seeing Chief Escort Liu, Gu Qinlan immediately smiled and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Uncle Liu."
Liu, the镖头 (bodyguard), hurriedly stepped aside, saying in a flustered manner, "How can this be? You are the wife of the Crown Prince, and I am just a commoner. How can I accept such a generous gift from you?"
Gu Qinlan said with a smile, "You and my uncle have always been on good terms, so you are my elder. After all, you and my uncle became acquainted before I married into the Duan Prince's Mansion, so Uncle Liu is certainly qualified to be my junior."
Furthermore, the future of their own caravan still depends on the care and support of Chief Escort Liu.
Jiang Wenyuan said with a smile, "Old Liu, Qin Lan is absolutely right. You truly deserve this courtesy."
Head镖 Liu laughed loudly: "There's no need to be so formal, but I'll shamelessly accept this niece as my own."
Gu Qinlan also said gently, "I hope Uncle Liu will take good care of me in the future."
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