Chapter 32 Let’s Separate After the Busy Farm Season
The night was deep and everything was silent. But in each room of the Gu family, different night talks were going on.
In Uncle Gu's house, Aunt Gu seemed particularly abnormal today.
Normally, he would snore loudly as soon as he touched the pillow, but now he was tossing and turning in bed. He looked at his uncle with a flickering look, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Uncle Gu had been working all day, his body aching and he was so exhausted that he just wanted to lie down and sleep. But his aunt's eager gaze beside him made it impossible for him to sleep. "What's wrong with you?"
The eldest aunt lowered her head slightly, twisting the corners of her clothes unconsciously with her hands. After a long moment of hesitation, she said, "Master, how about we have another baby?"
Upon hearing this, Uncle Gu felt his legs go limp, as if all his strength had been drained away.
His eyes widened, and he said in disbelief, "Don't talk nonsense! Our Yushan is already married and has a family. Why are we still having children at our age? Don't let others laugh at us and say we are disrespectful to our elders!"
The eldest aunt curled her lips and muttered softly, "I've been thinking about this. Now that we have a literate girl named Jiayue at home, I'm thinking of setting up a school to teach the children. If we have another son, Jiayue can teach him as well. Maybe he can pass the imperial examination in the future and bring honor to the family."
Uncle Gu was speechless for a moment. He knew that this was the reason for her thinking. But he was already at this age and really couldn't have children anymore. Then he said, "Didn't Dad already refuse? Do you still think Jiayue's school can be run?"
The eldest aunt gently tugged at the corner of the eldest uncle's clothes and whispered in a low voice, "I think it can be done. Jiayue is not an ordinary girl. She was raised in the Marquis's Mansion. She can show off her skills, which are things that ordinary people like us can only dream of and can hardly achieve. Besides, she has so much money in her hands, why should she keep it? She might as well spend it."
In my aunt's mind, although running a school is a good thing, spending money on it is like squandering it.
Uncle Gu sighed helplessly and tried to change the subject: "Well, instead of making things difficult for me, you might as well hope that your daughter-in-law can give you a big fat grandson soon."
My good son, I would rather see my friend die than let me die.
The aunt was furious when she heard this. This damn man, if it weren't for him taking care of the family, would I be willing to give birth to a child at this age?
Just wait and see, when Gu Yuhe from the third room becomes famous, this old man will regret it.
But then I thought, my husband is nearly thirty, and his physical strength and energy are indeed not as good as before. And my eldest son is only nineteen this year, right at the right age to have children, right?
She pushed her uncle off the bed and slept on the bed herself, thinking that she would find a time tomorrow to ask her daughter-in-law if there was any movement in her belly.
The uncle could only shamelessly rub against the edge of the bed and slowly lie down.
In the second room next door, the candle was still burning.
The second aunt, who was usually taciturn, was sitting by the bed at this moment, taking out all the private money in the room with a focused look and counting them carefully one by one.
Seeing this, the second uncle asked with a puzzled look on his face, "What are you doing?"
Without even looking up, Second Auntie concentrated on the silver in her hand and said, "Jiayue wants to start a school. I was thinking about whether I could give her some money to support her."
Upon hearing this, the second uncle couldn't help but laugh. He reached out and picked up a few copper coins from the box and said, "You are really confused. Jiayue is not short of money. Besides, what good can these copper coins of yours be? They can't even buy a beam for the house."
Second Aunt stopped counting the money, a trace of disappointment appeared on her face, and she sighed and said, "Hey, I just wanted to lend a hand when she was in trouble. If Yuhe becomes successful in the future, he can also take care of his two sisters."
How could Second Auntie not know that Gu Jiayue was not short of money?
But she was really worried.
She only had two daughters, no sons. What would happen if her daughters were bullied in the future without their brothers to support them? Now that she saw that Yuhe, the third son, might have a chance to make a name for himself, how could she not try to please him?
All she did was not for herself, but for the future of her two daughters.
Seeing his wife like this, the second uncle felt pity for her. He closed the money box, patted his wife on the shoulder, and said, "Don't let your imagination run wild. We're all family. If Bai Lu and Xi Que are bullied in the future, Yu Shan and Yu He will definitely not sit idly by."
After a pause, the second uncle continued, "But what you said makes sense. These past few days, I've seen my third brother helping Jiayue make bamboo slips for reading. If I have time in the future, I'll go and lend a hand, too. It will be considered as our contribution."
Second Aunt sighed heavily as she held the money box. "Master, a few days ago my mother sent a message saying that my aunt's village has a woman who has a very powerful secret recipe that can guarantee the birth of a son."
Over the years, the couple had spent countless energy and money seeking medical treatment and medicine to have a son. The second uncle wanted to give up, thinking that maybe they were not destined to have a son. But seeing the expectation in his wife's eyes, he could only nod. "Okay, I'll go with you when I'm free."
In the third room, dim candlelight softly filled the house.
Gu Jiayue's parents are usually not good at speaking, and at this moment they are pushing each other.
Finally, it was Li Juhua who broke the silence. She sat down next to Gu Jiayue and said softly, "Jiayue, don't take your grandfather's words to heart. He only wants your own good."
Father Gu nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes, yes. We are all peasants who make a living from the earth. We don't understand many profound principles. But we, your parents, sincerely hope that you can live in peace and safety. If you really want to run a school, then go for it. We, your parents, will definitely support you!"
After that, Father Gu asked with a hint of anticipation, "Are you using the flashcards I made for you today? I'm sure they'll be of great use to you in your future teaching. How about I make some more tomorrow?"
"And that sand table. It won't be enough when there are so many students. I'll make a few more for you when I have time."
Li Juhua also hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, yes, mother will help. If you need anything else, just tell me, I will work hard to find a solution for you."
"Second sister, there's still me!" Gu Yuhe said with a determined look, "I will definitely study hard with you and make a name for myself in the future!"
Gu Zhigeng blushed slightly. Although she was a little embarrassed, seeing the whole family expressing their determination, she also mustered up the courage to say, "Second sister, I, I will also study hard."
Gu Jiayue looked at the scene in front of her, a warm feeling welled up in her heart and her eyes became slightly moist.
She was not a little girl who knew nothing. Although some of her grandfather's words were conservative, they were also out of his love and concern for her. After all, the traditional concepts of this world are deeply rooted and have many limitations.
But his starting point was good. He was just afraid that she would work hard but get no thanks, and in the end she would waste money and lose her reputation.
Look at the new parents in front of me. The father is disabled and the mother is frail and sickly, but they give me just as much love as ever.
This simple and deep family affection, like the warm sunshine in winter, gives her endless warmth and strength.
This is enough. This love is like a solid backing, supporting her to move forward bravely in this strange world, without fear of any difficulties or obstacles.
Because of the troubled thoughts last night, everyone got up a little later than usual in the morning.
Gu Jiayue walked out of the house and saw her grandfather repairing farm tools under the eaves.
She walked forward and called softly, "Grandpa."
She also reflected on it last night and felt that her actions were indeed inappropriate.
She was so eager that she didn't consider how shocking it would be for Grandpa to start a school. Perhaps she should just start it first, and once it was established, Grandpa would have no choice but to agree and support it.
Thinking of this, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but rise slightly.
Grandpa stopped what he was doing and his eyes fell on this unique granddaughter.
He sighed heavily. "Go ahead and do whatever you want. Although I can't do much for you, most people in this village will still give me, Gu Xuanhai, some respect. If anyone dares to say anything about you in the future, just tell me, and I'll come to your house to confront them!"
The old woman's words made sense. Jiayue had grown up in Kyoto, so her perspective was naturally different from those of the rural folk. It was the Gu family that had bound her, and to impose so many restrictions on her would be inhumane.
Running a school is not a crime; rather, it is a good deed that benefits the present and future generations. If successful, it will bring honor to the family.
"Also, after the busy farming season is over, let's divide the family."
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