Duke Rong still wanted to struggle, but Fu Qiyuan's last words completely slammed him into the mire.
"And then there's Prince Rong. He was very well-behaved when he went back this time, wasn't he? He was quite ambitious, wasn't he? You've been teaching him for over ten years, but it's not as good as Shan'er's few months of teaching him by example."
Duke Rong put down his chopsticks, glared angrily at Fu Qiyuan, and couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.
That's infuriating!
But who can blame them when their own son is not as good as someone else's son?
Finally, Duke Rong took a big step back, and Fu Qiyuan took a small step back, reaching an agreement: the Grand Princess would send two people from her residence to serve Jiang Huai and teach him some etiquette and manners.
Everyone was happy!
After seeing off Duke Rong and the palace officials, the matter of Grand Tutor Cheng returning to the capital was put on the agenda.
The family sat together, supposedly to discuss something, but they chatted for an hour without getting to the point.
With Grand Tutor Cheng leaving, Jiao's mother and Sanlang will definitely go back with him. They will be separated by distance, and neither of them will be willing to part.
Nobody wanted to bring up that topic.
The little ones in the bamboo hut had been crying together for several nights, and now they've all come too, huddled together silently, looking as pitiful as abandoned puppies.
Only Jiang Huai was oblivious to the pain of parting, making a fuss with this person, hugging that person, running around the whole house, never stopping for a moment.
Jiang Shan glanced at the sour faces and smiled, "Actually, I'm not that reluctant to part with you. Mother and Grandfather have been wandering around for half their lives, and they're finally coming home. This is a good thing. I'm even less worried about Sanlang being with Mother and Grandfather. It's so much better than when Sanlang was studying alone in Yuzhou!"
"As for the second, third, fourth, fifth, and seventh children, they can all come back to the capital together. Those who want to study with their maternal grandfather should study hard, those who want to do business should go find your second brother An, and those who want to go out and broaden their horizons should go out with your brother Yong. No matter what, they are all my brothers, and as long as they do not let themselves down, I will be happy!"
Jiang Shan's words instantly turned the children's worries into joy. Xiao Qi ran over and hugged San Lang without hesitation, overjoyed.
Sanlang was also very happy. The group all looked at Grand Tutor Cheng with anticipation in their eyes.
Since Jiang Shan had said so, Grand Tutor Cheng naturally had no objections and immediately stroked his beard and nodded in agreement.
The little ones jumped up and down happily.
Jiang Huai also jumped around energetically.
The sorrow of parting was immediately lessened.
In fact, everyone knows that what Grand Tutor Cheng and Jiao's mother truly couldn't bear to part with was Jianghuai.
The capital is too far from Chongqing. I don’t know when we’ll see each other again. It will probably be at least a year and a half.
Jiao's mother had just gotten to know her beloved grandson well, and now she had to leave again. Her heart ached as if a piece of her flesh had been ripped out.
I really want to take my grandson with me...
Jiang Shan knew what Jiao's mother was thinking, and chuckled, "Mother, once we get to the capital, don't worry about Jianghuai for now. Get your life in order first. The capital is not like Yuzhou; it's your base of operations, so you need to manage it well! Visit relatives and friends, smooth things over, and most importantly, you have a tough battle to fight in the capital!"
With a heavy heart, Jiao's mother said, "You don't need to tell me! I just can't bear to part with Huai'er. I don't know when I'll see him again!"
Jiang Huai then chimed in, as if by some coincidence: "Grandmother, Huai'er will pick some flowers for you to wear tomorrow!"
The few peonies that had just sprouted in the backyard all fell victim to his cruelty!
Not a single flower was left, and it was all given to Jiao's mother.
How could anyone not like a grandson like that!
Jiao's mother felt like crying again.
Jiang Shan had no other choice but to come and appease them.
"I will definitely go to the capital in six months at most! You'll have to go to the capital first to help me make some connections, right? Once the branch opens in the capital, I'll go there! You know, in the capital, you can easily throw a brick and hit officials and their families. I'm counting on you and my grandfather to back me up!"
Madam Jiao sniffed, straightened her back, and nodded solemnly, saying, "You don't need to worry about that. I've thought it all through. When I return to the capital, I will visit Grand Princess Liyang, as well as my close friends who are married in the capital. They...!"
Blah blah blah...!
Jiang Shan listened to the story as if it were a tale, occasionally joining in the fun.
At least it dispelled the gloom in Jiao's mother's heart.
They also set a date for leaving Beijing.
The days before leaving Beijing were busy and lively. Everyone said goodbye to their friends, some gathered, some gave farewells, some packed their bags, and some bought gifts.
When Grand Tutor Cheng returned to the capital this time, he was accompanied by a retinue brought from the palace by Duke Rong, complete with carriages, horses, and servants. Gifts to bring back to the capital were also essential. After Madam Jiao prepared the list, Jiang Shan took charge of preparing everything. She was busier than anyone else.
When Fu Qiyuan came to help her check the gift list, he asked resentfully, "Shan'er, I'm leaving soon, and you don't even have time to spend with me! We haven't even had a date yet!"
According to the customs of Shan'er's world, lovers should go on dates frequently, the kind where they are very affectionate.
Ever since Jiang Shan mentioned the concept of "soul transmigration" to Fu Qiyuan, Fu Qiyuan has liked to ask Jiang Shan about his past whenever he has free time. He asks a hundred thousand questions a day, which annoys Jiang Shan to no end.
Can she possibly recount all five thousand years of glorious Chinese history?
The two no longer hide their relationship; they walk arm in arm and hold hands, openly displaying their romance in public and private. Fu Qiyuan's clinginess has become increasingly refined.
Jiang Shan was busy with his hands, eyes, and mind, and gave Fu Qiyuan a perfunctory reply, saying, "If love between two people lasts forever, why should they be together every day and night?"
Fu Qiyuan's eyes lit up. What an evocative poem!
He hugged Jiangshan from behind, nuzzled his head against her neck, kissed and pecked her, and mumbled, "I didn't want to be separated from you so soon, but I want to go to the capital as soon as possible to prepare for our wedding. I want to personally prepare a betrothal gift for you!"
Jiang Shan felt a surge of joy in his heart, but he persisted, saying, "Your meager salary isn't enough. Since you're a member of the Jiao family anyway, why don't you just become my live-in son-in-law? That way, I won't have to worry about someone else snatching you away when we get back to the capital!"
Fu Qiyuan chuckled and gave Jiang Shan a big kiss on the cheek. "Don't worry, Shan'er, I'm covered in your mark, no one can steal my thunder! It's just that the situation in the capital is complicated. The rules and etiquette of this world are paramount, and I can't let you two suffer the slightest grievance!"
Jiang Shan knew perfectly well that with Fu Qiyuan's background, looks, and talent, there were plenty of noble ladies flocking to her. Her background was a joke in front of those noble ladies, not even worth mentioning! Even with Grand Tutor Cheng as her maternal grandfather backing her up, her bargaining chips weren't big enough, and she would inevitably be ridiculed and mocked.
She could be indifferent, but she couldn't let Jiang Huai be ridiculed!
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