Chapter 92: The Responsibility of Upbringing (2)
The young lady's initial assertion of authority in managing the household was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, the ripples slowly spreading to every corner of the Duke's mansion. The servants discovered that this young lady was not merely putting on an act; she was fair in rewarding and punishing, meticulous in her work, and had the Duke's unwavering support behind her. In an instant, the atmosphere in the mansion became more disciplined, and efficiency improved considerably.
With external affairs settled, Su Wanrou focused more on internal matters, especially on raising Gu Mingxuan. This was not only a mother's responsibility, but also Gu Yangui's deepest entrustment to her before leaving home.
That afternoon, after checking Mingxuan's homework, Su Wanrou noticed that although his calligraphy was neat, it lacked a certain spirit, as if he were just completing a task. She didn't point it out immediately, but instead closed the calligraphy book and gently asked, "Mingxuan, what books has your teacher been lecturing on lately?"
Mingxuan answered respectfully, "Mother, the teacher is lecturing on the 'Learning' chapter of the Analects."
"How did you explain the saying, 'To learn and practice what you have learned is a pleasure,'?" Su Wanrou pulled him to sit down beside her and handed him a warm milk cake.
Mingxuan took the pastry, took a small bite, and tried hard to recall his teacher's words: "My teacher said that it is a very happy thing to review what you have learned on time."
"Does Mingxuan find reviewing his lessons enjoyable?" Su Wanrou asked with a smile, looking at his slightly furrowed brows.
Mingxuan hesitated for a moment, lowered his head, and whispered, "Yes... a little bit. But Mother, why do we have to keep learning these things? We have to write so many words, my hand is sore." He was still a child, and in front of his close mother, he couldn't help but reveal his true thoughts.
Su Wanrou understood. Gu Yangui had high expectations for Mingxuan, and the tutor he hired was also a strict teacher. The curriculum was tight and the requirements were high. Mingxuan was naturally intelligent, but after all, he was still young, and the long hours of monotonous study inevitably led to fatigue.
Instead of lecturing her, she carried Mingxuan to the soft couch by the window, pointed to an ancient tree in the courtyard outside the window that had lost all its leaves but still had strong branches, and asked, "Mingxuan, look at that tree. It's all bare now, isn't it beautiful?"
Mingxuan shook his head: "It's not pretty. It looks best in the summer when the leaves are green."
“Yes,” Su Wanrou said softly, “but it is precisely because this tree, when you can’t see it, has its roots working hard to penetrate the soil and absorb water and nutrients that it can grow lush leaves this summer to provide us with shade. Reading and writing are like the roots of this tree penetrating downwards. The process may be arduous, and you may not see the immediate benefits, but it will make you grow taller and stronger in the future, and allow you to see a wider world.”
She paused, looking at Mingxuan's seemingly understanding but not quite, and changed her approach: "Your father is highly skilled in martial arts, able to fight on the battlefield and protect many people, right?"
When his father was mentioned, Mingxuan's eyes lit up and he nodded vigorously.
"But do you know that Father wasn't born knowing these things? When he was a child, he had to practice horse stance and martial arts over and over again, sweating and even getting injured. Wasn't that hard work? But without that hard work, how could he be the majestic Duke Zhenguo who protects the country today?"
This analogy clearly aligns better with Mingxuan's understanding. He thought for a moment, a thoughtful expression appearing on his little face: "So, reading and writing are like Father practicing horse stance?"
"Smart!" Su Wanrou patted his head approvingly. "Reading helps you understand principles, and practicing calligraphy calms your mind. These are the foundations. With a solid foundation, whether you want to follow in your father's footsteps and pursue a martial career or like those civil officials, you will achieve something. I don't expect you to become a great scholar immediately, but I hope you can understand why you are learning and find joy in it. For example, isn't it a happy thing to learn a new character or understand an interesting story?"
Mingxuan's brows gradually relaxed, as if he had been persuaded.
Su Wanrou added, "Of course, a balance between work and rest is also important. Starting tomorrow, after you finish your homework each day, if the weather is nice, I will accompany you to the garden to play shuttlecock for a while, or teach you to identify flowers and plants. If it rains or snows, we will play chess or draw indoors, okay?"
"Really? That's wonderful! Thank you, Mother!" Mingxuan clapped his hands happily, the gloom on his face vanishing.
Since that day, Su Wanrou adjusted Mingxuan's study rhythm. She no longer just checked the results, but focused more on the process. She would take time to listen to Mingxuan talk about the contents of the books, guiding him to think, rather than rote memorization. She asked Qingdai to find some illustrated travelogues and supernatural tales (selected, of course) as a supplement to his studies. The daily outdoor activity time also became Mingxuan's most anticipated part.
On this day, Su Wanrou was teaching Mingxuan to identify several winter-hardy plants when she suddenly saw Gu Zhong leading over a refined-looking old man in his fifties.
“Madam, this is the manager of ‘Songzhuzhai’ in the east of the city, surnamed Liu. He said he was entrusted by an old friend of the Duke to bring several newly arrived Duan inkstones for you and the young master to appreciate and appraise,” Gu Zhong reported.
Su Wanrou's heart stirred slightly. Gu Yangui's old friend? She had never heard her husband mention having such an elegant friend in the capital. She remained outwardly calm and smiled, saying, "Thank you for making the trip, Manager Liu. Please come to the flower hall for tea."
After everyone was seated in the flower hall, Manager Liu presented an exquisite brocade box, inside which were indeed several Duan inkstones of superior quality and exquisite craftsmanship. He spoke humbly, but his appraisal of the inkstones was extremely professional, clearly indicating that he was an expert in this field.
Su Wanrou politely responded, but her doubts remained. Taking advantage of the tea-tasting occasion, she asked casually, "Manager Liu's 'Songzhuzhai' is renowned, and I have long admired it. I wonder which of my husband's old friends is so kind as to send such a generous gift?"
Shopkeeper Liu smiled slightly and cupped his hands, saying, "Madam, please don't worry. The person who entrusted this to me is a former classmate of the Duke, who is now serving as an official in another region. Hearing that the Duke is away on a campaign and that only you and your young son are at home, he specially instructed me to come and visit often. If you need any writing materials, or if the young master needs some elegant items for his studies, please just let us know. This is just a small token of my concern."
This was a flawless statement, expressing concern while maintaining distance, leaving no room for criticism.
Su Wanrou became even more wary. Her husband's classmate? Gu Yangui was a military man by birth. Even if he had studied in his early years, most of his classmates were military men. How could he have such an elegant and thoughtful friend? Moreover, the intention behind "frequently coming to visit" was quite intriguing.
She thanked him calmly, ordered someone to take away the inkstone, and gave him some of the finest tea from the manor as a return gift. She then politely saw Manager Liu off.
After the person left, Su Wanrou's smile faded. She instructed Gu Zhong, "Uncle Zhong, send someone to investigate this Manager Liu's background and who his 'classmate' is. Remember, do it secretly and don't make a fuss."
Gu Zhong's expression hardened, and he immediately understood: "Madam suspects..."
"One should always be wary of others," Su Wanrou said calmly. "With the Duke away, many people are watching our household. We need to find out whether they are genuinely concerned or have ulterior motives. Especially when it comes to Mingxuan's affairs, we must be even more cautious."
She returned to Mingxuan's side, where the child was curiously looking at the inkstones. "Mother, these stones are so beautiful, are they for writing?"
Su Wanrou picked up an inkstone and examined it carefully. The material was indeed of superior quality, with nothing unusual about it. However, she still said gently to Mingxuan, "This is a gift from someone. Mingxuan is still young, so an ordinary inkstone is fine for you. I'll keep these for you for now. When you grow up and have achieved some knowledge, you can use a better inkstone, okay?"
Mingxuan nodded obediently, but his attention was quickly drawn to the sparrows in the garden.
Watching her child's carefree figure disappear into the distance, Su Wanrou felt a faint shadow fall over her heart. The responsibility of raising a child is not merely to impart knowledge and resolve doubts, but also to shield them from the storms of life and to help them discern danger. This grand mansion, this bustling arena of fame and fortune in the capital, is far from the peaceful place it appears to be.
A few days later, Gu Zhong returned with a somewhat grave expression: "Madam, we've investigated. Manager Liu of 'Songzhuzhai' is indeed without fault; it's a decades-old establishment. However, the 'classmate' he mentioned has no connection to the Duke. On the contrary... he's quite close to the late Madam's family."
Su Wanrou's heart sank. Just as she suspected. Although the late Madam had been gone for many years, her family's influence hadn't completely dissipated, especially her aunt who had married into the royal family. She seemed to harbor resentment towards Gu Yangui's remarriage and Mingxuan's future. Was this a pretense of concern to interfere in Mingxuan's upbringing, or was she testing something?
"I understand." Su Wanrou pondered for a moment and instructed, "If anyone sends Mingxuan anything in the name of the Duke's old friend, accept it first, but do not let Mingxuan use it. Carefully check and register it, and wait for my instructions. To the outside world, just say that the child is too young and we are afraid that he will ruin the good things."
"Yes, Madam." Gu Zhong replied, his admiration for the young mistress's vigilance and decisiveness growing.
After dealing with this unexpected incident, Su Wanrou paid even more attention to teaching Mingxuan by example. She began to consciously tell Mingxuan simplified short stories about loyalty, integrity, and distinguishing right from wrong, no longer limiting herself to book knowledge.
As night fell, she lulled Mingxuan to sleep. Gazing at her child's peaceful sleeping face, her heart was filled with love and a sense of responsibility. "My husband, you can focus on your campaigns abroad. I will take care of everything at home. I will protect our home and raise our child well, helping him to understand right from wrong and grow into a strong and upright man."
This responsibility of raising children is of paramount importance. She must proceed with extreme caution, providing her child with warm maternal love and a good education, while also offering him a protective shield against the harsh realities from the shadows.
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