When Jiang Shuyun and her group arrived at the city gate, they encountered the guards conducting a routine inspection.
"Mr. Zhao, please be careful to queue and avoid crowding."
"Yes, sir."
Gu Zheng originally planned to have Gu Wu go ahead and make arrangements, but seeing that the Jiang family's carriages were lined up, he also joined the line, not daring to be too conspicuous.
I don't know if something happened, but the doorman checked very carefully, verifying identity information and household registration details meticulously.
"Sir, the house has been rented. Shall we head back?"
"Okay, let's go straight back. Gu Zheng, you go home first too, we'll get together later."
After instructing Li Li, Jiang Shuyun also gave instructions to Gu Zheng.
"Uncle Jiang, we'll meet again someday. I know where you live."
"Okay, let's go back first."
Jiang Shuyun and her group separated from Gu Zheng and his group, and they went in different directions.
Li Li led the way, and they soon arrived at the courtyard they had rented.
"Master, everything is ready. You and the two young masters, please go and wash up first."
"Alright, let's go wash up first. Butler Li, please fetch a doctor to check Shao Ming's pulse again."
Jiang Shuyun and her two fathers went to wash up. Butler Li asked Li Li to fetch a doctor, as there was a clinic nearby.
After Jiang Shuyun and the others finished washing up, the doctor arrived.
I checked Shao Ming's pulse; he has recovered.
After the doctor left, the cook brought out the food, and it was time to eat.
After the meal, Butler Li reported on the house.
“Master, this courtyard is close to the examination hall. It’s only a short walk away.”
The main courtyard has four rooms. The master and his two sons each have one room, and the remaining room is the living room.
The east and west wing rooms and the gatehouse can accommodate other people. The two guest rooms in the east wing can be reserved for the young master of the Gu family when he comes to rest.
Butler Li made all the arrangements perfectly, so Jiang Shuyun didn't need to worry about anything.
"Butler Li, you've worked hard. Please take care of things at home."
My wife instructed me to take a look at the house after everything was settled.
For properties in good locations, we need to seize opportunities.
Jiang Shuyun and Mu Yi'an discussed it and decided that their first choice would be a house closer to the palace, even if it was small.
Shao Ming was aiming for the Hanlin Academy; that was his goal. The headmaster also felt that Shao Ming was too young, and there was nothing wrong with him learning from the older Hanlin scholars.
Mu Yi'an wanted to create relatively better conditions for her child within her means.
In Beijing, the closer a house is to the imperial palace, the higher its price, and there are often no buyers even if the price is right.
Some things can't be bought with money.
Mu Yi'an thought that a larger house would give her a wider range of choices.
Anyway, she and Jiang Shuyun didn't plan to settle down in the capital. A decent courtyard would be enough for the children.
However, if you can buy a bigger one, you should buy a bigger one, so that it will be more spacious for your children in the future.
As for where we'll live in the future, that's still many years away, isn't it?
Before Butler Li arrived, Madam had already given instructions that the matter of the house was of utmost importance.
Upon arriving in Beijing on the first day, we were all exhausted and didn't want to go out, so we went back to our rooms to rest.
Meanwhile, Gu Zheng arrived home.
"Mother, I'm back."
Gu Zheng handed the riding whip to the guard and walked towards the inner courtyard.
"Little Qi, come here quickly, let your mother see if you've lost weight?"
"Mom, look, am I almost taller than my second brother? Let me tell you, I've almost eaten all the grain at Uncle Jiang's house."
As soon as Gu Zheng returned to the Gu residence, he became a completely different person.
"You have the nerve to say that? You've been gone for so long, and you've only sent a few letters home."
Is Jiangnan interesting? Did anything happen to you?
Madam Gu was in her early forties. Although she was well-maintained, there were still many signs of aging on her face.
"Mother, Jiangnan is very interesting. I'm telling you, you should go out and travel more."
It's too boring to stay in the capital. When I go to my grandfather's place next time, you can come with me.
That area is suitable for rest and recuperation; the climate is neither too hot nor too cold.
Gu Zheng was just saying that he knew his father held significant military power and was stationed on the border, so his mother couldn't possibly leave the capital.
"Alright, I've received your filial piety. I was born and raised in the capital, and I'm used to everything here. I'm not leaving."
"You're back now for a scientific expedition after the New Year. How are your preparations going?"
"My grandfather said that barring any unforeseen circumstances, he should be able to become a scholar."
As for anything beyond that, I don't know.
Mother, I have already chosen the path I want to take.
For me, the imperial examination was just icing on the cake.
After I pass the imperial examination, I will go to my grandfather's place.
I'll come back before the next autumn imperial examination. My grandfather left me many books, which I haven't finished reading yet.
Gu Zheng had just arrived home when he was already thinking about leaving.
"Is it because you haven't finished reading the book yet, or are you thinking about someone?"
Madam Gu looked at her youngest son, who was taller than her. He had gone to the Northwest when he was ten years old, and then to his grandfather's place. In the past few years, Xiao Qi had grown up, and she had missed his growth.
"Mom, you know, Dad wrote you a letter?"
"Well, your father said that your grandfather said he wasn't confident he could persuade the Jiang family to marry their daughter to you."
Madam Gu already understood what her father-in-law and husband meant: their seventh son was not suitable to marry the daughter of a prominent family in the capital.
The wives of the eldest and second sons were considered well-matched in terms of social standing, and the brides of the illegitimate sons were also from families of considerable social standing.
Although the Jiang family was considered a scholarly family, there were too many families like that in the capital.
The Jiang family has no officials for the time being, so their social standing is truly not high.
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