Chapter 404: Chapter 405: Turning the Tables

Gu Sanbu knew that their village was held in such high regard in the region entirely because of Ancient Wen Heng.

On top of that, there were the village’s tofu workshops. If not for Seventh’s backing, others would have had designs on them long ago. There was no way the entire village could be living so comfortably otherwise.

Looking again at Li Cuicui, his eyes filled with exceptional kindness. Although Dashishi was not much to speak of, he had married a good wife, one who could raise such a fine son.

Li Cuicui felt a bit uneasy under his gaze and quickly said, "My Seventh has always kept the clan in his thoughts. He specifically set aside some books he’s read, and had me bring them back this time so that our clan might produce more promising youths."

She deliberately raised her voice as she spoke. ’Seventh did a good deed, so everyone ought to remember it.’

Sure enough, smiles bloomed on everyone’s faces. Nowadays, every household had children studying with the Scholar in the schoolhouse. Who wouldn’t want another successful person like Ancient Wen Heng to emerge from their family?

Gu Sanbu’s face flushed with excitement as he exclaimed, "Good, good, good!" The Gu Family was finally on the rise.

When he saw Li Cuicui lift the carriage flap, revealing four large wooden chests that took up almost half the carriage, his mouth fell open.

His own sons and grandsons were studying, so he knew better than anyone else how expensive these books were.

He wouldn’t have been disappointed if it were only a few books, but he never expected such a sudden surprise. Staring at the four chests, he couldn’t help but clutch his chest. "Are these all books?"

"Of course not," Li Cuicui said, unaware that her words were making the Old Clan Leader’s heart leap and plummet. After a dramatic pause, she continued, "Two of the chests are filled with books, and one contains paper, ink, brushes, and inkstones.

As for the last one, it seems to be abacuses, ledgers, and the like. My daughter-in-law said she’ll send an accountant from the county seat to teach everyone some skills, like arithmetic and bookkeeping."

Gu Sanbu’s eyes widened. These things were far more important than another chest of books.

In truth, everyone understood that although they had high hopes for their children’s education, not every child had Ancient Wen Heng’s natural aptitude for scholarship.

It was fine when they were just learning characters, but as the lessons moved on to essays, some children were already falling behind.

For the Seventh Wife to have thought of this was to find another viable path for those children.

"Excellent," Gu Sanbu nodded repeatedly. "It’s not just Seventh who is good; Mrs. Gu Jin is also a virtuous person."

With that, he turned to the clansmen gathered around him. "You must remember the contributions Wenheng and his wife have made to our clan. Go home and push your children to study hard. They have this opportunity to learn now, and they must seize it.

Our village has such good conditions now; people in the surrounding areas have long been green with envy.

The children must not take their blessings for granted. Even if it’s just for the sake of a better life for themselves later, they have to redouble their efforts now."

Everyone present agreed, and they all started chattering at once, making all sorts of promises.

"If my boy doesn’t study hard, I’ll go home and hang him from a tree!"

"Me too! If I find out he’s skipped class again, I’ll make him kneel at the village entrance for a whole day."

"Thankfully, our daughter is sensible. She’s even been praised a few times.

It’s just a shame she’s a girl. If she were a boy, maybe she could have made me the mother of a high official."

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"Then you’d better focus on pushing your son who just learned to walk. My boy is different. He gets praised every time. His father and I are full of energy for everything we do now, just thinking about living a few more years to enjoy the good life our son will give us."

"That’s not it at all! My..."

Their argument grew heated as they all competed over whose child was better.

Meanwhile, the children sitting in the schoolhouse listening to the lesson all shivered in unison. Scholar Zhou, who was still lecturing, couldn’t help but frown. He walked over and closed the door a little more tightly. The weather was getting colder by the day. He figured they would probably have to start heating the walls soon.

His current life was so stable all because of this job, so naturally, he had to take good care of these children.

It seemed he would have to have a good talk with the Clan Leader later. It was time to start preparing the necessary firewood.

After finally distributing all the gifts and seeing off the Old Clan Leader, Li Cuicui opened her own bundle, left with just her family.

"I know you’ve all been very filial over the years. It’s rare for your mother to take a trip, so of course I brought back gifts for all of you."

Unlike the silk flowers for the other clan members, Li Cuicui played no favorites, preparing a silver hairpin for each of her daughters-in-law. She hadn’t even forgotten Jin Qianqian, having already given her one back in the capital.

The hairpins had different designs but were all of roughly the same weight. Since each family now had some wealth of their own, no one was picky. They simply took theirs in turn.

Wang Caiyue toyed with the hairpin in her hand, thinking, ’Even this old hag is so generous now. It looks like our branch of the family is the poorest one of all.’

She wanted to complain more, but looking at her sisters-in-law around her, she swallowed her words.

She could barely handle any one of them alone, let alone with all of them gathered together. She wasn’t an idiot; she didn’t want to ask for trouble.

"Mother, where’s Le Huan?" Gu Yuanmu asked anxiously, waiting until his mother had finished handing out all the gifts.

It was only then that Wang Caiyue realized it too. ’Didn’t our eldest son leave with my mother-in-law? How come I don’t see him?’

Li Cuicui shot back, "He’s your own son. Don’t you two have any idea? Why do you think he followed me to Shangjing? Are you still trying to hide the truth from this old woman?"

Gu Yuanshui was speechless. ’...Mother’s tactic is brilliant! She’s so slick with that counter-accusation. It seems Seventh and I both get our cleverness from her.’

Gu Yuanmu was at a complete loss. ’But didn’t our son say that his brothers at home were all busy? He said since he just got back and had nothing to do, it was a good chance to attend to his grandmother and show some filial piety.’

Wang Caiyue’s eyes darted back and forth. ’What mother doesn’t know her own son’s little schemes?’

But when the boy had insisted on finishing his stint at the brokerage instead of hurrying home, she had grown suspicious.

She hadn’t wanted to leave the Capital City so early either, so she had let her eldest son have his way.

After returning to Gaoling Village, she thought the matter was over and slowly put those suspicions out of her mind.

This time, Gu Lehuan had volunteered to go to Shangjing, and she had hoped the boy would get closer to Seventh and his family. Perhaps for Le Huan’s sake, Seventh would be willing to lend a helping hand.

’Now my son hasn’t come back. Does that mean he’s staying at Seventh’s residence? And if so, will Seventh find him good prospects?’

At these thoughts, Wang Caiyue couldn’t contain her joy, and it showed on her face.

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