Chapter 646: Chapter 648: Setting Up the Son

Gu Benluo looked up at Ancient Wen Heng. "Dad, I’ll definitely stick with it, but you still haven’t answered my question."

"That goes without saying," Ancient Wen Heng replied. "A person lives and learns their whole life.

Each of your older brothers has his own strengths, and they are well worth learning from."

"So you’re not against me learning from my older brothers, then?"

"Of course not." Ancient Wen Heng heard the eagerness in his son’s voice and figured he had just seen something fun he wanted to try, so he didn’t think much of it.

Gu Benluo jumped to his feet, ecstatic. "Then I’ll go with my brothers to help round up some prey! I’ll be sure to learn from them how to hunt, and I’ll bring back some game for you and Mom to eat."

Ancient Wen Heng was speechless. ’This little rascal... he’s actually trying to pull a fast one on me.’

His expression shifted, and just as he was about to object, Gu Benluo spoke with a perfectly straight face. "Dad, you’ve said that a person’s word is their bond. You can’t go back on what you’ve said."

Ancient Wen Heng said, "Oh? And who said I was going to back out? Go if you want. But you have to take the guards with you."

Gu Benluo was already used to being accompanied when he went out, so he didn’t mind. He was just thrilled to get his way. "Dad, we’re off then!

You and Mom just wait. I’ll bring back something delicious for you!"

Watching the boy skip away excitedly, Jin Qianqian motioned for the waiting guards to hurry after him.

"Why didn’t you say anything? Aren’t you worried he’ll get too wild?" Ancient Wen Heng asked, sipping the tea a maid had just served him, his eyes crinkling with amusement as he looked at Jin Qianqian.

Jin Qianqian replied, "He was asking for *your* opinion, not mine.

I’m actually a little hurt. Luo Luo always says goodbye to his mother before he leaves, but today he didn’t say a single word."

Ancient Wen Heng said, "Should I have someone call him back and make him do it over?"

Jin Qianqian shook her head. "Don’t be a spoilsport. It’s rare for him to be this happy.

We’ve rarely had time to take him out to play, and we’ve been keeping him on a tight leash lately. Now that he has so many older brothers willing to humor him, we should just let him relax for a bit."

Ancient Wen Heng smiled. "I agree, it’s good for him. This will let them all grow closer.

But it’s hardly fair for only Luo Luo to be having fun with them. I’ve decided. From now on, those boys can accompany Luo Luo in completing his daily lessons."

Jin Qianqian was speechless. ’Should I feel sorry for my son, or for those young men from the Gu family?’

Ancient Wen Heng added, "And Luo Luo should be the one to tell them the good news. I’m sure they’ll be thrilled. The rest of the journey certainly won’t be boring."

Seeing the smug look in his eyes, Jin Qianqian didn’t even have the energy to retort. She was simply speechless.

The group searched through the tall grass for half the day, but all they found were two mouse holes.

The once-spirited group returned to camp, completely dejected.

Seeing their state, Ancient Wen Heng decided it was the perfect time to share his "good news."

He sent for Gu Benluo. "Your older brothers took you out to play and showed you how to do things. You should help them grow as well."

Gu Benluo didn’t understand. "How can I help them, Dad?" he asked directly.

Jin Qianqian watched with a smile as Ancient Wen Heng set a trap for his own son. "You practice with Master Wu and memorize an essay every day, don’t you?

They say blessings are meant to be shared. Progressing together—now that would make for a fine tale."

Gu Benluo sensed something wasn’t quite right, but before he could put his finger on it, Ancient Wen Heng continued, "Look, you took the initiative to learn how to hunt and gather firewood from your brothers. But they haven’t had a chance to learn anything from you. How about you have them learn martial arts moves and study essays with you?"

Gu Benluo was swept along by his father’s logic. "Is this what you mean by ’give and take,’ Dad?"

Ancient Wen Heng nodded. "Exactly."

"Then I’ll go tell my brothers right now!" Gu Benluo instantly thought it was a brilliant idea. He loved spending time with his older brothers from the Gu family, and if they could study together, he’d have more company.

Watching Gu Benluo happily skip off to share the "good news," Jin Qianqian finally burst out laughing. "You must be getting bored on this journey if you’re resorting to tricking your own son."

Ancient Wen Heng said, "Not at all, not at all. The boy himself wants to improve alongside his brothers. We should help them fulfill that wish."

Then, he turned to Ming Feng, who was standing nearby. "Go and inform the Eldest Young Master’s two tutors that they will have to take on a few more students for the time being. Tell them it will be hard work, and I will compensate them for it separately."

"Yes, sir," Ming Feng replied.

As for the young men of the Gu family, the news struck them like a bolt from the blue. They had assumed it was all Gu Benluo’s idea and were about to try and get out of it when the two tutors summoned them to begin their lessons.

Realizing Ancient Wen Heng had given the order, they could only trudge over with long faces, slinging their arms over each other’s shoulders for support.

#

「Gaoling Village」

The moment the matchmaker was out the door, Li Cuicui’s face fell.

He Chuncao held He Chunya’s hand, both of them trying to shrink into the corner.

"How can you still be unsatisfied with an offer like that? You’d get to establish your own household right after marrying, no in-laws to serve, and you’d be the mistress of your own home. If it weren’t for your Seventh Uncle, do you think a man with prospects like that couldn’t find a good wife anywhere?"

Tears welled up in He Chuncao’s eyes again. "Grandmother, I want to stay and serve you for a few more years. I’d be happy even if I never marry."

"You stop those tears right now! Even if you were willing, they wouldn’t have you anymore," Li Cuicui said, her head throbbing. "You started crying the moment she walked in. Anyone who didn’t know better would think this old woman was trying to sell you off!"

Li Cuicui wanted to say something much harsher but bit her tongue. The girl was older now; she had to let her keep some dignity.

Still, having to look at that miserable face day in and day out was wearing on her.

"You two sisters are grown now. You can choose to go live with either your father or your mother.

Even if you want to return to the He family, I’ll have someone arrange it," Li Cuicui threatened, though she had no intention of ever letting them go back to the He family.

"Grandmother, are you abandoning us?" He Chuncao burst into tears and dropped to her knees. Seeing her younger sister still standing there in a daze, she yanked her down to kneel beside her. "My sister and I only want to stay with you!"

Li Cuicui said, "I’m getting on in years. I can’t protect you forever.

I’ve found you so many good young men, yet you refuse to marry any of them. You might as well go let your mother decide your fate."

She truly meant it this time; she wasn’t just trying to scare the two girls.

’Ever since He Chuncao had wanted to go with Jin Qianqian, Li Cuicui knew the girl had grown ambitious.

She claimed she wanted to learn, but what couldn’t she learn at the village’s private school?

The teachers there are shopkeepers from under Jin Qianqian’s command, sent on rotation. If she truly applied herself, she could learn far more there than she ever would as a maidservant by Jin Qianqian’s side.

On several occasions, she had privately seen the girl staring, lost in thought, at Jin Qianqian’s jewelry.

Seventh worked so hard to get to where he is today. She wasn’t a fool. How could she let a girl with a different surname ruin her own son?’

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.