Chapter 1 Enrollment +
The sunset did not disappoint Gu Yu. A few days after Gu Yu gave out tasks, Xi Yang returned with two cloth-wrapped items.
When Gu Yu questioned him, Xi Yang explained that the black cloth contained Wu Changlin’s head and the other was his accomplice, a woman named Ling Xue.
The reason for beheading them was a lingering practice from Xi Yang’s time in the alliance, where mission targets’ heads were required for verification to ensure the mission’s completion.
Upon hearing that the cloth bags contained heads, Gu Yu immediately thought that Xi Yang had a very fruitful trip.
Not only had Wu Changlin been dealt with, but a member of the Wang clan had also been eliminated.
Ling Xue was the same woman who had attempted to stage an accident on the street when the Wang clan tried to kill Gu Yu. Although she was beaten by Magistrate Bai and thrown into prison, she had now colluded with Wu Changlin to harm the Gu family.
This Wang clan was truly troublesome.
From now on, Gu Yu vowed not to let any direct descendant of the Wang clan off the hook.
Later, when Xi Yang eagerly tried to reveal the heads from the cloth bags for Gu Yu to see his achievements, Gu Yu directly refused and asked Xi Yang to dispose of them discreetly.
Since Wu Changlin was already dead, everything was settled.
Did Xi Yang want him to have nightmares tonight by showing him the heads?
Gu Yu was not a pervert or a killer, and he absolutely did not want to see human corpses, not even just a head!
Gu Yu was not worried about Xi Yang deceiving him.
Xi Yang was a smart person who knew how to assess situations.
He knew what was good for him and what wasn’t.
With the sudden trouble of Wu Changlin resolved, life returned to its usual peace.
As time ticked by, it was soon time for Gu Qingheng’s apprenticeship.
Everything needed for the apprenticeship was prepared early. Then, the three members of the Gu family traveled to town. After a series of intricate procedures at Qingshan Academy, Gu Qingheng officially became a student of Qingshan Academy.
The satisfaction in Director Qingshan’s eyes indicated that Gu Qingheng would be well-received at the academy.
What was even more effective was the ten thousand taels of silver notes that Gu Yu gave to Ruan Qingshan as the sixth installment of the tuition fee. After all, Director Qingshan was human and had expenses.
Thus, Director Qingshan accepted the silver notes with an unchanged expression, and his admiration for Gu Yu grew.
Gu Yu was clever and knew how to handle things; he would surely be successful in his official career if he chose to pursue it.
It was just a pity that Gu Yu was unwilling to become an official.
Gu Yu, on his part, knew that the director would definitely give Gu Qingheng special attention, and with the money, it served as a thank-you gift.
As for whether it would be considered a bribe, Gu Yu had followed the rules; after all, no one prohibited using silver as the sixth installment of tuition.
In fact, there was indeed no such rule, as silver had been used as the sixth installment of tuition before.
However, giving ten thousand taels of silver at once was unprecedented in Lian Town.
Only Gu Yu, with his immense wealth, could afford it.
After Gu Qingheng successfully became Ruan Qingshan’s disciple, Gu Mengyao and Gu Yu were relieved.
With the youngest member of the family, Gu Qingheng, going to study at the academy, they felt like parents watching their child enter school, filled with reluctance.
Even Gu Yu, who had always hoped his younger brother-in-law would go to the academy and stop being a third wheel at home, felt a pang of melancholy at the thought of Gu Qingheng staying there.
Alas!
Without Gu Qingheng, the house would lose a lot of its fun.
“Brother-in-law, remember to pick me up this afternoon!”
“…”
As Gu Yu was feeling sentimental, Gu Qingheng excitedly called out to him before being led away by his teacher, Ruan Qingshan, to meet his fellow students. Gu Yu was left speechless, twitching his mouth at Gu Qingheng’s retreating figure.
Really! He had just begun to feel a bit sad, and Gu Qingheng had ruined the mood.
Thinking about his brother-in-law teaching him study in the evening, Gu Yu sighed helplessly, realizing he might not have any time for intimate moments with his little wife in the evenings.
However, there was still the entire day!
…
It had been five months since Gu Qingheng started studying at Qingshan Academy! The peaceful life during this period made Gu Yu feel a little uneasy, fearing that trouble would suddenly appear at any moment.
However, his worries proved to be unfounded.
He spent his days researching things, teasing his little wife, and then studying late into the night with Gu Qingheng. His life was very regular and fulfilling.
Life should be like this!
After all, the ordinary was the true essence of life; too much excitement was unbearable.
However, as Gu Qingheng had learned a lot at the academy recently, he had become more lively and would often use scholarly language in his conversations at home, prompting Gu Mengyao to hit him on the head and tell him to speak normally.
After disciplining Gu Qingheng, he no longer dared to show off his knowledge at home. However, it seemed others at the academy would inevitably be roped in by Gu Qingheng to practice with.
Gu Yu watched Gu Mengyao discipline Gu Qingheng and chuckled, thinking that although time had passed quickly, the three of them had not changed much.
“Yu, what are you thinking about?”
“Nothing, I just feel like time has passed so quickly recently! Summer is about to end, and autumn is coming soon.”
In the evening, after dinner, the three members of the Gu family came out of the house and went to a large tree.
Spreading a straw mat under the tree, they lay on it, enjoying the breeze and the cool air in utter contentment.
The mosquito repellent herbs prepared by Gu Yu were incredibly effective!
As Gu Mengyao looked at Gu Yu’s dazed expression, she curiously asked him what he was thinking. Gu Yu, snapping back to reality, simply sighed about how quickly time had passed.
Gu Mengyao nodded in agreement.
“It has indeed passed quickly. Both brother-in-law and I have passed the Tong Sheng exam and both succeeded, hehehe.”
“You and Yu are both truly capable. A mere Tong Sheng is nothing. You must also work hard for next year’s academy examination and strive to become a Xiucai!”
“Sis! I’m only nine years old this year. You’re asking me to take the Xiucai exam already? Isn’t that too hasty!”
“You can take it next year. Even if you don’t pass, you’ll gain some experience.”
“…”
Gu Qingheng was speechless listening to his sister’s words.
The academy examination was held once every three years. If one passed the Xiucai exam, they would proceed to the provincial examination the following year, then the metropolitan examination the year after, and if they passed all, they would be sent to the Imperial Palace in the capital for the imperial examination, directly assessed by the Emperor.
If he didn’t take the academy examination next year, he would have to wait for another three years.
However, Gu Qingheng was only nine years old this year. Even if he waited for the next three years, he would only be twelve.
Even waiting for two more three-year cycles, Gu Qingheng felt it would be acceptable.
Moreover, by then, he would be able to read more books and acquire more knowledge. Even his teacher, Ruan Qingshan, agreed that Gu Qingheng could pursue his studies later, stating that his current age was too young for early participation in the imperial examinations.
Ruan Qingshan did not want Gu Qingheng to be exposed to the world too early. This seed, containing infinite potential, had already sprouted under his careful cultivation and only needed time to grow into a towering tree.
By not exposing him, it would prevent some ill-intentioned individuals from harming Gu Qingheng.
It was precisely because of Director Qingshan’s forbearance over the past decade that those hidden in the shadows had become somewhat complacent, believing he had become indifferent to everything and thus had come to Lian Town to be a mere academy director.
However, in Ruan Qingshan’s heart, the flame of hatred had never been extinguished.
“Qingheng is still young; there’s no need to rush.”
“But, I see others participating in the imperial examinations early, even if they don’t pass, so they can gain more experience and avoid making mistakes due to nervousness… Apparently, even Shun Yang will be participating in the academy examination next year.”
“Mengyao, don’t overthink it. Can Qingheng be compared to others? You know his photographic memory. With that, his future imperial examinations will be as easy as eating and drinking, without any problem.”
Gu Yu, seeing the disagreement between Gu Mengyao and her brother over the imperial examinations, had to step in and mediate.
Gu Yu also felt it was too early to have Gu Qingheng participate in the imperial examinations.
If Gu Qingheng were like others, Gu Yu would not say much, as the early bird catches the worm.
However, Qingheng was intelligent and had a photographic memory. The imperial examinations were truly simple for him!
It would be better to use this time to study more and accumulate knowledge, waiting for a burst of brilliance.
Besides, if Gu Qingheng truly excelled and, by sheer luck, passed the final imperial examination, would he have to become an official at twelve?
Compared to the sophisticated old foxes, Gu Qingheng’s level was still too low. If Ruan Qingshan continued to teach him for a few more years, it would be something to look forward to.
After listening to Gu Yu’s words, Gu Mengyao stopped fixating on the issue and thought carefully, realizing he was right.
Her brother was naturally different and could not be compared to Shun Yang.
“Alright! But Qingheng, you must study hard! If you can go far in the imperial examination path, mother will be comforted in heaven.”
“Sis! Look how diligent I’ve been lately. Brother-in-law even studied with me for a long time!”
After the siblings reconciled, Gu Yu breathed a sigh of relief.
During this period, Gu Yu and Gu Mengyao were deeply infatuated with each other and had no opportunity for conflict. However, Gu Mengyao and Gu Qingheng were different.
It was said that they, as siblings, both had the same stubborn temper. Gu Yu was already busy mediating between them, so he didn’t want to see them continue to argue.
For now, it was better to enjoy the cool evening breeze.
After spending some time outside, the three members of the Gu family returned home. Gu Mengyao tidied up, while Gu Yu went to Gu Qingheng’s room to continue studying, each busy with their own affairs.
However, because of Gu Yu’s help just now, Gu Qingheng was very happy. The lesson, which normally would have lasted until late, was significantly shortened today.
This allowed his brother-in-law to go and be intimate with his sister!
“Mengyao, we learned faster today, so I…”
Not only was Gu Qingheng happy, but Gu Yu, who no longer had to continue studying, was equally delighted.
As he excitedly pushed open the door to the main room, he saw Gu Mengyao standing naked by a wooden tub, clearly preparing to bathe, causing Gu Yu, who had just barged in, to see a dazzling white sight.
[Congratulations on completing the first phase of the upgrade requirements. Space is upgrading…]
