Chapter 646: Chapter 648: Setting Up the Son
Gu Benluo looked up at Ancient Wen Heng. "Dad, Iâll definitely stick with it, but you still havenât 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 youâre not against me learning from my older brothers, then?"
"Of course not." Ancient Wen Heng heard the eagerness in his sonâs voice and figured he had just seen something fun he wanted to try, so he didnât think much of it.
Gu Benluo jumped to his feet, ecstatic. "Then Iâll go with my brothers to help round up some prey! Iâll be sure to learn from them how to hunt, and Iâll bring back some game for you and Mom to eat."
Ancient Wen Heng was speechless. âThis little rascal... heâs actually trying to pull a fast one on me.â
His expression shifted, and just as he was about to object, Gu Benluo spoke with a perfectly straight face. "Dad, youâve said that a personâs word is their bond. You canât go back on what youâve 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 didnât mind. He was just thrilled to get his way. "Dad, weâre off then!
You and Mom just wait. Iâll bring back something delicious for you!"
Watching the boy skip away excitedly, Jin Qianqian motioned for the waiting guards to hurry after him.
"Why didnât you say anything? Arenât you worried heâll 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.
Iâm actually a little hurt. Luo Luo always says goodbye to his mother before he leaves, but today he didnât 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. "Donât be a spoilsport. Itâs rare for him to be this happy.
Weâve rarely had time to take him out to play, and weâve 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, itâs good for him. This will let them all grow closer.
But itâs hardly fair for only Luo Luo to be having fun with them. Iâve decided. From now on, those boys can accompany Luo Luo in completing his daily lessons."
Jin Qianqian was speechless. âShould I feel sorry for my son, or for those young men from the Gu family?â
Ancient Wen Heng added, "And Luo Luo should be the one to tell them the good news. Iâm sure theyâll be thrilled. The rest of the journey certainly wonât be boring."
Seeing the smug look in his eyes, Jin Qianqian didnât 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 didnât 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, donât you?
They say blessings are meant to be shared. Progressing togetherânow that would make for a fine tale."
Gu Benluo sensed something wasnât 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 havenât 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 fatherâs logic. "Is this what you mean by âgive and take,â Dad?"
Ancient Wen Heng nodded. "Exactly."
"Then Iâll 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, heâd 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 youâre 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 Masterâs 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 Benluoâs 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 otherâs shoulders for support.
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ăGaoling Villageă
The moment the matchmaker was out the door, Li Cuicuiâs face fell.
He Chuncao held He Chunyaâs hand, both of them trying to shrink into the corner.
"How can you still be unsatisfied with an offer like that? Youâd get to establish your own household right after marrying, no in-laws to serve, and youâd be the mistress of your own home. If it werenât for your Seventh Uncle, do you think a man with prospects like that couldnât find a good wife anywhere?"
Tears welled up in He Chuncaoâs eyes again. "Grandmother, I want to stay and serve you for a few more years. Iâd be happy even if I never marry."
"You stop those tears right now! Even if you were willing, they wouldnât have you anymore," Li Cuicui said, her head throbbing. "You started crying the moment she walked in. Anyone who didnât 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, Iâll 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, "Iâm getting on in years. I canât protect you forever.
Iâve 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 wasnât just trying to scare the two girls.
âEver 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 couldnât she learn at the villageâs private school?
The teachers there are shopkeepers from under Jin Qianqianâs command, sent on rotation. If she truly applied herself, she could learn far more there than she ever would as a maidservant by Jin Qianqianâs side.
On several occasions, she had privately seen the girl staring, lost in thought, at Jin Qianqianâs jewelry.
Seventh worked so hard to get to where he is today. She wasnât a fool. How could she let a girl with a different surname ruin her own son?â