Chapter 527: As an Older Brother

"Why not?"

Everyone asked.

Gu Baoshu said sternly, "Mr. Qin is sure to become an Advanced Scholar in the future, and naturally, he will become an official in the court. I heard from my third sister-in-law that the Qin Family is a noble family with a scholarly heritage. A family like that should marry a wife from a literary background. If a girl from a military general’s family marries in, lacking knowledge, she would feel uncomfortable interacting with the civil servants’ wives and might be looked down upon. Between husband and wife, it should be mutual admiration like my third brother and sister-in-law for lasting harmony."

Old Madam Gu didn’t expect Gu Baoshu would say such words in public and couldn’t help but look at her repeatedly.

The two old ladies also fell silent.

Mrs. Dai said, "Seventh Miss is right. Although our master works at the Five Cities Military Department, and they are all officials, the style of the Capital Governor’s mansion is quite different from theirs, and the Ministry of War is even more so."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Who doesn’t know the Five Cities Military Department has too many bosses, anyone can dictate."

"Isn’t it true," Mrs. Dai sighed, "It’s really not easy. Everything is dumped on the Five Cities Military Department. These days, for the festival and preparing for the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration, our master goes out at dawn and returns late, fearing any oversight would waste years of effort. His mouth is swollen with anxiety. Even then, the City Patrol Imperial Censor picks faults in everything."

Since the Five Cities Military Department has a low rank, it’s where many lower-ranking military generals’ families rely on the official salary. Some Gu Family members hold positions there.

The topic shifted to the Five Cities Military Department.

Qin Siyuan finally sighed in relief.

As a young scholar, he truly couldn’t cope with the old ladies from the military general’s family.

Qin Heng quietly tugged at Gu Baoshu’s sleeve and whispered, "Let me tell you, although my family is a great family, not everyone likes reading and has talent. For instance, if I married a wife from a literary background, who always wants to talk about academics and poetry, it would give me a headache."

Gu Baoshu, with a look of sympathy, laughed, "Indeed, it’s better for us women. If we don’t read, no one says we’re not advancing. If a husband wants to discuss academics, he can find friends. But if you married a learned wife expecting her husband to advance, who constantly pushes you to study, you’d truly be pitiful."

Qin Heng said seriously, "I think girls from military families are the best. Look at my second sister, even pampered at home, she doesn’t live as freely as a girl from a military family."

Gu Baoshu chuckled and asked, "You don’t disdain daughters of military families as uncouth and lacking manners?"

Qin Heng slapped his leg, "I like the free spirit. All those manners are very annoying. Let me tell you, being with Shen Changle is much more fun than with classmates from the Imperial College. Even with those Xu Tang people, I find it amusing, though I’d never do what they do, lest my father goes mad with anger."

Gu Baoshu was warmly engaged in conversation with him, while Qin Siyuan found it quite amusing to listen on the side.

Brother Kang asked, "Aunt, don’t you plan to become a scholar’s wife in the future?"

Gu Baoshu, blushing, waved her hand grandly, "Being a scholar’s wife, always being nagged by the mother-in-law, and criticized for the wedding dowry silver, isn’t as good as riding a horse and playing polo."

Fuguo’er slyly glanced at Qin Siyuan, then at Qin Heng who was in agreement, tiptoed, and whispered in Gu Baoshu’s ear, "I think marrying into Brother Heng’s family as a relative of an Advanced Scholar isn’t bad. He doesn’t like reading, enjoys playing polo, likes Shen Changle, and his family isn’t rich. Your dowry is ample enough, and the dowry shops can let him help you manage them. Most importantly, Brother Heng is fairly good-looking and not skilled in martial arts, Auntie, you could certainly overpower him. If he dares to take a concubine in the future, you can go back and complain to your third uncle and aunt, and he’ll be too scared."

Goodness.

Gu Baoshu inwardly exclaimed, goodness.

This little nephew Fuguo’er had quite a mind.

Seeing Gu Baoshu ponder, Fuguo’er reassured, "Auntie, there’s no rush. I’ll have Xiao Dong ask around when he follows Doctor Li on visits and surely find you someone good."

Gu Baoshu said, "Stop, stop, stop. You’re just a little one, worrying so much. Careful you don’t grow tall."

Fuguo’er glanced disapprovingly at his clueless aunt, saying, "Didn’t Mr. Songshan say it? People without foresight must have immediate worries. Better to plan early rather than be at a loss when needed. If you don’t need it, I’ll keep an eye out for Sister Lan."

Gu Baoshu widened her eyes, "Sister Lan?"

Fuguo’er puffed up his little chest, "As an elder brother, I should consider these matters."

Gu Baoshu exclaimed, "Hey!"

She truly couldn’t understand how such a little one like Fuguo’er had a head full of so many things.

"You ponder all day, how do you pack in the words of the Saint? Don’t you want to become an Advanced Scholar?"

Fuguo’er said, "Mr. Songshan said, studying is for understanding the principles. Everything in the world has its rules. If a small matter is thoroughly understood, its principle is comprehended, which isn’t simple. Although becoming an Advanced Scholar requires hard study, one can’t just study relentlessly. Nationwide, Advanced Scholars are selected once every three years, less than 300 at a time, including the co-Advanced Scholars. Being called a young Advanced Scholar in one’s early thirties, many achieve it in their forties or fifties, some even at seventy or eighty. If one only focuses on becoming an Advanced Scholar without understanding worldly affairs, how can one manage affairs if succeeded? One would be just a bookworm."

Gu Baoshu said, "I also attended Mr. Songshan’s lectures. How did I not hear any of this?"

Fuguo’er rolled his eyes, "Auntie, you were probably just thinking about going out to play at that time."

The aunt and nephew, huddled and chatting, heard Qin Yuan calling them over for a meal.

Qiujie and others had already set the dishes. Old Madam Gu and some were at one table, while the children were at another.

Qin Yuan consciously went to serve at Old Madam Gu’s table, but as soon as she placed two dishes, Old Madam Gu remarked, "Yuan’er, go and talk to your family brothers at the other table. We old ladies are sitting here discussing worldly matters, and you young ones don’t care to listen."

Usually, when Qin Yuan joined for a meal in the main house, Old Madam Gu didn’t have her serve often. Now, with outside guests, she merely showed some decorum and then urged her to entertain the guests.

Qin Yuan agreed with a smile. Gu Baoshu quickly made space for her and had someone set a seat, "Third sister-in-law, come sit. Let’s have a good chat."

Xiao Dong, sitting beside Brother Kang, with his bright eyes looked at her expectantly, clearly wanting to be close to her too.