Chapter 164: Chapter 91 Unable to Control
"Dad! Mom! Iāve already decided, I want to learn business. Even if I donāt have silver as capital, Iāll work as an assistant in a shop in town." He had made up his mind, becoming an official through exams was too difficult, and he didnāt like it. He just wanted to earn silver.
Gu Chengyu looked at his third brotherās determined expression, thinking that learning business for three years would be good. In the future, the family business would grow, and someone would need to manage it. Da Lang was honest, and could only preserve the current state like their elder brother; the third brother was only focused on blacksmithing; the fourth brother had recently become obsessed with medicine; the second brother was smart but getting old. The Gu Familyās business prospects were dwindling, so it was better to train the third brother to manage the family business well.
But he couldnāt say this, as the second brother had some estrangement with him. If he said it, the second brother might think he couldnāt stand seeing the second family do well, implying he wanted the third brother not to study.
In the end, the third brother insisted on learning business. He hugged the third brother for a long time, crying, while Gu Chengyi tried to persuade him but seeing that the third brother didnāt listen, he stopped trying.
"Second brother! If you want to take the exam, you need to tell your teacher in advance, so they can make arrangements for you." Gu Chengyu, seeing that matters were mostly settled, finally spoke up.
The second brother decided on the exam last minute, and since it was still early, he should inform the teacher sooner, so they could find a few fellow examinees. To take the county examination, five examinees needed to mutually guarantee each other. If there was cheating, all five would be implicated, and a scholar from the county would need to guarantee them.
Mr. Wen was such a scholar and had to take the annual exam every year. Gu Chengyu advanced to Class A last year, and You Siyuan was also in Class A, while Wang Qikai had worked hard to follow him and entered Class B. He was doing well and might advance to Class A next year.
There were already two students in Class A taking the exam, along with him, Senior Brother Sun, and Gu Wanhua, making five. They already agreed to guarantee each other.
Thinking of Class A, he remembered two years ago when they finished building the house and invited You Siyuan and Wang Qikai over as guests, also asking Doctor Li to come. Doctor Li had real skills, discovering that Wang Qikai was indeed poisoned. This poison had affected him since the womb, causing him to eat and sleep a lot, growing into a fatty, which wasnāt unexpected. More terrifyingly, this condition would worsen, leading to prolonged sleep and eventually eternal slumber.
The incense burnt at home was only calming incense to make people drowsy. Gu Chengyu didnāt want to meddle in his familyās underworld affairs, only asking Doctor Li if the poison could be cured. Doctor Li said it would take at least three years, starting with medication to condition the body before detoxifying.
Though Wang Qikai looked robust with flesh everywhere, internally, he was severely depleted. The poison was chronic, but the detoxifying medicine was potent. Doctor Li worried Wang Qikai couldnāt handle the effects, so he planned to improve his health first before detoxifying.
Wang Qikai was immensely grateful to Gu Chengyu upon learning the truth, yet he dared not inform his father. Gu Chengyu also promised not to tell, and with You Siyuan already sent away, there was no need to worry. Gu Chengyu sighed, thinking Wang Qikai had finally come to his senses, realizing Mr. Wang was unreliable.
Over these two years, he had occasionally given Wang Qikai some spiritual spring water, making his health much better. When detoxification time came, he secretly added a bit of detoxification pills from his space into Wang Qikaiās medicine, hastening the detoxification process.
"Little Uncle, is there a spot available?" The second brotherās adolescent voice interrupted Gu Chengyuās drifting thoughts.
"Weāre just right with five students next year, so weāre not short of people. You should ask your teacher to see if anyone from your private school wants to take the exam." The private school in Xiasang Village had been open for many years, so it was unlikely no one wanted to take the exam.
"I heard thereās only one senior brother wanting to take the exam. The teacher also plans to ask other private schools in town for help, having other teachers take the senior brother along." He didnāt mention the teacher didnāt think much of his chances, always saying his foundation was weak.
Actually, he thought, the teacher took how many years to pass the scholarās exam? Perhaps he thought one should wait until the right age to take exams, not realizing some people are just born to excel at studying.
"Then ask your teacher tomorrow. If you canāt find anyone, Iāll talk to Mr. Wen. Do you have a scholar for guarantees? Mr. Wen is a scholar; I can ask him to guarantee you."
If a student wanted to take the exam, as a teacher, they should find a way. Other private schools in town should have candidates too. But they must inform the teacher first, not letting the second brother directly approach Mr. Wen. That would disrespect his teacher.
"Forget it! Iāll ask my teacher myself then!" The second brother felt a bit sullen. This was a small matter, yet Little Uncle wouldnāt help. He put down the bowl and chopsticks, striding back to the west wing.
Gu Chengyu was taken aback. Was this a tantrum? He didnāt say he wouldnāt help!
"Whatās the matter? You two, are you still putting us old folks in your hearts? Look at the second brother, whoās he showing that face to?"
Lying silently, Mrs. Lv suddenly burst in, seeing the second brother daring to show her son an attitude. Originally, everyone was quietly listening to Gu Chengyu and the second brother, but Mrs. Lvās sudden interjection shattered the silence.
"Mom! Weāre about to see exams, so the boyās worried! Iāll talk to him properly when we return." He hurriedly explained to Mrs. Lv.
"Dad! Mom! The second brother is still young and immature; please donāt hold it against him." Gu Chengyi feared rumors would spread, harming the second brotherās reputation. The second brother aspired to be an official, and adverse rumors could be disastrous.
"Still young? Going on twelve soon, most families arrange engagements by this age. Heās still a student? Studying this way? Maybe better not study at all! The teachings are unclear; shows disrespect to elders, throwing tantrums. Truly spoiled!"
Mrs. Lv always had some dissatisfaction with the second brotherās continued studies and now seized the chance to voice her grievances. Moreover, the second brother dared to show an attitude to her son!
Mr. Gu was also upset. He was strict about rules, and despite having a scholar at home now, the rules were being ignored, with defiance towards elders ā what was this? Could studying breed resentment?
"Second son, have I mistreated your family this time? If the second brother wants to take the exam and fails, Iāll still let him study; the third brother doesnāt want to study; I didnāt force him. If he wants to go, he can." Mr. Gu picked up his pipe, ready to light it.
Mrs. Lv snatched it away, glaring at him. Mr. Gu only frowned briefly at this sight.
"Dad! We never said you mistreated us!" This wasnāt mistreatment, but blatant favoritism. Gu Chengyi said so but thought otherwise.
"Whatās the second brotherās issue then? Does he resent us or his uncle? Xiao Bao agreed to help him, whatās there to be mad about? Is this how he treats his uncle?" Mr. Gu decided it was time for sternness, otherwise chaos would ensue without rules at home.
"Dad! Iāll have the second brother apologize to the fifth uncle later." Seeing Mr. Gu unwilling to let go of the issue, Gu Chengyi grew frustrated.
"Dad, if nothing else, Iāll head back to my room. Iāve worked all day and am tired, and you should rest early too." Having finished speaking, he left the main house like the second brother.
Mr. Gu felt his vision darken. What did this mean? Was he really too old to manage these sons and grandsons? Supporting himself on the kang table, he felt a bit dizzy.
"Old man! Whatās wrong?" Mrs. Lvās shout brought everyone over, creating a noisy, chattering confusion. Gu Chengyu grew anxious seeing this, sending Da Lang to fetch Doctor Li.
He noticed Mr. Gu seemed to have a bout of anxiety-induced anger, quickly feeding him spiritual spring water disguised as tea. Mr. Gu took a big sip, feeling better after a while, and waved everyone out, annoyed by the noisy women.
At this moment, seeing Mr. Gu reclining on the kang, Gu Chengyu felt he had aged significantly in an instant, and his nose tingled with sourness.