Gu Lejia was speechless. ’This isn’t what I expected. Seventh Uncle isn’t supposed to be like this.’

Jin Qianqian saw him glare at her for no reason and realized she was caught in the crossfire again.

She glared right back. ’I really don’t get it,’ she thought. ’He seemed like such an honest young man before. How could he change so much after just one trip away from home?’

Ancient Wen Heng gestured at him. "With a mind like yours, you should just go back to farming with your parents. If Chen Dongjia hadn’t been a decent man and tricked you into signing an indenture, do you think you’d still be here scheming?"

Gu Lejia was speechless.

Not wanting to deal with him any further, Ancient Wen Heng pointed to a guest room. "You can stay there for the night. Think things over carefully."

Gu Lejia was speechless.

Seeing his dazed expression, Ancient Wen Heng shook his head and led Jin Qianqian away.

***

"What do you think Gu Lejia will choose to do?" Jin Qianqian asked curiously as soon as they entered their room.

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "He’s going through a rebellious phase. We’ll have to see if he can figure it out on his own. But I still hope he decides to go home."

Jin Qianqian pursed her lips. "That boy probably thinks I’m the one pulling the strings, convincing you not to help him."

Ancient Wen Heng sneered. "He may be young, but he’s already quite the schemer.

"But he’s bound to stumble this time. I’m not so easily manipulated."

"Manipulated..." Jin Qianqian mused, rubbing her chin. Her eyes then widened in realization. "He’s using every trick in the book, isn’t he? It’s a no-win situation for you, no matter what you do."

Ancient Wen Heng nodded. "He was probably plotting from the moment he ran into you.

"I never would have thought my eldest brother, with his honest nature, would raise such a calculating son.

"It’s all just petty cleverness, though. A shame he doesn’t apply himself to the right path."

If they refused to help him get together with Xiuxiang, Gu Lejia would have an excuse to stay in Sea City, which would reflect poorly on both Ancient Wen Heng and Jin Qianqian.

If Gu Lejia returned home empty-handed, he could spin whatever story he wanted, and the family might think his uncle was too stingy to front the silver taels to help his nephew get married.

On the other hand, if they did give him the several taels, Gu Lejia could marry right here in the city. When he eventually faced his parents’ scolding, he could let his Seventh Uncle and Aunt Seven take the brunt of the blame, getting off scot-free himself.

As for bringing Chen Dongjia to them—even if Chen Dongjia had his own motives, Ancient Wen Heng, as the boy’s elder, would have to shoulder the debt of gratitude for that life-saving favor.

Jin Qianqian sympathetically patted his back. "So what now? What do you hope he’ll choose?"

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "He can choose whatever he wants. I’m his uncle, not his father."

*** 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Young Master, isn’t it time we paid a visit to the academy?" Ye Yi reminded him.

"It is about time. Otherwise, our excuse for this trip won’t be plausible," Bai Jinglie said, setting down his book. "Go and prepare a gift. We’ll visit the headmaster first thing tomorrow morning."

"And the other two young masters? Should I inform them as well?"

"Invite them along. The more, the merrier. Besides, it’ll give them some daily exercise, so they don’t get fat staying here."

After Ye Yi accepted the order and left, Bai Jinglie stood by the window, gazing at the moon. Sea City presented many opportunities, but he couldn’t accomplish his goals alone.

Gazing in the direction of the academy, Bai Jinglie was lost in thought.

***

"You’ve got to be kidding me! Are you sure your master got it right?" Shan Ke’an exclaimed, scratching his head furiously. "If I wanted to go to school, why would I have bothered following him all the way out here?"

"Your Young Master knows full well those steps at Yingshan Academy will be the death of me! Just tell him I’m not feeling well and won’t be able to accompany him tomorrow."

"You can tell the Princely Heir that yourself. I still need to inform Mr. Lu. Suit yourself." Ye Yi turned and left without another word.

Shan Ke’an was left speechless.

When Lu Ping got the news, he was just as dismayed. ’...’ ’I came here to lie low, not to climb the ladder of success!’

***

At the crack of dawn, Ancient Wen Heng knocked directly on the door of the room where Gu Lejia was staying.

"Seventh Uncle, why so early?" Gu Lejia asked, rubbing his bleary eyes. Even when he was working as an assistant for Chen Dongjia, he didn’t have to get up this early.

"I have to get to the academy. You’ve had all night. Have you made up your mind?"

"..."

Ancient Wen Heng continued, "If you decide to go back, I can make the arrangements right away."

"Seventh Uncle, you could use a helping hand here, couldn’t you? Why don’t I stay? I could run errands for you."

Ancient Wen Heng rolled his eyes at him. "I wouldn’t dare order you around. Besides, I’m busy studying at the academy with my teachers. I don’t have that many errands to run. If you’re unwilling to go home, then I’ll write a letter to your parents explaining the situation. That will fulfill my responsibility as your uncle."

Gu Lejia paled. "Are you washing your hands of me, Seventh Uncle?"

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "How do you want me to handle you? I may be your uncle, but I’m only a few years older than you. If you’re going to listen to me, then listen: I will arrange for someone to take you home."

Gu Lejia stammered, "But Xiuxiang..."

Ancient Wen Heng had no interest in debating the matter. "That’s your own business. I don’t have time to argue with you. A letter or the trip home. Which is it?"

Under Ancient Wen Heng’s intense gaze, Gu Lejia grew flustered. "Is there a third option?"

Ancient Wen Heng shook his head. "No."

Gu Lejia bit his lip. "Then I choose neither. From now on, you don’t need to concern yourself with my affairs, Seventh Uncle."

Ancient Wen Heng said flatly, "That’s only possible if you’re formally removed from the family register, like your youngest uncle was."

"Removed from the register?" Gu Lejia’s head snapped up to stare at Ancient Wen Heng. "Why would our youngest uncle be removed?"

Ancient Wen Heng sneered and briefly explained how Gu Yuanlei had married into his wife’s family. "Your youngest uncle was scheming against his own relatives before he had even officially joined another family. Tell me, could our clan tolerate someone like that?"

Gu Lejia’s expression froze. He couldn’t help but feel that something about his Seventh Uncle’s words was directed at him.

"It’s not that serious, is it?" he asked weakly.

Ancient Wen Heng just smiled at him. "If that’s what you think, then by all means, do as you wish."

"Wait!" Gu Lejia called out just as Ancient Wen Heng was about to turn and leave.

"Seventh Uncle, please write a letter home for me. Tell my parents that I’ll return to be a good son to them once I’ve made something of myself."

Ancient Wen Heng nodded, then added, "I didn’t tell you yesterday, but we’re only renting this house. We’ll be heading back home after the beginning of spring."

"Seventh Uncle, aren’t you studying here at Yingshan Academy?"

Ancient Wen Heng wagged a finger. "No. We’re just here on a study tour. It’s only through our own headmaster’s connections that we were able to enroll here temporarily. Once our time is up, we have to return to our own academy."

Gu Lejia was completely stunned. ’This was not what he had imagined at all.’

He had assumed his Seventh Uncle had settled down here for good. He never imagined this was the real reason. The reality was a far cry from what he had pictured.