Jin Qianqian was well-prepared today. Besides her own household servants, she also had the workshop halt production for a day to bring all the workers over to help.

By the end of the day, she felt her cheeks were stiff from smiling so much. In addition to the constant chatter and laughter, she had also taken on two side jobs, agreeing to help Mrs. Tian and Mrs. Wang each design a courtyard in the near future.

In the front courtyard, Gu Sanbu felt he was experiencing the most glorious day of his life.

Not only was he seated in the place of honor, but he was also accompanied by Magistrate Tian and several other scholars.

Gu Dashishi could only sit quietly beside Gu Sanbu the entire time. Any thoughts he previously had of causing trouble were long forgotten.

Now, all he could think about was getting through the meal. His heart was pounding so fast he was afraid he might not be able to handle it.

After seeing off the guests, Ancient Wen Heng led a few of the elders to the study in the front courtyard.

In front of the clan elders, Ancient Wen Heng laid out five hundred-tael silver notes.

"Wenheng," Gu Sanbu began, adopting the same formal address Magistrate Tian and the others used. He no longer dared to casually call him Seventh as he used to. "What is this for?"

Ancient Wen Heng had his reasons. "For generations, our ancestors have lived in Bainiao Village, working the land. I’ve tasted that bitterness, which is why I fought so desperately to escape it."

"But I can’t bear the thought of our descendants having to walk the same old path."

"This silver is just a small contribution from me. I want to build a private school in our village, so the children of our clan can at least learn to read and write a little."

He had brought this up before, but there was never a good opportunity to act on it. Since everyone was present today, Ancient Wen Heng decided to settle the matter once and for all.

"But this is too much," Gu Sanbu said, looking at Wenheng with a troubled expression. "We just need to repair a couple of rooms in the village. The hardest part is hiring a teacher. Shulin could give the children their preliminary education, but he can’t step away from all his other duties in the village."

Ancient Wen Heng had already considered this. "As it happens, some Scholars from the academy are willing to come to our village. We just need to build a courtyard for them. That way, they can teach while continuing their own studies. It’ll just mean a bit of hard work for everyone."

Everyone quickly insisted it was no trouble at all, their faces beaming. This concerned the future of their descendants. A little physical labor was nothing in comparison.

Ancient Wen Heng pushed the silver notes toward Gu Sanbu again. "Children need quite a few things for their studies. This is just a token of my goodwill. As for the teachers’ salaries, I’ll have my steward deliver the funds every month."

Gu Sanbu placed his hand firmly on the silver notes. "Our entire clan is indebted to you. I will make sure the children remember this great kindness."

Ancient Wen Heng shook his head with a smile. "Please don’t say that, Clan Leader. I’m just doing what little I can. When our children become successful in the future, they can give back to the village in the same way."

Everyone loved hearing this. The mere thought that their own children could become as successful as Ancient Wen Heng filled their lives with hope.

Gu Dashishi’s eyes were glued to the silver notes. Finally, he couldn’t help but mutter, "Look at you, showing off. How come I haven’t seen you give a single cent to your old man out of filial piety?"

Just as Ancient Wen Heng opened his mouth to retort, Gu Sanbu cut him off. "What’s this? Has Wenheng not provided you with food and clothes? You live more comfortably than anyone else in the entire village. What else is there for you to complain about?"

"Dashishi, are you saying you don’t want Wenheng to build a school for our clan? That you think he’s wrong for doing so?" Gu Datian added, his face stern.

Even if that was what Gu Dashishi truly thought, he didn’t dare admit it. "N-no, I wasn’t thinking that," he stammered.

"..."

「Three days after they moved into the new house」

Ye San arrived at their door with a caravan, looking dusty and travel-worn.

"My sincerest apologies, we were delayed on the road." Ye San hadn’t expected to arrive too late. Seeing the paper-paned windows, he quickly ordered his men to carefully unload the glass.

Ancient Wen Heng remarked, "Your master hasn’t considered moving the workshop here yet? The shipping costs must be substantial."

Not only was the journey slow, but no matter how carefully the fragile glass was packed, there were bound to be some losses along the way.

"Soon," Ye San replied. The thought of all the glass that had shattered from the bumpy journey made his chest ache. The cost was indeed steep.

They had set off at top speed the moment they received Ancient Wen Heng’s letter. Unfortunately, worried about bumps and breakage, they had to slow down repeatedly, which was what caused the delay.

Ye San called forward the two nannies standing behind him. "This is Duan Yufang, Nanny Duan, and this is Ou Qingshui, Nanny Ou. The Young Master sent them specifically at your request."

The two nannies had been discreetly observing their future master ever since they walked in. While they couldn’t know his temperament, his appearance, at least, met with their approval.

Ye San then pulled their two indentures from his lapel, along with a letter.

Ancient Wen Heng opened the letter and realized just how much thought Bai Jinglie had put into this.

Duan Yufang, Nanny Duan, was skilled in medicine. She had once been the head of a palace household and was the Old Princess Consort’s personal physician, but she had been released from service due to her advanced age.

Ou Qingshui, Nanny Ou, was a master strategist. She had a crystal-clear understanding of all the affairs of the inner residence, from the major to the mundane, including its darker secrets. Bai Jinglie had specifically found her in the household of a disgraced official, originally intending for her to help him guard against his stepmother. But since Ancient Wen Heng needed someone now, he had sent her over first.

"Please thank your master for me when you return," Ancient Wen Heng said, putting the letter away. He then found the presence of mind to ask, "By the way, how did the Young Master fare in the provincial examination?"

"Our Young Master is now a scholar, too. Allow me to congratulate Gu Juren as well."

"Congratulations to us both," Ancient Wen Heng replied, genuinely happy for Bai Jinglie. ’This gives me another ace up my sleeve.’

"I was just wondering how much soap your honorable wife has produced?" Ye San was currently in a state of joyful agony. Being constantly pressed for more stock was stressful, but he could already imagine how this trip would once again fill his coffers to the brim.

Ancient Wen Heng honestly didn’t know. "I’ll have to get back to you on that later. But don’t get your hopes up. My wife has been rushing to get a shipment ready for Shangjing, so your order will have to be pushed back."

Ye San was speechless. ’So... is the Young Master undercutting his own business?’

Ancient Wen Heng had someone show Ye San and his men to their rooms to rest, then personally led the two nannies to the rear courtyard.

Jin Qianqian was with Sanqing, recording the gift registry. This list would be a crucial reference for future social obligations.

"Still busy?" Ancient Wen Heng asked, poking his head in. ’My wife’s handwriting has finally straightened out,’ he noted.

"Just finishing up," Jin Qianqian replied without looking up. "What brings you to the rear courtyard?"