"Forget it, forget it, I’m not expecting her to earn acclaim from her studies, just letting her go to Jiangnan to avoid some attention." Old Madam Gu said wearily, "She has never left me since she was a little kitten, and now she’ll be gone for two years... People say that a daughter’s days at her parental home are the happiest and most carefree. I’ve never had the heart to restrain her, but now I have to set new rules, and it pains me to see it."

Nanny Rong pondered for a moment and said, "Old Madam, isn’t this what everyone goes through? Children have their own blessings. Let’s just add some incense in front of the Bodhisattva for Seventh Miss and accumulate some virtue for her."

"Yes, everyone has their own fate, and this old lady can’t do anything about it."

Wutong Garden.

Just as the maids set the food on the table, Gu Baoshu burst in. Seeing the simple dishes on the table, she said, "Third Sister-in-law, my Third Brother is back. We should prepare more food. I think they had a tiring trip; Gu Shiliu looks unrecognizable, he’s so thin."

Before she finished speaking, Hong Ye anxiously asked, "What? What happened to Sixteen?"

Gu Baoshu teased, "You girl, not worried about the Marquis, but concerned for Sixteen instead."

Hong Ye blushed and said shyly, "Seventh Miss always teases people."

Gu Baoshu said, "Your Sixteen is fine, just quite thin."

Hong Ye said with concern, "Miss, I’ll go to the small kitchen to prepare more food and heat some water."

Qin Yuan nodded in agreement.

Gu Baoshu hurriedly said, "I’m also dining at Third Sister-in-law’s place; after running around all day, I could eat half a cow."

Hong Ye laughed and went to the small kitchen to instruct the cook.

Mo Zhu came up and covered the dishes with a gauze.

Qin Yuan asked, "Why haven’t I heard a word? Is your Third Brother in the main room now?"

Gu Baoshu said, "He should be, Third Brother and Sixteen haven’t even changed their clothes, all wrinkled, disheveled, quite messy. You see, isn’t Third Brother strange? No sooner home, he doesn’t change clothes and goes straight to my mom, saying he wants to send me to White Crane Academy for school."

Upon hearing that Gu Jinghui was back, Qin Yuan felt relieved and had the interest to tease Gu Baoshu, so she said, "Did you agree?"

Gu Baoshu defiantly replied, "Originally, I didn’t want to agree. Third Sister-in-law knows I get a headache when I study, but my mom can’t bear me but insists on sending me, surely there are other reasons behind it. My mom and my Third Brother wouldn’t harm me; to make me go, my mom even agreed for me to bring a husband back afterwards."

Hearing this, Qin Yuan frowned and said, "You should host a banquet to see you off properly, how long will you be gone this time, and when will you depart?"

Gu Baoshu said, "I’ve agreed with Qin Heng to play ball on the Mid-Autumn Festival, how can I go back on my word? We’re set to leave after the Mid-Autumn Festival; Third Brother said to be there for two years."

Qin Yuan said, "Then I should prepare some food and supplies for you, to prevent you from missing the comforts of the Capital City."

"I’m not that sentimental type, didn’t Mr. Songshan say reading a thousand books is not as good as traveling a thousand miles? I’m going to broaden my horizons; why would I miss the Capital City?" Gu Baoshu gestured, "Although I’ll miss my brothers and sisters-in-law, mom and nephews, and the dishes Xiuxiang cooks too, I guess. But as long as my mom gives me enough money, I can enjoy the delicious food of Jiangnan."

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh.

Gu Baoshu then asked, "Third Brother said it’s hard to get a place at White Crane Academy, thanks to Mr. Songshan; is this academy really famous? Does Third Sister-in-law know its background?"

Qin Yuan laughed, "White Crane Academy is indeed a well-known academy in Jiangnan. It was established by a high official who retired, producing many talents. However, these people rarely enter court as officials, they prefer gathering for grand discussions, commenting on current affairs, and have a great influence among scholars. Jiangnan is prosperous, people here value profit, so many grand families send their sons and daughters to study and understand society, not seeking fame, but hoping to make connections with brilliant people."

This White Crane Academy holds considerable reputation in Jiangnan, later having a significant impact on court politics, even stirring waves through public opinion.

Mr. Songshan was an old friend of the director of White Crane Academy, and just needed to send a letter to secure Gu Baoshu’s place.

Gu Baoshu clicked her tongue, "I can’t believe there’s an academy like this in the world. I would like to have a look."

Qin Yuan merely laughed.

Entering White Crane Academy, the days ahead might not be as pleasant as Gu Baoshu envisions.

"Go there and behave yourself, don’t cause trouble," Gu Jinghui’s voice rang out before he even stepped in.

"Got it, Third Brother."

Gu Baoshu pouted, "Talking as if I’m some troublemaker."

Qin Yuan quickly rose to greet him, timing it just right as Gu Jinghui stepped through the curtain in three long strides.

"Madam."

"Husband."

Their eyes met, and they had much to say, but with Gu Baoshu sitting there, nothing could be said.

Qin Yuan chided, "Why haven’t you changed clothes yet? Fortunately, sister came over and told us, and I’ve prepared hot water, you should go to the cleansing room for a bath and grooming."

Gu Jinghui said, "I’ve been too busy to take care of it; I wanted to wash up in the study before coming, but worried you’d be dining alone, so I rushed over."

These words, if Old Madam Gu heard them, she’d probably scold him—worrying about his daughter-in-law dining alone, but not about his own mother.

Truly, forgot his mother once he had a wife.

Qin Yuan pursed her lips in a smile, "Seventh Sister also came to dine with me, you two have a large appetite, and I’ve already asked the small kitchen to prepare more. Does Sixteen want to eat here too?"

Gu Jinghui said, "Sixteen went to dine at the outer study, so don’t worry about him." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Saying this, he glanced at the encumbering Gu Baoshu and said, "I’ll head to the cleansing room for a wash first."

Without knowing she was resented by her brother, Gu Baoshu chatted happily with Qin Yuan, sometimes laughing uncontrollably, losing more and more of her feminine grace.

"Did the Marquis give you Gu Shiliu?"

Qin Yuan was astonished.

Gu Baoshu nodded vigorously, "Yes, I asked Third Brother for Sixteen, and Sixteen agreed, Third Brother also said I could bring Sixteen when I go to White Crane Academy."

Hong Ye had just returned from outside when she heard this news and shouted, "What, is Sixteen also going with Seventh Miss to White Crane Academy?"

Gu Baoshu laughed, "Yes, are you waiting here for Sixteen, or going with him?"

Hong Ye stomped her foot, "Seventh Miss just loves making jokes. I’m no one of stature, how could I face such things."

Gu Baoshu laughed, "I know about your relationship with Sixteen, still trying to hide it from me, are you?"

"We have nothing," Hong Ye said through clenched teeth.

Feeling the situation was not good, Qin Yuan quickly pulled Gu Baoshu aside to talk about other things. By the time Marquis Gu changed into his casual clothes and came out, the table was already filled with new dishes from the small kitchen.

Gu Baoshu sighed with satisfaction, "Third Sister-in-law is too meticulous, these are all my favorite dishes."