Brother Cheng waited for Ah Song to leave before quickly asking Gu Jin’an, "Big Brother, have the teacher and Third Sister really forgiven me?"

He was terrified, even dreaming that the teacher and Third Sister left, his big brother crying, Second Sister scolding him for being incompetent, and he became the family’s sinner.

Gu Jin’an said, "Third Miss never held a grudge against you. Once she says she’s forgiven you, she won’t get angry again."

As for the teacher...

Gu Jin’an looked at the two plates of pastries on the table and said, "The teacher wasn’t truly angry. If he were angry, he wouldn’t have disciplined us. From the moment the teacher punished us, it showed he had forgiven us and intended to continue teaching us."

A truly angry person wouldn’t care about your well-being anymore. By taking the trouble to discipline the two brothers, it showed he still cared to teach.

Gu Jin’an looked at Brother Cheng, raised his hand to pat his head, and smiled, "So Brother Cheng doesn’t need to worry; the teacher and Third Miss aren’t angry."

Brother Cheng was very happy upon hearing this, grinning, "Does this mean things with Big Brother and Third Sister are settled? Am I getting a sister-in-law?!"

He laughed again, "If Third Sister becomes my sister-in-law, I’ll get to eat lots of things I haven’t tasted before, and Big Brother won’t dare to scold me anymore."

He glanced at Gu Jin’an, eyes seemingly saying: Let’s see if Big Brother dares to not let me eat enough in the future.

Gu Jin’an tugged at his little tuft of hair and teased, "Since we came to the south, when has the family ever let you go hungry? It’s just that your body is weak, and I’m afraid that eating too much will make you feel unwell. That’s why I monitor your eating, not letting you eat too full. But you still had plenty of bean dregs cakes and the snacks, and meat pies that Second Sister made."

"Another thing is to correct your habit of overeating from our time escaping famine; you can’t let your stomach be full yet eyes hungry, eating just because you see food."

Brother Cheng hummed twice, then hurried to pick up the double-layered cake beside him to eat, afraid he wouldn’t be able to eat it later.

Gu Jin’an saw this and didn’t scold him; instead, he poured him half a bowl of warm water, placing it on the table by the bed, saying, "Drink some water to help it go down, so your throat won’t hurt."

Brother Cheng nodded, only stopping after eating two more pieces of double-layered cake, kindly handing two tiger head cakes to Gu Jin’an, "Big Brother, eat these. Third Sister made them with her own hands."

Brother San Lang was always happy eating what Second Sister made, so Big Brother eating what Third Sister made must also be joyfully bubbling.

Gu Jin’an took the tiger head cake, took a bite, and a fruity aroma spread in his mouth, making his eyes light up with surprise... Third Miss was thoughtful, and these tiger head cakes filled with sweet fruit were just right for Brother Cheng to eat now.

Brother Cheng saw his big brother’s eyes light up as he ate and smiled, eyes curving with happiness.

Gu Jin’an, seeing him so joyfully smiling, also started laughing, patting his head to apologize: "I’m sorry, Big Brother shouldn’t have hit you. Brother Cheng was just looking out for Big Brother; it was all Big Brother’s temper being too bad."

He continued, "Brother Cheng, don’t be afraid; Big Brother promises not to hit or scold you carelessly anymore... unless you make a big mistake."

Brother Cheng was excited to hear the first part, but then his face fell, dissatisfied, "So, you’ll still hit me."

Gu Jin’an was taken aback but reasoned with Brother Cheng: "You’re young and mischievous, impulsive. Before you’re mature, you’re bound to make some mistakes. Big Brother is just worried you’ll make mistakes, which is why I said that."

He added, "But Big Brother promises you, I won’t be as harsh as this time. I’ll go easy on you, and won’t injure Brother Cheng again... If Big Brother’s hand is heavy again when hitting you, you can shout out what I said today to rein Big Brother in."

"Hahaha, really?" Brother Cheng was happy. He finally got half an exemption gold card.

Gu Jin’an frowned, feeling he had been tricked, but thought about how Brother Cheng did suffer this time, and since the little guy was getting older, he would be more stable in the future and wouldn’t make such serious mistakes as he did yesterday.

Ah, Gu Jin’an, you’re overthinking. Your whole family dotes on a young brother; he’s only getting cheekier and bolder. Do you still expect him to behave like an old scholar?

Brother Cheng was happy for a moment but queried again: "Big Brother, what’s really going on with you and Third Sister? Did the teacher agree? When can we finally have a sister-in-law?"

"The women in the village and town aunties always tease Big Brother, saying he’s getting older without talking marriage, wondering if there’s something wrong with him. Their words are so unpleasant, and they laugh after speaking, making me so angry. Big Brother, get what you wish for soon, so you can slap them hard in the face and stop them from teasing you."

"Talking so much with a sore throat." Gu Jin’an chided once, then got up and left the room to fetch some herbal medicine.

Brother Cheng’s heart sank; was Big Brother avoiding the topic? Did he almost get beaten to death without achieving anything? Boohoo, that would be a huge loss.

Gu Jin’an blew the herbal medicine until it was drinkable, then handed it to Brother Cheng: "Drink the medicine first."

Brother Cheng hurriedly took the medicine bowl and gulped it up, not caring that his throat ached, then anxiously asked, "Big Brother, hurry and tell me."

It was driving him crazy; as his little brother, he was almost becoming a matchmaker.

Gu Jin’an: "The teacher did not give me a clear answer last night, but he suggested a willingness. He asked if it was true that no male in our family would accept a concubine for life."

"That’s it?" Brother Cheng’s heart sank; everyone knew Big Brother had said he’d never accept a concubine in this life, even if childless. The teacher still asked; was he unsure about trusting Third Miss to Big Brother, or does he really look down on our family? 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Brother Cheng lowered his head sadly, realizing his brother was right; social class is a chasm in marriage affairs. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t help.

As he wallowed in sadness, Ah Song returned, saying to Gu Jin’an, "Good Brother An, the Second Old Master is looking for you."

Gu Jin’an was shocked at first, then quickly responded, telling Brother Cheng: "You continue resting; Big Brother’s going to see the teacher."

Ah Song said, "Good Brother An, rest assured and go; I’ll take good care of Brother Cheng."

Gu Jin’an nodded, gently removing Brother Cheng’s hand from his arm, and left to meet Master Ouyang.

Brother Cheng sat on the bed, quite worried. Ah Song urged him to sleep for his health, but even as his eyes grew heavy with sleep, he shook his head: "I’m not sleeping; I want to wait for Big Brother to come back."

He asked Ah Song again: "Brother Song, is it truly impossible for people from different social classes to marry?"

Ah Song nodded: "Yes, the majority can’t. It’s like how Criminal Law dictates slaves can’t marry women from the good register. But there are exceptions."

Brother Cheng felt like crying. Was that last sentence merely to comfort him?

However, Brother Cheng remained unyielding, waiting persistently to ask Gu Jin’an what exactly the teacher had said to him when he returned. What was his attitude this time; had there been any hint of willingness?

This time, Gu Jin’an didn’t take long, just about half an hour before he returned, bringing Brother Cheng a great piece of news, or rather a promise.