Chapter 13: Beginning of Education

Chapter 13: Beginning of Education

"What! She... the Madam is going to teach Qing Ge'er himself?"

Hearing that her son's teacher was now to be Lin Yunwan instead of a renowned scholar, Ge Baor nearly wrung her handkerchief to shreds.

She asked cautiously, "Wasn't it agreed earlier to hire a famous teacher from outside? Why the sudden change?"

Lu Zhengliu told her, "It's difficult to invite a master to teach at the lord's mansion."

He didn't elaborate on the difficulties to Ge Baor.

She didn't need to know, and he didn't want her to know.

Ge Bao'er pursed her lips.

She had been at the Wuding Marquis mansion for a while now. Although life with the old lady was somewhat bland, this blandness was a level of luxury she could never have imagined before.

How could the Lu family not even be able to invite a single renowned teacher?

"The lady of the house manages such a large mansion and also has to teach two children. I'm just worried... might the lady be too busy?"

Lu Zhengliu glanced at her and said gravely, "It was only after my grandmother and I pleaded earnestly that she agreed to teach Qing-ge'er."

Ge Bao'er found it unbelievable.

Why would the Lu family let Lin Yunwan teach Qing-ge'er?

Could she possibly teach better than a renowned teacher?

Knowing that Ge Bao'er didn't understand these matters, Lu Zhengliu patiently explained, "Yunwan has excellent calligraphy skills and has been well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics since childhood. Her scholarship is no less than that of men who enter civil service through imperial examinations. You needn't worry too much about this."

Ge Bao'er indeed didn't understand.

But she knew that if she continued, he might lose his patience.

She forced a smile, "Young Master, I have no doubts about the lady's scholarship. Even if I don't understand her prowess, I trust that you and the old lady wouldn't gamble with Qing-ge'er's future."

"Hmm."

The two were in the small Buddhist hall of the Shou Tang, with a fifteen-inch-tall statue of Guanyin in the hall.

A bronze incense burner, filled with ashes, held three burnt-out incense sticks.

In such a serene and secluded place, the man before her stood tall and handsome. He was her childhood friend, with whom she shared a lovely and intelligent son.

Ge Bao'er lowered her head, shyly tugging at Lu Zhengliu's sleeve.

This gesture suddenly reminded Lu Zhengliu of their childhood days in Liyang – in the fields, the forests, under the morning and evening sun, she always looked like this.

However, he had been weary these past few days, only feeling somewhat relieved today after settling his son's education matters, yet he was indeed tired.

He spoke in a gentle tone, "The Old Lady will arrange for Qing-ge'er to meet you in a while."

"Really?"

"Really. Spend some quality time with Qing-ge'er. I'll be leaving first."

"Ah-Zheng brother..."

Ge Bao'er's emotions fluctuated, watching Lu Zhengliu leave with reluctance.

Soon enough, Qing-ge'er indeed came to pay respects to the Old Lady.

Mother and son embraced each other in the Old Lady's chamber. The Old Lady went to the Buddhist hall to offer incense, leaving only Nanny Yan at the door of the chamber to lightly overhear their conversation.

Having not seen each other for many days, Ge Bao'er was overjoyed to tears, most concerned about her son's health.

"Let mother have a look."

Holding her son's face, she carefully examined him and said with a smile, "Qing-ge'er, you’ve grown fatter and fairer than before."

Qing-ge'er was all smiles.

After her moment of joy, Ge Bao'er asked Qing-ge'er, "Are you happy living in the mansion?"

Qing-ge'er nodded vigorously, animatedly talking about life in the front courtyard.

The stewards and servants in the front courtyard were adept at reading moods, knowing well that the Old Lady and the young master doted on the young master, pampering him greatly.

Being young, he was meticulously cared for by everyone. They kept him company in his play, attending to his every need, providing him with anything he wished for.

For a child, life couldn't be more blissful than this.

"If you're happy, mother is happy too."

In that moment, Ge Bao'er felt that returning to Lu Zhengliu's side was worth it.

A shadow appeared outside the window, distinctly visible under the candlelight.

Ge Bao'er recognized it as Nanny Yan.

Therefore, she discreetly asked Qing-ge'er about Lin Yunwan in a whisper.

Qing-ge'er's brows and eyes instantly drooped.

Ge Bao'er's heart sank, anxiously asking, "Did the lady mistreat you?"

Qing-ge'er shook his head.

He knew in his heart that it wasn't really mistreatment.

"Miss Bao'er, the Old Lady will be returning soon after her prayers."

Nanny Yan urged from outside.

Ge Bao'er responded, and soon after, the Old Lady and Nanny Yan entered together, signaling it was time for her to return to her own quarters.

She tossed and turned restlessly in her room.

Although Lin Yunwan didn't know Qing-ge'er's true identity, her initial impression of him wasn't favorable.

What worried her more was whether Lin Yunwan could truly educate Qing-ge'er well.

Regardless, she was determined not to sit idly by.

The next day, Ge Bao'er still rose early to prepare breakfast for the Old Lady.

Her culinary skills were indeed excellent. In the past, she had supported herself and her son with her cooking, and it was certainly impressive even in the Old Lady's eyes.

"Having been accustomed to richly flavored food in the mansion, eating these lighter dishes occasionally does feel more comforting, both for the stomach and the heart."

The Old Lady, satisfied with her meal, casually complimented Ge Bao'er.

Ge Bao'er smiled with pursed lips, "If you like it, I'll prepare it for you every day."

She was sincerely devoted to serving the Old Lady, and this acknowledgment truly delighted her.

The Old Lady moved to another seat, holding a string of prayer beads in her hand, her mind unsettled. She involuntarily looked up in the direction of the Chui Si Tang.

She murmured, "By this time, both boys must have already gone over..."

Nanny Yan glanced at the time and said, "They've been gone for nearly two quarters of an hour."

Ge Bao'er was also very anxious.

She brought in tea and said to the Old Lady, "I'm sure the lady will treat them equally. Please have some tea."

The Old Lady looked at her, accepted the tea, and said indifferently, "Do you really think so?"

"Truly."

The Old Lady scrutinized her.

Ge Bao'er, her head bowed in silence, wearing a veil, stood quietly at one side.

Chui Si Tang had prepared a side room for the two as a classroom.

Inside, the sheer curtains fluttered, green bamboo swayed gently outside the window, subtly emitting the fragrance of ink.

Today, the first day of lessons, Lin Yunwan did not delve into anything too complex, merely guiding them in recognizing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

"Huzhou brushes, Hui ink, Xuan paper, Duan inkstones."

These were the most famous of the Four Treasures of the Study.

"Although only 'Guan Ge style' writing is allowed in the imperial examinations, to write well, one must practice all five scripts: seal, clerical, regular, running, and cursive."

This was basic knowledge in calligraphy.

Lin Yunwan's voice was calm and gentle, speaking unhurriedly and steadily.

Lu Changgong listened with utmost attention, despite feeling very sleepy.

Thinking of their first day attending the lady's class, both had hardly slept last night. They arrived on time, but were yawning incessantly.

Tears welled up in Qing-ge'er's eyes.

"We'll stop here for today."

Lin Yunwan, guessing the reason for their sleepiness, didn't want to trouble them and ended the first lesson early.

Lu Changgong and Qing-ge'er stood up together, bowing to her.

"Ping Ye, Tao Ye."

Two maids came over with trays.

Lin Yunwan said, "This is a gift for your enlightenment."

Both boys' eyes lit up.

The maids placed the items before them: a brush made in the style of rice dumplings and a jade pendant carved with a swan goose.

"This 'Zong Brush', a homophone for 'certain success', is to wish you both sure success in your future imperial examinations and to inspire you to have the ambition of a swan goose."

Qing-ge'er, full of curiosity, immediately picked up the brush to examine.

How novel, he had never seen anything like this before!

Moreover, when he started his studies in the countryside at the age of five, there was no such gift for enlightenment; neither his mother nor his teacher had given him any.

"The ambition of a swan goose..."

Lu Changgong picked up the jade pendant, holding it reverently in both hands.

He respectfully thanked Lin Yunwan, "Thank you, mother. Your son will always remember this."

Lin Yunwan nodded gently towards him.

After returning, Lu Changgong strung the jade pendant on a cord and wore it on himself. He didn't dare eat the brush-shaped dumpling, choosing instead to place it as an offering in his room.

Qing-ge'er, being mischievous, skipped lunch and went to play in the Shou Tang.

The Old Lady was resting.

Ge Bao'er found Qing-ge'er in the Bi Sha Cabinet.

Qing-ge'er took out the brush dumpling and giggled, "Mother, guess what this is."

Ge Bao'er smiled, "Isn't it a brush?"

Qing-ge'er shook his head, "It's a dumpling, Mother. It's an enlightenment gift from Mother."

Mother? He said it so naturally!

Seeing her son about to peel and eat the dumpling.

Ge Bao'er quickly stopped his hand, saying, "Don't eat it!" Was a mere dumpling, made to look novel, enough to win her son's affection?

Qing-ge'er was startled.

Ge Bao'er confidently said, "Mom will make you something even more fun and delicious than this. Don't eat this one."

Although Qing-ge'er felt regret, he still threw away the brush dumpling.

He didn't dare throw it in the Shou Tang, so he discarded it on the way back to the front courtyard, where it was picked up by a steward and brought to Lu Zhengliu.

"Young Master, the brush dumpling—a symbol of assured success. Such a good omen. I wonder which young master would throw it away."

Lu Zhengliu turned and headed to the front courtyard.

This was his first time visiting his son's quarters.