Chapter 208: You Should Have Liu Ge’er Speak to Grand Scholar Liu on His Behalf

Chapter 208: You Should Have Liu Ge'er Speak to Grand Scholar Liu on His Behalf

Zhou Wuniang didn’t come empty-handed.

She carried a basket full of eggs, her face lit up with a warm smile as she called out affectionately to Wei Pozi.

Wei Pozi was a bit puzzled. It wasn’t a festival, and even the celebration for Bang Ge'er’s full moon had passed some time ago. Why would Zhou Wuniang bring gifts to their house?

"Why are you being so formal?" Wei Pozi asked, confused. "Why did you bring things?"

Zhou Wuniang smiled at Wei Pozi and then reached into her bosom, pulling out two pieces of candy. She handed one to Xingxing and one to Ju Ge'er in the yard. "Go on, eat them," she said.

Xingxing and Ju Ge'er hesitated, unsure whether to accept.

Zhou Wuniang pretended to be upset. "What, are you being so distant with Auntie?"

Xingxing and Ju Ge'er finally took the candies, both saying, "Thanks, Auntie."

However, Ju Ge'er didn’t eat his. He had already eaten two pieces of pine nut candy given by Xingxing, and if he ate more, his mother would likely give him another beating with her shoe. To avoid another beating, it was better to save the candy for later.

Xingxing was the same. Though she loved candy, she saved it carefully to enjoy whenever she wanted.

Now, Wei Pozi was genuinely taken aback.

After all, Zhou Wuniang’s family had been scrimping to send Wang Qianan to study in the county. Zhou Wuniang had also taken on many embroidery jobs to supplement the household income.

Yet here she was, bringing both eggs and candy.

Clearly, she had something important to discuss.

"What’s the matter?" Wei Pozi asked.

Zhou Wuniang smiled nervously. "Auntie, may we speak inside?"

Wei Pozi agreed and led Zhou Wuniang into the house.

Inside, Zhou Wuniang placed the basket of eggs on the table and pushed it toward Wei Pozi. She smiled. "These are the eggs I’ve saved over time. They can help nourish Xiao Feng’s body, and you can make some egg custard for Bang Ge'er later."

Wei Pozi couldn’t accept and declined, "Your family Qian'an is at a critical time for growth. You should give these to him to eat."

At the mention of Wang Qianan, Zhou Wuniang’s eyes turned red.

"Auntie, I’ll be honest with you. I came to you today because I need to ask for your help," Zhou Wuniang said with red eyes. "You have to help me."

Wei Pozi was startled. "What’s happened? Is Qian'an alright?"

Zhou Wuniang bit her lower lip. "Auntie, as you know, ever since Qian'an started studying, the teachers have always praised him. He’s a promising scholar."

Wei Pozi couldn’t understand why Zhou Wuniang was suddenly praising her own son like this.

She thought to herself that it was only because Liu Ge'er hadn’t attended the school back then. Once Liu Ge'er started, the teachers began to praise him instead.

But Zhou Wuniang didn’t seem quite right, and Wei Pozi wasn’t the type to intentionally say things to hurt others.

She nodded, agreeing. "Yes, Qian'an has always been good at his studies. So, what’s the matter?"

Wei Pozi asked with some concern.

Friday Niang bit her lower lip, looking very distressed. "...Auntie, when the people from Grand Scholar Liu's residence sent out invitations for the students to attend a gathering, they didn't invite our Qian'an. He came back feeling pretty down. Auntie, I really wish I were in your shoes. All four of your grandsons received invitations. It's fine for Liu Ge'er, as he's always been good in his studies. Even Gui Ge'er, who is so young and just starting his education, and Huai Ge'er, who only attends school for half a day, got invitations."

"Why didn't they send an invitation to my Qian'an?"

"This..." Wei Pozi didn't know how to respond.

All four of her grandsons had received invitations, but it was probably because of Xingxing or Ah Wu.

However, explaining this to Friday Niang wouldn't help, and her complaints weren't really seeking an explanation.

Moreover, Wei Pozi felt a bit displeased.

Her grandsons had gotten the invitations, and regardless of how, it was their opportunity.

Should I be blamed just because my grandsons got the chance?

"Auntie, I've heard that during that banquet, Grand Scholar Liu was impressed by Liu Ge'er and decided to mentor him. Is that true?" Friday Niang's breathing became slightly rapid as she asked.

Wei Pozi, seeing Friday Niang's red-rimmed eyes, hesitated before saying, "...Yes."

Friday Niang looked like her heart was breaking. Pressing her hand against her heart, she said bitterly, "My Qian'an has always been outstanding. If he had been able to attend that banquet, Grand Scholar Liu would have noticed him..."

Wei Pozi understood.

Friday Niang was obsessing over this.

She thought her son missed out because the Yujia grandsons got all the invites.

Wei Pozi had felt a bit unhappy listening to Friday Niang's complaints earlier.

Now, understanding the implications of Friday Niang's words, she felt even more displeased.

"Wu Niang, what you're saying..."

Wei Pozi had just started speaking when Friday Niang interrupted her.

"Auntie, my Qian'an only lacks an opportunity." Friday Niang looked desperately at Wei Pozi. "...I've never asked you for anything before, but for Qian'an's sake, I'm asking you to speak to Liu Ge'er and recommend Qian'an to Grand Scholar Liu!"

"Qian'an is smart and talented. If Grand Scholar Liu sees him, he will definitely take him as a student!"

Friday Niang, with a fanatical look, stepped forward and grabbed Wei Pozi's hand.

"...Wouldn't it be great if Qian'an could study with Liu Ge'er under Grand Scholar Liu?"

Wei Pozi hadn't expected that Friday Niang's earlier complaints were leading to this!

Wei Pozi felt a headache coming on.

She regretted it.

She shouldn't have boasted about her grandson studying with Grand Scholar Liu.

When people asked about the Yujia Commercial Store, Wei Pozi would mention that Liu Ge'er was going to study with the Grand Scholar.

When others were discussing the harvest in the fields, Wei Pozi, passing by, would say the same.

...Now, Wei Pozi wished she hadn't bragged so much.

"Wu Niang, this..." Wei Pozi, with a headache, declined. "My Liu Ge'er can't recommend anyone to Grand Scholar Liu."

Besides, what if Grand Scholar Liu thinks Liu Ge'er isn't focusing on his studies and is too easily distracted?

"There’s no way I can agree to this!"

Zhou Wuniang pleaded earnestly, "Cousin, you’ve seen Qian'an grow up. Could you ask Liu Ge'er to say a good word for him to Grand Scholar Liu? It’s just a few kind words, it won’t hurt anyone."

Wei Pozi didn’t know how to convince her anymore.

But one thing was clear: she couldn’t afford to stand in her grandson’s way!

"Wuniang, this just won’t work—" Wei Pozi gently pushed the basket of eggs back toward Zhou Wuniang. "Take the eggs with you."