Chapter 152: Bustling at the General’s Manor Gate
"Go on. Master will come pick you up again tomorrow." Dean Chen waved.
Ye Qianning smiled and nodded, lowering the carriage curtain.
Dean Chen stared after the departing carriage for a long time, unmoving. ’A genius. A true genius. Her scholarship is nothing short of divinely inspired, and she’s only six years old.’
’Such talent promises a limitless future. It’s just a pity she’s an official’s daughter.’
’The daughters of court officials are all registered with the court. Even their parents have no say in their marriages—let alone the daughter of a General.’
’Beili never had such a rule before. This decree was only enacted after the current Emperor ascended the throne.’
’Girls can marry at fifteen or sixteen, but once they reach a marriageable age, any betrothal as a principal wife must be reviewed by the Emperor. This is the one part of their lives where the children of court officials have absolutely no control.’
’This little disciple of his yearns for freedom and is remarkably open-minded. She isn’t suited for the life of an official’s wife. The officials in the Capital City, big and small, are all entangled in complex affairs, even the most upright among them.’
’Even though she’s only six, one has to plan ahead.’
「General’s Manor」
The main gate of the General’s Manor was already bustling early in the morning. Knowing it was a rest day from the academy, Zhan Chi had given in to his mother’s pleas and brought her for a visit.
The two of them were following a young servant and had not yet entered the gate when they saw the Gu family’s carriage arrive.
A group of servants followed the carriage. Two of them were carrying a large, red chest, a sight that left both Zhan Chi and Madam Zhan a little bewildered.
"The Gu family is here? But the Xiang family doesn’t have any adult children." Upon seeing the large, red chest, Madam Zhan’s first thought was of a betrothal.
Zhan Chi shook his head, his gaze fixed on the Gu family’s carriage. ’What is the Gu family up to?’
Old Master Gu alighted from the carriage and headed for the General’s Manor, the servants carrying the chest following closely behind him.
"Old Master Gu." Madam Zhan greeted him with a small curtsy.
"Well now, if it isn’t Madam Zhan and the young Zhan boy. What brings you to the General’s Manor?" Old Master Gu said as he approached.
"We heard the General’s young daughter fell seriously ill a few days ago," Madam Zhan said with a smile. "Since the academy is on break today, we thought we’d come by to check on her and bring a few nourishing gifts."
At her words, Old Master Gu glanced down and finally noticed the maid behind Madam Zhan holding two small red boxes. His expression turned disdainful. "You came to see the little girl and only brought these two little boxes? Tsk, tsk."
With that, he waved his hand, and eight servants carrying four large chests followed him into the manor.
"What’s with that tone? He’s just some low-class merchant," Zhan Chi fumed. The sudden movement pulled at the wounds on his back, and he winced in pain.
"Be careful. You know your father’s lashings are no joke."
"Old Master Gu is just infuriating."
"He is your elder; you can’t be so disrespectful. Old Master Gu is just sharp-tongued, but his heart is in the right place."
Madam Zhan, who came from a scholarly family, was familiar with Old Master Gu’s personality. She didn’t take his words to heart, offering only a helpless smile.
When Old Madam Xiang heard that Old Master Gu and members of the Zhan family had come to visit—and had brought several large chests—she was so delighted she couldn’t stop grinning. She immediately had her maids help her get properly dressed.
’A few days ago, the Emperor had bestowed a great many fine things. They were supposedly for that little bastard, Ye Qianning, but it was all thanks to her son’s prestige.’
’Without her son, how would the Emperor even know who that little bastard was? Ultimately, all those rewards belonged to the Xiang family. That little bastard shouldn’t even dream of getting a single thing.’
’Nourish her body?’
’It’s my old body that could use some nourishment!’
A maid helped Old Madam Xiang into the main hall, where Old Master Gu, Zhan Chi, and his mother had already been waiting for some time. Upon seeing her entrance, Madam Zhan rose to her feet.
"It’s been several years, Madam Xiang, but you are as graceful as ever."
"You’re the one who’s as graceful as ever, Madam Zhan. You’ve kept yourself up so well, you look like you’re in your thirties." Old Madam Xiang was actually quite jealous. She remembered seeing Madam Zhan a few years prior, and her appearance hadn’t changed in the slightest.