CHAPTER 610: CHAPTER 610: REQUEST

Third Grandpa said, "Village chief, there’s no need for such politeness, we all know you didn’t mean it."

Who wouldn’t be scared by a beheading?

After listening, Village Chief He still wasn’t reassured and kept his wary old eyes on Gu Jinli, worried that if this girl got angry, it could spell disaster for his family’s livelihood.

Gu Jinli said, "I know you’re faint-hearted, I’m not angry."

Village Chief He, relieved by her words, brightened up and began to chat with Third Grandpa as usual.

He then pushed He Tongsheng saying, "Hurry and go play with Brother Cheng." You clueless fool.

He Tongsheng could only go and find Brother Cheng.

Upon seeing him, Brother Cheng hastily went to find Jin’an: "Big Brother, I want to go to school, let’s hurry to school and be good children who love learning."

Jin’an laughed, "You little slicker."

If you don’t want to play with Tongsheng, just say it. Is there a need to run away like this?

Brother Cheng whispered, "Lately, Brother Tongsheng likes to play with earthworms, I don’t want to play with earthworms, they are slippery and not fun."

Brother Cheng really didn’t understand why Brother Tongsheng always liked to play with such dirty and strange things, and even enjoyed dragging other kids in the village to play together, and they all had great fun. Whenever he joined them, he was completely baffled, not understanding what they found so enjoyable.

Jin’an laughed upon hearing this and said to Brother Cheng, "It’s nothing for us farm kids to play with mud and earthworms."

However, it was also time for them to go to school now. Jin’an grabbed his schoolbag and took Brother Cheng to school.

He Tongsheng, finding Brother Cheng boring, was very happy to see him leave. Taking advantage of Village Chief He not paying attention, he slipped away to find other children to play with in the village.

After eating breakfast, Gu Jinli instructed Jinxiu to take her medicine, then went off to the pharmaceutical workshop to keep busy.

The weather had been cold lately, and Jinxiu had caught a chill. She was now taking her convenient medicine, which was effective. She had a fever yesterday, but today the fever had subsided.

Elder Doctor Wu was fascinated with making convenient medicine, spending all day in the pharmacy with Uncle Dai and others. Seeing them, Gu Jinli also rolled up her sleeves and got to work; the whole group was busy all day and produced over a thousand pills, increasing efficiency a lot.

At dinner, Jin’an said, "Brother Zheng and Brother Shangguan have already arrived, they are now in the county. Tomorrow, they will come to Yanfu Building to discuss the soy sauce business with us. I have taken a few days off from school to accompany you."

Gu Dashan replied, "Dad will take you there, and we’ll bring Nanny Tao along too."

As Xiao Yu was growing up, Mrs. Cui had instructed her a lot, saying Xiao Yu shouldn’t run around recklessly and should be accompanied by a family elder or Nanny Tao when meeting men outside, as life was tough for women and she didn’t want her daughter to be the subject of gossip.

"Dad, I want to go too," Brother Cheng pleaded with Gu Dashan, his eyes full of anticipation.

Gu Dashan, knowing his youngest son’s thoughts, smiled and said, "Alright, Dad will take you, and we’ll enjoy a good meal at Yanfu Building, then pack two tables of food to bring back for your mother and the others."

He told Mrs. Cui, "Don’t bother preparing dinner tomorrow. I’ll bring food from Yanfu Building. Please invite Elder Doctor Wu and Manager Cheng for dinner."

Elder Doctor Wu and Manager Cheng had been at the workshop for two days as guests, and it was proper for his family to prepare a table to host them.

Mrs. Cui, always obedient, nodded her head and agreed with a "okay."

Third Grandma, hearing that Zheng Ying and Shangguan Zhuo were coming, asked nervously, "Those two are young masters from rich families, should we clean up a yard in the workshop for them to stay?"

Jin’an smiled and said, "There’s no need, Third Grandma. Brother Zheng and Brother Shangguan have a separate residence in the county. They will stay there. If tomorrow’s negotiation doesn’t go well, they will come again the day after to Yanfu Building for talks. They won’t be staying at our place."

Rules among noble families were strict; they seldom stayed over at others’ houses, as such behavior was considered extremely impolite by noble families and also for fear of rumors. There was once a noble son who stayed over at someone’s home, and ended up having an affair with a girl from that family, which resulted in an ugly scandal.

Noble families take great care to not let their young scions sleep over at other people’s homes, nor do they easily allow them to bring friends over to stay the night.

Gu Jin’an recently traveled to Jinling Prefecture and did not stay at Zheng Mansion, but at a separate yard owned by the Zheng family, merely following protocol to pay a formal visit to the elderly members of the Zheng and Shangguan families.

Third Grandma heard this and said, "Ah, is that so? The customs of the wealthy are indeed different from ours in the countryside."

In the countryside, if distant guests arrive, they usually stay at our homes, as staying at an inn costs money.

Third Grandpa said, "The visitor is a noble young master, naturally different from us farmers. Don’t worry yourself, hurry and eat."

After dining together, Gu Jin’an went to the workshop: "Mom, Dad, I’m heading to the workshop now, I’ve made plans with Brother Dexing to help him understand some difficult sections from his books."

"Alright, go ahead," Gu Dashan was pleased that Good Brother An was getting along well with Brother Xing, as being close with kin is always good.

Third Grandpa remarked, "Brother Xing has also improved."

But the cost of this improvement was too heavy, taking Sister Mei’s life.

...

The next day, Gu Dashan drove the mule cart, taking Gu Jin’an and his siblings, dropping Brother Cheng off at Master Xia’s for lessons.

Yet today, Master Xia had invited him in.

Gu Jinli, frowning, asked the servant at Master Xia’s house, "Why is my father being asked inside?"

Master Xia looking down upon his father, what good could come of inviting him in?

Gu Dashan, who deeply respected scholars with official titles, said, "Since Master Xia is Brother Cheng’s teacher and has invited me, there must be something important, it would be rude not to go."

Gu Jinli responded, "Alright, let’s all go together."

Let’s see what tricks the old fox is up to this time.

Master Xia did not expect Gu Jinli to come, and when he saw Gu Jinli following Gu Dashan and his sons in, his expression changed slightly and he thought to himself: A miscalculation!

But now that the guests had been invited inside, and Gu Dashan continued to smile and ask, "Master, what matter did you want to discuss in calling me in? Has Brother Cheng been disobedient, causing you anger?"

Brother Cheng, feeling wronged, said, "No, Brother Cheng has been obedient."

Hearing this, Gu Dashan patted his little head and continued to watch Master Xia.

Master Xia was somewhat troubled. Seeing this, Gu Jinli said, "What exactly do you want to say, Master? What issue is so difficult for you to mention, is it some unreasonable request you feel it’s impolite to mention?"

"Xiao Yu, first let Master Xia speak," Gu Dashan was amused by his younger daughter’s capacity to confront Master Xia.

Gu Jinli shut up, but inwardly rolled her eyes at Master Xia.

Master Xia smiled faintly and said, "Next month is Brother Cheng’s fifth birthday, and turning five is a landmark birthday for a child. Since I am his teacher, I was thinking of having Brother Cheng spend his birthday at the Xia family."

With a swoosh, Gu Jinli stood up, looked down on Master Xia with a cold smile and said, "Is the Master trying to snatch a child from our family? Can’t you have your own children? It’s not like you’re the only teacher around, if it comes to it, Brother Cheng will just quit learning!"

Damn it, absolutely shameless, continuously testing the limits of our family, Xia Gu truly lives up to his reputation as a madman, ridiculously beyond limits.

These words, striking like a sword, nearly knocked Master Xia speechless.

Seeing Gu Jinli’s strong reaction and hearing talk of snatching the child and withdrawing Brother Cheng from school, Master Xia quickly backed down, "Xiao Yu misunderstood, it was merely a suggestion, the decision is up to your family."

He was afraid of Gu Jinli complaining to Master Hu again and added, "I had no intention of taking Brother Cheng away, I only recognized his potential and wished to foster his talents, that’s all."