CHAPTER 166: CHAPTER 91 UNABLE TO CONTROL

"Dad! Mom! I’ve already decided, I want to learn business. Even if I don’t have silver as capital, I’ll work as an assistant in a shop in town." He had made up his mind, becoming an official through exams was too difficult, and he didn’t like it. He just wanted to earn silver.

Gu Chengyu looked at his third brother’s determined expression, thinking that learning business for three years would be good. In the future, the family business would grow, and someone would need to manage it. Da Lang was honest, and could only preserve the current state like their elder brother; the third brother was only focused on blacksmithing; the fourth brother had recently become obsessed with medicine; the second brother was smart but getting old. The Gu Family’s business prospects were dwindling, so it was better to train the third brother to manage the family business well.

But he couldn’t say this, as the second brother had some estrangement with him. If he said it, the second brother might think he couldn’t stand seeing the second family do well, implying he wanted the third brother not to study.

In the end, the third brother insisted on learning business. He hugged the third brother for a long time, crying, while Gu Chengyi tried to persuade him but seeing that the third brother didn’t listen, he stopped trying.

"Second brother! If you want to take the exam, you need to tell your teacher in advance, so they can make arrangements for you." Gu Chengyu, seeing that matters were mostly settled, finally spoke up.

The second brother decided on the exam last minute, and since it was still early, he should inform the teacher sooner, so they could find a few fellow examinees. To take the county examination, five examinees needed to mutually guarantee each other. If there was cheating, all five would be implicated, and a scholar from the county would need to guarantee them.

Mr. Wen was such a scholar and had to take the annual exam every year. Gu Chengyu advanced to Class A last year, and You Siyuan was also in Class A, while Wang Qikai had worked hard to follow him and entered Class B. He was doing well and might advance to Class A next year.

There were already two students in Class A taking the exam, along with him, Senior Brother Sun, and Gu Wanhua, making five. They already agreed to guarantee each other.

Thinking of Class A, he remembered two years ago when they finished building the house and invited You Siyuan and Wang Qikai over as guests, also asking Doctor Li to come. Doctor Li had real skills, discovering that Wang Qikai was indeed poisoned. This poison had affected him since the womb, causing him to eat and sleep a lot, growing into a fatty, which wasn’t unexpected. More terrifyingly, this condition would worsen, leading to prolonged sleep and eventually eternal slumber.

The incense burnt at home was only calming incense to make people drowsy. Gu Chengyu didn’t want to meddle in his family’s underworld affairs, only asking Doctor Li if the poison could be cured. Doctor Li said it would take at least three years, starting with medication to condition the body before detoxifying.

Though Wang Qikai looked robust with flesh everywhere, internally, he was severely depleted. The poison was chronic, but the detoxifying medicine was potent. Doctor Li worried Wang Qikai couldn’t handle the effects, so he planned to improve his health first before detoxifying.

Wang Qikai was immensely grateful to Gu Chengyu upon learning the truth, yet he dared not inform his father. Gu Chengyu also promised not to tell, and with You Siyuan already sent away, there was no need to worry. Gu Chengyu sighed, thinking Wang Qikai had finally come to his senses, realizing Mr. Wang was unreliable.

Over these two years, he had occasionally given Wang Qikai some spiritual spring water, making his health much better. When detoxification time came, he secretly added a bit of detoxification pills from his space into Wang Qikai’s medicine, hastening the detoxification process.

"Little Uncle, is there a spot available?" The second brother’s adolescent voice interrupted Gu Chengyu’s drifting thoughts.

"We’re just right with five students next year, so we’re not short of people. You should ask your teacher to see if anyone from your private school wants to take the exam." The private school in Xiasang Village had been open for many years, so it was unlikely no one wanted to take the exam.

"I heard there’s only one senior brother wanting to take the exam. The teacher also plans to ask other private schools in town for help, having other teachers take the senior brother along." He didn’t mention the teacher didn’t think much of his chances, always saying his foundation was weak.

Actually, he thought, the teacher took how many years to pass the scholar’s exam? Perhaps he thought one should wait until the right age to take exams, not realizing some people are just born to excel at studying.

"Then ask your teacher tomorrow. If you can’t find anyone, I’ll talk to Mr. Wen. Do you have a scholar for guarantees? Mr. Wen is a scholar; I can ask him to guarantee you."

If a student wanted to take the exam, as a teacher, they should find a way. Other private schools in town should have candidates too. But they must inform the teacher first, not letting the second brother directly approach Mr. Wen. That would disrespect his teacher.

"Forget it! I’ll ask my teacher myself then!" The second brother felt a bit sullen. This was a small matter, yet Little Uncle wouldn’t help. He put down the bowl and chopsticks, striding back to the west wing.

Gu Chengyu was taken aback. Was this a tantrum? He didn’t say he wouldn’t help!

"What’s the matter? You two, are you still putting us old folks in your hearts? Look at the second brother, who’s he showing that face to?"

Lying silently, Mrs. Lv suddenly burst in, seeing the second brother daring to show her son an attitude. Originally, everyone was quietly listening to Gu Chengyu and the second brother, but Mrs. Lv’s sudden interjection shattered the silence.

"Mom! We’re about to see exams, so the boy’s worried! I’ll talk to him properly when we return." He hurriedly explained to Mrs. Lv.

"Dad! Mom! The second brother is still young and immature; please don’t hold it against him." Gu Chengyi feared rumors would spread, harming the second brother’s reputation. The second brother aspired to be an official, and adverse rumors could be disastrous.

"Still young? Going on twelve soon, most families arrange engagements by this age. He’s still a student? Studying this way? Maybe better not study at all! The teachings are unclear; shows disrespect to elders, throwing tantrums. Truly spoiled!"

Mrs. Lv always had some dissatisfaction with the second brother’s continued studies and now seized the chance to voice her grievances. Moreover, the second brother dared to show an attitude to her son!

Mr. Gu was also upset. He was strict about rules, and despite having a scholar at home now, the rules were being ignored, with defiance towards elders — what was this? Could studying breed resentment?

"Second son, have I mistreated your family this time? If the second brother wants to take the exam and fails, I’ll still let him study; the third brother doesn’t want to study; I didn’t force him. If he wants to go, he can." Mr. Gu picked up his pipe, ready to light it.

Mrs. Lv snatched it away, glaring at him. Mr. Gu only frowned briefly at this sight.

"Dad! We never said you mistreated us!" This wasn’t mistreatment, but blatant favoritism. Gu Chengyi said so but thought otherwise.

"What’s the second brother’s issue then? Does he resent us or his uncle? Xiao Bao agreed to help him, what’s there to be mad about? Is this how he treats his uncle?" Mr. Gu decided it was time for sternness, otherwise chaos would ensue without rules at home.

"Dad! I’ll have the second brother apologize to the fifth uncle later." Seeing Mr. Gu unwilling to let go of the issue, Gu Chengyi grew frustrated.

"Dad, if nothing else, I’ll head back to my room. I’ve worked all day and am tired, and you should rest early too." Having finished speaking, he left the main house like the second brother.

Mr. Gu felt his vision darken. What did this mean? Was he really too old to manage these sons and grandsons? Supporting himself on the kang table, he felt a bit dizzy.

"Old man! What’s wrong?" Mrs. Lv’s shout brought everyone over, creating a noisy, chattering confusion. Gu Chengyu grew anxious seeing this, sending Da Lang to fetch Doctor Li.

He noticed Mr. Gu seemed to have a bout of anxiety-induced anger, quickly feeding him spiritual spring water disguised as tea. Mr. Gu took a big sip, feeling better after a while, and waved everyone out, annoyed by the noisy women.

At this moment, seeing Mr. Gu reclining on the kang, Gu Chengyu felt he had aged significantly in an instant, and his nose tingled with sourness.