Jing Li made a cup of tea for Qin Zhao and brought it into the study.
The latter was reading and tilted his head to ask, "Is he still outside?"
"He's here." Jing Li suppressed his laughter and lowered his voice, "He was cursing in the yard, saying that his parents had never punished him like this, but when he saw me coming over, he immediately behaved himself."
Qin Zhao laughed: "It's only been an hour, and you still need to learn a lesson."
"But the sun is getting hotter outside." Jing Li said, "The young master is weak and fragile. If he stands any longer, he might get a heat stroke."
Qin Zhao glanced out the window and said, "Call the people in, and bring the cooling tea I made."
Jing Li: "Okay."
Jing Li went outside to pass on the message, and soon, Gu Heng came in supported by a young servant.
The weather in June was quite hot. It was not even noon yet, but Gu Heng was sweating profusely, his cheeks were sunburned. He was holding something in his hand, which was wrapped very delicately, so it was hard to tell what it was.
Gu Heng put the things on Qin Zhao's desk, seemed to want to say something, but gave up and sat down obediently on the chair.
The young servant wanted to pour him a glass of water, but Qin Zhao said, "This is what my husband made for me, don't touch it."
"You—" Gu Heng opened his mouth, his voice low and hoarse, "I have stood and been punished, what else do you want?"
Qin Zhao glanced at him and asked, "Is this the right attitude to take when admitting a mistake?"
Gu Heng: “…”
Gu Heng said: "I'm sorry, I was wrong."
"What's wrong?"
"You shouldn't be so obsessed with things, you shouldn't act recklessly, and you shouldn't..." Gu Heng's voice became smaller and smaller, "You shouldn't tease you on purpose."
Qin Zhao: "What did you call me?"
Gu Heng: "...Mr. Qin."
Qin Zhao chuckled: "When I was your age, I also liked to have fun, and I was more reckless and more playful than you. Your mistake is not in having fun, but in showing off."
"Never do things beyond your ability just because of a momentary impulse." Qin Zhao said calmly, "You are trying to show off your ability for a while, but have you ever thought about how your parents will face it? Have you ever thought about the consequences for your friends who invite you out to play?"
Gu Heng lowered his head: "I'm sorry."
Jing Li knocked on the door and poked his head in from outside: "Are you done with the lecture?"
Qin Zhao's serious expression almost broke, and he coughed lightly: "Well, come in."
Jing Li came in with a pot of herbal tea and poured a cup for Gu Heng and the little attendant: "Mr. Qin specially provided herbal tea to cool down the summer heat. Try it, it's delicious."
After saying that, he poured himself a cup.
Qin Zhao said: "Your constitution is cold, drink less."
"I know." Jing Li muttered softly, "I guessed that you didn't make it just for me."
Qin Zhao: “…”
Plums and honey are added to the herbal tea, which tastes icy and cool, quenching thirst and cooling down the body.
But Jingli is not afraid of the heat at all, and does not need to cool down.
It's clear who this thing is made for.
There was a hint of something else in these words, and Gu Heng was choked and started to cough madly. He barely stopped coughing and asked in a low voice: "So... So you are willing to come back to the Gu Mansion?"
Qin Zhao glanced at him and asked, "Why do you want me to go back home?"
"If you are just worried about Master Gu and Madam Gu blaming you, I can come out and explain for you. I left voluntarily and it has nothing to do with you."
Gu Heng did not answer.
Qin Zhao said: "You go back, I will go to Gu's house tomorrow—"
"Don't!" Gu Heng said, "It's not to deal with my parents, I just...if you don't come back, my mother will find another husband for me. Those people are full of morality and ethics, and I don't like them."
Qin Zhao took a sip of tea and said, "Then you can keep looking. The city is so big, there will always be a suitable candidate."
"I... I..." Gu Heng hesitated for a moment and finally told the truth, "I just want to take you as my master, okay? If you don't want to accept it, then forget it. These things are my thanks for saving my life. Goodbye!"
He stood up and walked out the door, but heard Qin Zhao say, "Stop."
"It seems that the previous masters really didn't teach you etiquette." Qin Zhao said leisurely, "If you want to become a disciple, in addition to preparing a gift of tuition, you must also perform etiquette, serve tea, and obey the teachings. Even a six-year-old child in my village knows these things, don't you understand?"
Gu Heng blinked blankly: "You...what do you mean?"
Jing Li couldn't help but remind him: "I asked you to serve tea, idiot."
“Here… here’s tea…” Gu Heng suddenly came to his senses, and the little servant beside him also came back to his senses, and hurried forward to pour a cup of tea and handed it to Gu Heng.
Gu Heng's movements were a little stiff. He slowly walked to Qin Zhao, bowed, and handed him the tea: "First, sir, please have some tea."
Qin Zhao and Jing Li looked at each other.
He accepted the gift and took the tea: "Tomorrow we will start the class at 7:00 pm. It will only be half a day as usual, but you are not allowed to be late or leave early. Go back and rest."
Gu Heng was still a little dazed, and asked in a low voice: "Are you... accepting me?"
Qin Zhao nodded.
Gu Heng relaxed, paused for a moment, and asked again: "Then can you ask me to roll the dice? How about horse racing?"
Qin Zhao: “…”
"Forget it! No, there's no need to teach these!" Gu Heng quickly made amends.
Qin Zhao smiled and said, "If you pass the exam to become a scholar next year, I will teach you everything."
"Next year?" Gu Heng was incredulous. "The county exam is in February. Others have to study for at least two years before taking the exam. How can I possibly pass it?"
"Because you are my disciple."
Qin Zhao began to order them to leave: "Alright, go back quickly. I will explain to Madam Gu in person tomorrow."
Gu Heng said "Oh" and turned away.
"Wait." Qin Zhao called him again, "When will Master Gu come back?"
Gu Heng: "My father? Maybe in August, he's been busy lately."
"But you said before..."
"He said he was coming back? Of course he was lying to you. Who knew you wouldn't buy it at all." Gu Heng said, "You want to see my father? That's easy. I'll introduce you to him when he comes back. Ordinary people can't even meet him if they want to."
The Gu family controls the economic lifeline of Jiangling Prefecture and is the largest weaving and spinning company in the entire Central Plains. There are countless people who want to get in touch with the Gu family and get Young Master Gu's promise.
But Qin Zhao just remained silent for a moment and shook his head: "No need, go back."
Gu Heng didn't understand what was going on, so he left with his attendants.
Jing Li took another sip of plum tea, looked at Gu Heng's back and said leisurely: "Not bad, the young master of the Gu family who used to be so arrogant in the capital city has been trained so obedient by you in just a few days."
Qin Zhao tilted his head to look at him, raised his hand to hold the other's waist and pulled him into his arms: "Give me a drink."
"No, you can't drink cold things."
"I just want to taste it." Qin Zhao suppressed his laughter and whispered in Jing Li's ear, "Try and see if there are too many plums. Why does it smell sour?"
Jing Li: “…”
Jing Li threw his hand away: "I'm not going to pay attention to you. I'm going to play with your son."
"No, stay with me first." Qin Zhao rested his chin on Jing Li's shoulder and kissed his neck. "Can't you bear to see me being nice to others?"
"No… "
Jing Li shrank back at the heat and whispered, "I'm not that stingy."
"Well, no." Qin Zhao said, "According to seniority, he should call you Master's Wife. Don't bother with the younger generation. If Yuzai keeps pestering me, will you be jealous of him?"
Jing Li also felt that he shouldn't think so much. Just as he was about to answer, he heard Qin Zhao frown and say, "This example is wrong."
"how?"
Jing Li tilted her head and was kissed by Qin Zhao: "Because I can."
From that day on, the young master of the Gu family seemed to have become a different person.
He no longer shows up in public, no longer hangs out in the city's entertainment venues, and even it is difficult for him to be invited out by the wealthy young men with whom he used to have a good relationship.
Of course, it’s not that he really reformed so quickly, but his husband didn’t allow it.
Not only were outsiders surprised, even Mrs. Gu found it unbelievable.
She knew her son best. He was stubborn and stubborn. They had tried their best to discipline him, but he was unmanageable.
This scholar had only been in the mansion for a few days, but he had managed to make his son so obedient.
Mrs. Gu was both delighted and touched. She wrote a long letter and sent it to the county town, regardless of Mr. Gu's instructions before he left not to disturb her unless necessary.
A month and a half passed quickly, and the city went from midsummer to early autumn.
There is a row of osmanthus trees planted on the street in front of Qin Zhao's house. Some osmanthus flowers have already bloomed by the end of July. When you walk along the street, your clothes can be stained with the faint scent of osmanthus.
Jing Li has been looking forward to the osmanthus flowers blooming for two months. He plans to dry them and make osmanthus tea according to the method taught by Lin Qing'er. If there are too many, he can ask Qin Zhao to make osmanthus cakes.
"I also want to grind it into powder and try to make osmanthus soup. You can eat it in the examination room when the time comes." Jing Li said.
Qin Zhao put the fresh osmanthus flowers he had picked into the bamboo basket and said with a smile, "The college exam is different from the previous ones. You cannot leave during the exam, so food will be prepared in the exam room."
"Who knows what they will prepare for you." Jing Li didn't trust this. "We'd better prepare properly. In case the food inside is hard to swallow, we can't let you take the exam on an empty stomach."
"Sister-in-law, what you said makes sense. Do I have a share?"
A voice sounded behind them. They turned around and saw that it was Chen Yanan.
Chen Yanan was carrying a small bag and looked a little dusty, but he seemed to be in good spirits. "Long time no see."
The college entrance examination will be held in a few days, and Chen Yan'an wrote a letter a few days ago to inform him that he would come to the capital in the near future.
However, neither Qin Zhao nor Jing Li expected that he would come so early.
Jing Li hid behind Qin Zhao and asked, "Why did you come here so early?"
"I came to visit you." Chen Yan'an said, "Fang Tianying said that the environment of your new house is very good. I have been wanting to come and see it for a long time. What is my sister-in-law..."
Jing Li was a little nervous.
Chen Yanan was going to come to the capital, so he had to stay at his house. But the little fish cub had not yet transformed into a human form, so Jing Li and Qin Zhao decided to pretend to be pregnant first.
In order to adapt in advance, Jing Li has been wearing loose-fitting clothes without a waist restraint these days.
But today, when he went out to pick osmanthus flowers, he felt it would be inconvenient to move with something tied around his waist, so he did not wear it.
Who knew this bastard would choose to come here today.
If you really can't hide it, you have to tell the truth.
Jing Li thought helplessly in his heart.
Chen Yanan stared at his back for a moment and sighed, "It turns out that what Ah Yi said about my husband's pregnancy belly is not noticeable is true. My sister-in-law's figure has not changed at all!"
Jing Li: “…”
Qin Zhao: “…”
…quite gullible.
Qin Zhao quickly regained his composure and said, "Come in, the place to stay has been prepared for you in advance."
He led the man to the study.
The side courtyard was still empty and could not be occupied for the time being, so Qin Zhao let out the small couch in the study. Although it was a bit narrow, it was still habitable.
"You can review here for the next few days. This room is quiet and no one will disturb you." Qin Zhao said.
This study is much better than the inn they stayed in when they came to the capital. Chen Yanan walked around the study and became more and more satisfied. "Thank you, Brother Qin and sister-in-law!"
Qin Zhao nodded and was about to take Jing Li away, but he heard Chen Yanan say again: "Hey, Brother Qin, are you raising fish again?"
The two turned their heads and saw a little fish sleeping in the fish tank next to the table.
Qin Zhao: “…”
Jing Li: “…”
The little fish cub had grown up recently and liked to jump around like his father. Qin Zhao couldn't control him and didn't want to keep him locked up all the time, so he prepared fish tanks, wooden barrels and other water containers in various places in the house.
As long as he doesn't go outside, let him play in the house.
This study is one of his favorite places to visit.
Just like Jing Li before, Xiao Yuzi also loves to watch Qin Zhao read and write.
Chen Yanan knocked on the wall of the fish tank and muttered, "This fish is so cute, but... why does it look so similar to the one you had before?"
He realized something and turned to look at Qin Zhao: "You found another koi?!"
Chen Yanan strode up to Qin Zhao and said, "I've heard about you and the young master of the Gu family. I was wondering why you are so lucky wherever you go. So you have a secret magic weapon?"
Qin Zhao and Jing Li looked at each other, and the latter blinked innocently.
A secret magic weapon, that's true.
Chen Yanan stared at him for a moment, then lowered his voice and asked, "Where did you buy this fish? Can you buy one for me too?"
"..." Qin Zhao pressed his brows, "This is not bought."
Chen Yanan: "How did it get here? Could it have swam to your house by itself?"
Qin Zhao remained calm and said, "Yes, I swam here by myself."
Chen Yanan looked doubtful about his life, so Qin Zhao found an excuse and carried the fish tank and the fish out of the study.
The water swayed as he walked, and the little fish woke up dazedly. Jing Li poked him on the head and said, "You little bastard, I told you to change but you didn't. You keep making trouble all day long."
"Don't rush him." Qin Zhao carried the fish tank back to the bedroom and transferred the little fish to the original fish tank. "Last time, you kept rushing me and I almost missed his birth. I don't want to miss it again this time."
He reached his hand into the water and stroked the little fish's head: "Promise Daddy that you won't suddenly turn into a human. Wait until I come back and watch you change, okay?"
The little fish nodded, not quite understanding.
Three days later, on the fourth day of August, the entrance examination officially began.