Chapter Three: Brothers

  The couple, Ziyuan and Guajia, saw the book being pulled by Shuyao as they walked in. Guajia didn't think it was unexpected that her daughter's lazy habits wouldn't change for a while. During their trip to Huizhou, there were some mistakes. Guajia could protect her daughter Shuyao, but after returning to Beijing and living in the Duke's mansion, Shuyao would be at a disadvantage when interacting with her older female cousins, which made Guajia worry, not without reason.

  After Shu Yao asked for Ama E's well-being, she sat obediently under Gua Erjia's hands to prepare for dinner. Her small head hung very low, and the sapphire blue crystal hairpin on her head shone brightly, revealing that it was a precious item at first glance.

  "Shu Yao."

  "Uh-huh."

  Guarjia was worried, worrying about her husband, worrying about her eldest son, worrying about her youngest daughter, and worrying about everything inside and outside the house. The two sons and one daughter she had given birth to were all different in character. Her eldest son only recognized books, while her youngest daughter was lazy and scattered, which Guarjia could accept. However, Shuyao followed her husband Zhiyuan's straightforward and honest nature, never speaking unless it was the truth. When Zhiyuan was an official outside, his honesty was commendable, but when Shuyao was in the inner house, Guarjia was very worried - with this temperament and character of her daughter, would her future son-in-law be able to protect her?

  Although Shu Yao is now nine years old by Chinese age reckoning, Guwalgiya thought ahead and found a good marriage for her daughter.

  "Elder sister, have some tea." The only normal one, Shu Yi smiled and offered tea to Zhiyuan's parents. Zhiyuan withdrew his gaze from the dinner table, "Son, didn't you bring back any gifts today?"

  Got a watch, gave it to my sister.

  "He is very generous with his money."

  Shu Yao heard the pocket watch and suddenly raised her head, dazedly saying: "Dad doesn't allow me to fight with you for the pocket watch."

  "Daughter, remember to call me Ama from now on." Zhiyuan was extremely fond of his little daughter who had a similar personality to him. After emphasizing the address again, he asked with interest: "Let me see your pocket watch?"

  Shu Yao shook her head, Zhiyuan held up Ama's frame, "Let me see."

  "No, how can you take away what others love?"

  Guarjia secretly pulled Zhīyuǎn, made a gesture with her eyes, and asked if he was being too harsh on their daughter. Zhīyuǎn shook his head and smiled, no longer pressuring his daughter, as his wife doted on their daughter even more than he did. Shūyáo clutched her pocket watch tightly and went back to sleep with her head lowered. Guarjia comforted herself that Shūyào wasn't beyond salvation, thinking that being straightforward was better than beating around the bush. What she hated most was when one sentence took several turns, making her feel tired just from listening. From this perspective, Shūyào had inherited the good qualities of both parents, even if Guarjia wouldn't admit it.

  Shu Yi, who had been maintaining a faint smile, asked: "I remember that Young Master Li from the west of the city and Murong from the south of the city both promised to send medicinal materials."

  "Sent, several baskets full, Book Yi ah, can our family send that little farewell gift?"

  The clever Gual Jia felt a little guilty, Shu Yi's friends were too generous, and compared to the gifts they brought, their family paid very little. Shu Yi said: "It doesn't matter, my son has his own measure."

  If it were someone else, Guwalgiya would be worried. The second son, Shuyi, only thought of others losing out. Guwalgiya glanced at her husband, who was focused on the dishes, and helplessly looked at Shu Yao, who was lost in thought with his head down. These two were not reliable. She discussed with Shuyi the route back to Beijing, what to bring, and how to arrange for the servants to be dismissed. Guwalgiya was a good mistress, and when dismissing the servants, she also wanted to arrange a good place for them to go, not just giving them a few taels of silver.

  The news of Shu Yi's cleverness and arrangements was spread far and wide, and Guwalgiya was relieved. Fortunately, she had two sons to help her. Zhiyuan was confused upon hearing the news, as he usually left all household matters to his wife. Taking advantage of Guwalgiya's tea time, he asked: "Where is Shu Xuan?"

  The daughters have all arrived, and the busy Book Yi returned to the mansion. Book Xuan hasn't been seen, and dinner has been delayed. Zhiyuan isn't a father who only cares about food and doesn't care about his children. In Zhiyuan's eyes, all of the kids are very good and don't have any shortcomings. He entrusts them to his wife to teach, and he feels at ease. The eldest son's studies are renowned not just in Huizhou City, but also in Guangdong Province.

  Last year, Emperor Kangxi granted an imperial examination, and Guaerjia Shi originally did not intend to let Shuyi take the exam. However, with Zhiyuan's help, one sentence from "Analects of Confucius" and another from "Mencius", Guaerjia Shi was convinced to allow 13-year-old Shuyi to participate in the county examination. Shuyi came first, and smoothly passed the prefectural and provincial examinations. Shuyi became famous overnight, winning all three top honors, and became the youngest scholar in Huizhou City.

  It wasn't that the four Gua'erjia brothers were blocking him, but Shu Xuan was not allowed to become a juren. The Gua'erjia family didn't ignore Shu Xuan's future prospects, but after he fell ill following the exam, even if the Jade Emperor himself descended to earth, they wouldn't permit Shu Xuan to attend the provincial exams in Guangzhou while sick.

  Guarjia didn't bother to explain, and directly ordered the little maid standing at the door: "Go tell Young Master that he shouldn't pester Shifu anymore. Shifu is also human and needs to eat."

  Zhiyuan smiled secretly, being Shuxuan's teacher was not easy. Shuxuan was a quick learner and never felt ashamed to ask questions, every teacher was asked to the point of exhaustion by Shuxuan. Shuxuan had a natural talent for learning, studied diligently, was sensitive and eager to learn, but never arrogant or impatient. He was the kind of disciple that every teacher wanted, no matter how knowledgeable the master was, they couldn't withstand Shuxuan's constant questioning day and night. Although teaching students who achieved top honors in the imperial exams brought glory to the teacher, Zhiyuan had invited many teachers for Shuxuan, but they were all driven away by his questions.

  Nowadays, this great scholar is the one who has been kept for the longest time. The Guaerjia family provides him with good food and drink, fearing that he will be driven away by his son, and no one will come to teach his son Shu Xuan again. It's not easy for the mother of the genius son, outsiders only see Shu Xuan giving face to the Guaerjia family, who would have seen the suffering of the Guaerjia family?

  The son said that the scriptures are a set of sets, and Gualjia can't get a word in edgewise. He once expressed his feelings, why aren't Confucius and Mencius mute? Every day they say "said" this and "said" that, what's the point?

  "We're going back to the capital, and Mr. Wu is finally free." Shu Yi sighed, while Zhiyuan shook his head with a pleased expression: "The merits of the Su Mu Lu Fu will be passed down through generations. I was the first to pass the imperial examination, surpassing my predecessors. My son, Shu Xuan, will definitely become a top scholar. When that time comes, let's show those Han people who think they're so educated what we Eight Banners nobles are capable of - six consecutive top scholars."

  "Second brother, what is Liu Yuan?" Shu Yao rarely showed interest, and Shu Yi explained to his sister. Shu Yao listened intently, nodding her head from time to time. In summary, getting into Tsinghua University is even more difficult than being the top scorer in the national college entrance examination, and the admission rate for Qing Dynasty imperial scholars is very low, with a high elimination rate.

  Gual Jia let the servant girl urge Shu Xuan again, and after about half a time, Shu Xuan finally arrived, with ink stains on his collar. He was still muttering to himself, and although he was only 14 years old, he didn't look weak at all. In fact, he was half a head taller than his peers and had a strong physique. This was Gual Jia's insistence - no matter how much Shu Xuan protested, she would only accept one thing: every day, they would rise with the rooster's crow and practice archery for half an hour. As a result, Shu Xuan had a robust scholarly air about him, and he was not a bookworm who was weak and powerless.

  Shu Xuan's appearance was similar to that of his mother, Rong Qi. He had a round face, thick eyebrows and big eyes, exuding an air of integrity. Shu Xuan first greeted his parents, then sat down in the position of the eldest son, below Rong Qi. With a hint of embarrassment, he glanced at his parents, second brother and sister. Guan Jia Shi blocked Shu Xuan's way.

  "We're all used to it." Gua Lijia's words were as concise as possible, saving her son Shu Xuan from finding excuses.

  The girl's meal is simple, but the dinner is very rich. Zhiyuan is relaxed and comfortable, waiting for dinner when the sun sets in the west. He waits until the lamp is lit at ten o'clock, and it's not easy to gather the five members of the family together. The children are indeed having their own personalities.