Chapter 41 Leaving the Capital

  The Duke's mansion has many servants, who dares to hurt Zhiyuan? The Guwalgiya family took good care of him, and the few slaps he received were nothing to worry about. He packed his bags and prepared to leave Beijing to inspect the embankments being built along the Yellow River. In the eyes of Zhicheng and others, it was Emperor Kangxi's way of "exiling" Zhiyuan from Beijing as a punishment. Didn't you see that His Majesty rewarded the old lady with silk?

  Guar Jia's wife paid her respects to the elderly Mrs. Tong after being scolded by the spring breeze, but she didn't respond to Tong Jia's cold words. Tong Jia thought that Zhiyuan would not be able to return to Beijing and would be directly sent by the emperor to supervise the river embankment. Tong Jia was very clear that supervising the river embankment was a difficult task, as the River Department had plenty of oil and water, and it was easy for the river embankment to burst due to shoddy workmanship. At that time, Zhiyuan would be the scapegoat. Last night, Tong Jia listened to Zhi Cheng's analysis and became even more confident, looking down on Guar Jia who was about to fall into trouble. She flicked her handkerchief and snorted: "What are you proud of? You'll have your time to cry."

  Guar Jia turned back, Tong Jia was choked by saliva and coughed non-stop, "Cough, cough, cough."

  Guar Jia's expression was a mixture of smile and non-smile, "Third brother and sister, recently the wind direction has been changing unpredictably, you should be careful." Guar Jia was really too lazy to bother with Tong Jia's nonsense, she was thinking about going back to pack her husband's luggage, and also needed to check on her eldest son Shu Xuan, whether he had forgotten to eat again while reading books. Her youngest daughter Shu Yao should also return to her side, Guar Jia was very busy.

  "Ahmad brought two books, which were good for relieving boredom on the road."

  As soon as Gua Lijia stepped into the house, Shu Xuan handed the book to Zhiyuan, with a hint of reluctance in his eyes. Don't get me wrong, it's not towards Zhiyuan, but towards the book he sent out. "Please take good care of it, and write down your thoughts on rice paper."

  The rare book is the fate of the book pavilion. Zhiyuan also loves to read, but he pushed the book in front of his son and said, "You keep it and take a look, I don't need it. Watching the river embankment by the Yellow River, the dusty book is not beautiful."

  Shu Xuan listened and put away the book, "Auntie will come back to see it again, it's still the same. You must not be like Little Sister, last time I gave her a Book of Songs, she used it as a footstool."

  Zhiyuan understood that it was not easy for Mrs. Gualjia, and how the couple gave birth to these three siblings with vastly different personalities. Mrs. Gualjia said: "Shuxuan, have you eaten?"

  "After eating two buns and a bowl of soy milk." Shu Xuan looked outside, "The teacher hasn't gotten up yet? I still have many things I don't understand."

  Zhiyuan felt a deep sympathy for the teacher who had been invited by Shuxuan, a Han Chinese scholar with rich knowledge of classical literature, well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics, and skilled at writing excellent articles. However, he was proud and unwilling to take part in the imperial examination, enjoying a certain prestige among scholars in the capital. Upon hearing that Zhiyuan's family had returned to Beijing and Shuxuan had achieved great success in the examinations, he became interested and took the initiative to visit the Duke's mansion to discuss books and philosophy with Shuxuan.

  Shu Xuan's solid foundation and unique insights into the Four Books and Five Classics moved this person who was reluctant to accept disciples, and Zhī Yuǎn had heard of his reputation. He was worried that he couldn't find a teacher for Shu Xuan, so he discussed it with his wife, Guā ěr Jiā Shì. Guā ěr Jiā Shì personally used her family's influence to persuade him to stay and teach Shu Xuan. Guā ěr Jiā Shì didn't expect Shu Xuan to become a top scholar, but since her son was determined to take the imperial examination path, she naturally supported him. After all, it was better than being an idle and ignorant young master.

  The master has been found, and Shu Xuan is like a fish in water. Guajia said: "Son, your master is also human and needs to sleep. Ask fewer questions from now on."

  The master who ran away and delivered himself to the door, Guajia was worried again. Zhiyuan said: "Shouldn't Shuyao come out too? Three days have passed."

  Gua Lijia supported her forehead, "I reckon your daughter is sleeping soundly now, and has long forgotten that she can come out."

  Zhiyuan grasped Guajia's hand, his eyes full of helplessness. "Madam, you've suffered a lot."

  "They're all used to it, they were born with it." Guanjia was relieved and also a bit pleased with Shuyi's normal reaction. "Master, this time when you go to inspect the river embankment, you must be careful, there is the River Governor's office, as long as you have a rough idea in your mind, that will do."

  "Eating your salary and doing your duty, since His Majesty has ordered me to leave the capital to inspect the river course, how can I be careless in my work?"

  Zhiyuan has always been upright and meticulous in political affairs, and Guwalgiya is extremely helpless. Apart from her children, she also needs to take care of her husband. How can Guwalgiya have the energy to compete with Tongjia? Busy with no end, Zhiyuan went to discuss classics with Shuxuan, and Guwalgiya directly ordered the long-following attendant beside Zhiyuan, "Baozhu, please advise your master more, don't let him make a mistake in front of the River Governor, if there's anything, return to Beijing to report to the Emperor."

  Baozhu is over thirty years old, a loyal and honest man who was picked up by Zhiyuan when he was a child. He has been following Zhiyuan for a long time and is the person Zhiyuan trusts most. After marrying Zhiyuan, Guwalgiya reorganized the servants around Zhiyuan, and Baozhu passed her test. Guwalgiya knew that although Baozhu seemed loyal and honest, he was actually cunning and had a good heart towards Zhiyuan. Although his background was somewhat questionable, Guwalgiya didn't pursue it further. Baozhu has been following Zhiyuan with loyalty, having some skills under his belt, able to serve as both an attendant and a bodyguard, doing two jobs at once, which is not a loss for Guwalgiya.

  "Rest assured, madam, no one can harm Master in front of me."

  Guarjia nodded, but how could Baizhu, who looked like a Mongolian, have a Han Chinese name? The name Baizhu was very meaningful. Guarjia glanced at the time and saw that it was getting late, and Shuyao had not appeared yet. He stood up and said: "Old master, you're going to be away from Beijing for at least half a month. Shuyao should see you off. I'll go take a look."

  "Uh-huh."

  When Guajia arrived at Ba Huo's house, she stood in the middle for a long time without speaking. Shuyao's brother, Shu Yi, came to greet her with a helpless expression on his face. "Mother, it's not that I'm useless as a son, but little sister is just too lazy. No matter how we call her, she won't wake up."

  Shu Yi had a bitter melon face, and surrounded Shu Yao for more than half an hour, but he still couldn't wake up his sister. Shu Yao's sleeping skills were getting stronger and stronger. She was completely hidden under the quilt, like a silkworm cocoon, occasionally moving slightly to indicate that she was sleeping very comfortably. Guajia said: "Shu Yi, you go back first, I'll wake her up."

  "Yes, Mother."

  Shu Yi walked out of the room, perked up his ears to listen to the movements inside the house. His sister should be in trouble now, Shu Yi thought it was also time for his sister to learn a lesson. He heard Gua Erjia's soft voice coaxing: "Yao'er, get up, Yao'er."

  Shu Yi's mouth twitched, how could he forget that his mother was the one who loved his sister the most. He looked through the window and saw Shu Yi calm down, Canhua being held in her arms by Guaguaer Jia Shi, his sister Shuyao sticking out her small head, her rosy face more tempting than an apple, her dazed eyes blinking, her small hands hooked around her mother's neck, softly calling: "Mother, I dreamed of you, Mother, I miss you."

  Matching Shu Yao's sweet and endearing eyes, her soft little body, Shu Yi knew that E Niang had fallen deeply in love with Shu Yao, and no one could bear to punish her.

  Guarjia led the three siblings to personally see Zhiyuan off, and when Zhiyuan was far away, Guarjia took Shuyao's hand and said, "Why do I feel that your mother is in trouble this time?"

  Shu Yao had a feeling that this time there would be many people in trouble, but it was definitely not Ama Zhiyuan. Shu Yao gazed far into the direction of the Forbidden City, resplendent with gold and jade, wondering if Li Ziqing would still refuse to marry Fourth Brother after all.