Chapter 105: Turmoil Arises Again

In Mr. Zhou’s private academy, students could be provided with lodging. Gu Chengren, for instance, stayed on the premises and only returned home during breaks.

Qingshan Village was not far from the town, only about seven or eight li away. Besides, since Wentao and the others were still young, Gu Chengyong preferred not to have the children live in town. It was better for them to commute daily. Moreover, Wentao and his brothers disliked living away from home. If they were to live in town, the monthly expenses for food and lodging would increase significantly.

Thus, Gu Chengyong arranged with Mr. Zhou that the children would start attending the academy the very next day. Afterwards, he took them to town to buy some ordinary paper, pens, and other supplies before heading home.

When Gu Chengyong returned with the three children, he found Mrs. Li and the old master of the Gu family in the courtyard. Mrs. Li wore a sullen expression, as if someone owed her hundreds of taels of silver.

Originally, Gu Chengyong’s family always entered through the small gate on the west side. Around the Dragon Boat Festival, Gu Chengren was at home, and Gu Xiulan and the others constantly urged Gu Chengyong to use the main gate during the day. They argued that having two entrances was bad luck and could cause the family’s fortune to leak away. Reluctantly, Gu Chengyong agreed to use the main gate during the day and only use the small gate for urgent matters.

For a while, the Gu household was relatively peaceful, and Gu Chengyong had been ignoring Mrs. Li’s bad temper. But now seeing her put on that same look, he felt uneasy inside.

“Father, Mother,” Gu Chengyong greeted, truly not wanting to engage with Mrs. Li’s sour mood. Yet with his father present, he couldn’t simply stay silent.

“Do you still think about us at all? Or is it only yourself you care for? You never discuss anything with us and always make decisions on your own. So you think you’re capable, wealthy even, that you can just forget your parents?” Mrs. Li’s tone was sharp as she attacked Gu Chengyong with a barrage of accusations.

Gu Chengyong was stunned, unsure what he had done to deserve such an outburst. “Father, what’s going on? Where have I gone wrong to deserve this from Mother?” he responded coldly.

“You still ask where you’ve gone wrong? Tell me, what did you do today with the children? Did you take them to the town academy? Sending all three kids there to study—so you really have money to burn, huh? Instead of showing filial piety to your parents, you’re just filling other people’s pockets,” Mrs. Li raised her voice before the old master could say a word.

“You only send your own sons to school, that’s one thing. At least that’s a good thing. If the children succeed, it brings honor to the Gu family, and we wouldn’t complain. But why do you also send other people’s children? Those two boys from the Lao family—you haven’t even sent your own nephews to school yet. But you’re sending some unknown bastard to study? Do you even care about the Gu family anymore?”

Wentao and his two younger brothers stood behind Gu Chengyong. Hearing Mrs. Li’s words, Wentao’s face immediately darkened. “Father, I’m going back,” he muttered sadly, lowering his head as he hurried toward the west courtyard.

Seeing this, Wenping and Wenzhi grew worried. “Father, let’s check on our second brother,” they said, quickly running after him.

Wentao had lived with the Gu family for five months. At first, Wenping and the others had been very hostile toward him. The spoiled son of a magistrate, proud and stubborn, he was hard to tolerate. But over time, especially after all they had been through on the road, Wentao’s transformation was evident to everyone.

Now he was truly part of the Gu family, adapted to rural life. No longer the pampered magistrate’s son, he trained and worked alongside the others, never complaining or showing weakness. Everyone was happy to see his change, and the children treated him as one of their own brothers.

So when Wenping and Wenzhi saw Wentao run away so upset, they grew anxious, fearing he might do something rash.

Gu Chengyong worried deeply as well. Wentao was naturally stubborn and straightforward, not one to back down easily. He had finally managed to forget his parents for a while, focusing on learning skills and growing up. But Mrs. Li’s words today would surely stir up memories of his parents and his desire for revenge.

Wentao was still young and lacked the ability to act on such feelings. If those burdens weighed on his heart, they would be a heavy psychological strain, hindering his future growth.

Thinking of this, Gu Chengyong’s expression darkened. “Though Wentao is my adopted son, I treat him as my own. His father did me a great kindness, entrusting me with his care and urging me to raise him well. Since I promised, I must fulfill it.”

“Father, your son is not an ungrateful scoundrel. Once I make a promise, I keep it. Wentao is my child, the true brother of Wenxiu and the others. If anyone in the family dares call him a bastard again, they’ll have to answer to me,” Gu Chengyong said, his voice tinged with anger.

Hearing this, Mrs. Li was furious, her face flushed red as she opened her mouth to scold him. But the old master of the Gu family held her back, signaling her not to speak recklessly.

“Second son, what you say isn’t untrue. Our Gu family is not ungrateful. Since Wentao’s father helped you, it is right for us to help raise his child. But you must understand that supporting one child already costs quite a bit. Sending him to school is a bottomless pit,” the old master said, clearly displeased but more reserved than Mrs. Li.

“Our family has only a hundred or so mu of land, and no other income. The fifth son has been studying all these years, and the family has spent all its money on him. Yet he’s still just a student and hasn’t passed the provincial exam.”

“Wentao has been taught to read and write for years already. Why does he still need to go to the academy? Are you planning to have him take the imperial exams? Second son, think about it—he’s not even one of our own. Even if you fund his studies and he becomes a top scholar, what benefit will that bring you? When he grows capable, he will surely return to his own family. Even if he has no parents, he won’t forget his ancestors. He’s not truly one of the Gu family, so he can never be of one heart with us.”

The old master stared at Gu Chengyong with clear disapproval on his aged face. “Second son, your father and I only want what’s best for you. You have four sons and many nephews. Why do you care so much for an outsider? You’re being foolish and will regret it later.”

Gu Chengyong shook his head. “Father, I won’t regret it. Not only did Wentao’s parents leave money for his living expenses, enough for his whole life, but even if they hadn’t, I would still raise Wentao to be successful. The恩 of Wentao’s parents to my wife and me is higher than the sky. Our only way to repay them is to ensure Wentao grows up with a bright future.”

“Wentao is a good student. Many teachers have praised him, saying he will surely succeed in the imperial exams. If so, I must support him. As long as Wentao can succeed, I don’t care about anything else. As for my own children, Wenxiu and Wenqi don’t want to study, or I would support them as well,” Gu Chengyong declared firmly, unaffected by the old master’s words.

“As for Wentao’s future success and returning to his own family—that is only right. One must never forget who they are or their ancestors. If Wentao becomes successful but forgets his parents, I’ll be the first to teach him a lesson.” He glanced toward the west courtyard where Wentao lived, worried about his state.

“Father, I won’t trouble you with these matters. You and Mother just live peacefully and enjoy your days. Don’t waste your thoughts on these things,” Gu Chengyong said, then stepped toward the west courtyard.

“Stop right there, you unfilial wretch! I’ve been talking to you for so long, yet you still don’t understand? He’s not one of our own. Feeding him and clothing him is already a great kindness. Who else treats some foundling like a treasure while ignoring their own flesh and blood? Second son, you’re making a fool of yourself,” Mrs. Li fumed, her face red and hands trembling.

“If you insist on supporting him in school, fine. Then you should also send Wenjing and Wen’an to study. They’re your own nephews, a hundred times more your kin than some outsider. You can’t favor an outsider and neglect your own nephews, can you?” Mrs. Li, seeing she could not persuade Gu Chengyong, threw out this condition.

“If you agree, and support Wenjing and Wen’an in school as well, then we won’t say anything more. They are your own nephews. You wouldn’t deny your own family, would you?” This was Mrs. Li’s plan all along. She and the old master had discussed how expensive it was to send the two boys to school, and if Gu Chengyong took on this burden, it would greatly ease the family’s financial strain.

Gu Chengyong sneered at her words, “Mother, I don’t understand why you say that. Wenjing and Wen’an have their own parents to provide for them. If the fourth brother can’t even support his own children’s education, what kind of man is he? As for Wentao, he has his parents’ money to cover his schooling; I don’t need to spend a thing. Why should Wenjing and Wen’an even be compared to Wentao?”