Chapter 836 - 839: Plans
Chapter 836: Chapter 839: Plans
Jin Qianqian knew Gu Wenheng made sense. However, as parents, they were actually more anxious than the children themselves when it came time for the boys to make choices about their futures.
Gu Wenheng didn’t give her time to fret. He immediately sent a servant to call both boys over.
Having been busy in the fields for several days, the two brothers’ originally fair faces had tanned significantly. Dressed in short cotton jackets, their image as elegant young masters had long been overturned. Gu Wenheng told them not to stand on ceremony and to take a seat. After all, they had been doing hard farm work all day, and he needed to be considerate of their rest time.
Gu Ben Can grabbed the water pitcher from the table, chugged two large cups, and waited quietly for Gu Wenheng to speak.
"Did you go help out today?" Gu Wenheng asked. Since there wasn’t much work left in their own fields, the brothers had been going around the village to lend a hand.
"Yes, they’ve been weeding the clan lands these past few days," Gu Benluo said after finishing the water in his cup. "We’ll be working there for the foreseeable future."
Over the years, Gu Wenheng had gradually purchased the clan lands to subsidize the expenses of the clan school and to serve as an emergency fund.
"You two brothers are older now, and you can make your own decisions on many things," Gu Wenheng said directly after exchanging a glance with Jin Qianqian. "I didn’t call you here today for anything in particular. I just wanted us to sit down as a family and have a good talk. What are your plans for the future?"
Gu Benluo turned his head to look at Gu Ben Can. His own goals had long been set; it seemed they had been called here today mainly for his younger brother.
"Father, I won’t be able to participate in this special imperial examination. It’s a good opportunity to lie low for a few years," Gu Benluo answered. "I want to go on a study tour after the mourning period is over."
Gu Wenheng naturally had no objections to this. He had originally thought about arranging the eldest boy’s marriage during these next few years, but now it seemed that would have to wait until the three years were up.
"Your mother and I have always had this in mind as well. When the time comes, we’ll help select some companions for you," Gu Wenheng said.
"What about you, second son?"
Gu Ben Can twitched his mouth. This was clearly aimed at him. Why didn’t they just ask him directly instead of beating around the bush like this?
"Father, I don’t have any grand ambitions. I just want to eat all the delicacies in the world and see all its beautiful sights. When the time comes, I’ll tag along with Big Brother and see if there’s anything I can do."
"...Be serious," Gu Wenheng scolded. "You think about playing and sightseeing all day. Do you expect your mother and me to carry you on our backs for the rest of your life?"
"Your wish is wonderful, but it requires you to have the means to support yourself," Jin Qianqian added. "With your current status as a Scholar, are you going to make a living by copying books or writing letters for people?"
Gu Ben Can stared at Jin Qianqian with wide eyes. "Mother, our family’s shops are all over the country. There must be a place for me somewhere, right? Besides, I can learn to help you manage them, which will save you trouble in the future."
Gu Wenheng chuckled. "Perhaps you don’t know this yet, but we’ve closed most of our shops. We still have hundreds of servants to feed. I called you here today to see if you could think of a solution."
Jin Qianqian also looked at the two brothers in silence. The amused expression Gu Benluo had been wearing vanished instantly, replaced by a look of shock as he stared at his parents.
Swallowing hard, Gu Benluo suddenly asked, "What happened? Who did this?"
In his mind, Gu Wenheng and Jin Qianqian had always been omnipotent. Even if others tried to scheme against them, they would only end up suffering a loss. There was no reason for his parents to suddenly close down so many shops. Recalling their abrupt return to the capital, Gu Benluo licked his lips and asked, "Has the power struggle begun?"
He asked vaguely, but Gu Ben Can immediately understood. "Our family has always kept a low profile in our own corner. This is muddy water we absolutely cannot wade into."
Gu Wenheng was rather satisfied with his two sons’ reactions. "That is not up to us to decide.
"During this period, do not run around anywhere outside the village.
"However, you must come to my study every night. Even if there are things you cannot participate in right now, you should still be aware of what is happening."
Gu Wenheng had decided that from now on, he would discuss the intelligence he received daily with his two boys. It was time for them to grow up.
Gu Benluo had no objections, but Gu Ben Can let out a loud groan. "Father, we’re already half-dead from working all day, and you won’t even let us rest properly.
"I think Big Brother has plenty of stamina. Why don’t you just take him...
"Ouch! Mother, lighter..."
Jin Qianqian was twisting Gu Ben Can’s ear. "You want to slack off on everything! With a personality like yours, you still want to travel the world?
"I bet you’ll come scurrying right back with your tail between your legs in less than a couple of weeks."
"Mother, let go, let’s talk this out nicely," Gu Ben Can pleaded softly, cupping his hands in a flattering manner. "I was just joking. It’s rare for Father to have the opportunity to teach Big Brother and me. How could I not be there?"
Only then did Jin Qianqian release her grip. Gu Ben Can hurriedly covered both of his ears with his hands, his mouth still rattling off sweet words. "Mother, are your hands sore? Do you want me to massage them for you?"
Finding him an eyesore, Gu Wenheng aimed a kick at his son’s backside, ready to leave a shoeprint on him. However, Gu Ben Can was well prepared; he sprang away and hid behind Jin Qianqian.
"It’d be good enough if you just annoyed your mother less. Now sit down and talk properly. If you interrupt again, see if I don’t bring out the family discipline!" Gu Wenheng threatened.
Hiding behind Jin Qianqian, Gu Ben Can whispered, "Mother, look at Father. I just saw that everyone’s mood has been a bit heavy lately, so I wanted to help you all relax..."
"Shut up," Jin Qianqian scolded, turning around. "Your mouth never has a filter. You can’t act like this on the outside."
"I only talk like this here," Gu Ben Can promised. "On the outside, my lips are completely sealed."
Jin Qianqian glanced at Gu Wenheng, reflecting internally. They didn’t feel much grief over Gu Dashi’s passing, and they had unconsciously shown it. Yet, this sharp kid had actually picked up on it.
Gu Wenheng also realized the impropriety of this. Even though they had been unsmiling lately and put on grief-stricken faces in public, the two children who spent day and night with them had long since noticed the truth. Coupled with the fact that the boys had spent very little time with Gu Dashi, it was even harder for them to feel that kind of sorrow.
Gu Ben Can was even worse off. To him, Gu Dashi was merely a familiar stranger. Expecting him to fall into deep grief was next to impossible. But even if this kid didn’t pursue an official career in the future, as long as he moved around in society, his failure to observe filial piety would become a target for others to attack.
Clearing his throat, Gu Wenheng said, "Your mother and I don’t just have the family to look after; there are many external matters to handle as well. We can’t afford to be blindly immersed in sorrow. However, you two boys should read the Classic of Filial Piety more often these days. When you have time, copy a few more Chapters of the Rebirth Sutra for your grandfather."
"Yes, Father," Gu Benluo said.
"Yes, Father," Gu Ben Can echoed.
Only then did Gu Wenheng stare directly at Gu Ben Can and say, "Second son, you still haven’t told us your plans. Your mother and I think you should at least pass the exams to become a scholar, or ideally, an Advanced Scholar. That way, even if you don’t enter officialdom, you will still earn some respect when you travel."
"Father, I actually think things are perfectly fine as they are. It’s not like I want to be an official anyway," Gu Ben Can replied.