The Teacher

"Old Madam..."

Ge Bao'er had been about to leave, but she turned back to Old Madam Lu's room, anxious to find out what was going on.

Old Madam Lu frowned, thoroughly disdainful of such petty behavior.

Nanny Yan stepped forward and said, "Miss, the heir, his wife, and the two young masters are waiting in the west room. If it isn't urgent, speak to her after they've gone."

She had to sneak around just to see her own son and husband!

Ge Bao'er felt like a mouse.

But she couldn't worry about that now, so she asked how Qing had suddenly come to have an elder brother.

Old Madam Lu held her bowl of congee without so much as looking at her. She informed her coldly, "This is a Lu family matter. It has nothing to do with you."

Ge Bao'er lowered her head and said stubbornly, "Old Madam, no one in the world loves a child more or wishes more for that child's happiness than his mother. Qing is my son. I... have no other intentions."

"I'll take my leave now."

She had kept herself humble and deferential all along, yet when she spoke of her son, her words were firm and resolute, and utterly sincere.

Old Madam Lu gave a cold snort. "Very well. She does care for Qing sincerely. Go explain it to her and put her mind at ease, so she doesn't stir up trouble in the Lu household."

"Yes," said Nanny Yan.

Old Madam Lu set down her bowl and went to the side room in the west to see the younger generation. When she saw her grandson and Lin Yunwan come in together, with Qing following behind them, she immediately broke into a smile.

Now this was a complete family!

"Greetings, Old Madam."

All four spoke in unison.

Once Old Madam Lu had taken her seat, she told them to sit as well.

The family chatted for a while, then Old Madam Lu sent both children away and discussed their education with Lin Yunwan.

Lu Zhengliu said, "Since the family has established a clan school, why not send them both there?"

After returning to the residence, he had made a point of asking around and learned that the Lu Clan School had even hired a renowned Confucian scholar, a most respectable man.

If such a teacher taught his son, it would truly be Qing's good fortune.

Lin Yunwan rejected the suggestion. "That won't do."

Old Madam Lu asked Lin Yunwan, "Do you have a better teacher in mind?"

"No."

If not for a fortunate coincidence, how could Lin Yunwan have secured the great scholar at the Lu Clan School?

How could she possibly find a better teacher than him?

Lin Yunwan said, "Let them stay at the residence for six months first. Once they've started their education afresh, we can send them to the clan school."

Six months? That was no short time.

Qing was already seven. He had previously attended school in the countryside and was already behind students his age in the capital. If he was delayed another six months...

Old Madam Lu recalled what Ge Bao'er had said. Perhaps her worries were justified, and Lin Yunwan would not truly devote herself to raising Qing.

She gave her a veiled warning. "Yun Wan, although Chang Gong has had two years less schooling than Qing, you can't think only of Chang Gong and hold Qing back from his studies."

Lin Yunwan gave a mocking smile.

Even if she had ulterior motives, she would not use them on something so insignificant.

"Qing has only studied in the countryside for two years. He can't have learned much. However good the teachers at the clan school are, it'll be no use if he can't keep up. If we throw him in recklessly, I'm afraid he won't learn well, and he'll feel inferior to the others and be unable to hold his head up before his classmates."

"Old Madam, have you considered what we'll do if Qing fails at his studies and his character is ruined as well?"

Old Madam Lu's heart sank. That was true!

She had been thinking only of finding Qing a good teacher.

When it came to education, Lin Yunwan really did know more than the Lu family.

She herself, on the other hand, had been influenced by Ge Bao'er and grown too suspicious.

Old Madam Lu remembered something and said with a smile, "I recall that when the old master was alive, he praised your handwriting. Beginning their education means little more than learning the Hundred Family Surnames, the Thousand Character Classic, and such. Since we can't find a better teacher anyway, why don't you teach the two of them to read and write? It would also give you and your sons a chance to grow closer."

Lu Zhengliu nodded slightly.

He too thought it a good idea. After all, Lin Yunwan was skilled at raising children, and it could do Qing no harm to grow closer to her.

"No."

Grandmother and grandson both turned pale when they heard Lin Yunwan refuse outright. Did she still object to Qing?

Ignoring their expressions, Lin Yunwan took a list from Tao Ye and handed it over.

"I've spent seven years occupied with household affairs, and I've grown rusty in every respect. I've chosen teachers to begin their education. All five are suitable. Once you and the heir have chosen one, Old Madam, you need only send someone to hire him."

Old Madam Lu eyed the list suspiciously, then... nodded in great satisfaction.

It did more than list their names: each man's family background was clearly recorded. All were scholars with examination degrees, and some had even made a modest name for themselves. Any of them would be more than qualified to begin Qing's education.

Old Madam Lu passed the list to Lu Zhengliu. "Have a look."

Lu Zhengliu took the list and read it. "Grandmother and... you can decide."

Lin Yunwan had considered the matter more thoroughly than either of them.

He put down the list and looked up at Lin Yunwan.

He had not expected that, though she was usually so solemn and cold-faced, she would treat his son with such sincerity and care.

Old Madam Lu beamed, eager to send Lu Zhengliu out to invite a teacher to the residence at once. In the end, though, she asked Lin Yunwan, "Is there any particular etiquette to inviting a teacher?"

Lin Yunwan lowered her eyes. There really was.

Every scholar of any standing in the capital was unwilling to deal with noble households.

The Lu family knew they had always been looked down upon by civil-official families and were deeply sensitive about it.

In her previous life, she had often concealed the fact from them to spare their pride.

But in this life, there was no need.

She spoke frankly. "It would be best to ask my maternal clan uncles to approach them. It would go more smoothly than if the Lu family did it."

Old Madam Lu's smile stiffened. The Lu family had no intention of bowing their heads and asking the Members of the Lin clan for help.

Lu Zhengliu was unwilling as well. His face turned cold. "There's no need. I'll invite one myself."

He had yet to accompany Lin Yunwan on her first visit back to her family after their marriage, and now he was supposed to go asking the Lin clan for a favor first. He couldn't bring himself to do it.

Lin Yunwan was only too happy to be rid of the trouble.

"I'll take my leave."

Lu Zhengliu was in no hurry to go, and Ge Bao'er came in.

Old Madam Lu still regarded her coldly. She had someone close the door and withdrew into the inner room, making no secret of her displeasure at seeing her.

Ge Bao'er knew her son's schooling had been settled and had come in a hurry to ask about it. Nanny Yan had told her that Lin Yunwan had taken a dislike to Qing from the start, and she was truly afraid her son would be mistreated.

Nothing else mattered, but his studies absolutely could not be allowed to go astray.

Otherwise, her son would be ruined.

Lu Zhengliu told her, "Yun—she's found a very good teacher for Qing."

Ge Bao'er barely knew how to read, so even with the list in her hands, she couldn't understand it.

She pressed her lips together, still finding it hard to believe. Would Lin Yunwan really treat her son well?

Lu Zhengliu pressed her shoulder firmly and reassured her, "Don't worry. She's the mistress of the Lu household. Raising the children is her responsibility. She can't be so narrow-minded as to fail even at that."

What did he mean? Was he blaming her for being suspicious?

Ge Bao'er pressed her lips together.

It was inconvenient for Lu Zhengliu to talk with her for long. Taking the list, he had a horse prepared and went to invite a teacher for Qing himself.