Do you know: I am Qi Heng

Otherwise, what difference would it make if the officials in Yangzhou knew he was the son of the Marquis of Ningyuan?

Civil officials are not afraid of nobles. As long as other members of the Bai family can give them enough benefits, they can still side with the Bai family.

Although the law stipulates that a married daughter can inherit her parents' estate if there is a will.

However, the law does not explicitly state that this applies to grandsons as well.

As long as they stick to this point, even if the case goes all the way to the authorities, it won't make a difference.

Ambiguous situations mean that any judgment can be made, and the initiative is entirely in the hands of local officials.

But the assassination attempt on Gu Tingye was different. The fact that a nobleman's son was assassinated in Yangzhou indicated that the city had very poor security.

This kind of thing can reach the ears of the emperor directly, and all the officials in Yangzhou, big and small, will suffer.

Since the Bai family was responsible for this, the Yangzhou officials must be furious, so how could they possibly side with them?

"Although I didn't have much contact with her, I could tell she was intelligent."

Gu Tingye said absentmindedly, "When her birth mother passed away, I was outside the door and heard how heartbroken she was. Treat her well, don't let her suffer so much!"

"Um."

Qi Heng felt somewhat awkward upon hearing this. Gu Tingye's tone made it seem as if he also liked Minglan.

However, upon closer examination, he realized it was unlikely, as Minglan was only seven or eight years old when Gu Tingye met her.

At that time, Gu Tingye was already fifteen years old. As a well-known playboy in Bianjing, he had seen and experienced everything. How could he possibly develop feelings for a little girl?

The reason he gave such instructions was probably because he felt a sense of empathy for Minglan's experiences.

After all, his mother also died in childbirth, and he was too young to remember at the time, so he had long forgotten about it.

Perhaps when Gu Tingye heard Minglan crying, he was thinking about whether he had cried just as heartbreakingly when his mother died in childbirth.

After finishing their meal, the two went for a nap.

After finishing two classes in the afternoon, they left the Sheng family together.

"Zhuang Xuejiu's teaching style is indeed unique," Gu Tingye exclaimed.

Qi Heng smiled and asked, "How so?"

Gu Tingye pondered for a moment and said, "I always felt that Scholar Zhuang's teaching purpose was entirely geared towards the imperial examinations!"

"But all the academies in the world are geared towards the imperial examinations in their teaching."

Qi Heng said, "To be more precise, almost everyone who studies does so with the aim of passing the imperial examinations!"

"That's true, but Zhuang Xuejiu's teaching methods are completely different from those of the teachers at Bailudong Academy."

Gu Tingye couldn't think of a good description for a moment, then pondered before saying, "The teaching of Zhuangzi was entirely in line with the imperial examination system. The teachers at Bailudong Academy, on the other hand, focused entirely on moral education!"

"Haha, I didn't expect Second Uncle to figure it out after only one day!"

Qi Heng laughed and said, "Do you know what Scholar Zhuang said on our first day of class?"

"What did you say?" Gu Tingye asked curiously.

"Zhuang Xuejiu said that we study to become officials, and there's nothing to be ashamed of. He also teaches us from the perspective of the imperial examination system," Qi Heng said.

In fact, the difference Gu Tingye mentioned is the difference between exam-oriented education and holistic education.

Before the emergence of the eight-legged essay, education in ancient times was mainly based on holistic education.

The students know that they are studying to become officials, and the teachers also know this, but it seems a bit too utilitarian.

Scholars who want to become officials don't say "I want to be an official"; they talk about their ideals and aspirations.

The same applies to teaching; they don't tell you what to pay attention to in the imperial examinations or how to answer questions in a way that makes it easier to pass.

If you fail the exam, it's because you lack knowledge; teaching you exam-taking skills is just being opportunistic.

"Haha, you know what, this guy Zhuang is actually to my liking!"

Gu Tingye complained, "At Bailudong Academy, I have to study all the Confucian classics. If I had known it would be like this, I would have preferred to stay in Bianjing to study."

Zhuang Xuejiu's teaching not only included some imperial examination skills, but more importantly, he did not teach any of the Confucian classics that were not used in the imperial examinations.

Unlike Bailudong Academy, where all Confucian classics were taught regardless of their practical application, this academy did not require such instruction.

Chatting along the way, the carriage arrived near the courtyard where Manniang lived.

"Yuanruo, please wait here for a moment, I'll be back soon!" Gu Tingye said.

"Second Uncle, you're too kind!" Qi Heng nodded.

After Gu Tingye left, he also got off the carriage.

Although it's autumn now, the weather is still a bit hot, and it's somewhat uncomfortable to stay in the carriage.

Qi Heng stretched, then suddenly paused.

He had just noticed someone watching him, but when he looked over, the person's gaze shifted and then immediately looked away.

This area was considered a poor neighborhood in Bianjing. It was normal for the nearby residents to look at him with curiosity when he arrived by carriage.

It's normal for him to look away after making eye contact with her.

But leaving immediately is a bit abnormal.

Qi Heng's heart stirred, and he whispered to Buwei, "Follow that person and see where he lives."

"yes!"

Following Qi Heng's gaze, Buwei nodded and quietly followed.

After a short while, Buwei returned. Just as he was about to speak, Qi Heng interrupted him with a look.

"Yuanruo, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Let's go!" Gu Tingye walked over and said apologetically.

"Um!"

Qi Heng nodded, and the two got back into the carriage.

"Once my nanny passes away in a few days, I won't need to come over every day anymore," Gu Tingye said.

"It's alright, I don't have anything to do anyway," Qi Heng said nonchalantly.

After escorting Gu Tingye back to his family home, the coachman drove the carriage home.

Upon arriving home, Qi Heng led Buwei to the study and dismissed the maid.

"Speak!"

"The person the young master asked me to follow lives in an alley not far from where we parked. I asked around and found out that the courtyard was only rented out today."

"The person who rented the house said he was a merchant from out of town, but I don't know anything else about him," Buwei said.

"Send someone clever to investigate. If they can't find out his identity, keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't get exposed," Qi Heng said after a moment's thought.

"yes!"

Without responding, he retreated.

Qi Heng guessed that the person was probably Man Niang's brother, but he couldn't confirm it yet.

Even if their identity is confirmed, it cannot be told to Gu Tingye for the time being.

Gu Tingye hasn't seen through Xiao Qinshi's true colors yet. Even if he does expose her, she can simply say that her brother returned to Bianjing later.

…………

The following day, just like the day before, they picked up Gu Tingye by carriage and headed to the Sheng family.

But when they arrived at the school, they found that it had changed.

The original two rows with two tables each were changed to three rows, with three tables in the row near the door and two tables in each of the other two rows.

However, a row of screens was erected between the row near the door and the other two rows.

"My three younger sisters have finished learning etiquette from their nanny. Father said that everything should be completed from beginning to end, so he let them continue their studies," Sheng Changbai explained.

Qi Heng was taken aback. He remembered that in the original drama, Sanlan returned after learning etiquette from Granny Kong.

But Sanlan is not coming to school now because of his marriage to Minglan.

Moreover, Granny Kong left two months ago. If it were really as Sheng Changbai said, she should have come back long ago. Why did she wait until now?