Do you know: I am Qi Heng

After Qi Heng returned home, he did not mention Gu Tingye's return to the capital.

After settling Man Niang and her son in, Gu Tingye returned to the Gu family the following morning.

Gu Yankai showed little anger or joy at Gu Tingye's absence for many years; he remained quite indifferent.

Even when Gu Tingye suggested studying at the Sheng family's residence before the imperial examination, Gu Yankai did not object.

But his performance chilled Gu Tingye's heart. In his eyes, he had been away for many years, yet he had passed the imperial examination and become a scholar.

Gu Yankai would either be angry that he hadn't returned home for many years, or he would be happy for him to pass the imperial examination.

Gu Yankai was very indifferent, which was a clear indication that he didn't care about him.

However, when Madam Qin saw Gu Tingye return, she was overjoyed and pulled him aside to ask about his well-being and experiences over the years.

This warmed Gu Tingye's heart, and he even had an urge to tell her about Manniang.

From a young age, no matter what trouble he caused, Madam Qin would always clean up the mess for him first, and only after the matter was resolved would she persuade and teach him.

If I tell Xiao Qin about Man Niang and the child, she will definitely try to help me.

However, Gu Tingye held back his words, as this matter was not the same as the trouble he had caused in the past.

In the past, the trouble he caused outside was all minor, which could be resolved simply by paying money and apologizing.

But if he wants Manniang and the child to come in, he must get Gu Yankai's permission first.

In this matter, Madam Qin would definitely not be able to persuade Gu Yankai. Not only would it be useless, but it would also make Madam Qin worry.

They might even expose themselves prematurely for fear of revealing their weaknesses.

Only if he succeeds in the imperial examination will he have the leverage and the right to negotiate.

Therefore, he only briefly told Xiao Qinshi about his studies at Bailudong Academy.

On the surface, Madam Qin was happy, but inside she was extremely upset.

According to Gu Tingye's account, he had completely reformed himself in the past few years, spending all his time at Bailudong Academy studying.

She couldn't believe that Gu Tingye had changed so much, but Gu Tingye then passed the county and provincial examinations in succession.

If Gu Tingye really does pass the imperial examination with flying colors, that would be a real problem.

Most importantly, the attendant she had arranged for Gu Tingye died in Yangzhou.

She knew nothing about what had happened to Gu Tingye in Yangzhou, or what had happened to him in the past few years while he was away from the capital.

This feeling of being out of control made her very uncomfortable.

Moreover, when Gu Tingye returned from Yangzhou, he brought back a servant with him. She suggested that Gu Tingye be given a new servant, but Gu Tingye refused.

If Gu Tingye hadn't acted completely normally when facing her, she would have suspected that he already knew something.

"Erlang, it's a good thing that you're going to study at the Sheng family's school. That scholar Zhuang teaches the two young masters of the Sheng family and the son of the Duke of Qi, and all of them passed the imperial examinations at a young age."

Madam Qin smiled and said, "If he weren't so old and planning to return to his hometown after the three of us take the imperial examinations, countless families in Bianjing would want him to tutor their young masters!"

It is already extremely rare for a student to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar.

Moreover, Qi Heng and the other two are all quite young, and their teaching abilities are exceptional.

After the results of the provincial examination were announced, many high-ranking officials and nobles in Bianjing sent people to invite Scholar Zhuang, but unfortunately, Scholar Zhuang was really quite old.

He stated directly and clearly that he would teach until the next imperial examination, and regardless of whether he passed or not, he would return to his hometown to retire.

"The servant beside you is big and burly. He'd be fine as a bodyguard, but not as a page. I'll choose someone more clever for you," said Madam Qin.

"Thank you for your kindness, Mother. At Bailudong Academy, Shitou has always been with me. He can do things like grinding ink and laying out paper." Gu Tingye politely declined.

He often goes to visit Manniang and the others; wouldn't changing his page give him away?

"That's fine, just bring two."

Seeing that Gu Tingye refused, Madam Qin tried to persuade him again: "As the legitimate son of a marquis, it's nothing unusual for you to have two attendants with you when you study."

"Mother, Yuanruo is the eldest son of the Duke, and he only has one child. It's not good for me to have two," Gu Tingye said, shaking his head.

Seeing that Gu Tingye refused, Madam Qin felt even more strongly that Gu Tingye might know something.

However, she felt that Gu Tingye probably didn't know much, or even wasn't sure, otherwise he wouldn't have concealed it so well.

"That's true, then let's forget about it."

Lady Qin was worried that continuing to persuade him would arouse Gu Tingye's suspicion, so she did not continue.

Gu Tingye chatted with Madam Qin for a long time before taking his leave and returning to his own courtyard.

The room's furnishings remained unchanged and were kept very tidy.

The only change was the replacement of the maids, since he had been gone for five or six years.

He asked the maid and learned that since he left, someone had been taking care of things here. Every summer and winter, Madam Qin would have several sets of clothes made for him, even though he had never returned.

I was even more moved.

He rested at home for a day, and the next morning, after having breakfast, he prepared to go out when Xiao Qinshi arrived.

"Your son greets Mother!" Gu Tingye quickly bowed.

"No need for formalities!"

Madam Qin stepped forward to straighten Gu Tingye's clothes and smiled, "I've already had the carriage prepared. It's your first day studying here, so you can't be late!"

"Thank you, Mother, but I've already told Yuan Ruo to come pick me up, so there's no need for a car!" Gu Tingye said.

He needed to see Manniang and the others, so he couldn't even use the family's carriage.

Otherwise, if the driver picks him up and drops him off every morning and evening, and he has to get rid of the driver, it will inevitably arouse suspicion if this happens too often.

Madam Qin was taken aback, but she didn't think much of it, assuming that it would be more convenient for Gu Tingye to have Qi Heng with him since it was his first day there.

"Then I'll see you off!" said Madam Qin.

Gu Tingye declined a few times, but seeing that she insisted on giving him the ride, he had no choice but to let her.

As soon as the two stepped out of the mansion, they saw Qi Heng waiting outside.

"Yuanruo, thank you for your trouble!" Madam Qin said with a smile.

"Greetings, Madam Gu!"

Qi Heng bowed and smiled, "It's just on my way, no trouble at all!"

With Qin Shi's demeanor, who wouldn't be confused?

Even if it's your own son, he's so old now, you wouldn't personally send him off to school.

"Go on, it's getting late!" Madam Qin said with a smile.

After Qi Heng and Gu Tingye bowed, they boarded the carriage. Once the carriage started moving, Gu Tingye patted Qi Heng on the shoulder and said, "Yuanruo, I'll be troubling you from now on."

"Don't be so polite with me, Second Uncle!"

Qi Heng smiled and shook his head, then hesitated for a moment before asking, "Second Uncle, how did you meet your mistress?"

"At first..."

Gu Tingye recounted how he met Manniang.

It turns out that before he left Beijing, he went to a restaurant alone to drink alone because he was in a bad mood.

Manniang was singing for customers at that restaurant. The customers, seeing how pretty she was, started to make unwanted advances towards her, which led to a fight when she refused.

Gu Tingye was in the private room next door. He was already in a bad mood, and the noise made him even more irritable. He came out and scolded them a few times.

But those drunkards were also too drunk and started verbally abusing Gu Tingye, so he couldn't help but retaliate.

Before long, the officials arrived. Gu Tingye revealed his identity, paid some compensation, and the matter was settled.

Not long after Gu Tingye left the restaurant, Shi Tou noticed that Man Niang was following behind him.

Gu Tingye stopped and asked her why she was following him.

Manniang said she was grateful for his help and was willing to serve him as a slave.

Gu Tingye was naturally unwilling, but Manniang insisted.