Many people indeed came to the school entrance the next day, but very few were truly there to enroll and study. Zheng Yu had a sign placed at the entrance early in the morning, listing the daily courses and the instructors responsible, making everything clear at a glance.
The school also taught subjects that men who stayed home and never went out were learning, such as embroidery and etiquette. As for male virtues, male discipline, and male precepts, if they wished to study them, they could do so independently at the school. There was a reading class every afternoon, and the choice of books was up to the students.
This also proved to the public that the male school did not enforce anything. The male virtues, discipline, and precepts they had learned since childhood would not be neglected, and they could also interact with each other at school, acquiring more knowledge.
Despite this, those families were still unwilling to send their sons.
Firstly, the public's thinking was conservative, and they were unwilling to embrace new things first. Secondly, there was no precedent for a male school elsewhere. If they truly sent their children there, and later married into a different town where people did not accept it, their children's reputation would be ruined.
Today, Shen Xuan did not ask Lu Yu to escort him. Yesterday, he had already learned Gu Yitong's home address and directly instructed his attendant to drive him there to find Gu Yi.
When Shen Xuan arrived, Gu Yi had already dressed and was waiting at the entrance.
Gu Yi was wearing a lake-blue dress, which further accentuated his fair skin. His slender waist was cinched by a belt, revealing his graceful figure. The cuffs were embroidered with several dancing butterflies, exquisite and ingenious, neither overshadowing the dress's elegance nor making it too plain.
He wore a pure white cloak woven from soft wool outside, and a veil on his face, covering his beautiful features. A few strands of hair were left to float in the wind on either side of his cheeks outside the veil.
His three thousand strands of black hair were simply tied up, adorned with a wooden hairpin, making his attire simple and unadorned, yet more dignified.
Shen Xuan understood immediately and smiled slightly, but did not reveal his thoughts. Seeing Gu Yi slowly board the carriage, Shen Xuan took Gu Yi's hand, which was cold from standing in the breeze.
"Why did you come out so early? You must have waited a long time. Your hands are frozen cold."
"Not long," Gu Yi smiled and withdrew his hand, afraid of chilling Shen Xuan.
"You didn't smile at all yesterday, why are you so happy today?" Shen Xuan gently lifted Gu Yi's veil and couldn't help but ask with a smile.
"I—" Gu Yi was embarrassed, unsure how to answer, and forced an awkward smile.
"Yi'er, you look truly beautiful today. Miss Zheng will surely be stunned."
Hearing this, Gu Yi suddenly looked up, meeting Shen Xuan's teasing gaze, his cheeks flushing. He pursed his lips, his eyes darting around.
Shen Xuan took Gu Yi's cold hand again, warming it for him. "Miss Zheng came to the medical clinic to find you yesterday."
Gu Yi looked up in shock, his expression anxious. "How is she?"
"How else could she be? Miss Gu won't eat her. Don't worry, Miss Zheng just wanted to talk to you about the school today. Since you weren't there, Miss Zheng asked my wife to pass on a message to me, asking me to inform you today." Shen Xuan was amused by Gu Yi's nervous expression again and playfully flicked his nose.
"Ah? Then she won't be coming today?" Gu Yi sounded a little disappointed, thinking Zheng Yu had asked Shen Xuan to pass on the message because she wouldn't see him today.
"Of course she will! Miss Zheng just wants to spend more time with you, so she asked our young master to finish the important matters with you in the carriage." Afu winked playfully at Gu Yi and squeezed in beside him.
Shen Xuan just smiled and remained silent, gazing tenderly at Gu Yi, who had been a bit nervous earlier but was now blushing from Afu's words.
"Young Master Gu, don't be shy. Doesn't this just show that Miss Zheng's affection for you is as deep as the sea!" Afu continued to tease.
"Alright," Shen Xuan interrupted Afu. Gu Yi was about to thank him, but Shen Xuan's next words shut him down.
"I need to tell you what Miss Zheng asked me to convey, otherwise, if we delay your time together, I won't be able to bear the responsibility."
Gu Yi had nothing to say, only feeling that these two were too sharp-tongued. He could only listen with a blushing face as Shen Xuan continued, as he also wanted to spend more time with Zheng Yu.
"Miss Zheng said that besides you, our school has also invited other male instructors. Mr. Wei teaches students chess, Mr. Jiang teaches students poetry appreciation, Mr. Han teaches students embroidery, and Mr. Yang teaches students etiquette. As for us, we will take turns teaching students literacy."
"You teach zither skills, and I teach painting."
"Because your and my classes are on alternate days, the literacy instruction is also entrusted to both of us."
"Normally..."
"..."
The carriage soon arrived at the school entrance, and Gu Yi had fully understood all the regulations.
As the school had explicit rules prohibiting women from entering, Zheng Yu stood at the main entrance, observing and instructing her subordinates to explain to the public and patiently answer their questions.
As the carriage approached the entrance, Zheng Yu saw Shen Xuan alight first and, knowing Gu Yi was in the carriage, strode forward to the side of the carriage.
"Young Master Shen."
"Miss Zheng."
Neither of them spoke much. Zheng Yu was eager to see Gu Yi, so she only greeted Shen Xuan. Shen Xuan also understood the feelings of Zheng Yu and Gu Yi and did not want to disturb them. After Afu alighted with him, he went into the school by himself without lingering outside.
Gu Yi, veiled, slowly poked his head out of the carriage. Upon seeing Zheng Yu waiting by the carriage, he lowered his eyes slightly. Just as he was about to alight, he saw Zheng Yu extend her hand in front of him.
Gu Yi's lips under the veil curved into a happy arc, but he did not place his hand in Zheng Yu's palm, as there were so many people around, and it would not be appropriate to be too intimate.
Zheng Yu understood Gu Yi's concern in an instant and naturally withdrew her hand. However, at that very moment, it was seen by someone with watchful eyes.