Zhang Er Niu's mouth stretched so wide it almost reached his ears. "Hey, don't you worry. I'll definitely treat Rui Xue well. Not only Rui Xue, but I'll treat A Hu like my own child too. You can rest assured. However, we can't accept your share of the profits from the noodle shop. Since you're returning to the manor, you'll likely have more expenses, so it's best you keep it."
Lin Rui Xue also said, "I've heard that wealthy families have many servants, and the masters often give out rewards. You can't be short of money. Once you return, things won't be like they are now where you can do as you please. It's always better to have more money."
Qi Zhen Zhen didn't argue with them about this matter. They would still see each other in the future anyway.
"If you need anything in the future, tell Xiao Niu, and he'll find a way to notify me," Qi Zhen Zhen instructed. "As for Xing Hua Village, I'll trouble Auntie and Uncle to visit more often."
"Alright."
Leaving the noodle shop, Qi Zhen Zhen hurried to Song He Academy.
She asked the gatekeeper and learned that it was class time. Qi Zhen Zhen found a smooth, flat stone and sat down.
"Young lady, who are you? Why are you here at the academy? You're quite young, so your brother must be studying here, right?" The gatekeeper was enthusiastic and struck up a conversation with Qi Zhen Zhen.
Qi Zhen Zhen smiled. "It's not my brother, it's my younger brother. He came to our academy two months ago."
"You have good fortune, young lady!" the gatekeeper praised. "Your younger brother is so young and already at our academy. He'll surely have a bright future."
"I hope your words come true."
"What is your younger brother's name? I've been the gatekeeper here since the academy was built. I recognize almost all the teachers and students," the gatekeeper asked again.
"Qi Yi, Lin Hu."
"Oh, it's those two little rascals! They're very clever. I've heard the academy teachers praise them many times, saying that despite their young age, they are very intelligent. What's rare is that they are also ambitious and don't rely on their intelligence to slack off on their studies. Excellent, excellent, they will surely achieve great things in the future!" the gatekeeper said with a smile.
Qi Zhen Zhen was very pleased to hear this. The two little ones were making great progress while studying alone at the academy.
The gatekeeper chatted with Qi Zhen Zhen for about fifteen minutes. When he heard the bell ring, he got up to help call the students.
A short while later, Qi Yi and Lin Hu appeared in Qi Zhen Zhen's line of sight.
The two little ones came running.
"Big Sister," they both shouted in unison.
"Hey," Qi Zhen Zhen replied, putting an arm around each of them. "You've grown quite a bit. It seems the academy's food is good!"
"My mother sends Uncle Zhang over with food every few days. Brother Yi and I have not only grown taller but also fatter!" Lin Hu said with a grin. "No, it's not just the two of us; even our roommates say they've gotten stronger."
"What, by the sound of it, the academy's food isn't good?"
The two little ones chattered away, complaining. Qi Zhen Zhen understood that they were in their growing stage and needed a lot of oily food, while the academy's meals were watery and bland. Although the portions were sufficient, they always felt hungry.
Qi Zhen Zhen flicked each of them on the forehead. "You two are so demanding."
"Big Sister, why did you suddenly come here?" Qi Yi asked.
"Big Sister is here to pick you up."
"Go back? Did something happen to Mother? Is it serious?" Qi Yi asked nervously.
Qi Zhen Zhen gave him a reproachful look. "Who said something happened to Mother? Is Big Sister picking you up because Mother is in trouble? What are you thinking? Do you think I can't take care of Mother at home?"
Qi Yi breathed a sigh of relief. "The house is very far from the academy. If there wasn't a very important reason to go back, why would Big Sister come to pick me up?"
"You're analyzing this quite thoroughly." Qi Zhen Zhen's smile faded. "We are leaving Xing Hua Village."
Qi Yi was momentarily stunned before reacting. "Did they come to pick us up?"
Qi Zhen Zhen nodded gently.
"Can't we not go back?" Qi Yi looked at Lin Hu, then at the academy, and asked softly.
Qi Zhen Zhen shook her head. "I guess they originally came to pick you up, and Mother and I were just tagging along. What do you think?"
"I need to inform the teacher and also say goodbye to my classmates," Qi Yi said. "It's just me leaving, right? Hu Zi can continue to study here, can't he?"
"Of course. Auntie is opening a noodle shop in the county town, so where else can Hu Zi go? Hu Zi, you must study hard. You'll be able to see us when you go to the capital then," Qi Zhen Zhen said, patting Hu Zi's head.
Compared to others, Hu Zi was the most likely person to meet them again soon.
"Sister Zhen Zhen, is your home in the capital?" Lin Hu asked.
"Yes, our home is in the capital. We came to Xing Hua Village due to some unavoidable circumstances. Now that family has come to pick us up, we must go back," Qi Zhen Zhen said. "Brother Yi won't be able to study with you anymore. You must work even harder, understand?"
Lin Hu nodded obediently. "I will miss you all."
Qi Yi came out soon after, carrying a small bundle, his eyes red. "Let's go, Big Sister."
After bidding farewell to Lin Hu and the gatekeeper, the siblings led their horses away from the academy.
"The person who came to pick us up is Nanny Fang, a servant by Grandmother's side. For now, she seems to be a good one," Qi Zhen Zhen relayed Nanny Fang's advice.
Qi Yi nodded. "Are there no male heirs among the younger generation in the manor?"
"Not at the moment. It's hard to say about the future."
"I doubt it. If that weren't the case, why would they think of us?" Qi Yi snorted. "So, what Nanny Fang said isn't entirely applicable. If we are too meek upon returning, those people will surely think we are easy to manipulate. Since I might be the sole heir of the Marquis's manor, I don't need to be overly cautious in everything."
Qi Zhen Zhen glanced at Qi Yi. She saw determination on his young face and thought his words were not without reason.
She and Madam Yun would live in the inner courtyard and face various jealousies. As for Brother Yi, upon returning, he would inevitably be in the outer court, and their nominal father would personally guide him. If he appeared too meek, it might cause trouble for Madam Yun, and their nominal father would surely attribute it to Madam Yun's poor upbringing.
"It's as you say, but there's one thing you must remember: the Marquis's manor is not like the outside. Everyone there is eyeing you covetously, wanting to bring you down. " Qi Zhen Zhen said sternly. "Don't be careless just because you are the sole heir of the Marquis's manor. Open attacks are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against. Those people are masters of manipulation!"
Qi Yi nodded, then suddenly attacked Qi Zhen Zhen. The angle was tricky, and the force was clearly not light.
If Qi Zhen Zhen hadn't been skilled, she wouldn't have been able to dodge it at such close range.
The siblings exchanged blows, and in a few breaths, they had gone through dozens of rounds.
"Big Sister, what do you think of my combat skills for self-preservation?" Qi Yi asked calmly.