In the latter half of the afternoon, the two stopped at the Qi family's doorstep.
After dismounting, Zhang Xiaoniu loudly called out for someone.
The main gate was not closed. After only two calls, Qi Zhenzhen hurried out.
Seeing Zhang Xiaoniu and Gu Sinian, Qi Zhenzhen was taken aback for a moment. She quickly recovered, bowed to Gu Sinian, and wished him a Happy New Year.
Gu Sinian handed the reins to Zhang Xiaoniu, nodded slightly at Qi Zhenzhen, and strode directly inside.
His demeanor was as if he were entering his own home.
Qi Zhenzhen grabbed Zhang Xiaoniu, who was about to take the horses to the backyard, and asked, "What's going on? Does the Young Master have official duties or something?"
Zhang Xiaoniu shook his head. "I really don't know. He's the master, so I just followed. By the way, neither of us had lunch. Can you prepare something for us? It's fine if I go hungry, but the Young Master is of noble status. It wouldn't be good to let him go hungry, would it?"
Letting him go hungry, what did that have to do with her? It wasn't as if she hadn't told people to eat.
Though she thought this, Qi Zhenzhen dared not say it aloud. As Zhang Xiaoniu said, this person was of noble status. Regardless of whether she wanted to or not, she had to serve him well, otherwise, she couldn't afford the consequences. This was not modern times, and she couldn't afford to be temperamental.
Qi Zhenzhen jogged into the house. Gu Sinian was already seated in a armchair, his expression unreadable, making it impossible to fathom his thoughts.
Madam Yun was in Lin Ruixue's room at the moment. It wouldn't be proper to call her out to keep him company. Qi Zhenzhen thought for a moment and called out Qi Yi.
"Yi ge'er, this is the Young Master of the Protector Duke's mansion. Your brother Xiaoniu is now following the Young Master. Big sister needs to go cook, so you accompany the Young Master and chat," Qi Zhenzhen instructed.
Qi Yi bowed to Gu Sinian and sat on a nearby chair, his expression neither servile nor overbearing.
Gu Sinian looked at him a bit more closely. Seeing that he was at ease, he felt a bit more favorably disposed towards him. He recalled Zhang Xiaoniu mentioning that Qi Zhenzhen's brother was studying, so he asked him what books he was reading.
"I've finished the Analects and Mencius from the Four Books and am now reading the Doctrine of the Mean," Qi Yi replied. "I'm also reading the Book of Songs and the Book of Rites."
Gu Sinian was slightly surprised, not expecting Qi Yi to have read so many books.
"Self-taught?"
Qi Yi hesitated before nodding. "If there's anything I don't understand, my mother and elder sister will explain it to me."
This surprised Gu Sinian even more. He hadn't expected Qi Zhenzhen and her mother to be able to act as tutors. These were books that were properly taught in academies. As far as he knew, the so-called talented women in the capital generally only read the Book of Songs, and their talent was limited to composing poems and couplets. As for the Four Books and Five Classics, since women could not pursue official careers through the imperial examinations, few were interested in them.
The fact that the mother and daughter could explain the classics to Qi Yi meant they had studied them thoroughly, making it hard not to be curious.
It was already difficult for rural families to support a man's education, let alone educate women, especially both mother and daughter.
Although Gu Sinian was a military man, Madam Qin had not neglected his education. He was intelligent, and because Gu Siyuan's good studies were greatly favored by his father, he had also put great effort into his studies at that time. He believed he could pass the imperial examinations to become a scholar. His knowledge was profound, and he spoke eloquently, often drawing upon extensive references from books. Qi Yi listened with shining eyes, developing a genuine respect for Gu Sinian.
"If you wish to pursue a path of scholarship, merely studying hard at home is not enough. Although your mother and elder sister possess considerable knowledge, they likely have no understanding of the imperial examinations," Gu Sinian said in a deep voice. "I still suggest you attend a formal academy."
Qi Yi nodded. "My elder sister also mentioned this issue. Therefore, after the New Year, I will go to the academy in the county town to study."
County town? Gu Sinian quickly thought about it. The closest county town to Xinghua Village was Wuning County. He had not heard of any famous academies there.
"Why not go to the capital? Xinghua Village is only half a day's journey from the capital by fast horse," Gu Sinian asked. "Given your family's current circumstances, it is sufficient to support you studying in the capital."
The capital? Qi Yi's eyes held a hidden, unreadable depth. He would return to that place sooner or later, but now was not the time.
"Young Master is joking. I have only just begun my studies, why would I go to the capital? The teachers at the county academy are also very knowledgeable. It's not too late to seek renowned teachers in the capital after I become a Xiucai," Qi Yi said earnestly.
"That is also good. You have no achievements yet, so renowned teachers in the capital may not necessarily take notice of you. There are many exceptionally talented individuals, and not everyone can receive guidance from a famous teacher," Gu Sinian said after a moment of thought.
Qi Yi nodded slightly. "Therefore, I am currently taking things one step at a time, grounded in reality. If I take too big a step, I will be the one to fall."
Such composure at such a young age was not only due to his innate disposition but also significantly influenced by those around him. Although Gu Sinian had only met Madam Yun a few times and had not spoken much with her, he could tell from her appearance that she was a gentle person. Therefore, Gu Sinian believed Qi Yi's composure was influenced by Qi Zhenzhen, which made him increasingly interested.
Qi Zhenzhen entered the room carrying a tray. Gu Sinian stared at her intently, making Qi Zhenzhen a little puzzled. Had something dirty gotten on her face while cooking? Otherwise, why would Gu Sinian be staring at her like that?
"It smells so good, so good." Zhang Xiaoniu entered the room, eagerly taking the tray from Qi Zhenzhen's hands. Seeing only two portions of stir-fried rice with pork belly and kimchi, he frowned. "Zhenzhen, is this all? It's not even enough for me."
Qi Zhenzhen glared at him fiercely, then turned and went back to the kitchen. She brought out two large portions of hot and sour vermicelli, and in addition, a bowl of thick, white bone soup for each of them, with finely chopped green scallions floating on top.
"Young Master, Brother Xiaoniu, please eat. I'm going back to my room to read." It felt strange to watch the two eat, so Qi Yi excused himself and left.
Stir-fried rice with pork belly and kimchi. Gu Sinian had eaten it made by the chefs at his mansion, and it was indeed delicious. He often ate it. However, after tasting Qi Zhenzhen's, he immediately felt that the chefs at his mansion were truly mediocre.
One wolfed down his food with extreme speed, while the other ate with elegant movements, equally fast.
One portion of stir-fried rice and one portion of hot and sour vermicelli each, followed by a bowl of hot soup. In the midst of winter, this was a beautiful enjoyment.
After eating their fill, Qi Zhenzhen was about to clear the dishes. Zhang Xiaoniu quickly jumped up. "Old rule, I'll do it."
With that, Zhang Xiaoniu neatly stacked the empty bowls onto the tray, gathered the chopsticks, and carried them away.
"Old rule?" Gu Sinian looked at Qi Zhenzhen and uttered these three words.
"Brother Zhang Er and Xiaoniu often come here to eat. Brother Zhang felt they couldn't eat for free, so Xiaoniu always clears the dishes and washes them clean," Qi Zhenzhen explained.