Songshou Courtyard.

  The Old Madam had just finished comforting Gu Liao and Gu Feng when she looked up and saw Mama Liu returning. She immediately craned her neck, trying to spot someone behind her.

  Not seeing any trace of Jiang Fuyue, the Old Madam frowned. That Jiang girl is getting more and more arrogant! she thought angrily. Even Mama Liu personally went to get her, and she still didn’t show up?

  Her dissatisfaction with Jiang Fuyue deepened even further.

  Mama Liu stepped forward and leaned close. “Old Madam, the young madam of the Duke Jin’s household is here. Madam Jiang is busy entertaining her and really couldn’t get away.”

  Hearing this, the Old Madam’s expression stiffened. “The young madam of the Duke Jin’s household?”

  Mama Liu nodded.

  That was a ducal household, whereas theirs was only a marquisate—already a rank lower. With the young madam of a duke visiting, they naturally couldn’t afford to be disrespectful.

  The Old Madam had no choice but to force down her anger. But then she saw her two grandsons with red-rimmed eyes, and her headache returned.

  Gu Liao and Gu Feng stepped forward, teary-eyed.

  “Grandmother, everything we said just now is true! That tutor only reads from the book without any expnation. We don’t understand what the sentences mean. When we ask, he scolds us for being stupid!”

  “Yes, Grandmother! And he says horrible things too! He even told us we’re not worthy of being his students and that he feels ashamed just having to teach us…”

  At this, both boys’ eyes welled up with fresh tears. It was obvious they had suffered quite a bit under Schor Li.

  “Grandmother, the homework he gives is so heavy. We have to stay up te every night just to finish it! And if our handwriting isn’t perfect, he hits our palms!”

  As Gu Liao spoke, he stretched out his hands. Gu Feng followed suit.

  Their tender palms were red and raw.

  The Old Madam took one gnce and then shut her eyes, unable to bear the sight. Beside her, even Mama Liu gasped.

  “This Schor Li has no sense of propriety!” the Old Madam fumed. “Mama Liu, go fetch him! I must have a word with him!”

  “Yes, Madam.” Mama Liu dared not dey and left at once.

  The Old Madam pulled the boys close, gently blowing on their sore hands.

  “Grandmother, we don’t like this tutor. Can’t you find someone else for us?” Gu Liao leaned into her, acting spoiled and endearing.

  The Old Madam patted his head lovingly. “How can that be? Strict as he may be, he’s a proper Schor. It wasn’t easy to hire him—why, we even held a banquet for the occasion. How can we just repce him?”

  Mention of the banquet made both boys pout. Clearly, they were unhappy.

  The Old Madam continued, “Besides, this Schor Li is only your basic tutor. Once you’ve studied with him for a year, I’ll send you both to an official academy, how about that?”

  But just the thought of enduring another year like this made Gu Feng rebel.

  “Then I don’t want to study anymore, Grandmother! I want to train in martial arts and become a great general someday!”

  “Nonsense!” The Old Madam’s expression darkened, and her tone suddenly turned harsh. “The battlefield is no pce for children. It’s too dangerous! Studying is the safer path.”

  The two boys had never seen their grandmother angry before and were frightened.

  Gu Feng even took a step back.

  Seeing this, the Old Madam quickly softened her tone. “If you two become close ministers to the Emperor someday, gold and silver will be at your fingertips. With just a word to His Majesty, you could command generals at will—even order them to their deaths—and they wouldn’t dare disobey. Isn’t that even more impressive?”

  Gu Feng’s eyes lit up. “Really, Grandmother?”

  “Of course it’s true!” The Old Madam chuckled. “So, you both must study well with your tutor!”

  “Mm!” The brothers nodded together. “Don’t worry, Grandmother. We understand now!”

  Seeing how obedient they were, the Old Madam finally felt some relief. “Good. Now go rest. When your tutor arrives, I’ll talk to him and tell him not to be so harsh in the future.”

  “Yes!” The two boys nodded again and turned to leave.

  Once they were out of sight, the Old Madam’s smile slowly faded.

  —

  Two quarters of an hour ter, Schor Li finally arrived.

  He wore a golden crown, a fine brocade robe with eborate embroidery, and his belt was adorned with scented sachets and jade pendants—he looked every inch the son of a noble household.

  The Old Madam’s eyes narrowed.

  On his first day in the residence, Schor Li hadn’t looked or acted like this at all.

  In just a few days, he’d transformed completely. It was obvious whose silver had funded it.

  Schor Li strolled into the hall and gave a zy bow. “I wonder why the Old Madam has summoned me?”

  The Old Madam forced a smile. “Oh, it’s about my two unruly grandsons… Schor Li may not know, but our household’s mistress is quite disappointing. After three years of marriage, she still hasn’t produced an heir. These two boys are all the Gu family has. They’ve never even been scolded harshly before. Yet today, their palms are red from being beaten. This matter…”

  Schor Li clearly saw it coming. “So it was about that. Old Madam, you’re a woman. It’s understandable that you didn’t suffer the hardships of schorly learning growing up. But surely you know the saying: ‘Endure the bitterest hardship to rise above others,’ yes?”

  “The two young masters are slow-witted by nature. If I don’t beat them, how will they improve? Everything I do is for their future.”

  Being scolded as ignorant by a younger man made the Old Madam’s face flush with embarrassment.

  “Your intentions are surely appreciated,” she gritted out. “I’ll have the boys apply themselves more diligently. But please, in the future, do show more patience. A few stern words are fine—but physical punishment is truly inappropriate.”

  She turned to Mama Liu. “Schor Li’s work is not easy. Go to the storeroom and prepare some gifts to be sent to Moxiang Pavilion.”

  At the mention of gifts, Schor Li recalled the treasure-filled storerooms of the marquisate. His expression finally softened. “I understand. I’ll be more mindful in the future. Please rest assured, Old Madam.”

  “Good,” the Old Madam said with feigned relief. “Thank you for coming. Mama Liu, escort the schor back properly.”

  “Yes.”

  Only after Schor Li left did the Old Madam finally feel a breath of air loosen from her chest.

  She silently vowed that from now on, any dealings with Schor Li would be handled by Jiang Fuyue.

  She couldn’t bear this kind of humiliation a second time.