Qin Heng, concerned about appearances, scolded the old servant, "I’m talking with friends right now, why such a rush? Have the servant send a message back, saying I’ll be dining out with friends and will return later, so Mother need not worry."

Gu Baoshu laughed, "You may not fear your mother, but I do. It’s already mealtime, so we should part ways now."

After saying this, she casually cupped her hands and said to the dark-skinned Little Brother Hong who was watching the commotion, "Brother Hong, I’m heading back now, see you tomorrow."

"Alright, see you tomorrow." The dark-skinned youth’s face shone brightly, quite pleased.

Qin Heng stomped his foot and exclaimed, "Hey, hey, you’re leaving just like that?"

"Of course, what else? Accompany you for dinner? I’d rather go home and be with my third sister-in-law accompanying our mother. The dishes today are all my favorites."

Gu Baoshu strode away with great strides.

Qin Heng stood idly by, feeling uninterested. The old servant cautiously asked, "Young Master, are you going home now? The Madam is urging strongly."

"Alright, alright, I’ll go back to eat as well," Qin Heng waved his hand to indicate. Then he bid farewell to the dark-skinned youth, exchanged a few words with others, and hurried home with the old servant.

As soon as he set foot inside the house, he heard his mother shout, "You little brat, you’re finally back. I’ve been waiting for you for half the day. Quickly close the door and bring the family rod for a beating."

...

Gu Baoshu returned to the residence and went straight to her courtyard. After changing clothes and tidying up, she went to the main house to pay respects to Old Madam Gu. As she approached the main house courtyard, she saw from a distance that Gu Shiliu, missing an eyebrow, was lazily leaning against the porch column, gazing down at the lotus flowers in a daze, his clothes creased and dirty.

"I don’t know what big things Third Brother and the others have been doing these past two days, rushing back to find Mother like this without even changing clothes."

Gu Baoshu pondered silently, then had a sudden thought: this moment was the perfect opportunity for a surprise attack. She lightly tapped her feet, darted over the rockery and past the covered walkway, heading straight for Gu Shiliu.

"This time, I can surely land a move on Gu Shiliu,"

Gu Baoshu stretched out her hands, but before she got close to Gu Shiliu, a cup lid suddenly shot out from the window, forcing her back a good distance.

"Third Brother, why are you ambushing me?"

Gu Baoshu shouted in frustration.

Gu Shiliu then turned around, smiling as he looked at her.

Gu Baoshu was stunned, asking in surprise, "Shiliu, what happened to you?"

Gu Shiliu remained silent.

Gu Jinghui spoke from inside, "Gu Baoshu, you’ve really come a long way, learned to ambush people now, hurry and get in here."

Gu Baoshu dusted herself off, cleared her throat, and said, "Coming."

As she passed Gu Shiliu, Gu Shiliu handed her the cup lid. Gu Baoshu took it and said, "Sixteenth Brother, shouldn’t you take a rest? My third brother really works people to the bone, has no care for others’ well-being. Imagine what Hong Ye would feel knowing this."

Gu Shiliu just smiled at her.

Gu Baoshu added, "If you stayed with me, I’d ensure you eat well and drink plenty, wouldn’t let you lose a single hair."

Inside, Gu Jinghui’s thundering voice called out again, "What’s all the fuss outside?"

"I’m coming, I’m coming," Gu Baoshu quickly responded, then added quietly, "Look at my third brother’s temper, it’s really tough on you."

Gu Shiliu’s eyes were brimming with laughter.

Gu Baoshu, clutching the cup lid, waltzed into the room, grinning, "Third Brother’s might hasn’t diminished, just a few days not seeing each other, and I really missed you."

Normally, whenever she acted this way, it would work every time.

But today, it was eerily quiet.

Old Madam Gu, seated at the head, didn’t smile and beckon her over as usual. Instead, she gazed at her, eyes sparkling, seemingly tearing up, with a look full of mixed emotions. Gu Baoshu stood there, struck dumb, unable to utter her usual pouting complaints.

Gu Jinghui, looking perhaps more weathered, spoke grumpily, "You’re never at home these days, running here and there. Who was it that promised to stay home, help take care of your nieces and nephews with your Sixth Brother? Now you’re nowhere to be seen, not even attending Mr. Songshan’s lectures."

As Gu Baoshu was about to defend herself, Gu Jinghui continued, "Running wild every day, I think staying in the Capital City you’ll only stir up trouble. Might as well send you to White Crane Academy to study, smooth out that untamable nature of yours, and make some serious friends."

"White Crane Academy? Study?"

Gu Baoshu pointed her index finger at her own nose, eyes wide, "You want me to go to White Crane Academy to study?"

She, having grown up free-spirited and unrestrained, now had to leave home to study—it was almost laughable to anyone who heard.

"Gu Baoshu, do you think I’m joking with you?"

Gu Jinghui’s face darkened further.

After just two days without shaving, thick stubble of deep blue-black had sprouted around his cheeks and lips, making his stern face appear even more imposing.

Gu Baoshu felt intimidated by his glare and anxiously looked to Old Madam Gu, "Mother, didn’t you just say you were going to find me a marriage match? Now you want me to go study at White Crane Academy? Studying gives me headaches, it’s practically torture."

Suppressing her heartache, Old Madam Gu replied, "Your third brother discussed this with me earlier; going there might be good for your disposition. Didn’t you admire your third sister-in-law for that? Right now, hiring a tutor for you might be too late, might as well spend two years at White Crane Academy, gain some discipline."

"... But, but..."

Gu Baoshu hesitated.

Going to study at White Crane Academy wasn’t out of the question. She had never left home to travel, being able to roam as a man does, helping those in need, acting righteously—it could be a wonderful thing.

"... Mr. Songshan said, ’Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.’ From here to White Crane Academy is several thousand miles, right? Wouldn’t I gain much knowledge?" Gu Baoshu spoke aloud yet grew worried again, "But I’m already not spending many years at home; if I go study at White Crane Academy, it will be even harder to be with family. What if I miss home?"

Gu Jinghui scoffed, "If you don’t go out to study for two years, I’m afraid no one will dare marry you in the future. You’ll have plenty of time at home."

"Mother, why don’t you say something to Third Brother, he really looks down on me like this," Gu Baoshu hurriedly snuggled into Old Madam Gu’s embrace, acting spoiled.

Old Madam Gu gently caressed her hairbun, smiling, "Silly girl, your third brother is only thinking of your future. Your marriage isn’t arranged yet, after reading for two years, learning some decorum, we’ll find you a good match. Didn’t you fancy Mr. Qin, the scholar, you can play the role of a gifted woman after two years in White Crane Academy. Even if not as accomplished as your third sister-in-law, it would be satisfactory. After all, not everyone can be talented in both civil and martial arts."