Old Teacher Lin
“Fourth brother, fourth brother, have you finished preparing?”
First thing in the morning, a commotion stirred Gu WenQing’s yard. This frightened the servant Zi Mi into thinking that something had happened.
“Fire, fire! Is it a fire?”
Running out while still half-asleep and in his sleeping clothes, Zi Mi began to shout in the yard.
“You loggerhead!”
With a smack, his head was given a fierce strike. Only then did he fully wake up.
He then saw Gu Xiang and Gu Yi standing before him in clean clothes. This left him feeling a little confused for a brief moment.
“Fifth young sir, sixth young sir, why have you two come so early?”
“We must go study today. It’s natural that we would need to get up a little earlier. Where’s fourth brother? Is fourth brother still sleeping?”
Gu Yi did not wait for him to reply and went to push open the door. Gu WenQing just happened to open the door at the same time.
“With you guys causing such a ruckus, how could I keep sleeping? I woke up long ago.”
Moving to the side, he gestured for them to enter, “It’s rare that you two would be so early. Come in and have some tea.”
Zi Mi hastily rushed over to help Gu WenQing get washed up then brought out breakfast.
“Ah, let’s not eat. Bring the breakfast over to the Western Wing. Let’s go and eat with Yu Fu. How about it?”
Gu Yi was a flexible person, closing the lid on the food that he had just received from Zi Mi. Gu Xiang also said: “Right, today is the first time that she will be studying with us. Let’s go over a little earlier to see her!”
After saying this, he did not wait for Gu WenQing to state his opinion, dragging him in the direction of the Western Wing.
To the two of them, Gu WenQing was the older brother that was closest to them in age. He was also the one with the most agreeable temper. They were not worried that he would get mad.
Gu WenQing was dragged along by the two of them and could only try to compromise, “Alright, alright, if we’re going, let’s just go. Let’s walk properly and not drag each other around.”
Smoothing out the sleeve that had been wrinkled from being dragged along, he moved to the front and had Zi Mi carry the food boxes.
Arriving at the Western Wing, Yu Fu had just finished getting ready and was about to eat breakfast.
“Fourth brother, fifth brother, sixth brother, you guys came?”
Upon seeing them, Yu Fu leaped up from her chair and cheerfully welcomed them.
They saw that her hair was tied up into two little rings, and there were only two small pearl ornaments in her hair. She wore a plain dress with lotuses and green leaves. She looked as nimble as a fairy.
“I was thinking of telling you that Teacher Lin is strict and fastidious and that you should dress a little more plainly. Who knew that you would dress so fittingly.
Gu WenQing nodded his head in satisfaction as Zi Mi came up from behind him and placed their breakfast on the table.
Yu Fu said with a smile: “It was Aunty Li and sister Lian Zhu who took care of dressing me, but is Teacher Lin really that scary?”
“It’s not just any normal degree of scariness!”
Gu Yi put on a fiendish expression, scaring Yu Fu into hiding behind Gu WenQing. He, on the other hand, began to laugh.
“Alright, sixth brother, stop frightening Yu Fu. In truth, Teacher Lin is just strict with his teaching and a little strict as a person. He is very knowledgeable on many things. You will definitely benefit from studying at Guang Sha Study.”
The four sat down at the table and began to eat while chatting about Teacher Lin. Yu Fu also managed to get a grasp on his disposition.
After setting out, they first had to pass through the front of the manor. The four entered to bid farewell to Gu HuaiJiang and found that both Gu ShuBai and Gu JiuGe were present. For once, Gu HanMo was not out training with a sword.
Yu Fu’s heart felt warm. She thought that they had all come because it was her first day of studying, thus they were all here just to send her off.
“Go on, you three are the older brothers. You must take good care of Yu Fu. Do you hear me?”
Gu HuaiJiang laughed with a doting love. He was very satisfied to see Yu Fu dressed appropriately. Both her manner and expression were dignified.
She was Gu HuaiJiang’s daughter. Though she was not related by blood, she was not at all worse than any other family’s young miss.
Leaving the main hall, they headed toward the southwest corner of the manor. Along the way, there were few buildings but many trees. There were quite a few of these verdant pillars, and it was quite cool even in the summer.
After walking for a long time, they saw a simple and short wall rise from the ground. Even further ahead, they saw the words Guang Sha Study.
“Though this study was built in Marquis Gu’s Manor, it’s not used by only our family. Instead, the entire clan makes use of it. That’s why this place was sectioned off on its own. There is another entrance in the back that connects to the outside that allows for the students to come and go. I will bring you to go and see Teacher Lin. Gu Xiang, Gu Yi, you two go to the secretary first.”
Gu Yi had a look of reluctance for he also wished to go with Yu Fu to see Teacher Lin, but when he recalled how many times he had neglected his studies, he would be given quite a scolding by Teacher Lin. It would not be good for him to lose too much face in front of Yu Fu.
“Alright, then let’s go in. Fourth brother, you need to have Teacher Lin arrange for Yu Fu to be seated next to us!”
Saying this, the two entered the study hall first. Gu WenQing then held Yu Fu’s hand and led her toward a room in the back, while Yao Lan followed behind them.
“This student greets Teacher Lin.”
Outside the door, there stood an old man with white hair and wrinkled skin. He looked to be in his sixties or seventies, and he was currently stretching.
Seeing Gu WenQing, a gentle smile appeared on his face. It seemed that he really liked this student.
Yu Fu saw it and internally let out a sigh of relief.
Teacher Lin’s smile was so warm. How could he possibly be as strict as Gu Xiang and Gu Yi had said?
“WenQing, you came so early once again. Right, there was that question that you had about Chu Shi Biao*. There was the meaning of that one word that I was thinking about. I thought about it for a few days and have already come up with a very reasonable explanation. I will explain it to you.”
After saying this, he laughed and turned around to give Gu WenQing an explanation.
“Teacher, don’t rush. It won’t be too late to explain when we get into the class. This is my younger sister, Yu Fu. Today is her first time coming to study. I specially brought her to come and greet teacher.”
Yu Fu walked out from behind Gu WenQing and bowed in a dignified manner. Copying Gu WenQing’s tone, she said: “This student greets Teacher Lin.”
“Good, Lord Marquis already sent someone to inform me. I heard that the young miss likes reading, so let’s have Teacher Zhou take care of her. Let’s start with learning to read.”
Lin FengMiao’s tone instantly became a bit colder. He had no intention of personally teaching Yu Fu how to read. Instead, he passed her off to someone else.
Yu Fu slightly raised her head to look at Gu WenQing, seemingly to ask how to respond.
Gu WenQing forced a smile and said: “Teacher Zhou is a talented teacher and is a very kind person. It’s natural that having him teach is very good, but father’s hope was to have Teacher Lin personally teach Yu Fu.”
He had brought out Gu HuaiJiang’s name. No matter how stubborn Lin FengMiao was, he had no choice but to give him some face.
“Young miss, please raise your head.”
Yu Fu raised her head. He only glanced at her before immediately covering his eyes and turning away.
“No good, no good, I truly can’t teach this sort of young miss. It would be best to have Teacher Zhou take care of her. Teacher Zhou-”
“Ah, Teacher Lin, what instructions do you have?”
Not far away, a man in a light-colored robe respectfully bowed and trotted over.
*TN: Chu Shi Biao could refer to one of two memorials written by Zhuge Liang. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chu_Shi_Biao
Old Teacher Lin
“Fourth brother, fourth brother, have you finished preparing?”
First thing in the morning, a commotion stirred Gu WenQing’s yard. This frightened the servant Zi Mi into thinking that something had happened.
“Fire, fire! Is it a fire?”
Running out while still half-asleep and in his sleeping clothes, Zi Mi began to shout in the yard.
“You loggerhead!”
With a smack, his head was given a fierce strike. Only then did he fully wake up.
He then saw Gu Xiang and Gu Yi standing before him in clean clothes. This left him feeling a little confused for a brief moment.
“Fifth young sir, sixth young sir, why have you two come so early?”
“We must go study today. It’s natural that we would need to get up a little earlier. Where’s fourth brother? Is fourth brother still sleeping?”
Gu Yi did not wait for him to reply and went to push open the door. Gu WenQing just happened to open the door at the same time.
“With you guys causing such a ruckus, how could I keep sleeping? I woke up long ago.”
Moving to the side, he gestured for them to enter, “It’s rare that you two would be so early. Come in and have some tea.”
Zi Mi hastily rushed over to help Gu WenQing get washed up then brought out breakfast.
“Ah, let’s not eat. Bring the breakfast over to the Western Wing. Let’s go and eat with Yu Fu. How about it?”
Gu Yi was a flexible person, closing the lid on the food that he had just received from Zi Mi. Gu Xiang also said: “Right, today is the first time that she will be studying with us. Let’s go over a little earlier to see her!”
After saying this, he did not wait for Gu WenQing to state his opinion, dragging him in the direction of the Western Wing.
To the two of them, Gu WenQing was the older brother that was closest to them in age. He was also the one with the most agreeable temper. They were not worried that he would get mad.
Gu WenQing was dragged along by the two of them and could only try to compromise, “Alright, alright, if we’re going, let’s just go. Let’s walk properly and not drag each other around.”
Smoothing out the sleeve that had been wrinkled from being dragged along, he moved to the front and had Zi Mi carry the food boxes.
Arriving at the Western Wing, Yu Fu had just finished getting ready and was about to eat breakfast.
“Fourth brother, fifth brother, sixth brother, you guys came?”
Upon seeing them, Yu Fu leaped up from her chair and cheerfully welcomed them.
They saw that her hair was tied up into two little rings, and there were only two small pearl ornaments in her hair. She wore a plain dress with lotuses and green leaves. She looked as nimble as a fairy.
“I was thinking of telling you that Teacher Lin is strict and fastidious and that you should dress a little more plainly. Who knew that you would dress so fittingly.
Gu WenQing nodded his head in satisfaction as Zi Mi came up from behind him and placed their breakfast on the table.
Yu Fu said with a smile: “It was Aunty Li and sister Lian Zhu who took care of dressing me, but is Teacher Lin really that scary?”
“It’s not just any normal degree of scariness!”
Gu Yi put on a fiendish expression, scaring Yu Fu into hiding behind Gu WenQing. He, on the other hand, began to laugh.
“Alright, sixth brother, stop frightening Yu Fu. In truth, Teacher Lin is just strict with his teaching and a little strict as a person. He is very knowledgeable on many things. You will definitely benefit from studying at Guang Sha Study.”
The four sat down at the table and began to eat while chatting about Teacher Lin. Yu Fu also managed to get a grasp on his disposition.
After setting out, they first had to pass through the front of the manor. The four entered to bid farewell to Gu HuaiJiang and found that both Gu ShuBai and Gu JiuGe were present. For once, Gu HanMo was not out training with a sword.
Yu Fu’s heart felt warm. She thought that they had all come because it was her first day of studying, thus they were all here just to send her off.
“Go on, you three are the older brothers. You must take good care of Yu Fu. Do you hear me?”
Gu HuaiJiang laughed with a doting love. He was very satisfied to see Yu Fu dressed appropriately. Both her manner and expression were dignified.
She was Gu HuaiJiang’s daughter. Though she was not related by blood, she was not at all worse than any other family’s young miss.
Leaving the main hall, they headed toward the southwest corner of the manor. Along the way, there were few buildings but many trees. There were quite a few of these verdant pillars, and it was quite cool even in the summer.
After walking for a long time, they saw a simple and short wall rise from the ground. Even further ahead, they saw the words Guang Sha Study.
“Though this study was built in Marquis Gu’s Manor, it’s not used by only our family. Instead, the entire clan makes use of it. That’s why this place was sectioned off on its own. There is another entrance in the back that connects to the outside that allows for the students to come and go. I will bring you to go and see Teacher Lin. Gu Xiang, Gu Yi, you two go to the secretary first.”
Gu Yi had a look of reluctance for he also wished to go with Yu Fu to see Teacher Lin, but when he recalled how many times he had neglected his studies, he would be given quite a scolding by Teacher Lin. It would not be good for him to lose too much face in front of Yu Fu.
“Alright, then let’s go in. Fourth brother, you need to have Teacher Lin arrange for Yu Fu to be seated next to us!”
Saying this, the two entered the study hall first. Gu WenQing then held Yu Fu’s hand and led her toward a room in the back, while Yao Lan followed behind them.
“This student greets Teacher Lin.”
Outside the door, there stood an old man with white hair and wrinkled skin. He looked to be in his sixties or seventies, and he was currently stretching.
Seeing Gu WenQing, a gentle smile appeared on his face. It seemed that he really liked this student.
Yu Fu saw it and internally let out a sigh of relief.
Teacher Lin’s smile was so warm. How could he possibly be as strict as Gu Xiang and Gu Yi had said?
“WenQing, you came so early once again. Right, there was that question that you had about Chu Shi Biao*. There was the meaning of that one word that I was thinking about. I thought about it for a few days and have already come up with a very reasonable explanation. I will explain it to you.”
After saying this, he laughed and turned around to give Gu WenQing an explanation.
“Teacher, don’t rush. It won’t be too late to explain when we get into the class. This is my younger sister, Yu Fu. Today is her first time coming to study. I specially brought her to come and greet teacher.”
Yu Fu walked out from behind Gu WenQing and bowed in a dignified manner. Copying Gu WenQing’s tone, she said: “This student greets Teacher Lin.”
“Good, Lord Marquis already sent someone to inform me. I heard that the young miss likes reading, so let’s have Teacher Zhou take care of her. Let’s start with learning to read.”
Lin FengMiao’s tone instantly became a bit colder. He had no intention of personally teaching Yu Fu how to read. Instead, he passed her off to someone else.
Yu Fu slightly raised her head to look at Gu WenQing, seemingly to ask how to respond.
Gu WenQing forced a smile and said: “Teacher Zhou is a talented teacher and is a very kind person. It’s natural that having him teach is very good, but father’s hope was to have Teacher Lin personally teach Yu Fu.”
He had brought out Gu HuaiJiang’s name. No matter how stubborn Lin FengMiao was, he had no choice but to give him some face.
“Young miss, please raise your head.”
Yu Fu raised her head. He only glanced at her before immediately covering his eyes and turning away.
“No good, no good, I truly can’t teach this sort of young miss. It would be best to have Teacher Zhou take care of her. Teacher Zhou-”
“Ah, Teacher Lin, what instructions do you have?”
Not far away, a man in a light-colored robe respectfully bowed and trotted over.
*TN: Chu Shi Biao could refer to one of two memorials written by Zhuge Liang. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chu_Shi_Biao
