Chapter 137: Chapter 57: The End of the Gentleman’s Affairs_3
Lian Dongbo had passed away, and Lian Dongfang brought Yueyao and Tingzheng back to the Capital City. Yueyao had managed to live decently, but Tingzheng was thrown into the back yard as soon as he returned and never appeared in front of others. The people in the Lian Mansion did not treat Tingzheng as a proper master, and it was uncertain if someone deliberately kept it that way, but no news about Tingzheng really spread out.
Ma Chengteng could only bitterly smile, the birth of this child was indeed, cough, but after all, he was his brother-in-law’s only heir.
Li Guoxing, regardless of the status and background of Tingzheng’s mother, dedicated himself to Tingzheng once he was certain that the boy was Lian Dongbo’s biological son. Although Li Guoxing was three years younger than Lian Dongbo, the two met and instantly became close friends, eventually becoming best friends.
Now, hearing that his friend had left behind a child and needed a tutor, he was certainly going to help. However, he found it odd, “Why are you the one finding a tutor for this child?” This matter should logically have been handled by Lian Dongfang. As an uncle, he should properly settle his brother’s orphaned child, but why was Ma Chengteng tasked with finding a tutor?
Knowing that Li Guoxing and Lian Dongbo were close friends, Ma Chengteng did not conceal anything and shared the situation Yueyao had entrusted to him.
Li Guoxing frowned slightly upon hearing this. Yueyao was still a child herself, yet she had to toil for her younger brother. What was Lian Dongfang doing? However, since this concerned the Lian family’s internal affairs, it was not convenient for him to comment further. After some thought, he said, “Just some days ago, I engaged a tutor for my son. If possible, Tingzheng could study with my son.”
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Ma Chengteng was overjoyed, although he was not familiar with the tutor Li Guoxing had hired, the fact that Li Guoxing had chosen him for his own son meant the tutor must be competent.
Ma Chengteng was filled with happiness, but he still shared Tingzheng’s specific situation with Li Guoxing: “Yueyao said the tutor must be very patient, otherwise, I’m afraid he might not teach Tingzheng well.”
Li Guoxing was not too concerned upon hearing that Tingzheng might not be very gifted. Not all children are naturally brilliant, and Li Guoxing believed that as long as a child was diligent and not lazy, that was enough; everything else would follow naturally. However, what surprised Li Guoxing was why Yueyao would set such conditions.
Ma Chengteng offered a bitter smile: “Yueyao has been educating Tingzheng, teaching him reading and writing for these past months. Initially, the Lian family planned to send him to the clan school, but she firmly refused, claiming that there were too many students and not enough teachers to attend to all, fearing Tingzheng wouldn’t learn much there. It was manageable before, but now that the mansion has hired nannies and tutors, Yueyao has to study daily with them and really couldn’t manage, which is why she turned to me for help. It was my oversight, really.”
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Li Guoxing’s eyes flashed with anger. As the elder uncle, Lian Dongfang should have taken good care of his nephew and niece, but it was disappointing to see such neglect. Li Guoxing felt both pity and regret — pity for Yueyao who was still a child needing care herself, and regret because at such a young age, she not only had to look after herself but also plan for her brother.
Coughing, Li Guoxing sighed deeply, thinking if Brother Ziming in heaven could see his children struggling so hard, he would be heartbroken. Right away, Li Guoxing said, “Brother Ziteng, tell your niece to be assured. The tutor I hired is excellent in both learning and character, and he will certainly teach Tingzheng well.” Such a sensible child, truly heartbreaking.
With Li Guoxing’s assurance, Ma Chengteng naturally became joyful. It was good fortune to come upon this opportunity, for if it was missed, it might be hard to find another. Ma Chengteng returned to the mansion and immediately wrote a letter to Yueyao, informing her of the situation, allowing her to make her own decision.
Yueyao finished reading the letter and stood, stunned.
Nanny Deng asked anxiously, “Miss, is there something wrong?” Judging by your expression, it doesn’t seem like good news.
Yueyao turned around, her expression complex, “No, it’s good news. My uncle has already found a teacher for Tingzheng. However, instead of arranging private lessons, he will have Brother Zheng attend classes with others.”
Ma Chengteng also worried Yueyao might refuse, as such an opportunity was rare and shouldn’t be missed, so he mentioned in the letter that Li Guoxing and Lian Dongbo were good friends. Additionally, he emphasized that he had discussed Tingzheng’s detailed situation with Li Guoxing. Li Guoxing had already promised to ensure the teacher would take good care of Tingzheng. It was an opportunity not to be missed, and Ma Chengteng hoped Yueyao would not pass it up. Finding a private tutor would definitely be more challenging than attending existing classes.
Yueyao, staring at the name Li Guoxing in the letter, couldn’t help falling into deep thought.
Nanny Deng, unable to grasp Yueyao’s stance and speaking cautiously, said, “Miss, Old Master and Lord Li are good friends, and every year the gifts we send to the Li family are three parts heavier than to others. Lord Li has actively proposed allowing Young Master Tingzheng to study with the young master of the Li family due to the respect for our Old Master. Miss, you must not miss this opportunity.” Even Nanny Deng knew that with their young master’s talents, finding a learned private tutor would be extremely difficult.
Yueyao certainly wouldn’t refuse. She wasn’t hesitating earlier so much as feeling guilty. It was only after returning to the Capital City in her past life that Yueyao realized her childishness had tainted Uncle Li’s reputation, affecting his career progression. Until her death, he had risen only to a second rank position—knowing now that Uncle Li was actually at the third rank. Twenty years and only one promotion had been her fault; she died full of remorse. Yet Yueyao never dreamed that the first person to offer help in this life would be the one she felt most guilty towards.
Seeing Yueyao back in a daze, Nanny Deng called out anxiously, “Miss, what’s wrong with you? Miss…” Seeing calls were ineffective, she hurriedly nudged Yueyao.
Yueyao snapped back to reality and took a deep breath. Her hand clenched into a fist, “Mother, rest assured, I won’t be so inconsiderate. Since Uncle Li has spoken up himself, refusing would dishonor his kindness. I’ll talk to Grandmother about it right away.” The family culture of the Li family had always been commendable, and letting Tingzheng study there eased one of her concerns. However, Yueyao was somewhat worried that Grandmother might disagree.
Yueyao lowered her eyelids; even if Grandmother disagreed, she was determined to send Brother Zheng to study with the Li family. With Uncle Li’s supervision, she believed Brother Zheng would not be led astray. Furthermore, Lord Li’s youngest son was about the same age as Tingzheng, and interacting with peers could also benefit Tingzheng’s growth. From all perspectives, attending classes at the Li family was the best choice.
Old Madam was startled by Yueyao’s words, truly not expecting Ma Chengteng to move so quickly. Of course, the speed proved that he truly prioritized the matter. Although Old Madam didn’t favor Tingzheng, she wouldn’t obstruct him from a good teacher, “Let me have someone check on this teacher’s character and talent. If indeed he is excellent, Grandmother certainly won’t interfere.” She was well aware of the Clan School’s situation. Therefore, she didn’t dare send her two grandsons there. With Tingzheng’s poor attributes, entering a School was impossible, and finding a teacher challenging—now he could attend classes at the Li family, which was fortunate.
Yueyao was initially taken aback but then quickly realized she had been overthinking. Her uncle and Uncle Li were not particularly close now, but they hadn’t fallen out either; thus, Grandmother wouldn’t oppose it. While she felt relieved, Yueyao also found it strange—the Li family had always had a good relationship with the Lian family, so why would Lady Moshis eventually seek to tarnish Uncle Li’s reputation remained a mystery.