Chapter 44

Xu Wan smiled and replied, "I am deeply grateful for the trust of my father-in-law and mother-in-law, and even more so for your generous guidance, Master."

"Haha... You're too kind, too kind," Baili Xi said, stroking his beard with delight. "Madam, do you have anything else to discuss today?"

Xu Wan explained her plan to hire private tutors. Baili Xi raised an eyebrow and asked, "You want them to continue tutoring Jincheng after my lessons, even on rest days?"

Xu Wan nodded. "That boy has boundless energy, and studying after class doesn't tire him out. I initially had someone prepare translations and phonetic notes for difficult characters, but it's still not efficient enough. He needs someone to accompany him at all times."

Baili Xi pondered for a moment and found the idea reasonable. "That's not a bad plan. It will keep him motivated and help him solve problems promptly. I think it's feasible. Bring me the resumes of those candidates, and I'll review them for you now."

Xu Wan was pleased. "Thank you for your trouble, Master."

Cui Zhi had already arranged for the resumes to be brought over. Xu Wan handed them to Baili Xi and waited for his evaluation.

Baili Xi quickly skimmed through them and noticed that all five were recent provincial graduates. He realized this was no coincidence. Candidates who had just finished the imperial exams would still have fresh knowledge and exam techniques, making them more effective than those from three years ago.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Once again, Baili Xi was impressed by Xu Wan's thoroughness and gave her an approving look.

Xu Wan smiled and asked, "Master, what do you think?"

Baili Xi replied, "The first resume is falsified. He is not the top graduate from Wenyang County. The actual top graduate from that county is the child of an old friend of mine."

"The second candidate is too old, at sixty-seven. He probably wouldn't be able to keep up with Jincheng's demanding schedule."

Xu Wan chuckled. "That's true." The imperial exams were open to candidates of all ages, and this man had achieved his success with gray hair.

"The remaining three are all good, especially this one from Hanlin Academy. I think he's worth considering more seriously," Baili Xi said. "The teaching methods at the academy are also excellent. Jincheng shouldn't be too isolated while studying at the manor. He should interact with others, discuss exams, and stay informed about current affairs."

Xu Wan nodded and reviewed the other two resumes. They were indeed evenly matched. "They're both quite good. It's hard to decide."

Baili Xi agreed but couldn't offer a definitive recommendation, so he left the final decision to Xu Wan.

After a moment of thought, Xu Wan decisively said, "Then I'll hire all three." When you're wealthy, you don't have to choose.

Baili Xi: "..."

Sometimes he felt that everyone in the Yangyuan Marquis Manor was quite extravagant.

Xu Wan instructed Cui Zhi to draft the employment contracts and notify the three tutors to come to the manor to sign the agreements and begin their duties on an appointed day.

Meanwhile, in another courtyard, cries of pain echoed.

"Ouch... it hurts... be gentle..."

"My hand... it's swollen like a red carrot... waaah..."

Zong Jincheng sat on the edge of the bed, extending his hand for the manor physician to apply medicine. Shunzi held his arm to prevent him from moving and worsening the pain.

The teary-eyed little troublemaker looked pitiful, his bright black eyes even more striking, making it hard for anyone to bear seeing him in such a state. It was a mystery how Xu Wan could bring herself to discipline him so harshly.

The physician reassured him, "Young Master Jincheng, the injury isn't too severe. It's just a bit swollen with some blood streaks. Apply the medicine for a few days, and it will heal. Avoid using your hands during this time, rest well, eat light meals, and don't stay up late..."

The physician listed a long series of precautions, turning the little troublemaker's hand pain into a headache. He wailed, "My hand hurts, and now you're telling me to watch my diet and rest? You're even stricter than Xu Wan!"

The physician: "..." These are just standard medical instructions!

But with the little troublemaker in a foul mood, the physician didn't dare argue. Zong Wenxiu signaled that he could leave, and the physician quickly grabbed his medical kit and fled.

The little troublemaker's hands were wrapped in white bandages, turning them from red carrots to white ones, resembling two big clubs.

He flopped backward onto the bed, kicking his legs and shouting, "Xu Wan, Xu Wan, Xu Wan! I hate her!!... Ouch!" In his emotional outburst, he accidentally hit his hand on the bed frame.

"Brother!" Zong Wenxiu hurried over to help him up and checked to make sure his hand wasn't bleeding.

Hearing this, Zong Jincheng became even more aggrieved and cried out, "Don't call me brother! I thought of you as my real brother, but you sided with Xu Wan. Not only did you not shield me from the punishment, you didn't even try to stop her!"

Shunzi stood to the side, his lips twitching. The young master really had high expectations—not only wanting someone to stop the punishment but also to take the hit for him.

Zong Wenxiu paused, lowered his head, and said, "I'm sorry. I can't defy Madam. I... I... Next time, I'll definitely shield you!"

The little troublemaker snorted. "There won't be a next time. Next time, I'll be the one hitting Xu Wan's hand!"

Shunzi: "..." Even Buyan would be speechless at this.

Hitting Madam's hand? Who do you think you are?

You'll probably end up being hung up and beaten by Madam...

Buyan entered the room. "Young Master, the medicine is ready."

"What? I have to drink medicine too?" The little troublemaker wilted like a frostbitten eggplant.

Zong Wenxiu understood and took the medicine bowl, comforting him, "Using both external and internal treatments will help you recover faster. Shunzi, bring some candied fruit."

"Yes, right away."

The little troublemaker reluctantly opened his mouth, waiting for his brother to feed him.

The medicine was spooned into his mouth, bitter but bearable with the candied fruit.

Zong Wenxiu was very patient, testing the temperature before feeding him, wiping his mouth after each sip, and even picking the largest pieces of candied fruit for him.

This wasn't the first time the little troublemaker had been fed medicine, but it had been a long time since he'd experienced such care. It felt warm and comforting, just like when his grandparents were in the manor, focusing all their attention on him.

It had been months since he last saw his grandparents, and Zong Jincheng missed them dearly. His eyes began to redden at the thought.

Zong Wenxiu quickly asked, "What's wrong, Jincheng? Is the medicine too bitter? I'll get you more candied fruit."

"Brother," Zong Jincheng called out softly, his voice filled with pitiful longing.

Zong Wenxiu paused. This was the second time his brother had called him "brother," and he felt a surge of familial affection, as if he had finally been accepted.

The little troublemaker frowned and murmured, "You owe me this time, so I forgive you. But don't help Xu Wan bully me anymore. Xu Wan only asked you to repay her by accompanying me in my studies, nothing else."

Zong Wenxiu thought about it and realized that was true. His brother had also been part of the group that saved their mother, so he shouldn't side with Madam against him.

"Alright," he agreed. "From now on, I'll always stand by you."

Zong Jincheng's eyes lit up, and his voice grew louder. "Really? You're not lying to me?"

Zong Wenxiu replied earnestly, "Really. I'll do everything in my power to protect you."

Shunzi, standing behind them: "..."

Great, the little troublemaker has tricked another one. Carry him away.