Chapter 217

Before the Mid-Autumn Festival that year, Wei Shu and Wei Xi came together to Cuiwei on their day off and brought early holiday gifts.

Since the students had all graduated, The academy was indeed much quieter than before.

No wonder even Lao Buyu, who used to eagerly await new students like wishing upon stars and moons, was somewhat uncomfortable, and even Shen Cui found herself subconsciously taking extra portions when fetching utensils.

Luckily, Xiaoci arrived later.

Although causing a ruckus, it ensured the academy wasn’t too quiet.

As soon as they met, Wei Shu smiled and greeted Shen Cui with a gift, saying, “It’s been a few months since I last paid my respects to the HeadMaster. Please forgive me.”

Shen Cui smiled and asked them to sit down for a chat, saying, “It’s only been a few months since we last met. Why so many gifts? You all must have important matters to attend to, naturally, that takes precedence.”

The Hanlin Academy was an elegant place, with not too many affairs to handle, but wherever there were people, socializing was inevitable.

Inside were colleagues with deeper qualifications or higher ranks.

During their days off, they often met for tea or to appreciate the scenery. Who wouldn’t attend?

Mei Ruochu and Mu Er Pang were also like this during their days off, busier than during their usual shifts.

Moreover, the two brothers hadn’t returned home for many years, only going back to stay after graduating from the academy.

In recent years, they hadn’t interacted much with friends and relatives, surely similar to when Shen Cui brought Mu Er Pang back to their hometown, when many people came to visit.

With such guests, it was important not to be neglectful.

Although Wei Shu and Wei Xi hadn’t personally come recently, they often sent small gifts through messengers, showing their thoughtfulness.

So, Shen Cui truly understood and felt not a hint of unhappiness.

The brothers also knew that Shen Cui didn’t like extravagance, so the gifts they brought weren’t gold, silver, or luxurious fabrics, but rather practical food and drink.

They hadn’t formally given gifts to the new classmates yet, so they took this opportunity to each prepare a gift for Xiaoci.

For newly enrolled children at age six or seven, they most liked snacks and small toys.

Xiaoci had never lacked in food and drink, but he had never received toys.

The only things he played with daily were the dice set and the small bow Wei Shu had given him.

And Shen Cui only gave him the bow, not the arrows.

Even though the accompanying arrows weren’t sharp and couldn’t harm anyone, Shen Cui didn’t want him to touch such dangerous items until she was sure he had completely returned to the right path.

Wei Shu and Wei Xi gave him toys like the nine-linked rings, Luban locks, and Huarong Road.

In short, they were both fun and educational.

Xiaoci wanted to leave as soon as he got them, but Shen Cui cleared her throat, and he looked conflicted.

In the end, he couldn’t bear to part with the fascinating toys and, with a solemn expression, thanked Wei Shu and Wei Xi with a bow before leaving.

Only then did Shen Cui let him go.

“I heard this child was mischievous before, so I was worried he’d give you trouble. But now he seems much more obedient,” Wei Xi said, pursing his lips. “To be honest, I’m a little afraid of children myself. I always feel their voices, especially when they’re screaming, are piercing and give me a headache. When I met Senior Brother and Mei Brother at the Hanlin Academy earlier, I asked about this.”

With that, Wei Xi shrugged, holding in his hand the earplugs Shen Cui had prepared for each of them during their scientific examinations.

He hadn’t expected to keep them until now.

Shen Cui chuckled. “You’re in luck then. If you’d come earlier, with his voice… those earplugs of yours wouldn’t have been enough.”

Wei Shu laughed and continued, “I wondered why you always hid in the study when relatives brought their children over. So, you’re afraid of that. But don’t worry, your children will definitely be well-behaved in the future! Just hope they won’t be like you were as a child, always sulking and silent.”

There were no barriers between the brothers anymore, so they could joke freely without worrying about upsetting each other.

Wei Xi blushed at his words, picked up his tea cup, and pretended not to hear.

Watching the interaction between the two brothers, Shen Cui tentatively asked, “Is something good happening in your family?”

Wei Shu confirmed it. “Ever since the Enrong Banquet, our little Xi has received many invitations to visit other families. And those families happen to have suitable young ladies for marriage… We’re not getting any younger, and now that we’ve settled down in the Hanlin Academy recently, our parents want to arrange our marriages.”

Shen Cui nodded. “Men should marry when they’re grown, and women should marry when they’re mature. But are you planning to spend some time getting to know each other first, like you did with Afai before?”

Wei Shu rubbed his nose, feeling a bit embarrassed for once.

Seeing her brother embarrassed, Wei Xi spoke up. “There’s an order to things. Our parents want to arrange our elder brother’s marriage first. And it’s not that complicated; our families have a close relationship, and there’s a girl about the same age as us in their family. We used to interact often before we turned seven.”

As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Wei Shu.

It was obvious that Wei Shu’s engagement didn’t require getting to know each other; it was that girl from the close family.

At this point, Shen Cui remembered—In the original storyline, Wei Shu’s wife was his childhood sweetheart.

The girl’s surname was Chu, but her full name wasn’t mentioned much.

The Chu family was a scholarly family, with several jinshi in their ancestry, owning a considerable amount of land and estates in the suburbs of the capital, comparable to wealthy families like the Wei family.

The Chu girl studied and was very sensible under her grandfather’s guidance.

The acquaintance between the two families was also fortuitous.

When the Wei family sent Wei Xi to recuperate at a farm outside the city, it happened to be near the Chu family.

They asked the Chu family to take care of Wei Xi.

With frequent interactions between the two families, they became close friends.

After Wei Shu and the Chu girl got married, they enjoyed several blissful years.

The Chu girl became Mrs. Chu, and she even gave birth to a pair of twins.

However, unfortunately, in the original storyline, after Lady Zhou passed away and Mu Yunchuan remarried a high-born woman six months later, he was set to enter the imperial cabinet.

Although he had achieved great success in exams and disaster relief efforts, entering the cabinet at such a young age was unprecedented in history.

Naturally, it caused turmoil in the court.

Wei Shu tirelessly supported Mu Yunchuan, putting in half of the family’s savings that he had inherited from his parents over the years to help him.

Once Mu Yunchuan smoothly entered the cabinet, Wei Shu had to do some real work to establish himself.

He helped gather evidence of corruption and bribery among court officials.

After some busy work, many envious and jealous court officials started to plot against Mu Yunchuan.

Since Mu Yunchuan was riding high in favor with the Emperor, they didn’t dare to make a move directly. But if it was Wei Shu, a mere subordinate, they had fewer reservations.

Various means, both overt and covert, were employed.

Mrs. Chu never complained, working hard to support their small household.

But as Mu Yunchuan’s rise continued and he gained more enemies, something dreadful happened.

During the night, someone set fire to the Wei residence, and the gates were locked from the outside.

The Chu family had dug a cellar in advance, and they, along with their children and the Wei family parents, took refuge inside.

However, the cellar couldn’t accommodate all of the Wei family’s servants.

That night, the cries of anguish from the Wei residence echoed throughout.

After years of anxiety, Mrs. Chu finally couldn’t bear it anymore.

After burying the deceased servants, she asked Wei Shu if he could stop helping Mu Yunchuan.

She knew Wei Shu regarded Mu Yunchuan as a close friend, but after asking, she paused and took a step back. “Or perhaps you could advise him not to be so radical. I may not understand the major issues in the court, but know that Towering building wasn’t built in a day. Everything can be achieved gradually.”

She had asked this question several times in the past few years, and of course, Wei Shu’s answer was always the same: “What Yun Chuan is doing is for the country and the people. The sooner it’s done, the better. I am honored to share his burdens. How can I retreat now? Just wait a little longer. After he clears up the court in a few years, you won’t have to be afraid anymore.”

Mrs. Chu had heard this answer countless times.

She finally gave up hope and, not long after, after the shock of the fire, the Wei family parents passed away.

After she finished mourning for her in-laws, she asked Wei Shu for a divorce.

Though Wei Shu was heartbroken, he valued what he considered the “greater cause” more and thought it might be better for her and the children to be apart for a while, so he agreed.

With both of Mrs. Chu’s parents deceased, the Chu family was now led by her brother and sister-in-law.

Her brother didn’t want her to suffer under their scrutiny, so he gave her what little family property remained.

He moved into the government office himself.

Now that he was free from family ties, he could serve Mu Yunchuan better.

And when the “greater cause” was finally achieved, the world only knew Mu Yunchuan, rarely hearing of Wei Shu.

Wei Shu didn’t mind this; he just wanted to reunite with his wife and children and live as he had before.

Mrs. Chu and their children had already moved on with their lives.

So, Wei Shu ended up alone, divorced from his wife, and spent his remaining days in solitude.

Reflecting on this part of the storyline, Shen Cui felt a pang of sadness.

Wei Shu had already taken the “Bone Cleansing Pill,” but he still cherished Mrs. Chu, showing that his feelings for her were genuine, not just a result of the rules.

Moving forward, Wei Shu wouldn’t be just a tool for Mu Yunchuan anymore, and their happiness wouldn’t be short-lived.

Suppressing her sadness, Shen Cui smiled and asked, “That’s wonderful news! Has the wedding date been set?”

Wei Shu blushed and replied that it hadn’t been finalized yet. “Right now, our parents have just given their consent, and we’ve started discussing the formalities. Once everything is settled, we’ll send out wedding invitations along with the gifts.”

Shen Cui nodded and then heard Wei Shu ask, “We came over on Mid-Autumn Festival, and I’m wondering if it’s convenient for you, Headmaster…”

Shen Cui had already mentioned that they could come back anytime after graduating without needing to give prior notice or send invitations.

It wouldn’t feel awkward.

Like today, when they came to deliver gifts, they just showed up.

Realizing Wei Shu’s intention in asking, Shen Cui understood that he wanted to bring Mrs. Chu along.

“It’s convenient, of course. Come together then. It’s a festival, it’s better to have more people for a lively atmosphere!”