Minglan is reborn, this time with no regrets!

When Gu Tingye arrived home, Gu Yankai was sitting in the hall. When he saw him from a distance, he shouted to him to kneel down.

Gu Tingye did not struggle, he knelt down on the spot and said, "Father, Master Zhuang asked me to bring you a letter!"

As he spoke, Shitou quickly stepped forward and handed him a letter with both hands.

Gu Yan opened the letter and read. It was Zhuang Xuejiu's evaluation of Gu Tingye's school life in the past two days. It listed what time he went to class and when he got off class, what essays he wrote, what questions he answered, all of which were listed one by one. Finally, it came Zhuang Xuejiu's evaluation of Gu Tingye: This boy is teachable, but he needs to concentrate and not let family affairs bother him, otherwise he may miss the exam.

Gu Yankai held the letter and pondered: the time mentioned in Zhuang Xuejiu's letter, the time reported by the city gate for entering the city, and the time when Gu Tingye returned home all matched. I also heard that Gu Tingye studied in his room all night last night, so it was impossible for him to have time to go to Xiangchunlou.

It is impossible for Zhuang Xuejiu, a great scholar of his time, to write such a letter for a useless young man.

It could only be that the people from Xiangchunlou were lying.

Or someone was using Gu Tingye's name to sign an order with Chunlou and buy goods on credit.

Gu Yan shook the letter and asked, "Did you write this letter under the name of Zhuang Xuejiu?"

Gu Tingye: "Father, you are wise. The scholar's calligraphy is unique and not something that anyone can imitate."

Gu Yankai: "You really didn't go to Xiangchunlou yesterday?"

Gu Tingye: "It is absolutely true. My son is repentant and determined not to touch those things that disturb my mind."

Gu Yankai said, "Okay, I'll believe you this time. But what about the 'family affairs' that Zhuang Xuejiu mentioned at the end of the letter? Did you tell him about your family affairs? Don't you know that family disgrace should not be made public?"

Gu Tingye: "The scholar knew that I had been unruly in the past, and was afraid that I would be distracted by other things again, so he asked me about my daily life and wanted me to act like a saint. I told him the truth. After listening to him, the scholar frowned and thought..."

Gu Yankai: "What do you think?"

Gu Tingye: "They think there are too many people in my room. In the past, Confucius was studying with only a green lamp as his companion and his widowed mother. I am not as knowledgeable as Confucius, but there are dozens of maids in my room. It's really not decent."

Gu Yankai had long been dissatisfied with his son for having too many people in the room. Upon hearing this, he said loudly, "Well said! It's really not decent!"

Gu Tingye: "My son dares to ask father to help me dismiss the maids in the house and only keep Shitou and a few menial servants."

Gu Yankai nodded: "Okay, if you have this intention, then I will be the bad guy for you. But from now on you have to be more careful and don't mess with those bad people again, otherwise, you will end up hurting others and yourself."

Gu Tingye looked up at Gu Yankai, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

Gu Yankai: "If you have something to say, just say it directly. Why are you being so shy and coy like a woman?"

Gu Tingye: "Father, I didn't owe Xiangchunlou the debt, and I didn't offend some people either."

Gu Yankai raised his eyebrows and said, "You can borrow wine money on credit, but can you also borrow a woman's innocence on credit? How can someone else do something wrong, but the victim comes to you? Don't get carried away after getting the advantage and treat your father like a fool!"

Gu Tingye wanted to argue, but then he remembered Minglan's words about not being tough with his father, so he bowed his head again and said, "Father taught me that I beg you not to get angry and take care of your health. I will repent and never make you sad again."

Seeing that he was so sincere in admitting his mistake, and reciting the four words "Ruzi can be taught" written by Master Zhuang, Gu Yankai finally did not punish him any more. He took Gu Tingye back to his room, transferred all the maids in his room to other places, leaving only four sturdy servants.

Xiao Qinshi went with them and witnessed the whole process. She advised Gu Yankai several times not to treat Gu Tingye so harshly. She also said how deeply these women loved Gu Tingye, which made Gu Yankai feel like he was about to get angry.

Gu Tingye was about to get angry, but thinking of his father's health and Minglan's request, he endured it and said to Xiao Qinshi, "Mother, I was absurd in the past and did many wrong things. I will compensate these people a lot, so that they can have a stable support whether they leave the house to be independent or find another master. But please don't say anything about keeping them. I started to learn very late, and now I can't catch up with others even if I study hard day and night. I really don't have the energy to deal with so many people. Please have mercy on me and don't embarrass me anymore!"

After a few words, Xiao Qin was stunned for a long time. Finally, she suddenly held the chair and wiped her tears, saying: "I am afraid of wronging you, silly child. How can you say that I am making things difficult for you... You... This really makes me feel heartbroken..." Then she left crying.

Gu Yankai yelled at Gu Tingye: "Why do you talk to your mother like that?"

Gu Tingye was very frightened: "I was anxious and said the wrong thing! I just hope that mother will be strict with me and stop spoiling me... I used inappropriate words and hurt mother's feelings. It's my fault. I will go and apologize to mother now!" He turned to Shitou beside him and said: "Put away all the books you need to read tonight. I will go and apologize to mother first. I will come back to read after mother forgives me."

Gu Yankai wanted to nod when he heard him say that, but then he remembered what Zhuang Xuejiu wrote, "Don't let family affairs bother you." He suddenly frowned, thought about it, and said to Gu Tingye, "Okay, your mother is not the kind of person who will not let you go even if you are right. I'll go talk to her. You stay in the room and study, don't run around. If you go out to fool around again, I'll break your legs!"

"Yes, father. Thank you for your consideration!"

In the evening, Gu Tingye directly wrote an article "On Loyalty and Love", quoting the classic "Xianwen Chapter" from "The Analects of Confucius" -

Confucius said: If you love someone, can you not work hard for him? If you are loyal to him, can you not teach him?

Confucius once said: "If you love him, can you not encourage him to work hard? If you are loyal to him, can you not teach him with kind words?"

It is natural to care for subordinates or children, but you should pay attention to the way and method. Whether you pamper them with all your love or temper them with hardships, the results will be completely different.

Gu Tingye further extended the story of "Zheng Bo Ke Duan Yu Yan" in "The Spring and Autumn Annals", and said frankly that he was heartbroken after reading it. He cursed himself for almost becoming that spoiled and domineering younger brother, and regretted that he almost made his beloved mother, Xiao Qin, the target of everyone's condemnation.

In the article, he repeatedly expressed his gratitude and comfort to his parents, saying that he had grown up and knew how to behave himself, and asked his parents to take care of their health and not to worry about him anymore.

The words were heartfelt and touching. After reading such a long article, Xiao Qinshi, with Gu Yankai admonishing her, could only smile with tears in her eyes: "Ancestors bless my son, he has grown up!"

However, Gu Yankai read many meanings in this article: first, this kid is indeed as Zhuangzi said, a teachable boy - his writing is fluent, his arguments are rigorous, and his handwriting is also good; second, this kid seems to want to tell him something through this article.

He read Gu Tingye's "On Loyalty and Love" over and over again, and kept thinking about it after lying down at night. When he woke up the next day and wanted to read it again, he couldn't find it.