The Prime Minister's Darling

Chapter 140: 106 Treatment, Cunning Little Monk (Two updates combined) _4

Upon hearing that Xiao Liulang was willing to teach his son, Mr. Lin didn’t need to be told twice. He promptly packed his son off.

On a sunny afternoon, chubby Lin Chengye appeared at the gates of Tianxiang Academy.

With his youthful face, Lin Chengye who was actually 21, looked more like 16 or 17.

Clinging to his heavy bag of books, he asked nervously and insecurely, “Is…is…is this the place?”

He stammered, a problem he had since childhood, that became more pronounced when he was nervous.

Housekeeper Zhou shook his head inwardly. Such a clever child, yet saddled with a stammer, he wondered how Lin Chengye might fare when he began school.

That’s right, Lin Chengye had always been home-schooled out of fear that he would be mocked in school.

Now, with no other choice, despite having passed the judicial examination, Lin Chengye was still no more than an additional bachelor. To distinguish himself among the many students, he had to work extra hard.

“It’s here.” Housekeeper Zhou warned seriously, “Xiao Liulang will be out in a moment, remember what I told you before?”

“Re…re…remember.” Lin Chengye nodded, “Speak…little…words.”

Housekeeper Zhou nodded in approval, “Right, speak less. This way, no one will notice that Young Master Six stammers.”

“Hmm.” Lin Chengye lowered his head.

The two didn’t have to wait long before Xiao Liulang came over from his private school, followed by Fen Lin and Gu Xiaoshun.

Lately, Fen Lin had been dining with them.

Smiling, Housekeeper Zhou stepped forward and greeted, “Xiao Liulang!”

His gaze fell to the people behind Xiao Liulang.

Xiao Liulang introduced, “My younger brother Gu Xiaoshun, and my schoolmate Fen Lin.”

Housekeeper Zhou smiled courteously, “Oh, Gu Xiaoshun and Fen Lin, my apologies.”

Fen Lin returned the gesture.

Gu Xiaoshun glanced at him, then asked Xiao Liulang, “Brother-in-law, who is he?”

Xiao Liulang replied, “He’s the housekeeper of the Lin Family, surnamed Zhou.”

“Ah, him!” Gu Xiaoshun was quite aware of the fact that his brother-in-law was going to teach someone. Xiao Liulang had made great strides in his studies over the past six months, and many were eager to learn from him.

Housekeeper Zhou brought Lin Chengye over and introduced, “This is Lin Chengye, my young master. He is introverted and doesn’t talk much. Please take care of him.”

Xiao Liulang looked at him and said, “We have an examination today. If you pass, you can join. Do you understand?”

Lin Chengye nodded, “Yes, I understand.”

Housekeeper Zhou breathed a sigh of relief realizing that Lin Chengye’s secret remained safe.

Actually, even if Lin Chengye failed the examination, it didn’t matter. He would merely be placed in President Li’s Zhongzheng Hall, and he could compensate with extra lessons. But Xiao Liulang didn’t say this out loud.

Xiao Liulang took Lin Chengye to see President Li.

To win over his favorite student, President Li went out of his way and, for the first time in his life, pulled some strings to get someone admitted.

But Lin Chengye did not disappoint. He completed all the test papers that President Li gave him. His classics and prose scores were good, and although his essay writing needed improvement, it was still good enough for admission.

He was placed in Xiao Liulang’s Class Beta, sharing the same table with him.

Lin Chengye didn’t stay in the dormitory. Housekeeper Zhou spent a large sum of money to buy a residence nearby in the school district.

Xiao Liulang gave him tutorials in his spare time, an hour at noon, half an hour after school, and if he arrived early in the morning, he could have another half hour of lessons.

“Why don’t you move in here, Xiao Liulang? It’ll save you the trouble of commuting.” Housekeeper Zhou suggested with a smile.

“My wife would be angry.” Xiao Liulang flatly refused.

Housekeeper Zhou: “…”

Unable to convince Xiao Liulang to stay overnight, Housekeeper Zhou changed tactics. He replaced Uncle Luo’s flimsy oxcart with his own luxurious carriage, and provided a place for Xiao Liulang and his group to have lunch and a siesta.

Gu Yan and Monk Xiaojingkong needed a nap, and a comfortable room was certainly better than dozing off in the classroom.

Xiao Liulang didn’t object to these arrangements.

Because he tutored Lin Chengye, the group returned to the village late. But both Gu Yan and Monk Xiaojingkong knew that Xiao Liulang was doing this to earn money to support the family,

Gu Xiaoshun was focused on his wood carving and didn’t complain either.

“Are you hungry? Why don’t you eat dinner here?” Zhou, the housekeeper, suggested to the three Gu brothers.

The three unanimously said: “No!”

Housekeeper Zhou was taken aback. Wasn’t his food appealing? They had a professional chef making it all! Could their sister’s cooking skills be better than those of a professional chef?

The three: Heh, you cannot even begin to imagine how delicious the food Jiaojiao (my sister) makes is!