Capítulo 1312: Chapter 1112: Think It Through

Wang Yongzhu couldn’t help but snicker, “You think too highly of me! Let me ask you, after all these years in the Capital City, is this the first time your mother has acted improperly and offended someone?”

Lord Du blushed and remained silent.

Even as a son, he couldn’t lie and say his mother always acted appropriately and never offended anyone.

It was only that before, his grandmother was in charge, and she would mend any oversight.

Furthermore, those who dealt with their family often needed something from them. Everyone eats grains and occasionally falls ill—who would risk offending them and then feel embarrassed to ask for help when sick?

Thus, everyone would just laugh it off and never take it seriously.

“Besides, since your mother did offend me, why didn’t your father have her apologize to me? Instead, they sent you with me to Jing County. Aren’t they afraid I’d hold a grudge and make you suffer along the way? You must know, if you’ve offended a petty woman, there are countless ways for women to make you suffer silently.”

Lord Du wished he could sink into the ground, stammering, “Well… that’s…” without knowing what else to say.

Along the way, he could clearly see that Wang Yongzhu treated him and her nephew Jinhoo the same, with no partiality, and no one could find fault.

Suddenly Wang Yongzhu asked, “Were you at home the day I visited your house?”

Lord Du was taken aback, nodded, seeming to understand something, and quickly explained, “Aunt, I was reading in the study then, and I didn’t know you had come. Later I found out, but my mother said my second uncle had something important to discuss with you and told me not to disturb you—”

The rest of his explanation vanished under Wang Yongzhu’s knowing smile.

He finally realized something, his face showing embarrassment.

Wang Yongzhu then seriously said, “Do you know why your father sent you to Jing County?”

Lord Du nodded, then shook his head, understanding some but not all.

As Wang Yongzhu was idle at the moment, the matter had to be made clear to Lord Du. Bringing him to the countryside was to train him, a task entrusted by her master and senior brother.

She wasn’t about to do a good deed and remain unnamed like a selfless hero.

Since she was to be the bearer of bad news, she intended to do it thoroughly, so no one would hate her after Lord Du had been trained, satisfying her master and senior brother—she wouldn’t engage in such a losing deal.

Therefore, she kindly and thoroughly explained,

“Given the relationship between our families, even if your mother was somehow at fault, I wouldn’t hold it against her, and your parents are well aware of that. Sending you to Jing County is because your father realized, through this incident, that under your mother’s guidance, as the eldest grandson of the Du family, you are easily swayed and lack any responsibility! Immature and foolish in your dealings!”

Wang Yongzhu jabbed mercilessly.

Upon hearing these final comments, Lord Du’s face turned pale.

“If you were to inherit the Du family’s medical techniques and be taught directly by your father, you might not be so immature. But you intend to take the imperial exams, and your father’s guidance is limited! He often serves at court, and your second uncle is also frequently away. When your grandmother was home, she put effort into finding a tutor for you and your brothers.”

“Though the tutor wasn’t well-known, he was somewhat talented, albeit a bit arrogant. If you and your brothers had diligently studied under him for a few years, you might have become accomplished.”

“But when your grandmother and grandfather retired and returned to Jing County, it took less than a month for your mother to neglect the tutor. He wasn’t one to tolerate such treatment and naturally resigned. Originally, your mother thought the tutor too obscure to be worthy of teaching you!”

“Once the tutor left, she planned to send you to the Imperial Academy, didn’t she?”

Sweat formed on Lord Du’s back. His mother had only hinted at her plan to him, yet how did his Aunt know as if she had witnessed it firsthand?

By observing Lord Du’s expression, Wang Yongzhu understood immediately.

These revelations were pieced together from conversations overheard from Lady Qi and Du Zhongjing and Du Tiannan.

She just needed to test Lord Du a bit, and truly, the young one was transparent, revealing the truth after only a couple of sentences.

“When your grandfather and grandmother heard of the plans, they knew your mother’s actions were improper. Does the Imperial Academy let just anyone in? You are still young with shallow academic foundations, and even if you could enter, the Academy conducts exams every quarter. Failing three consecutive times would lead to expulsion.”

“Despite appearing agreeable and genial, in reality, you are proud and arrogant. If your grades were consistently poor, you likely wouldn’t forgive yourself. Hence, your grandparents originally asked me to deliver a message to your father to dissuade sending you to the Imperial Academy and entrusted us to find a reputable yet unsuccessful canditate to mentor you for a few more years.”

“But your father discovered that as his eldest son, you are easily influenced with no assertiveness, always prioritizing filial piety, even when knowing your mother’s actions were wrong, you turned a blind eye and let it be.”

“Thus, he resolved to separate you from your mother. He thought of the Changqing Academy, where your uncle studied because the current top scholar, Tanhua, and second-class imperial graduate all came from there, hoping that your uncle could get you into the Academy, and perhaps you could achieve success.”

“After arriving in Jing County, however, your grandfather, seeing you, felt that you were too lofty and conceited, secretly holding others outside the Capital City in disdain. If sent to the Changqing Academy, you might not be able to get along with classmates. Better to bring you to the countryside with us to stay grounded, so he feels assured!”

In conclusion, Wang Yongzhu firmly looked at Lord Du: “I owe much to your grandfather’s teachings, and I must earnestly fulfill this entrusted task.”

“I know in these recent days, you felt wronged, confused, upset, and even resentful! I initially planned to tell you after giving you a bit more training. But considering that time might be limited once we return to Qilidun, I thought it better to let you know all today.”

“At your age, in some families, one could already be in charge; these are things you ought to know. Now that you know, you should think it over carefully.”

“If you’ve figured it out, then obediently come with us to Qilidun. If not, I won’t force you, and I’ll have someone escort you back to Jing County.”

“Alright, that’s all, you go think it through for yourself!”

After saying this, Wang Yongzhu waved her hand to signal Lord Du to leave.

Lord Du gave Wang Yongzhu a complicated look, said nothing, bowed silently, and withdrew.