On his way back from the academy, Gu Congwen heard the commotion and turned toward the martial arts yard.
Passing through the arched gate, he saw an enormous white tiger tied to a training post. He froze where he stood.
His trembling gaze swept across the yard, where seven or eight people had formed a circle. At the center stood Gu Jinghong and Song Anhao, facing each other with swords in hand. Their movements crossed in a manner that looked extremely dangerous.
Xuetuan’s forelegs were off the ground as it strained against the rope, roaring furiously at Gu Jinghong. Its growls were fierce and urgent.
“Jinghong!”
After taking a wide detour around Xuetuan, Gu Congwen shouted angrily, his face dark with displeasure.
Gu Jinghong’s sword halted. Song Anhao had no time to pull his own blade back, and it struck Gu Jinghong’s arm, slicing open a tear in his sleeve.
Gu Congwen was startled at first, but when he saw that the wound was not bleeding, his anger returned.
“How could you spar with a child? He’s more than ten years younger than you!”
Song Anhao had never met Gu Congwen before, and he looked at Gu Jinghong in confusion.
“Who is this older brother?”
Gu Jinghong hurriedly introduced him with a smile. “He’s my elder cousin, Gu Congwen, the son of my father’s elder brother.”
Then he explained to Gu Congwen, “I knew what I was doing. I was holding back.”
Song Anhao lifted his chin. “He isn’t more than ten years older. I’ll be nine after the New Year, so there’s only a ten-year difference.”
He tightened his grip on the sword and raised it. “I’ve practiced martial arts since I was little. Sparring is an everyday occurrence for me, and I agreed to this just now.”
Gu Congwen stared at Song Anhao, as though he were looking at Gu Jinghong when he was young.
They had the same natural courage.
Like a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger, they were all the more eager to try something the more challenging it was.
After taking a breath, he said, “Shixue praised you for being good at your studies as well. You’ve always ranked near the top in the academy’s examinations. Why don’t you come with me to Songzhou Academy tomorrow? By observing how the various schools of thought converge, you’ll be able to broaden your own learning.”
Song Anhao’s eyes widened. His chest rose and fell like waves surging in a storm.
“Tomorrow I’m going to admire the begonias with everyone else, so I’m afraid I won’t have time to go to the academy.”
“Then the day after tomorrow will do.”
Song Anhao shook his head furiously. “The day after that, I’m going into the city to visit all the bookstores. I won’t have time then either.”
Gu Congwen knitted his brows. Remembering that they would be leaving the day after next, he could only give up with a helpless sigh.
“Then come the next time you visit. I hear you study under Lord Dongfang, the former Grand Secretary. I’d truly like to see what you’ve learned.”
Song Anhao gave two fake laughs and tugged at his collar to fan himself.
“We worked up quite a sweat during that spar. I’m going back to change clothes.”
With that, he hurried over to the training post, untied Xuetuan, and ran off leading the tiger.
Gu Jinghong cast a helpless glance at Gu Congwen.
“Not everyone likes studying as much as you do. Look—you scared him away.”
Gu Congwen paid no heed. “He’s still young and hasn’t outgrown his playful nature. That’s precisely why he needs someone to guide him.”
“Song Qiming placed third in the palace examination. If his younger brother can still rank near the top at the academy after going to Suining City, then he must be guiding him at home every day.”
Gu Jinghong shook his head in disagreement.
“I don’t think so. County Princess Linghui has already begun having Song Anhao learn about trade. That child is studying all sorts of things. In the future, he may not necessarily enter government service.”
Gu Congwen remained firm in his opinion.
“Although Song Jinzhao is a county princess, strictly speaking, Song Qiming is the only official in the Song family. If they want the family to flourish, they’ll need more men in office—just like our family.”
Gu Jinghong fell silent in thought. It did seem to make some sense.
He looked up at Gu Congwen and smiled. “Song Anhao could also take up the martial path, like my father and your father—or you and me.”
Gu Congwen pressed his lips into a smile. Everything was understood without needing to be said.
