The family Zhou, after all, was not a family steeped in the scholarship so there was no special rule for many aspects. They all usually had dinner together. One table was for Mr. and Mrs. Zhou with boys and another one was for Caifeng with girls. During the dinner, everyone was always cheerful and the topics conversation were revolved around the events of the day, business matters and family affairs.
Zhou Chuqi said:
"Dad, mom, I had a casual chat with my grandpa today. He mentioned that my medical skills have improved quite a bit. However, there is always someone better than you and there is no limit knowledge in the world. He suggested that it is better for me to travel more and explore more outside. If possible, it is better for me to study at the imperial medical college in the future."
Before Zhou Huai'an could speak, Zhou Chuyu, who had been dinning with the whole family while sorrowfully examining his injured finger, suddenly grabbed Zhou Chuqi's arm after hearing Zhou Chuqi's words and said:
"Chuqi, if you are about to travel, please let me follow you."
Zhou Xiang interjected mockingly:
"If you follow Chuqi, there must be a lot of troubles caused by you for Chuqi. Look at you, too delicate. Why did you stay in Zheng's room this afternoon? You spent the whole afternoon and let Zheng pamper you. If you get hurt, Chuqi has to treat you and pamper you."
Zhou Chuyu retorted:
"If I get hurt, it is perfect that Chuqi can take care of me and buy me delicious food. Otherwise you would not have had sauce meat to eat tonight."
"That is ... "
Zhou Xiang was about to respond but was interrupted by Zhou Zheng, who said:
"Xiang, be a bit more accommodating to Chuyu. Chuqi is about to discuss something important."
Caifeng glanced over at her son, smiled and shook her head.
Zhou Chuqin said:
"Dad, I think my Grandpa is right. Chuqi should travel more and learn more from others. Frankly speaking, I used to think our town was bustling with people coming and going but now I realized that our hometown is really nothing to brag about after I have gone out on a few business trips. I don't know whether it is prosperous in the capital or not, but even in Yangzhou City, it's several times more bustling than our town."
Zhou Chuyu turned to Zhou Chuqin and asked:
"What do you mean? Chuqin, isn't it bustling enough in our town?"
Zhou Chuqin said nothing but patted Zhou Chuyu's head and looked at him affectionately.
Zhou Huai'an said:
"My father-in-law is right. There is a saying, 'There is always someone better than you and there is no limit knowledge in the world.' Chuqin has gone on business trip for many times but our family's trade has mostly been confined to nearby areas and the furthest we've gone is to Yangzhou city. You've all been staying here so as to block your knowledge about outside world. Yes, it is better for Chuqi to go out and visit other places more."
Mrs. Zhou said:
"Impossible! Chuqi is 18-year-old now. It is time for him to find a girl to get married. These days I have been looking for a right girl for him."
Zhou Chuqi replied:
"Mom, my Grandpa told me to study more and gain more experience for improving my medical skill. Besides, I am only 18-year-old. Why do you rush me into marriage so earlier? "
Mrs. Zhou insisted:
"Chuqin was engaged at 17-year-old and got married at 18. But it didn't stop him from doing business. Don't use your Grandpa to pressure me. Just follow me."
Zhou Chuqi didn't say anything but cast a pleading look at Zhou Chuqin and his father. Zhou Huai'an glanced at him and smiled before saying:
"My ma'am, Chuqin is the eldest son. It is the responsibility and obligation for him to get married earlier so as to continue our family line. I believe he will fulfill his duties as a son, an eldest brother, a husband and a father in the future. But as for Chuqi and Chuyu, they are younger so let them do what they want to do. That is why I don't say anything but support Chuqi when he is interested in Chinese medical. As for his marriage, you can continue to find a right girl for him. We don't need a girl from a wealthy family, as long as the girl comes from a decent family but she must be gentle, kind and has a good character and can live harmoniously with our family." Then he turned to Zhou Chuqi and said, "You should get married when you are 20-year-old. Can you agree to this? Don't make your mom and me worry about you anymore."
Zhou Chuqi looks at his mom with eagerly and said:
"Of course. As long as you would let me go out, mom can decide everything for me."
Mrs. Zhou sighed and then glanced at her second son indulgently. And Zhou Chuqin also spoke in favor of his younger brother:
"Mom, just let Chuqi go out. You see, it is possible for me to have a chance to go out while doing business, but Chuqi has few chance to travel because he learns Chinese medical from my Grandpa so that he always stays in our town. After he is married, I don't think that there are more opportunities for him to travel. Let him go out with a servant and Uncle Zhao, who can also follow him. Uncle Zhao has traveled a lot for many years. Apart from his rich experience, he plays Kung fu very well. I don't think there is more problem so, mom, don't worry."
Zhou Huai'an responded:
"Well, I think it is good idea."
Mrs. Zhou said:
"Okay, okay, do what you want. Being a woman, I have nothing more to say."
She knew about her second son's aspirations and she also recognized that her father had acquired his medical skills by studying under various masters when he was young. However, as a mother, she was reluctant to her children endure hardships outside. Now, hearing the pleading for her second son from her husband and eldest son, she had to give in. After all, Chuqi was meant to strive for better prospects.
Zhou Chuyu looked at Mr. and Mrs. Zhou with hope and said:
"Dad, mom, let me go with Chuqi and I can protect him."
Mrs. Zhou responded without hesitation to Zhou Chuyu's request:
"No, don't be naughty. You're still younger! Stay at home and behave yourself honestly. Do you have finished your schoolwork yet?"
Zhou Chuyu stood up at once, ran to Mrs. Zhou, hugged her and coquettishly pleaded:
"Mom, let me follow Chuqi, please!" then he tugged on Zhou Huai'an's sleeve and called: "Dad!"
"Your mom is right. Do you have finished all of your lessons in the school? Chuqi wants to go out for learning more after graduation. What about you? I've heard from your teacher that you have been misbehaving at school, taking advantage of your young age to tease other students. Those children are preparing for the provincial and imperial examinations."
"But my teacher has always praised my homework and he also told me I could participate in the imperial examinations now if I weren't so young. He just asked me to wait for another year before becoming an apprentice."
Zhou Chuqin smiled and said:
"It is really true. Today, I met Mr. Hu from school. He mentioned that Chuyu has exceptional talent, a photographic memory and outstanding performance in his studies. There should be no problem with him participating in the imperial examinations."
Zhou Chuyu added:
"You see, Dad and Mom. I was not lying."
Mrs. Zhou reached out to embrace him and said reassuringly:
"Our little Chuyu is truly remarkable. However, you're still too young. If you go out, not only will my father and I worry but your little mom will be even more anxious. I think she'll be praying to the heavens every day."
After speaking, she glanced at Caifeng and Zhou Chuyu also turned to look at Caifeng. But he noticed his little mom shaking her head to him slightly. Zhou Xiang, who was sitting beside Caifeng, was making funny face at him while Zhou Zheng was busy drinking tea and not paying any attention to him. His sister-in-law just smiled at her son, Dun'er. He realized that the people at this table were not going to plead on his behalf. So he turned to Zhou Chuqin and Zhou Chuqi but both of them looked at him with the sense of helplessness, indicating that they weren't planning to intercede for him either. Unable to do anything, he reluctantly returned to his seat, lowered his head and began to examine his fingertip while keeping his ears tuned in to the conversations of others.
Zhou Huai'an asked:
"Chuqi, if you want to go out, do you have any specific goals?"
Zhou Chuqi replied:
"My grandpa mentioned a Mr. Sun Zuo, known as ' One Needle', who resides in Xin'an town. He is a master of acupuncture and massage. In addition, there is a Mr. Wang Yan in Guangyi town, who excels in herbal medicine and is rumored to be particularly skilled in poisons. I would like to visit and pay my respects to both of these gentlemen. If possible, I would like to seek their guidance and possibly become their apprentice."
Mrs. Zhou interjected:
"How long do you plan to be away?"
Zhou Chuqi responded:
"Well, at least a year."
Mrs Zhou reminded her son:
"One year? My son, don't forget that Zheng will be getting married next spring. Being her elder brothers, Chuqin and you are supposed to escort her to the capital."
Zhou Chuqi assured:
"Mom, don't worry. I will definitely be back for Zheng's wedding."
Zhou Huai'an asked:
"When are you going to leave?"
Zhou Chuqi replied:
"Well, I think I will wait a few more days because there is a patient I've been treating, and he's scheduled for a follow-up in a few days. I will see him through his recovery and then leave."
Zhou Huai'an suggested:
"Chuqin, you have to talk with Mr. Zhao about it and bring a young servant with you. No matter where you want to go, Xin'an or Guangyi, Mr. Zhao is familiar with both places. We have business partners in all of them. I will write to them to take care of you."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zhou felt relieved and knew that her husband would make thorough arrangements for Zhou Chuqi. So she did not need to say anything about this. But no one noticed there was another person who began to make his own secret plans.