Zhang Yizhu said, "I know. I'll send word soon."
Helan Zong nodded. "Then there's nothing else."
"Who says there's nothing else? I have another important matter to discuss with you."
Helan Zong looked surprised. "What else could there be?"
"It's still about Lu Shuo!" Zhang Yizhu frowned. "I probed his foundation today. He can barely recognize characters—he hasn't even had basic schooling. How dare you send him to the Imperial Academy? Didn't you ask about his situation before sending me that letter to make arrangements?"
Helan Zong hummed a vague note and rubbed his chin. "I know the situation. But the minimum age for entering the Imperial Academy in our dynasty is twelve. He just meets the requirement, so it's not against the rules. The boy doesn't seem stupid. Even if he starts behind, he can catch up later. At worst, he'll stay a few extra years. What's there to fear?"
Zhang Yizhu sneered. "Let's not talk about his natural talent for now. I'll just ask you: he's not even familiar with the people in this mansion, and he knows almost nothing about the capital. If he were bold and outgoing, it might be fine. But he's clearly timid and shy. If you throw him into the Imperial Academy, which is full of noble children, how will he adapt? Will others be as accommodating as we are? They'll probably mock his accent from the very first day!"
Helan Zong's face darkened. "With Eldest and the others there, if anyone dares bully Lu Shuo, it'll be an insult to the Duke Mansion! I'd like to see who has the nerve!"
"You make it sound so simple. Do you think Eldest and the others have nothing to do and can hover around Lu Shuo twenty-four hours a day?" Zhang Yizhu curled her lip. "What if someone bullies him secretly, and he keeps it to himself, afraid to tell us? What will you do then?"
Helan Zong frowned in silence.
Zhang Yizhu continued, "In your letter, you said Lu Shuo would study at the Imperial Academy with Second and Third. I assumed he already had a foundation. I thought it was a case of a talent buried in the village school. Who knew you were trying to force growth by pulling up the sprouts!"
"So what are you suggesting? That he not go to the Academy?" Helan Zong looked at her.
Zhang Yizhu said, "I consider myself a good judge of people. In his current state, Lu Shuo is not fit for the Imperial Academy. If later he proves to be a late bloomer, we can send him then."
"Then who will teach him if he doesn't go to the Academy?" Helan Zong mused. "There are ordinary schools in the capital..."
"I was thinking: why not let him study at home?" Zhang Yizhu suddenly leaned closer and lowered her voice. "We even have a ready-made teacher, no need to find another."
Helan Zong was taken aback. "You mean... let him study with Pei'er?"
Helan Pei was not far in age from Helan Chang and Helan Rong. When the twins started their elementary education, the family had also let Helan Pei sit in.
Later, when Helan Pei fell ill and lost her voice, she had been depressed for months and fell behind in her studies. Once she finally accepted reality and wanted to keep herself occupied by continuing her studies, the family hired a female tutor for her, giving Helan Pei one-on-one instruction.
The tutor was a former female official from the palace, released when she got older, now living in retirement at home.
Zhang Yizhu had chosen her because she was somewhat learned—though not as deeply versed in the classics as a dedicated teacher, it was enough to teach a child—and because she had served in the palace, was meticulous, patient, worldly, and good at telling stories. She was perfect to guide and accompany her daughter.
"Yes. Jiang Siji teaches one person; isn't teaching two the same? Sometimes she assigns homework for Pei'er to write and has nothing to do herself. Then she can just teach Lu Shuo. And Lu Shuo's lessons will be even simpler." Zhang Yizhu grew more convinced as she spoke. "We can just increase her pay. I doubt she'll refuse."
Helan Zong hissed softly. "Let Pei'er and Lu Shuo study together? Is that appropriate?"
Zhang Yizhu looked at her husband. "Strictly speaking, it's not proper, but don't you think Pei'er is in need of a companion her age to play with? When Second and Third were still at home, she would sometimes run and jump with them. Now that they're at the Imperial Academy, coming home only once every ten days, Pei'er doesn't even have a friend. She stays cooped up in her room reading all day. If this continues, she might become more and more withdrawn."
Helan Zong said, "But I think Lu Shuo is even less lively than Pei'er!"
Zhang Yizhu said, "That's now. But maybe after they get familiar, it'll be better. Having someone around, even if they never say a word, is still company. She won't be so lonely. And I think Pei'er doesn't dislike Lu Shuo. Just now at dinner, she glanced at him several times."
Helan Zong pondered for a moment. "This is not impossible, but we have to ask Pei'er herself. What if she doesn't want to be disturbed?"
Zhang Yizhu said, "That's why I need your agreement first before I ask her."
Just then, a maid knocked on the door. "Master, Madam, Young Master Lu requests an audience."
Helan Zong and Zhang Yizhu exchanged surprised glances—hadn't he just left? Why was he back?
"Let him in," Helan Zong called out.
The maid opened the door, and Lu Shuo hurried in.