"Mr. Charles, from now on you will be the tutor of the Lu family. Miss Bennett will come to listen to your lectures for an hour every other day. As for the rules of the household, you will understand them in due time. I hope you will conduct yourself well."

The chief steward, named Frank Bennett, was formally making arrangements for Charles Harper.

"And also, your residence will be in the east wing of the outer residence. I have already had it tidied up for you. However, you must remember, you are not allowed to enter or leave the inner courtyard at will unless permitted. The Lu family has strict rules. If you break them, the master and madam will punish you severely. Of course, you are a teacher, after all, different from us servants, so you are free to move about the outer residence. If you need anything, just let Accountant Wood know—he lives next door to you and will surely look after you."

Charles Harper said, "I have a maid who usually takes care of my daily needs. May I have her move in as well?"

Frank Bennett hesitated for a moment and said, "Alright, but I don't know where she is at the moment. The household is sending someone to fetch your luggage anyway, so she can come along then."

Charles Harper nodded and said, "Thank you very much."

Frank Bennett probably needed to report back to the madam, so after exchanging a few pleasantries with Charles Harper and probing a bit into his background, he hurried off when he saw there was nothing amiss.

Charles Harper's accommodations were quite decent. After all, he was being treated as a teacher, so he was specially assigned to a suite with a front and back room. The outer room could serve as a small parlor, and the inner room was the bedroom. As for the furnishings, the Lu family had also considered this, hanging some calligraphy and paintings, and providing all the necessary writing materials.

Charles Harper was satisfied with this—free room and board, and the teaching duties were simple: just one hour of class every two days, easy and comfortable.

Charles Harper stayed in the room for about half an hour, and then Little Grace arrived with a bundle on her back. Although they had only been apart for a few hours, Little Grace rushed toward Charles Harper excitedly, tears in her eyes, and said, "You scared me! I thought young master had abandoned me. Young master, have you really become a tutor?"

Charles Harper replied modestly, "I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it. Your young master is just too outstanding, the Lu family thinks highly of me and I couldn't refuse their kindness... But, tomorrow I have to teach Miss Bennett to read, and yet I don't have a single book. What should I do?"

The Lu family probably assumed Charles Harper was a scholar, and since scholars always bring their own books, they hadn't prepared any lessons or sent any books for him.

But now, Charles Harper tragically realized he couldn't find any books to prepare his lessons. So... what should he teach tomorrow?

At the mention of books, Little Grace's eyes lit up and she quickly said, "I have some! Madam told me to follow young master, so I brought a few books with me. I found them under your pillow, hoping you would turn over a new leaf and read more. I never thought they'd come in handy now."

She really did have some...

Charles Harper couldn't help but look at Little Grace with new respect. Look how thoughtful she was—truly a model among maids, not only bringing money and comfort, but even books.

Little Grace untied her bundle and indeed produced a few books. As a little maid, she treated the books with great reverence and said, "Young master, please read, please read."

Charles Harper took the books and, seeing Little Grace's solemn expression, couldn't help but find it amusing. But in this era, only scholars read books, and in the eyes of ordinary people, scholars were lofty figures. The very act of reading symbolized elegance.

However...

The first book: "The Elegant Scholar"

The second book: "Wives Like Clouds"

The third book: "Secret History of Martial Maidens"

Charles Harper was stunned.

So these were the books that scoundrel used to read... He opened a page of "The Elegant Scholar" and immediately saw some indecent words: "This student greatly enjoys doing things during the day, likes to look at certain objects to enhance his lust, and at night..."

Damn! No wonder these were the treasured possessions of a prodigal son.

He flipped through "Wives Like Clouds" and "Secret History of Martial Maidens" as well, and they were all erotic unofficial histories. They must have been collected by the previous Charles Harper and kept under his pillow, while Little Grace, being illiterate, regarded any book as sacred and so had carefully brought them along.

Charles Harper felt truly doomed. Using these books to prepare lessons—never mind whether he could sleep tonight, just reading too much might make his blood boil and cause him to die from excitement.

Charles Harper put the books down and could only say, "Um, these are all good books, but there's no rush. I'll take a nap first and read them slowly later."

Little Grace thought the young master was just being lazy and immediately said, "It's still early, young master, you're clearly trying to slack off." Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued, "Madam told me, I must..."

Charles Harper's face turned red at once. Seeing Little Grace about to cry, his heart softened and he said, "Alright, alright, I'll read."

Charles Harper had no choice but to sit in the small parlor, sit up straight, and pick up "Wives Like Clouds" to read. The words inside were, of course, unspeakable. Charles Harper thought to himself, "After being steeped in this for so long, will I turn from a romantic to a beast?"