Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 1125: A Wild Goose Chase

Squad Leader Song has already led a group of government officials, beating drums and gongs as they arrive at Qingzhu Lane, shouting as they walk: "Qingzhu Lane Xu Residence Gu Jin’an ranked top scorer of the current college examination, consecutively winning the small three yuan!"

The families of Qingzhu Lane heard this joyful announcement and were stirred, all opening their doors to chase after the officials, asking: "Lord, what did you say? Someone from Qingzhu Lane achieved the top score in the college examination and consecutively won the small three yuan?!"

Is this true?

If it’s true, then their Qingzhu Lane will become famous!

Song Squad Leader said, "That’s right, someone from the Xu Residence in your Qingzhu Lane indeed achieved the top score in the college examination. Not only that, but the young lord from the Xu Residence and two other students from He’an Prefecture also passed, making it four in total with the top score."

The residents of Qingzhu Lane were shocked upon hearing this.

"I didn’t expect it, that Xu Residence which has long been unoccupied is now home to a few Master Tongsheng, and they have now passed the Scholar examination."

With a thud, someone suddenly knelt down, shouting to the heavens: "God, our Qingzhu Lane finally has its day!"

After shouting, he began to weep loudly.

"Master Ji, please stop crying, this is truly a joyful occasion for our Qingzhu Lane, hurry and get up, let’s prepare a lavish gift and go to the Xu Family to congratulate them." Tang Daming understood Master Ji’s feelings very well. Master Ji had been trying for over ten years, never achieving even the student level, and many mocked him, saying the Feng Shui of Qingzhu Lane was bad, that he’d never succeed living here.

Master Ji once thought of moving, but the Ji family ancestral home was here, to sell it would be unfilial, so Master Ji could only persist in his studies, guarding the ancestral home and living a frugal life.

Ms. Ji also wiped her tears, saying: "Husband, the Feng Shui of our Qingzhu Lane is indeed good, study diligently and surely you will pass in the future."

Yet, Squad Leader Song found it difficult, as Master Ji’s knowledge was average, and the court had always restricted the number of Scholars, this year only admitting thirty, even many knowledgeable students were blocked.

It’s said that the next college examination will admit even fewer, possibly only twenty, making it hard as scaling a mountain to pass as a Scholar.

Master Ji was very happy, upon hearing this he stood and said: "What my wife says is correct, let’s quickly return home, cleanse and dress, then bring a generous gift to the Xu Residence and congratulate the top scorer."

Ms. Ji heard this and smiled somewhat reluctantly, life at home wasn’t easy, preparing such a lavish gift would be difficult, but she knew of Master Ji’s unresolved issue, so she didn’t dampen his spirits, saying: "Right, I will certainly prepare a generous gift for my husband to send to First Place Gu."

Clang, clang, clang!

The sound of the copper gong rang out again as Squad Leader Song and his cohort arrived before the Xu Residence, shouting toward the Xu family gate: "Linhe Prefecture Government Office here to announce joyous news to the Xu Residence, within the residence starry fortune shines, Gu Jin’an ranked top scorer in the college examination, consecutively winning the small three yuan!"

The Xu Family had long awaited this, hearing this they opened the main gate wide, with Elder Xu personally leading Xu Zhao Ming, Gu Jin’an, and the others out to greet Squad Leader Song.

Squad Leader Song looked at him and smiled: "Elder, congratulating you, your residence has deep blessings, producing a small three yuan, truly the second one in our Jianghuai."

"Mutual congratulations." Elder Xu was exceedingly pleased, personally handing over five silver notes, a total of five hundred taels, which stunned Squad Leader Song.

"Elder is indeed a fortunate person, on behalf of my brothers, I thank you kindly."

Elder Xu said, "No need for thanks, the old man is happy today!"

He then grasped Gu Jin’an’s hand and said to Squad Leader Song: "This here is First Place Gu, the Small Three-Yuan Scholar of our Jianghuai."

Elder Xu was truly happy today, not only had Xu Zhao Ming passed as a Scholar, but even Gu Dexing, who was not highly regarded, passed as well. One is his grandson, the other his future grandson-in-law, Elder Xu was thrilled nearly to the point of suffering a stroke.

Only Qu Wenliang, Yao Youqian, Lv Bai, and He Jinseng didn’t pass.

They were saddened for a long time upon receiving the news, crying in the residence, Lv Bai even fainted, saying he had let down his family, prompting Yao Youqian to scold him: "What a fuss, it’s no big deal; if you don’t pass this exam, just try again next time. Just as long as you stop being a leech, sucking the family’s resources to sustain yourself!"

Though Lv Bai didn’t pass as a Scholar, ever since he started earning money by writing stories, the Lv family’s life had improved considerably. Brother Lv Er also began matchmaking, the Lv family had hope, even if Lv Bai didn’t pass this exam, the Lv family wouldn’t despair.

Lv Bai felt better after hearing this.

Qu Wenliang was also saddened, but he had his uncle Scholar Qu comforting him, so he didn’t collapse; the most disheartened was He Jinseng, who had been the family’s hope, studying hard for years but not succeeding, crying even more desperately than Lv Bai.

Fortunately, Scholar Shang, Elder Xu, and Gu Jin’an comforted him, saying his knowledge was sound but the incident with the bandits had frightened him, and due to the reduced number of Scholars admitted this exam, he hadn’t succeeded.

He Jinseng was still very upset, yet his years hadn’t been wasted, having learned an open-mindedness from Gu Jin’an and Master Ouyang, he didn’t dwell on frustrated thoughts and had stopped crying.

Squad Leader Song was taken aback seeing Gu Jin’an and exclaimed: "It’s rumored that First Place Gu possesses beauty akin to fragrant blossoms and jade trees, truly so, his appearance is extraordinarily graceful."

He then congratulated Gu Jin’an on ranking top scorer and small three yuan, handing him the Scholar credentials, saying: "Three days from now, Lord Magistrate and Lord Xue Zheng will hold a banquet at the government office, inviting all the Scholars, you must attend promptly."

Jianghuai has produced its second small three yuan since the establishment of the Great Chu, and this banquet is organized in their honor.

Gu Jin’an smiled and said, "I’ll be sure to attend the banquet ahead of time, please convey my regards to Lord Magistrate and Lord Xue Zheng."

He then took out a red envelope and handed it to Squad Leader Song: "Squad Leader Song and the lords have worked hard, a small token of appreciation, please accept it."

Squad Leader Song didn’t hesitate, accepting Gu Jin’an’s red envelope, then being invited into the residence by Elder Xu for a feast.

Elder Xu had anticipated Gu Jin’an would pass as a Scholar, thus he had reserved tables at Gaosong Building in advance to entertain those coming to offer congratulations.

Soon, families from Qingzhu Lane also arrived to congratulate and were all invited inside to feast.

Gu Jin’an, as the top scorer, didn’t stay long, only accompanied Squad Leader Song for a few drinks, thanked the families of Qingzhu Lane, and then found an excuse to leave.

Therefore, when Young Master Tong San arrived at the Xu Residence with others, they were informed that Gu Jin’an was not there, having returned to the Gu Family’s Prefecture residence to pay respects to ancestors.

Young Master Tong San was confused: "What did you say, Elder? Gu brother left? His family doesn’t have a residence in Linhe Prefecture, how could he return to pay respects?"

Elder Xu said: "They have a residence indeed, but as our families are old friends, and he is a friend of my grandson, he stayed at my house to study."

Young Master Tong San frowned and asked, "I see, please inform me where Gu brother’s residence is, so we may visit and congratulate him."

Elder Xu is a sly old fox, very cunning. Hearing this, he said: "Their residence is far from here, by the time you arrive, he’d probably have finished paying his respects and returned, you might as well not go."