Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 956: Yao Youqian Really Knows How to Make Money

Chapter 956: Chapter 956: Yao Youqian Really Knows How to Make Money

Elder Xu was truly pleased to see his grandson had truly reformed.

Their family wasn’t a noble family of wealth and influence nor a family of nobles and high officials, and they hadn’t even entered the ranks of scholarly families, so their descendants couldn’t act arrogantly.

Gu Dashan felt very guilty, looking at Gu Jin’an, he said, "Good Brother An, I..."

"Father, no need to say more, it’s fine." Gu Jin’an interrupted Gu Dashan’s words, not wanting him to apologize to him.

But Gu Dashan still felt very remorseful. No matter how well they did, or how bad Elder Gu might have been, Elder Gu held the title of being an elder, and they could not avoid being gossiped about.

Gu Jin’an did not want to see Gu Dashan feeling guilty and smiled, "Father, he was fooled; he didn’t clearly hear what I said. I mentioned that only if he became the top scorer of the Prefecture Examination could he make any conditions to me. But I’ve read his essays; they’re flamboyant but lacking in practicality."

Some of the essays were so fantastical, vastly different from actual practice. The fact that Magistrate Gu was excited about pigeon leaf tofu and konjac tofu was enough to prove he was a practical person, not favoring essays full of ornate rhetoric. So even if Lv Bai could pass, he wouldn’t become the top of the county.

Upon hearing this, Gu Dashan felt a bit more relieved.

Brother Cheng joyfully said, "Big Brother is still the smart one, that rat is so stupid, didn’t even listen clearly when making a bet."

Gu Jin’an admonished Brother Cheng, "No nicknaming others allowed."

Brother Cheng snorted, muttering, "Who told him to curse at Big Brother out of nowhere?"

Gu Jin’an heard this but did not scold him further. Instead, he pressed Brother Cheng’s head, turned him around, and then released him to bow towards Yao Youqian, saying, "Thank you, Brother Yao, for speaking up for us."

Brother Cheng also obediently said, "Thank you, Brother Yao, for speaking up for us."

Yao Youqian laughed heartily, "No worries, I just told it like it is."

Then he asked Gu Jin’an, "Brother Gu, you just said Lv Bai’s essays are all style and no substance; will he fail the exam then?"

Gu Jin’an shook his head, "Probably not. I have read the essays from talented individuals across various counties, including those of Brother Yao and Lv Bai. He does have some talent; otherwise, he wouldn’t be the top scorer of Yujiang County."

Indeed, Lv Bai was the top scorer of Yujiang County. Because of this, Lv Bai was concerned about the situations of other county top scorers and dared to openly insult Gu Jin’an.

However, Lv Bai managed to become the top scorer of the county thanks to the Yujiang County Magistrate, who loves ornate literary works, but Magistrate Gu doesn’t. Compared to ornate works, Magistrate Gu favors achievements.

Yao Youqian sighed with relief after hearing this, "That’s good. Although Lv Bai is not very outstanding, both his parents and grandparents are good people. They’ve waited all their lives for him to succeed in the exams. If he fails, the ones who will suffer won’t be him, but all the family members supporting him."

The Lv Bai family wasn’t wealthy to begin with, and there were siblings in the family. The whole family got up early and worked hard, saving money frugally to support his studies. This time, to enable him to take the exam in the Prefecture, the family even went into debt. If he doesn’t succeed, it would truly bring misery to the Lv Family People.

After hearing this, Gu Jin’an wanted even more to befriend Yao Youqian, who showed generosity and scrupulousness. He had also read his essays, which were practical and boldly written, although the language used lacked ornate elegance, earning him only fourth place in the county examination.

"Brother Yao, where are you staying? How about I give you a ride?" Gu Jin’an, seeing no one came to pick up Yao Youqian, thought about how it was getting dark and his family had a mule cart, so they could give him a ride.

Yao Youqian smiled, "No need, I am not staying at an inn; staying at an inn costs too much silver. After arriving in the Prefecture, I found a job helping the Liu Family in the North City with night cleanup. Although there is no salary, they provide meals and accommodation. Their son-in-law runs a stall selling food, and the meals are quite good."

Xu Zhao Ming was stunned; he didn’t expect this!

He assumed that those who passed the county examination would maintain a reputation and, if not staying at an inn, would rent a courtyard for themselves. Unexpectedly, Yao Youqian took another path and got a job, even doing night cleaning work.

Gu Jin’an, upon hearing this, was even more impressed. He gave another bow and said, "Brother Yao is quite astute with finances; this approach is excellent, saving the family a lot of silver."

Yao Youqian nodded in agreement, "Brother Gu is right. I also think this approach is excellent. However, the North City is a bit far. I originally considered working with the Niu Family in the city. They handle night cleaning for the wealthy in the city and receive tips daily. If I could work with them, not only would meals and accommodation be covered, but I’d also earn a considerable salary. However, the Niu Family also does night cleaning for the government office, and since I thought I should avoid suspicion during exams, I decided not to work for the Niu Family."

Gu Jin’an said, "Brother Yao is very thoughtful, indeed it’s important to avoid suspicion."

Xu Zhao Ming was about to go crazy, looking at them as if he had seen a ghost, unable to bear it any longer. He said, "Brother Gu, Brother Yao, it’s getting dark; we should head home."

Can we please stop talking about night cleaning? It’s making me sick!

Yao Youqian laughed, "Haha, Brother Xu is right, it’s getting late; I’ll head off now; see you when the results are announced."

With that, he cupped his hands towards Gu Jin’an and others before departing. After walking a few meters and squeezing through the crowd, he started running; the North City was indeed not close.

Brother Cheng laughed heartily, "This Brother Yao is really interesting; Big Brother, remember to take me with you when you visit him."

With Big Brother’s disposition, he would definitely want to befriend such a generous, upright, and intriguing person.

Gu Jin’an nodded, "Yes, when we pick up people the day the results are announced, I’ll take you with me."

Then he said to Gu Dashan and the others, "Father, Master, let’s head back."

"Alright." Gu Dashan nodded, and the group took the mule cart home.

The family had already prepared meals, waiting for them. Seeing them return, they didn’t ask much, urging them to wash up and eat first.

After the meal, they asked how they did in the examination.

Gu Jin’an, Gu Dexing, and Qi Kangming all said they did well, while Gu Qingtian and Gu Qingliang said, "We don’t think it went that well; the Prefecture Examination questions were much harder than the county examination."

Gu Damu’s family, with only Old Mrs. Yan present, laughed upon hearing this, "It’s okay, we just wanted you to experience it. We didn’t even expect you to pass the county examination, so it’s already respectable to participate in the Prefecture Examination."

Gu Qingliang and Gu Qingtian, hearing this, smiled, "As long as you’re not blaming us, grandma, it’s fine."

After chatting for a while, they let Gu Jin’an and the others go to rest since the exam hall was small, low, and damp. Though they seemed spirited, they certainly hadn’t slept well like at home.

Gu Jin’an and his group stayed in the exam hall for three days and nights, which was truly exhausting, so they all went back to their rooms to sleep.

After Brother Cheng told Gu Jinli about the matter with Lv Bai, she instructed Erqing upon returning to the room, "Tell Daqing and the others to investigate this Lv Bai. Someone in the city definitely wants to use him against Big Brother, so keep an eye on him and see who approaches him during this period. Also, find the storytellers and have them continue discussing the matters of the Old Gu Family."

Gu Jinli was really annoyed with the ancient notion of filial piety. Clearly, it was the Old Gu Family’s fault, but just because Elder Gu was Gu Dashan’s biological father, their real grandfather, her big brother had to be criticized.

And that Lv Bai, if he likes Old Man Gu so much, why doesn’t he just acknowledge him as his grandfather!