The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 362: Writing Spring Festival Couplets

Chapter 362: Chapter 362: Writing Spring Festival Couplets

"Alright, one by one." Jingzhe spoke without lifting his head, his pen in motion.

"Jingzhe, your handwriting is truly beautiful," said Mrs. Zhang with a smile.

"Of course, otherwise how could Jingzhe be a child student."

"Even the scholarly administrator praised Jingzhe’s calligraphy."

The villagers began to discuss how beautiful Gu Jingzhe’s calligraphy was. Although not many people in the village could read, everyone just felt that Gu Jingzhe’s handwriting was outstanding. From praising his beautiful handwriting to admiring his handsome looks, they flattered Gu Jingzhe so much that he almost couldn’t hold his pen steady.

Tong Huaqiong had a direct impression of Gu Jingzhe’s handwriting, comparable to the works of calligraphers she’s admired in museums in the future.

No wonder in Tong Dajiao’s memory, in a past life, Gu Jingzhe’s calligraphy and paintings were sought after by everyone in Shengjing. Some were even willing to pay a fortune for his works.

Gu Dashu, Yaozu, and others secretly made a lot of money using Gu Jingzhe’s reputation in calligraphy and paintings, which eventually became the straw that broke his downfall.

Er Gouzi, who was helping to smooth the paper, suddenly said, "Jingzhe, are you going to take the scholar exam next spring?"

Gu Jingzhe nodded.

"Do you think Jingzhe will pass?"

"Of course, if there is only one person from Pingchuan County who can pass the scholar exam next year, it has to be Jingzhe."

"What’s a scholar? In the future, Jingzhe will become a scholar master, and maybe even the champion scholar someday."

The villagers had great confidence in Gu Jingzhe’s scholarly abilities.

Gu Jingzhe blushed at the compliments, and quietly said, "Nothing is certain, there are many outstanding students in Pingchuan County."

The crowd chuckled, wondering when the youngest son of the Gu family became so humble.

Village Chief Liu said, "Anyway, no matter what, your scholarship was praised by the scholarly administrator. Strive to pass the scholar exam this time, and we will celebrate with a banquet for you in our village."

Now that Qinghe Bay has a village school, Village Chief Liu was heavily praised by County Magistrate Liu for the scholarly atmosphere in Qinghe Bay. Such an atmosphere demanded that they produce a scholar.

Next year, they were counting on Gu Jingzhe to bring honor to the village.

Tong Huaqiong looked at her son’s flushed face and said to Village Chief Liu, "When you hold a banquet in the future, and he passes as a scholar next year, then the following year as a scholar master, and possibly in five years as a champion scholar. Village Chief, you need to check if you have enough silver saved up."

Village Chief Liu laughed until his whiskers shook and said, "If Jingzhe really becomes a champion scholar, I’d be willing to give up all my wealth for a banquet."

Gu Jingzhe was utterly speechless.

It was one thing for others to say he’d become a scholar or champion scholar, but how could his own mother be so unreserved, believing so staunchly that he would become a champion scholar?

Gu Jingzhe felt that the mother with high hopes for him from the past had returned.

"If Jingzhe really becomes a champion scholar, that would be perfect. To walk out and say you’re from the champion scholar’s village, that would truly be impressive."

"If I were the emperor, I’d choose Jingzhe as a champion scholar. There are plenty of knowledgeable people, but it’s Jingzhe’s looks that are extraordinary. The family scions at Wanliu Academy can’t compare to him."

The crowd laughed and chatted as if Gu Jingzhe would become a champion scholar tomorrow.

The Gujia Clan Leader stood among the crowd waiting for Gu Jingzhe to write the spring couplets, feeling uneasy in his heart.

What good is it if Gu Jingzhe becomes a champion scholar?

The Gu family can’t enjoy any of the champion scholar’s glory.

He was now wondering whether Tong Dajiao’s parents-in-law had received his message.

He wanted Tong Dajiao to have a quiet and pleasant New Year. He really wasn’t content.

If Tong Dajiao’s parents-in-law hadn’t received his letter, he planned to go personally after the New Year to bring them here.

"Well, champion scholar, my pigsty doesn’t need the ’Fu’ character this year. Could you write something like what you wrote for your pigsty?" When it was Village Chief Liu’s turn, he made his request.

The spring couplets for Tong Huaqiong’s pigsty were placed aside to dry, noticed by the village chief:

"Upper line: Fortune fills the house with wealth, Lower line: Prosperous pigs bring blessing aplenty, Crossline: Blessings abound in the world."

Village Chief Liu felt it was better than just a single ’Fu’ character.

"Alright," said Gu Jingzhe calmly, "Similar to mine, but not the same."

After pondering, Gu Jingzhe said, "Chief, how about this: Upper line: Bountiful harvests mark the prosperous year, Lower line: Plump pigs bring blessings at the door, Crossline: All wishes come true for every family."

Village Chief Liu slapped his thigh and said, "As expected from a scholar, let’s write it like that."

In the past, Gu Jingzhe was known as a prodigy in the village, always lofty and never seeking the villagers’ opinions. Whatever he wrote, the villagers would paste it.

If anyone wanted specific phrases on their spring couplets, Gu Jingzhe would immediately drop his pen, straighten his face, and say, "Write it yourself."

The villagers were instantly silent.

They feared upsetting Gu Jingzhe, for without spring couplets, it wouldn’t seem like New Year.

But this year, Gu Jingzhe was completely different. Not only did he write spring couplets for everyone earnestly, but he also actively inquired if they had specific couplets in mind.

If not, he thoughtfully asked where the spring couplets would be pasted.

For instance, the main spring couplets for door frames had their own pairings, and for pigsties, chicken coops, or sheepfolds, he used phrases like "flourishing livestock," adding more words than the simple ’Fu’ letters of the past.

With Village Chief Liu’s inspiration, the villagers eagerly desired customized spring couplets.

The more requests, the slower the writing naturally became.

Gu Jingzhe wrote all morning and managed only a few households.

"Jingzhe is writing quite slowly on his own. Hey, Lai Fu, you can write too, can’t you? Come help me out," Aunt Qin called to Su Chengmin, who was playing with the children Xiao Long and Man Er.

Aunt Qin’s words reminded Village Chief Liu.

Gu Jingzhe couldn’t write fast enough alone, but Lai Fu could!

Lai Fu was the village teacher, skillful at writing spring couplets effortlessly.

So, Su Chengmin was pulled over by everyone to write spring couplets.

Su Chengmin didn’t hesitate, washed his hands, and took up the pen to write.

"Lai Fu’s handwriting is quite good, not inferior to Jingzhe’s," someone commented while observing closely.

Tong Huaqiong twitched the corners of her mouth.

This was completely senseless talk from someone who didn’t understand.

Su Chengmin’s handwriting was far inferior compared to Gu Jingzhe’s.

Tong Huaqiong mused, if the villagers knew that one of Gu Jingzhe’s paintings and calligraphy would be worth a fortune someday, they’d probably cut the spring couplets down and save them after posting, like trading futures.

With both Gu Jingzhe and Su Chengmin writing together, the spring couplets for the villagers in Qinghe Bay were soon completed.

Every household received the spring couplets they desired. On the 29th of the lunar month, except for the two households in mourning, all of Qinghe Bay was adorned with spring couplets.

Naturally, for Gu Jingzhe, as Mr. Gu had passed away not three years ago, customary mourning rights dictated that Tong Huaqiong’s family couldn’t post spring couplets either.

But Tong Huaqiong decided to break this rule. She wasn’t really Tong Dajiao and had been forced into being Mr. Gu’s widow. It was impossible for her to observe mourning for Mr. Gu.

In consideration of the children’s feelings, however, Tong Huaqiong made a compromise. The old rooms of the Gu family wouldn’t have couplets, while the newly expanded rooms from autumn would have them.

Not only were the new rooms adorned with couplets, but the farming tools, yard, and fence walls were all decorated with big red ’Fu’ characters.

Even the pigsty was adorned.

At dusk, snowflakes fluttered through the sky.

The next day was New Year’s Eve. In the courtyard, under the eaves, and on the fences, large red lanterns were hung.

At nightfall, the lanterns were lit, and the red glow cast a tranquil and warm light against the snow.

Tong Huaqiong watched the swirling snow, her heart stirred. It was her first Lunar New Year in this world, yet it felt like an eternity. So long that she had almost forgotten her mindset upon opening her eyes in this world for the first time.