Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 539 - 375: A Great Event

If you ask how Mr. Gu found out, it was because Manager Liu at Huichun Hall in the county told Fourth. Fourth often went to Huichun Hall to buy medicinal materials, and Manager Liu’s wife’s nephew was studying at the private school with the second son. In truth, there’s no wall in the world that doesn’t let air through.

After learning the news, Mr. Gu quickly took a carriage to the private school and called the second son out, berating him harshly and asking how much benefit he had accepted from others. At first, the second son didn’t want to say.

Mr. Gu dragged the second son to the house he bought in the county. Inside, they found over two thousand taels of silver and some expensive jewelry and ornaments, which enraged Mr. Gu.

The second branch now has considerable annual expenses, and Second isn’t as frugal as before. Last year’s soap dividends only filled the hole for the Yang Family, leaving some silver to live with—how could the second son save so much silver? Eventually, he forced the second son to return all the silver, threatening to report him to the county government if he didn’t.

The second son received so many benefits, but who knows what promises he made to others? People aren’t fools; they wouldn’t agree to help without some benefits. He questioned the second son, but the second son refused to answer, even provoking him to slap the second son, leaving the second son with a grudge.

Finally, he took the second son to visit the families who had given gifts, returned equivalent value items, and apologized, and fortunately, they were accommodating and didn’t blame them. It’s fortunate this was discovered early; otherwise, the second son would surely cause trouble.

Manager Liu also mentioned that Xiao Bao will become an official someday. If someone has a handle on him, he’ll either work for them or be reported. These Gu Family members can’t help Xiao Bao, but they certainly shouldn’t add to his troubles.

Still, he didn’t tell Mrs. Lv, as she wouldn’t come up with a good solution and might get anxious. Once resolved, there’s no point in mentioning it.

Gu Family members hurriedly went to the Gu Family, finding no one in their courtyard. They walked inside, soon hearing Mr. Gu’s voice coming from the house.

"Third Brother Gu, quick! Your family has good news! Come out and greet the officials." He shouted from the courtyard, then rushed towards the main room.

Mr. Gu was reflecting on past events, while Mrs. Lv stared angrily at the embroidery frame on the kang, not speaking. Suddenly, Li Si’s voice from the village came from the courtyard. Upon hearing it, Mr. Gu wondered what good news awaited. He was perplexed.

Mrs. Lv was also drawn in by the voice. What good news could they have? Could it be that Xiao Bao had returned? She hurriedly got off the kang, slipped on her shoes to head outside.

Li Si didn’t wait for Mrs. Lv, entered the house, saw Mr. Gu, and pulled him outside.

"Quick, those officials are here. The spectacle is bigger than last time! Last time the County Magistrate didn’t come; today, one of them wearing an official uniform seems to be the new county magistrate."

"What?" Mr. Gu was excited upon hearing it, glanced at his clothes, saw they were everyday cotton clothes, and turned to change.

"I must change; these clothes aren’t suitable to meet the Lord County Magistrate!"

As they spoke, the sound of drums grew nearer, and they vaguely heard someone shouting, "...Gu Chengyu has achieved..."

The drum sound drowned the voice, making it hard to discern. Mr. Gu heard it; wasn’t this similar to what’s been said before? Could it be that Xiao Bao passed the Advanced Scholar exam?

"Hey? Third Brother Gu, what are you doing? They’re nearly at the door, and you’re still changing clothes? Just leave them as is! Third Sister-in-law Gu, hurry up too." Li Si found Mr. Gu’s fixation on changing clothes amusing and urged swiftly.

Can one be inattentive with the County Magistrate? Quickly go and welcome them, that’s the right thing.

Prompted by Li Si, Mr. Gu didn’t change clothes further. Dumb Granny heard the noise from her room, promptly tidied Mrs. Lv’s hair, straightened clothes, and they went to welcome the County Magistrate.

The County Magistrate wouldn’t miss this chance to maintain his reputation. After asking villagers about the crops, he followed Third Uncle’s lead, accompanying the messenger to the Gu Family’s gate. Villagers followed behind the County Magistrate, anticipating excitement at the Gu Family.

"What’s being said? Became a Champion Scholar? Gu Family’s fifth child became Champion Scholar? Oh my! Incredible!"

"Isn’t it about the Champion Scholar? I heard it clearly." Aunt Wang also joined the commotion, upon hearing the drums, immediately thinking the Gu Family had joyous news again. Indeed, Gu Family’s Xiao Bao became Champion Scholar!

She admired the County Magistrate ahead, utterly envious. The Gu Family must have burned incense for generations; this Xiao Bao is splendidly accomplished!

When Mr. Gu and Mrs. Lv stepped out of the courtyard, they indeed saw many gathered at their door. The leaders were all dressed in official uniforms and held documents.

The one in the blue robe and Brocade Creek Decree robe—isn’t that the County Magistrate? Mr. Gu had seen County Magistrate Lu before, and knew he wore this attire, so Mr. Gu was certain this was the new County Magistrate.

Hurriedly, he pulled Mrs. Lv to kneel before the County Magistrate and his entourage, "Grassroots citizen Gu Changqing greets County Magistrate!"

"Citizen woman greets County Magistrate!"

County Magistrate Li quickly rushed forward, helping the two halfway down kneeling. This is the Champion Scholar’s parents; Gu Chengyu is now a Secondary Sixth Rank official, serving at the Capital’s Hanlin Academy, far superior to his seventh-rank role with no background.

Within two years, Gu Chengyu’s mother might be honored with a decree. Then this woman would rank above him, and could he let them kneel? That would tarnish the Champion Scholar’s reputation.

"Please, let’s not be too formal. I’m here with a messenger from the Capital to congratulate the Gu Family. Let’s invite the messenger in first," reminded County Magistrate Li, seeing the situation at the gate, urging Mr. Gu to enter the courtyard.

"Ah! Thank you, County Magistrate! Thank you, officials, for your hard work, traveling a thousand miles from the Capital, enduring a tiring journey. Come in for a bowl of tea."

Mr. Gu, having seen the world, spoke smoothly. He knew for such joyous news, he must give two messengers a generous red envelope, and he signaled Mrs. Lv with a glance.

Mrs. Lv had naturally experienced this before, Dumb Granny was knowledgeable, quickly turned to Dumb Granny. Now, she didn’t keep silver in her hand; Dumb Granny managed it!

Dumb Granny, with two maidservants behind her, stood up, turned into the house, went to get the red envelope.

"No hurry, no hurry. Let’s get the main affairs done first," said the messenger, having rushed from Jingyuan Prefecture to the county government, thoroughly exhausted already.

However, after handling the main matters, they could rest afterward.

Uncle Gu received the news, hurriedly arrived at the Gu house, finding the County Magistrate and messenger already in the Gu Family’s courtyard. He gasped for breath, arranged his attire, squeezed through the crowd, stepped into the courtyard.

He’s the Clan Leader; Changqing lacks many etiquettes, he must provide care.