Chapter 281: Chapter 282: Lodging
Kuang Yunqiao gave a strained laugh. The reunion dinner was just a nice-sounding name; she hadnāt actually notified the Marquis or Bai Jingyang.
She had assumed that since the old woman had been feeling unwell these days, she would likely be absent as well.
She never expected her to show up and ruin it all.
When Old Madam Bai didnāt see her son and grandson, she couldnāt contain her temper. "You audacious Ms. Kuang! You tricked my eldest grandson, telling him to come back for a reunion dinner, yet you didnāt even notify the whole family! Look at what youāve turned this household into!
You made this old woman drag her broken body all the way here, happy as can be for a reunion dinner, and this is how you arranged it?..."
Bai Jinglie had long expected this scene. He hid behind the Old Madam, watching the drama unfold with a look of pure contentment.
When the Old Madam finished berating Kuang Yunqiao and ordered her to go to the ancestral hall to copy the family rules, he knew she had vented most of her anger.
He quickly went to soothe the old woman. "Grandmother, you mustnāt get so angry you harm your health. How about I call the Imperial Physician to take a look? He can check your pulse for good measure."
Old Madam Bai patted his hand. "My eldest grandson is still the most filial. Some people just pay lip service, secretly wishing this old woman would hurry up and ascend to the heavens."
Bai Jinglie quickly covered the Old Madamās mouth. "You mustnāt say such things! You still have to live to be a hundred."
"It seems this reunion dinner wonāt be happening today. Iāll escort you back."
"Letās go. When we get back, Grandma will pick out a good wife for you. When the Holy Emperor issues a decree for the marriage, it will be a great honor for our family."
After speaking, she shot a pointed look at Kuang Yunqiao. Seeing her cheeks flush red with anxiety, she took Bai Jinglieās arm in satisfaction and turned to leave.
"Auntie," Kuang Tianman, who had been too scared to speak, said anxiously, "what did they mean by that just now?"
"How should I know what it means?" Kuang Yunqiao was fuming. "Go back to your room for now. Iāll find you when Iāve thought of a plan."
Kuang Tianman wanted to say more, but just then, the Old Madamās nanny came over. "Madam, the Old Madam asks that you go to the ancestral hall now."
Kuang Yunqiao, "..."
* * *
Jin Qianqian looked with satisfaction at the results of the past few days. āIt seems you really have to push people a little. Just lookāeven Tianbao, who has zero experience, completed his tasks perfectly.ā
With two storefronts, Jin Qianqian didnāt hesitate. Four people: two shopkeepers and two accountants. Everything was now ready. They just had to pick an auspicious day to officially open for business.
As the newly appointed shopkeeper of the West City Soap Shop, the last trace of disappointment in Hong Tianbaoās heart had completely transformed into gratitude.
When Hong Da heard the news, he even made a special trip to the second gate to kowtow a few times in the direction of the inner courtyard.
As a candidate from out of town, Gu Wenheng didnāt have to squeeze into an inn like the others, so he had no idea that rooms outside had become impossible to find.
Liu Wenping arrived outside the Gu Mansion with his attendant student. Before his trip, Gu Wenheng had made a polite offer for him to stay at the mansion.
He had jokingly accepted, but planned to stay at an inn to avoid troubling them. Yet he never imagined that in the end, he would still have to show up and ask for help.
"Mr. Liu, please come in." As soon as Housekeeper Fu received the news, he sent someone to inform the master and came out to greet the guest himself.
This man was the masterās senior from the academy and a fellow scholar taking the same exam. Having served the Gu family for so long, Housekeeper Fu naturally knew how to handle the situation.
"Is Wenheng not at the mansion?" Liu Wenpingās freshly mustered courage completely vanished. He even felt the urge to turn around and leave.
"Brother Liu, you can come in even if Iām not here." Gu Wenheng strode toward them. Behind him, Ming Feng went over and took the luggage from Liu Wenpingās attendant student.
"Wenheng, Iām afraid I have to shamelessly impose on you this time," Liu Wenping said, mustering his courage.
Gu Wenheng replied, "Brother, you canāt say that. Weāre students from the same academy; itās only natural for us to look out for each other when weāre away from home.
Youāve had a long journey. Please, letās go inside."
Liu Wenping knew, of course, that standing in the street was no place to talk, so he followed him inside.
"Itās just that all the inns outside are completely full. I was delayed by some matters and couldnāt come earlier to book a room. Iām afraid Iāll have to impose on you for a while."
Gu Wenheng said, "Brother, if you keep talking like that, Iāll get angry.
We have courtyards ready and available. Iāve already had someone prepare one for you. Take a look later, and if thereās anything youāre not satisfied with, Iāll have Housekeeper Fu arrange it for you."
Liu Wenpingās eyes filled with gratitude. "Something simple is fine. Iām already troubling you too much..."
"..."
That night, Jin Qianqian and Gu Wenheng learned that there were far more exam candidates this year than in previous years.
"This is almost like the university entrance exams, or even more brutal. So many people fighting over just a hundred-some tickets into officialdom." Jin Qianqian couldnāt help but be flabbergasted when she heard the numbers.
Even in later generations, the civil service exams werenāt this restrictive.
Gu Wenheng shook his head. "Not to mention the old officials from the previous dynasty, but back then, the late emperor kept many official posts to appease the court.
For the sake of his reputation, he also arranged positions for all the subordinates who helped him conquer the land.
The annual salary the court pays out isnāt low, but there arenāt many people who actually do the work.
On top of that, because of the national mourning period in recent years, the imperial examinations havenāt been held for a long time. Everyone is pinning their hopes on this one."
Although Jin Qianqian didnāt have the exact numbers yet, the fact that the inns in Shangjing were already full with so much time left before the examinations spoke volumes.
"So, itās no wonder so many dynasties have vanished into the torrent of history.
If they donāt implement reforms, theyāll collapse on their own without any need for foreign enemies."
Gu Wenheng pulled her into his arms. "Thatās why we have no other way out. If we are merely merchants, we wonāt have the power to protect ourselves.
Starting tonight, Iāll go into your space to study for a while every evening."
Gu Wenheng, who had been full of confidence, now felt a sense of pressure and thought he could still work a little harder.
Jin Qianqian rested her head on his shoulder. "Youāre working so hard. Starting today, Iāll have someone make more nourishing soups for you to help build up your strength."
An image of Shan Keāan suddenly flashed through Gu Wenhengās mind, and he quickly shook his head. "...Actually, itās not hard at all. Iām just holding a book. Iāll make sure to balance work and rest."
Jin Qianqian said, "...Didnāt you used to like soups and broths?"
Gu Wenheng replied, "...Iāve suddenly lost my taste for them lately.
But you should have the kitchen staff take extra care of Brother Liu. Iāve noticed he has lost a lot of weight recently. Heās the one who needs to eat more nourishing food."
Jin Qianqian had also gone over to greet him earlier that day. "I really donāt understand why all these scholars are so frail, looking like a strong wind could blow them over. Iām glad youāre not like them.
Donāt worry! Now that heās a guest in our mansion, we know how to be hospitable. Iāll have the kitchen send them six meals a day."
Gu Wenheng: "..." āSorry, Brother!ā