Chapter 747: Shamelessness Is the Way

After Luo Wu and his family left, Third Grandpa and Grandmother went to sleep as well, leaving time for Gu Dashan and his wife to talk with the children.

Gu Jin’an and Gu Jinli talked about the Xia family’s affairs again and also mentioned, "Master Hu of the temple feels guilty and has given us some gold and silver as compensation, which we have hidden away."

Gu Dashan and Mrs. Cui didn’t ask how much gold and silver there were but expressed their concerns, "Xia Gu is not a good man. Is the wealth from his family obtained legitimately? If it’s not, it wouldn’t be good for our family to accept it."

Gu Jinli assured, "Father, don’t worry. A lot of the Xia family’s silver was given by the first master of Hu Yun Temple. The Xia family is practically a servant to the Hu Yun Temple, and now Master Hu, as the current temple master, is giving us his things as compensation, so there’s no problem at all."

Gu Dashan and Mrs. Cui were timid, so neither sibling mentioned the affairs of the Lu family to them.

After hearing this, Gu Dashan and Mrs. Cui felt much relieved: "That’s good."

And they praised Master Hu: "The temple master truly is a good person, helping our family in every way."

Gu Jinli sneered inwardly, thinking that if Master Hu didn’t help, he would be failing his duty.

"Mom and Dad, I’m very sleepy, I’m going back to sleep," Gu Jinli said with a yawn: "Brother Cheng, I’ll make you a cake to eat another day, Second Sister."

For the past three years, she had made a cake for Brother Cheng’s birthday each time. Although she missed his birthday this year, she still owed him a cake.

"Okay, thank you Second Sister," Brother Cheng was reluctant to let Gu Jinli tire herself out, urging, "Second Sister, go to sleep quickly. You have to deliver goods at the pharmaceutical workshop early tomorrow morning."

On the twenty-second and twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month, the pharmaceutical workshop had to deliver goods for two consecutive days. After that, they would rest for a day on the eve of Chinese New Year, and then prepare three days’ worth of Convenient Medicine for shipment after the New Year.

Gu Jinli nodded: "Alright, we’re heading back to our courtyard."

Saying this, she waved to Gu Dashan and Mrs. Cui and returned to the courtyard she shared with her sister Gu Jinxiu.

Gu Jinli was truly tired and fell asleep quickly.

Gu Jin’an still had things on his mind; when they got back to the courtyard where the brothers lived, he asked Brother Cheng, "Has Master Ouyang not returned home for the New Year yet?"

Brother Cheng shook his head: "Grandpa Ouyang said that since Granny Ouyang is no longer here and his sons can stand on their own, his grandsons and granddaughters have grown up too, it’s the same whether he returns or not. Plus, the house in the town is pretty good, close to Yanfu Building, which is convenient for dining."

As compensation, the Xia family’s properties in Qingfu Town became the Gu family’s, and Gu Jin’an arranged for Ouyang Hu to live in the Xia Mansion in town. Ouyang Hu quite liked the mansion but complained that Tingshui Garden was too impractical.

Brother Cheng then whispered to Gu Jin’an, "Grandpa Ouyang wants to eat ham; he has finished all his ham and is recently very eager to have some, but he’s too embarrassed to ask our family for it."

Gu Jin’an laughed when he heard this: "And you didn’t think of a way to send some to Master Ouyang?"

Brother Cheng nodded: "I did think of it. I’ve prepared two hams and plan to give them to Grandpa Ouyang tomorrow as a New Year’s gift. Big Brother, come with me tomorrow to deliver the New Year’s gift."

Gu Jin’an responded: "Okay."

Gu Jin’an was so exhausted that after a brief chat with Brother Cheng, he fell asleep immediately.

Both siblings slept soundly, waking up the next day feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

Village Chief He, knowing that the siblings had returned from Jinling, brought He Jinseng over to the Gu Family early in the morning to pay a visit. Seeing Good Brother An, he beamed with joy and said, "Good Brother An is back. You’ve become even more handsome after this period of not seeing you, much better looking than my Jin Sheng."

He Jinseng, already used to his grandfather always praising Good Brother An’s looks, showed no reaction to these words and simply asked Gu Jin’an, "Good Brother An, was your trip to Jinling smooth?"

Village Chief He frowned at He Jinseng, "What kind of question is that? Who do you think Good Brother An is? He’s someone blessed with good fortune; how could his trip not be smooth?"

Brother Cheng, being a gossip, tugged at Gu Jin’an’s sleeve and whispered, "The village chief has come looking several times, wanting big brother to take Brother Jin Sheng to meet Grandpa Ouyang."

Gu Jin’an understood, no wonder Village Chief He praised him as soon as he saw him.

"Village chief, Brother Jin Sheng, please have a seat. Have you had breakfast? Our family hasn’t eaten yet; let’s eat together."

Village Chief He, aware that Gu Jinli’s sisters had grown up and that it was inappropriate for them to eat at the same table with outsiders like him, shook his head, "No, thank you, you eat."

He continued with a smile, "Actually, I came to see you this morning because there’s something I need help with. That Master Ouyang who lives in the town, I heard he’s a very learned man, and I was thinking, maybe he could give Jin Sheng some guidance. Jin Sheng failed to become a Scholar before, and this time it’s uncertain whether he will be listed or not. If Master Ouyang could give him a pointer or two, I think the chances of succeeding would be much higher."

Village Chief He was quite worried; Jin Sheng would be twenty after the New Year and still hadn’t been betrothed. He had intended to match Jin Sheng with a girl from his wife’s maternal family, or one from Mrs. He Liu’s maternal family, but his wife and Dacang’s wife both said that since Jin Sheng was a scholar and likely to gain an official position in the future, he should marry a discerning rich family’s daughter to assist him in his career.

Since his family was just a farming household, without the Scholar title, Jin Sheng would never be able to marry a rich family’s daughter. Therefore, Village Chief He was afraid that if Jin Sheng failed the exams again, it would ruin his marriage prospects. He specially came to ask Gu Jin’an to take Jin Sheng to meet Master Ouyang and seek his guidance for Jin Sheng.

"So, it’s about that," said Gu Jin’an. He had known He Jinseng for three years and trusted him. Although the He family had their small flaws, they were honest and decent people. Helping them out wouldn’t be a problem, and Village Chief He’s family could also help Gu’s family in the village.

Seeing that he was willing to talk, Village Chief He hurriedly said, "Exactly, that’s the issue. What do you think, Good Brother An?"

He Jinseng felt quite embarrassed and added, "Good Brother An, as you know my grandfather’s temper, you don’t need to bother with him. Pretend he didn’t say anything."

"What nonsense are you talking?" Village Chief He stared at He Jinseng. Why tear down my efforts? It’s all for your sake.

Gu Jin’an chuckled, "It’s not difficult, but I can only pass the message for you. Whether Master Ouyang agrees to see you or to teach you is entirely up to him."

He Jinseng was thrilled and hastily said, "Of course, I’m grateful that you can introduce us. Whether I can actually meet him is entirely up to fate."

Village Chief He sneered inwardly, dismissing the idea of fate. Fate is what you make of it. His Jin Sheng was just too bookish; he should be a little less concerned about face, more shameless like himself. With this shamelessness, he secured a huge job from Gu’s Workshop for the He family, and now the entire He Family People are living a good life.

Thinking this way, Village Chief He suddenly felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment. How could he talk about himself like that? He was simply thick-skinned, that’s all, and he hadn’t done anything bad.

Village Chief He mentally praised himself, and quickly asked Gu Jin’an, "Good Brother An, when will you be free to ask Master Ouyang?"

Gu Jin’an replied, "I’m going to visit Master Ouyang in a while. I can take Brother Jin Sheng along, but he’ll have to wait outside. He can only enter if Master Ouyang agrees to see him."