Gu Jinâan saw her relaxed smile and asked, "Did things go smoothly?"
Gu Jinli nodded and recounted the tragic events of the Old Gu Family.
Gu Jinâan heard that Granny Gu and Gu Youwen were paralyzed; Gu Chengxian and Gu Youlu had their reputations ruined, and he felt relieved: "The most troublesome of the Old Gu Family is Granny Gu, the most promising is Gu Youwen and his sons, and the most cunning is Gu Youlu. Now theyâve all failed, and the Old Gu Family is no longer a threat."
Especially Gu Youwen, if he werenât paralyzed, things would have been tricky when he went to the Prefecture for the Prefecture Examination.
The Prefecture School Instructor would check the candidatesâ papers, and seeing his name, would Gu Youwen let him pass?
Gu Jinli also thought of this, which is why she first targeted Gu Youwen.
Gu Jinâan then talked to them about family matters: "I originally wanted to teach Brother Luo Wu a lesson, but I feared the Old Gu Family would target our elder sister. After you left for the Prefecture, I eased up at home. Now, the marriage between our elder sister and Brother Luo Wu is settled, and weâve received the engagement letter from the government office."
Gu Jinli was stunned: "I just went out for a bit, and my elder sister became someone elseâs?"
Gu Jinâan laughed: "Itâs just a matter of time, and itâs only the engagement letter first. The other ceremonies will follow, so elder sister wonât feel wronged."
It must be said, Gu Jinâanâs foresight was great, because the Zhan Family hadnât given up, and his action avoided future troubles.
Looking at Gu Jinli, he suddenly realized that Xiao Yu was no less beautiful than elder sister, even more lively. The Old Gu Family might also make a fuss about her marriage.
However, Gu Jinâan thought of Gu Jinliâs fierceness, then glanced at Qin San Lang beside her.
Yes, heâs not only fierce but also a formidable character, definitely wonât let the Old Gu Family touch Xiao Yu. After all, heâs been watching over her for years, just waiting for her to grow up and marry him. He wouldnât let anyone else make a move.
Gu Jinli saw Gu Jinâan looking at her, then at Qin San Lang, like watching a grand opera, with many stories rotating in his eyes, she couldnât help but ask: "Big brother, what are you looking at us for?"
Gu Jinâan smiled without answering, saying, "Pack up, weâre going home. Tonight, several families will gather for dinner to bid us farewell."
Exams are a big deal, and several families take it seriously, preparing things days in advance to send them off.
"Mm." Gu Jinli replied, taking two hams from the manor, then connected with Elder Qin who was forging iron in the manor, and they all went home.
You An, Erqing, and others didnât return to the village with them but stayed in the manor.
Gu Jinâan saw them and didnât ask much, knowing they were Qin San Langâs people and wouldnât harm Xiao Yu.
...
Once Gu Jinli returned home, she wasnât lectured by the Third Grandma, all because Gu Jinâan covered for her well, sending Zezi with messages every two days. Saying he visited Xiao Yu at the manor, sheâs doing well there, reassuring them, just too busy and wonât return until February 14th.
The Third Grandma felt concerned upon hearing this, and Mrs. Cui made several rounds of chicken soup, sending them over for Gu Jinli to drink.
"Mother, I brought two hams back, letâs open them up for tonightâs dinner with several families." She showed the hams to Mrs. Cui.
Mrs. Cui knew hams were expensive and couldnât bear to eat so much: "One is enough, save the other for when the exam results come out."
Mrs. Chen was already at the Gu Family helping prepare dinner, and upon hearing this, she drooled over the ham, urging Mrs. Cui: "Sister-in-law Dashan, Xiao Yu wishes to boost Brother Anâs morale. Tonight, we must eat grandly, so Brother An and the others donât lose their spirit."
The Third Grandma: "You really know how to talk, just admit youâre craving it, instead of claiming itâll weaken Brother Anâs spirit. Itâs the exam tomorrow; saying such things will get you hit, right?"
Saying so, she picked up a red candle threatening to hit Mrs. Chen.
Mrs. Chen quickly dodged: "Iâm going to fetch the pig head for ancestral worship."
Exams are significant affairs, and tonight theyâll worship ancestors and pray to heaven and earth for blessings.
Gu Dewang was playing with the younger children of several families and, seeing this, made a face at his motherâs back.
Gu Defa saw this, glancing at him, seemingly muttering that itâs childish, then picked up a plate of crispy meat, distributing it to Gu Qingxi, Jin Niu, and Gui Niu.
Brother Cheng rushed over, hugging Gu Jinli: "Second sister, youâre back. I missed you."
Qin San Lang picked him up, placed him aside, and explained: "Brother Cheng is getting older; he shouldnât be hugging your second sister like this, understand?"
Brother Cheng listened well to Qin San Lang, wanting to keep hugging second sisterâs leg, but obediently stood straight: "Yes, Brother Cheng was wrong."
Qin San Lang nodded satisfactorily, magically producing a small feather arrow for him: "Iâll make you a bow, and bring it next time. For now, hold onto the feather arrow."
"Wow, Brother San Lang made me a bow and arrow!" Brother Chengâs eyes lit up, exceedingly happy.
Gu Jinli watched the lively family scene, feeling very content. This is what life is about. If anyone dares to disrupt her familyâs life, sheâd scatter their ashes!
As the sky darkened, the meal was ready.
Gu Jinli served the ham slices Qin San Lang had prepared, with three plates on each of the three tables. Some remained, which she wrapped in oil paper and handed to Mrs. Chen.
Mrs. Chen was trembling with fear, asking Gu Jinli: "Little, Little Yu, Aunt hasnât done any bad things lately except sneaking into Yanfu Building to eat meat dishes twice and twice at the deli shop. Please spare Aunt."
Gu Jinli twitched her mouth; I finally treat you nicely, yet youâre scared like this: "Werenât you craving the ham? Iâve given you some leftovers; do you want it or not?"
"Yes, yes, yes." Mrs. Chen quickly snatched the oil paper package, hugged it, cautiously asking: "Youâre really not settling scores with Aunt?"
Gu Jinli couldnât be bothered with her, sitting down for dinner.
After several families happily finished their meal, they spoke with Gu Jinâan, Gu Dexing, Qi Kangming, Gu Qingliang, Gu Qingtian briefly, and didnât linger much longer, each returning home.
Qin San Lang didnât stay overnight but hurried to the Military Office. Tomorrow is the county examination, a major event for the entire county, and the Military Office will send troops to maintain order at the exam venue.
Gu Jinli took the remaining crispy meat at home, letting him bring it along.
...
The next day, before dawn, several families got up, prepared, and together went to send Gu Jinâan and the others for the exam.
He Jinseng was already a student, not needing to take the county examination. Yet, he rose early, joining several families to head to the county, sending Gu Jinâan and the others off.
They left the village grandly, with villagers intentionally coming to bid them farewell along the way.
Uncle Dayuan held a torch, shouting to them: "Brother An, Brother Ming, do well on the exam. Donât worry, we passed by the Earth God Temple last market day and prayed for you, the Earth God will surely bless you."
Gu Jinâan lifted the cart curtain, smiling at the villagers: "Thank you, Uncle Dayuan, donât worry, weâll do well."
Just like that, they went out of the village and met Scholar Shang at the Shang Family Village entrance, heading to the county together.
Master Ouyang didnât join them in sending off for the exam, believing it unnecessary to make such a fuss over a county examination.
When they arrived at the county, the sky was just lighting up. But outside the exam gates, it was already bustling, filled with people, some were candidates, some were family members sending them off, and some were just onlookers.
Gu Jinâan wore new clothes, feeling exceptionally spirited, like a sturdy pine basking under the blazing sun, vibrant and full of vitality.
Scholar Shang watched such a Gu Jinâan, feeling very accomplished, nodding: "Not bad, looking very spirited, sure to make a name."
Gu Jinâan bowed deeply to Scholar Shang, sincerely saying: "Disciple thanks Teacher for four years of instruction, now embarking forth shall ensure the teacherâs kindness is not in vain."