Chapter 850: Scheming Woman

The county top scorer, what is that? It is a person who can become a scholar as long as nothing unexpected happens.

Mrs. Gu is so jealous that she’s about to go mad; Granny Gu is even worse, screaming fiercely, word by word: "Thief... robber!"

This county top scorer rightfully belongs to Brother Xian, but it was stolen by Gu Jin’an. If Gu Jin’an had died on the way to escape from famine, or contracted a venereal disease and couldn’t participate in the county examination, then the first place belongs to her Brother Xian.

Granny Gu is truly a madwoman; how did she come up with this idea?

Gu Jin’an was capable enough to become the county top scorer, does Gu Chengxian have this capability? Even if Gu Chengxian took the exam, with his knowledge, he wouldn’t be able to become the county top scorer.

But Granny Gu doesn’t think so; she believes Gu Jin’an stole Gu Chengxian’s fortune, causing Gu Chengxian to contract a venereal disease and consequently lose the title of top scorer.

"Thief, thief!" Granny Gu wishes she could kill Gu Jin’an. If she had known it earlier, she would have thrown Gu Jin’an into the mountains to feed the wolves. Now she can only look at Lord Lai with longing eyes, hoping he’ll take charge and erase Gu Jin’an’s ranking in the county examination.

Little Sister Gu, who is Granny Gu’s most beloved daughter and knows her mind well, seeing Granny Gu struggling to speak, spoke on her behalf, saying: "Uncle Lai, that Gu Jin’an hates our family. He can’t be allowed to obtain an official position. Please think of a way to erase his ranking, don’t let him become a scholar."

"Shut up! You are Gu Jin’an’s aunt. How can you say such things? Where is your love as a senior towards a junior?" Lord Lai was furious, not expecting Little Sister Gu to be so foolish. If others heard her words, could he still maintain his office?

Lord Lai was so angry that he pounded the table: "A county top scorer’s ranking is not something you can erase just by saying so. Tampering with the imperial examination results warrants confiscation of property and execution."

Moreover, Gu Jin’an wrote amazing essays on agriculture, contributing two types of food to the government. County Magistrate Zheng even sent Gu Jin’an’s essays to the government office for Lord Magistrate to read.

Gu Jin’an has already caught Lord Magistrate’s attention; Lord Magistrate wants to protect him. He’d have to be insane to erase Gu Jin’an’s ranking.

Little Sister Gu was terrified by Lord Lai’s reprimand, her face turned pale and dared not to speak again.

Mrs. Gu, unwilling to accept defeat, nudged the stunned Gu Dagu, signaling her to speak up and ask Lord Lai to deal with Gu Jin’an.

But Gu Dagu said: "Gu Jin’an passed the county top scorer exam? Oh dear, that wolf cub has achieved something. Now I’m the aunt of the county top scorer."

She said it cheerfully, which angered Mrs. Gu.

Ms. Zheng sneered: "Dagu, why are you so happy? You’re not Gu Jin’an’s real aunt."

She, she is Gu Jin’an’s real aunt!

Gu Dagu was happy about becoming the aunt of the county top scorer, but Ms. Zheng’s words filled her with anger, cursing: "What nonsense are you spouting? Speak one more word and I’ll tear you apart!"

Ms. Zheng, not willing to back down, wanted to argue back, but Lord Lai’s cold gaze immediately cut through her, leaving her trembling and confused why Lord Lai was suddenly angry.

Terrified, Ms. Zheng hurried to appease Lord Lai by pushing Gu Chengzhi towards him: "Brother Zhi, quickly go and greet your Grandpa Lai."

Dragging his plump body, drooling from the mouth, Gu Chengzhi said to Lord Lai: "Grandpa Lai."

Seeing the chubby Gu Chengzhi, Lord Lai felt pleased and his anger towards Ms. Zheng faded considerably, pulling Gu Chengzhi into his arms, he said to Ms. Zheng: "A woman ought to support and educate her husband and children rather than engaging in verbal disputes."

What kind of person are you to dare insult Jinzhi!

The Gu Youfu’s family also came to the guest hall, but they traditionally held no status there, dared not to speak much. However, hearing Gu Jin’an become the county top scorer, they were equally delighted.

Thinking, not only can they secure a livelihood through Dashan’s family, but they can also associate with Dashan’s family’s influence. Once Gu Jin’an becomes an official, they can rely on even more.

Gu Youfu was extremely delighted, wanting to rush to Liu Bin now, to tell her; don’t look down on me, I’m not living off petty theft, I’m the uncle of the county top scorer, my nephew is going to become a great official in the future.

Nonetheless, Gu Youfu fails to consider how during the escape from famine, his family had been plotting against Dashan’s family with the Old Gu Family.

And Elder Gu, upon learning that Gu Jin’an became the county top scorer, was entirely stunned... county top scorer? That son of Gu Dushan, whom he has always deeply resented, has become the county top scorer?

Granny Gu talks about the imperial examination in his ear every day; Elder Gu knows the significance of the county top scorer. Now he’s both happy and gloomy... One of his grandsons has become the county top scorer, but gloomy because the top scorer isn’t his favorite grandson, Gu Chengxian.

After reprimanding Ms. Zheng, Lord Lai looked at Elder Gu and said: "Gu Jin’an is your grandson. Now that he’s achieved success, as a grandfather, upon hearing this great news, it is proper for you to bring gifts to Tianfu County to reconnect with them."

Elder Gu smiled at first upon hearing this, then later said: "It should be them coming to visit me, not me visiting them as the grandfather."

Lord Lai sneered: "You didn’t treat his family well in the past. Now that he has achieved success, if you don’t go personally, do you think they will come to see you? Moreover, if you go personally, as his father and grandson, even if they have grievances in their hearts, they would not dare not acknowledge you."

If the elder personally goes to reconnect, should the younger dare not acknowledge, they would be condemned to death by public scorn.

Elder Gu is already afraid of Lord Lai, dared not to speak much upon hearing this, only managed to nod and agree, though feeling quite aggrieved inside.

Gu Youfu promptly said: "Father, let me accompany you. My nephew became the county top scorer, as an uncle, I ought to go and congratulate as well."

Gu Rong, who hadn’t spoken all the time, stepped out, bowed to those present, and said: "Grandfather, Lord Lai, Sister Rong would also like to accompany grandfather to elder uncle’s house. There are two cousins there, Sister Rong can chat with them."

Gu Rong knows that Lord Lai doesn’t favor their family, trying to rely on the Lai Family for a turnaround is difficult. Now she can only cozy up to Dashan’s family, using their connections for a better life.

Making a profit of a hundred thousand taels a year, plus a county top scorer and future Scholar cousin; it is said that cousin also knows a noble son from Jinling.

A noble son, the golden son-in-law whom Gu Rong dreams of marrying. If she can use Gu Jin’an to connect with Jiangnan’s noble son, even if she can’t become the official wife, just being a concubine, she and future generations won’t have to worry anymore.

Gu Rong is a very scheming person, always planning for herself, but she forgets how she once deceived Gu Jinxiu during the famine escape, almost causing Gu Jinxiu to be captured by Fatty Ding, which Gu Jinli still remembers.

If one knows what’s good for them, they’d stay as far away as possible. To seek trouble this way, even if Gu Jinli wanted to let her go, she couldn’t.