Ancestor Mu spoke with such authority that both Dai Tangniang and Elder Dai were left speechless.
Elder Dai, realizing what was happening, cried out and rushed at Ancestor Mu, but was kicked down by Erqing, who warned, "Ancestor Mu is a venerable elder and a symbol of good fortune. If you cause her any harm, do you think the government office will let you off the hook?"
Elder Dai originally wanted to make more trouble, but upon hearing this, she dared not move.
Mu Tai, also frightened, ran over to shield Ancestor Mu, "Enough, you are of the Dai family, but I, Mu family..."
Mu Tai wanted to say something harsh, but he ultimately liked Dai Tangniang. Even though he had seen her true nature, he still couldnât bring himself to say anything that would harm her reputation.
In the end, he knelt in front of Ancestor Mu and cried, "Grand Ancestor, it is your great-grandsonâs unfiliality that has made you suffer."
Ancestor Mu was very comforted, did not blame Mu Tai, nor felt heartache for the fifty taels of silver; as long as her great-grandson could wake up, she felt it was worth it.
She supported Mu Tai to stand up, saying, "Donât say anything, letâs go home."
"Hey." This time, Mu Tai did not hesitate and helped Ancestor Mu walk away.
Dai Tangniang rushed out wanting to call Mu Tai back, but she wasnât willing to follow Mu Tai to live in the countryside. Hoping for another chance, she turned back into the house.
When Mu Tai stepped out of the Dai family door, he glanced back at Dai Tangniang. Seeing she didnât follow, he smiled and felt completely disillusioned.
He didnât blame Dai Tangniang for wanting to live the life of a young madamâit was understandable. However, he would no longer foolishly let himself be deceived by her.
Just as Ancestor Mu and the others returned home, they encountered Liu Family People delivering farewell gifts.
Liu Liuâer and her husband were also there, with her belly sticking out, she saluted Ancestor Mu, "Grand Ancestor, weâve heard you sold your house and will soon return to the countryside. Weâve come to see you off."
Everyone lived in North City, and Ancestor Mu had watched Liu Liuâer and the others grow up. Everyone respected her, knowing her family would go back to the countryside, where they might never see her again, so they all came to say goodbye.
Ancestor Mu was happy to see Liu Liuâer, and touched her protruding belly, saying, "Looks like a boy. Our Liuâer is lucky, her first child is a son."
Life will be better in her husbandâs family.
Liu Liuâer laughed, didnât stay long, just accompanied Ancestor Mu with a few words at the door, then heading home with her husband as it was getting late.
Mu Tai kept his head down and didnât dare look at Liu Liuâer. When Liu Liuâer liked him before, he had despised her and said many hurtful things.
Erqing and Qiu Lang didnât stay long either. After arranging to collect the house the day after tomorrow at the latest, they drove off in the mule cart.
...
It was already evening, and as the final moment of the hour passed, drums sounded in the Prefecture Ceremony Room, signaling the opening of the Dragon Gate.
Thud, thud, thud!
After a series of heavy and solemn drumbeats, the Dragon Gate opened wide in the Ceremony Room. The Government Officials at the gate loudly called out thrice, "The Dragon Gate is open, candidates are returning home!"
The sound stirred excitement among all the family members waiting to receive the candidates, rushing towards the Dragon Gate.
"Halt! No one come forward, let the candidates come out first!" The soldiers of the Prefecture garrison hurriedly built a human wall to block them, letting the candidates out ten at a time, otherwise someone would surely be trampled.
Families waiting to receive the candidates could only wait outside the human wall, looking for those candidates who had yet come out.
"Young Master, Young Master, weâre here!" Servants of rich families waved a piece of red silk while calling for their young master.
However, their young master had been locked in the exam hall for three days, eating crumbs for three days, hardly sleeping at night, feeling dizzy, and upon stepping out of the wall built by the soldiers, collapsed heavily to the ground.
Immediately...
Thud, thud, thud, a series of thudding sounds followed as many candidates, exhausted to the point of fainting, fell.
"Oh no, his father, come quickly, our third boy has fainted. Eldest, Eldest, quickly go get a doctor for your third brother!"
"My dear grandson, wake up, donât scare grandpa. Grandpa is counting on you to change the fate of our Zhang family."
"Dad, Dad, hold on, youâve been taking the exam for more than ten years now. You said youâd definitely pass this time, you canât go before the results are out!"
In front of the Ceremony Room doors was chaos. Many family members hurriedly carried their fainted candidates away, rushing to the medical clinic, while others moved candidates to the side to find a doctor.
Those candidates who didnât faint were also stumbling, their steps as shaky as someone who had stayed up all night to plow the fields.
"Big brother, itâs big brother, I see big brother!" Brother Cheng was held by Zezi, and upon seeing Gu Jinâan from afar, hurriedly jumped down and ran towards him.
Gu Jinâan spotted him too, ran towards Brother Chengâs direction, yelling, "Donât run, there are too many people here, be careful not to get stepped on."
Adults surrounded them everywhere, whatâs a little one running for? Are you risking your life?
Brother Cheng, who had some martial arts skills, maneuvered like a small eel, weaving and ducking past the adults ahead, quickly reaching Gu Jinâan and jumping to hug him, "Big Brother!"
Being bumped backward by him, Gu Jinâan simultaneously reprimanded and carried him towards Gu Dashan and their group, "Next time you dare rush into a crowd, watch out, or Iâll give you a good beating. Also, Iâve told you many times, youâre a big kid now, donât be carried anymore."
"Iâm just too happy, Second Sister said when youâre too happy, a hug between brothers is no big deal," Brother Cheng said, hanging a red silk flower around Gu Jinâanâs neck and laughing, "With red silk, climb high towers, wish big brother success at the Prefecture Examination."
After saying the auspicious words, he burst into laughter. Big Brother in this state was hilariously funny now.
Looking at the little guy laughing at him and the large red silk flower hanging around his neck, Gu Jinâanâs face darkened, wanting to tear that flower off.
Yet it was a custom in Great Chu to send candidates good luck, and every candidate had a red flower, be it made from red silk or brocade, or simply from red cloth or even red paper.
Gu Dexing, Qi Kangming, Gu Qingliang, Gu Qingtian, Xu Zhao Ming also had red silks hung by their elders.
Alright, everyone equally ridiculous, Gu Jinâanâs mind balanced itself out.
"Good Brother An, weâre over here," Gu Dashan and others approached upon seeing Gu Jinâan and asked, "How do you feel? Dizzy? Hungry? If youâre uncomfortable, speak up immediately; look at how many people have fallen around here."
Gu Jinâan laughed, "Dad, rest assured, weâre all fine. These three days in the exam hall we took out an hour every day for physical training, eating and sleeping well, feeling quite energetic."
Gu Qingliang, Gu Qingtian, the two brothers nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes, weâre not tired at all."
Elder Xu, very concerned for Xu Zhao Ming, brought a doctor along and immediately instructed the doctor to check Xu Zhao Mingâs pulse.
After the doctor checked Xu Zhao Mingâs pulse, he said in surprise, "Young Master Xuâs health is quite alright, he only needs a few days of nourishment to recover after going back."
Looking at Young Master Xuâs pale face, one would have expected him to faint and be ill for ten days or half a month, but surprisingly he was alright, his eyes seemed bright and clear.