Chapter 1175: Very Satisfied

Gu Jin’an pressed Brother Cheng’s head with one hand, his smile unwavering: "What nonsense are you talking about? Look closely, is there anything unusual about Big Brother?"

Brother Cheng obediently scrutinized Gu Jin’an, furrowing his little brows: "Hmm? He looks just like Big Brother when he normally smiles."

But earlier, he clearly saw a different kind of radiance on Big Brother’s face.

Gu Jin’an looked at Brother Cheng’s confused, furrowed brow and laughed: "You’re overthinking things. Your Big Brother has always been normal."

Scholar Shang listened and nodded in agreement, telling Brother Cheng: "Yes, your Big Brother is right; he is quite normal."

Reaching the age of infatuation, secretly liking a gifted and beautiful girl is nothing abnormal.

Gu Jin’an’s face flushed somewhat unnaturally upon hearing this, and Brother Cheng pointed at him: "Big Brother, why are you blushing?"

"In this hot weather, it’s natural for one’s face to feel warm." Gu Jin’an replied slowly, looking as if he was absolutely not embarrassed.

Gu Jin’an had a very serious face, and his temperament was always calm and not fond of joking; no one would doubt his words. Among those present, only Scholar Shang knew his disciple was secretly probing Brother Cheng.

Gu Dewang, listening to them talk about the Ouyang Family’s two girls, reminded Gu Jin’an: "Brother Jin’an, if you go to visit Master Ouyang, be careful. If you encounter Ouyang Wu, just avoid her, lest you get frustrated."

Mrs. Chen was a gossip; upon hearing this, she asked: "Brother Wang, Master Ouyang’s granddaughter is here? Oh my, she belongs to a noble family! I’ve lived my entire life and haven’t seen one. How is she, does she look beautiful? Does she use language so scholarly that one can’t understand?"

Gu Dewang replied: "She is indeed beautiful, but that Ouyang Wu is two-faced; she presents herself elegantly and courteously, yet at heart, she looks down on people like us. Ouyang Third Sister is better."

Using the word ’Sister’ for Third Miss was an improvement, satisfying Gu Jin’an greatly.

Mrs. Chen said: "She’s a lady of a noble family, raised in wealth, of course she’ll have a temper. It doesn’t matter her temper, just flatter her. She can be a strong support, flatter her well, and after she marries, you can even rely on her husband’s family."

Mrs. Chen was overjoyed, and Village Chief He’s words seem true; the ancestral grave of the Gu Family has caught fire, as they have met increasingly influential figures in recent years.

Gu Dagui, talking with Gu Dafu, glared at Mrs. Chen upon hearing this: "Don’t teach Brother Wang recklessly; men and women are different. If you have him flatter the Ouyang family’s girl, you’ll have him thrown out by Master Ouyang?"

Mrs. Chen thought about it and realized he was right; she looked at Gu Defa, seeing he was just a couple of years younger than Brother Wang and was quite dull. She had returned for over an hour, and he only called her ’mother’ once; he had a temperament more stubborn than a mule, so having him flatter the Ouyang family’s girl was hopeless, and she gave up.

"Big Brother need not worry; Third Sister is still very good, she won’t look down on us." Brother Cheng looked into Gu Jin’an’s eyes, suddenly saying this.

Gu Jin’an laughed: "Young man, trying to figure out what’s in your brother’s heart, you’re still too green."

Gu Jin’an’s expression sank slightly: "Both of them are young ladies; we shouldn’t discuss them like this. Let’s stop talking."

Hmm, Big Brother’s eyes weren’t shining; could it be he was mistaken earlier?

"Alright, alright, in this hot weather, stop standing here, let’s move, go to the county office to see County Magistrate Fang and the Jiang family, then we’ll head home." Third Grandpa said a few words to Elder Xu, then turned to everyone.

"Yes, yes, let’s first go to the county office." Gu Dashan beckoned everyone, a large group boarded the mule cart, heading grandly towards the county office.

On the road, many villagers came to watch the spectacle, but they were warned by the county office not to surround the scholars, nor chase the small three-yuan scholar to touch his head. Luo Wu specifically brought government officials to clear the way, and Gu Dalin brought shop assistants carrying copper coins to distribute; everyone went to collect money, so few gathered around Gu Jin’an and the others.

Gu Jin’an and the others avoided the situation of being adorned with red silk flowers and chased to have their heads touched.

After three quarters of an hour, they arrived at the county office; County Captain Jiang and County Magistrate Fang personally saw them, though County Magistrate Zheng was absent.

County Magistrate Fang said, "The County Magistrate went to the Prefecture and hasn’t returned; when he gets back, you can come again to pay a visit."

He then laughed: "Before leaving, the County Magistrate instructed me to tell you all that you are blessings to Tianfu County, boosting its reputation, so you deserve a reward."

Saying this, he looked toward Luo Wu.

Luo Wu, with the government officials, sent the prepared congratulatory gifts from the county office to Gu Jin’an and the others, even those who didn’t pass, like He Jinseng and Qu Wenliang, received gifts.

He Jinseng was from Da Feng Village; Da Feng Village produced Gu Jin’an, the small three-yuan scholar, and given He Jinseng’s good relationship with Gu Jin’an, County Magistrate Zheng granted him this favor.

As for Qu Wenliang, having an uncle who is a scholar ensured he received a portion of the congratulatory gifts.

He Jinseng was moved, teary-eyed: "Student thanks the County Magistrate, and I vow to continue studying diligently, to fight again next term!"

County Captain Jiang laughed heartily: "Jinseng, you’re grown up; I thought your temperament would collapse, but seeing you like this, I’m relieved."

He Jinseng paused, looking at County Captain Jiang, surprised he would say such words to him.

County Captain Jiang smiled: "What? Find it strange I said this? You’ve called me Uncle Jiang with Brother An for years, so I naturally see you as a nephew, and say these words because you’ve got spirit. If you were downcast or crying, your uncle wouldn’t have given you a kind face."

He Jinseng, upon hearing this, his eyes heated up, bowed solemnly to County Captain Jiang.

Village Chief He and He Dacang nearly cried; it wasn’t in vain letting Jinseng follow Brother An, truly forming connections with Brother An’s influential acquaintances.

County Magistrate Fang also encouraged He Jinseng and Qu Wenliang, exhorting them to continue their exams, as both families were doing well, having Silver to support their education.

He Jinseng and Qu Wenliang firmly agreed: "Yes, we won’t disappoint the expectations of our benefactors."

Due to County Magistrate Zheng’s absence, County Magistrate Fang didn’t keep Gu Jin’an and the others for long. After talking for an hour and eating some food, he let them go home.

Gu Jin’an was eager to leave, bid farewell to Elder Xu’s family and Scholar Qu’s uncle and nephew, and took the mule cart back to Qingfu Town.

The mule cart ran for over two hours, returning to Qingfu Town in the afternoon during the Shen hour, stopping in front of Master Ouyang’s residence in town.

"You three owe your success to Master Ouyang’s guidance; now that you’re back, you must thank him." Scholar Shang instructed.

"Yes." The trio of Gu Jin’an agreed.

Shortly, Ouyang’s family’s door opened, and Ah Song personally led them into the residence.

Gu Jin’an noticed the Protectors in the residence were clearly more numerous; once they could enter the second gate, but now it was locked, even watched over by old women.

Gu Jin’an felt a pang in his heart, seeing such tight security, fearing he wouldn’t see Miss Ouyang.