Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 1116: Don’t Block the Way

The Shadow Guard of the Ouyang family nodded: "Hmm, these bandits use the Gou He Blade, which shows they’re not ordinary bandits. The General at the Prefecture garrison must continue to pursue this matter; it might uncover other bandits."

"Gou He Blade!" County Magistrate Chen was shocked. The Water Bandit Case back then had shocked both the Jianghuai and Jiangnan regions, and Gao Tong’s gang of river bandits used precisely the Gou He Blade.

County Magistrate Chen had been somewhat dissatisfied before, but now he dared not speak further, honestly waiting with the government officers for soldiers from the Prefecture garrison camp, and pleading with the Shadow Guard of the Ouyang family: "Brother, you can’t leave in a hurry; it’s better to wait until the soldiers from the camp arrive, alright?"

Otherwise, what if these bandits suddenly revolt and injure him? He’s just a civil servant, not an opponent of fierce bandits.

The Shadow Guard said: "Rest assured, County Magistrate Chen. The Ouyang family always finishes what they start; we will stay and wait for the soldiers from the Prefecture garrison camp and handle today’s matter properly before leaving."

County Magistrate Chen felt relieved, said some good words about the Ouyang family, and then led the officers to work. Good Brother An and his companions, as victims and witnesses, had all their testimony recorded, signed, and stamped.

County Magistrate Chen was surprised to learn that Good Brother An was the top scorer of He’an Prefecture, and said: "I didn’t expect you to be the top scorer of He’an Prefecture. Are you alright, didn’t get injured? If you were injured, you couldn’t participate in the exam."

County Magistrate Chen’s words clearly showed he didn’t regard him as the top scorer of He’an Prefecture.

Good Brother An did not take offense, saluted County Magistrate Chen, and said with a slight smile: "As a student, I am indeed the top scorer of He’an Prefecture, and I am traveling to Linhe Prefecture for the exam hoping for good fortune so that I might in the future represent us Jianghuai in the capital for the Imperial Examination." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Good Brother An’s words were telling County Magistrate Chen that regardless of which prefecture he is from, he is ultimately a student from Jianghuai.

County Magistrate Chen understood, recognized Good Brother An was clever, and stopped troubling him further, encouraging him with a few words after understanding the situation.

Scholar Qu was in a hurry to take Qu Wenliang to have his hand injury examined and after completing the testimony, he asked County Magistrate Chen: "Lord County Magistrate, can we possibly leave? My nephew’s hand is injured and needs urgent care, we must head to the next town to tend to it."

County Magistrate Chen said: "Go ahead, it’s fine as long as the Ouyang family is here."

With the Ouyang family here, these bandits can be quickly dealt with, and there’s no need to keep these candidates around requiring to feed them; better let them go.

"Thank you, sir." Scholar Qu was very happy and immediately called upon Scholar Shang and others to check the mule cart and prepare to leave.

Good Brother An didn’t particularly want to leave, but he knew he had no reason to stay. However, when their mule cart passed by the caravan of Ouyang family carriages, Good Brother An got off the cart and walked towards the carriage guarded by Shadow Guards.

But he couldn’t reach the carriage ahead, being stopped by the Shadow Guards a yard away from it.

Good Brother An did not get angry; instead, he saluted towards the carriage from afar: "Miss Ouyang, we are leaving now. Thank you for saving my life; if fate allows us to meet again, I will surely prepare generous gifts to repay you for your life-saving grace."

Ouyang Ming said: "Gu Tongsheng, there’s no need for formality. I wish all of you success, until we meet again."

Good Brother An sighed, indeed a straightforward and gracious lady, adhering to rules but without the coyness of ladies from noble families. He replied: "Definitely will not let down Miss Ouyang’s expectations, until we meet again."

After saying, he did not linger long, turned and left.

Mrs. Han was rubbing ointment on Ouyang Ming’s tiger’s mouth and heard Good Brother An’s words, frowned and said: "This scholar is overly enthusiastic, Miss just saved them for the sake of the Ouyang family’s reputation among scholars, he doesn’t need to repeatedly express gratitude, after all, men and women are different, too enthusiastic is not good."

Ouyang Ming responded casually: "Is it? He seems quite proper, doesn’t look like he’s pestering anyone, probably just more courteous than necessary."

Mrs. Han listened and advised Ouyang Ming: "Miss, we’re traveling outside, it’s best to be careful. Saving people is fine, but don’t get too familiar with those you save."

To avoid being entangled.

But Ouyang Ming laughed: "It might be too late."

"Hmm?" Mrs. Han looked at Ouyang Ming in confusion: "Why do you say that, Miss?"

Ouyang Ming said: "Actually, he’s an old acquaintance; that’s why I spoke more to him."

"Old acquaintance?" Mrs. Han was puzzled.

Ouyang Ming replied: "He’s the top scorer of He’an Prefecture, and his brother is studying with grandfather. Grandfather praised him in his letter, saying he’s from a farming family, without school education for earlier years, yet after four years of studying, he became the top scorer, truly a rare talent."

Grandfather also mentioned two matters Gu Jin’an handled, both regarded as brilliant being more than just smart.

That’s why she spoke so much with him; had he been a stranger, she would only have had Mrs. Han send him medicine, not personally.

However...

"Seeing him today, it does differ from grandfather’s depiction; this young man still has youthful temperament, not the type leveraging cleverness for schemes."

Hey, don’t praise too early, Miss, he’s been up to tactics with you today!

"So, it’s someone Second Old Master knows." Mrs. Han felt assured and stopped commenting on Gu Jin’an.

Good Brother An had anticipated Ouyang Ming recognizing his identity; she’s too smart, and he announced his name, if she couldn’t know it, it’d be impossible.

"Good Brother An, what are you thinking? The town has arrived, quickly get off the cart, Scholar Qu and Qu Wenliang’s injuries can’t afford delay." Qi Kangming nudged Good Brother An, and got off the mule cart first.

Good Brother An snapped back to reality, hurriedly followed to get off the cart, and the group found a medical hall in the town to have Scholar Qu and Qu Wenliang’s injuries treated.

Scholar Qu and Qu Wenliang were both badly injured but luckily only surface wounds, having been cleaned and treated with antiseptic medicine, the doctor checked them and prescribed some oral medication, allowing them to leave.

Scholar Qu was concerned, fearing Qu Wenliang might develop a fever overnight, and so everyone stayed at the town for the night, avoiding sleeping in the mule cart.

Scholar Shang agreed, while Lv Bai and others were quite shaken, needing time to calm down.

The antiseptic medicine from Gu Jinli was effective, preventing infection and fever from Scholar Qu and Qu Wenliang’s wounds, and the next morning, after breakfast, replenished with dry food and drink, they galloped towards Linhe Prefecture.

On the afternoon of May 30, they finally reached Linhe Prefecture.

Linhe Prefecture is the capital of the Jianghuai Prefectures; with the college examination approaching, candidates from all prefectures, and even onlookers, flocked there, making the city gates of Linhe Prefecture extremely crowded, requiring soldiers from the Prefecture garrison camp to guard and open the way.

However, Good Brother An and his companions were candidates, holding documents issued by the county government; by submitting these documents to the soldiers guarding the gates, they bypassed the queue to enter the city.

Elder Xu, quite experienced, went forward with the housekeeper, handed Silver to the soldiers, and said: "Military Officer, this old man is accompanying my grandson and his fellow scholars to take the exam, and we have two Scholars with us."

Upon hearing this, the gate soldiers dared not trouble them; but upon reviewing the documents from Tianfu County Government, they shouted loudly: "So the top scorer from He’an Prefecture has arrived, please come in!"

Their proclamation was loud, and those waiting for Good Brother An all heard it, immediately gathered around.

A servant dressed in brocade swept his eyes over Good Brother An and his companions, loudly asked: "Which of you is Good Brother An? Come with me, my young master has invited you."

Good Brother An frowned, an invitation? Who does your young master think he is? Don’t block the way; we need to enter the city and settle down.