Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 836: County Examination

Gu Jin’an saw her relaxed smile and asked, "Did things go smoothly?"

Gu Jinli nodded and recounted the tragic events of the Old Gu Family.

Gu Jin’an 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 they’ve all failed, and the Old Gu Family is no longer a threat."

Especially Gu Youwen, if he weren’t paralyzed, things would have been tricky when he went to the Prefecture for the Prefecture Examination.

The Prefecture School Instructor would check the candidates’ 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 Jin’an 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 we’ve 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 else’s?"

Gu Jin’an laughed: "It’s just a matter of time, and it’s only the engagement letter first. The other ceremonies will follow, so elder sister won’t feel wronged."

It must be said, Gu Jin’an’s foresight was great, because the Zhan Family hadn’t 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 Jin’an thought of Gu Jinli’s fierceness, then glanced at Qin San Lang beside her.

Yes, he’s not only fierce but also a formidable character, definitely won’t let the Old Gu Family touch Xiao Yu. After all, he’s been watching over her for years, just waiting for her to grow up and marry him. He wouldn’t let anyone else make a move.

Gu Jinli saw Gu Jin’an looking at her, then at Qin San Lang, like watching a grand opera, with many stories rotating in his eyes, she couldn’t help but ask: "Big brother, what are you looking at us for?"

Gu Jin’an smiled without answering, saying, "Pack up, we’re 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 didn’t return to the village with them but stayed in the manor.

Gu Jin’an saw them and didn’t ask much, knowing they were Qin San Lang’s people and wouldn’t harm Xiao Yu.

...

Once Gu Jinli returned home, she wasn’t lectured by the Third Grandma, all because Gu Jin’an covered for her well, sending Zezi with messages every two days. Saying he visited Xiao Yu at the manor, she’s doing well there, reassuring them, just too busy and won’t 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, let’s open them up for tonight’s dinner with several families." She showed the hams to Mrs. Cui.

Mrs. Cui knew hams were expensive and couldn’t 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 An’s morale. Tonight, we must eat grandly, so Brother An and the others don’t lose their spirit."

The Third Grandma: "You really know how to talk, just admit you’re craving it, instead of claiming it’ll weaken Brother An’s spirit. It’s 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: "I’m going to fetch the pig head for ancestral worship."

Exams are significant affairs, and tonight they’ll 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 mother’s back.

Gu Defa saw this, glancing at him, seemingly muttering that it’s 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, you’re back. I missed you."

Qin San Lang picked him up, placed him aside, and explained: "Brother Cheng is getting older; he shouldn’t be hugging your second sister like this, understand?"

Brother Cheng listened well to Qin San Lang, wanting to keep hugging second sister’s leg, but obediently stood straight: "Yes, Brother Cheng was wrong."

Qin San Lang nodded satisfactorily, magically producing a small feather arrow for him: "I’ll 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 Cheng’s 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 family’s life, she’d 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 hasn’t 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 you’re scared like this: "Weren’t you craving the ham? I’ve 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: "You’re really not settling scores with Aunt?"

Gu Jinli couldn’t be bothered with her, sitting down for dinner.

After several families happily finished their meal, they spoke with Gu Jin’an, Gu Dexing, Qi Kangming, Gu Qingliang, Gu Qingtian briefly, and didn’t linger much longer, each returning home.

Qin San Lang didn’t 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 Jin’an 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 Jin’an 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. Don’t worry, we passed by the Earth God Temple last market day and prayed for you, the Earth God will surely bless you."

Gu Jin’an lifted the cart curtain, smiling at the villagers: "Thank you, Uncle Dayuan, don’t worry, we’ll 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 didn’t 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 Jin’an 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 Jin’an, feeling very accomplished, nodding: "Not bad, looking very spirited, sure to make a name."

Gu Jin’an bowed deeply to Scholar Shang, sincerely saying: "Disciple thanks Teacher for four years of instruction, now embarking forth shall ensure the teacher’s kindness is not in vain."