Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 839: Results Announcement

Gu Jin’an is not someone with closed ears and eyes; on the contrary, he has some understanding of this Xu Family’s son, knowing that he is arrogant, has been studying hard for years at Honghu Academy, and now aims to achieve the small three yuan in one go, wanting to make a name for himself.

Due to the former dynasty’s Madman style, many scholars in Great Chu want to become famous in one stroke. As long as they have a reputation, everything from exams to entering an official career will be easier in the future.

Xu Zhao Ming is two years older than Gu Jin’an, his appearance could be described as handsome, but upon seeing Gu Jin’an, he felt a sinking in his heart... the rumors were true, Gu Jin’an indeed possesses the beauty of an orchid and a jade tree.

Gu Jin’an noticed Xu Zhao Ming assessing him and smiled slightly, saluting him: "Brother Xu."

Xu Zhao Ming was taken aback: "You know me?"

Gu Jin’an: "We are from the same county, and also candidates for the same exam, how could we not know each other?"

If one claims not to know, that would be pretending, which he generally doesn’t do.

He smiled again and asked Xu Zhao Ming: "Brother Xu, are you looking for me for something?"

Xu Zhao Ming originally wanted to give Gu Jin’an a formidable challenge, but unexpectedly Gu Jin’an took the lead, his face showed some displeasure, yet he still explained his purpose: "On the twenty-eighth when the results are announced, I have reserved the Futai Building on the main street, inviting fellow candidates to wait for the announcement together. If Brother Gu doesn’t mind, join us, how about it?"

Gu Jin’an laughed: "On the day of the announcement, I will certainly go to Futai Building."

Seeing Gu Jin’an agree, Xu Zhao Ming gracefully nodded, walked with what he believed were elegant steps, and got on his mule cart, completely ignoring Gu Dexing and the others.

Gu Dashan was somewhat worried that Xu Zhao Ming might harm Gu Jin’an: "Good Brother An, on the day of the announcement, stay in the private room reserved by Boss Hu for us, don’t go to eat with Young Master Xu, he doesn’t seem to like you very much."

Qi Panzi also said: "Yes, Good Brother An, one must be cautious, this Xu Family has been rooted in Tianfu County for a hundred years, with deep roots and a big family, not easy to provoke."

Brother Cheng, who worships his big brother, couldn’t stand hearing Qi Panzi telling his brother to avoid Xu Zhao Ming, and said: "Uncle, don’t worry, my big brother is the best, won’t be afraid of Young Master Xu, right big brother?"

Gu Jin’an smiled and nodded: "Yes, Brother Cheng is right, this appointment the big brother must attend, cannot let people underestimate us. In this world, there are always some who will resent your excellence and harbor malice, avoidance doesn’t work, we must confront them head-on."

Gu Jin’an is a very competent elder brother, often teaching Brother Cheng life’s principles.

Brother Cheng heard and nodded: "Yes, Brother Cheng remembers."

Gu Jin’an smiled, then said to Gu Dashan: "Father, let’s go back."

"Ah, let’s go home." Gu Dashan responded, took Gu Jin’an and his brothers, and Qi Kangming and his son got on their mule cart, with Zezi driving it, heading home.

Gu Dafu and his group took another mule cart home.

Having better days, there are plenty of mule carts in the workshop, can sit at will.

...

At home, the women from several families had already prepared meals, and when they brought people back, they gathered around asking questions.

Mrs. Chen, with the loudest voice, shouted at Gu Dexing: "Brother Xing, how did you do in the exam? Will you pass, will you pass?"

Gu Dagui, dissatisfied, said: "The results aren’t out yet, how would Brother Xing know if he will pass?"

Mrs. Chen: "Why are you being fierce, I care about Brother Xing, just wanting to know, so I ask."

Third Grandma cursed: "Quiet all of you, shouting at the door asking questions, what’s to ask, hurry into the house to eat. The county government is stingy, giving only two small cakes a day, not enough to fill the stomach, Good Brother An and them must be starving."

When Third Grandma spoke, Mrs. Chen didn’t dare to shout anymore, quickly stepped aside, letting Gu Dexing and the others into the house.

Mrs. Cui immediately brought chicken soup to Gu Jin’an: "It’s cold, have a bowl of hot chicken soup first to warm up."

"Ah, thanks, mother." Gu Jin’an took it and quickly finished a bowl of chicken soup, warmed up his body, then said: "Rest assured, mother, your son performed well, the county exam will surely be passed."

Although Mrs. Cui didn’t ask anything, Gu Jin’an knew she’s worried about him, so he straightforwardly mentioned it, there’s no harm in saying it among close family.

Mrs. Cui, hearing that, became cheerful: "Ah ah, mother knows Good Brother An is the most capable."

Gu Jinli was jealous: "Mother, what about me? Aren’t I capable?"

Mrs. Cui smiled: "You’re smart and know how to earn money, the most capable among our daughters."

Gu Jinli teased her: "Mother is saying the eldest sister is not capable then."

Gu Jinxiu, who was serving food, laughed upon hearing this: "Stop teasing our mother, I do lack your skills, that’s something everyone knows, what’s there to ask?"

Gu Jinxiu and Luo Wu already have an engagement letter, she has put her mind at ease, recently she has been happy, besides doing embroidery, she learns some escort agency affairs and accounting from Ms. Chu.

In short, she doesn’t think of herself as the fairy Qi Panzi described, but just an ordinary girl wanting to have children with someone she loves, living a normal life.

Gu Jinli laughed, stopped teasing Mrs. Cui, and ran to help Gu Jinxiu.

The families had another meal together, and during the following days, besides being busy with workshop tasks, they nervously waited for the announcement.

...

On February twenty-eighth, with the early spring chill, it was the day of the announcement, the families got up early, and as soon as it was the hour of Chen, Gu Dashan and the other men took Gu Jin’an to the county.

Gu Jinli and the others didn’t go, staying home waiting for the county government to deliver the good news. If they did make it to the list and the county sent someone to report the joy but no one was home, it wouldn’t be good.

Brother Cheng wanted to see how his big brother would deal with Xu Zhao Ming, so he followed.

On the day of the announcement, the main street where the county government is was crowded, but Gu Jin’an and his group didn’t need to squeeze; they went through a small alley to the back door of Futai Building, entered from the back, and went up to the third-floor private room.

Boss Hu valued the Gu Family highly and reserved the entire third floor for them, hence Xu Zhao Ming only reserved two floors of the tavern.

After settling Gu Dashan and the others, Gu Jin’an took Brother Cheng, Qi Kangming, and others downstairs to find Xu Zhao Ming.

Xu Zhao Ming’s servant saw Gu Jin’an and them coming down from the third floor and was puzzled; wasn’t Futai Building said to not accommodate guests on the third floor? How come this group of mud-plodders from the Gu family came down from the third floor?

The servant didn’t have time to think more; Gu Jin’an and the others had already arrived and said: "Are you Xu Family’s servant? Take us to your young master."

The servant nodded and led them to the largest and finest private room on the second floor.

Xu Zhao Ming didn’t stand when he saw Gu Jin’an coming, simply sat and cupped his hands: "Brother Gu is here, please sit."

Gu Jin’an smiled and nodded, greeted Brother Xu, then addressed the other scholars present: "Gentlemen, greetings."

Among them were candidates for this exam, some of whom knew Gu Jin’an, Scholar Qu’s nephew stood up and greeted him: "Brother Gu is here, come sit with us, we have plenty of room, enough for you all."

Scholar Qu is one of the scholars who vouched for Gu Jin’an, hence Young Master Qu treated Gu Jin’an nicely.

"Ah, thank you, Brother Qu." Gu Jin’an led Brother Cheng and others to Young Master Qu’s table.

Xu Zhao Ming felt somewhat unhappy, feeling that Young Master Qu showed disrespect to him by siding with Gu Jin’an, but suppressed the fire within, pointed at the Taishi Chair at the head, and said: "This seat is reserved for the county top scorer. Gentlemen, why don’t we wager who will sit in this main seat?"

Gu Jin’an heard this and laughed, finding Xu Zhao Ming interesting. He was much like Master Qi, wanting to maintain a refined composure, yet sometimes couldn’t help but be straightforward.