Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 258 - 94 Gu Xi Returns

Standing under the big banyan tree, Wang Yue looked at the carriage heading towards the Gu Family, the corners of her mouth slightly lifted.

Just as Gu Chengyu was about to lower the curtain, he caught sight of the smile at the corner of Wang Yue’s mouth, and suddenly felt that this smile was somewhat intriguing!

No matter what Gu Chengyu thought in his heart, the carriage had already entered the Gu Family’s gate.

Gu Chengyu went straight to the main house, "Dad! Mom! I’m back!"

"Little Uncle, you’re back!" Er Ya poked her head out from the east wing, followed by Sanya and Si Ya. Gu Chengyu responded and instructed Ming Mo to let his nieces try the pastries he brought back from the Prefecture.

"Is it Xiao Bao? Come in quickly!" Just as Gu Chengyu finished speaking, Mrs. Lv chimed in, sounding very happy.

Gu Chengyu lifted the curtain and entered the main house, seeing Mr. Gu and Mrs. Lv sitting on the bed, while Gu Wan was embroidering on the bed as usual. He was surprised to find two additional people in the room. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Xiao Bao’s back? I’ll go check if the rice is cooked." Gu Wan leapt off the bed happily, put on her shoes, and headed to the kitchen.

"You silly girl, do you even have the demeanor of a lady?" Mrs. Lv said with a smile and rebuke at Gu Wan’s back. However, from her happy face, Gu Chengyu did not see any blame. Once in a while, it was allowed by Mrs. Lv.

After all, Gu Wan had reason to be happy today; both her brother and fiancé had passed the scholar’s exam, wasn’t it a great day?

Mr. Gu was also pleased to see his son, "You’re back? Lunch will be ready soon!"

"Ah! Dad! Big Sister, Brother-in-law!" Gu Chengyu was indeed surprised to see Gu Xi and Wang Quanshou, as Gu Xi rarely returned to her natal home in the past two years, and Wang Quanshou seldom came back except for holidays, feeling embarrassed about the previous labor service incident.

The last time the family was building a house, Wang Quanshou eventually came to help. Thus, although Mr. Gu was displeased, he didn’t show it; after all, he was still the son-in-law, and his daughter had to live at her in-laws’ place, so he couldn’t be too serious!

"Ah!" Wang Quanshou, not being used to interacting with this accomplished little brother-in-law who had passed the scholar’s exam, didn’t know how to relate to Gu Chengyu.

"Is Xiao Bao back? The journey must have been tiring, come up and rest!" Gu Xi was quite straightforward, although Gu Chengyu felt she seemed more enthusiastic than before.

"Don’t just stand there, Xiao Bao, come up and sit. You must be exhausted after such a long carriage ride. Lunch will be ready soon!" Mrs. Lv got down from the bed and prepared to call the cook to serve the meal.

"I’m not tired. Since Big Sister and Brother-in-law are back, we should prepare a couple of good dishes. I also brought back a roast duck from the Prefecture, perfect for adding to the meal." The family cook was quite skilled, having been taught recipes by him, able to handle ordinary dishes well, though complicated signature dishes like those at Juxiang Building were another matter.

"I haven’t congratulated you yet for passing the scholar’s exam this time! The news of success reached the village this morning, our ancestors must be smiling upon us!" Gu Xi seemed especially talkative today, which was unusual for her.

Gu Xi had mixed feelings about this brother; she didn’t dislike him, certainly not, but having not lived together, and being half-siblings, the bond was naturally not very deep. Yet she had to admit that among the Gu Family, only Gu Chengyu had accomplished the most; one would be hard-pressed to find such a capable child in the surrounding villages.

"This is just the beginning with the scholar’s exam; there will be more exams in the future. Why didn’t you bring your niece and nephew to play while you’re here? It would be good for them to stay for a couple of days." Seeing as Mrs. Lv stepped out of the room and Mr. Gu remained silent, Gu Chengyu sought something to say.

Gu Xi’s daughter, Wang Tiantian, was already eleven this year; such a grown girl would certainly keep busy at home, but it was rare for her not to visit her maternal grandparents. Her son, Wang Dou, was the same age as Gu Chengyu, born just two months later.

The origin of the name Wang Dou was quite interesting; when he was born, the government officer happened to be collecting grain taxes, and ’dou’ is an ancient measuring tool. Being a farmer’s family unfamiliar with characters and with the timing coincidentally right, they simply named him Wang Dou.

"Tiantian is busy with chores at home, and Ah Dou is like a little mud monkey, running wild around the village all day." Speaking of her children, a small smile appeared on Gu Xi’s face.

But then she thought of how Wang Dou and Gu Chengyu were the same age, yet Gu Chengyu had become a scholar at this point, while her Wang Dou couldn’t even recognize a character yet!

"Old man, is the meal ready yet?" At this moment, Mrs. Lv’s voice came from outside the door.

"Bring it in!" Mr. Gu put out his pipe and placed it on the bed table.

Gu Chengyu found Mr. Gu’s attitude today a bit strange. Under normal circumstances, he should be happy when the eldest daughter and son-in-law returned, so had something happened?

The group quietly finished their lunch, during which Gu Chengyu exchanged a glance with Gu Wan, who shook her head at him.

After the table was cleared, Gu Xi spoke first, "Dad! Since little brother has passed the scholar’s exam, shouldn’t we hold a banquet with a few tables? It’s a joyous occasion, let everyone share in the happiness!"

"That’s certain. We’ll set up a few tables at home, invite the villagers and family relatives, it’s quite a number of people!" Mr. Gu became noticeably more talkative when discussing this topic.

"I heard the fifth one has passed the scholar’s exam?" Gu Chengyu heard Gu Chengli’s voice from the courtyard.

Before long, the curtain was lifted again, and Gu Chengli strode in. He had just returned from the fields, with some mud splatters still on his pant legs.

"Big Brother!" Gu Chengyu greeted.

"Xiao Bao, you’ve really made it, actually passing the scholar’s exam." Gu Chengli was genuinely happy. He knew his brother was capable and had a gift for studying but hadn’t expected him to become a scholar at such a young age. Now Xiao Bao had a titled status, which eased his conscience about having taken advantage during the family split.

Xiao Bao couldn’t do heavy work, which always worried him, so he hoped to help more in the future. But now that Xiao Bao’s achieved scholar status, it exempts a lot of farmland from taxes!

He placed his large hand, as big as a palm-leaf fan, on Gu Chengyu’s head and ruffled it. Xiao Bao was a few years younger than Da Lang! For some reason, his nose felt a bit sour!

"Have you eaten, Big Brother?" When Gu Chengyu returned earlier, he hadn’t seen Gu Chengli, probably just back from the fields.

"Not yet! I just put the hoe down, oh? Xi Zi and brother-in-law are here? Why didn’t you call me from the fields? Have you eaten?" When Gu Chengli came in, he was focused on Gu Chengyu, and now, turning his head and seeing Xi Zi also back, he felt quite happy; he hadn’t seen Xi Zi since the Dragon Boat Festival!

"Big Brother! We’ve already eaten, you go eat!" Gu Xi urged.

"Alright! I’ll go back first, I’ll come over after eating. Lately, I don’t know what the second one’s been busy with; he’s always nowhere to be seen. He’d be thrilled to know you’re back."