Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 261 - 97: The Archway

"Big brother! Has my wife returned yet?" Gu Chengyi ignored Gu Chengli’s words and instead asked about He.

"Haven’t seen the ox cart return, but the second son is back!"

"That woman, never stays home, doesn’t want to live like this anymore? I need to drag her back!" As Gu Chengyi spoke of this, he was really full of resentment. Whose wife keeps staying at her mother’s place without returning home? There’s a layer of dust in the house.

"You should talk to her properly. Oh! By the way, Xiao Bao passed the scholar exam, Dad said we should have a feast, make sure not to run around tomorrow, we need to discuss!"

"What? Passed just like that?" Gu Chengyi’s surprised voice immediately followed, seemingly a bit incredulous.

Gu Chengyu didn’t continue listening; his second brother wasn’t close to him. He became a scholar, but his second brother wouldn’t care.

"Xiao Bao! You have truly brought glory to the family this time. Your Uncle Gu said we’re going to open the ancestral hall, record you in the family tree, and even want to build a scholar memorial archway. He talked about making some kind of plaque too, which I’m not really knowledgeable about!" Mr. Gu was full of energy when talking about this.

Gu Chengyu thought for a moment; it seemed like there was this custom in the Dayan Dynasty. He was currently the only scholar in Shangling Village. Upon becoming a scholar, the family would build a memorial archway, and a plaque would be hung in the ancestral hall.

However, doing such things rarely happens, because constructing a memorial archway and making a plaque costs quite a bit. The Gu Family was very poor; they didn’t even have family fields. How could they expect every household in the clan to pay out of pocket? Surely, they wouldn’t agree.

"No need to be so extravagant. If I become an advanced scholar later, it will still be timely to build this. I’m just a scholar now; it doesn’t require such a big fuss."

Actually, Gu Chengyu thought that if the family wouldn’t pay, then his family would have to cover the cost. He wasn’t unwilling to spend a bit of silver; it was just if he paid out of his own pocket to build the archway and plaque, wouldn’t it be laughable? People would think he’s getting complacent over some achievement!

"This is indeed a joyous event; why not celebrate? Our Gu family finally produced a scholar, which is a great thing to change our standing." Mr. Gu didn’t agree when Gu Chengyu refused.

"Dad! Let’s talk about this later! I’ll be resting at home for about half a month this time, then I’ll head to the Prefecture to study!" Once he goes to the Prefecture School, he might return home less frequently.

"Why the Prefecture School? Wasn’t it supposed to be the county school?" Mrs. Lv was even more unwilling when she heard about the distant Prefecture School.

"Holy Emperor gave me a verbal decree to collaborate with Prefect Jiang in experimental fields in the Prefecture, so he recommended me for Prefecture School." Gu Chengyu felt the family would eventually know about this, so he chose to say it sooner. He thought his parents won’t like him associating with Prefect Jiang.

"Holy Emperor issued a verbal decree? What’s the verbal decree?" Mr. Gu hadn’t heard of such a thing.

"Similar to a Holy Decree, it’s an oral directive not written on the Holy Decree."

"How did you receive a Holy Decree? This is a truly glorious family event, just too bad it wasn’t announced to our house, or else our Gu family would really stand out!" Mr. Gu, after feeling happy, felt a bit regretful.

The few people passionately discussed, then the room fell silent. Mr. Gu and Mrs. Lv didn’t say a word; Mr. Gu even picked up his pipe and started smoking again.

"Our Xiao Bao is truly impressive; will you really be going to the Prefecture to study? It must be much better than the county school." Gu Wan didn’t know the connection between her parents and Prefect Jiang; she was happy to hear her little brother going to the Prefecture to study, thinking the Prefecture School was more prestigious.

"If I go to the Prefecture School, I will come back less often. Does the second sister not miss me? You’ve got Brother Sun, don’t need me anymore." Gu Chengyu teased Gu Wan.

Gu Wan blushed and jumped off the kang to hit Gu Chengyu, "You naughty Xiao Bao! I was clearly concerned for you, and you’re teasing me. Mom! Aren’t you going to deal with Xiao Bao!"

Mrs. Lv smiled at the siblings and then scolded, "You’re such a monkey, how can you speak to your sister like that? A girl’s reputation is very important; you mustn’t speak carelessly!"

Gu Chengyu moved aside, touched his nose, and said, "I was only joking at home. I’ll be careful next time!"

Actually, he thought since they were unmarried male and female, it felt more appropriate to speak like that.

The next day, Gu Xi and Wang Quanshou arrived early, bringing Wang Tiantian and Wang Dou, carrying a few wooden boxes and boards in their hands.

Gu Chengyu finished practicing his calligraphy and stepped out of the house, only to hear Gu Xi’s voice.

"Big sister, didn’t I say Ming Mo would pick you up? Why are you here so early? This is Tiantian and Ah Dou, right? Come in and sit." Gu Chengyu quickly invited them into the main house; he hadn’t expected them to come so early.

"It’s the anxiousness, couldn’t sleep all night with things on my mind, better to come over early. Tiantian, Ah Dou, quickly call your little uncle!" Gu Xi hadn’t slept all night, looking slightly haggard but very excited.

"Little uncle!" Wang Tiantian and Wang Dou said simultaneously.

Gu Chengyu responded; he saw his two nieces and felt they were a bit reserved. Wang Tiantian was a pretty little girl, resembling Wang Quanshou more with Gu Xi’s big eyes, while Wang Dou looked like Gu Xi.

Actually, every time Gu Chengyu heard the name Wang Dou, he was speechless. His nickname was Ah Dou- wasn’t there an ancient saying about the helpless Ah Dou? Was naming him this a good idea?

"Dad! Big sister and brother-in-law are here!" Gu Chengyu led them into the main house. Mr. Gu and Mrs. Lv had already gotten up; as farming folks, they went to bed early and woke early too.

"You must not have eaten yet, this early? Just right, your wife cooked white porridge and made buns, have some to go with them!" Gu Chengyu turned and asked.

"Not hungry yet! What’s the matter with the bracelet you gave yesterday? So expensive?" Gu Xi’s family only ate two meals a day and didn’t have breakfast.

"I gave it to Tiantian; young girls should have some jewelry. Still, eat a bit, it’ll be hard work later."

After the family finished breakfast, they began making bean products. Gu Chengyu had only seen it in books and hadn’t practiced. Making tofu isn’t difficult; you can get the hang of it on the first try. Tofu curd, however, required more effort!

After four or five tries, Gu Chengyu finally achieved something resembling his past experience. He then had Gu Xi and the others make oil tofu and bean curd sheets, soy milk and tofu pudding too, adding seasoning and tasting them.

"We’ll make lunch and sample it today." Gu Chengyu broke off a piece of tofu curd to taste; it felt like the past, and because the seasoning was sufficient, it tasted even better than before.

"This dried tofu can be made both marinated and plain, for stir-frying or directly eating." His tavern also needed these tofu products; unfortunately, it was too far for direct supply from Gu Xi.

"Changqing! Is Xiao Bao home?" At this time, Uncle Gu’s voice sounded from the courtyard.

"Big brother is here, he’s inside!" Mr. Gu heard Uncle Gu’s voice and knew he was here to discuss the matter of building the memorial archway and plaque.

"What are you doing? I smell a fragrance, seems like tofu, but not quite tofu." Uncle Gu’s nose was sharp; as soon as he entered the courtyard, he smelled the aroma.