Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 547 - 383 Mrs. Li

Then, he patted the silver note in his pocket and sighed with relief. At least he got fifty taels of silver, enough for meals these days and for his granddaughter’s medical expenses, finally having a solution.

Upon arriving in the Capital, he realized its splendor. Living in the Capital is truly difficult. The twenty-something taels of silver he brought with him have been exhausted in these past days. Fortunately, the boat ticket was not charged, or even this little silver would not have sufficed for the journey.

Thinking about his wife and eldest grandson waiting at the inn, he quickened his pace.

After Gu Changbai walked a distance, a figure emerged from the corner gate of the Gu Mansion. Watching Gu Changbai ahead, the person followed at a leisurely pace, keeping a distance from Gu Changbai.

In Shangling Village, Uncle Gu and others were joyfully preparing to erect an archway to celebrate Gu Chengyu’s achievement as an Advanced Scholar. They also planned to choose a good day to open the clan shrine and announce this joyous event to their ancestors, while organizing the feast.

"Changqing! Xiao Bao is really promising! Our Gu Family truly has blessings shining on us," Uncle Gu said, beaming with joy whenever this topic was discussed.

This is a top scholar! Xiao Bao must be an official by now, an esteemed one.

"Clan Leader! I heard Xiao Bao is already an official, right? What kind of rank is he?" At this moment, the Gu clan members gathered in the Gu house courtyard, discussing passionately. Someone didn’t understand and promptly asked Uncle Gu.

"Since he’s the top scholar, he immediately starts as Secondary Sixth Rank. Do you understand the Sixth Rank?" Uncle Gu looked at the clan members, many of whom couldn’t read, thus might not understand the ranks of officials.

"We don’t know about ranks. Just tell us, compared to Lord County Magistrate, how does it rank? Is it higher than his rank?" Clan members didn’t understand the ranking system; they only compared him to the biggest official they knew, Lord County Magistrate.

"Certainly, he’s much higher than Lord County Magistrate!" Uncle Gu knew they wouldn’t understand, so he didn’t explain and just talked about which is bigger.

Indeed, everyone was astonished upon hearing it. Naturally, even the villagers outside were surprised.

"Who would’ve thought Xiao Bao is still a young lad, yet he’s above the rank of Lord County Magistrate?" A woman in the main room of the Gu house exaggeratedly slapped her thigh upon hearing Uncle Gu’s words.

"That’s really unexpected! Xiao Bao’s mom! I heard that, even their mothers can be given a rank. Is it true? So, when you’re bestowed a rank, do we have to bow when we see you? Oh! That’s impressive."

Another woman eagerly praised Mrs. Lv.

Mrs. Lv was all smiles, inwardly laughing at their ignorance.

"We’re just women, how can we hold an official position? It’s called ’Imperial Command,’ with its own rank. In the future, we might just receive some court stipends but won’t have any real power."

After Mrs. Lv finished speaking, she heard Dumb Granny cough, immediately covering her mouth with a handkerchief, remembering Dumb Granny’s advice on how to act as an official’s wife by not showing her teeth when laughing. She had been so delighted earlier, she couldn’t help but smile broadly.

"Oh! So that’s how it is, we don’t understand these things. Anyway, you’ll be different from us farm women!" Another woman hurriedly joined the conversation.

"What difference can it make? Still just one nose and two eyes." Despite saying, Mrs. Lv smiled till her eyes were squinted.

"People are indeed different! Look at us; none are lacking a nose or eyes, so why don’t we look as good as you? Oh! Xiao Bao’s mom! What skin products are you using? Your skin looks so fresh, like a young maiden!"

Mrs. Lv heard this and could not help but smile even more widely. As sunlight streamed in through the window, the gold-filigree ruby hairpin on her head shimmered brightly, almost blinding in its brilliance.

Everyone looked at the jewelry on Mrs. Lv with envy so intense it drove their praises to further heights. As the lively discussion continued, a booming voice erupted from the west wing.

"Why all the noise? Don’t you know someone is sleeping here?" Gu Chengyi, who had not been able to sleep after hearing the news of Gu Chengyu becoming the top scholar, became irked by all the praise and compliments for Gu Chengyu being voiced outside.

Wang Yue, while busy stitching shoe soles in another room, frowned at Gu Chengyi’s shouting. She realized that staying close to Gu Chengyu would ensure a good life, yet couldn’t comprehend why Gu Chengyi, as the elder brother, was constantly displeased with Gu Chengyu’s success.

Despite Gu Wan appearing innocent, she shared heartfelt support for Gu Chengyu, reaping benefits in the process. Even the nieces of the Gu Family knew that relying on their Little Uncle would secure their comforts.

If Gu Chengyi, being brothers with Gu Chengyu, treated him better, wouldn’t he also enjoy good times?

Wang Yue jabbed the needle twice into the shoe sole, contemplating deeply. Ever since being caught in bed during the adultery incident, she realized she couldn’t rely on Gu Chengyi. After having a son three years ago, she now only relied on her son for security.

Having entered the Gu Family and birthed a son, whether Gu Chengyi loved her or not didn’t hold importance anymore. Wang Yue resolved that she must watch over Gu Chengyi and, at the first sign of trouble, send a message to the Capital via Qingxia.

Qingxia was left by Gu Chengyu to serve the elderly couple, along with someone named Caiyun. Gu Chengyu had instructed them to report any disturbances to Qingxia or Caiyun.

"Master, it’s your younger brother who became the top scholar, why get so upset over it?"

A gentle female voice arose as she softly placed her delicate hand on Gu Chengyi’s chest, soothing him.

Gu Chengyi originally intended to explode in anger upon hearing this, but seeing the fresh and youthful lady resembling a flower made his fury diminish.

This lady was Gu Chengyi’s concubine, Mrs. Li, whom he had married half a year ago, just eighteen years old. She was previously a watching door widow, for whom Gu Chengyi spent considerable silver to free her from her former husband’s family. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Master, please calm down. Think about it! Little Uncle is ultimately your brother. Now that he is successful, he wouldn’t forget you, would he? Just soften up, and won’t there be endless benefits for you? Besides, even if you aren’t planning for yourself, shouldn’t you consider plans for your second son?"

Mrs. Li earnestly advised, initially believing such worry-free days were unattainable. But after seeing the wealth of the Gu Family, she became unsatisfied.

These words were caught precisely by Wang Yue in the adjacent room. Originally suspecting Mrs. Li lingered by the curtain, entering Gu Chengyi’s quarters, she deduced they indulged shamelessly in daylight activities.

She inwardly cursed the coquettish woman, certain Gu Chengyi’s health would be depleted by her! But little did she know that speech reached her ears from next door, causing her to stealthily approach the doorway to eavesdrop. She succeeded.