After the farce on Mr. Gu’s death anniversary ended, there was no activity in the old house for a long time.

Time quickly moved to March.

As March arrived, the weather warmed up, leaving behind the unpredictable late spring chills, and spring clothes replaced the winter clothing completely.

The entire Qinghe Bay was enveloped in a sea of peach blossoms, cherry blossoms, and pear blossoms, with the fragrance of flowers filling the air, casting a cheerful mood on everyone.

Under Tong Huaqiong’s dedicated research, the improved cotton seeds were sown.

Tong Huaqiong’s ambition was set on the cotton cloth and textile market.

Just as affordable pork opened up the market, Tong Huaqiong hoped that affordable and warm cotton cloth could be available in this era.

In her research of future records, she discovered that the Pingchuan County area had advantages for growing cotton—flat terrain, little autumn rain, sufficient sunlight, and well-drained soil, providing an excellent environment for cotton to grow naturally. Cotton from Pingchuan County did appear in later history; although not as famous as Xinjiang’s long-staple cotton of the future, its fiber quality was decent, with good softness and luster, suitable for making clothes for all seasons.

In this era, due to seed problems, cotton in Pingchuan County had few bolls and low yield. Despite the good growing environment, no one planted it on a large scale.

Moreover, with the backward textile techniques of this era and the looms mainly serving ramie, cotton from Pingchuan County thus had not been developed in this era.

Since this is a blank market, Tong Huaqiong must be ahead to conquer it.

After the cotton was sown, Tong Huaqiong studied materials on every stage of cotton growth, knowing clearly when to fertilize, when to prune, and potential problems at each stage.

But in the real practice process, she found out that Gu Dahuan was indeed a planting master.

He didn’t understand agricultural science, only relied entirely on experience.

Tong Huaqiong thought that if it were modern society, Gu Dahuan would at least be an outstanding student in an agricultural college.

After sowing the cotton, Tong Huaqiong began pondering on weaving machines and cotton ginning machines.

Besides high-quality cotton, improving textile technology was equally important.

Regarding weaving machines, she only remembered the Jenny Spinning Machine and the great textile technology expert Mrs. Huang Dao Po, who learned weaving from Li Clan women on Hainan Island and created a complete set of tools for "fulling, ginning, spinning, and weaving" after her improvements.

The dynasty she was in had disappeared into the vast rivers of history, not existing in future history books; thus, she was in the dark, not even knowing where to go to Songjiang to learn cotton textile technology from Huang Dao Po.

She could only figure it out using the knowledge learned from later generations.

Besides the newly developed cotton industry, currently, the most important thing for Tong Huaqiong and the group of bad bamboos was that Gu Jingzhe was going to take the provincial exam.

Tong Huaqiong wasn’t worried at all about whether Gu Jingzhe could pass and become a scholar.

If Gu Jingzhe didn’t pass, then all the young scholars from Ning City who went to take the provincial exam would be defeated as a group.

Why was that?

According to Tong Dajiao’s past life’s memory, Gu Jingzhe achieved the top score in this provincial exam.

Of course, this lifetime came with a variable: Gu Ruinian.

Tong Huaqiong didn’t think Gu Ruinian was a match for Gu Jingzhe. He might secure a scholar seat, but he definitely wouldn’t attain the top score, as he wasn’t part of the protagonist group; being mere cannon fodder destined him not to have too much highlight.

These days, Gu Jingzhe was at home reviewing lessons.

The provincial exam would start in three days.

Gu Jingzhe would head to the provincial city a day early to get familiar with the test site.

Su Chengmin gave the private school students a holiday, and he and Nie Xiaofeng would see him off.

"Mom, Third Brother will definitely earn the scholar title this time."

Gu Taohua handed a lot over to Tong Huaqiong to see; she spent five taels of silver secretly from her family to draw it from the temple.

It was a very auspicious lot.

"If your Third Brother can’t earn the scholar title, then no student in the entire Pingchuan County can." Tong Huaqiong said.

Gu Jingzhe, with a face full of sweat, said, "Mom, can you keep it low-key? Mr. Su said the uncertainty in exams is very high; it’s hard to say who can or can’t pass. Some students become child students at a young age but take three attempts to become scholars; others pass as scholars in one go but never as scholars in their entire life. I’m just studying at our town’s private school; there are many scholars in counties like Pingchuan County, Qingyang County, and even the provincial city. Who knows where a hidden talent lies?"

Mom, really, after he resumed studies, she never lacked discouraging him, repeatedly advising against arrogance and complacency, yet became very high-profile about his upcoming provincial exam after the New Year.

Especially after Gu Ruinian returned home, she became even more high-profile.

Everywhere she went: "My son will definitely become a scholar."

If by any chance he actually didn’t surpass Gu Ruinian, it’d be truly embarrassing, and one could only imagine how Second Uncle’s family might mock him and his mom in the village.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Although there’s much uncertainty in exams, it’s hard to go wrong with a person who usually studies solidly unless your regular study isn’t solid. I’m saying this to give you some confidence; take the exam well, relax for it, and go without any pressure."

Gu Jingzhe nodded, saying he would do his best to earn a pass.

"Don’t just keep studying. Learning relies on regular accumulation, not on last-minute cramming. Go out for a walk. Relax your mind." Tong Huaqiong saw that Gu Jingzhe had been studying hard these days and often encouraged him to go out for a walk.

In the springtime with blooming flowers, going for a walk would brighten one’s mood.

It might even foster learning.

Gu Jingzhe listened to Tong Huaqiong, put down his book, and walked out.

Just stepping out his front door, he saw Gu Ruinian walking towards him.

"Brother Jingzhe," Gu Ruinian called out.

Without waiting for Gu Jingzhe to respond, Gu Ruinian continued, "I just happened to be looking for you; Grandpa and Grandma asked you to come over."

Gu Jingzhe followed Gu Ruinian to the old house.

"Jingzhe, you’re here."

Upon arriving at the old house, the usually cold and distant Second Aunt, Mrs. Jia, proactively greeted Gu Jingzhe.

"Second Aunt, I heard Grandpa and Grandma asked me to come over," Gu Jingzhe said.

"Jingzhe, come in quickly." Mr. Gu’s voice came from inside the house.

Gu Jingzhe entered the room, greeted Mr. and Mrs. Gu, and then stood aside, waiting for them to speak. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Jingzhe, how are you planning to go to the provincial city tomorrow?" Mr. Gu asked.

On the way here, Gu Jingzhe already guessed that Mr. Gu invited him to the old house to discuss the matter of attending the provincial exam in the provincial city.

Of course, it wasn’t out of concern for Gu Jingzhe but a matter concerning Gu Ruinian.

Gu Jingzhe smiled and said, "Lai Fu and Xiaofeng will take me to the provincial city."

Mr. Gu nodded and said, "Ruinian also plans to go to the provincial city tomorrow. Since your family has a carriage and there are people to send you, let Ruinian go with you."

Gu Jingzhe thought, Grandfather is not negotiating; he’s ordering.

Gu Ruinian stood quietly to the side.

Mrs. Gu said, "It’s not a hassle to bring Ruinian along; your carriage is so spacious it can fit two more besides Ruinian."

Gu Jingzhe chuckled and said, "Grandmother, I didn’t say I wouldn’t take Ruinian."

Gu Ruinian, with a look of delight, said, "Thank you, Brother Jingzhe. These days when I’ve sought your help you were always too busy with studies, and I thought you were upset with me over Uncle’s death anniversary."

After confirming Gu Jingzhe was purely a man of the past, Gu Ruinian once again had the thought of making Gu Jingzhe his little follower.

However, during this period, when he tried to find Gu Jingzhe, he was always busy studying, not having time for him.

Well, he thought, a pure man of the past, only accustomed to rote learning, having seen nothing of the world.

Once the provincial exam concludes, with him securing the top score, he wasn’t worried Gu Jingzhe wouldn’t submit to him.