"Brother Jingzhe, congratulations."

Gu Ruinian sincerely congratulated Gu Jingzhe.

Originally, Gu Jingzhe was quite displeased with Gu Ruinian’s antics in the provincial city. Seeing his disappointed expression and forced smile softened his heart.

Failing the exam was painful enough.

He couldn’t add insult to injury, after all, they were both members of the Gu Family, and he didn’t want County Magistrate Liu and others to laugh at them.

Gu Jingzhe patted Gu Ruinian’s shoulder and said, "Your talent is not lacking. This exam was an accident; keep trying next year."

Gu Ruinian nodded obediently and said in a low voice, "I feel uneasy with brother speaking to me this way. I underestimated the county examination, but I will study hard like brother to pass next year."

Gu Jingzhe nodded. It’s good that this failure could make Gu Ruinian realize his mistakes.

Tong Huaqiong watched Gu Ruinian cozy up to Gu Jingzhe with cold eyes, wondering what malice he might be hiding.

Gu Ruinian felt Tong Huaqiong’s scrutinizing gaze, quickly looked up at Tong Huaqiong, and then swiftly looked down again.

His heart was full of resentment.

The whole family of the first wife was watching him as a joke, so let them be smug for now; he would surely reclaim everything in the future.

Mr. Gu, looking at his two affectionate grandsons, had tears in his eyes and was full of relief.

"Ruinian, join us for a meal at your aunt’s house," Mr. Gu said to Gu Ruinian.

Gu Ruinian shook his head and said, "I’m not going."

Wouldn’t going there just let them see him as a joke?

Mr. Gu sighed and said, "Then you go home first and don’t be upset. Get some rest."

Gu Ruinian nodded.

Mr. Gu followed County Magistrate Liu and Tong Huaqiong to the main courtyard.

Gu Honglian followed behind and, after a few steps, noticed that Old Lady Gu was not keeping up, so she turned back to call her.

Old Lady Gu said stiffly, "I’m not going."

Gu Honglian puzzledly asked, "Why not go? Mother, I heard the feast at aunt’s house is very lavish; it would be a shame not to eat it."

Old Lady Gu gritted her teeth and said, "Your aunt is doing this to embarrass Ruinian. She knows Ruinian failed and deliberately made such a big gesture to shame him."

In Old Lady Gu’s opinion, Tong Huaqiong shouldn’t be hosting the feast in celebration.

It’s like rubbing salt into the wounds of the second dwelling.

Old Lady Gu returned to the old residence, carrying her breath (of anger).

Gu Ruinian and Mrs. Jia quietly followed and headed to the old residence. Initially, Gu Ruinian worried about being met with malicious gazes while walking through the village.

He worried too much.

The villagers had all gone to Tong Huaqiong’s house to join the fun, making him a person of no concern.

He didn’t even know whether he should be happy or sad.

...

After being bestowed the title of Sui Feng Village Lady, Tong Huaqiong’s home was once again bustling.

Whether in this era or the modern one she once lived in, achieving honor in national examinations was a joyous event worth celebrating.

Gu Jingzhe had suddenly become the center of attention in all of Qinghe Bay.

He sat alongside County Magistrate Liu, engaging in a friendly conversation while Mr. Su and Tong Huaqiong accompanied them.

Gu Taohua, Gu Dahuan, Liu Yue’er, Tong Zhaodi, along with helpers Mrs. Hong and Mrs. Zhao, were all busy entertaining guests.

Gu Baishuang, having heard the news, rushed over, excitedly bringing Gu Jingzhe half a carriage of gifts.

Boss Qian naturally attended as well, not just arriving personally, but also sending clerks with two tables of fine meals.

Notable families from town, including Huang Yuanwai and others, naturally all attended.

Even Tong Pandi’s former in-laws regretted divorcing her upon hearing Gu Jingzhe had secured the first position.

Under the village head’s direction, the banquet was swiftly set up.

Someone set off a string of firecrackers, adding to the joyous and festive atmosphere of the banquet.

County Magistrate Liu was invited to the honored seat, with Tong Huaqiong and Mr. Su accompanying him on either side.

Mr. Gu was placed next to Mr. Su, feeling quite dissatisfied.

Mr. Gu felt that even if he didn’t have as much prestige as Mr. Su, as the grandfather of the first-place scholar, shouldn’t he sit near County Magistrate Liu? His daughter-in-law, a woman, sitting so close to the County Magistrate was too ostentatious. At this time, it should be his second son taking the lead.

If Gu Ruinian had become a scholar, there wouldn’t be any business for Tong Huaqiong.

Thinking of Gu Ruinian, Mr. Gu felt quite uneasy.

Two grandsons, one basking in glory and receiving everyone’s praises, while the other had to endure everyone’s ridicule for failing the exam.

Mr. Gu just wanted Tong Huaqiong to get off the table, so he could sit in that position or let the Gujia Clan Leader take it, but County Magistrate Liu clearly valued his eldest daughter-in-law very much. Fearing he might offend County Magistrate Liu, Mr. Gu ultimately didn’t dare to speak up.

"With Jingzhe securing the first-place scholastic honor, studying here in our town might not do him justice. He should study at Wanliu Academy," County Magistrate Liu suggested to Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong glanced at Mr. Su.

She felt that the credit for Gu Jingzhe securing the top position owed much to Mr. Su’s efforts. Directly sending Gu Jingzhe to Wanliu Academy might hurt Mr. Su’s feelings.

But for Gu Jingzhe’s future development, attending Wanliu Academy was indeed the best choice.

Before Tong Huaqiong could respond, Mr. Su said, "Of course he must go to Wanliu Academy."

His expression was natural, and there was a hint of happiness.

Tong Huaqiong then said, "For my child Jingzhe to attain the top honor, it’s thanks to Mr. Su’s guidance."

County Magistrate Liu smiled at Mr. Su and said, "Our Pingchuan County has produced three scholars this year, with two being Mr. Su’s students, among which one was the top scholar. With your talent, Mr. Su, if you were to teach at Wanliu Academy, I’m sure you’d be greatly welcomed."

County Magistrate Liu had an excellent impression of Mr. Su and wanted to recommend him to teach at Wanliu Academy.

After all, the students from Wanliu Academy would become the nation’s pillars, and producing a notable statesman could bring significant credit to Mr. Su, and with their relationship, such students would naturally become allies in County Magistrate Liu’s political network.

Mr. Su, however, clasped his hands in refusal and said, "My knowledge suffices only to be a rural teacher."

Hearing this from Mr. Su, Gu Jingzhe said, "Then I will follow the teacher and not go to Wanliu Academy."

Mr. Su threw his chopsticks at Gu Jingzhe’s forehead in front of County Magistrate Liu and Tong Huaqiong and angrily said, "Unambitious. I can no longer teach you; you must go to Wanliu Academy. Only there can you have a bright future."

Gu Jingzhe felt slightly wronged yet grateful, knowing that Mr. Su’s statement about not being able to teach him was purely modesty.

Tong Huaqiong was not surprised by Mr. Su’s unwillingness to teach at Wanliu Academy.

Besides having an interest in Tong Pandi, not wanting to leave Yan Guan Town, Tong Huaqiong believed he had other deeper reasons.

Tong Huaqiong said to Gu Jingzhe, "You should listen to your teacher."

This meant she agreed for Gu Jingzhe to attend Wanliu Academy.

Gu Jingzhe felt a lump in his throat. A year ago, in his ambition to attend Wanliu Academy, he almost embarked on an irreparable path. Had his mother not brought him back to the right path, even if he had gone to Wanliu Academy, he might not have learned anything of value.

He had promised his mother he would get into Wanliu Academy on his own merit, and now he finally fulfilled that promise.

Were it not for the presence of so many people, Gu Jingzhe would have wanted to kneel down and thank Tong Huaqiong.

County Magistrate Liu, meanwhile, watched Gu Jingzhe on the side, liking him more and more. He couldn’t wait to discuss Gu Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao’s marriage with Tong Huaqiong.