Chapter 150: Meet Again
Jieyuan is the first place in the provincial examination.
The Gu family members stood outside the crowd, and after hearing this, they all looked at Gu Mingda.
"My dad is number one!" Niu Niu said excitedly.
Zhang Yuniang wiped the tears from her face.
My husband has been known as a child prodigy since he was young, but he was just a student for most of the first half of his life. There were many rumors in the outside world. Some said that he was just a famous person, and some said that he was a Zhongyong. My husband never showed any emotion.
But Zhang Yunniang knew in her heart that it was impossible for him not to be touched at all.
Now that she has passed the imperial examination, Zhang Yunniang feels that her hard work has paid off and her husband no longer has to suffer from any rumors.
Gu Mingda stood there, but was a little dazed. He thought that he might be able to get into high school, but he never thought that he would be the top student.
After a long time, he seemed to have recovered from his shock and said to Zhang Yunniang, "Go back. The officials will come to your house to celebrate the wedding. If no one is home, I'm afraid they will be disappointed."
Zhang Yunniang nodded and said, "I have prepared the purse for the good news long ago. Now that you have won first place, I have to give you another 20%."
Just as they were about to leave, an acquaintance recognized Gu Mingda.
"Brother Gu, congratulations! Brother Gu has made a stunning debut and has become the top scorer in the high school entrance examination. It's really admirable!" The acquaintance held Gu Mingda.
When the people around heard this, they all gathered around immediately, regardless of whether they knew him or not.
Compliments and praises were endless. A group of people praised Gu Mingda to the heavens and surrounded him to treat him to dinner and drinks.
If it were a young and simple-minded person, he would probably be overwhelmed when seeing this situation, but Gu Mingda is no longer young.
He bowed to the scholars beside him with an apologetic look on his face and said, "Sorry, I have something else to do at home, so I'm afraid I won't be available today."
The acquaintance held him tightly and said, "Brother Gu, you have passed the imperial examination, what else could be more important than celebrating your success? Are you trying to make excuses? We are so happy today, please don't spoil the fun!"
Gu Mingda frowned, thinking that the man in front of him was extremely annoying, but he also knew that if he showed the cold shoulder now, these people would probably spread rumors that he was arrogant.
"Dad, you promised to tell me the story of Emperor Taizu of Yan when you get back. How can you go back on your word?" Niu Niu suddenly said.
Gu Mingda was wondering how to refuse, so he immediately picked up Niuniu, looked at the acquaintance, and said, "I'm really sorry, my daughter is urging me to go back."
But the acquaintance still held him and said, "How can you take a child's words seriously? Brother Gu, it's just a story. It won't matter if you wait a few more days."
Niuniu asked in a baby voice, "Daddy, you told me the story of Weisheng hugging the pillar before. Can you tell it again?"
Gu Mingda immediately looked enlightened upon hearing this, and told the other scholars present with a face full of shame: "Wei Sheng kept his promise and died. If I break my promise to a child today, it would be a waste of all the years I have spent studying the books of sages, and I would not be worthy of the word 'scholar'."
Gu Mingda deliberately exaggerated the situation, and the group of scholars who were surrounding him were unable to persuade him after hearing what he said.
But after the Gu family leaves, it is inevitable that some people will say a few sour words.
"Gu Jieyuan doesn't think highly of us."
"He may be proud for a while, but he may not be proud forever."
"With such a disinterest in socializing and a penchant for studying hard, even if you become an official in the future, I'm afraid you won't be able to stay in office for long."
The Gu family was unaware of the discussions behind the scenes. At this time, Zhang Yuniang said softly, "Husband, you have studied hard for several months, and it is time for you to relax. Even if you go out for a few drinks with them, it is not a big deal."
Gu Mingda shook his head and said, "Yunniang, do you still remember Chen Sanlang?"
Zhang Yuniang nodded.
Chen Sanlang was Gu Mingda's former classmate and was very knowledgeable. Unlike Gu Mingda, who had a difficult road to the imperial examination, Chen Sanlang passed both the examinations for a student and a scholar in one try. He ranked third in the examination for a scholar.
At that time, everyone in the private school, including their teachers, felt that Chen Sanlang would pass the imperial examination sooner or later.
Unexpectedly, not long after passing the imperial examination, Chen Sanlang became a completely different person.
It all started with him being forced to attend a drinking party after the college entrance examination results were announced.
"At first everyone thought it was just drinking, being young and proud, occasionally indulging oneself, and no one thought it was a big deal."
"But those people who were stirring up trouble took him to drink, to enjoy the sight of women, to hang out in brothels, and to gamble his life and death in casinos. He could no longer go back and could no longer concentrate on his studies. To this day, he is still in a daze."
Hearing Gu Mingda say this, Zhang Yuniang covered her chest in fear and asked, "Did these people do this on purpose?"
Gu Mingda nodded gently and said, "There are always such people outside the examination hall. They themselves failed the exam, and they can't bear to see others pass, so they will deliberately try their best to drag others into the abyss."
If it was a normal friendship, others would not go and they would not be so persistent. This group of people have no hidden good intentions and will naturally try every means to drag others into it.
Zhang Yunniang looked at Niuniu who was standing beside her and said, "Our good boy must have a way, otherwise your father wouldn't have gotten away so easily."
Niuniu smiled and said, "I was looking at Dad the whole time. Daddy frowned and obviously didn't like those people."
Gu Mingda touched her little head and said, "I will continue to tell you the story of Emperor Yan when we get back."
Niuniu was so happy that she almost jumped up and said, "Daddy is the best."
Not long after the Gu family returned home, officials came to their door with good news. Auspicious words flowed out as if they were free, and Zhang Yunniang was so happy that she gave them several more layers of wedding gifts.
Gu Mingda had no intention of staying in Jiangzhou Prefecture for long. After attending the banquet organized by the government, he waited for a few more days until a caravan passed through Guang'an County, and then he set out for home.
Gu Mingda did not deliberately hide when returning home, but perhaps it was God's will, the caravan he followed this time still chose to rest in the village where Li Yuanwai was.
But the village was not as hospitable as before. The villagers all had wandering eyes and looked panic-stricken. They even disagreed with the caravan's request to stay overnight.
Even though the caravan raised the price several times.
"Hurry up and leave. Our village does not allow strangers to stay overnight!" The old village chief came out to drive them away.
This was the first time the caravan leader had encountered such a situation.
"It's getting late. If we miss this village, we'll have to sleep in the wilderness." said the leader with a sad face.
Nowadays, the weather is getting colder day by day. These people are exhausted from traveling by boat and train. If they cannot get enough rest, they will easily catch a cold.
Gu Mingda jumped off the carriage, walked up to the crowd, and said to the village chief: "Village chief, it's me, Gu Xiucai, do you remember? We lived here last time."
When the village chief saw Gu Mingda, his eyes softened a little, and he asked, "Gu Xiucai, did you pass the provincial examination in Jiangzhou Prefecture?"
Before Gu Mingda could answer, the leader of the caravan said, "Village head, Mr. Gu won the first place in the provincial examination!"
The village chief showed a look of joy on his face. After a moment's silence, he asked, "Mr. Gu, I just want to ask you one question. Is the caravan you are following a legitimate caravan?"
Second update
(End of this chapter)
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