The autumn rain was incessant, and a chill suddenly crept in.
Another autumn has arrived.
Gu Yaoniang has taken over many of the Gu family's businesses, but she still spends time at Jinyulou at some point each day, just like always.
It was raining outside, and Jin Yu Lou didn't have many customers today.
Gu Yaoniang sat at her own counter, resting her chin on her hand, lost in thought.
She's been in Shuojing for over a year now, and she's starting to miss home.
She secretly planned that once Gu Pingsheng took this year's imperial examination, the two of them might be able to find an opportunity to go home together to see their parents.
Gu Pingsheng is already a student in Qingyun County. If he can pass the county-level examination this year, he will be able to participate in the autumn examination next year.
Although Gu Pingsheng is still young, there is no rush. However, even among those who have passed the imperial examination, the younger and older ones are valued differently.
The sound of carriages and horses came from outside the door. Gu Yaoniang turned her gaze to the door and smiled slightly.
She picked up the round fan from the counter, stood up gracefully, and slowly walked to the door.
A familiar face stepped off the carriage, carrying a delicate box that looked rather heavy.
Lu Zhaoan's fingers, which were holding the box, showed prominent veins as he handed it to Gu Yaoniang.
Gu Yaoniang hesitated for a moment, and just as she raised her hand to take it, Lu Zhaoan smiled and turned the box around, handing it to Bizhu, who was following behind Yaoniang: "It's too heavy. Bizhu, take it."
Gu Yaoniang half-covered her lips with a round fan, smiling gently. Bizhu held the fan in her hand without the slightest sign of reluctance.
"But did you give me those two of your newest, best inkstones?"
As Gu Yaoniang walked inside alongside Lu Zhaoan, she asked a question.
"Of course. The ink is the best, the paper is top-quality Chengxintang paper, and the brush is the purple-haired one you saw at the shop last time. We made two new brushes according to the exam specifications. The ink is also good ink, so you can rest assured!"
Gu Yaoniang lifted her skirt as she climbed the steps, smiling as she replied, "Of course I trust you to handle things."
The two entered the private room. Gu Yaoniang didn't even bother to look after Lu Zhaoan. She first beckoned Bizhu to come forward, placed the box on the table, and personally opened it to take out the items one by one.
Lu Zhaoan smiled and shook his head—he had just said he was relieved…
Gu Yaoniang pushed open the box lid and saw five inkstones, two inkstones, neatly cut paper, and two purple-haired brushes lying quietly to the side.
There are also three paperweights in gold ingot shape.
No wonder Lu Zhaoan seemed to be struggling to carry these things earlier. They were quite heavy items.
Gu Yaoniang examined them closely and discovered that not only were these items of top quality, but what was even more remarkable was that almost every single one of them had the same pattern.
A magpie carrying a cassia branch in its beak flies to a branch with three round cassia fruits hanging on it, forming the auspicious pattern of "receiving three top honors," a very good omen.
The three paperweights, which might seem a bit tacky on ordinary days, appear perfectly fitting among the items that Gu Yaoniang prepared for Gu Pingsheng's exam.
Gu Yaoniang's brows relaxed, and she couldn't help but smile broadly: "Thank you. You're so thoughtful!"
She clasped her hands in a respectful bow to Lu Zhaoan and said with a smile, "I will have someone deliver the silver to your shop tomorrow."
Lu Zhaoan waved his hand dismissively: "What do you want money for? This is a gift I'm giving as a congratulatory present for your passing the exam. Why talk about money? Let's not talk about money."
Come to think of it, he might need Gu Pingsheng's help again in the future. Shouldn't he smooth things over beforehand?
Gu Yaoniang naturally declined: "How can that be? If Boss Lu doesn't want it, how can I dare to accept Boss Lu's money in the future?"
Lu Zhaoan paused for a moment—in this situation, the usual excuse for declining is, "If you don't want it, how can I bring myself to come again?"
As expected of Gu Yaoniang, her thoughts and actions are indeed different from others.
“I’ll give it to him. All he has to do is tell everyone that he bought it from my family after he becomes the top scholar in the imperial examination. The writing implements that the top scholar used are sold to him. I can increase the price of each one by one tael of silver.”
The people standing in the room chuckled softly, and Gu Yaoniang's face was also full of smiles.
She said, "Alright, if that day ever comes, you can spread the word everywhere and make a fortune! I won't be envious at all!"
With her mother absent, Gu Yaoniang truly acted as "the eldest sister as a mother." She meticulously prepared everything for Gu Pingsheng's exams, seeking good fortune in every aspect.
The Gu family's eyes were immediately drawn to items with patterns of magpies on branches, longans, and gold ingots, which made Gu Xingzhi chuckle.
Besides writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, Gu Yaoniang also prepared a thick cloak for Gu Xingzhi. Autumn had already arrived, and the cells were spacious, so it must be cold at sunrise.
Thinking of this, Gu Yaoniang prepared knee pads and hand pads for Gu Pingsheng.
For three days, they ate, drank, and relieved themselves all in the cell. Gu Yaoniang also asked Qiaoniang to make a refreshing and remedy-dispelling mint balm, which she put in the examination basket prepared for Gu Pingsheng.
So, before the exam, Gu Pingsheng returned home to prepare for the exam. When Gu Yaoniang handed the exam basket to Gu Pingsheng a day in advance, the entire basket was already quite heavy.
Gu Pingsheng was astonished: "Sister! What have you prepared for me? How come there's so much?"
He rummaged through the items in the examination basket—two calligraphy brushes, five pieces of Huizhou ink, three paperweights, two inkstones, a pair of knee pads, two pearl bottles, and three oil paper packages…
"Sister, what are all these things...?"
He took the two pearl porcelain bottles, opened them, and smelled a very fresh and invigorating scent.
"It's a minty balm that Qiaoniang made for you."
What about this one?
Gu Pingsheng held the three oil paper packages in his hand; he could almost smell the aroma of meat and a hint of sweetness emanating from them. He was utterly puzzled.
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