"They're here! They're here!"
The weather was fine on the day the results were announced.
Although it was late autumn, the sunlight was still very bright.
Like all families with children taking the imperial examinations, the Gu family sent someone to wait outside the examination hall early on for the results to be announced.
The academies in Shuojing City also gave students a full day off to check the results.
This was also to give students time to process their results, especially those who did not pass the exam. Only about two or three out of ten students passed the county-level imperial examination. The majority, after all, failed.
The Gu family, all businessmen, did not go to their shops that day; instead, they stayed home waiting for news of the successful candidates.
Gu Xingzhi, growing anxious, couldn't help but mutter a complaint to Qiaoniang, "We should have gone with the children earlier. Now it's just the two of us at home. What if they pass the exam and go out for a celebration without taking us? What if they don't pass and hide to cry without telling us?"
The servants sent to check the list had not returned for a long time, and Gu Yaoniang and Gu Pingsheng were getting impatient, so they decided to go out together to check the list themselves.
Actually, it wasn't that long. Based on the time the results were posted, the Gu family members were standing in the closest position between the examination hall and the posting location. Considering the time spent looking at the results, squeezing through the crowd, and rushing back home, even if the servants were clever and capable, they should still be on their way at that time.
Gu Pingsheng was getting impatient waiting. Seeing that he seemed a bit lost and uncomfortable, Gu Yaoniang decided to go out with him. At least they would have something to do and wouldn't be too anxious.
Qiaoniang was both amused and exasperated: "Second Master, you're exaggerating a bit..."
"They're here! They're here! They're back!"
They vaguely heard someone shouting loudly outside the door. Qiao Niang turned around and said to Gu Xingzhi, "You see! The children still know what they're doing."
But then a figure flashed beside him, and Gu Xingzhi had already darted out the door.
Qiao Niang found it amusing, straightened her clothes, and waited outside the hall for people to come in.
Gu Xingzhi was very anxious in the hall just now, but when Gu Yaoniang and Gu Pingsheng came into his sight, he was already in a very calm and reserved state.
Qiao Niang and Gu Xingzhi looked at Gu Yaoniang and Gu Pingsheng, their smiles freezing on their faces.
Both men had solemn expressions, devoid of any smiles. Their postures were still steady, and their steps were relatively light, but the complete lack of a smile on their faces made it difficult to associate them with anything good.
Compared to Gu Yaoniang, Gu Pingsheng appeared even more reserved and timid.
Seeing that Qiaoniang and Gu Xingzhi had come out to greet her, Gu Yaoniang said in a deep voice, "Let's go inside and talk."
Gu Xingzhi had a bad feeling and nervously walked to the main seat in the hall. He wanted to ask about the results, but hesitated and dared not speak, fearing that if it was really as he guessed, asking now would only make Gu Pingsheng more upset and embarrassed.
Even Qiaoniang's eyes were full of worry.
Gu Yaoniang broke the silence of the room by speaking: "Ping Sheng... didn't do very well on this exam."
She glanced at Gu Pingsheng as she spoke.
Gu Pingsheng, receiving a signal from her, nodded hesitantly, but remained silent, his lips barely moving.
Upon hearing this, Gu Xingzhi felt that his previous guess had been confirmed, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
He didn't seem to care much, and instead comforted Gu Pingsheng: "It's alright! How many scholars have spent their entire lives taking the imperial examinations and still only achieved the lowest level of proficiency? You've already done quite well. You're in the prime of your youth, with a long future ahead of you. Don't be anxious if you don't pass the exam this time."
Gu Yaoniang chuckled, "Second Uncle! Who said I've never passed the exams in my life?"
Gu Xingzhi was stunned. He saw no joy at all after reading the list, and they said he hadn't done well—not that he hadn't passed, but what was it?
Could I possibly be mistaken?
Qiao Niang seemed to have guessed what Gu Yao Niang and Gu Ping Sheng were up to. She raised an eyebrow and looked at Gu Yao Niang inquiringly.
Gu Pingsheng appears honest and reserved, but it's likely that Yao Niang harbors mischievous thoughts about him.
Qiaoniang thought so.
Gu Pingsheng and Gu Yaoniang exchanged a glance, and then the two of them came to stand in front of Gu Xingzhi.
Gu Yaoniang chuckled and respectfully handed a cup of tea to Gu Xingzhi, bowing as she said, "Please have some tea, Second Uncle! I've won the lottery!"
Gu Xingzhi felt his heart pounding wildly, as if it were all unreal.
"really?"
"really!"
"really?"
Gu Xingzhi still didn't believe it.
Gu Yaoniang stood before Gu Xingzhi with a smile, and said with a laugh, "It's true! Second Uncle, you've really won the lottery!"
"Great! Great! Great!"
Gu Xingzhi was overjoyed. He stood up and patted Gu Pingsheng's shoulder vigorously, saying happily, "Good lad! Good! Remember to write to your parents to share the good news!"
Overjoyed, he put his hands behind his back and started to walk around the hall again.
Both Gu Yaoniang and Gu Pingsheng had shaken off their previous solemn expressions and appeared quite relaxed. However, Gu Pingsheng remained somewhat hesitant, displaying an unusual caution in front of Gu Xingzhi.
Gu Xingzhi and Qiaoniang were both overjoyed, and the faint sound of firecrackers crackling in other people's homes in the city could be heard outside the door.
Qiao Niang clapped her hands: "Oh dear! Firecrackers! We've prepared them, but we haven't set them off yet!"
He then hurriedly went out and instructed his servants to light the firecrackers.
The cheerful sound of firecrackers came from outside the door, reflecting on the faces of the group, making them all appear radiant.
Whether it was a misperception or not, the hall door was clearly some distance from the main gate, yet they seemed to hear congratulatory voices coming from the crowd watching the commotion outside.
Gu Xingzhi suddenly came to his senses and looked at Gu Pingsheng and Gu Yaoniang with an unfriendly expression: "If you passed, why do you say you didn't do well on the exam?"
He was worried for nothing, and was even thinking about how to comfort the boy who failed the exam.
The provincial examinations differed from the spring and autumn examinations in that when the results were announced, there was only a distinction between passing and failing, not a ranking. The difference between doing well and poorly was simply passing and failing.
Gu Yaoniang chuckled awkwardly, "Second Uncle, I just wanted to tease you..."
Gu Xingzhi had actually guessed what was going on, but he didn't expect the two children to conspire to deceive him.
He carefully considered whether he had done anything that would make people laugh, and after calming himself down a bit, he put on a stern face and asked, "Whose idea was this?"
"she!"
"he!"
Gu Yaoniang and Gu Pingsheng both pointed at each other.
Gu Xingzhi pointed at the two of them, wanting to curse them, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to do it.
Qiao Niang understood perfectly. Gu Pingsheng was clearly hesitant and dared not speak, and after returning home, he only spoke to Gu Yao Niang.
It is clear that Gu Yaoniang is the mastermind.
Gu Xingzhi twirled his finger in front of the two of them, ultimately unable to bring himself to scold them. He simply shouted angrily in a deep voice, "Go back and copy the Three Character Classic ten times! If you don't finish, you won't get any food today!"
Gu Yaoniang wanted to haggle, but Gu Pingsheng had already obediently agreed and quickly slipped away with her.
Gu Xingzhi watched the two figures disappear like the wind, chuckled, and shook his head helplessly.
"Look how wonderful it is! Two children."
I remember when the two children first arrived, they were both very serious and respectful towards me, but not very affectionate.
Now they even dare to make fun of themselves.
How wonderful!
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