In the spring of the twenty-third year of the Zhenlong reign, red silk was hung at the gate of the Gu family in Yongyangfang, for Lady Gu was about to get married.
In Shuojing City, Lady Gu was a prominent figure. The Gu family was a wealthy merchant family in Shuojing, and she had good relations with people in power. She was also married to Lu Zhao'an, who was equally wealthy.
Lu Zhao'an was also a legendary figure. Born into a prominent family, he was fond of business and managed the Lu family's affairs for more than ten years before finally leaving the clan and establishing his own household.
He went out alone, but in just six months, his wealth was even greater than when he was still in the Lu family's main residence.
It's said that a marriage between two extremely wealthy families would inevitably result in the couple gaining all the wealth in Shuojing, something no one in power would be happy to see. Yet, this marriage was personally bestowed by the current emperor. It's truly baffling.
Regardless of anything else, getting married is always a joyous occasion.
Moreover, both of them are considered to be getting married at an advanced age in Shuojing these days.
During the turmoil a year ago, many refugees survived thanks to the rice and grain provided by the Gu family, and were extremely grateful to them. Gu Yaoniang, in particular, contributed a great deal to their relief efforts.
Now that Gu Yaoniang is married, the people who have settled down a bit seem to be even more excited than the Gu family.
The day before the wedding, Gu Yaoniang should have stayed in her room and waited patiently, not going out, and at most seeing guests.
But at this moment, Tinglan Residence was in complete chaos.
Gu Yaoniang has disappeared.
Holding the letter in her hand, Madam Gu's voice trembled with anxiety: "Wasn't she the one who wanted to do it in the first place? Why did she run away at the last minute!"
She originally came to Tinglan Residence today to talk to Gu Yaoniang again and see if her daughter's courtyard was missing anything.
However, all they found was a letter left by Gu Yaoniang in the bedroom.
"Go out for a walk to clear your mind; don't worry about your family. You will be back by evening."
With just a few simple words, Madam Gu was so anxious that tears were about to well up in her eyes: "She's getting married tomorrow, why is she going out today?"
Suddenly, she grabbed Gu Pingsheng's hand: "Your sister isn't the kind of person who doesn't know what's good for her. Could she have been kidnapped?"
Having spent time in prison, Madam Gu remained extremely vigilant about everything around her.
Gu Pingsheng was also uneasy, but he wasn't as panicked as his mother. He comforted his mother, "Bizhu and Bishuang, who are by my sister's side, are both experts. My sister must have left on her own. Mother, don't worry."
That being said, he was also worried.
Where could one go on a day like this? Could it be that one really went to the examination hall?
At this moment, Gu Yaoniang arrived at Guiman Street, where the examination hall was located. She casually found a teahouse and went upstairs.
The Great Cheng Dynasty is now in dire need of reconstruction. The Emperor, with a stroke of his pen, convened a special imperial examination. Another spring imperial examination has begun. Pedestrians hurry along Guiman Street. Gu Yaoniang, peeking through the window curtains, watches with great interest.
Bitao also leaned over and looked curiously, exclaiming, "Huh? My lady, why are there so many young ladies on Guiman Street these days!"
Today is the day the results are announced. Usually, it's mostly maids and servants who come to see the list, and the scholar himself sometimes comes too. But not many of the young ladies from his household come to Guiman Street.
Gu Yaoniang smiled and said, "Now, young lady, you can also give it a try and become the top scholar."
Bitao suddenly realized—yes, nowadays women can also participate in the imperial examinations, so what's so strange about a young lady coming to see the results? She's not going to see it for her brothers, but for herself.
The place where the results were posted was packed with people; even before the results were announced, it was already crowded. Unlike in the past, fewer and fewer young women were wearing veils these days, and more girls were openly showing their faces.
"Madam Gu?"
Someone called Gu Yaoniang, who was startled back to reality and saw that the person who came was Wang Chengxian. Wang Chengxian was dressed as an ordinary scholar, and there was no air of nobility about him.
“It really is you,” Wang Chengxian said with a hint of delight. “I just saw it and thought I was seeing things.”
A woman about to get married, instead of staying at home waiting to be married, has come out to look at the marriage notice. Or rather, she's not really looking at the notice itself, but rather at the people looking at it.
Gu Yaoniang stood up and gave a slight curtsy: "Uncle Wang."
She smiled gently and said, "Everything is prepared at home. My mother won't let me do anything, and I feel restless being idle, so I came out for a walk."
Wang Chengxian raised an eyebrow: "You're not here to check the results for your brother?"
Gu Yaoniang shook her head: "The imperial examination was rushed, and we've already wasted a lot of time beforehand, so we're not sure if we're confident. He said that if we pass, someone will come to our house to announce the good news. Our family shouldn't go and join in the excitement."
Wang Chengxian's eyes flashed with admiration: "This child is quite steady."
Gu Yaoniang felt honored, and sat even straighter in her chair.
Wang Chengxian sat down opposite Gu Yaoniang, and with the usual concern of an elder for a younger generation, asked, "Why didn't you stay at home peacefully, but instead came here?"
Gu Yaoniang looked at the man before her, her gaze clear and filled with pure concern. For no apparent reason, Gu Yaoniang felt a surge of closeness to him.
Were you nervous before you got married?
Once he opened his mouth, the words slipped out unintentionally.
Wang Chengxian was taken aback, but then laughed: "Is Yaoniang nervous?"
Gu Yaoniang pursed her lips and spoke the truth: "I'm a little flustered. I always feel that after marriage, I won't be the Yaoniang of the Gu family anymore, but just a woman of the Lu family."
Do you want to?
"Of course I don't want to!"
Wang Chengxian stared at her intently for a moment, then laughed heartily, "Then don't think about it! Your parents and friends are your support. Yaoniang, you are no ordinary woman. There are many people behind you."
He seemed to be implying something, but Gu Yaoniang seemed to have parted the clouds and glimpsed a ray of light.
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