Chapter 276: A Generation of Grand Secretaries (38)
It was a genuinely happy laugh, even happier than when he became the top scholar in the imperial examination. Becoming the top scholar was within his expectations, and he was confident in himself. However, it also meant that he would face more dangers and storms in the future. So, while it was a joy, it was also complicated by uncertainty about what was about to happen. Yet, seeing his lover's happy face, he suddenly felt that it was really good to be the top scholar.
"Your Excellency, you are so handsome."
Gu Sui touched Wen Wan's face, "The top scholar's wife is also beautiful."
"Not as good-looking as the top scholar."
"I think it's better looking than the top scorer."
Wen Yan: "..."
How silly she looked, how silly her conversation was, but she was so happy. So, out of cowardice, Wen Wan put her arm around Gu Suise's neck and kissed him. It was a fleeting kiss. "The top scholar looks the best. Wearing the top scholar's robes, he looks even better than the gods in heaven."
Gu Sui was stunned.
The sensation seemed to linger on the lips, making it feel incredibly real.
Then he reached out and put his arm around Wen Wan's waist, deepening the kiss. As Wen Wan was panting, he leaned close to her ear and whispered affectionately, "I think no one in the whole world is as beautiful as the top scholar's wife. In Gu Sui's heart, you are the most beautiful, even more beautiful than a fairy in heaven."
Wen Yan: "..."
In the end, it was Shen Yuechu who, lacking any sense of propriety, interrupted the two's childish romance. Shen Yuechu was holding a pile of invitations, saying, "These were all sent by others, from major merchants in the capital, and from officials. I can't even keep up with them all. The banquet is already prepared, so we don't need to prepare anything. There was already a banquet for the top scholar, so we've saved money."
Then, after I finished speaking, I noticed that the atmosphere was a bit off.
The brother-in-law looked very happy, while his sister's face was flushed and her lips seemed a little swollen.
Shen Yuechu: "..."
What did he do wrong? Damn it, why didn't he think of that?
So he quickly left, saying, "You guys continue, just pretend I was never here."
After leaving, he came back a while later and said, "But don't go too far. After all, you're not married yet. There are some things that should be done after you're married to be in accordance with proper etiquette."
Then he ran away after saying that.
Wen Yan: "???"
Gu Sui: "Brother's concerns are justified."
Wen Wan: "You..."
That's terrible! How could it be so bad?
...
Then came the conferment of an official title, which led to his appointment as a member of the Hanlin Academy.
Afterwards, he prepared to go home to share the good news. The Shen family in the neighboring county had already received the news, and Mr. and Mrs. Shen were very happy. The people of the neighboring county also learned that Gu Sui of the Gu family had become the top scholar in the imperial examination.
This good news spread throughout the entire Lin County, and even to several neighboring counties.
The county magistrate sent gifts directly to the Shen family and even personally came to congratulate them. Shen's father looked at the county magistrate. Although the county magistrate used to rely on merchants like them, he looked down on merchants in essence. But when his son-in-law became the top scholar, his attitude changed drastically.
Merchants are at the bottom of the social ladder, and Shen's father has never felt so refreshed and in high spirits. He is increasingly satisfied with Gu Sui.
Waves of people came, some bringing gifts, others offering congratulations; the threshold of the Shen family's house was practically worn down.
When Gu Sui returned, the people lined the streets to welcome him, displaying a large banner and putting on a grand show. The county magistrate was exceptionally attentive, as this was the first scholar to be awarded the title of top scholar in the imperial examinations since the county was established, and he was even directly appointed to the Hanlin Academy, which meant he had a bright future ahead of him. Even he himself would have a significant achievement to show for his efforts, since he had nurtured a top scholar. Making things convenient for Gu Sui back then was indeed the right thing to do. If he had humiliated Gu Sui in the past, he would probably be finished by now.
Gu Sui chatted with the county magistrate for a while, and then went home to pay respects to his parents. The steward was overjoyed and made all the necessary preparations. The Gu family had now brought honor to their ancestors. The master had said before that the young master was born to be a scholar and would definitely become the top scholar if he took the imperial examination. Although the master did not have the chance to see it, he should be able to see it now in heaven and rest in peace.
Afterwards, Gu Sui went to the Shen family, and Mr. and Mrs. Shen were very happy.
"We must have a big banquet to celebrate. I've already made the arrangements. This is definitely something we need to do."
Soon, the Shen family held a grand banquet, inviting people from all the neighboring counties. The banquet lasted for several days, and even people from other counties benefited. They also set up tents to distribute alms, which earned them much praise.
After everything calmed down, Shen's father finally fulfilled his promise.
He said to Gu Sui, "I will not object to your marriage with Jiao Jiao. I will have someone choose an auspicious day and get it done."
Gu Sui was overjoyed and knelt on the ground. Shen's father quickly helped him up, saying, "You are now an official, how can you kneel before me?"
"Uncle Shen is like my father. It is only natural for children to kneel before their father."
Uncle Shen: "Good boy, I knew you were a good boy. Although you have a long road ahead of you, I believe you will succeed."
"Thank you for your trust, Uncle. I will definitely protect Ajiao and will never let her get hurt unless I die."
"Go ahead, Jiaojiao is still waiting for you. You two must have a lot to talk about. Your aunt and I will go and discuss the marriage."
After Gu Sui left, Shen's father hurriedly went to find Shen's mother, who agreed. So they quickly went to get their birth dates and times to match. To their surprise, the results were shocking: they were actually incompatible.
Mr. Shen and Mrs. Shen looked at each other in bewilderment.
"Is there a mistake? They get along so well together, how could they be incompatible according to their birth charts?"
Father Shen: "..."
"Find someone else."
So they went to the most efficacious temple in the next county to have their horoscopes matched. But not only were they incompatible, the temple also said that if the two of them were together, they would become an unhappy couple.
Even if Shen's father and mother didn't believe it at first, they couldn't help but believe it because so many people were saying it.
So he hurried home.
The matter was mentioned veiledly, and Wen Wan was shocked, "Incompatible birth dates? Then it might not be accurate."
Wen Wan quickly asked the system.
The system replied, "[That's normal! Your role is that of a villainous female supporting character. Do you think your birth charts are compatible with the male lead's? Definitely not!"]
"What should we do? It seems like they value this thing a lot. What if they don't approve of me being with Gu Sui?"
system:【……】
What can the system do? It can't change these eight characters (of birth chart).
Gu Sui also said, "I don't believe in these things. I only believe in myself. Please believe me, Uncle and Aunt. I will be good to Ajiao. Besides, there are many people in this world whose birth charts don't match. Marriage is about fate, not birth charts."
Looking at the two of them, Chen's mother thought that it would be unreasonable to separate them. "Life is for two people to live together. I don't care about the compatibility of their birth dates. I'll go find someone to calculate an auspicious date right away. This wedding will definitely be a grand and glorious affair."
Shen's father had no objections.
Rather than believing in fortune telling and accepting Gu Sui's assessment, it's better to trust Gu Sui. After all, many couples whose birth charts are compatible end up as unhappy couples. It's not inevitable. Life is about two people; as long as they're happy together, everything will be alright.
Soon, Mother Shen found an auspicious day, two months later, which was the most suitable day. Wen Wan felt it was a bit late, but Mother Shen said that it was the closest day to come, so Wen Wan had no choice but to give up.
After the date was set, Madam Shen began preparing things. After all, she was her only precious daughter, and everything had to be the best, the most suitable, and the most perfect. She couldn't let others look down on her and think that her daughter, a merchant's daughter, was unworthy to be the wife of a top scholar.
And Wen Wan, this young lady of the Shen family, has suddenly become the most envied woman among all the girls in the neighboring county. How lucky she is! Originally, I was disappointed that Gu Sui was not in good health, but now that he has become the top scholar, his health doesn't seem so bad. With good medicine, he might get better.
The Shen family has really prospered; they've produced a son-in-law who's a top scholar in the imperial examinations. It's like their ancestors' graves are emitting auspicious smoke.
For example, the Chen family, Chen Han's father, must have had some regrets.
He had tried to stop his daughter from marrying Gu Sui, and instead married her off to the son of a merchant from the next county for his own business. Now Gu Sui has become successful, and the Shen family will only get better and better. Even if he regrets it, he can't change the fact. He has really lost out.
It wasn't just the Chen family who regretted it; there were many others. After all, many people had seen Gu Sui kneeling at the Shen family's door. If they had helped him up then, or had their daughter comfort him, he might have become the wife of the top scholar. But all of this was just wishful thinking.
Gu Sui was about to take up his post, so he had to return to the capital ahead of time. Wen Wan naturally followed, as did Shen Yuechu. Shen's father didn't stop them, since he was still in good health and it wasn't a bad thing for his son to go to the capital to broaden his horizons. Besides, with Gu Sui by his side, nothing serious was likely to happen. It was much better than staying in the neighboring county and getting entangled with those bad friends.
So the group went to the capital.
This time, Gu Sui took office, and the group moved out of their previous temporary residence and into a better house, since they might be staying there permanently. Shen Yuechu loves preparing these things and is very good at it. She quickly settled everything, found a suitable residence, and bought it.
After that, his door was always crowded with visitors. Gu Sui had to meet many people every day. Wen Wan knew that this was an inevitable path for officials. Moreover, Gu Sui not only wanted to be an official, but he wanted to be an official even more powerful than Lin Weiquan. Lin Weiquan had even sent him a letter of invitation. Regardless of what happened behind the scenes, they could still interact publicly, even if it was just for show.
Lin Weiquan was good at putting on a show, while Gu Sui was good at saying one thing to one person and another to someone else, without revealing a single flaw from beginning to end, leaving Lin Weiquan helpless.
Wen Wan, on the other hand, had plenty of free time. When Gu Sui entered the palace, she took Gui Zhi and Liu Qi out shopping. The capital city was so big, and there were so many new and interesting things to see that there wasn't enough time to explore them all.
However, those who listened to storytelling in the teahouse could hear about Gu Sui. Wen Wan was initially very happy to listen, but as she listened, she felt that something was not quite right.
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