Chapter 615: Against wolves, retreat and dodging by sheep are useless
In the evening a few days ago, at the Duke Zhenguo's Mansion.
Gu Lu stood respectfully in front of the desk. Chu Ruohan in front of him was looking down at a book and did not speak immediately.
The oppressive silence made Gu Lu feel a little uneasy, and his hands hanging by his side tightened unconsciously.
These days, he could feel the increasingly blatant "concern" from the third house. Behind those hypocritical inquiries about well-being, there was a malicious intent that he was already familiar with.
"Brother Lu," Chu Ruohan finally put down the book and raised her head, "Do you know what the most common method hunters use to catch animals is?"
Gu Lu was stunned, not understanding why his aunt suddenly asked this, but he still answered respectfully: "It's a trap, a web."
"That's right." Chu Ruohan nodded. "Then your grandmother is weaving a net for you right now. A net that will ruin your reputation and keep you from ever recovering."
These words were like a piece of ice, hitting Gu Lu's heart directly and making him tremble all over.
He had a premonition long ago, but when Chu Ruohan said it so bluntly, the chill still made him feel cold all over.
"Aunt, I..." He opened his mouth, only to feel his throat dry.
"No matter how cautious you are, you can't prevent the evil in people's hearts."
Chu Ruohan interrupted him, "On the day of the exam, there will be many people and many things going on. They will have plenty of ways to put things on you or in your exam basket that shouldn't be there. When that happens, you won't be able to defend yourself."
Gu Lu's face turned pale in an instant, and fine beads of cold sweat oozed out of his forehead.
He thought of countless possibilities, but found that no matter which one, he was powerless to resist.
Seeing the panic in his eyes, Chu Ruohan did not try to comfort him. Instead, she continued, "Do you think you can be safe if you can avoid the search?"
"Inside the examination room, bribe a fellow student to yell, 'You're cheating!'"
"Then...what should I do?" Lu Ge'er was scared. He was really scared. He had studied hard for years just for this moment, and he couldn't lose.
So what if he loses to Lan Jie'er? He can't let others control him for the rest of his life.
"Don't tell me, we can only let them..."
"Who said we should just let them do what they want?" Chu Ruohan raised the corner of her mouth. "Since they want to set a trap, then we'll give them a trap to step on."
She picked up a purse that had been prepared long ago from the low table beside her, placed it gently on the table, and pushed it in front of Gu Lu.
"Here are two hundred taels of silver."
Gu Lu looked at her in confusion.
Chu Ruohan stood up and slowly walked to his side, lowering her voice very low, "Go find a poor scholar of similar stature to you, give him 100 taels, and ask him to perform a play for you."
"Acting?" Gu Lu suddenly raised his head, his eyes full of shock.
"The play of escaping from the shell."
"On the day of the scientific examination, have him wear your old clothes, carry your exam basket, and put on a human skin mask, and line up for you. You hide in the shadows and wait for him to be taken away red-handed before you enter."
This strategy is too bold, even a little unorthodox.
If you are not careful while performing at the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall, you will be guilty of deceiving the emperor!
Gu Lu's heart was beating wildly, and he subconsciously took a half step back, "Aunt, this, this is too risky! What if we get discovered..."
"They won't be found out." Chu Ruohan was very confident. "They are guilty as thieves, and they only want to see you caught. They won't even take a closer look at the man's appearance."
"By the time they return to report, satisfied, you've already entered the examination hall. By the time they realize what's happening, the Spring Examination is already over, and it's too late."
She looked at Gu Lu's face, which was still filled with hesitation and fear, and sighed softly, her eyes softening a little.
"Brother Lu, when dealing with jackals, it's useless for sheep to retreat and dodge. You must become a hunter more ruthless than them."
"Nephew, I understand." Gu Lu bowed deeply to Chu Ruohan, "Thank you for your guidance, aunt. I know what to do now."
Chu Ruohan nodded with satisfaction and stuffed the purse into his hand.
"Go ahead, use the remaining one hundred taels to settle the person who will act for you."
"yes."
Gu Lu held the heavy purse tightly in his hand. He felt like a bastard for scheming against his aunt before.
He will never be able to repay his aunt for what she owes him in this lifetime...
After the Spring Examination, the Palace Examination will begin.
Some are happy, some are sad.
However, the courtyard of the third house of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion was filled with joy.
Mrs. Gu San cooked herself, a rare occasion, and prepared a table full of delicious food and wine.
"Mother-in-law, you have been in a good mood these days, and your complexion has become much rosier." Yang was carefully arranging the chopsticks aside.
Mrs. Gu San snorted complacently, her well-maintained face full of satisfaction. "Of course. Aside from this thorn in my heart, how could I not feel comfortable?"
Yang lowered her head, feeling very uneasy, always feeling that something was going to happen!
A few days later, the results were announced.
The entire capital was in a frenzy of anticipation.
In the Duke Zhenguo's Mansion, Chu Ruohan's courtyard was quiet.
She was teaching her daughter Gu Qingchen how to knit, but Gu Qingchen was obviously absent-minded, and the colorful silk threads in her hands became a tangled mess.
"Oh!" She sighed heavily, threw away the things in her hands, and collapsed on the couch.
"Thinking about your 'Jinghong' bow again?" Chu Ruohan didn't even raise her head, her hands moving smoothly.
"Mother, do you think the prince did it on purpose?"
Gu Qingchen turned over, hugged the pillow and said in a muffled voice: "He hangs the bow in the most conspicuous place in the study every day. Anyone can see it, but he never mentions returning it to me!"
"I went there twice, and both times he talked to me with a smile about poetry and prose, never mentioning bows. He's a smiling tiger!"
Chu Ruohan stopped what she was doing, glanced at her, and said calmly, "Then don't you want to think of another way?"
"What can I do? I can't just rob it, right?"
Gu Qingchen had a look of despair on his face. "Daddy has asked me twice, and I've been vague about it. If more time passes, I'm afraid I won't be able to hide it anymore."
"Of course you can't just force it." Chu Ruohan picked up the teacup and blew away the foam. "But there are more ways to deal with things in this world than just 'asking' or 'taking'. Doesn't he enjoy discussing poetry and prose with you?"
Gu Qingchen blinked and looked at his mother in some confusion.
Chu Ruohan raised her lips to a faint smile and said, "Since he has asked the question, just accept it."
“Sometimes, if you want to get something back, you don’t necessarily have to focus on the thing itself.”
Seeing her daughter looking thoughtful, Chu Ruohan said nothing more.
There are some things that she needs to figure out on her own before she can truly learn from them.
At this moment, Haitang hurriedly ran in from outside the yard, with an expression of uncontrollable ecstasy on her face.
"Madam! Madam! Great joy!"
Chu Ruohan put down her teacup and said angrily, "You're already grown up, yet you're still so reckless. What are you so happy about?"
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