Chapter 52 Reunion
On the other side, Gu Dashun also came out of the Gu family's old house.
Gu Dashun didn't look well.
The Gu family had a terrible New Year. In previous years, so many people would come to pay their respects that their doorstep would be worn down. But this year, everyone had heard about the government affairs and were afraid of ruining their reputation, so the Gu family's house was deserted.
The villagers didn't actually have any particular thoughts about Gu Dashun.
We've lived in this village for so many years, and everyone knows the character of Liu and Zhou. But Gu Dashun is a good prospect; he's different from the other children in the village since he was a child.
He was destined for great things, but he was dragged down by his mother and his second wife, and the villagers all felt sorry for him.
Gu Dashun didn't see it that way. He felt that everyone was mocking him, and every gaze that fell on him was full of contempt and ill intent.
As he boarded the oxcart, he saw Gu Xiaoshun and Xiao Liulang chatting and laughing.
Gu Dashun used to be happy when Gu Xiaoshun didn't cling to him, but now he felt a sense of shame and annoyance at being isolated.
Xiao Liulang and Gu Xiaoshun ignored Gu Dashun the whole time. Later, the two of them went to Class B of the Earth Rank together. Only when Gu Dashun saw the wooden sign of the class did he finally feel a little better.
What good is colluding with the enemy? In the end, you'll never amount to anything.
The academy held an exam for the returning students. Gu Dashun was determined to win first place and redeem himself, but he overexerted himself and was too tense, which caused him to perform worse than usual and fall out of the top ten.
Gu Xiaoshun was still at the bottom. He went to school only to make his sister happy, not to pass the imperial examinations, so he felt no pressure at all for being ranked last.
However, he wasn't truly without learning anything. He loved carving, and Xiao Liulang told him that the highest level of carving wasn't carving people or objects, but carving words and books. If he could carve the Four Books and Five Classics word for word without error, that would be truly remarkable.
Gu Xiaoshun took these words to heart. From that day on, he never dozed off in class again, sitting up as alert as a fighting rooster. He was determined to remember every word the teacher taught; he wanted to become a true master sculptor!
The poor student who took leave before the New Year holiday did not miss the exam this time and successfully squeezed into third from the bottom, while Xiao Liulang fell back to second from the bottom as he wished.
However, his good days did not end there. The day after the exam, he was summoned to the dean's main hall.
Looking at the Dean, who was smiling slyly in the chair, Xiao Liulang's eyes instantly filled with vigilance.
The dean smiled gently and said, "Don't be nervous. I didn't call you here today for the exam. Did you receive the examination documents for the county exam? The county exam is in ten days. I promised Jiaoniang that I would help you review your studies after school starts, and try my best to help you pass the exam and become a Xiucai. Starting today, you will come to Zhongzheng Hall to study every noon."
I haven't even settled the score with you for secretly signing up, and now you're trying to take over my lunch break?!
Xiao Liulang vehemently refused!
The dean said in a pretentious tone, "Jiao Niang told me that you have been working very hard, studying until late every day. You are not actually stupid, but I don't know why you always do poorly on tests. Maybe your study methods are not right, or maybe your enthusiasm for studying is not high... I must think of a solution."
You wouldn't let me stay at school, and you even asked the dean to give me special tutoring. I had no idea you two talked so much during my visit!
Xiao Liulang's handsome face was completely black.
"How about we begin now?" The dean smiled at Xiao Liulang.
Xiao Liulang scoffed and said casually, "I will not participate in the county examination. You might as well give up on that idea!"
After saying that, he leaned on his cane and walked away without looking back.
——
Gu Jiao knew nothing about the academy. She was still thinking that the dean would give Xiao Liulang special tutoring today. Xiao Liulang was quite talented, but he didn't put his mind to his studies. Once he had a famous teacher to guide him, he would definitely make great progress!
Gu Jiao happily tidied up the house, washed the clothes, chopped the firewood, and then said to the old lady, "Auntie, I'm going to the temple in a little while."
The old lady cracked open a melon seed and said, "What are you going to the temple for? To pray to the Bodhisattva to bless Liulang so he can pass the imperial examination and become a scholar?"
Hmm?
Gu Jiao was stunned for a moment.
So there was another way?
Although she believes in science, isn't there a saying that the end of science is theology?
She might as well pray to the Bodhisattva to bless her husband and turn him from a poor student into a top student!
...Okay, actually she went to buy the mountain.
The New Year is over, and the abbot's junior brother should be returning from his travels around the world.
Gu Jiao: "I'll have lunch..."
The old lady waved her hand: "Xiao Xue will come and do it, you can go now!"
The old lady didn't like eating food that was still hot in the pot. Although Xue Ningxiang's cooking skills were not as good as Gu Jiao's, the old lady insisted on eating freshly made food.
I wonder who spoiled him with this kind of temper.
Gu Jiao often felt that the old lady was just an ordinary person, but occasionally the old lady's habits made her feel that she seemed to be a superior person.
"You're overthinking it," Gu Jiao thought, stroking her chin before carrying her basket to the other side of the mountain.
When she arrived at the foot of the mountain, Gu Jiao saw a luxurious carriage. She found it strange. The temple was just a small temple. Why did so many important people come here?
Gu Jiao didn't take it to heart and started walking towards the top of the mountain. When she reached the last few steps, a woman's figure suddenly fell down from above.
This is a mountain path with extremely steep steps. If you fall down like this, you'll surely die.
In a flash, Gu Jiao stepped to the side and grabbed her.
The person spun around on the spot before finally regaining her balance. She looked up at Gu Jiao, and Gu Jiao looked back at her.
The moment their eyes met, they were both startled: "It's you?"
The lady smiled with delight: "Young lady, you've saved me again."
Gu Jiao asked calmly, "Why is it that every time I see you, something goes wrong?"
The lady gave an awkward smile.
Gu Jiao noticed the redness and swelling on her forehead, then looked at the mud on her knees, and asked, "Did you stumble all the way up here?"
"Yes." The lady nodded. "I prayed to the Bodhisattva to bless my son, and the Bodhisattva answered my prayer. I've come to fulfill my vow."
Although Gu Jiao also wanted to offer incense and ask the Bodhisattva to bless Xiao Liulang to pass the imperial examination, she would not do it if she had to kowtow step by step.
Jiaojiao's promise—pay attention, it'll be on the test.
(End of this chapter)
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