Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 959: Where Did the Silver Come From?

Chapter 959: Chapter 959: Where Did the Silver Come From?

Mrs. Cui got up earlier than Gu Dashan, rising before dawn to kill chickens and braise meat, preparing offerings, busy for an hour. When Gu Jin’an and the others woke up, she urged them to quickly bathe and change clothes, and offer incense to heaven and earth for protection.

Third Grandma, on the other hand, instructed the family: "Today, none of you are allowed to speak unluckily. Keep this in mind and speak pleasing words."

"Got it, Third Grandma." Gu Jinxiu replied, starting to prepare reward money. She was already managing the accounts, handling large money aside from the silver earned from her embroidery work.

Although learning these things is quite bothersome, with the help of Ms. Chu and Sister Li, it’s not too tiring.

Gu Jinli felt much more relaxed. After getting up, brushing her teeth, and washing her face, she practiced martial arts for an hour, then began sipping soy milk while watching Gu Jin’an and the others, dressed smartly and gracefully, kneeling and repeating the words of prayer with Third Grandma.

She laughed at some amusing parts, only to receive a stern glare from Third Grandma. If it wasn’t during worship, Gu Jinli would have been scolded.

After worshiping heaven and earth, they also had to pay respects to their ancestors and those family and villagers who had died on the journey of escape. When Gu Jin’an and the others finished worshiping, Gu Jinli and the others also had to pay their respects.

In total, Gu Jinli bowed no less than twenty times facing east, causing her head to spin a bit.

"Alright, hurry up and eat breakfast. After breakfast, go and wait for the list," Third Grandma urged Gu Jin’an and the others, serving them the breakfast prepared by the family.

The breakfast was quite good, all substantial and filling items. Gu Jin’an found the beef patty delicious, packed a plate into a lunchbox, intending to let Yao Youqian taste it when he picks him up.

Before long, Gu Jin’an and the others finished breakfast, boarded the mule cart, and left to await the list.

The adults like Gu Dashan did not go with them, allowing Gu Jin’an and the others to socialize, while the adults stayed home waiting.

Gu Jinli wished to go see the commotion, but since she had already come of age, while Gu Jin’an and the others would be interacting with many young examinees today, and Qin San Lang wasn’t there, she could only wait at home.

Brother Cheng was considerate, saying to her: "Second Sister, don’t be upset. When I come back, I’ll describe it to you, so you can also experience the excitement of the Prefecture Examination results."

Gu Jinli smiled: "Alright, but you have to mimic it well. If you don’t, it won’t sound exciting."

Brother Cheng nodded: "Mm, I’ll make sure to mimic it well, ensuring Second Sister will be amused."

Gu Jin’an pressed his head down: "What are you going to learn? You’re not a storyteller, if you keep this up, you’re about to become a little gossip."

"Hehe." Brother Cheng promised with a laugh: "I definitely won’t; I will be more skilled than a storyteller."

"Alright, stop with the cheekiness, let’s hurry and leave, or we won’t take you." Gu Jin’an said, picked him up onto the mule cart, said goodbye to the family adults, and left on the mule cart.

They first went to the Liu Family in the north of the city.

Upon arriving at the Liu Family’s place, Yao Youqian was still working, chopping wood for the Liu Family noisily, when Mrs. Liu brought Gu Jin’an and the others inside. He was momentarily stunned, then laughed heartily: "Brother Gu, you’re here so early. The Prefecture Examination results will be announced at noon."

Gu Jin’an said: "You’re not in a hurry at all; I suppose you are confident."

After speaking, he handed the four-color gift to Mrs. Liu: "Aunt Liu, sorry for intruding."

Mrs. Liu was a straightforward person and did not refuse. After accepting the gift, she instructed her grandsons to serve them tea and move chairs.

Qi Kangming and Gu Dexing also came in, greeted Yao Youqian.

Seeing them, Yao Youqian was very pleased, reciprocated the gesture, and replied to what Gu Jin’an had said earlier: "It’s a fifty-fifty chance, but if I fail the exam, being at the Ritual Room gate before dawn is of no use."

"Good day, Brother Yao." Brother Cheng came closer, squatted beside Yao Youqian, and said: "Third Grandma said today we shouldn’t speak unlucky words."

Failing the exam is absolutely forbidden to mention.

Yao Youqian chuckled: "Indeed, we shouldn’t talk unluckily. However, if one’s performance is good, even if unlucky words are uttered, it won’t matter and still succeed."

"Brother Yao is indeed open-minded." Gu Jin’an liked Yao Youqian all the more and said to Brother Cheng: "Make sure to learn well from your Brother Yao; such temperament is commendable."

Brother Cheng nodded: "Mm, got it."

He then helped Yao Youqian stack the chopped firewood in piles.

Yao Youqian was surprised: "You know how to stack wood?"

Though seemingly a refined young man, exuding nobility, he knows how to do these farm chores.

Brother Cheng nodded: "Mm, I also know how to chop wood, grind beans, farm, and collect herbs, doing quite a bit of farm work."

His elder brother said that even if the family becomes wealthy, he must continue to work; the family won’t nurture useless members.

Yao Youqian listened and said: "Impressive, very capable."

After speaking, while chopping wood, he recited sentences from university studies, and seeing Brother Cheng able to respond, was delighted. He then recited tales from Spring and Autumn, and Brother Cheng still understood. Being very happy, he said to Gu Jin’an: "Your little brother is remarkable, having read Spring and Autumn at such a young age."

This little fellow barely reaches his stomach, likely no more than eight years old, yet has such abilities.

Gu Jin’an said: "Brother Yao, don’t praise him too much. The more you praise, the thicker his skin will grow, and he’ll start flying."

Brother Cheng laughed heartily, helped Yao Youqian finish the chores, and after Yao tidied himself, they sat the mule cart to Futai Building.

"Boss Hu of Futai Building has old ties with our family. He reserved a private room for us to wait for the results." Gu Jin’an said.

Yao Youqian laughed: "Thanks to Brother Gu; if not for your invitation, I’d have to squeeze through crowds just to see the results on the main street."

Gu Jin’an shook his head, questioned: "Will Brother Yao see the results himself? Or just wait for the government office to bring joyful news, saving time to earn silver?"

Seeing Yao Youqian’s work enthusiasm today, Gu Jin’an knew he hadn’t intended to go see the results, just waiting for news from the government office. If there were no joyful news, he would check later when the crowd lessens; if he didn’t get in, he probably wouldn’t be too upset.

Yao Youqian felt embarrassed being spoken of so aptly by Gu Jin’an, scratched his head and laughed: "Brother Gu truly insightful, though I inwardly wish to know whether I pass sooner, there’re so many people, I know there’s waiting, so I didn’t waste time on it."

They chatted and laughed, ate beef patties, and after finishing, the mule cart reached Futai Building.

Manager Hu had been waiting, and when he saw Gu Jin’an and the others arriving, he immediately greeted them: "Young Masters Gu, you’ve arrived, please follow me to the third-floor private room."

Nearby were some folks coming to Futai Building to wait for the announcement, and upon hearing ’third-floor private room’, were astonished and pointed at Gu Jin’an and the others: "Manager Hu, who are they to warrant a third-floor private room?"

Private rooms on the third floor of Futai Building are generally not open, reserved only for truly distinguished guests.

Manager Hu smiled silently, made a gesture of invitation, and led Gu Jin’an and the others into the restaurant.

"Is Gu Jin’an from Tianfu County here?!" A porter in plain clothes shouted loudly.

Gu Jin’an narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, turned his head and asked: "I am Gu Jin’an from Tianfu County."

The porter saluted him and said: "I’m here to deliver a message, Young Master Lv, top scorer of Yujiang County, reserved a private room at Gaosong Building for you to wait and said that although Futai Building’s food is delicious, Gaosong Building is the top restaurant in the Prefecture."