Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 713 - 549: Kneel or Not Kneel?

"That’s right! I’ve already told the village. We need to hold a three-day banquet, inviting our village and the neighboring ones for the feast."

Mr. Gu heard the commotion outside and quickly came out to rescue his son.

Even though he hadn’t seen his second brother for many years, they had already caught up, naturally making his own son a priority.

Besides, they wouldn’t leave immediately after coming, so there would always be opportunities to talk about these years’ experiences later.

"Everyone! My son has just returned, and he hasn’t even put down his luggage. Please let him go inside and freshen up. Moreover, we still have esteemed guests, and we mustn’t neglect them."

Mr. Gu had indeed learned some refined words over the past couple of years. The gentry and landlords who came to visit were always received by his eldest brother and him, so he had memorized some polite phrases.

Uncle Gu, upon hearing this from inside the house, remembered that he had forgotten about their own official guest. Thus, he didn’t bother about Gu Changbai and his wife and hurried out of the house.

"Everyone, please return! Once Xiao Bao is settled, we can welcome everyone over. Look! The luggage isn’t even put down yet!"

"Make way! Old Uncle and Uncle Lin are here, don’t block the way." Suddenly, there was a push from the back, and those inside quickly moved aside.

Old Uncle and Uncle Lin were the village’s most senior elders, especially since both had studied some in their youth, making them the most respected in the village.

The crowd parted to make way, and Gu Chengyu saw Old Uncle walking at the front.

Old Uncle, being of high seniority, wasn’t differentiated among the younger generations, so everyone unanimously called him Old Uncle.

Old Uncle walked to Gu Chengyu’s side and made a surprising move that shocked everyone.

He supported himself with his cane and slowly knelt down, "This old man pays respects to the official!"

Gu Chengyu was so startled that he almost jumped. What was happening? He rushed forward to help Old Uncle up, "Old Uncle, what are you doing?"

Luckily, the elderly man’s movement was slow and he hadn’t knelt down yet, otherwise, he would be drowned by the villagers’ criticism.

How could someone of Old Uncle’s age kneel to him? Gu Chengyu felt guilty!

But Old Uncle struggled to break free of Gu Chengyu’s hand, insisting on kneeling. Surprisingly, the frail old man had amazing strength at that moment.

Gu Chengyu didn’t expect Old Uncle to be so adamant, "Old Uncle! Please get up. You will overwhelm me! You are the most respected person in the village, and I am just a junior. How can I deserve your kneel?"

"Yes! Old Uncle, please get up. Xiao Bao wouldn’t dare let you kneel to him. That would shorten his lifespan!"

Mr. Gu was also anxious. With someone of such age, if he really knelt, the neighbors would surely spread the word that their son got a high-ranking position and became arrogant.

The Gu Family members came back to their senses from the shock. What was going on?

Uncle Lin’s expression was slightly unnatural. He wasn’t a Gu, so naturally, he didn’t feel as deeply about the Gu Family’s exceptional talent. This old fellow is kneeling, does it mean he also has to kneel?

"Old Uncle, even Ren Changqing said so; please don’t be so stubborn."

Everyone started to persuade in a cacophony; they found Old Uncle’s stubbornness today a bit odd.

Old Uncle, supported by Gu Chengyu and Mr. Gu, couldn’t kneel down anymore.

He knocked his cane heavily on the ground several times, and everyone knew Old Uncle had something to say, so they quickly quieted down.

"It is customary for the people to kneel to an official. When the County Magistrate came, everyone had to kneel. Xiao Bao holds a position higher than a County Magistrate, so why is he exempt from kneeling?"

Upon hearing Old Uncle’s words, everyone looked somewhat embarrassed.

"You people think you watched Xiao Bao grow up, he’s young, and you want to use your seniority to not regard him as a court official."

After speaking, Old Uncle glanced at everyone present. Gu Chengyu was the pride of the Gu Family. Today, he came to save face for Gu Chengyu, which was also to earn face for the Gu Family.

The Gu Family had already set one foot into a scholarly family. As long as their descendants succeed, shaking off the peasant class and becoming an official family wasn’t difficult.

Starting today, he wanted to make everyone understand that the Gu Family had risen and was no longer on the same level as them.

And Gu Chengyu, as the pride of the Gu Family, should stand above everyone else.

Everyone exchanged glances; they didn’t know what to do now.

In truth, Old Uncle was right, but they were used to being on equal footing with the Gu Family, and asking them to kneel felt like losing face. So should they kneel or not?

Gu Chengyu finally understood Old Uncle’s intention. He wanted the clan and villagers to develop a sense of respect and awe for him.

However, he also understood that this wasn’t something that could change overnight.

These people watched him grow up, and his previous image was deeply rooted in their hearts.

If he wanted the villagers to respect him, it had to be demonstrated through actions. Forcing them now might cause dissatisfaction, and even if they knelt, they would harbor resentment.

Changing their perception of him couldn’t be rushed; it had to be carefully planned.

He didn’t naively believe he should blend in with the villagers and not uphold his official demeanor.

The class system of this era existed, and since his identity was now different, he had to adapt to it.

Moreover, if his neighbors didn’t respect him, how could he expect others to?

Uncle Gu was also somewhat hesitant. The Gu Family was different now. Xiao Bao’s status would only rise, and he couldn’t interact as he did before.

"Old Uncle! Seniors are generally exempt from kneeling to officials. Please don’t overwhelm me. We’re all neighbors; there’s no need to take this so seriously today."

"Father! You entertain the neighbors; I need to escort Brother Zhu to my courtyard." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Gu Chengyu merely stated that kneeling wasn’t necessary today, leaving it ambiguous for them to decide themselves.

"Jinyu! Your neighbors are extremely hospitable. Are you always this well-received when you return home?"

Zhu Pang noticed that Gu Chengyu was not as enthusiastic as when he first returned and realized he was upset about Gu Changbai’s issue, so he quickly changed the topic.

Gu Chengyu smiled, "How could they be so welcoming every time I return? But now that I’ve become an official, this being my first return, the neighbors are naturally more enthusiastic."

"We’re here! Brother Zhu, look! This is my own house, where I plan to spend my twilight years."

Gu Chengyu looked at the three-part courtyard and realized it was more impressive than the old house.

"The scenery here is nice, but are you sure you’ll return here in your old age? Everyone has many obligations, and perhaps you’ll still be wandering in a foreign land then."

Zhu Pang, looking at the courtyard, suddenly felt a bit melancholic.

Gu Chengyu was surprised, looking at Zhu Pang, who was gazing at the house. He had never noticed this melancholy side of Zhu Pang before.

"Ahem! Recently, I read a story about a scholar who became a Prince Consort and lived happily in the Capital his whole life." Zhu Pang suddenly said with a more serious tone.

Gu Chengyu: "..."