Chapter 281: Chapter 282: Lodging
Kuang Yunqiao gave a strained laugh. The reunion dinner was just a nice-sounding name; she hadn’t actually notified the Marquis or Bai Jingyang.
She had assumed that since the old woman had been feeling unwell these days, she would likely be absent as well.
She never expected her to show up and ruin it all.
When Old Madam Bai didn’t see her son and grandson, she couldn’t contain her temper. "You audacious Ms. Kuang! You tricked my eldest grandson, telling him to come back for a reunion dinner, yet you didn’t even notify the whole family! Look at what you’ve turned this household into!
You made this old woman drag her broken body all the way here, happy as can be for a reunion dinner, and this is how you arranged it?..."
Bai Jinglie had long expected this scene. He hid behind the Old Madam, watching the drama unfold with a look of pure contentment.
When the Old Madam finished berating Kuang Yunqiao and ordered her to go to the ancestral hall to copy the family rules, he knew she had vented most of her anger.
He quickly went to soothe the old woman. "Grandmother, you mustn’t get so angry you harm your health. How about I call the Imperial Physician to take a look? He can check your pulse for good measure."
Old Madam Bai patted his hand. "My eldest grandson is still the most filial. Some people just pay lip service, secretly wishing this old woman would hurry up and ascend to the heavens."
Bai Jinglie quickly covered the Old Madam’s mouth. "You mustn’t say such things! You still have to live to be a hundred."
"It seems this reunion dinner won’t be happening today. I’ll escort you back."
"Let’s go. When we get back, Grandma will pick out a good wife for you. When the Holy Emperor issues a decree for the marriage, it will be a great honor for our family."
After speaking, she shot a pointed look at Kuang Yunqiao. Seeing her cheeks flush red with anxiety, she took Bai Jinglie’s arm in satisfaction and turned to leave.
"Auntie," Kuang Tianman, who had been too scared to speak, said anxiously, "what did they mean by that just now?"
"How should I know what it means?" Kuang Yunqiao was fuming. "Go back to your room for now. I’ll find you when I’ve thought of a plan."
Kuang Tianman wanted to say more, but just then, the Old Madam’s nanny came over. "Madam, the Old Madam asks that you go to the ancestral hall now."
Kuang Yunqiao, "..."
* * *
Jin Qianqian looked with satisfaction at the results of the past few days. ’It seems you really have to push people a little. Just look—even Tianbao, who has zero experience, completed his tasks perfectly.’
With two storefronts, Jin Qianqian didn’t hesitate. Four people: two shopkeepers and two accountants. Everything was now ready. They just had to pick an auspicious day to officially open for business.
As the newly appointed shopkeeper of the West City Soap Shop, the last trace of disappointment in Hong Tianbao’s heart had completely transformed into gratitude.
When Hong Da heard the news, he even made a special trip to the second gate to kowtow a few times in the direction of the inner courtyard.
As a candidate from out of town, Gu Wenheng didn’t have to squeeze into an inn like the others, so he had no idea that rooms outside had become impossible to find.
Liu Wenping arrived outside the Gu Mansion with his attendant student. Before his trip, Gu Wenheng had made a polite offer for him to stay at the mansion.
He had jokingly accepted, but planned to stay at an inn to avoid troubling them. Yet he never imagined that in the end, he would still have to show up and ask for help.
"Mr. Liu, please come in." As soon as Housekeeper Fu received the news, he sent someone to inform the master and came out to greet the guest himself.
This man was the master’s senior from the academy and a fellow scholar taking the same exam. Having served the Gu family for so long, Housekeeper Fu naturally knew how to handle the situation.
"Is Wenheng not at the mansion?" Liu Wenping’s freshly mustered courage completely vanished. He even felt the urge to turn around and leave.
"Brother Liu, you can come in even if I’m not here." Gu Wenheng strode toward them. Behind him, Ming Feng went over and took the luggage from Liu Wenping’s attendant student.
"Wenheng, I’m afraid I have to shamelessly impose on you this time," Liu Wenping said, mustering his courage.
Gu Wenheng replied, "Brother, you can’t say that. We’re students from the same academy; it’s only natural for us to look out for each other when we’re away from home.
You’ve had a long journey. Please, let’s go inside."
Liu Wenping knew, of course, that standing in the street was no place to talk, so he followed him inside.
"It’s just that all the inns outside are completely full. I was delayed by some matters and couldn’t come earlier to book a room. I’m afraid I’ll have to impose on you for a while."
Gu Wenheng said, "Brother, if you keep talking like that, I’ll get angry.
We have courtyards ready and available. I’ve already had someone prepare one for you. Take a look later, and if there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, I’ll have Housekeeper Fu arrange it for you."
Liu Wenping’s eyes filled with gratitude. "Something simple is fine. I’m already troubling you too much..."
"..."
That night, Jin Qianqian and Gu Wenheng learned that there were far more exam candidates this year than in previous years.
"This is almost like the university entrance exams, or even more brutal. So many people fighting over just a hundred-some tickets into officialdom." Jin Qianqian couldn’t help but be flabbergasted when she heard the numbers.
Even in later generations, the civil service exams weren’t this restrictive.
Gu Wenheng shook his head. "Not to mention the old officials from the previous dynasty, but back then, the late emperor kept many official posts to appease the court.
For the sake of his reputation, he also arranged positions for all the subordinates who helped him conquer the land.
The annual salary the court pays out isn’t low, but there aren’t many people who actually do the work.
On top of that, because of the national mourning period in recent years, the imperial examinations haven’t been held for a long time. Everyone is pinning their hopes on this one."
Although Jin Qianqian didn’t have the exact numbers yet, the fact that the inns in Shangjing were already full with so much time left before the examinations spoke volumes.
"So, it’s no wonder so many dynasties have vanished into the torrent of history.
If they don’t implement reforms, they’ll collapse on their own without any need for foreign enemies."
Gu Wenheng pulled her into his arms. "That’s why we have no other way out. If we are merely merchants, we won’t have the power to protect ourselves.
Starting tonight, I’ll go into your space to study for a while every evening."
Gu Wenheng, who had been full of confidence, now felt a sense of pressure and thought he could still work a little harder.
Jin Qianqian rested her head on his shoulder. "You’re working so hard. Starting today, I’ll have someone make more nourishing soups for you to help build up your strength."
An image of Shan Ke’an suddenly flashed through Gu Wenheng’s mind, and he quickly shook his head. "...Actually, it’s not hard at all. I’m just holding a book. I’ll make sure to balance work and rest."
Jin Qianqian said, "...Didn’t you used to like soups and broths?"
Gu Wenheng replied, "...I’ve suddenly lost my taste for them lately.
But you should have the kitchen staff take extra care of Brother Liu. I’ve noticed he has lost a lot of weight recently. He’s the one who needs to eat more nourishing food."
Jin Qianqian had also gone over to greet him earlier that day. "I really don’t understand why all these scholars are so frail, looking like a strong wind could blow them over. I’m glad you’re not like them.
Don’t worry! Now that he’s a guest in our mansion, we know how to be hospitable. I’ll have the kitchen send them six meals a day."
Gu Wenheng: "..." ’Sorry, Brother!’
