Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 1020: All Refused

Xu Zhao Ming was already feeling quite embarrassed, and upon hearing this, it was as if he had received a pardon. He hurriedly stood up and said: "Brother Gu, you speak too highly of me. Come with me, I’ll show you the way."

He led Gu Jin’an, Gu Dexing, Qi Kangming, and Brother Cheng away.

Gu Qingliang and Gu Qingtian did not pass the exams. After Granny Gu was beheaded, they returned home first with their grandmother, Qi Kang and his wife, Qi Panzi, and Qi Kangle. They are not here now.

Elder Xu saw that Xu Zhao Ming was speaking so politely and wanted to say something, but seeing they had already gone far, he decided not to.

Xu Zhao Ming did not take the main entrance but led Gu Jin’an and company through the back door of the shop.

Once they exited through the back door, Xu Zhao Ming felt a sense of relief and said to Gu Jin’an: "Good Brother An, don’t take it to heart, my grandfather just..."

Has taken a fancy to you, wanting to recruit you as a grandson-in-law.

Feeling a bit guilty, he continued: "It’s my fault; if only I could refuse my grandfather, today’s incident wouldn’t have happened."

Xu Zhao Ming always felt that relying on connections to get someone into the shop and have their relatives look at his family’s sisters was quite unseemly.

Gu Jin’an chuckled: "You need not feel guilty. Your family helped us greatly today; otherwise, we would still be stuck on the street."

He added: "As for other matters, rest assured. With my father here, there will be no issues."

Your father?

Xu Zhao Ming thought of Gu Dashan’s reputation as a good-natured person and doubted whether Gu Dashan could withstand his grandfather’s advances?

Gu Jin’an knew Xu Zhao Ming’s concerns but did not elaborate; instead, he smiled and said: "Let’s go. I returned the latest and must meet County Magistrate Zheng quickly, otherwise it wouldn’t be good."

As the top scorer of the county, he should have been the first to return to pay respects to County Magistrate Zheng. But due to Old Gu Family’s affairs, he had been delayed for a long time, becoming the last to return. If he didn’t hurry to meet County Magistrate Zheng, it would appear disrespectful.

County Magistrate Zheng was also awaiting Gu Jin’an eagerly; he was the happiest about Gu Jin’an’s achievement as the top scorer. If he could also achieve top student in the academy examination, he would have accomplished the small three yuan, ranking quite high in Jianghuai.

"Has Gu Jin’an arrived?" County Magistrate Zheng asked Steward Zheng, who shared his surname.

Steward Zheng saw County Magistrate Zheng’s impatient demeanor and laughed: "He should be arriving soon. Gu Jin’an handles things with care and won’t keep you waiting long. It’s just Village Chief He causing a fuss, blocking the way."

Otherwise, he would have arrived earlier; government officials said Luo Family Escort Agency’s mule cart was headed straight for the county government.

Speaking of Village Chief He, County Magistrate Zheng gritted his teeth: "That old man really doesn’t know how to handle things, making such a commotion and blocking people."

Steward Zheng said: "The first top scorer of Tianfu County, Village Chief He feels like their village is seeing smoke rising from ancestors’ graves. Seeking to bring fame to the village is quite natural."

Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Zheng refrained from further comment.

As they were speaking, Luo Wu knocked on the door and came in: "Sir, Steward Zheng, Gu Jin’an has arrived."

Luo Wu had taken leave to fetch someone; County Magistrate Zheng knew about his relationship with Gu Family and did not make things difficult, quickly granting him leave. Now seeing him coming to work while on leave was quite gratifying: "Invite them in."

Steward Zheng chuckled; just a moment ago he was so anxious, but now that the person arrived, his manner turned formal.

"Yes." Luo Wu responded, promptly bringing Gu Jin’an and the others in. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

He Jinseng and He Yinseng, the two brothers, also came along, wanting to make themselves familiar to County Magistrate Zheng.

As soon as Gu Jin’an and company saw County Magistrate Zheng, they knelt: "Tianfu County student Gu Jin’an, Qi Kangming, Gu Dexing, pay respects to Lord County Magistrate, we are fortunate to have succeeded, attaining student status."

County Magistrate Zheng holds official status, and Gu Jin’an and the others are not yet scholars, so kneeling before him is indeed within the Great Chu Criminal Law.

County Magistrate Zheng hurried to help them up: "Quickly rise, you are now students. Once you pass the June academy examination, you will be scholars and need not kneel before this official."

Mentioning the June academy examination, he advised: "You returned late; you must seize the time to study and not miss the June academy examination."

Though Gu Jin’an remained stable, County Magistrate Zheng feared he might miss the opportunity before the academy examination is passed.

Gu Jin’an answered: "I will certainly focus and study well, aiming to pass the academy examination."

County Magistrate Zheng nodded with satisfaction and turned his attention to the quieter Qi Kangming, praising: "You did quite well too; as long as you don’t become complacent, you will certainly pass the academy examination."

This time, at the college examination, their Tianfu County indeed made a grand showing, not only with the highest number of students passing but also claiming both the top scorer and third place.

Shortly after the results were announced, he received accolades from the Magistrate, as well as sour letters from seven other county magistrates in He’an Prefecture.

Qi Kangming smiled and bowed to County Magistrate Zheng: "Lord County Magistrate over-praises, I will certainly strive to pass the academy examination and not disappoint you."

"Good, well said." County Magistrate Zheng was pleased and then looked at the somewhat nervous Gu Dexing, patting him on the shoulder: "Gu Dexing, you did very well too; relax a bit. As long as you focus on your studies and avoid mistakes, you have a good chance of passing the academy examination."

Gu Jin’an and Qi Kangming naturally had reputations for talent, so achieving good results was expected. But Gu Dexing surprised County Magistrate Zheng, unexpectedly obtaining the twelfth place in the county examination.

With competition among students from eight counties, achieving such a rank speaks to his effort and ability.

Gu Dexing didn’t expect County Magistrate Zheng to praise him, feeling both excited and nervous to the point of stammering: "L-lord County Magistrate, o-over-praises."

County Magistrate Zheng laughed, seeing Gu Dexing so nervous: "Don’t be nervous, sit down, and let’s have a talk."

But Gu Dexing’s hands and feet were stiff; this was the most successful moment of his life.

Brother Cheng laughed, pulling him by the hand: "Brother Dexing, sit down quickly; Uncle Zheng is very congenial, no need to be afraid."

Brother Cheng studied alongside Zheng Qing; County Magistrate Zheng was quite fond of him and smiled upon hearing this: "Brother Cheng is right, you need not fear this official. In a few years, we might become colleagues."

"I dare not!" Gu Dexing blurted out, feeling a bit dizzy.

County Magistrate Zheng saw him too nervous and didn’t say anything more, merely teasing Brother Cheng playfully. Later, after speaking a bit with Gu Jin’an and the others, he suddenly shifted topics to remind Gu Jin’an: "As the top scorer, returning to the countryside will surely have many matchmakers coming to visit. Don’t rush into anything, just aim for scholar status, and good matches will naturally come."

The Zheng Family has cast its eyes on Gu Jin’an, intending to pair him with a daughter from a collateral branch.

Indeed, it’s a girl from a collateral branch, not a noble daughter from the main branch.

Although Gu Jin’an showed great promise, his background was too humble. The Zheng Family is a noble family, and daughters from the main branch are matched with noble sons or high-ranking officials’ descendants. What Gu Jin’an could be matched with was one from the collateral branch.

But even a girl from the collateral branch was something others would eagerly seek.

However, Gu Jin’an politely refused: "Rest assured, sir, I once swore that until I pass the scholar examination, I will not consider marriage. My parents consented to this, and I will not be introduced to anyone for these two years."

Gu Jin’an refused skillfully, causing County Magistrate Zheng to simply respond with a slight surprise: "Very ambitious."

With Gu Jin’an’s capabilities, passing the scholar examination wouldn’t be difficult. The Zheng Family had many daughters from collateral branches; matching him with a suitable one after he succeeds wouldn’t be an issue.