CHAPTER 167: CHAPTER 1: HEADING TO THE COUNTY

By early spring, it was already February. The chill of spring lingered, and the morning wind still carried a biting cold.

Gu Chengyu put down his brush and stretched lazily. Practicing calligraphy in the morning and evening had become his habit, a daily ritual. Today was the seventh of February; Gu Chengyu and his companions planned to head to the county town today because the county examination was scheduled for the next day.

"Xiao Bao! It’s still chilly in the morning! Why are you wearing so little?" Mrs. Lv emerged from the kitchen, noticing that Gu Chengyu only wore a single layer outside while she was still clad in her padded jacket!

"Mother! I’m not cold. Where’s Father? Has he risen?" Compared to most burly men, Gu Chengyu was more resistant to the cold.

"Your father went to your Uncle’s home. Isn’t Hua also going for the exam? Your father went to ask them when they planned to leave. Hurry back and put on more clothes so you don’t catch a chill. Haven’t you heard that catching cold can affect your exam?" Mrs. Lv had once heard of someone fainting due to a cold during an exam, needing to be carried out.

Gu Chengyu had no choice but to turn back and put on a padded jacket while packing what he needed to bring. He packed two sets of inner clothing for change, wore an outer garment, and the rest were all books and writing materials. Other necessities were tucked away in his space, not displayed openly.

The stationery for this exam was purchased from Manager Pan’s shop, better than what was used regularly.

"Husband! What did Brother say? When are we leaving?" Mrs. Lv’s voice sounded from outside.

"They said we would leave after having lunch. If we’re late, we fear not finding a place at the inn. During exams, every inn is packed full. Arriving late, even the firewood room might be unavailable for accommodation."

Gu Chengyu recalled that during his last visit to Huichun Hall, Manager Liu had instructed that if they came to town for the exam, they could stay at the back courtyard of Huichun Hall.

The Gu Family planted a few acres of medicinal herbs each year. Besides what was needed for their own use, the rest was sent to Huichun Hall, earning them some Silver.

However, Gu Chengyu was reluctant to trouble Manager Liu. The back courtyard of Huichun Hall had several rooms, but it wasn’t solely occupied by Manager Liu. Master Zhang also stayed in the back courtyard. Since the incident with the honeysuckle, Master Zhang had harbored a grudge against the Gu Family and didn’t show a friendly face when they met, so Gu Chengyu didn’t want to impose.

"Father! Let’s eat an early lunch and head out! I need to meet the teacher at the private school; there are three senior brothers going for the exam together. Hua and I should pay a respectful visit to the teacher." Gu Chengyu said to Mr. Gu, who was standing in the yard smoking a tobacco pipe, as he stepped out of the house.

"Alright! After lunch, we’ll call Hua, along with the second child and the second son, to leave together. After all, it’s your teacher who vouches for them."

Mr. Gu calculated that, all in all, there were quite a few people. Six people on their ox-cart, though the compartment was small, should fit snugly. If not, they could remove the compartment to make more room.

By the time they finished lunch, Uncle Gu and Gu Wanhua had already arrived at the gate of the Gu Family’s courtyard.

Six people sat on the ox-cart, and it was already quite packed, not to mention some luggage.

When the ox-cart arrived at the private school, the door was already open. Gu Chengyu and his group entered the private school; they were not considered early, as Ye Zhiqiu and Sun Xian had arrived, with only He Shunian absent.

"Is this Gu Wanjiang? Is your teacher doing well?" Although the two were not very acquainted, they had met a few times, and greetings were customary.

"The teacher is healthy and instructed me to particularly thank Mr. Wen. Without Mr. Wen agreeing to be my guarantor, I wouldn’t have found a 禀生’s guarantee."

Upon entering, Gu Wanjiang observed the elegance of the private school, noting how inferior the one in Xiasang Village was in comparison. The village’s school merely converted a few rooms and lacked the gardens and corridors found here.

Seeing Mr. Wen’s distinguished demeanor and inherent authority, Gu Wanjiang felt somewhat disconcerted. At that time, he didn’t know if Little Uncle had mentioned him to Mr. Wen, or he might have been already under Mr. Wen’s tutelage. Even now, merely taking an exam required using Little Uncle’s connections to request Mr. Wen’s guarantee.

Mr. Wen was taken aback, perplexed. Although Mr. Niu from Xiasang Village was not a 禀生, every year, exams were never missed; students sat exams with the guarantee of acquainted 禀生 from the town. Paying silver was expected, for being a guarantor carried risks, and silver was needed for a family’s livelihood. Why did Gu Wanjiang say such a thing?

Although Mr. Wen found it puzzling, it was inappropriate to probe further, and he decided to drop the topic. He had agreed to vouch for Gu Wanjiang solely for Gu Chengyu’s sake, without receiving any payment. For a mere acquaintance, he wouldn’t intervene, silver or not. Little did Mr. Wen know that Mr. Niu disapproved of Gu Wanjiang sitting for exams.

After waiting for a quarter-hour, He Shunian finally arrived, albeit tardily.

"I’m so sorry for being late!" He Shunian, carrying a bundle, sported a sheen of sweat on his forehead.

"The hour is almost late; it’s time to set off! Don’t feel pressured for this exam; your knowledge suffices—just perform well!" Seeing everyone was present, Mr. Wen didn’t waste words, urging them to commence their journey promptly.

Outside at the courtyard, Mr. Gu engaged in a conversation with a man around forty, who was none other than He Shunian’s father.

Sun Xian’s household only had a sick mother, making it impossible for her to send him off; similarly, Ye Zhiqiu’s family was all womenfolk, unable to come either, so Gu Chengyu guessed it had to be He Shunian’s father. He Shunian’s family was relatively wealthy farmers, hence their apparel, made of fine cotton cloth, was of better quality.

Due to the large number of people, another ox-cart was summoned; otherwise, one ox-cart wouldn’t suffice for so many. The hired ox-cart lacked a compartment, allowing more people to fit.

An hour later, Gu Chengyu and his group reached the county town’s gate. Lifting the curtain, Gu Chengyu noticed a familiar figure by the gate.

"Father! Look, isn’t that Brother Dongzi?" As the ox-cart drew nearer, Gu Chengyu recognized the figure as Dongzi from Huichun Hall.

"Hey? It really is Dongzi? What’s he up to? Seems like he’s waiting for someone!"

Dongzi scanned the steady flow of carriages at the town gate, searching for the Gu Family’s ox-cart among them.

Suddenly, as the Gu Family’s ox-cart appeared within view, "Third Uncle Gu!"

Dongzi briskly ran up to the ox-cart and leapt onto the shaft.

"What brings you here? Waiting for someone?" Mr. Gu asked curiously as Dongzi hopped onto the cart.

"Manager Liu had me wait here for you. Xiao Bao mentioned the approximate time on his last visit. Figuring you’d return to town around now, Manager Liu had me stand by here to meet you."

Dongzi greeted Uncle Gu and the others in the compartment with a smile.

"Brother Dongzi! Manager Liu is indeed courteous, but this time we can’t stay at Huichun Hall. With so many of our family and classmates, it seems Huichun Hall won’t accommodate us all. Please convey my apologies to Manager Liu. Once we settle down in an inn, I’ll personally visit to offer my apologies."

Gu Chengyu hadn’t anticipated such hospitality from Manager Liu, which pleasantly surprised him.

"Ha-ha! Xiao Bao! As you said, our manager already foresaw this. Realizing there were many in your family plus attendees for the exam, he left instructions for me to accompany you to the inn he reserved. Lodgings are all arranged. Knowing well your family’s size, the back courtyard couldn’t accommodate everyone. And securing an inn during this time is no easy feat—those near the examination grounds are fully booked, even those farther away!" Dongzi chuckled toward Gu Chengyu.