Chapter 144: Passing the Examination

Su Wan pinched Gu Jingyun’s cheek. “Today is a great day, so why the long face?”

“Sister-in-law, half the day has already passed, and we haven’t received any good news. Could it be that Big Brother failed the exam?” Gu Baozhu’s small face was filled with disappointment as she murmured, “Big Brother used to be good at his studies, but he hasn’t studied for many years, and his learning might have fallen behind.”

Gu Jingyun agreed wholeheartedly, nodding like a woodpecker. “Dean Lin has been in a bad mood lately. I heard he sent someone to inquire about Big Brother’s results in the provincial examination. Those who took the exam with Big Brother said that during the very first session at the Gongyuan (the examination hall), someone falsely accused him of cheating. Although he later cleared his name, Big Brother seemed to give up on himself, became disheartened, and spent all day sleeping. He answered the exam questions haphazardly; while others took at least half a day to finish, he was done in just one hour.”

How could she not know Gu Huaizhi’s kind-hearted nature?

Self-destructive, and disheartened.

These words were hard to associate with someone like Gu Huaizhi.

Su Wan ruffled the hair of the two little ones. “Alright, alright, you two are overthinking. Why couldn’t it be that your Big Brother is just too amazing? Maybe he crushed them all effortlessly?”

She said to Gu Jingyun, “Be more confident. If you can get first place, would your Big Brother dare to call you ‘Big Brother’ if he fails?”

Gu Jingyun, hearing this, initially thought it made sense. But after thinking more carefully, his dark eyes widened. “Sister-in-law, why can’t I be better than Big Brother? Isn’t there a saying, ‘The student surpasses the master’?”

“Be good; he wants to be your role model,” Su Wan coaxed.

Gu Jingyun grumbled, his little face drooping as he sighed, “Fine, if Big Brother fails, then so be it. Anyway, I’m still here to hold up the fort!”

Su Wan: “…”

Gu Baozhu pouted, “Say that again when you’ve passed the imperial exams yourself. Right now, you’re just bragging.”

Gu Jingyun: “…”

Gu Baozhu struck again, “All your knowledge was taught by Big Brother. If he can’t pass, then you definitely have no chance.”

Gu Jingyun: “…”

Gu Baozhu struck a third time, “You only got into Xihe Academy because Sister-in-law helped you get the qualification. Big Brother was personally invited by Dean Lin.”

The difference in their academic abilities was obvious, and she twisted the knife further, “Gu Jingyun, you’re getting too arrogant. That’s a major taboo for scholars!”

“Shut up!” Gu Jingyun snapped, his face stern. “If you can’t speak properly, then don’t speak at all!”

Seeing Gu Jingyun flustered, Gu Baozhu laughed gleefully, finally managing to turn the tables for once!

Gu Jingyun’s face darkened.

Gu Baozhu tilted her head, blinking her big eyes. “The teacher said I’m improving faster than you!”

“I got first place. Did you even make it into the top fifty?”

“The teacher said not to care too much about rankings, but to surpass oneself.”

“Surpass myself? What am I supposed to do, fly to the sky?” Gu Jingyun said with a blank expression.

Gu Baozhu looked confused. “Can you even get up there?”

Gu Jingyun: “…”

Su Wan hugged the blanket, laughing so hard that she fell back onto the bed.

Gu Huaizhi walked into the room and saw this scene: Gu Jingyun and Gu Baozhu bickering like squabbling chicks, while Su Wan’s long black hair spilled messily onto the blanket, the red bedding making her porcelain-like skin look as white as jade.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, filling the room with a lively atmosphere.

“Have you slept enough? I made yam and egg soup; would you like to get up and have some?” Gu Huaizhi took some clothes from the wooden rack and placed them by her pillow.

A hand emerged from under Su Wan’s blanket. “Help me up.”

Gu Huaizhi gazed deeply into her bright, striking eyes, took her hand, and pulled her up to sit. “I’ll go get you some hot water.”

Before leaving, he picked up the two little ones and took them out of the room. “Even if you’re not going to the academy today, you can’t neglect your studies. Go back to your room and thoroughly read two passages from the ‘Analects.’ You’ll recite them to me tonight.”

After a pause, he added, “Including the explanations.”

Gu Jingyun and Gu Baozhu let out groans of despair.

Su Wan smiled softly. When she first realized her feelings, she told herself she would treat Gu Huaizhi well, but her business kept her too busy. She wanted to have everything settled before heading to the capital, so she hadn’t been able to act on it. On the contrary, Gu Huaizhi had changed since returning from the prefectural city, becoming exceptionally considerate.

Yesterday morning, as she was having breakfast and preparing to go to town, Gu Huaizhi asked her what she wanted to eat that day. She casually mentioned yam and egg soup, and today, he actually made it.

After getting dressed, Gu Huaizhi brought over hot water. Su Wan washed her face and glanced at herself in the dim yellow light of the bronze mirror. Her skin seemed more delicate, and the dark circles under her eyes from staying up late had lightened significantly. She touched her cheek, finding it supple and smooth—the effect was quite good. She planned to test it for a couple more days, and if no side effects appeared, she could launch it.

This time, the skincare product’s benefits were skin softening, whitening, and hydration. Next, when she had time, she would work on developing a spot treatment and hand cream.

After applying the skincare product, Su Wan dusted on some face powder, dipped a small brush she had made into lip balm, and applied it to her lips.

The lip balm was stored in a small, delicate celadon porcelain jar, making it exceptionally beautiful.

After tidying up, Su Wan stepped out of her room.

Gu Huaizhi came from the kitchen and, at first glance, saw her stepping out into the light. Her skin was as fair as snow, her brows like distant green mountains, and her lips were a vivid, tender red, resembling the delicate beauty of a begonia flower.

“This color looks nice, doesn’t it? I made the lip balm with begonia flowers, and it even has a light floral scent.” Su Wan’s lips curved slightly, making her look especially charming.

Gu Huaizhi’s breath hitched, his gaze deepening as he softly said, “It looks beautiful.”

“Then I’ll have someone make begonia flower lip balm tomorrow.” Su Wan took the yam and egg soup from his hands. On the table, there were also soup dumplings and egg pancakes. She scooped a spoonful of the soup into her mouth; the yam puree was smooth and soft, and the fresh sweetness of radish and shiitake mushrooms warmed her stomach pleasantly.

“Second Brother and Third Sister are worried that you might fail the exam. You made them go study, but without any definite news, they probably can’t settle their minds.”

“The exam questions were simple.” Gu Huaizhi was not concerned.

Su Wan loved this calm and composed demeanor of his. She had an inexplicable confidence that Gu Huaizhi would surely pass the provincial examination.

As for his ranking, that was harder to predict.

A thought flickered in her mind. On her birthday, Gu Huaizhi had given her three wishes. While biting on her porcelain spoon, she said, “If you make it into the top three, I’ll grant you one wish.”

Gu Huaizhi raised an eyebrow. “Anything?”

“Anything.”

“Alright.” Gu Huaizhi glanced at her. “I’ll remember that.”

Su Wan asked curiously, “Have you already decided what you want?”

Gu Huaizhi gave her a meaningful look and softly replied, “Yes.”

That look made Su Wan feel a bit uneasy, as if she had just dug herself into a hole.

After finishing breakfast, Su Wan stood at the doorway, eagerly waiting for the messenger with the good news.

“Gu Dalang! Gu Huaizhi! Gu Huaizhi—” someone shouted excitedly as they rushed over, yelling loudly, “Mrs. Gu, is your husband home? He passed! He made it!”

Gu Huaizhi stepped out of the house. “Liu Er, come in and have a cup of tea.”

“No, no, no. Someone from the county will be here soon to deliver the official announcement. You’d better get ready.”

As soon as Liu Er finished speaking, the sound of gongs filled the air, growing louder as it approached. Two messengers arrived at the Gu family’s doorstep, followed by villagers with joyful expressions.

One of the villagers pointed and said, “Sir, this is the Gu household.”

The messenger loudly proclaimed, “Gu Huaizhi, come receive the good news!”