The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Chapter 426 Waiting for the Results to be Announced

"Dude, are you crazy? You need to ask me for money?"

When Grandpa Gu arrived at the clan chief's house, he revealed to the clan chief that Gu Ruinian would definitely pass the imperial examination this time, and then asked the clan chief to lend him money.

Five taels is no small sum, and the clan chief was a little pained by it, so he came up with a plan for Old Master Gu.

“Your eldest son and Ruinian took the exam together. The results will be out in a few days, and they might both pass and become scholars. Do you think your eldest son's family wouldn't prepare celebratory money and a banquet? You don't need to spend any of that money at all.”

Grandpa Gu said, "You know my eldest daughter-in-law, do you think she would agree to give up Ruinian's money?"

The clan chief tapped his pipe and said slowly, "That's easy. On the day the results are announced, we'll open the ancestral hall. We'll welcome the people into the hall to receive the list of successful candidates in front of our ancestors. With so many people around, your eldest daughter-in-law will have no choice but to give out money. Since Ruinian and Jingzhe are receiving the results together, the money they give out will be a celebratory gift for both of them."

"Not only will you save on the money, but you'll also save on the banquet. Your eldest son's banquet will include a share for Ruinian. In everyone's eyes, both of your grandsons are scholars, so whoever hosts the banquet will be hosting it for them."

This method is good.

Grandpa Gu laughed, but then suddenly thought that if Gu Jingzhe failed to pass the imperial examination, all his efforts would have been in vain.

The clan chief understood what Old Master Gu meant and said, "Brother, don't worry. Your Jingzhe will definitely pass the imperial examination this time. Otherwise, why would Master Su be visiting your elder brother's house so often? You can rest assured."

The clan chief certainly didn't want Gu Jingzhe to become a scholar.

He said that simply to reassure Old Master Gu and dispel his idea of ​​asking him for money.

He's already lent five taels of silver to Old Master Gu, and he doesn't know when he'll be able to pay it back.

The clan chief's words made Old Master Gu smile from ear to ear.

Although he disliked the eldest son's family, Gu Jingzhe was his own grandson, and he was naturally happy that Gu Jingzhe was successful and that the family had two scholars.

As long as Jingzhe's performance doesn't surpass Ruinian's, he will look forward to Jingzhe's performance.

The old man's smile stung the clan chief. This distant cousin had really struck it lucky; both of the Gu family's scholars were going to come from his family.

The clan chief was quite conflicted. He wanted the Gu family to produce scholars so that he, as the clan chief, would have face, but he also didn't want all the scholars to come from the Gu family, especially Gu Jingzhe, whom he hoped would fail the exam.

"Alright, let's just wait for the results to be released."

Grandpa Gu left the clan chief's house with a satisfied smile, making a special detour through the fields.

At this time of year, people from every household are out in the fields weeding or watering the wheat.

When everyone saw Grandpa Gu, they all greeted him, and the conversation always revolved around their two grandsons' academic success and how lucky Grandpa Gu was.

"Grandpa, when will the results be released?"

"It's coming soon."

"You have two grandsons who are scholars, you must throw a few tables to entertain the villagers when the time comes."

"that's for sure."

"I heard that Ruinian might be the top scorer this time."

"We can't say for sure, we'll know once the results are released."

Grandpa Gu chuckled and echoed everyone's sentiments as he straightened his back and walked home.

He couldn't wait for the day the results were released; he thought how glorious he would be then.

"Grandpa." Gu Jingzhe was watering the wheat field with his hired workers when he saw Grandpa Gu coming and walked from the wheat field to the ridge to greet him.

Grandpa Gu frowned.

This grandson is already a student of the Imperial Academy, how can he still work in the fields like a farmer in the village? What kind of behavior is that?

Old Master Gu said sternly, "Why are you doing farm work yourself? It's an insult to a scholar's refinement!"

Gu Jingzhe didn't argue with Grandpa Gu, and said, "Grandpa, you don't know this, but our Prefect Yao personally works in the fields. He said that scholars need to know about farm work to succeed in the imperial examinations and official careers."

Grandpa Gu's expression softened.

"How did your exam go?" Grandpa Gu asked with concern.

When Gu Jingzhe and Gu Ruinian returned from the prefectural city, Grandpa Gu was naturally very concerned about Gu Jingzhe's exam results. However, because his attention was drawn to Gu Ruinian, he neglected Gu Jingzhe.

Gu Jingzhe said, "I've finished writing everything. As for how well I did on the exam, that depends on the examiners."

This grandson wasn't as certain as Gu Ruinian.

Grandpa Gu felt a mix of emotions.

Grandpa Gu didn't know whether to be happy or not. He didn't want Gu Jingzhe to do better than Gu Ruinian in the exam, but that didn't mean he wanted Gu Jingzhe to fail.

"By the way, Jingzhe, tell Grandpa the truth, what happened to your brother Ruinian's face?"

Old Master Gu originally intended to ask Gu Jingzhe what had happened to Gu Ruinian in the prefectural city, and now that they had met, he naturally wanted to inquire.

At that time, Gu Ruinian was beaten to the point of near death by the third young master of the Xie family. After being carried to Gu Dashu's residence, he woke up and slapped himself repeatedly, crying and expressing his regret for his youthful arrogance and his foolish act of visiting brothels. He also begged Gu Jingzhe and Gu Dashu to keep the trouble he had caused in the prefectural city a secret.

He told Tong Huaqiong the truth, but Gu Jingzhe naturally wouldn't tell the truth to the old house, otherwise the old house would blame him instead.

When Gu Jingzhe heard Old Master Gu asking about Gu Ruinian, he said, "On the day of the exam, the carriage went crazy and he was thrown out of the carriage."

Just like what Gu Ruinian said.

Grandpa Gu complained with heartache, "You and Da Shu, why didn't you let him ride in the same carriage as you? He's your cousin, blood is thicker than water. Even if you're not happy with your second uncle, Ruinian hasn't offended you. Shouldn't you take care of him in the prefectural city? How could you let him take the exam by himself in a carriage?"

Gu Jingzhe sneered inwardly.

Grandpa is really something else. I'm afraid he'd be furious if he knew what his great-grandson was up to in the city.

In order to avoid wearing mourning clothes, Gu Jingzhe temporarily kept Gu Ruinian's matter a secret.

Gu Jingzhe retorted angrily, "Grandpa, you know Ruinian doesn't want to live with me. He's always afraid I'll steal the knowledge from his head. Who could have known the carriage would go crazy? It's only happened once in all these years."

Grandpa Gu was displeased and said, "Don't think so badly of Ruinian. He stayed at the inn by himself because he didn't want to trouble you and Dashu. The reason he was thrown off the carriage this time must be because some young master knew he was good at studying and was afraid he would get the top score, so he took the opportunity to make a move."

Grandpa Gu sneered. Fortunately, his son Ruinian was very lucky. Not only was it not affected by the exam, but he also performed quite well.

Gu Jingzhe's lips twitched, and he echoed, "Yes, yes, I heard that Ruinian did well in the exam this time, and he will definitely pass the county-level exam."

Grandpa Gu was satisfied. Gu Jingzhe said that Ruinian did well on the exam, which must have been because the two of them checked it out privately.

Grandpa Gu began to find Gu Jingzhe more agreeable and instructed him, "Don't go anywhere these next few days. Just stay in the village and wait for the results to be announced. I've discussed it with the clan chief, and we'll open the ancestral hall on the day the results are announced. After all, it's a joyous occasion for two scholars from one family."

Gu Jingzhe thought to himself, "Grandpa Gu is really confident, as if it's a sure thing that the Gu family will produce two scholars this time."