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

Chapter 432 Getting Closer to the County Magistrate
"Aunt Tong, congratulations, congratulations."

Just as Magistrate Liu was about to steer the conversation toward Gu Jingzhe's marriage, he was interrupted by Er Gouzi, who had brought the farmhands to toast Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong stood up with a smile, tilted her head back, and drank the wine in one gulp.

"Congratulations, young master who has just finished his studies."

Naturally, a toast was also offered to today's protagonist, Gu Jingzhe.

“Jingzhe, you’re the first scholar in our village, and the top scholar at that! You have to drink from the big bowl!” Er Gouzi said with a grin.

Gu Jingzhe was not good at drinking, and when he heard that a large bowl was to be used, he said, "Brother Er Gou, spare me, I can't hold my liquor."

Er Gouzi said, "Today is only the first time. You need to practice your drinking capacity. When you become the top scholar, you'll have to drink a whole vat of liquor. Right, Aunt Tong?"

The people around them joined in the commotion.

Gu Jingzhe blushed at the words and waved his hand, saying, "I wouldn't dare to dream of being the top scholar, second-place scholar, or third-place scholar."

Even if Gu Jingzhe had the ability, he wouldn't dare to boast in front of so many people. Gu Ruinian had taught him a lesson he shouldn't have.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Jingzhe is still young. We'll save this wine for when we go to the capital for the imperial examinations and achieve top honors. We'll definitely have to treat you to a drink sometime in the future."

Tong Huaqiong shielded Gu Jingzhe from drinking.

In modern society, Gu Jingzhe is still a minor at fifteen years old. What kind of alcohol would a minor drink?

Fortunately, the alcohol in this era is not strong; it's like sweet water. Drinking a little won't damage your brain or make you addicted.

However, he couldn't accept every drink offered, otherwise Gu Jingzhe wouldn't be able to withstand the villagers' generous toasts.

Upon hearing Tong Huaqiong's words, everyone bypassed Gu Jingzhe and toasted Old Master Gu, praising him for having such a fine grandson.

Some people even dared to offer wine to Magistrate Liu.

After all, it's not often that one can eat in the same courtyard as the county magistrate.

Gu Jingzhe breathed a sigh of relief and asked Tong Huaqiong embarrassedly, "Mother, why did you tell people that I will definitely pass the imperial examination with flying colors?"

Tong Huaqiong waved her hand and said, "You're already very capable. Out of so many students in the whole city, you're the only one who came in first place. Isn't that amazing? If you can't pass the imperial examination with flying colors, who can?"

Tong Huaqiong wouldn't tell Gu Jingzhe to keep up the good work. She had been a student and had achieved good grades, and she hated it when people said encouraging words to her when she was happy.

Upon hearing these words, Gu Jingzhe secretly resolved to study even harder at Wanliu Academy and make a name for himself in the imperial examination.

Gu Jingzhe's banquet celebrating his academic success was a grand affair.
The villagers felt that since Qinghewan had produced a top scholar, they would have someone to protect them when they went out. Therefore, their envy and pride outweighed their jealousy, and they showered Tong Huaqiong and Gu Jingzhe with compliments and congratulations.

No money anyway.

Tong Huaqiong smiled and enjoyed herself with the villagers.

Grandpa Gu felt quite uneasy.

Only he and Gu Honglian came to the banquet at the old house; everyone else was too ashamed and in the mood to come because Gu Ruinian had failed the exam.

In particular, when the villagers toasted Grandpa Gu and praised Gu Jingzhe, they would always offer a token word of comfort to Gu Ruinian, which made Grandpa Gu feel even worse.

The family had originally hoped to produce two scholars, but now that there's only one, Old Master Gu feels that their glory has been diminished.

However, Old Master Gu was still somewhat gratified to be able to sit at the same table with the county magistrate.

"Isn't that the Yao family?"

Tong Huaqiong heard Chen Sufen speaking at the next table. She looked towards the main gate and saw Gu Yaojia lingering at the gate of the old house.

Today the private school is closed, and the children are all gathered in Tong Huaqiong's courtyard eating sweets. They also eat with the adults at mealtimes.

Gu Yaojia usually told the village children that his second uncle would pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, but he failed. Today, several children mocked him for lying. He had originally followed Wei Shi home, but following the aroma of meat and pastries, he arrived at Tong Huaqiong's door.

Knowing that the two families didn't get along, he didn't dare to go in. He just stood at the door, sucking his fingers and looking inside with an envious expression on his face.

He wanted to eat meat, pastries, and candy.

"Yaozu, go and invite the Yao family in for dinner," Tong Huaqiong said.

In Tong Huaqiong's mind, there's no need to involve children in adults' affairs.

Just like in her past life, her mother and aunt didn't get along, but that didn't affect her good relationship with her cousin from her aunt's family, nor did it affect her aunt's affection for her or her mother giving money to her cousin.

Moreover, she had no conflicts with her second wife's daughter-in-law, Wei, and would even politely call her "Auntie" when they met on the street.

Therefore, Tong Huaqiong didn't mind that one of Gu Yao's children came in for a meal.

Yaozu was busy eating fruit when Man'er came to the door and pulled Yaojia to the table, adding a chair next to Xiaolong for Yaojia to sit down.

Gu Taohua gave Yaojia a pair of chopsticks, and Chen Sufeng put meat and vegetables into his bowl.

Yao Jia, who was craving meat, buried his face in the bowl and stuffed it into his mouth.

Grandpa Gu sighed when he saw his great-grandson's greedy expression.

"Eat slowly, there's more."

Chen Sufen patted Gu Yaojia on the back.

Tong Huaqiong sneered inwardly. No matter how poor the old house was, it would never go hungry. Moreover, Tong Huaqiong had people deliver meals to the two elders every day. Even if some of those meals were shared with the Yao family, the children wouldn't go hungry.

It's nothing more than all the lucrative stuff ending up in Gu Ruinian's dog's belly.

She had heard Gu Dahan, who delivered the vegetables, say more than once that Gu Ruinian ate alone. For an adult to be able to eat alone while being watched longingly by a child, Gu Ruinian's mental fortitude must be extraordinary.

Gu Jingzhe's celebratory banquet lasted until late afternoon.

After finishing their meal, the villagers helped sweep the yard, tidy up the tables and chairs, and brought bowls and basins from their homes to divide the leftovers.

Soon, the courtyard was empty.

Tong Huaqiong muttered to herself, "Why hasn't Magistrate Liu left yet?"
So Tong Huaqiong instructed Liu Yue'e to serve tea, and Old Master Gu did not leave.

Old Master Gu had his own plans. During the banquet, he overheard a yamen runner saying that the county needed yamen runners. The requirements weren't high; they just needed to be literate, strong, and able to tie up prisoners.

Although he wasn't a formal employee of the government office, he earned two taels of silver a month. He wanted to try and build a relationship with Magistrate Liu to see if he could get his grandson, Gu Fengnian, a job so he could earn some extra money for his family.

"Lord Liu," Old Master Gu sat for a while, then hesitated before speaking.

"Lord Liu, is there anything you want to say to Jingzhe?"

"Old Master Gu never speaks well," Tong Huaqiong interrupted him.

Magistrate Liu took a sip of tea and said, "There really is."

Otherwise, he wouldn't have sat there for so long without moving.

He didn't mind that Grandpa Gu was here, since he was Gu Jingzhe's grandfather anyway, and he didn't know that Tong Huaqiong and the old man didn't get along.

Magistrate Liu was thinking that last time his mother proposed marriage between Gu Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao, Tong Huaqiong politely declined because Jingzhe was just a junior scholar. If Tong Huaqiong wanted to refuse again this time, Old Master Gu could help mediate, so that things wouldn't be hopeless.

"Jingzhe, do you have a girl you like?" Magistrate Liu asked directly.

Gu Jingzhe's face instantly turned red to the roots of her ears.

Tong Huaqiong thought to herself, "Magistrate Liu is so blunt. Who says people from ancient times are rigid?"