Chapter 296 - 297: Back Door
Chapter 296: Chapter 297: Back Door
Gu Wenheng wasn’t sure which of his remarks had just prompted such a feeling from the other man.
At that moment, he was gazing quietly at the crowd below. "It’s better to make it into the ’fortress,’ at least. Some can still stay true to themselves and start a new Chapter in life.
But those who don’t make it in won’t be content to stop here. They’ll just continue to struggle on, day after day."
As he spoke, another person was carried out of the crowd, likely someone who had fainted upon learning they had failed.
"Master?" Gu Wenheng thought he heard Ming Feng calling. Looking toward where they had been standing, he indeed saw Ming Feng and Brother Liu’s attendant student shouting for them.
"That’s my attendant student. I’ll go get them," Liu Wenping said, spotting them as well. He acted faster than he spoke, turning and rushing out.
At this, Gu Wenheng’s heart started to pound with excitement. "I’ll go down and take a look too."
Once they had left, Shan Ke’an said with a laugh, "And here I thought he was so composed. Turns out he was anxious after all."
Bai Jinglie shot him a look. "If it were you, you’d probably be down there shoving your way through the crowd right now."
"Cousin, are you mocking me? You know I’m not even a Scholar yet; I wouldn’t dare to dream of any of this." Recalling his recent suffering, Shan Ke’an clutched his chest in mock terror. ’If they forced me to take the Advanced Scholar exam, I’d probably be too scared to even leave my room.’
Bai Jinglie said, "Look at this pathetic display. I had to promise your mother to even let you come out today. If you don’t pass the Scholar exam next time, I’ll find you two tutors."
"What!" Shan Ke’an’s eyes bulged like saucers. "Cousin, how could you do this to me? I wouldn’t have come out if I’d known!"
’The price is too high! I can just imagine it... with my lack of talent, I could study as hard as possible and still not pass.’
Bai Jinglie said, "Relax. Your cousin has faith in you.
Besides, your mother is counting on you to become an Advanced Scholar for her."
"..." Shan Ke’an cried, "I’m doomed!!"
Lu Ping gave him a sympathetic look. ’Thank goodness my parents have already given up on me,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, my skin would be crawling too.’
"Master, you passed!" Ming Feng shouted from a distance as soon as he saw Gu Wenheng, his voice filled with excitement.
By the time Gu Wenheng reached them, he found Liu Wenping’s face flushed red with excitement. "I passed too."
Gu Wenheng quickly said, "Congratulations!"
Liu Wenping said, "Thank you, Junior Brother. It’s just a shame I’m only an Associate Advanced Scholar, and my ranking is rather low."
Gu Wenheng was also curious about his own ranking now. He turned to ask Ming Feng, "What’s my rank?"
Ming Feng said excitedly, "First place! Master, you’re first place!"
Gu Wenheng: ’...’ ’You blockhead! Just say it normally, why are you shouting?’
Noticing more and more gazes focusing on them, Gu Wenheng grabbed the stunned Liu Wenping and they quickly left.
Realizing he had caused trouble, Ming Feng stuck out his tongue and quickly chased after them, dodging a few hands that tried to grab him along the way.
"Wenheng, am I dreaming? Really first place?" As soon as they entered the private room, Liu Wenping asked eagerly.
His attendant student behind him hurriedly said, "Mr. Gu really is first place. I saw it too."
Ming Feng, knowing he had messed up, just nodded vigorously, not daring to open his mouth so easily again.
"Congratulations! Congratulations!" The room immediately filled with congratulatory voices. Gu Wenheng didn’t hide the joy on his face, grinning from ear to ear.
***
Jin Qianqian was restless at home, having already sent several groups of people to inquire about the news.
"Madam, the Master will surely pass," Qing Mei said, watching Jin Qianqian pace endlessly back and forth. "Didn’t the messenger who just came back say so? There are too many people at the announcement board, and our men can’t get through just yet."
Jin Qianqian chugged another big gulp of water. "Right, I’m not nervous."
Though she muttered the words, she didn’t relax in the slightest.
’Gu Wenheng has worked so incredibly hard lately. It wasn’t nearly as easy as it looked to outsiders.’
’He used the frozen time in his special space, spending countless hours to fully master all the knowledge for the exams.’
Now, at the most critical moment, Jin Qianqian couldn’t help but grow more and more tense.
Just then, a household servant ran in, shouting as he went, "Madam! The Master passed! He’s first place!"
Jin Qianqian immediately shot to her feet. "Really?"
"It’s true! Everyone outside is asking for the Master’s name now. The name and his hometown, it all matches."
"Haven’t the men we sent to see the list returned yet?" Jin Qianqian still preferred to trust what she could see with her own eyes.
"Madam, the Master passed! First place!" The man sent to see the list ran back in just then. The excitement on his face sent the entire residence into an uproar.
Jin Qianqian covered her face and smiled, but tears streamed from the corners of her eyes. Wenheng’s long efforts had finally been rewarded.
"Congratulations, Master! Congratulations, Madam!" Cries of celebration rose and fell throughout the residence.
"A joyous occasion! A great joyous occasion! Rewards! Housekeeper, reward everyone with two months’ of their monthly silver!" Jin Qianqian said happily after composing herself.
"Thank you for the reward, Madam!!"
...
"Housekeeper Fu, from now on, keep the household staff in line. Until the Master participates in the Palace Examination, everyone should go out as little as possible." Jin Qianqian’s expression turned stern, thinking of the battle that still lay ahead.
Jin Qianqian knew the coming days wouldn’t be as peaceful as before. Now that he had made himself a target, she figured Gu Wenheng was the focus of every major family and scholar.
"Madam, should we close our doors and refuse visitors?" Housekeeper Fu asked in a low voice.
"No, everything should appear normal to the outside world. From now on, the household will be strict internally but relaxed externally. Don’t let anyone find an opening." As for Gu Wenheng, Jin Qianqian wasn’t worried at all. He was probably on his way back at this very moment.
***
Seeing the lookouts still posted outside, Ming Feng regretted his big mouth all over again, wanting to slap himself for shouting without first checking his surroundings.
Unexpectedly, Lu Ping and Shan Ke’an had excited expressions on their faces, both propping their chins in their hands as they stared at Gu Wenheng.
"So we finally get to witness the legendary ’son-in-law snatching at the announcement board’! Look how persistent they are. They won’t give up until they’ve captured you yourself."
Shan Ke’an looked even more like he was enjoying the show. He said with a gossipy air, "I definitely saw the stewards from a few families I know. And they all have daughters of marriageable age.
They must have gotten a look at Wenheng earlier, which is why they’re so relentlessly watching this place."
"Don’t talk such nonsense. I already have a wife and son." Gu Wenheng asked them, "There should be a back door here, right?"
Bai Jinglie nodded, "I’ll have Ye Yi take you out. Try to go out as little as possible these next few days."
Gu Wenheng understood this was a kind reminder and cupped his fists in a salute. "Thank you. I’ll be sure to host a get-together for us all on another day."
Liu Wenping had long since recovered from his own joyous surprise. He stood beside Gu Wenheng, ready to leave with him.
"Don’t forget what you promised me. I’m still waiting for your good news," Bai Jinglie reminded him one last time, just as they were about to walk out the door.