The Cao Family’s three sons were very upset, wanting to stop their wives but fearing for their unmarried daughters, they dared not intervene.
With a bad family reputation, it affects the marriage prospects of their children, so it’s better for the wives to take their daughters back to their parental hos to avoid the scandal.
After the Cao family daughters-in-law left, the three sons were taking care of Cao Juren while trying to salvage the family’s tarnished reputation.
However, the gossiping ability of Linhe Prefecture’s people was unparalleled, even better than those from He’an Prefecture. Despite the Cao family’s attempts to manage the situation, the bad gossip regarding Cao Juren spread more outrageously by the mont.
While the Cao family was overwheld by city rumors, Magistrate Shi and his team finally arrested those involved in the Tong Family case.
A total of four hundred Escort Masters, and three hundred Protectors hidden within the Tong Family Manor, plus those from Tong Family’s estate, nearly nine hundred individuals were detained, almost scaring Magistrate Shi to death.
The number was too large, comparable to a Troop Commander Centre.
General Zhang was shocked too, fortunately the Prefecture garrison army had sufficient numbers, and the city gates were closed during the arrests; otherwise, if the Escort Masters weren’t held back by their families, the city would have been engulfed in a bloody battle.
Magistrate Shi and General Zhang busied themselves for ten days dealing with the Tong Family’s matters before reopening the city gates, allowing those trapped to exit.
Nurous individuals who failed the exams and whose families were in financial straits left the city on that very first day.
Gu Jin’an and his fellow successful scholars did not leave, instead receiving invitations to a banquet at Magistrate Shi’s mansion, to express thanks to Academic Administrator Kong.
This was tradition and a joyous occasion for scholars, leveraging the banquet to establish many networks. Every exam cycle after the results are released, a banquet is held.
Cui Wenliang and Lv Bai, seeing Gu Jin’an receive the invitations, were overco with grief once more, exclaiming, "I’m sorry to my ancestors."
Lv Bai was lanting his family until Yao Youqian reprimanded him: "What are you crying for? Instead of wasting ti, write so storybooks to earn money! The Tong Family and Cao Family affairs, you know lots of details, write it up and send it back to He’an Prefecture, surely it will profit."
Feeling wronged, Lv Bai cried, "Why hit ? I wrote it already and had it sent to Young Master Ke at the Carriage Inn for delivery to He’an Prefecture."
He cried after making his money!
Yao Youqian was taken aback, saying, "Even so, you shouldn’t cry! You look frail as it is; add crying to the mix, you seem more like an Immortal Lord."
Angrily, Lv Bai glared and cursed at Yao Youqian, "You brute, who are you calling an Immortal Lord?"
Though upset, he dared not cry anymore.
With Yao Youqian’s ears finally at peace, he ignored him and went to help Gu Jin’an select clothes for the banquet.
Qu Wenliang, fortunate in a way, was accompanied by Scholar Qu throughout the exam journey, even when crying, he was not chided, as Scholar Qu, his uncle, patiently comforted him: "I too, took four attempts before succeeding in the exams. After failing the third ti, I was truly despairing, shattered my brush and inkstone, vowed to quit, but your father beat , thus leading to my fourth attempt where I finally succeeded."
Yet Qu Wenliang questioned, "Uncle, is my knowledge poor? Even Brother Xing succeeded, yet I failed."
This left Scholar Qu at a loss; pondering internally, indeed, how did Gu Dexing manage to pass?
After thinking a bit, he said, "He had good fortune, eting Master Ouyang. Once we return, Uncle will plead with your Uncle Shang to speak to Master Ouyang, allowing you to learn from him for a while, surely you’ll pass next ti."
Scholar Qu was soone who understood protocols, knowing he shouldn’t rely on his relationship with Scholar Shang for favors, but now he was prepared to sacrifice dignity for Qu Wenliang’s sake.
Touched, Qu Wenliang imdiately bowed to Scholar Qu, "Thank you, Uncle, for your efforts."
Scholar Qu waved it off, seeing in his nephew the reflection of his elder brother, resigned himself to the task. After all, he owed gratitude for his brother’s past support.
...
On the third day evening, Gu Jin’an and the others took the mule cart to the Magistrate Mansion.
The front courtyard of the Magistrate Mansion had a large garden where the banquet was set up.
Upon their arrival, the garden was already bustling with people, apart from fellow scholars, there were noble families, official’s sons, and wealthy families from the Prefecture.
This ti at the banquet, everyone was very polite to Gu Jin’an, he didn’t need to initiate greetings; people approached him as soon as he arrived.
Cui Yiweng, who ranked fourth in the exams representing Hushan Prefecture, ca from an esteed family. Initially dismissive upon hearing of Gu Jin’an achieving top student, now approached, smiling, "Brother Gu, I’ve often heard of your literary prowess, today it’s a pleasure to et. As the rumors claim, you indeed have a remarkable deanor."
Gu Jin’an smiled, recognizing such flattery usually hides ulterior motives or envy.
Unfazed, he reciprocated with a smile, "Brother Cui, you’re too kind. I’ve read your ’Chongyang Ode’ with great admiration; it is a remarkable work, truly outstanding in this era."
Cui Yiweng, pleased with the praise, replied humbly, "I dare not say that, just an ode for my grandfather, hardly worthy of widespread praise."
Pausing, he rembered Gu Jin’an’s family ties with Elder Gu, glancing at Gu Jin’an, added, "Brother Gu, do not take offense, I ant nothing else."
Gu Jin’an graciously replied, "No problem, Brother Cui. Your ’Chongyang Ode’ is indeed a fine piece, such good works deserve praise."
Impressed by Gu Jin’an’s open and charming deanor, Cui Yiweng realized although Gu Jin’an ca from humble origins, his character was truly outstanding; he shouldn’t have underestimated him.
Cui Yiweng set aside his prior contempt, introducing scholars he knew to Gu Jin’an. After so casual conversation, unable to contain his inquiry, he discreetly asked Gu Jin’an, "Brother Gu, is it true that Master Ouyang resides sowhere in Jianghuai? You should know where Master Ouyang lives, could you share it?"
Adding, "I deeply admire Master Ouyang, my lifelong desire is to et him in person. Could Brother Gu kindly make an introduction?"
Gu Jin’an, straightforwardly declined, "Brother Cui, my family indeed knows Master Ouyang and can help inquire, but revealing his whereabouts is not possible. Master Ouyang instructed us not to disclose his location, we must respect his wishes, I hope you understand."
Cui Yiweng was displeased upon hearing this, his expression changed, yet Gu Jin’an stood firm, saluting courteously.
After calming down, Cui Yiweng sighed, "Forgive my manners, I imposed on Brother Gu, please inform Master Ouyang of my request, awaiting your positive response. Thank you."
Saying this, he stood to bow to Gu Jin’an, earnestly thanking him.
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