Needless to say, Old Jue should agree. Having soone to care for him in his old age and perform funeral rites is better than living out his later years in loneliness with his wife.
As Ji Fuhu entered the study, she saw Gu Chengyu writing a letter. His dark round-collared robe, accented with a moon-white border, made his face appear cold as frost, and his brows and eyes were filled with indifference. She felt a chill in her heart, sensing an ominous premonition.
"Miss Ji is here? Have you been comfortable staying in the mansion these past few days?" Gu Chengyu heard Ji Fuhu’s footsteps and then set down the brush in his hand.
"I have been well, sir. I ca specially to congratulate you on becoming the top scholar!" Ji Fuhu had originally wanted to see Gu Chengyu’s triumphant procession through the streets, but unfortunately, since she was staying in the Gu Mansion and had no savings aside from her monthly allowance, she couldn’t venture out.
She couldn’t enter those taverns and teahouses either; the streets were teeming with people, and she couldn’t squeeze in. She saw only the tops of people’s heads before returning. If asked how she knew Gu Chengyu could parade through the streets, it was naturally because she believed in Gu Chengyu’s talents.
As Ji Fuhu spoke, she pulled an item from her sleeve and placed it on the desk.
"Now that I am living and eating at your expense, I cannot afford anything valuable, nor do you lack such things. This is a pocket I embroidered myself as a gift, and I hope you won’t disdain it."
Ji Fuhu looked at Gu Chengyu with hopeful eyes. Though it was a thank-you gift, they weren’t engaged, so giving him a pocket seed sowhat inappropriate. However, since she called it a congratulatory gift, Mr. Gu could not refuse it.
Gu Chengyu looked at the pocket on the table, feeling troubled, unsure whether to take it or not. The pocket was made from lilac silk, not particularly fine material, with a good-luck design of ascending clouds embroidered on it. The stitches were fairly dense, with no stray threads to be seen; compared to his second sister’s work, it was sowhat inferior. However, one could tell it was made with care.
Ji Fuhu watched Gu Chengyu’s actions nervously. Seeing that Gu Chengyu hadn’t moved for a while, the light in her eyes dimd gradually.
"Thank you, Miss Ji. It’s tily that you ca; I have sothing to discuss with you." Gu Chengyu didn’t touch the pocket. He planned to pack it with a silver note and return it when Ji Fuhu left.
Seeing that Gu Chengyu had accepted it, Ji Fuhu’s face lit up with undisguised joy.
"Sir, speak freely if there is anything."
"Miss Ji, since you can’t find your relatives, I have a friend’s daughter with two younger brothers who have co seeking refuge. Their parents have passed away, and they have no family connections. Moreover, you have no place to go either, so why not join them to get by? Rest assured, they are good people. What do you think of the idea?"
Gu Chengyu decided to lay things bare, planning to pack up these few people together and have Old Jue take them to settle elsewhere. Fortunately, their household registration appears as a family, which can quell others’ suspicions. Better safe than sorry.
Guo Shi’s plot against a court official led to the downfall of everyone in the Guo Mansion. If it were discovered that there were still descendants of the Guo Mansion, Guo Moruo and his family wouldn’t survive. Since Gu Chengyu had promised to protect them, he naturally had to keep his word.
Upon hearing this, Ji Fuhu’s face turned pale as she trembled and asked anxiously, "Have I done sothing unacceptable? Please, tell , and I promise to change, only don’t send away."
Ji Fuhu’s urgency made her revert to her previous form of address, which she didn’t even notice as she was so nervous at the thought of Gu Chengyu sending her out of the mansion.
Gu Chengyu frowned. What’s going on with this Ji Fuhu? They were neither relatives nor acquaintances, and it was out of sympathy that he redeed her. Now it seed she had beco his burden? Actually, if he gave her so money to follow Guo Moruo, life wouldn’t be bad for her.
"Miss Ji, we have not married, and living under one roof inevitably invites gossip. I am busy with work, and you would undoubtedly feel lonely living alone in the adjacent quarters. eting others like you would naturally lighten your mood."
Gu Chengyu used his trump card. A while back, he had impulsively kept Ji Fuhu in the mansion, which had made his second sister comnt multiple tis. She criticized him for being inexperienced, asking how it would look for a young woman to live in his house.
Ji Fuhu is still young and will eventually find an ideal husband. She should indeed cherish her reputation.
Ji Fuhu was so agitated that she blurted out, "I don’t care; I just want to serve you, sir."
Standing outside the study, Ming Mo scoffed. This Miss Ji truly didn’t understand. Their master had always been tender-hearted, and he had been lenient with Miss Ji. But this ti, no matter how much she pleaded, their master wouldn’t agree to let her stay.
"Miss Ji, those three siblings are easy to get along with. I’ve arranged a household registration for you: a pair of elderly couples with deceased children and grandchildren. You can pretend to be their grandchildren, or if you don’t want to change your surna, just be their grandchild by marriage! You can go back and think it over, and give an answer the day after tomorrow."
Gu Chengyu decided not to consult her will anymore, but to issue an order instead, as discussions with Ji Fuhu were fruitless. In due ti, he’d give them so silver for support, and he’d also send soone with supplies and money periodically.
Gu Chengyu sat on a stool, closing his eyes to rest. Ji Fuhu knew Gu Chengyu had made up his mind to cast her out, feeling a deep sorrow within. She barely managed to say farewell, leaving the study.
Far away in Shangling Village, Jingyuan Prefecture, the Gu Family was in high spirits these few days.
The Gu Family had just received news of Gu Chengyu becoming an examination winner not long ago, turning Mr. Gu and his wife into the center of attention in the village.
In ancient tis, communication was slow. After Gu Chengyu beca the examination winner, the ssenger riding express from the Capital took about ten days to reach Jingyuan Prefecture, another two to three days to Shangling Village.
As it was only half a month since the Gu Family received the news, the Gu Clan was still imrsed in joy. Those in the know revealed that once soone beca an examination winner, becoming an Advanced Scholar was inevitable. Even if they didn’t get one of the top three positions, they would likely be fourth or fifth at least.
In other words, the Gu Clan was about to have an Advanced Scholar, and passing as an Advanced Scholar ant becoming an official.
The Gu Clan had already risen. Looking at the entire Jingyuan Prefecture, one would find hardly any Advanced Scholars.
Just being an examination winner, Uncle Gu and Mr. Gu held grand banquets at ho, and even the newly appointed county magistrate and other gentry sent gifts. If the Gu Family knew Gu Chengyu had beco the top scholar, they might hold a three-day, three-night banquet.
The Imperial Examination was followed the next day by a grand banquet of honor, forcing Gu Chengyu to rise early again. He once again shared a carriage with Ye Zhiqiu, heading to the Ministry of Rites for the banquet.
"Chengyu! We’ve finally endured all the exams. Although I only achieved forty-third place, at least it’s still in the second tier." Ye Zhiqiu spoke with so relief. He hadn’t perford well in the final imperial exam but was fortunate not to beco just a scholar without distinction.
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