Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 1041: Can’t Run Away

Erqing nodded, "Yes, after hearing about your situation, Young Master felt uneasy about you walking, so he had the slave change to a mule cart with a different top. This mule cart does not have Gu Family’s markings, and the slave is also a new face, so outsiders are less likely to notice. It is able to safely deliver several young masters to the town."

"Second Sister has thought of everything." Brother Cheng turned around and waved to Gu Jin’an and the others, "Big Brother, come quickly, Second Sister sent Erqing to take us."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jin’an and the five of them quickened their pace and soon got on the mule cart.

Gu Jin’an lifted the curtain and asked Erqing, "Does Xiao Yu know about He Daqian’s Family?"

Erqing said, "Young Master already knows and asked the slave to tell the young master that neither He Daqian nor his noble brother will escape, so you can rest assured."

Even though Young Master hasn’t shown his face, he has done much of what needed to be done, and has already sent Feng Jin and others to catch people, also sending someone to investigate He Daqian’s noble brother.

The villagers say that this noble brother will come to He Daqian’s Family for the Dragon Boat Festival. Since it’s only a few days away, we think he has already reached Tianfu County, so if all goes well, we can find him within two days and solve the hidden dangers caused by He Daqian’s Family at once.

Gu Jin’an felt reassured after hearing this and instructed Erqing to drive on.

Along the way, they encountered many people carrying gifts and bringing daughters to Da Feng Village, though none recognized the Gu Family mule cart, allowing Gu Jin’an and the others to smoothly reach Shang Family Village.

Many families in Shang Family Village also wanted to form ties with Gu Jin’an, having long awaited Gu Jin’an’s visit to Scholar Shang, each blocking the road leading to Shang Family Village.

Gu Jin’an and the others avoided the village entrance, with Ah Jiu leading them around a large farmland directly to Scholar Shang’s Family.

Ah Jiu wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "Finally brought you back. You don’t know, ever since the joyful news from He’an Prefecture Government Office arrived back in Tianfu County, there have been so many people coming to Shang Family Village every day, all hoping to see Old Master and have Old Master arrange your marriage."

A teacher for one day, a father for life; a teacher can decide a disciple’s marriage.

Gu Jin’an laughed, "Don’t worry, within two days, no one will dare trouble Master anymore."

Ah Jiu, being smart, upon hearing this asked, "What does Brother An mean by this? Did you do something?"

Thinking that they arrived late today, it seemed they encountered something; Brother An’s words seemed related to today’s encounters.

Gu Jin’an did not hide it and recounted how they were blocked by a group of women.

Ah Jiu was shocked, "That’s too bold, they simply don’t care about their daughters."

In this world, one’s reputation is valued above all, for a young woman even a false rumor could drive her to despair. These women actually brought their daughters here to pursue Gu Jin’an, thinking that if successful, they could marry him? If it doesn’t work out, it will be their daughters who suffer in the end.

But...

"Since they took such actions, can’t blame anyone for the outcome today, it’s good you’re unharmed." Ah Jiu said.

Gu Jin’an heard Ah Jiu’s words of support and smiled, choosing not to dwell on Mrs. Niu and the others, instead congratulating Ah Jiu, "I heard from Master, the date for Brother Jiu and Sister Taozi’s wedding is set, I’m here to congratulate Brother Jiu first, and on the wedding day, I’ll definitely bring a gift."

Ah Jiu and Taozi, both servants of Scholar Shang’s Family, of similar age and have worked together for many years, cherished each other. Scholar Shang and Ms. Jiang arranged their marriage for August.

Speaking of this, Ah Jiu blushed and smiled, "Taozi and I are just servants, you’re like half a master of the Shang Family, anything would do, no need for an extravagant gift."

The Gu Family is always generous; Ah Jiu said this for fear of Gu Family spending too much.

Gu Jin’an smiled, "Brother Jiu helped our family a lot, we all remember it, don’t worry about it, you and Sister Taozi should just accept whatever we give."

Upon hearing this, Ah Jiu felt warmth in his heart, happily leading them to Scholar Shang’s study.

Once Gu Jin’an saw Scholar Shang, he immediately knelt and performed a grand salute, "Disciple thanks Master for the great kindness of imparting knowledge, glad to say I’ve successfully passed the Prefecture Examination."

Gu Dexing and Qi Kangming also knelt, presenting a grand salute to Scholar Shang, "Thank you, Master Shang, for your kindness in imparting knowledge and resolving doubts."

If not for Scholar Shang, not to mention Qi Kangming, certainly Gu Dexing wouldn’t have passed the student exams so quickly.

Though Gu Qingliang and Gu Qingtian did not pass the Prefecture Examination, they received Scholar Shang’s teachings, following suit and kneeling in thanks.

Scholar Shang had already been waiting in the study, visibly pleased upon seeing them, helping them up and saying, "No need for such formality, you passed the exams through your own skill; I merely helped solve a few difficult problems."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Gu Jin’an, full of appreciation, confirming he had chosen well, having such a successful disciple in this lifetime is truly worthwhile.

Then he inquired, "Why were you delayed, did you face some issue?"

Gu Jin’an responded by recounting Mrs. Niu’s matter once again.

Scholar Shang listened, nodding, "You handled it well, soon enough, within three days, ten miles and eight villages of women won’t dare bring their daughters to Da Feng Village chasing after you."

However, Scholar Shang was more interested in the village school proposal, "You actually plan to build a village school, excellent, this will enhance your reputation."

Due to Old Gu Family’s issues, Gu Jin’an’s reputation was somewhat affected; this influence would only amplify with his growing success.

Thus establishing a village school would greatly aid his reputation.

Scholar Shang further inquired about various village school matters, and Gu Jin’an detailed his plans before requesting Scholar Shang’s assistance, "Master, you know many scholars, could you help find a good teacher? Apart from the public field contribution, my family will provide an additional twenty taels and seasonal clothing annually. The school will have a dedicated courtyard for the teacher’s family; they may bring family to teach."

Gu Jin’an holds scholars with great respect, understanding many teachers live a frugal life, willing to offer twenty taels more in tuition, which is of no concern for Gu Family nowadays.

Scholar Shang agreed, "Alright, I’ll help you find a good teacher."

"Thank you, Master." Gu Jin’an expressed gratitude and continued, "Master, let’s go greet the guests; we shouldn’t keep them waiting."

Scholar Shang was initially stunned, then laughed, helplessly saying, "Originally, I wanted to decline, but these are capable people within the Shang Family Clan, really hard to refuse; sorry for the trouble."

Since Gu Jin’an became the top scorer in the Prefecture Examination, Shang Family Elders collectively visited, asking to meet Gu Jin’an; he had resisted for several days, rejecting many unreasonable demands, finally agreeing to meet the elders.

Gu Jin’an smiled, "Why say that, Master? It’s my duty to do so."

Since he has apprenticed under Scholar Shang, affairs of Scholar Shang’s Family are his affairs too. He will shoulder some responsibilities; if he passes the Prefecture Examination but doesn’t meet Shang Family people, Scholar Shang’s Family won’t have peace in Shang Family Village.