Chapter 225: The Autumn Selection Concludes

hout needing Zhang's urging, Gu Xiuyuan had already made up his mind to study hard before the exam. Otherwise, if his two younger brothers passed the exam as successful scholars while he failed, where...Dali Temple.

He couldn't tell if it was his imagination, but Gu Jingxi felt that his colleagues' gazes would often flicker towards him. Those meaningful eyes and the teasing smiles made him feel a strange sense of unease.

Gu Jingxi was very puzzled, he pulled his friend over and whispered, "Mo Bai, is there something on my face"

Qi Yunwen gave him a faint glance and then shook her head: "No, why do you ask that"

Then Gu Jingxi asked, "Since there isn't one, why do they look at me with such strange eyes"

Upon hearing this, Qi Yunwen suddenly realized. His gaze fell to the pouch at his waist. The pouch was actually quite beautiful, with fine needlework and intricate embroidery. It was the pair of mandarin ducks on its surface that caught the eye. The usually stoic Temple Master Qi, wearing such a sachet in front of everyone, wouldn't anyone find it strange

Qi Yunwen laughed and said, "This sachet of yours is quite pretty. Was it given to you by your sister-in-law"

Gu Jingxi unconsciously touched the sachet at his waist, remembering how the little girl had personally hung it on him last night. The shy and charming look on her face made him chuckle, "Besides her, who else would give me something like this"

"Yao Ling, didn't you raise people as a child How did you raise them..." Qi Yunwen smiled enigmatically and even winked playfully, "Just like this, huh"

Gu Jingxi's face turned pale. He did treat the little girl like a child back then, but as the saying goes, plans change. Adapting quickly, he responded, "My wife and I are simply a couple with an age gap."

Qi Yunwen scoffed, "Well, you're married alright, but there's no need to flaunt it like a peacock showing off its tail feathers. You don't have to wear it around your waist for everyone to see as if your sister-in-law made you a sachet just to brag about it."

Gu Jingxi, upon hearing this, understood why his colleagues had been looking at him strangely today. He said in a soft voice, "A sachet is just an accessory. What's the problem with wearing one Are you all making a fuss over nothing Even making a sachet requires effort and thought. Not to wear it would be a waste of someone's good intentions."

Qi Yunwen was choked by this, in fact, he also had sachets symbolizing love between men and women. Otherwise, wouldn't he wear one tomorrow too His friend and superior were both wearing it, so what problem would there be if he wore one

However, such a small matter set off the other officials in Dali Temple.

Previously, officials who got married felt that such scented sachets were only suitable for leisure wear. They wouldn't wear them to the office or in front of their colleagues, as it would be somewhat embarrassing. Now that Lord Temple Clerk has taken the lead, followed closely by Lord Vice-Minister, they feel out of place if they don't wear one.

Master Jiqing doted on his wife, Mrs. Gu, and was a devoted husband. He may also appreciate people like himself. As subordinates, if they could gain their superiors' appreciation, it would be beneficial for their careers. Therefore, whether it was true love or just an act, many officials followed suit. Even without such a sachet, they had their own wives make one.

And this action also pleased their respective wives, who, on a whim, made them other patterned sachets.

Later on, officials even began to compare and show off the things their wives had made for them. In this way, the relationships between officials and their wives improved unknowingly, and even long-married couples found a bit of fresh excitement.

It is widely said that the officials of Dali Temple are known for their good character, and men there are particularly devoted to their wives.

Of course, that's a story for another time.

-

The next day.

After the autumn examinations were over, the students who had participated in them gradually left the Imperial Examination Hall.

After nine days and seven nights of grueling exams, the candidates lived in the Gongyuan (examination hall), where the conditions were poor. The food was bland, the water was unpalatable, and there was little rest. Moreover, the immense pressure of the exam kept their spirits high but left them exhausted after they finished. They looked pale and haggard, having lost weight during this stressful period.

Looking around, some examinees who came out from the Gongyuan could walk by themselves, while others needed to support each other. Some even fainted and were carried out. These people who fainted were mostly those with weaker constitutions or pampered young masters from wealthy families who had never suffered hardship.

The families of the candidates all eagerly awaited, waiting for that familiar figure to appear.

Both the Zhang and Chen families came to pick up their sons, wanting to inquire about their performance on the exam. However, upon seeing their sons looking thinner and listless, drained of their usual spirit, their eyes welled up with tears. Overcome with worry, they forgot all about asking about the exam results and instead rushed forward to express their concern and care for their sons.

"You've worked hard, Xiu Yuan. You look thinner."

"Our Xiu Hong has lost weight too, look at his face, he's pale."

Well, I need to make up for it when I get back.

It's not so.

……

Gu Xiuming watched as his two older brothers were showered with concern and attention from their elders. In contrast, he only had a book boy to greet him. His father did not appear, neither at the start nor end of the autumn examinations. Gu Xiuming couldn't help but feel a little bitter about this.

After Zhang finished speaking with her son, she was just about to go back when she noticed Gu Xiuming standing beside them. She took a quick glance at him and saw that he had lost weight. She then asked with concern, "Xiuming, how are you feeling You've lost quite a bit of weight."

Gu Xiuming suppressed the discomfort in his heart and replied nonchalantly: "Thank you for your concern, aunt. I'm fine, just a little tired."

Zhang said: "Let's go back and bathe and change first, then have a good sleep and rest."

Gu Xiuming responded and, with the help of a young servant, got into the carriage. The group then set off back home.

On that side, Meng Jin Yao was leisurely strolling in the garden when she saw Zhang and her entourage. Only then did she realize that the Qiu Wei examination had ended today, and her elder sister-in-law and younger sister-in-law were going to the Gongyuan gate to pick up their sons.

She took another look at the three brothers Gu Xiuyuan. She saw that the three brothers looked haggard, with dark circles under their eyes and bloodshot eyes, looking listless. Their steps were unsteady, and they needed to be supported by servants. The elegant appearance of a noble young master was gone at this moment, especially Gu Xiuming. His complexion was even worse than his two older brothers, showing how hard he had been these days.

However, although Gu Xiuming was in the worst state, there was an undeniable confidence in his eyes and demeanor, something that neither Gu Xiuyuan nor Gu Xiuhong possessed.

She was surprised. Could Gu Xiuming have done very well on the exam

In a moment, Meng Jin Yao withdrew her sweeping gaze, stepped forward, and said softly, "Big sister-in-law, second sister-in-law are back. Xiu Yuan and the others look much thinner, especially Xiu Ming, are you alright"

Gu Xiuming bowed and replied respectfully, "My son is fine, mother needn't worry."

Meng Jin Yao nodded slightly: "It's good that nothing happened. You probably didn't rest well these past few days. Since you're back, go back and rest first. After you've rested, tomorrow we'll go to greet your grandmother. Your grandmother still mentioned the three of you yesterday."

Gu Xiuming responded, "Yes, Mother."

Subsequently, Gu Xiuming was helped back to Qingyuxuan by a servant. Zhang shi and Chen shi exchanged pleasantries with Meng Jin yao and also sent their respective sons home.'s thoughts and knew that her stepmother disliked her.Gu Jingxi seemed thoughtful.Meng Jinyang remained calm and composed, saying leisurely, "It's nothing, take it slow. I have plenty of time. The Yon...