FIMA Ch47.1: Imperial Examinations

Gu Zhen also followed his mother’s gaze and saw Gu Yang and Xie Changyue close together, looking completely oblivious to their surroundings. He couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows slightly.

…Delicate wrists preparing ink, red sleeves adding fragrance.

Isn’t this the dream of scholars and poets throughout the ages?

Ha, his second brother really knows how to enjoy himself.

Gu Siyuan was always vigilant and keen. At this moment, his eyelids lifted, and he directly met that distant, complex gaze.

But when he saw who it was, his long, narrow eyes slightly squinted, and he turned his face away indifferently.

As if that person didn’t exist in his eyes at all.

Gu Zhen was taken aback.

This was the second time he had inexplicably felt as if Gu Yang looked down on him as low as dust.

But why?

What right did Gu Yang have to look down on him? In what way was Gu Yang better than him? In looks, scholarship, popularity, in all these things he couldn’t compare… even the husband Gu Yang now so cherished, was someone he had discarded.

Hmph… perhaps in the future, when he had achieved top honors in the imperial examinations and the gap between them was insurmountable, Gu Yang might feel this sense of being looked down upon from the eyes of his beloved husband. That would certainly be interesting…

On this day, with a few faint stars still floating in the sky and the distant mountains shrouded in a thin layer of mist, Gu Siyuan gently moved the person in his arms aside and got up early to dress.

When he finished tidying up and opened the door, the door next to him also opened.

Gu Lao’er yawned as he looked at his son: “Why are you up so early? Didn’t I say I would go to Mei Village to buy meat?”

Gu Siyuan shook his head: “Father, go back to sleep, I can go by myself.”

Gu Lao Er looked at him and chuckled softly, not saying more, and turned back into the house.

Since his son was sensible, he could relax. Besides, he wanted to go back to the house and continue sleeping with his husband!

Gu Siyuan closed the courtyard gate and walked along the village path.

The early summer morning breeze blew on him without feeling cold, only endlessly refreshing.

As Gu Siyuan walked, he unconsciously quickened his pace, feeling a bit like running.

The original form of this body was still that of a scholar, far inferior to his own. He had long wanted to exercise it.

Fortunately, it was still early, and there was not a single person on the village path. Otherwise, seeing a scholar in a long robe running wildly without regard for his image would probably become a topic of conversation over tea and meals.

After running for about ten minutes, a large stone with the words “Mei Village” carved on it appeared in front of him. Gu Siyuan stopped and caught his breath.

Among the nearby villages, only Mei Village had a butcher.

This butcher, besides going around taking on pig-slaughtering jobs during festivals, would also set up a stall at home, selling some pork every few days in the morning, and the demand was quite high.

Gu Siyuan got up early to buy meat today because it was the day Xie Changyue would return to his parents’ home for the third day.

Yesterday, Old Madam Gu and Mu Xia had already discussed the return gifts: two catties of pork, a rooster, some snacks, and sweet wine, along with some homemade items.

The sweet wine and snacks were brought by Third Brother Gu from the county a few days ago, so there was no need to spend extra money on them.

When Gu Siyuan reached the meat stall, there were already three or five customers there. The butcher was chopping bones and cutting meat energetically. He stood quietly aside, hands behind his back, waiting.

Those who had finished buying meat turned around and saw this tall figure, their eyes widening.

Gu Siyuan stood upright, wearing a blue cotton long robe, his jet-black hair tied high, revealing his cold and deep features, making a lasting impression.

The few people who had walked far away couldn’t help but gather and whisper about which family this handsome and imposing young man belonged to. He was dressed in a scholar’s robe, was he married…

Even the burly butcher smiled broadly when he saw Gu Siyuan, lowering his rough voice a bit.

After paying for the meat, Gu Siyuan walked back without running.

There were already some people on the village path. However, when they saw him, they couldn’t help but glance at him, then praised him.

When Gu Siyuan opened his courtyard gate with the leaf-wrapped meat, most of the Gu family had already gotten up.

Gu Qingqing was squatting in the corner wiping her mouth with a willow twig. Seeing him, she teased, “Second Brother has changed since getting married. I hope the husband I find in the future will be like Second Brother, caring for his household.”

Everyone in the courtyard laughed at her words.

Li Xiangtao, passing by, gave her a slap: “Shameless girl, what nonsense are you talking about?”

Besides, what kind of skill does Gu Yang have, who spends all day clinging to his husband? Her son Zhen’er, who is good at studying and admired by someone like Shen Changhuan, now that’s talent!

Gu Siyuan nodded to everyone, placed the pork on the table in the main room, and went into his own room.

Xie Changyue had already gotten up, dressed and shod, but he was not used to washing up in front of a courtyard full of men and women, so he fetched water and returned to the room.

As soon as he saw Gu Siyuan, he puffed up his cheeks and glared at him.

Gu Siyuan glanced at him, frowning slightly: “What’s the matter?”

Xie Changyue hung the cloth on the wooden rack, blinked his moist eyes, and approached Gu Siyuan: “Why didn’t you wake me up when you got up? I wanted to go buy meat with you.”

For the past few days, he had been waking up in his husband’s arms every day. This morning, not seeing him suddenly, he got scared.

Seeing him looking a bit listless, Gu Siyuan pulled him into his arms and softly comforted him: “I called you a few times but couldn’t wake you. I didn’t want you to be tired, so I let you sleep a bit longer.”

Xie Changyue was somewhat doubtful. Although he had been a bit tired at night lately, he wasn’t a heavy sleeper.

But since his husband was so good to him, he wouldn’t lie to him.

Pouting, he acted coy: “Next time, you must wake me up. I want to be with you wherever you go.”

Gu Siyuan saw his cheeks puffed up with a slightly cute roundness and couldn’t help but pinch him: “Always following me around, don’t you have to tend to your flowers?”

Ever since he gave the corn seeds to Xie Changyue, this guy couldn’t visit the backyard garden enough.

Xie Changyue hesitated slightly: “Then except for the time spent on the flowers, I’ll follow you.”

Gu Siyuan, touching his slender waist, thought: Initially, he just wanted to complete the task and marry Xie Changyue to take care of him. Now, he seemed to have found himself a living sticky cake.

After breakfast, Gu Siyuan took Xie Changyue back to his parents’ home.

Visiting in this manner, the earlier the better.

Xie Changyue was a man of his word, clinging to Gu Siyuan tightly all the way. Gu Siyuan carried a basket in one hand and held him with the other.

This happened to be the time when the villagers were heading to the fields. Seeing them, they felt that the young couple had a good relationship.

If it weren’t for Gu Siyuan’s usual cold and stern demeanor, keeping people at a distance, some curious folks might have been unable to resist coming up to tease them.

At the end of the village, the Xie family knew it was the day for the bride’s return and were all neatly waiting in the courtyard.

Seeing the two’s intimate manner, Xie Er felt somewhat relieved. Since Xie Changyue hadn’t grown up by his side and had a general relationship with his current wife and children, it had been quite difficult for him.

But since Xie Changyue was his blood, he could only hope that after marrying out, Xie Changyue would live well and that they could maintain an ordinary relationship as relatives.

Xie Changyue, however, switched from his sweet and soft demeanor in front of Gu Siyuan to greeting the family properly: “Father.”

Gu Siyuan also cupped his hands in salute: “Father-in-law.”

Xie Er waved his hand and smiled: “It’s good you’re back. Come in and sit.”

They all entered the house one after another, and Gu Siyuan put down the things he brought.

The fresh meat and chicken needed to be dealt with quickly. The snacks and pastries were opened and shared on the spot, with the rest put away.

In the main hall, Xie Er and Xie Dong were chatting with Gu Siyuan.

Xie Changyue went back to his previous room to have a look; he still had some things left there, which he could take away this time.

However, when he opened the door, he found the room completely unfamiliar.

Xie Qiu saw him from the courtyard and sneered, “You’re already married off, what are you looking at? This is now my brother Xie Dong’s study.”

The corners of Xie Changyue’s mouth curled into a mocking smile. He closed the door and turned back to the main hall.

Xie Dong was born the winter after Liu Zhi married Xie Er, only a little over a year younger than Xie Changyue. He was very favored in the Xie family and also went to school.

However, the Xie family’s conditions were not as good as the Gu family’s, so Xie Dong couldn’t attend the academy in the county. Instead, he was tutored by an old scholar in the neighboring village’s private school since he started learning, and it was said his studies were quite good.

Gu Siyuan probably had some understanding of this. In the brief conversation just now, this young master Xie Dong exhibited unparalleled arrogance, despite his young age, behaving like an old scholar, very fond of lecturing and showing off.

Gu Siyuan had no interest in quarreling with this nominal brother-in-law, who was actually just a fourteen or fifteen-year-old kid. He merely responded indifferently a few times.

Seeing Xie Changyue returning looking somewhat unhappy, he had even less desire to pay attention to Xie Dong.

He reached out and pulled his own spouse to sit beside him, lowering his eyes and softly asking, “What’s the matter?”

Xie Changyue chuckled lightly, shook his head, and said nothing.

Gu Siyuan didn’t continue to ask.

Since they were at the Xie family’s house now, and it was clearly someone from the Xie family who made him unhappy, there was no need to say more if they didn’t want to turn the situation sour in front of Xie Er and Xie Dong.

He reached out to the table, picked up a piece of pastry, and handed it to Xie Changyue: “Have something sweet; it’ll cheer you up.”

Xie Changyue took the pastry and glanced at his husband.

Though he still wore that usual cold and dignified look, just a casual sentence could make him feel instantly wrapped in warmth.

Xie Changyue opened his mouth and took a gentle bite of the pastry. Indeed, it was very sweet.

With this thought, he ate it all, one bite after another.

In the Marquis of Suining’s residence before, he had never liked eating pastries, always finding them a bit greasy. But now, this coarse and crumbly pastry, far less refined than anything in the Marquis’ residence, seemed to him like the most delicious thing in the world.

During a break in his conversation with Xie Er, Gu Siyuan noticed some pastry crumbs on the corner of his spouse’s mouth and instinctively raised his sleeve to gently wipe them away.

Xie Changyue held his sleeve, looked up, and stuck out his tongue lightly at him.

Seeing this scene, young master Xie Dong felt deeply ashamed. Even when visiting someone else’s home, they behaved so unrestrainedly.

It was disgraceful enough that Gu Yang, who was mediocre in talent and learning, still indulged in romantic entanglements, not knowing when he would achieve any success, unlike his brother Gu Zhen who was miles ahead.

He lightly cleared his throat: “I heard brother-in-law is going to take the exam next spring?”

“Indeed,” Gu Siyuan glanced at him and nodded.

Xie Dong lifted his chin, his gaze proud: “Teacher Zhang said that I could also try the exam next year, so that when I take it again the year after, I will surely be on the list.”

Gu Siyuan remained unmoved, responding plainly, “If the teacher suggested it, you should give it a try.”

Xie Dong was dissatisfied with his reaction. After all, he was nearly four years younger, yet he would be taking the same exam as Gu Siyuan. Didn’t this man feel any shame?

He continued, “Does brother-in-law have high hopes for his first exam ranking? Brother Changhuan mentioned that if I pass the county and provincial exams the year after, he would help me find an academy in the capital.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Er’s face first showed a slight change, a hint of embarrassment in his eyes.

He instinctively glanced at Xie Changyue, who sat unperturbed beside Gu Siyuan, as if he had heard nothing.

Gu Siyuan, holding Xie Changyue’s hand, didn’t even look up as he responded, “Yes, there are many academies in the capital. It’s a good thing.”

Xie Dong, feeling a growing frustration, coldly said, “Doesn’t brother-in-law want to attend an academy in the capital? I could mention it to Changhuan…”

“No need.” Gu Siyuan finally looked up at him. He wanted to see what kind of mindless fool repeatedly mentioned Shen Changhuan in front of Xie Changyue.

Xie Dong, seeing him finally look over, smiled smugly, “Brother-in-law lacks confidence in passing the provincial exam the year after? Well, a gentleman should speak with sincerity. Although your studies are poor, you’re an honest man.”

At these words, a rare, faint smile appeared on Gu Siyuan’s cold face.

A flower blooming on ice, naturally, exuding an irresistible, mysterious charm.

Not only Xie Changyue, but even Xie Er and Xie Qiu couldn’t help but be captivated.

Then, they saw him part his thin lips slightly: “You idiot, I’ve put up with you for a long time. Why don’t we make a bet? For next year’s county exam, let’s see the ranking difference between us. For each rank, you have to shout ‘Xie Dong is the biggest fool in the world’ that many times at the village entrance. How about that?”

He maintained a calm tone, his words clear and precise. No one in the room could mistake what he said.

And so, the atmosphere instantly fell silent.

“……”

In that moment, Xie Dong’s still somewhat youthful face turned pale and red alternately, his eyes welling up as if he were about to cry.

The next moment, he slammed the table and stood up: “You… you are simply insulting!”

Gu Siyuan sneered, “Who’s really insulting? Standing up and slamming the table in front of your father—what fine manners and conduct for a scholar!”

Xie Dong’s face grew even redder: “You… you…”

Pointing at Gu Siyuan for a long time, he couldn’t utter a single word.

Gu Siyuan waved away his hand, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth: “Stop talking nonsense. So, do you dare to bet or not?”

Xie Dong almost blurted out, “Bet it.”

But meeting the confident gaze of the person before him, he hesitated instinctively. Losing now would just be a momentary verbal defeat, but if they truly bet, in case… his reputation would be entirely ruined.

Xie Er, as the head of the family, felt a bit of dissatisfaction with Xie Dong, Gu Siyuan, and Xie Changyue, seeing how the return visit had turned out. However, at this moment, he could only push Xie Dong back to the study.

It wasn’t just to naturally ease Xie Dong’s embarrassment; he also feared that if Gu Siyuan and Xie Changyue left in anger, the villagers would mock the Xie family, saying that they couldn’t even keep their son-in-law for a meal when he came to visit.

After the father and son left, Xie Changyue gently squeezed Gu Siyuan’s hand, a beautiful smile appearing on his lips.

Gu Siyuan’s expression didn’t change, still maintaining his usual cold demeanor.

But the two of them, looking at each other, matched perfectly.