FIMA Ch53: Rewards

“Mmh…” Xie Changyue sniffled, and then, like a little firecracker, charged directly at Gu Siyuan.

Gu Siyuan wrapped his arms around him, holding him in his embrace, and gently kissed the top of his jet-black hair with utmost tenderness.

Xie Changyue’s small face pressed against his husband’s hard chest, rubbing affectionately again and again.

It wasn’t until Gu Er finished paying the driver and sent the man off that the two were still tightly clinging to each other.

Gu Er ignored the young couple and headed into the village on his own; he hadn’t seen his husband in a long time either…

An unknown amount of time later, the two held hands and walked toward the village. Xie Changyue skipped along happily, casually asking: “Husband, you stayed in the prefectural city for so long, have the results for the Prefectural Exam been posted?”

Gu Siyuan nodded: “Mm.”

Xie Changyue looked at his husband, hesitating: “Then you…” It was truly because his husband didn’t show joy or anger on his face at all, and his mental fortitude far exceeded that of ordinary people; even as the person sharing his pillow day and night, it was hard to tell.

Pinching his slender, white fingers, Gu Siyuan said casually: “Around tomorrow, the county office will send people to deliver the good news.”

Xie Changyue widened his eyes, immediately understanding. He couldn’t control himself and jumped onto Gu Siyuan again: “Husband is indeed the most amazing.”

The County Exam and Prefectural Exam were merely the very first stops of the imperial examinations, also known as the Tongzi (Children’s) Exams. The government’s level of attention to them was relatively low; even if one passed, the students had to go see the posted rankings themselves.

Only the Anshou (first place) of the two exams could receive unparalleled attention; the local government would send personnel to their door to announce the good news and deliver the official document.

That is to say, for this Prefectural Exam, Gu Siyuan was still the Anshou.

As soon as the two entered the Gu family courtyard gate, Xie Changyue hollered for Mu Xia: “Papa, Papa, Husband took first place again this time!”

Mu Xia came out of the house to welcome them, smiling and nodding, indicating he already knew.

Several figures also poked their heads out from the First Branch’s side.

Old Master Gu looked at Gu Siyuan, Gu Er, and the others with a complex expression. If another family had two promising descendants, they would only be happy. But in the Gu family, it was more awkward, simply because in the past, they hadn’t valued Gu Yang at all, and even looked down on him.

However, ultimately, this complex emotion turned into a face full of smiles: “Yang-er is truly not bad, taking first place consecutively.”

Old Madam Gu also said gently: “Yes, now that Yang-er has passed to become a Tongsheng, we should treat the villagers to a meal. After your eldest brother passed last year, we also hosted one.”

Gu Siyuan didn’t answer; instead, he looked at his own father and Papa.

Meeting his son’s gaze, Gu Er recalled the smug smiles on his eldest brother and sister-in-law’s faces at the banquet last year, as well as his eldest brother patting his shoulder and saying words that seemed like consolation but were actually mockery.

Heh…

In just a short year’s time, those shadows had long vanished into thin air when his son took first place in the County Exam. Why should he hold a grudge?

Gu Er looked at his parents and shook his head: “Forget it. Yang-er still has to take the Academy Exam in August, so let’s not delay his time. Letting him study with peace of mind is what matters.”

The two elders were stunned, not expecting their usually honest and obedient second son to reject their intentions like this.

They had some scruples regarding Gu Siyuan, who possessed a scholarly honor, but toward their second son, their faces darkened on the spot.

Seeing this, Li Xiangtao seemed to have flipped some switch and immediately began mocking sarcastically: “Hmph, Second Brother, everyone in the village praises you for being honest, but I really can’t see it now. Just because your son took first place, you think you’re so great and don’t even put your parents in your eyes anymore.”

“Hmph, not to mention that everyone in the village knows of my father’s filial piety, Eldest Aunt, why do I smell a sour scent? Did you knock over a jar of vinegar in the kitchen? If taking first place is no big deal, then why didn’t your son get first place? Did he just not like it?” Hearing this, Xie Changyue showed no weakness and spoke with sarcastic undertones.

“You…” Li Xiangtao stomped her feet in anger, pointing at him: “You, what nonsense are you spouting? Zhen-er just had bad luck. Unlike this guy Gu Yang, who knew Zhen-er was amazing, so he deliberately didn’t take the exam in the same session. By delaying it a year, he luckily got a first place.”

“…” Gu Siyuan.
She sure knows how to make connections.

Xie Changyue gave a cold laugh: “Oh my, then why don’t you mention that my husband is seven months younger than your son? Isn’t it normal to take it a session later?”

“Also, it’s not like I want to point it out, but your son’s luck is truly terrible enough. Bad luck in the County Exam so he didn’t get first place, bad luck in the Prefectural Exam so he didn’t get first place either. His luck won’t be even worse for the Academy Exam in August, will it? It’d be so funny if he couldn’t even make the list then, haha… haha…”

Saying this, he uncontrollably burst into loud laughter. Hearing these witty words, a hint of a smile also hung on Gu Er and Mu Xia’s faces.

“You… you dare curse my Zhen-er?” Li Xiangtao’s expression changed drastically, her eyes full of fire, and she was about to charge at Xie Changyue: “I’ll tear your mouth off!”

Gu Siyuan took a step forward, blocking her path perfectly, his expression extremely cold and stern.

Stared at by him, Li Xiangtao retreated a few steps, pointing at Xie Changyue: “You… just you wait.”

Xie Changyue made a face at her: “I’ll wait then, who’s afraid of you? If you dare scold me or touch me, I’ll tattle to my husband.”

After saying that, his head held high and chest puffed out like a victorious rooster, he left following behind Gu Siyuan.

Old Master Gu and the Old Madam looked at this chaotic scene, feeling a headache coming on.

Every time they were having a nice conversation, it would always end up in a row.

The eldest daughter-in-law was a bit loose-lipped, but the Second Branch was always too unforgiving when they had the upper hand, especially this little Ger Changyue. Thank goodness they didn’t let Zhen-er marry him back then.

…

The good news of the Prefectural Exam arrived at Huangyang Village at noon the next day, causing another crowd of onlookers.

Many villagers surrounded Gu Er and Mu Xia speaking pleasant words. The clan elders also made a trip, wanting to host a celebratory banquet. However, upon hearing that Gu Siyuan still had to take the Academy Exam in August and didn’t want his mind to become unsettled, they had to give up this plan.

Meanwhile, Gu Siyuan’s name echoed throughout all of Tongzhou. First, there was the “Filial Son Machine” that benefited the people, and then he consecutively took first place in the County and Prefectural Exams.

The ancients valued reputation, but they equally valued capability. Wouldn’t a person possessing both be even more admired?

As such, if the Prefectural Magistrate was sensible and knew what was good, perhaps he would be very happy to facilitate his beautiful reputation of achieving the Xiao Sanyuan.

But for Gu Siyuan, life hadn’t changed much. Every day was still just studying and his husband, peaceful and busy.

From late April, it became May in the blink of an eye, and the weather gradually warmed up.

The academy began its field holiday again. However, this time, for some unknown reason, Gu Zhen didn’t return to Huangyang Village like in previous years, but stayed in Tongzhou.

The Gu family had mixed feelings about this, but it was none of Gu Siyuan’s business.

Xie Changyue came running in excitedly holding a small booklet: “Husband, as expected, the corn seeds that were soaked and disinfected are completely different from the ones planted directly.”

Gu Siyuan looked up at him: “Let me see your records.”

Xie Changyue handed the notebook over. It was drawn into a grid with horizontal and vertical headers. This was the recording method Gu Siyuan had taught him initially; it was indeed much more convenient. No matter the keyword, everything could be seen clearly at a glance.

In late March of this year, the first season of corn was planted. Over two months had passed since then, and the stalks and leaves had grown. Because of the expanded planting area, various different symptoms slowly manifested.

Among them, the seeds that were soaked and mixed with warm water, white vinegar, tung oil, etc., prior to planting, exhibited either fewer diseases, faster growth, or stronger survival abilities like drought resistance in their later growth stages.

However, the batch of seeds in Gu Siyuan’s hands was already a top-quality superior strain to begin with, so they possessed a certain level of stress resistance. Overall, the growth was considered up to standard.

Gu Siyuan returned the booklet to him and nodded: “Well done, recorded very in detail.”

Xie Changyue happily hugged his arm, flattering him: “Husband is even more amazing, to actually think of such a simple, clear-at-a-glance recording method. If those accountants saw it, they would definitely be astounded too.”

Gu Siyuan shot him a smiling sidelong glance, pinching his petite, exquisite chin with his fingers: “Truly not bad, you already know how to draw inferences from one instance.”

“Mm.” Xie Changyue’s smiling eyes curved like a smug, satiated little fox.

Looking at him, Gu Siyuan felt somewhat greedy. He lowered his head and kissed his fair eyelids, then slowly moved down to the tip of his nose, and to his dark red lips, picking the person up to sit face-to-face on his lap.

An unknown amount of time passed before their lips slowly separated.

Hugging his husband’s neck with both hands, Xie Changyue leaned on his shoulder, panting slightly, and murmured: “Husband, thank you.”

This wasn’t acting coquettishly, nor was it a confession of love, but a sincere and genuine expression of gratitude.

Grateful for marrying him in that switch, grateful for a year of cherishing and doting, and grateful for taking him to see a completely different world.

After a long time, Xie Changyue finally heard a deep, familiar “Mm.”

The leaves on the trees grew increasingly green; looking closely, it almost gave the illusion that they were so green they reflected light.

Time marched into late June. Juren Qi even felt like he had nothing left to teach regarding Gu Siyuan’s policy essays.

After classes ended at the academy this day, Gu Siyuan looked at Wang Xu: “As agreed upon before, I have a matter that needs your help.”

Wang Xu’s eyes darted, and he immediately recalled it. With bright eyes, he said: “What have you made this time?”

Gu Siyuan shook his head: “It’s my husband.”

Wang Xu curled his lip: “What can that little Ger do…”

Gu Siyuan looked at him coldly: “Are you going to keep listening? Otherwise, Changyue will return to the capital to seek help from the Suining Earl’s Mansion, or I will just report it to the County Magistrate.”

Wang Xu hurriedly pulled him back: “Don’t, I’ll listen, I’ll help you, alright?”

Of course, his active willingness to help wasn’t because the Wang family really coveted this benefit. It was simply because this Wuqing County Magistrate, including the Tongzhou Prefectural Magistrate, were not in the same faction as his family. He just didn’t want to see them get a free advantage.

Especially this County Magistrate, who was the First Prince’s man, making him the biggest competitor to their Wang family’s Fifth Prince.

He heard that precisely because of the “Filial Son Machine” matter last year, he was about to be promoted and transferred back to the Ministry of Revenue.

As for the Suining Earl’s Mansion, they usually seemed neutral. However, ever since that real Ger of the family returned, they had recently grown quite close to Xiao Jingchuan. Xiao Jingchuan was the study companion of the Fourth Prince. Although the Fourth Prince currently looked low-key and uncontested, who knew about the future?

After all, His Majesty only had these three adult princes in total…

Gu Siyuan shot a glance at Wang Xu. Seeing him smiling on the surface but with deep eyes, he knew what he was thinking in his heart.

However, this was for the best.

Although he was very familiar with the information in this world and knew the Wang family had a good family ethos and weren’t the type to burn bridges after crossing them.

But pinning everything on someone else’s conscience was a display of stupidity. When one’s own power was not yet sufficient, making others have scruples was the good choice.

The two sat in Wang Xu’s horse carriage and hurried toward Huangyang Village.

Wang Xu looked at the rut marks at the village entrance. These were the traces of a four-horse carriage, which meant other noble figures had recently come to the village.

Gu Siyuan said faintly: “Shen Changhuan and Xiao Jingchuan came back yesterday.”

Unsure of what Wang Xu was thinking, he just chuckled: “These two really go in and out as a pair without any scruples.”

Gu Siyuan brought Wang Xu into his own house. Xie Changyue happened to be in the courtyard and immediately threw himself over excitedly upon seeing him: “Husband, you came back so early today.”

Gu Siyuan supported him, held him in his arms, and patted him.

Wang Xu coughed lightly: “There’s another person here too. Thank me, it’s all because of my horse carriage that he got back so fast.”

Xie Changyue looked up at Wang Xu: “Oh, thanks then.”

Wang Xu was angry: “What kind of attitude is that?”

Gu Siyuan didn’t want to get involved in the argument between these two childish individuals. He squeezed his husband’s hand and said flatly: “Take him to see the fruits of your labor.”

Xie Changyue’s expression brightened. He snorted: “Sixteenth Young Master Wang, let’s go. Don’t let it dazzle your eyes!”

The three walked in the fields.

Wang Xu was in a quite good mood. Although he had been to his family’s estates quite a few times, it felt very different from this true countryside village.

Therefore, along the way, he widened his eyes, looking around at everything with great novelty.

And when he held the corncob in his hand, his eyes widened even more, almost becoming perfect circles: “You… you’re saying this thing can yield one thousand three hundred catties per mu over two seasons a year? And that’s just a conservative estimate?”

Although he had never worked in the fields, he had read extensively, naturally including books on agriculture and water conservancy. He was very well aware of the grain yields in their Northern region. Their staple crop, wheat, only yielded a little over three hundred catties per mu in a year.

This corncob had multiplied it by nearly five times. How many people could it feed? Would the grand army ever fear a shortage of rations in the future? Not to mention during disaster relief…

Just this discovery alone was bound to leave a name in history, to be worshipped by the common folk as a living Bodhisattva.

Xie Changyue’s brows and eyes danced with joy. He said smugly: “When we first discovered it last year, we tried planting a tenth of a mu and harvested ninety catties. So isn’t it perfectly normal to get eight hundred catties from one mu now? What’s the problem with two seasons adding up to at least one thousand three hundred?”

Wang Xu looked at them, his voice trembling: “It’s not that I don’t believe you. This matter is of grave importance. I will have someone come to harvest one mu of land and weigh it. Otherwise, if it’s reported and discovered to be deceiving the Emperor, that’s no joke.”

Xie Changyue had anticipated this long ago: “Have your people come harvest it then. I planted three mu of land anyway.”

Wang Xu nodded.

He looked at the servant beside him: “Make a trip back to the clan. Tell Thirteenth Uncle to come, and have him bring a few people who know how to do farm work. As soon as possible, it is extremely urgent!”

The servant nodded and took off running.

Wang Xu gently stroked the corn with his palm, then brought it to his nose and sniffed lightly: “It looks beautiful, and it smells sweet and fragrant too. Truly not bad.”

Gu Siyuan shot him a cold look: “Restrain that look and tone of yours.”

Wang Xu shook his head, boasting shamelessly: “I can’t restrain it. This thing is ten thousand times more moving than the most nation-toppling beauty.”

The three chatted at the head of the field for a moment before they saw several fast horses galloping over. The person leading them was none other than the middle-aged man Gu Siyuan had seen last year dropping Wang Xu off at Anping Academy.

To be safe, the few people brought by the Wang family not only snapped off all the corn from one mu of land, but also shelled it all on the spot, directly weighing the corn kernels themselves.

Among the servants, one who looked like a steward reported to the middle-aged man: “Reporting to Thirteenth Master, this lowly one has calculated it several times. One mu of land totals eight hundred and thirty-seven catties.”

“Good, good…” Thirteenth Master Wang’s eyes lit up brightly, and he looked at Gu Siyuan with a burning gaze: “Young man, since you trust my Wang family, then my Wang family will act as the middleman to recommend you to His Majesty. What you have done is earth-shattering. Not only the commoners of the world, but tens of thousands of future generations will also be deeply grateful to you.”

Gu Siyuan furrowed his brows.

Thirteenth Master Wang: “Young man, do you have any other requests?”

Gu Siyuan shook his head: “You might be mistaken about one point. This corn is the achievement of my husband, Xie Changyue. It has nothing to do with me.”

Thirteenth Master Wang froze.

Xie Changyue looked at his husband, hurriedly tugging his sleeve.

He had only planted it to make his husband happy. The seeds were given by his husband, and a lot of the knowledge was also taught to him by his husband. How did it all become his credit?

However, when outside, he would never contradict his husband’s opinions. Right now, he could only hum and whine, his expression shifting erratically.

Gu Siyuan squeezed his hand as a form of comfort.

Wang Xu also hurriedly explained: “Thirteenth Uncle, it is indeed so.”

Thirteenth Master Wang’s mind raced, and finally, he gave Gu Siyuan and Xie Changyue a deep look: “Alright, I will report this truthfully to my elder brother.”

It had to be said, if this item was discovered by Xie Changyue, perhaps His Majesty would be even happier.

After all, what the commoners of today sought was merely a full stomach.

Once this thing spread among the populace, it would inevitably cause the discoverer’s prestige to surge. Among the major armies lacking rations at the borders, it would instantly accumulate renown, perhaps even to the point where the reputation threatened the ruler.

Tsk, if it were like that…

Therefore, if this person was merely a Ger, His Majesty would presumably be able to sleep much more peacefully, and might be even more generous when granting rewards.

At this time, the sky had already turned pitch black.

Wang Xu and the others did not stay any longer, whipping their horses to hurry back.

Gu Siyuan and Xie Changyue also leisurely returned home.

After arriving home, Xie Changyue was still puffed up with anger: “Husband, you decided everything on your own early on.”

Although after this short while, being a smart person himself, he roughly understood his husband’s considerations, he was still somewhat unwilling to accept it.

Gu Siyuan chuckled lightly and pinched his cheek. The tactile feel was as good as always.

However, he deliberately furrowed his brows slightly and said: “Your face seems a bit rougher. No, looking closely, your skin also seems a bit tanner than before.”

“Ah…” Xie Changyue exclaimed in shock. He hurriedly sat down in front of the bronze mirror, touching his own face: “Really? Is it really tanner?”

Gu Siyuan’s tone was casual: “It’s currently summer, and you go down to the fields every day. Getting a bit tanner is unavoidable.”

Xie Changyue’s expression was crestfallen.

He was undoubtedly a little Ger who was extremely vain about his looks.

Hearing that he had become tanner and his face rougher felt worse than being slashed with a knife.

Thus, he instantly took out the beauty balm he had made previously and hurriedly smeared it onto his face. Then, every few minutes, he would ask Gu Siyuan if he had gotten any whiter.

Gu Siyuan looked up and let out a faux “Mm”: “It seems… it is a bit whiter…”

My husband is so cute.

Xie Changyue was slightly satisfied, then continued smearing, completely forgetting about the previous matter.

It wasn’t until they went to sleep at night, when Gu Siyuan caressed and kissed him as fondly as usual, that Xie Changyue vaguely felt something seemed off.

However, with large hands igniting fires everywhere on his body, waves of stimulation coming one after another, he truly couldn’t continue to think too much. He could only fully immerse himself in the pleasure brought by the person on top of him.

The next day, Gu Siyuan went to the academy for classes as usual.

Wang Xu looked at his classmate, who still wore an ice-block face, feeling deep admiration: “You are truly a formidable figure.”

Gu Siyuan looked at him: “You’re not bad either.” To be able to constantly act like a blockhead.

By noon, two people from the Wang family arrived at the academy. They were there to deliver a message, informing Gu Siyuan and Wang Xu that Minister Wang had already presented the corn matter to His Majesty, and His Majesty was overjoyed.

Tomorrow morning, he would dispatch three princes carrying an imperial edict, along with personnel from the Ministry of Revenue, to Huangyang Village. First, to bestow rewards upon Xie Changyue, and second, to verify the authenticity.

Gu Siyuan acknowledged, his expression remaining unchanged.

When he returned home after classes in the evening, he went to the First Branch and told Old Master Gu about this matter. He asked him to discipline the villagers, saying it would be best for everyone to gather in one place tomorrow, or simply try not to go out, lest they offend any noble figures.

Over the past year, Old Master Gu had been shocked by this previously very inconspicuous grandson many times.

But his first reaction at this moment was still disbelief.

For their village to produce a Ger from an Earl’s Mansion like Shen Changhuan already felt like daydreaming.

Now, to actually say that princes were coming. Those were princes, the Emperor’s dragon sons…

Old Master Gu grabbed his hand, his entire body trembling: “Yang-er, you… are you telling the truth? Princes are coming?”

Gu Siyuan nodded, his expression unchanged: “This matter is naturally true. Otherwise, wouldn’t what your grandson just said be deceiving the sovereign and showing contempt for superiors? As the Village Chief, Grandfather had better make preparations early. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be good to let the princes see anything unseemly.”

After speaking, he directly turned and left.

Seeing Gu Siyuan’s demeanor, Old Master Gu became somewhat convinced.

He sat in his chair for quite a while before recovering his senses, and then hurried out the door.

He never expected that in his lifetime, he would actually be able to see the dragon sons and imperial grandsons.

The next day happened to be the academy’s ten-day holiday, so Gu Siyuan stayed at home.

The large procession of the princes traveled quite quickly. Setting off from the capital early in the morning and rushing all the way here, they astonishingly only took half a day, arriving exactly at noon.

In the morning, Magistrate Du of their Wuqing County had already brought a squad of yamen runners to the village to maintain order.

Now, he directly led the villagers to kneel at the village entrance in welcome.

On the surface, the princes were quite amiable, affectionately asking them to rise.

Then, they called Gu Siyuan and Xie Changyue out to lead the way directly to the fields.

The personnel from the Ministry of Revenue didn’t ask for their opinions; they directly got to work and harvested all the corn from those two mu of land. Then they weighed them separately: one was eight hundred and seventy-two catties, and the other was nine hundred and three catties.

The officials from the Ministry of Revenue knew all too well what these numbers represented. They immediately knelt facing the direction of the Forbidden City, shouting “Long live the Emperor,” and congratulating His Majesty on his everlasting reign.

The villagers also followed suit and knelt down in confusion.

Now, there was no longer any doubt.

After everyone stood up, the First Prince stepped forward and said with a beaming smile: “Husband Xie has performed meritorious deeds for the commoners and the state. Imperial Father specially ordered this Prince to bring rewards as commendation. Receive the edict!”

The Fourth Prince and Fifth Prince shot him a glance. You make it sound like it’s just you, merely relying on being the oldest.

Gu Siyuan and Xie Changyue, however, didn’t care about the silent exchanges between them. They only felt slightly depressed that they had to kneel back down right after standing up.

However, the contents of the following imperial edict were extremely satisfying, smoothing over any dissatisfaction.

Perhaps because of Xie Changyue’s status as a Ger, the Emperor’s rewards were exceptionally generous. Not only was Xie Changyue titled ‘Lord of Changming County’ (Changming Xianjun) and granted a county lord’s mansion in the capital, but he was also awarded an estate in Tongzhou, a hundred mu of fertile land, a thousand taels of silver, and various other imperially bestowed treasures.

Just listening to it, the villagers were dazzled, unable to even imagine it.

Xie Changyue hurriedly and respectfully extended both hands, receiving the edict and thanking the Emperor for his grace.

After the rewards were granted, the three princes were eager to return to the capital to report back. They left without even drinking an extra mouthful of water. However, by prior agreement, they all gave Gu Siyuan a deep look before leaving, their expressions highly thought-provoking.

Gu Siyuan indicated that he was just a man who would rely on living off his husband in the future; he didn’t understand anything, nor did he see anything clearly.

After everyone had completely left, the villagers no longer concealed their emotions, looking eagerly at the imperial edict in Xie Changyue’s hand.

That was an imperial edict! Written by the Emperor…

Not just their village, but even people from several neighboring villages would pop over when they had nothing to do upon hearing the news. They wanted to see the imperial edict and the County Lord, as well as the legendary corn that could yield over a thousand catties per mu.

However, Gu Er’s family’s cornfield had already been taken over by the Ministry of Revenue personnel, guarded daily by the imperial army.

But the most restless were not those outsiders, but the Gu family themselves.

Inside the Gu family’s main hall.

“Yang-er, how could you give all this credit to your husband?” A clan elder from who-knows-where said earnestly.

Gu Siyuan’s expression was faint: “He was the one who planted it to begin with.”

“He married you. Upon marriage, one follows the husband. Isn’t what’s his, yours?” The clan elder frowned.

Gu Siyuan looked at him and said nonchalantly: “Then go tell him yourself, ask him to share some credit with me. He is now a County Lord, possessing a noble title and official rank. I am afraid of him and dare not offend him. You are probably not afraid.”

“…” Clan elder.

Is this how you converse?

Even you are afraid, how could they, who have no relation to him whatsoever, dare to…

After the clan elders returned in defeat, Gu Siyuan turned his gaze to Old Master Gu: “Grandfather, this matter is a foregone conclusion. There’s no need to have people come make further probes.”

Old Master Gu’s face paled slightly.

He was just unwilling to accept it. Such a massive merit, a merit sufficient to change the social standing of their Gu family, had actually fallen entirely onto a Ger.

Why didn’t Gu Yang claim this credit for himself? Even if he wasn’t willing, he could have let his old bones claim it…

Ignoring the thoughts running through the Old Master’s mind, Gu Siyuan lightly patted the hem of his clothes, stood up, and walked out of the hall.

Li Xiangtao leaned against the door, opening a slight crack. Looking at Gu Yang’s departing back, her eyes were filled with bloodshot veins. She hadn’t been able to sleep for several days.

Why? Why was this wretched boy so lucky…

Not only did he create the “Filial Son Machine” and take first place in the exams consecutively, but even this Xie Changyue he married, whom she once looked down upon, had now suddenly leaped to become a County Lord.

All of this clearly should have belonged to her Zhen-er. How could Gu Yang, this guy who wouldn’t even let out a muffled fart if beaten with three sticks, deserve it?

“Mother, what are you saying belongs to Eldest Brother?” Gu Qingqing’s crisp voice rang out.

Li Xiangtao’s fingers tightly gripped the wooden door. Her mind buzzed, only realizing now that she had accidentally spoken her inner thoughts out loud.

Gu Qingqing tilted her head in confusion: “But back then, weren’t you and Brother the ones who didn’t want Brother-in-law Changyue? So, he married Second Cousin.”

Li Xiangtao’s face turned pale.

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