Chapter 14 - Chapter 14: Repaying Gratitude

Chapter 14: Repaying Gratitude Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios Gu Jiao finally understood why the Host and Gu Xiaoshun could play together. Their intelligence was basically on the same level. She had made pheasant stew with mushrooms today. Although the taste of the pheasant was delicious, its meat was firmer than poultry. She had to stew it in a big iron pot for four hours before it was cooked enough. She also made a refreshing salad of fungus and shredded radish, with a staple of white rice and some cornmeal pancakes baked on an iron pot. Although Xiao Liulang’s score was at the bottom, Gu Jiao still took it earnestly. She had slaughtered the pheasant in order to celebrate Xiao Liulang’s accomplishment; however, she would not say it explicitly. “Go call your brother-in-law for dinner,” she said to Gu Xiaoshun as she went to take the pancakes she had baked. “Okay!” Gu Xiaoshun went over eagerly. Xiao Liulang had just finished copying a book. When outstanding candidates passed the exams to become scholar-advocates or senior scholars, books with their annotations would be borrowed by bookstores so that they could be copied and sold to other candidates. Such books were more expensive than usual, but aspirants still flocked to buy them. Xiao Liulang’s handwriting was pleasing to the eye, and the books he copied had the best sales. “Brother-in-law! Time to eat!” Gu Xiaoshun stuck his head in through the crack in the door. It was great to be thick-skinned. Despite bullying him half to death several days ago, he was now being so affectionate. Xiao Liulang’s expression was as chilly as ever. He did not show any surprise at the change in Gu Xiaoshun’s attitude. Of course, neither did he throw a tantrum at Gu Xiaoshun for his past insensibility. Gu Xiaoshun suddenly felt that he was quite comfortable being with his brother-in-law. The three of them sat down to eat. Gu Xiaoshun snagged a piece of mushroom first. In his impression, his sister did not cook, so this was his first time tasting her cooking. However, he did not expect it to be so delicious! Then, he picked up a piece of meat. Heavens! It was so delicious that he was about to weep! Gu Jiao scooped out two drumsticks—one for Xiao Liulang, one for Gu Xiaoshun. The drumsticks were stewed through with flavor, while juicy and succulent. With one bite, Gu Xiaoshun felt like he was about to ascend to heaven. Xiao Liulang was very calm. However, if Gu Jiao knew about his past appetite, she probably would not think that way. The two of them quickly finished their bowls of rice. Gu Xiaoshun stood up to scoop more rice; when he saw that Xiao Liulang’s bowl was empty, he said, “Brother-in-law, I’ll get more rice for you too!” “Okay.” Xiao Liulang did not refuse. It was unknown if he did not reject his good intentions, or if he did not reject him calling him brother-in-law. Gu Xiaoshun quickly went to get more rice. This was the most comfortable meal Gu Xiaoshun had ever eaten. It tasted good, and the atmosphere at the dining table was good. Although his sister and brother-in-law did not speak much, he could! The three of them were eating happily! After dinner, Xiao Liulang helped Gu Jiao with the dishes, while Gu Xiaoshun went to the backyard to chop firewood. After entering the kitchen, Xiao Liulang suddenly placed a money bag beside Gu Jiao’s hand. Gu Jiao looked at him strangely. “Household fees,” he said. Two taels of silver, which he earned from copying books for more than a month. He only had about ten copper coins left on him. However, he was about to finish copying the book on hand; in two days, he should be able to bring it to town to exchange for money. Gu Jiao raised her eyebrows at the money bag on the stove. She took it and accepted it. After they cleaned up the kitchen, Gu Jiao went to the village entrance to get water. Gu Xiaoshun snatched her shoulder pole over. “Sister, go rest. I’ll handle this kind of rough work!” He picked up the shoulder pole and left. Gu Jiao could not stop him even if she wanted to. At this moment, everyone was eating in their homes, so no one was out to fetch water. He occupied the old well alone and was fetching water when two formidable men rode over and stopped beside Gu Xiaoshun without a word. The two of them dismounted. Gu Xiaoshun felt a chilling killing intent. He was but a little rascal from the village; with a glance, he immediately realized that they were martial arts practitioners. All the rascals in the surrounding villages combined were no match for either of them. “Are you from this village?” one of the burly men asked. “Uh… Yes, what’s the matter?” Gu Xiaoshun asked in a daze. “We’re looking for someone!” The burly man flashed a broken umbrella and asked fiercely, “Have you ever seen this umbrella?” Why wouldn’t I have seen it before? That’s my sister’s umbrella! Gu Xiaoshun was beside himself. “You’ve seen it before, haven’t you?” The burly man narrowed his eyes menacingly. “I… I, I, I…” Gu Xiaoshun stuttered. What did Sister do? Why are there such terrifying people looking for her? “Kid.” The burly man’s rough hand reached out, gently pressing on Gu Xiaoshun’s shoulder. “I advise you to tell the truth. Otherwise, I’ll ask someone else…” This person’s so strong, I can’t even move my body! Gu Xiaoshun gritted his teeth. “It’s mine!” The man was stunned. He exchanged a look with his companion. The burly man withdrew his hand and asked skeptically, “Your umbrella? Are you sure?” Gu Xiaoshun’s legs were already starting to go weak, but he obstinately said, “It’s my own umbrella, of course I’m sure! There’s a mark on the handle of the umbrella with the word ‘Xiao’, I carved it myself!” It was true. He had been bored, so he carved his name on his sister’s umbrella, but he only knew how to write that word. Of course, the burly men knew that there was a word carved on the umbrella handle, so when he said this, they believed him for the most part. “So you were the one who went to the mountain that day?” “Yes!” “And you’re the one who stepped on our master’s face?” “…It was me!” “As well as the one who fixed our master’s arm?” “…Yes! Yes to all of them!” “And pricked his backside with a needle?” Gu Xiaoshun almost stumbled and fell. Dearest sister of mine, why are you going around stabbing people’s butts for no reason?! Gu Xiaoshun took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “Yes, yes, yes! I did all of those! If you don’t believe me, you can ask around. Other than me, who else in the surrounding villages would do such a thing?” Gu Xiaoshun felt that he would be beaten to death here today, but the pain he had imagined did not come. He carefully opened his eyes, only to see the two burly men take a big step back and bow deeply to him! “Benefactor! We’ve finally found you!” Gu Xiaoshun: “…” “Sister! Sister!” Gu Xiaoshun ran into the kitchen as if he had been reborn anew. “I think I’m in trouble!” “Keep your voice down. Your brother-in-law is studying.” Gu Jiao gestured at him. Between sobs and wails, Gu Xiaoshun told Gu Jiao everything that had happened at the village entrance. “…Sister, what should we do now? What benefactor? Are they blackmailing me?” “So that’s how it is.” Gu Jiao recalled what had happened on the mountain that day and nodded thoughtfully. “You didn’t ask who they were?” Gu Xiaoshun lowered his head. “I forgot to ask.” “Have they left?” Gu Jiao asked. “Not yet,” Gu Xiaoshun cried. Gu Jiao put down the broom. “Okay, wait for me here.” “Sister, don’t go!” Gu Xiaoshun held her back. “It’s fine.” Gu Jiao smiled and walked towards the village entrance. Gu Xiaoshun did not know what his sister had said to the two of them, but they left obediently. At dawn the next day, a carriage rode into the village and stopped outside the Gu residence. A refined middle-aged man alighted from the carriage. Today, the eldest branch was cooking. Madam Zhou and Zhou Yue’e had woken up early. Gu Yue’e was carrying a basket on her back and headed for the fields to cut grass for the pig feed. The moment she opened the door, she spotted a middle-aged man about to knock on their door, as well as the large carriage behind the man. Gu Yue’e had never seen such a scene before and was stunned. The middle-aged man asked in a pleasant voice, “Excuse me, is this Administrator Gu’s home?” Gu Yue’e turned around and ran into the house. “…Mother, Mother! Someone is looking for Grandfather!” The one who came out was Gu Changhai. Gu Changhai was Old Master Gu’s eldest son, and would occasionally follow the Old Master Gu to the magistracy. He was more knowledgeable than most in the village. It was obvious that the other party had powerful backing. Gu Changhai said politely, “My father is washing up. And you are…” The middle-aged man cupped his hands in greeting and smiled. “I’m a steward from Divine Academy. I’m here today to deliver the admission documents for Young Master Gu.” Aren’t the admission documents supposed to be collected at the academy? Why did they go to the trouble of having someone send them over personally? Did our Dashun do too well? Gu Changhai felt his back become even straighter. He proudly called out into the house, “Dashun, the academy sent someone here to hand you the admission documents!”