novelkee Chapter 516 Just try your best
Chapter 516 Just try your best
The carriage of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion slowly came to a stop amidst the commotion, but no one dared to approach and disturb it.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Gu Junze stepped out first. His dark robes appeared even more solemn in the dim morning light.
He turned around, reached out to help Chu Ruohan down, followed by Lu Ge'er, who was wearing a brand-new blue robe.
He stood ramrod straight, his small frame radiating a calmness beyond his years.
Following at the very back was Master Gu, who had come especially for this occasion.
Upon seeing his grandson, he hurried forward, took Lu Ge'er's hand, and looked very serious.
“Brother Lü, your grandfather has a few more words of advice for you.”
Master Gu lowered his voice, "Be careful once you're in the cell. Make sure you read the questions carefully before answering, and don't panic."
"Your handwriting must be neat and your paper must be clean. This is important because it affects the examiner's first impression, so you can't be careless!"
He looked his grandson up and down, then said, "You must keep track of the time; don't waste too much time on one question. And also..."
Lu Ge'er listened quietly, nodding repeatedly with a respectful expression: "Yes, Grandfather, I have remembered it all."
After speaking, his gaze unconsciously turned to Chu Ruohan and Gu Junze, his eyes filled with a hint of longing for stability.
A flicker of displeasure crossed Master Gu's mind; he felt that this child was ultimately dependent on the Duke and his wife...
Chu Ruohan met Lu Ge'er's gaze and smiled gently.
She didn't spout any grand theories about future prospects and glory; she simply stepped forward and straightened his slightly crooked collar.
"Do your best."
Upon hearing this, Master Gu couldn't help but feel somewhat disdainful.
That's a woman's perspective. The examination hall is like a battlefield; how can it be summed up in just one sentence: "do your best"?
Such a momentous matter is described so casually.
It would be best if Brother Lu could top the list in one fell swoop, and then his future career would be smooth sailing!
However, due to Chu Ruohan's status, he did not show any such reaction on his face, but simply looked away.
Lu Ge'er's eyes were slightly red, and he nodded vigorously, as if he had engraved those words into his heart.
At this moment, the entrance drumbeats sounded, deep and resonant.
Gu Junze had been standing silently to the side until now, when he finally spoke.
He looked at his nephew, who was trying so hard to grow up, and without giving any further instructions, he only said one sentence:
"Go."
Two words: steady as a mountain, representing complete trust and support.
Lu Ge'er took a deep breath, turned around, first bowed deeply to Master Gu, then turned to Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan and gave an even more solemn bow.
Then, without looking back, he carried his exam basket and joined the surging crowd heading towards the Dragon Gate.
Although he failed to achieve what Master Gu had hoped for day and night—to become the top scholar and gain fame throughout the capital.
He passed the imperial examination and became a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the lowest level of the imperial examinations), becoming the youngest Xiucai in the capital since the establishment of the imperial examination system in this dynasty.
Master Gu stroked his beard, a smile he couldn't hide on his face, but he still said, "It's alright, it's alright, but he still needs to work harder."
The slight regret of not winning first place was quickly overshadowed by the joy of seeing her grandson's early success.
A few days later, the eldest son of Master Gu and his wife was born, a big, healthy baby boy.
The courtyard of the third house was bustling with guests. As soon as Chu Ruohan entered the flower hall, she was surrounded by several familiar ladies who exchanged pleasantries with her.
"Oh my, Ruohan's here, please have a seat." The Countess warmly took Chu Ruohan's hand and made her sit down beside her.
Chu Ruohan sat down with a smile: "Greetings, Aunt."
"Excellent, very excellent." The Countess looked Chu Ruohan up and down, her eyes full of admiration. "Speaking of which, I must congratulate you. That boy, Lu Ge'er, is truly remarkable!"
"As expected of Junze's carefully nurtured student, he passed the imperial examination at such a young age and has a limitless future!"
Chu Ruohan smiled modestly: "Auntie, you flatter me. That child is just hardworking."
Not far away, Madam Gu was holding her newborn grandson, who was just a month old, surrounded by a group of female relatives.
Listening to the Countess's praise of Lu Ge'er, she wore a polite smile, but a hint of gloom lurked in her eyes.
She had gone to great lengths to find this prestigious marriage for her eldest son in the capital, hoping that her grandson would bring glory to the family and make the third branch of the family proud.
But now, this illegitimate grandson excels in everything and repeatedly steals the spotlight.
The mere fact that he had achieved the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations) attracted the attention of the entire capital, with everyone saying that the Duke of Zhenguo's family knew how to raise their children and nephews.
With such a precious gem in front of her, wouldn't it completely overshadow her beloved grandson?
What alarmed her even more was that last night, when the master was drunk and chatting with her, he subtly revealed his intention to give more of the family business to Lu Ge'er, and his words were full of his regard for this grandson.
No, this is absolutely not possible!
Madam Gu gritted her teeth inwardly. With her legitimate son still alive and her legitimate grandson healthy, the future of the Gu family was not for a grandson from a concubine to dictate!
Just then, a maid announced at the door, "Young Master Lu has arrived."
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Lu Ge'er walking in slowly, dressed in a brand-new sky-blue fine cotton robe, his figure slender yet upright.
His gaze swept across the hall and quickly landed on Chu Ruohan. He strode forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "Nephew greets Aunt."
That "Aunt" was clearly heard by Madam Gu.
The baby in her arms seemed to sense something and suddenly cried out "waaaah!"
Madam Gu was already in a bad mood, and when she saw Lu Ge'er enter the room, his eyes were only on Chu Ruohan, and he completely ignored her, his own grandmother, and all the other elders of the Gu family in the room, her anger immediately flared up.
She barely suppressed her anger, gently patting her crying grandson as she spoke with a forced smile.
"Oh, Brother Lü is here. But have you forgotten all the rules of conduct you learned in books?"
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a hint of sharpness: "There are so many elders sitting in this room. Your aunt is certainly your elder, but aren't we, the relatives of the Gu family, also elders?"
"Whom to pay respects to first and whom to pay respects to later—do you really need your grandmother to teach you this principle?"
Upon hearing this, the lively atmosphere in the hall immediately froze.
Chu Ruohan's smile faded, and she raised her eyes, her gaze falling coldly on Madam Gu.
His eyes narrowed slightly, and he didn't utter a word, yet an invisible pressure emanated from him.
Seeing that the atmosphere was about to become tense, the countess who had just been talking to Chu Ruohan quickly smiled and tried to smooth things over.
"Oh dear, Third Sister-in-law, what are you saying? Brother Lu has always been very close to Ruohan, and their relationship is extraordinary."
She paused, then added meaningfully, "Besides, Ruohan is now a Lady of Imperial Rank bestowed by the Emperor himself. In terms of rank, it's only natural for Brother Lü to pay his respects to her first."
"We elders shouldn't make things difficult for the child. Let him get up quickly."