Chapter 022: Revealing the Cause

Hearing him speak of his parents, Gu Qingbai’s expression softened as he nodded in agreement. "My father and mother truly held high expectations for the three of us brothers. It is a pity that I am untalented and have failed to live up to their grace."

Gu Qingbai recalled that when he first began his studies, his parents had sent him to an academy. Unfortunately, he was restless and lacked focus, unlike his third younger brother who loved to study. He spent four years at the academy without making any progress, which was why his parents eventually brought him home. Thinking of the past, he lowered his eyes, feeling a bit dejected.

"Young Master Gu, you are too modest. Judging by your appearance, you carry yourself with grace and possess a sense of uprightness. I am certain you will achieve great things in the future."

"I am grateful for your kind words."

The two chatted a bit more. Quan-shu had already handed a damp cloth to his master, Lin Zhengkang, who wiped his hands clean. Quan-shu then passed him a pastry from an opened oil-paper parcel. Lin Zhengkang took two bites; he didn't find the pastry particularly exceptional, but he couldn't stop eating the dried sweet potato slices.

"I wonder where these dried sweet potatoes come from. They are bright in color, perfectly soft and chewy, and retain the natural sweetness of the yam. They are made exceptionally well." He remembered having eaten dried sweet potatoes sent by the common folk before, but they were nowhere near as good as these.

"My mother made these herself."

"Your mother is quite skilled. Where are you from, Young Master Gu?"

"I am from Yun'an County, and my family lives in Maoping Village."

Lin Zhengkang, who was about to reach for another piece of dried sweet potato, suddenly withdrew his hand and looked up, asking, "Do you happen to know a scholar named Gu Tingzhi? He is also from your Maoping Village."

Gu Qingbai’s eyes widened in surprise. "Gu Tingzhi is my third brother. I had no idea you were an old acquaintance of his. Please forgive my lack of respect."

Upon hearing that he was from Maoping Village, Lin Zhengkang had already guessed that he knew Gu Tingzhi. Having governed Yun'an County for two years, he naturally knew that the Gu surname was rare in Maoping Village, but he had not expected him to be Gu Tingzhi's own brother.

In the Great Qi Dynasty, scholars occupied the highest status in the social hierarchy of scholar, farmer, artisan, and merchant. The imperial examinations, held every three years, were highly valued by the imperial court, and every prefecture and county placed the greatest importance on the education provided by local academies. Yun'an County governed eight towns and over two hundred villages, with a population of four hundred thousand. The number of scholars was indeed small, totaling only about five thousand. Every year after the final exams, he would have the officials from each town submit the rankings of these students.

Gu Tingzhi was the one who consistently took the top spot. Not only did the official of Changyun Town hold high expectations for him, but Lin Zhengkang himself had reviewed his essays and followed his progress with great interest. However, he had not expected that, with the county examination imminent, Gu Tingzhi would suffer a head injury while returning home during his break. When he first heard the news, he had remained silent for a long time and even sent the most skilled doctor from the county to treat him in the name of the town official, though unfortunately, there had been no improvement.

"How is your third brother doing now?"

"To answer you, sir, ever since Tingzhi injured his head, his intellect has been impaired, but otherwise, he is well."

Lin Zhengkang sighed deeply, his face full of regret. "Let him rest and recover. When I have time, I will send another doctor to check on him."

"Thank you for your concern, sir. I am deeply moved on my brother's behalf. May I ask your name, so that when I return home, I may convey your kindness to him?"

Thinking of his brother’s current state and unsure if his own trip to the county would be successful, Gu Qingbai wore a solemn expression.

Lin Zhengkang glanced at Quan-shu, who immediately understood his master's intent. Quan-shu said to Gu Qingbai, "This is Magistrate Lin of Yun'an County. He is currently conducting a private inspection of the villages to understand the true conditions of the people. If you have any difficulties, do not hesitate to speak. My master has received the kindness of a meal from you; if it is within his power, he will certainly help you."

Gu Qingbai had previously only sensed that this gentleman was dressed luxuriously and carried an imposing air, assuming he was the head of a wealthy family. He never imagined this was the Magistrate of Yun'an County. After his shock subsided, he immediately knelt and explained the purpose of his trip to the county.

After hearing him out, Lin Zhengkang was quite surprised. This was an unexpected delight, as the white turtle was difficult to find and not guaranteed. While this "Emperor Crab" was not one ten-thousandth as valuable as a white turtle, presenting it would still be a good way to curry favor with his superiors. Thinking of this, he personally helped Gu Qingbai to his feet.

"Young Master Gu, it is truly thoughtful of you to make this trip to the city. Please, when you return home, instruct your family to keep the matter of the Emperor Crab a secret. The fewer people who know, the better."

"I will strictly follow your instructions, sir. I understand."

The rain poured heavily throughout the night. When they woke up the next morning at the hour of the rabbit, they all felt clear-headed and refreshed, and even the view seemed more expansive. Because the rain had occurred, the purpose of his trip to the city had been achieved early, so Gu Qingbai did not need to go to the county. He hitched up his ox cart and headed back.

Since Lin Zhengkang had to return to the county office to handle official business and could not accompany him to the Gu family, he instructed Quan-shu to go in his stead to retrieve the Emperor Crab. Quan-shu was hesitant, worried about leaving his master alone.

"Do not worry, go with Young Master Gu to Maoping Village."

Seeing his master's firm attitude, Quan-shu could only agree. After a moment of thought, he turned to Gu Qingbai and said, "Please wait a moment, Young Master Gu, I will go find a carriage for my master first."

Gu Qingbai nodded, and Quan-shu hurried out of the dilapidated temple. Gu Qingbai had originally expected to wait for a long time, but to his surprise, after only a short while, Quan-shu flagged down a carriage on the main road. It belonged to a father and son who were heading to the city early to purchase goods for the New Year. Quan-shu jumped down from the carriage, paid the father and son, and helped Lin Zhengkang into the vehicle.

Once the carriage had moved off, Gu Qingbai set off for Maoping Village with his ox cart. The heavy rain that had started shortly after he left town the previous day had made the road difficult to travel, and the sky had darkened quickly, so he hadn't actually covered much distance. The journey back was much faster, and he returned to town within an hour.

He still had some silver left from buying the ox cart. Zhou had been worried about not having enough money, so she hadn't instructed him to buy any grain, but Gu Qingbai had estimated and bought five catties of rice, one catty of white flour, and five catties of coarse flour. Thinking that his sister-in-law might be pregnant, he also bought half a catty of brown sugar.

He arrived home just after noon. When Su Hehua saw him, the anxiety she had held all night finally vanished. She hurried to meet him, looking him up and down.

"Husband, has the matter been resolved?" Only she and her pregnant sister-in-law were at home today; the others had gone to the fields to dig up sweet potatoes. Her mother-in-law had not wanted the third brother to go, but upon seeing his wife going, he had insisted on following, clutching his white turtle. Zhou had no choice but to let him go.

Now that Gu Qingbai had returned earlier than everyone expected, and had even brought a servant of the Magistrate, they certainly could not keep such an honored guest waiting.