The people inside the house stopped dwelling on the previous issue, after all, the government officer had arrived to bring joyful news. So, they hurriedly ran out.
But Tong Lingling stamped her foot in frustration. She was in a hurry, she didn’t want to wait, she even wanted to marry her cousin immediately. But at that moment, she couldn’t say it out loud and could only think of finding another way.
Originally, the Guan and the Tong Families thought that many people would come to watch, but unexpectedly, there were hardly any, which made everyone furrow their brows.
The villagers had gone to celebrate the completion of the workshop and were waiting to enjoy the banquet. Given the choice between the chance to eat meat and seeing someone else become a Scholar, they definitely preferred the tangible benefits.
After all, it wasn’t their family member who had become a Scholar; just knowing about it was enough. But the banquet was a chance to eat meat for real—hadn’t someone carried over a wild boar? The meat looked so fatty and juicy, it was quite satisfying to even look at.
The two government officers were also surprised; usually, when delivering good news, the whole village would follow along to offer congratulations. But here... well, it wasn’t their concern, and they didn’t waste any words. They handed the bright red announcement to Guan Qingshu with a few words of congratulations. Fortunately, Guan Danian was not confused; he quickly had his wife prepare a red packet with ten copper coins and handed it over.
"So we can also share a bit of the Scholar’s radiance." The two officers did not decline, nor did they belittle the amount, and accepted the red packet quite naturally. After all, this individual had already achieved a scholarly rank, and who knows, maybe he would soar to great heights in the future. They had seen a lot and certainly wouldn’t let a small red packet create an enemy for their future.
"Thank you both for your efforts," Guan Qingshu said with impeccable manners. "Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?"
"No thanks, there’s another one to deliver good news to. Isn’t there also a Yang Rusong in our village? How do I get to his house?"
"He has passed the examination too?" Guan Qingshu glanced up in surprise.
"Yes," the two officers nodded. "We will notify them together."
"I’ll take you there," Guan Qingshu smiled, handed the announcement to Guan Tongshi, and then headed out the door.
"Ah..." Guan Tongshi wanted to call her son back, but was stopped by Guan Danian, causing her to turn around.
"Let him go out for a bit," Guan Danian waved his hand. "The kid has been really frustrated these past few days, and now he can finally hold his head high..." He had always thought his son’s silence during the past days was due to worry about failing the exams.
Without further comment, Guan Tongshi turned and went back into the yard to cook.
"I’ll go with my cousin," Tong Lingling hurriedly chased after them. She had to keep an eye on her cousin, and couldn’t let that wretched Yang Dani cling to him again.
Guan Danian frowned slightly but ultimately said nothing more.
Tong Gang and his wife exchanged looks and sighed with relief. There was no helping it; their daughter’s reputation had indeed been tarnished. Now they were relying on past kindness to have their say, hoping that as relatives they would not fall out. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to bask in Guan Qingshu’s radiance in the future.
"Mother, Yang Dani is holding a banquet over there," Guan Qingyue glanced at Guan Tongshi. "Everyone in the village can go. They’re going to butcher a big wild boar on the spot and stew it. You all..."
"You’re not allowed to go," Guan Tongshi’s face sank, and she turned to go inside.
"If we can’t go, we can’t go," Guan Qingyue pouted, but instead of going back inside, she turned and ran out. "I’m going to see my brother and cousin..."
"Yang Dani? A banquet?" Tong Gang frowned. "She..." No wonder there were so few people coming to offer congratulations today.