The Second Sister of a Farmer's Family's Path to Imperial Destiny

"Why are you here?" Guo Ruo was a little surprised. She hadn't seen Guo Xi for some time. These days, she was busy accompanying her second sister in the village and the county town.

"Brother Zongrui's mother is in partnership with our family, so when she heard about the opening of our restaurant, she brought her classmates to show her support and also brought good news."

Guo Xi explained to Guo Ruo, and handed a piece of pastry that Xia Zisheng had given to Guo Xin. He had tasted a piece in the morning and found the taste was indeed comparable to his second sister's cooking, so he specially brought the rest to the sisters.

"Come, sit down first and see what to eat. We agreed that you can't drink. You still have to go to school when you go back. What will the teachers think if you smell of alcohol?" Guo Xin invited Guo Xi and others to sit down.

Guo Xi looked around and saw that Guo Zhi was nowhere to be seen, so he whispered, "Second sister, where is Guo Zhi? Why can't I see her?"

"Some time ago, Guo Zhi's academy suddenly sent a message asking Guo Zhi to go to school, so she didn't come today. The next time we meet will probably be when you are all on vacation."

Guo Xi nodded with some regret. He still missed Guo Zhi a little and wanted to tell her the good news that Fang Tairu had accepted him as a student.

"Brother Guo Xi, there are only two dishes here. Shall we order them?"

Guo Xi nodded. He took a look and realized that he had only eaten one of the dishes. He was also craving for the spicy and sour pork intestine vermicelli. After all, as soon as he entered the door, the sour and spicy smell rushed into his nose, and he couldn't avoid it even if he wanted to.

"Sister Guo Xi, six bowls of hot and sour pork intestines rice noodles and six bowls of taro balls and sago soup, please."

"Okay, I'll let the kitchen prepare it for you."

Guo Ruo stared at Guo Xi's table and found that he only recognized Guo Xi and the young grandson Hu. The others seemed unfamiliar. Only the young man in light blue shirt looked familiar. It seemed that he was in the group that followed Young Master Su at the gate of the academy last time.

Thinking of this, he became a little anxious, worried that his little brother would be bullied again, so he waited for Guo Xin to return to the counter and explained the situation. When Guo Xin heard it, it seemed to make some sense, but he did not act rashly.

Taking the opportunity to serve water, she walked to Guo Xi's table. They were all busy eating, and almost no one had time to look up and talk. Guo Xi was the one who was a little better. When he saw Guo Xin coming, he put down his chopsticks and said, "Sister, I'll tell you some good news later."

Guo Xin nodded with a smile, and seeing Guo Xi's face turn red from the spiciness, she said, "You can have some sago, that can help relieve the spiciness."

The young man at the side finished a bowl of vermicelli and stuck out his tongue because it was so spicy. He said, "Sister Guo Xi, your vermicelli is so delicious. Can I have another bowl? I also want to pack sago for my mother and sister. They love it the most."

"I also want."

Guo Xin asked again and found that everyone wanted another bowl. He couldn't help laughing and thought to himself that they were really grown-ups and it was time to eat.

……

"Did you ask?" Guo Ruo looked at Guo Xin worriedly.

"Not yet. He said he would come and tell us some good news later. Let's not disturb his interest for now."

As he was talking, he saw Guo Xi walking towards the counter and said, "Sister, I'm full. I want to tell you that I was accepted as a student by Fang Tairu!"

"Really?!" Guo Ruo jumped up first and exclaimed.

The noise attracted the diners around to turn their heads frequently, and one man even joked, "Boss, what good news did you hear? But when you counted the silver and found that you made a lot of money, you were so scared that you couldn't believe it?"

This remark caused everyone to burst into laughter, and the already lively lobby instantly became even more lively.

Guo Ruo's face turned red due to the teasing, but she still thought about her brother's matter. She had heard that if she was accepted as a student by Fang Tairu, she would have a bright future. How could such a good thing happen to her brother?

"Yes, but I was specially admitted as a student. I have to be observed by Fang Tairu for more than half a year before I can be officially accepted as a student."

"Why was he specially admitted as a student?" Guo Xin sensed something was wrong. According to Guo Xi's grades, he could directly become Fang Tairu's student, so why would there be a probation period?

Guo Xi was stunned. He didn't expect that his second sister would find something wrong with his conversation. But he didn't want to worry his family, so he said, "I don't know. Maybe I didn't answer well in a test? But Tairu thought I was a good student, so he accepted me as a student to try it out first?"

Seeing how Guo Xi hadn't come back for so long, Hu Zongrui became curious and strode over. When he happened to hear this, he said, "Sisters Guo Xi, don't listen to Guo Xi's nonsense. He was accepted as a temporary student because of Su Zeyuan!"

Guo Ruo and Guo Xin both looked at him. Hu Zongrui was about to speak a lot, but Guo Xi pulled him, but Hu Zongrui had no reaction and told him the truth in detail.

"Xi'er, you only report good news and not bad news. Why didn't you tell your sisters about the injustice you suffered?" Guo Ruo looked at Guo Xi with heartache.

Guo Xi smiled and said soothingly, "I'm fine, and they have turned over a new leaf, at least for now. The classmate in green shirt used to work with Su Zeyuan to oppose me, but now he's getting along well with me. The cakes I just gave you were given to me by him."

Hu Zongrui also explained, "That's Xia Zisheng. His father was a juren and a professor at a private school in Yong'an County. He was a man of integrity. Xia Zisheng followed Su Zeyuan to cause trouble. I guess he didn't know people well and his brain was suddenly filled with water."

Guo Ruo and Guo Xin looked at the man Guo Xi was talking about. Coincidentally, the man also looked up at them and smiled back at them.

Guo Xin turned around and said, "You guys should go back quickly. This matter is over. I believe you can handle your own affairs."

After saying this, he looked at Guo Ruo soothingly and pulled the two of them back to the round dining table. There were a few other gentlemen there, and it was unknown whether they were eating their first bowl of food.

"How was everyone's meal?" Guo Xin asked.

"It's so delicious! If I had gotten along well with Guo Xi earlier, I wouldn't have been able to eat such delicious food now!"

"That's right, and the dishes here are much cheaper than those at Suiyilou in Suining City." The nobleman at the side echoed.

"Thank you so much, Sister Guo Xi, for making such delicious food. I will definitely promote it for you when we return to the academy." Xia Zisheng said in a gentle voice. His words and actions sounded like those of an official who had been in office for a long time, in sharp contrast to the students beside him.

Guo Xin smiled and said, "Thank you very much for troubling everyone. If there are really a lot of people coming to eat, I will count it as a contribution for you in the future. I will cook some fresh food for you personally."

He then asked, "You are Xia Zisheng, right? You look somewhat elegant. You must have become Fang Tairu's student in this examination, right?"

Xia Zisheng stood up, cupped his hands and said, "That's right."

"I wish you a bright future and don't forget your original intention."

Xia Zisheng in front of me looks so bright and handsome. I wonder if the people will have a few more honest officials in the future.