After a male student transmigrated into the body of a widow,

Gu Lin and his companions enjoyed a pleasant time eating barbecue, admiring the scenery, and chatting in the garden. In this cheerful atmosphere, even the usually aloof Zheng Hao and Zhen Cheng gradually softened their expressions.

As the sun gradually set and the sky slowly turned dusky, the Peach Blossom Banquet came to an end, and the students who had attended prepared to descend the mountain and return home.

As students of the academy, Zheng Hao, Zhen Cheng, and Zhen Yuan had to go to the front again before the Peach Blossom Banquet ended.

After the three left, Gu Lin, who was sitting on the cotton cloth, felt a headache coming on when he thought about the extremely bumpy mountain road he would have to walk down the mountain.

Seeing his slightly bitter smile, Zhen Yun asked, "Lin-ge'er was having so much fun just now, why does he look so miserable now?"

According to the rules, Zhen Cheng and Zhen Yuan should address Gu Lin as Uncle Gu, and Zhen Yun and Zhen Qingqing should do the same. However, neither Gu Lin nor Zhen Yun and Zhen Qingqing are people who follow the rules. They treat each other as friends, so they address each other separately.

Faced with Zhen Yun's concern, Gu Lin answered truthfully. Zhen Yun thought he had some difficulties, but it turned out to be this issue.

Zhen Yun said, "There is more than one path to Baiyuan Mountain. My father built a more convenient path a few years ago. He originally informed the teachers of the prefectural school, but they probably didn't tell you about the path because they wanted to test your willpower and endurance. However, it is getting late now, so for safety, all students and their families will definitely take the path later."

Hearing Zhen Yun's words, Gu Lin breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's good, otherwise it would be too dark in the mountains to go down without a torch."

At this moment, Zheng Hao and the other two returned from the front.

Walking up to Gu Lin, Zheng Hao said, "Uncle Gu, the peach blossom banquet is over. Let's go down the mountain and go home."

Gu Lin nodded slightly in agreement, then stood up and said goodbye to Zheng Hao and Zhen Cheng and the others.

Leaving the garden, Gu Lin and Zheng Hao stepped onto the path specially built by the Zhen family. Sure enough, it shortened the journey by half compared to going up the mountain. The two arrived at the foot of the mountain, where their own oxcart was already waiting.

Gu Lin and Zheng Hao boarded the oxcart. The waiter turned to Gu Lin and said, "Master, we need to hurry back this time, otherwise the city gates will be locked soon."

Knowing the importance of the matter, Gu Lin said to the waiter, "Hurry up and catch the carriage."

Having received permission, the waiter quickened his pace, and as darkness fell and the city gates were about to be locked, they proceeded into the city.

The waiter drove the two to their doorstep. This time, they used the family's private oxcart for the trip. However, after Gu Lin got out of the car, he said to the waiter, "It's getting late. You can drive back to Haoyunlou now. You've had a hard day."

"It's no trouble at all. It's my honor to serve my master," the waiter said with a grin, then turned and drove the oxcart toward the Good Fortune Restaurant.

As soon as Gu Lin and Zheng Hao stepped into the house, Aunt Zhao came forward. She first took the food box from Zheng Hao's hand, and then walked towards the kitchen, saying, "You're finally back. Are you hungry? I'll go cook some hot dishes now. You can sit in the living room for a while and then you can eat."

Gu Lin likes to eat freshly made, hot food, so when the two of them returned late tonight, Aunt Zhao still didn't leave them any food, but waited for them to come back before cooking for them.

Actually, Gu Lin wasn't so picky before. He had eaten not only fresh food kept warm in the pot, but also leftovers from the previous meal. However, as his living conditions improved, Gu Lin's requirements for the quality of life became higher and higher.

Gu Lin tried to stop Zhao's wife from starting to heat the oil, but she said, "Sister-in-law, we just ate and aren't hungry now, so don't bother."

"Really?" Sister Zhao turned her head and looked at the two of them with a suspicious expression.

Seeing that Sister Zhao did not believe him, Gu Lin felt somewhat helpless and slightly turned his head to signal Zheng Hao.

Zheng Hao said, "We just finished eating barbecue at Baiyuan Mountain, so we're not hungry. Auntie, you don't need to cook."

"Okay." Zhao's wife put down the pot and then instructed Gu Lin and Zheng Hao, "There is meat and vegetables in the kitchen. If you get hungry in the middle of the night, remember to get up and cook something to eat."

Gu Lin nodded in agreement.

After the three finished speaking, they returned to their respective bedrooms to bathe and go to sleep.

Provincial school.

Although yesterday's peach blossom banquet was not perfect due to the overwhelming presence of the students from Xuzhou Prefecture, the overall enjoyment of the fluttering and beautiful peach blossoms, the company of happy families, and the exchange of knowledge with classmates and friends quickly dispelled any unpleasantness brought by the students from Xuzhou Prefecture. In fact, many students still felt that yesterday's peach blossom banquet was not enough.

At this moment, the teacher, who was instructing the students on the "music" aspect of the Six Arts of a Gentleman, was teaching them how to identify musical scores. One moment he was speaking slowly and deliberately, and the next moment the school bell rang, and the teacher turned and left the school.

After the teacher left, the students in the school were in all sorts of states of mind. Some were playing the zither with great enjoyment, while others relaxed their tense nerves and began to chat with their classmates.

The teacher, who had suddenly left, returned halfway through the journey, and the students in the schoolroom fell silent.

The teacher's sharp eyes swept over every student in the room, and then his gaze lingered on Zheng Hao for a long time before he said, "Zheng Hao, Mr. Zhou has something to ask of you. Go there now."

"Yes," Zheng Hao replied, standing up.

Hearing the knock on the closed door, Zhou Zicheng didn't even look up, continuing to look at the students' homework on the desk, and said, "Come in."

With a creak, the door opened, and Zheng Hao walked in. He stood a few steps away from Mr. Zhou and said, "Sir."

Upon hearing the other person's voice, Zhou Zicheng looked up, turned around, and said to Zheng Hao, "Your performance at the Peach Blossom Banquet yesterday was quite good."

Zheng Hao lowered his eyes slightly and said, "You flatter me, sir."

Zhou Zicheng's serious and furrowed brows relaxed slightly. Very good. Although his behavior was humble, he did not deny his own abilities.

Zhou Zicheng was very satisfied with Zheng Hao's humble and unperturbed attitude, which showed that the other party had taken his words to heart last time.

Then, Zhou Zicheng asked, "What do you think of He Yanzhi, with whom you exchanged academic views yesterday?"

Zheng Hao's expression remained unchanged: "I've heard that Brother He won the Junior Triple Crown at the age of twelve, making him a famous child prodigy in Xuzhou Prefecture."

Zheng Hao objectively recounted what everyone already knew.

Zhou Zicheng said, "If that were all, how could He Yanzhi have become so famous?"

Zheng Hao had considered this point.

Zhou Zicheng said to Zheng Hao, "In terms of talent, you are at least on par with him, as can be seen from yesterday's Peach Blossom Banquet. However, from your exchange of knowledge, it can also be seen that your accumulation of knowledge is slightly inferior to his. But this is only human nature."

"He Yanzhi was born into the He family in the capital. He was the eldest grandson of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. He was raised by his grandfather from a young age. The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review taught him by example, from his early education to his studies. The He family hired great scholars for him."

"Until last year, He Yanzhi entered the Xuzhou Prefectural School because he needed to return to his ancestral home of Xuzhou Prefecture to take the imperial examination. The He family placed high hopes on this son and devoted all their resources to cultivating him. He Yanzhi did not disappoint his family's expectations. He could read at the age of four and write poetry at the age of five. His reputation as a child prodigy was even known to the emperor."

"It is inevitable that there is a gap between you and him. Many sons of officials in the capital would have to take a few steps back in front of him."

The reason Zhou Zicheng called Zheng Hao over to say these things was not for any other reason than that he was worried that Zheng Hao, who was used to his own superior talent, might become obsessed with a peer who was more knowledgeable than himself.

Zhou Zicheng did not want such a talented and promising individual to be wasted in this way.

Having understood Mr. Zhou's meaning, Zheng Hao lowered his eyes slightly and said softly, "Thank you for your concern, sir. I understand."

Seeing that the boy in front of him did not show any resentment because of what he said, and remained calm from beginning to end.

Zhou Zicheng nodded slightly: "Your mastery of the Four Books and Five Classics far surpasses that of the students in the top class. You can try taking the provincial examination next year."

Zheng Hao raised his head and looked at Zhou Zicheng, saying, "Yes."

Zhou Zicheng had said everything he needed to say, and Zheng Hao bowed and left the house.

After closing the door, Zheng Hao turned and walked down the steps.

Upon closer inspection, his expression remained unchanged, but his posture was no longer as submissive as it had been inside the room.

Zheng Hao raised his head and gazed at the distant mountain peaks, a hint of gloom flashing across his dark eyes.

What was his family background in the capital?

So what if he has a reputation as a child prodigy?

Zheng Hao appreciated Master Zhou's kindness, but he did not feel that he should not host a banquet.

In terms of talent, he is no less than He Yanzhi; the difference between the two is simply due to the influence of their family background and the guidance of renowned teachers.

What if Zheng Hao didn't have the latter two?

Since he had no parents, elders, or family to rely on, Zheng Hao decided to move forward on his own. The road ahead might be full of thorns and difficulties, but he would not back down.

He not only carries his own destiny on his shoulders, but also the future of him and Uncle Gu. Uncle Gu admires freedom and loves doing business, but there are traditional social classes: scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. If Zheng Hao wants Uncle Gu to do business without worry for a long time, he must become Uncle Gu's support and protect him.

From Xiahe Village to Fucheng, Zheng Hao consistently strived to put this into practice.

He will not back down; his ambition and desires, and even his Uncle Gu, will not allow him to.

If Zheng Hao wants his family to continue to live a peaceful and worry-free life, he must keep climbing the social ladder to become one of the few who hold power.

Zheng Hao calmly withdrew his gaze and walked away into the distance.

"Uncle Gu is going back to the county town?"

Gu Lin didn't notice Zheng Hao's slightly furrowed brows. He nodded and said, "Yu Ge'er was born a month ago. In a few days, it will be the baby's one-month celebration. I have to go back."

Zheng Hao lowered his eyes slightly and asked, "Uncle Gu, are you going back alone?"

Gu Lin said, "My sister-in-law hasn't been back to Xiahe Village for a long time. She'll come back with me then."

"What's wrong?" Gu Lin asked casually.

Zheng Hao's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he said calmly, "I originally had something I needed to trouble Uncle Gu with, but now that Uncle Gu is going back to the county town, he probably won't have time."

Zheng Hao was an independent person from a young age. While other children needed their parents to help them dress and serve meals, Zheng Hao could do it himself. As he grew up, he became even more of a worry-free person.

So when he suddenly heard the other person ask him for help, Gu Lin asked with surprise, "What is it?"

Zheng Hao shook his head slightly and said calmly, "It's not a big deal. Mr. Zhou asked me to take the provincial examination next year, but I need to find a student to act as a guarantor and a guarantor before the examination. I need to start looking now, but I always need to prepare a gift when visiting a scholar. I wanted Uncle Gu to help me prepare it, but I didn't expect Uncle Gu to be going back to the county town."

Upon entering the hall and hearing Zheng Hao's words, Zhao's wife put down her food and said, "If the imperial examination is not important, what is? You only focus on studying the classics and without Lin-ge'er by your side to take care of you, how can you understand human relationships?"

Gu Lin thought the same thing, and a conflicted look gradually appeared on his face.

Seeing this, Zheng Hao lowered his eyes and said, "The gifts for the visit are not important, but there are only a limited number of successful candidates in the prefectural city. The teacher advised us to visit in advance."

Gu Lin frowned and said, "No, you can't just slack off when you're asking for help!"

Gu Lin turned to Sister Zhao and said, "Sister Zhao, you and Brother Zhao should go back to the county town. There are many things to prepare for Xiao Hao's provincial examination, and I can't get away. I will give you the full moon gift later, and you can help me give it to Brother Yu and ask him to understand that I can't come."

Sister-in-law Zhao said, "Don't worry, Brother Yu will definitely understand you."

Gu Lin knew Yu Ge'er's character all too well, but he still felt a little guilty for breaking his promise. Oh well, he would just make sure to get Yu Ge'er's child a full set of auspicious gold necklaces, safety locks, bracelets, and anklets.

Five days later, Sister-in-law Zhao and Brother Zhao set off back to the county town, and Gu An went back to Gu Lin's side.

Since Gu Lin took care of Gu An last time, whoever was free to take care of Gu An has been doing so. Therefore, compared to the awkwardness of their first time together, Gu Lin and Gu An were very harmonious together this time.

On the day of the monthly break at the prefectural school, Gu Lin prepared gifts for Zheng Hao, a scholar who was visiting the school.

Zheng Hao presented the gifts, and Gu Lin said to him, "I have prepared the finest tea and incense; scholars will surely appreciate these."

Zheng Hao's eyebrows were indifferent, but a hint of gentleness appeared in his eyes: "Uncle Gu's gift must be the best."

Gu Lin smiled upon hearing this: "Alright, go ahead. Don't keep Mr. Zhou waiting."

"Yes." Zheng Hao turned and stepped out of the house.

Watching the boy's receding figure, Gu Lin couldn't help but sigh.

Last night, when the other party announced that they would be taking the provincial examination, Gu Lin didn't say anything, but that was the result of trying hard to calm himself down.

Zheng Hao was just a teenager, while others took the provincial examinations in their twenties or thirties. It's unknown how much thought he had put into making this decision.

As an adult older than the other person, Gu Lin couldn't show any surprise upon hearing this. At the very least, he wanted to reassure the other person so they could move forward without any pressure.

"Hello, Mr. Gu."

It was just before noon, and there weren't many customers at Haoyunlou. Gu Lin was standing behind the counter teaching Gu An to read when he heard the voices of the people in front of him and then he looked up.

Gu Lin felt that the other party looked familiar. The servant said, "Boss Gu, the young master sent me to deliver some local specialties to you."

Gu Lin's eyes flickered. He beckoned Lin Xiaoyao, who was busy at work, and then, holding Gu An's hand, said to the servant, "Come with me."

Gu Lin led the other person to a private room on the second floor. After Gu Lin sat down, he said to him, "Please sit down. What did Young Master Fang send you here for?"

The servant handed the gift to the young man in front of him and said, "When the young master was inspecting his properties in other prefectures, he specially prepared local specialties for you. However, due to the tediousness of his affairs, the young master was unable to return to the prefecture and asked me to pass them on to you."

Since the two started working together, Fang Jiyue has often sent Gu Lin local specialties from other places, and Gu Lin has gotten used to it and has returned the gifts in return.

He assumed the gift would be something like seaweed, so he didn't think much of it and said, "Okay, please thank your young master for me."

After discussing the gift, the servant's face lit up with joy, and he said to Gu Lin with a hint of excitement, "Boss Gu, the soaps and bar soaps you sold to Young Master Fang are selling like hotcakes in the capital and Jiangnan!"