The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 52

Chapter 52: 52 Encounter Again

Meanwhile, Gu Dashun had also left the Gu Family’s old house.

Gu Dashun didn’t look well.

The New Year was absolutely terrible for the Gu family. There used to be many people giving New Year greetings, almost breaking their doorway. But this year, after hearing about the Yamen incident, they feared their reputation would be damaged, so the Gu family home was deserted.

The villagers didn’t have much thought about Gu Dashun.

They had lived as neighbors for so many years; they all knew about the behaviors of the Liao and Zhou families. However, they knew Gu Dashun was a promising young man, who had always been distinct from the other kids in the village.

His future had been bright, but it had been ruined by his mother and his second uncle. The villagers sighed for him.

However, Gu Dashun did not see it that way. He felt that everyone was mocking him, all of the glances towards him were filled with scorn and ill will.

When he got on the ox cart, he noticed that Gu Xiaoshun and Xiao Liulang were chatting and laughing.

He used to be pleased when Gu Xiaoshun didn’t stick with him. But now he felt a sense of loneliness and humiliation.

Xiao Liulang and Gu Xiaoshun ignored Gu Dashun all the way and afterwards, both of them went into the Class Beta together, leaving him feeling a bit satisfied when they saw the class plaque.

Even if they were cheating, they would never rise above their current status.

The academy held a test for the returning students. Gu Dashun aimed to be the first in order to regain face, but he was unusually nervous and didn’t perform as well as before, not even managing to remain in the top ten. _{freeweɓnovēl.coɱ}

Gu Xiaoshun still ranked last. He attended school just to make his sister happy, rather than striving for academic success. Therefore, he felt no pressure about being the last.

However, he did learn something. He liked carving, and Xiao Liulang told him—the highest level of carving is not about carving people or objects but carving words and books. If he could carve the entirety of the Four Books and Five Classics without a mistake, he truly would be amazing.

Gu Xiaoshun took this to heart. Since that day, he no longer dozed off in class and became more focused than ever. He vowed to remember every single word taught by the Master. He wanted to be a real master of carving!

The poor student who asked for leave before the holiday attended the exam this time and managed to rank third from the bottom. Xiao Liulang fell to the second last as he had wished.

However, his good life did not end there. The day after the exam, he was called to the Director’s Zhongzheng Hall.

Seeing the sly smile of the Director on the chair, Xiao Liulang’s eyes were instantly filled with caution.

The Director said with a mild smile, “Don’t be nervous. I didn’t call you here for this exam. Did you receive the materials for the county exam? The county exam is in ten days. I promised Ms. Gu Jiao that I would help you review your lessons after the school starts, so you could pass the exam for the degree of Xiucai. Starting from today, come to Zhongzheng Hall to study every noontime.”

I haven’t even discussed with you about secretly registering for the exam, and now you’re planning to take my lunch break?!

Xiao Liulang expressed a thousand refusals!

The Director continued with emphasis, “Gu Jiao told me that you have been studying very hard and you are not stupid, but somehow you always don’t do well in exams. Maybe it’s because your study method is wrong, or perhaps your motivation for studying is low… She asked me to think about a solution.”

Not only did she prevent me from living on campus, but she also asked the Director to give me private coaching. I should have visited more than once to discuss so much!

Xiao Liulang’s beautiful face turned black.

“What do you say? Shall we start now?” The Director looked at Xiao Liulang with a smile.

Xiao Liulang sneered, and said carelessly, “I will not take part in the county examination, so you’d better give up on this idea!”

After saying this, he left without looking back, leaning on his crutch.

—

Gu Jiao didn’t know anything about the academy. She was still planning that the Director would start giving Xiao Liulang private tutoring today, and that he had good talents, but he just didn’t put his mind to studying. Once guided by a prestigious teacher, he would definitely rise!