Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1284: Novelty

Ah Song demonstrated sharp perception, departing the moment Gu Jin’an returned.

Once Ah Song had departed, Gu Jin’an disclosed, "Master Ouyang and I reached an accord: until the Imperial Examination concludes in two years, marriage talks for Third Miss are suspended. However, I am obligated to secure a top-three placement. The Ouyang family's daughters are not to be wed into humble circumstances, lest Master Ouyang face difficulties explaining to Mrs. Ouyang and their in-laws."

Master Ouyang’s willingness to agree to such terms indicated a degree of regard for him. After all, were his elder sister or Xiao Yu to marry into impoverished local families or even among servants, he would undoubtedly object.

Furthermore, he had to reluctantly concede that his family’s standing was considerably lower than the Ouyang family’s.

"Really!" Brother Cheng exclaimed with delight, seizing Gu Jin’an’s arm. "That’s wonderful news; at least Big Brother won’t be single anymore."

Remaining single was a lamentable state. During New Year’s and other festivals, while others were accompanied by their wives and children, the thought of his elder brother being alone was disheartening.

Gu Jin’an felt a wave of exasperation, patting the top of Brother Cheng’s head. "Can you cease dwelling on the topic of being single? Do I truly appear so undesirable as your elder brother?"

Brother Cheng chuckled, replying, "Big Brother is exceptional, but Second Sister opines that precisely because Big Brother is so outstanding, the village matrons delight in gossiping about him. They never direct such chatter towards Brother Qingliang or Brother Qingtian."

Both Brother Qingliang and Brother Qingtian were also of considerable age, yet the women of the village paid them no mind for gossip. Their focus was exclusively on Big Brother, and when they did, a throng would invariably join in. Second Sister attributed this to the "celebrity effect" – if one isn't prominent, people lack the inclination to discuss them.

Once Big Brother achieved the "small three yuan" examination success, the village women intensified their discussions about his marital prospects, a development he found truly vexing.

Brother Cheng then inquired, "So, Big Brother, when do you and Third Sister plan to get engaged?"

"Engaged? You’re fantasizing," Gu Jin’an remarked, giving him a sideways glance. "This is merely a private understanding. Formal engagement requires my securing a top-three position in the Imperial Examination, at the very earliest."

He then impressed upon Brother Cheng, "This matter is tied to Third Miss’s reputation. Remember discretion and do not divulge this to anyone until the arrangement is publicly formalized."

Brother Cheng promptly clasped his hands over his mouth. "Big Brother, rest assured, I shall remain silent."

Nevertheless, he felt that two years was an excessively long period. By then, Big Brother would be twenty-two, and the village women's gossip would surely escalate.

Gu Jin’an, however, did not perceive the duration as excessive. He felt that if this arrangement could be realized, it was already a stroke of good fortune, and a few additional years of waiting posed no detriment.

Brother Cheng subsequently probed, "Big Brother, did Master Ouyang speak with you about this matter just now? Did he mention anything else? Do tell, please, I am eager to hear."

Gu Jin’an responded, "Hear what? I am so fatigued my eyes feel heavy. Hurry and rest to recover your strength. Otherwise, should our parents discover your lack of rest, they will worry anew."

In truth, Master Ouyang had inquired about other matters as well.

He had specifically asked when Gu Jin’an’s affections for Third Miss began and what prompted his heart to be moved by her.

Gu Jin’an had been taken aback at that moment, his face flushing as he meticulously retraced all his encounters with Third Miss.

His initial impression was of her riding a swift steed, bow in hand, leading a contingent of Shadow Guards in a charge – like a female general descending from the heavens, she had rescued them.

The instant he saw her surge forward, he was captivated; the moment she saved him, his heart stirred with unfamiliar emotions. He, who had always been the protector, experienced for the first time the novelty and profound impact of being shielded by another.

She was the very first individual to unconditionally rush to his aid without even having met him. Such a young maiden, possessing such beauty, made it undeniably difficult not to be moved.

The seed of his affection was thus sown at that very moment.

Later, upon learning of her parents’ passing, he felt a surge of pity for her circumstances.

Moreover, through the new banking venture, her competence and her kindred spirit became indisputably evident. While his initial thoughts were merely of admiration, the interactions during the preparation of the new bank allowed his fondness for her to fully blossom.

Despite his embarrassment, he candidly confessed his developing feelings to Master Ouyang.

Upon hearing Gu Jin’an's confession, Master Ouyang released a sigh, stating, "This way, I can finally be at ease."

His primary concern had been that Gu Jin’an’s feelings might be superficial and fleeting, lacking sufficient depth, thereby potentially causing Miss Ming distress if they faded too quickly.

However, given that Brother Cheng was his own brother, Gu Jin’an could not divulge these intimate details. He could only admonish him, "Go to sleep quickly and recuperate properly. We will return home the morning after next."

Brother Cheng mumbled in response, "Big Brother is being mean again. I exerted considerable effort to assist you, only for you to turn sour towards me immediately after achieving your goal. I shall refrain from helping you next time."

Gu Jin’an stated, "It would be best if there isn't a next time."

This single occurrence was sufficient; a repeat would undoubtedly enrage him.

"Go to sleep quickly. Lie on your stomach, not flat on your back, or you will be in considerable pain."

Brother Cheng replied, "Understood. Big Brother is truly a nag."

His back still bore injuries that prevented him from sleeping flat.

Brother Cheng reclined on the bed, angling his head to regard Gu Jin’an. "Big Brother also sustained serious injuries. You should rest too. If I recover and you remain unwell, our parents will find out."

Gu Jin’an offered a look of mild disdain before draping a thin blanket over him. "Got it. You are the one being overly talkative. Just sleep."

With a laugh, Brother Cheng chuckled, mumbled a few words, then closed his eyes, succumbing to sleep within moments.

Gu Jin’an let out a sigh. He was genuinely ill, falling asleep so promptly.

He raised a hand to feel Brother Cheng’s forehead. Upon finding that Brother Cheng's fever had subsided, a wave of relief washed over him. He then settled down beside the bed to sleep.

Perhaps it was the resolution of a significant worry, but Gu Jin’an slept soundly, only stirring when the sky had already turned pitch black.

Brother Cheng was already awake, propped up in bed and eating a steamed meat pie. Noticing Gu Jin’an rousing, he swiftly placed his bowl on the table, wiped his mouth, sat up, and announced, "Big Brother is awake. Let's eat."

I was not eating while lying down; I was eating at the table earlier.

Gu Jin’an shook his head, opting instead to gaze outside without addressing Brother Cheng directly. Ah Song was tending to a medicinal decoction beneath the corridor. Hearing the stir, he glanced up. "Good Brother An has awoken. You must be hungry. I shall bring the meal right over."

With that, he carried the dishes from the warming stove into the room. "This is for you. Brother Cheng has already eaten."

Gu Jin’an nodded, expressed his gratitude to Ah Song, and commenced his meal. He inquired, "Has Doctor Sheng arrived yet?"

Ah Song responded, "Not yet. I will dispatch someone to summon him once you have finished eating. Both of you require a re-dressing of your wounds. Let Doctor Sheng examine you brothers."

Gu Jin’an replied, "Alright. Many thanks, Brother Song."

Following Gu Jin’an’s completion of his meal, Doctor Sheng arrived with his medical kit to attend to the brothers. After assessing Brother Cheng’s pulse, he smiled. "The young man appears to be in good health and is recovering well. Rest for another day, and returning home the day after tomorrow should be feasible. However, you must continue to rest diligently, or you may still faint."

Children born with inherent frailties, if their health is not meticulously managed, could face mortality at a young age following such a severe ordeal. Milder cases would still necessitate ten days to half a month for a full recovery.