The mourning period for Marquis Xingyuan has passed, and life in the marquis's mansion has returned to peace.

Although all the plain white cloth in the mansion has been removed, everyone from the old lady, young masters and young ladies to the servants will still avoid wearing bright red and purple colors in the next year to show respect for the deceased.

The third son, Xue Jiyan, spent a few leisurely days with his mother in the mansion. However, he was worried about his studies at the Imperial College and the upcoming spring examination. After obtaining the consent of his mother, Hong Yingrong, he began to pack his luggage and books, preparing to return to the academy.

That morning, younger sister Xue Shanqiu accompanied her mother Hong Yingrong to Yasongzhai where Xue Jiyan lived.

Yasongzhai is located in the northeast corner of the Marquis' Mansion. Although the location is a bit remote, it is precisely because of its quietness that Xue Jiyan deeply loves it. He can stay away from the hustle and bustle and concentrate on his studies.

At first, Hong Yingrong was worried that the layout here was too simple, so she specially sent people to redecorate it and planted a large area of ​​bamboo in the garden.

Now, the lush bamboo leaves in early spring add a touch of vitality and elegance to this place.

"Third brother, you are studying hard so early." Xue Shanqiu supported his mother Hong Yingrong as they walked into Yasongzhai. Her sweet voice rang out like a clear spring, breaking the tranquility of the early morning.

Xue Jiyan sat in his study facing the dense bamboo forest, holding a book in his hands, immersed in it.

When he saw his mother and younger sister coming, he immediately put down his book and stood up to greet them.

"I hope my mother is well and my younger sister is doing well." He bowed respectfully to his mother.

"I know you like quietness, but thinking that you are going back to the academy today, your sister will come to bother you!" Hong Yingrong said as she tapped Xue Shanqiu's forehead with her finger, her eyes full of doting.

"My elder sister was copying the Lotus Sutra in Fanghua Garden. I didn't dare to quarrel with her, so I dragged my mother to my third brother's place to ask for a cup of tea." Xue Shanqiu said in a very innocent way.

Xue Jiyan had doted on his sister since childhood. He spread his hands, shook his head helplessly and said, "You little greedy cat, every time you come here it's just to eat my snacks." Xue Jiyan smiled and shook his head, then turned and ordered the servant, "Go, brew a pot of Longjing tea that mother gave you yesterday, and bring over a plate of freshly made osmanthus cake."

"Yes, Third Young Master." The servant responded and left.

Hong Yingrong watched the interaction between the brother and sister, her heart filled with warmth. She glanced into the house and saw two old mothers busy sorting boxes and cages.

Xue Jiyan said, "The two mothers have almost packed their things. I plan to have lunch with you and then go back to the academy."

Hong Yingrong then reminded him with concern, "It's still a bit chilly now, and the academy is halfway up the mountain, so it's very cold in the morning and evening. Don't forget to bring your padded jacket."

After hearing this, the two old ladies immediately responded, "Yes, Madam, the young master's cloak and other items are ready."

Xue Jiyan never employed young maids in his Yasongzhai. Instead, it was taken care of by several capable old nannies and two well-behaved servants.

Hong Yingrong sat side by side with Xue Jiyan and said earnestly, "Yan'er, after you arrive at the academy, your mother won't be able to take care of you anymore. Don't bury your head in your studies day and night, and take care of yourself."

She knew that the living environment in the academy could not be compared with that in the mansion, so she reminded him, "It gets cold in the morning and evening, so make sure the charcoal fire in the stove doesn't go out, otherwise your hands will get frozen while you write."

Xue Jiyan nodded and replied, "Mother, don't worry. A Rui and An Ning are serving us well there."

Two neatly dressed and clean servants stood at the door, listening quietly to the old lady's instructions.

Hong Yingrong turned to them and said seriously, "Some of the servants in the mansion outside only care about trying to please their own masters, and even instigate some young girls to fawn over them. You two have served in the mansion since your grandmother's generation, so I feel at ease to put you two to work in Yasongzhai."

After hearing this, Arei and Aning responded respectfully, "We will remember what the old lady said. We will serve the Third Young Master diligently and carefully, and will never cause any trouble."

After hearing this, Hong Yingrong nodded with satisfaction.

At this time, the younger sister Xue Shanqiu noticed several pieces of dark green printed paper placed on the desk, on which were written two lines of poetry in exquisite small regular script.

"The cold wind cannot dampen my ambition to soar to the sky, I will wait until the spring sunshine reaches the sky."

Xue Shanqiu read it aloud, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "Third brother, these two couplets are so well written. With your talent and learning, you will surely pass the imperial examination this spring."

As he spoke, Xue Shanqiu walked to the other side of Hong Yingrong and sat down, handing the flowery note to her.

Hong Yingrong took the flowered paper, savored the poem on it, and nodded in agreement: "Indeed, it is written very meaningfully."

However, looking at this elegant calligraphy of the poem "Picking a Flower", a strange feeling flashed through Hong Yingrong's mind.

She clearly remembered that in her previous life, the executioner had shown her a poem of rebellion in the imperial prison, and the handwriting on it was exactly the same as that on this flowery paper.

At that time, even under torture, Xue Jiyan firmly denied that he had written those anti-poems. If that was the case, who wrote those anti-poems?

Hong Yingrong fell into deep thought. The fact that the imitator could imitate the calligraphy so vividly showed that he had high attainments in calligraphy and was also very proficient in the small calligraphy of "Niuhua".

She pretended to mention it casually, "Yan'er, your calligraphy is truly outstanding. Everyone in the capital knows that the Imperial College's tribute students are all talented. Based on what you've seen in the academy, where would your calligraphy rank there?"

Xue Jiyan usually behaves in an elegant manner, has a gentle and humble personality, and rarely shows pride.

However, in front of his mother, he did not deliberately hide his confidence.

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