Ah Li replied respectfully, "I often copy medical books for the doctor next door and have become familiar with him, so I asked him for help. I lied to the madam and said that I fell and broke my arms and legs yesterday. The doctor told everyone that my fractures were difficult to heal and that even if I recovered in six months, I would still be left with a limp."

He Youyou made him raise his head again: "How did you get this scar on your face?"

Ah Li said, "It's fake, it's been splattered with chicken blood."

"You're quite the clever one."

Ah Li knelt down again in fear.

"Alright, get up and sit over there. I didn't mean to criticize you. I'm so glad you're not the kind of rigid, inflexible scholar you'd expect."

What He Youyou fears most is that children of this era have limited experience.

He relied on the fact that he had read a few books, and was pedantic and arrogant.

Fortunately, Ahri is clever and good at dealing with people because of her special background and her usual interactions with others.

It lacks the rigidity of a scholar.

With nothing to do in the carriage, He Youyou chatted with him casually, gradually uncovering all his secrets.

Ahri, of course, dared not hide anything and deliberately revealed all her secrets in order to give her new employer a sincere impression.

Although the master now holds his indenture, which is his leverage to control him.

However, he did not forget that yesterday, Madam Han clearly stated that she would grant him a good household registration and give him the opportunity to participate in the imperial examination.

Ahri is sixteen years old this year.

For He Youyou, this age is still that of a child.

For a scholar, it is extremely rare to have not yet taken the preliminary examination at this age.

Students from ordinary families who wanted to take the imperial examinations had to start taking the preliminary examinations at the age of eight or nine.

Among them, those with good talent could pass the imperial examination and become scholars by the age of fifteen or sixteen.

Ah Li has been living in Cuihua Tower since she can remember.

Cuihualou was very strict about the cultural education of its young ladies.

Not only did they teach piano and singing, but they also invited renowned teachers to teach poetry, calligraphy, and painting.

Ali was plain-looking from a young age and was only fit to do cleaning work, but he often took the opportunity to audit classes and borrow other people's books to read.

He used all the savings he had accumulated in the building to buy books.

Most of the people who come to the building are scholars and businessmen.

The girls here wouldn't even look at a country bumpkin who doesn't know anything.

Those guests who were well-read and fond of teaching would often offer him pointers when they heard from the girls in the building that Ah Li was studious.

Whether it was out of appreciation for talent or a desire to show off his abilities to the girl, we cannot know.

From five or six years old, to seven or eight, and then to their teens, their knowledge and talent increased.

Having talent is like being pregnant; it will eventually come out.

Literary figures and scholars often gathered there for poetry gatherings, and people knew he was a talented poet, so they frequently invited him to add to the enjoyment.

Through word of mouth, he gradually gained some fame.

However, being of lowly status is still being of lowly status, and talent is nothing more than an embellishment in someone else's pleasure quarters.

He never dared to think deeply about his future.

Upon returning to the Han family home, the carriage stopped at the main gate.

He Youyou got off the carriage.

Ah Li also got off the carriage.

The housekeeper was stunned by his agile and skillful movements.

He glanced at the guards behind him who had just been called over to carry the person, then waved them away.

With his life experience, how could he not guess what was going on?

He glanced at Ah Li's tattered clothes and bloodstains, and asked He Youyou, "Mistress, shall I have someone take Ah Li to change her clothes?"

He Youyou nodded: "It's time to change him. Have someone give him a good wash and make sure he's clean before he comes to see me."

Ah Li left with the servants.

He Youyou also prepared to go back to her room to change her clothes.

But he was stopped by the housekeeper.

"Madam," he said hesitantly, "what would you suggest as my surname?"