"Miss Broken Ink".

"Young Master Pei."

Given Suimo's current status, he should kneel and perform a curtsy.

If it weren't for the Prime Minister's wife's words just now, things might have turned out this way.

But now, Sui Mo simply clasped his hands in a fist salute and spoke in a calm tone:

"Young Master Pei, my master has a favor to ask of me."

Pei Xueqiao's heart jumped into her throat, but she looked at her mother first.

Yan Hengjun seems to have misunderstood something; Lao Pei is hiding something from her!

It wasn't appropriate to press the matter in front of his eldest son, so he could only exchange a few pleasantries and leave in a hurry.

"Please speak freely, young lady."

Even with some restraint, Pei Xueqiao's urgency could still be heard.

Sui Mo understood; Young Master Pei and his mother were probably not on the same page.

"Your Highness's father's cousin is planning to register for the supplementary provincial examination."

However, she lacked experience in writing policy essays, so she sought help from her master.

The purpose of this trip is to ask Young Master Pei to simulate a few questions and answers, as a last-minute cramming exercise.

“That’s easy,” Pei Xueqiao agreed without hesitation.

Although he is now in the Department of Ceremonial Affairs, he is only a minor official of the fifth rank.

The preliminary exam questions have reportedly already been set, and are not something he can access at the moment.

Moreover, it's common for people to cram exam questions beforehand; in the past, many people had asked his father for help.

"Please rest assured, young lady. Go back and tell the Sixth Prince that I will take care of it."

Suimo nodded and handed over the silver note.

Pei Xueqiao immediately frowned. "What do you mean by this, young lady?"

"I was unaware of Young Master Pei's promotion. He must be busy with official duties, so I shouldn't disturb him."

However, the master did not recognize anyone else, and among his old acquaintances, Young Master Pei was the most talented in literature.

There's no reason for someone to waste their effort; setting questions also requires thought and effort, and that's the fee for writing them.

Pei Xueqiao was getting anxious.

During previous disaster relief efforts, I lamented that I had no opportunity to use my skills.

Now that he's back in Fengjing, he finally has a chance to put his skills to good use, so he's unwilling to accept the money and hastily declined.

Sui Mo gently placed the two silver notes on the table, her tone indifferent.

"My master instructed that if Young Master Pei does not accept the offer, then this matter should be dropped."

Qin Zhaoyue naturally did not give such an explanation.

However, based on Suimo's understanding of her, if she knew the attitude of the Pei family's matriarch today, she would probably completely cut off all ties with his family.

As for exam predictions, there are plenty of schools in Fengjing that are good at it; you can just spend more money.

"this……"

Seeing her resolute attitude, Pei Xueqiao sighed quietly and finally agreed.

"Give me a couple of days to think it over. There's still half a month left, so there's enough time."

Suimo nodded in thanks, indicating that the other party had taken it to heart.

Since it's just the preliminary test, the difficulty shouldn't be too high.

The top scholar himself is taking action, and he's put in a lot of effort; he might actually be able to guess correctly.

After finishing his errand, Suimo immediately took his leave, not wanting to stay a moment longer.

Pei Xueqiao was naturally reluctant to part with him. "I heard that His Highness the Sixth Prince was unwell. I wonder if he has recovered?"

Since her return, she has not attended court.

Pei Xueqiao had actually wanted to find out about this matter for a long time, but he had no way to do so.

The promise I made to my father was not a joke. Now that I've entered the Six Departments, I must be careful with my words and actions. It would be inappropriate to send an invitation to his door so abruptly.

"Thank you for your concern, Young Master Pei. His Highness is now out of danger."

Without explaining what the "obstacle" was, Pei Xueqiao seemed to be itching to ask more questions, but ultimately she held back.

Ever since that night in Chiyan County when he was bewitched and delivered ginger soup in the middle of the night, he has become completely sober.

It is not proper for an outsider like him to inquire about Her Highness's medical records.

They were escorted out of the banquet hall by servants.

Zhi Mo didn't slack off. He ate his meal in his room, put the food box back, and then came back to serve. At this time, he took over the task of seeing the guests off.

Pei Xueqiao stood under the corridor, watching the disappearing figure in front of her, and clenched her fists.

Regardless, I'm still happy.

Who says scholars are useless? Look at them, they've come in handy.

Once you've done it the first time, there will be more to come. No need to rush, take it slow...

On the other side, Pei Xiang, who was off duty, cheerfully brought over a pot of fine wine.

Thanks to my son, the meals at home have improved a lot recently.

In particular, the disaster relief efforts have largely subsided, and people no longer need to live a frugal life as before.

Just then, Yan Hengjun burst into the dining hall in a flurry of activity.

"Madam, today... ouch!"

Before he could finish speaking, the prime minister's ear was grabbed.

"Don't be stubborn, don't be stubborn! Let's talk this out, Madam."

His wife is no ordinary woman; she is a descendant of military merit, possesses martial arts skills, and had a fiery and passionate personality in her youth.

Pei Xuanyun's path to becoming prime minister was far from smooth.

During that first winter, the assassinations never stopped.

His Majesty dispatched the Azure Phoenix Guards to protect her, and the Lady accompanied her every day.

He would see him off to the morning court session, and after the session, they would go to the Phoenix Pavilion together. After their shifts, they would return home together.

This went on for more than half a year, until His Majesty had basically taken control of the court.

The two had a very deep affection for each other. Over the years, Lao Pei had not taken any concubines or maids, remaining celibate only for his wife.

It had nothing to do with being afraid of one's wife; it was purely out of love for her.

As she has grown older, his wife has become increasingly dignified, and they have always treated each other with respect, and she has not shown any signs of irritability for a long time.

"You old fool, is there something going on between Xueqiao and the Sixth Princess? You'd better tell us the truth!"

As Yan Hengjun walked along, the more she thought about it, the more something seemed off.

When I spoke with that girl named Suimo earlier, I was clearly very polite.

But after just one tentative question, he suddenly revealed a strong side.

Yan Hengjun could sense that it was an unwavering determination not to yield an inch.

The meaning of keeping people at arm's length is already very clear.

The fact that even those close to the Sixth Princess dared to make this decision for her shows that her own attitude would only become more resolute.

"What aspect is your wife referring to? Your husband will answer to the best of his knowledge."

"You dare to play dumb with me? You've got some nerve!"

"Ouch! Let go! Let go!"

The steward, who was waiting outside the door for the master to give the order to start the meal, quietly retreated and also chased away all the servants and maids around him.

It's been years since I've seen Madam lose her temper; I dare not provoke her...

Pei Xuanyun had to coax and plead with his wife to let go of his hands, and she covered his ears and rubbed them for a while.

"explain!"

With just one word, Lao Pei had no choice but to reveal the truth.

I originally wanted to save face for my eldest son, but at this moment I couldn't care less about that.

Now that the disaster relief work is over, there's no need to hide anything anymore.

The story begins with the drugging incident at the Duke's birthday banquet, recounts the Emperor's secret decree, and also briefly describes the contents of the eldest princess's petition for merit...