"Madam, the Li family is truly my lucky star!"
Walking back from the farmland, Lin Pei couldn't help but sigh.
"If that's the case, why not be more generous to the Li family? I heard that the Li family wants you to promote their products to foreign merchants. Isn't that a simple favor?"
"The Li family has started having people whisper sweet nothings in their wives' ears. Okay, I'll make arrangements when we get back."
The couple laughed together, their unspoken understanding unspoken.
Upon returning to the Li family, Lin Pei instructed Li Xuming to summon Li Qingyao.
Today, Li Xuming knew perfectly well what it meant to bring Li Qingyao along, but he was unwilling. If just anyone could be personally instructed by him, wouldn't that exhaust him to death?
But after seeing the Li family's farmland, Lin Pei immediately changed his mind; this child really needed to be taken a look.
Li Xuming rushed over, and upon hearing that the county magistrate wanted to give Li Qingyao some pointers, he was overjoyed and hurried to find the magistrate.
Along the way, he managed to inquire about the county magistrate's whereabouts and learned that he had gone to the farmland, which gave Li Xuming a better understanding of the situation.
"Qingyao, the magistrate will test your knowledge later. Answer boldly. Are you confident?"
"I'm confident, Uncle Ming. Why did the magistrate suddenly change his attitude?"
Both Li Qingyao and Li Xuming knew perfectly well that the magistrate hadn't intended to give them any guidance earlier, and they were indeed somewhat disappointed at the time. But now that their statuses were different, they could understand the magistrate's thoughts.
"The county magistrate went to the farmland."
Li Qingyao understood what was going on after hearing this.
He was the young clan leader, and Pan Jinhua had high hopes for him, so she did not hide anything about her family from him.
"Uncle Ming, rest assured, Qingyao will definitely seize this opportunity."
Li Qingyao's eyes were firm; he wouldn't allow himself to make a mistake in this regard!
Li Qingyao strode into the room with unwavering determination, like a sharp blade drawn from a sword, exuding an aura of power.
"Li Qingyao?"
"Qingyao greets Your Excellency."
Li Qingyao bowed solemnly.
"Get up, that's a good start. What books are you studying these days?"
"Your Excellency, I have studied the Four Books and Five Classics and have already begun writing policy essays."
"What did you write? Did you bring it with you?"
Li Qingyao took the manuscript out of his pocket and respectfully handed it to Lin Pei.
"Why did it take you so long to get in?"
Li Xuming lingered at the entrance for most of the day, while Li Qingyao was quite calm when he first went in.
As time ticked by, he became restless.
"What's the panic? The longer you stay inside, the better. You'd be more worried if you went in and came out right away."
Pan Jinhua found it annoying.
"Mother, I'm just worried sick. Qingyao hasn't come out for so long, I knew there was something going on, hehe."
"Knowing that, you still do this."
“….”
"Crunch."
The door opened, and Lin Pei and Li Qingyao came out one after the other.
"I've been out long enough today, so I'm heading back now. No need to see me off."
As soon as Lin Pei came out, he bid farewell to Pan Jinhua and Li Xuming.
Li Xuming cupped his hands in greeting, secretly casting many glances at Li Qingyao.
However, Li Qingyao followed Lin Pei respectfully without giving Li Xuming a second glance, leaving Li Xuming with no choice but to give up.
Lin Pei said there was no need to send them, but how could they really not send them?
The group saw Lin Pei off. Pan Jinhua blended into the group and didn't stand out. Yan Min also saw Madam Lin off.
"Alright, Madam Yan, you should go back now. I hope to hear good news soon."
The good news from Madam Lin was that the hairpins she had ordered would be completed soon. Just now, when Lin Pei was testing Li Qingyao's knowledge, Madam Lin drew some hairpin designs for Yan Min, and the materials were also said to be sent over tomorrow.
"Please rest assured, Madam. The subsequent drawings should be provided as soon as possible."
"good."
Before parting, Yan Min handed a wooden box to Madam Lin with both hands, and Madam Lin accepted it with some hesitation.
"this….."
"Please accept this, Madam. Thank you for speaking well of the Li family's workshop."
Madam Lin was reluctant to return it, but after hearing what Yan Min said, she decided to accept it.
"Alright, I really like this hairpin, so I won't stand on ceremony with you."
Yan Min smiled broadly.
"It is our blessing to be recognized by Madam in this way."
During the conversation, Lin Pei came over, and Madam Lin had no choice but to turn around and get into the carriage.
Madam Lin and Yan Min got along very well, after all, Yan Min was born into an official family and had been immersed in the capital for many years.
Whether it was her calligraphy and painting skills or her conversation, coupled with Yan Min's proactive flattery, she was to Madam Lin's liking at the time, and she was already treating Yan Min as a close friend.
After getting into the car, Madam Lin opened the wooden box, and sure enough, the Azure Sparrow hairpin lay quietly inside. It was clear that a lot of effort had been put into making this hairpin, and it was quite difficult to make. She really liked it very much.
"Madam Cao."
Li Qingzhang rushed out. Originally, Liu Yun was supposed to escort Madam Cao, but something happened on Madam Yuan's side, so Liu Yun urgently assigned the task to him.
"Are you Li Xuming's son?"
Madam Cao poked her head out of the carriage with a kind expression, and Cao Ying behind her looked over curiously.
Li Qingzhang looked up to reply, but accidentally met Cao Ying's gaze. Their eyes met briefly, and Li Qingzhang turned his head slightly to avoid her gaze.
Cao Ying did not shy away from the question, but rather looked Li Qingzhang up and down with a graceful and generous expression.
“Indeed, I am Li Qingzhang. Madam, this is what my mother instructed me to give to you.”
Li Qingzhang presented the items with both hands.
The maidservant took the items and returned to the carriage, where Cao Ying took them.
"Wow!"
"Keep quiet."
Cao Ying hurriedly covered her mouth, her eyebrows curving into a smile.
"Please thank your mother for me. I really like the things."
"If Madam likes it, then this is worth it. Best wishes, Madam."
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