The beginning of the Xu hour.
In the Cuizhu Pavilion of Fanghua Garden, the Lu sisters and Xiao Lingyu sat together and chatted about family matters.
"Xiao Yu, after the provincial examination results are announced, why don't you go to Shili Langyao to see the red leaves on Fengshan Mountain before returning to Xishui County?"
Xiao Lingyu nodded, "Before that, we still have to go back and arrange the last batch of fragrant dew and rare ingredients."
Lu Yuan said proudly, "I'll arrange for someone to buy fresh flower pots tomorrow. Let's make them here to save time. When you go back, you'll have to deal with rare ingredients. This way, we can save time and we can go early and come back early."
Xiao Lingyu thought it made sense. "Then it's as you say. However, the servants in this large courtyard won't need to serve in the courtyard for the next few days."
"Okay! All up to you." Lu Yuan felt tired after saying that. She pulled Lu Yao to stand up and said, "Xiao Yu, I'm a little sleepy. Let's go back first."
"I'll see you off."
Xiao Lingyu sent the two sisters to the Moon Gate, where he ran into Si Chuyu and Su Xingyi.
"Chu Yu, I'll leave A Yuan and Yao Er to you. Xing Yi and I will be going back."
After saying that, Xiao Lingyu took Su Xingyi back to Fanghua Garden.
"Are the children asleep?"
Xiao Lingyu nodded: "The children are tired from playing today, so they washed up and went to bed shortly after you left."
"It would be great if the children went to bed so early every day." Su Xingyi smiled and gently put his hands on Xiao Lingyu's shoulders, giving her a good massage.
After half a cup of tea, Xiao Lingyu asked, "Except Wu Huaiyuan, have the other nine students found out which inn they are staying at?"
Su Xingyi pulled out a few pieces of paper from his pocket. "Zhou Yuan, Wang Sheng, Tao Heng, Ruan Changfeng, and Lou Changling, like Wu Huaiyuan, they live in the Qingyun Inn. The other four live in the Qingfeng Ruyi Inn. Wu Huaiyuan helped me get their handwriting, and the innkeeper helped me get the other four's handwriting."
"Don't they have any suspicions about you?"
"You've already made up a story so no one would suspect anything. 'Baiyaotang' was originally intended to be used as a signboard. They can earn a few taels of silver just by writing the inscription, so they're very enthusiastic."
Xiao Lingyu looked at the handwriting of several people and said, "Zhu Xu's inquiries reported that four young masters of the Cui family will meet their end this year. Who do you think the other six will be?"
Su Xingyi said, "I think it's a young man who is related to the Cui family by marriage. Another possibility is that these ten people on the list are just waiting to be selected by the Cui family. Those who are selected will fail the exam. I wonder if Wu Huaiyuan will be selected this time?"
"The chances of him being selected are quite high! How is his current condition?"
"Brother Huaiyuan said that if he fails the exam this time, he will give up. He said he will open a school in the village to teach children from a dozen surrounding villages to read and write."
Xiao Lingyu said, "When the results are announced, he'll know the truth behind his failures all these years. I wonder if it will be a serious blow to his spirit."
"No, Brother Huaiyuan is open-minded. The key is that he can go to Beijing to take the exam."
"Master Su, Madam."
At this time, Yan Wei's voice sounded outside the door, "I have already found out everything."
"Come in, sit down and have a cup of hot tea."
"Thank you, Madam, for the tea."
After Yan Wei sat down, he took the hot tea handed to him by Su Xingyi and started sipping it.
After a moment, he put down the teacup and said, "After leaving Moyuan, Lord Qi went to the Imperial Examination Hall and advocated informing the candidates that they could retrieve their test papers before the provincial examination began. This was opposed by Lords Zhang Sheng and Du Huaian... After Lord Qi returned to the yamen, he ordered Lin Yu to send someone to secretly monitor Lords Zhang Sheng and Du Huaian!"
Xiao Lingyu was delighted, because Qi Lianli was completely unaware of the Cui family's cheating in the imperial examination!
There is a powerful helper in exposing the Cui family's cheating in the imperial examination in Huayang County.
"Okay, I know. Go down and rest."
Yan Wei hurriedly said, "And Cui Zheli went to the county government office this afternoon to meet with Lord Qi."
"What?" Xiao Lingyu's brows furrowed in surprise. "Do you know why Cui Zheli wants to see Master Qi?"
"Cui Zheli brought a painting by Linyuan Jushi for Qi Lianli to appreciate."
Xiao Lingyu frowned. "Qi Lianli likes to collect Linyuan Jushi's paintings? Cui Zheli wants to bribe him with paintings?"
"As far as I know, Qi Lianli truly admires Linyuan Jushi's paintings, especially those from before he came of age. The piece Cui Zheli brought today is the 'Envy of Fish by the Abyss' painting from when Linyuan Jushi was at the height of his fame."
Xiao Lingyu was a little surprised, "Qi Lianli has good taste."
"Xiao Yu, I think the painting of Fu Lu Shou and the cranes you made last time is worth collecting."
There are also two paintings at home!
Yan Wei said, "Master Su, Madam's paintings are indeed valuable for collection, but she rarely paints."
Su Xingyi looked at Xiao Lingyu in confusion.
"I only paint for my family. Let's not get off topic. Cui Zheli can't show Qi Lianli the painting of "Envying Fish by the Abyss" for no reason. Is it related to the imperial examination cheating? Should Qi Lianli turn a blind eye?"
"Cui Zheli never mentioned this matter at all. All he talked about was the painting. The painting of Envy of Fish by the Abyss will be sent to the woman's family as a betrothal gift."
Xiao Lingyu was shocked. Cui Zheli was laying bait!
He wanted to see Qi Lianli's reaction and see if he could get Qi Lianli to work for the Cui family.
"What does Master Qi say?"
"Lord Qi said his legitimate daughter was only eleven years old, and they wouldn't consider a marriage until four years later. He envied the families marrying Lord Cui. Cui Zheli sat for another half a cup of tea, taking the painting of "Envying Fish by the Abyss" to the prison. He left the county government office half an incense stick later."
"Okay, I understand. You can go down and rest. We will continue to explore the mine tomorrow."
"Okay!" Yan Wei responded and left.
"Xiao Yu, can Lord Qi be trusted?"
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