After the big exam
"You've arrived." Xie Sili glanced at the young man sitting by the window.
He was carrying a wine jar in his hand, and the way he was drinking from it with his head tilted back exuded a carefree and unrestrained air.
After finishing his drink, he casually placed the wine jar on the windowsill.
“How could I not come when a drunkard is looking for me?” he said, letting out a rather uncouth burp. “I discovered something interesting on the way here.”
Hearing his words, Xie Sili looked up and said, "There are very few things that can catch your eye. Why don't you tell me about them?"
As soon as she finished speaking, the young man recounted what he had witnessed.
From the young man's words, she had already vaguely discerned who the victim and the perpetrator were.
"Drunkard~ How can there be such a heartless person in this world?" He placed his hand on his forehead and leaned against the wall behind him. "Your decision not to get married was the right one."
“That’s right,” Xie Sili answered without hesitation.
Without giving the young man a chance to answer, she continued, "Do you still remember Sister-in-law Cheng? The reason I invited you here is because of this matter; she wants to divorce her husband."
She poured tea for the young man, and after filling the teacup, she tossed it in front of him, where it landed steadily in his hands.
"Since you recommended me, I'll lower the price a bit." He then held up five fingers. "How about this price?"
“No problem.” Xie Sili smiled. “They will all come to Siyuan to warm the garden. You can stay here for a few days and have a good time with them.”
After resolving the young man's matter, Xie Sili went to see Yang. The three-day exam would end tonight.
She had already made all the arrangements for Xie Sinan and Xie Sichuan to take a bath. Although they were eating and sleeping normally, the three-day exam would inevitably make them feel tired, and they would probably be different from three days ago.
When she entered the Yang family's courtyard, she saw Yang directing the maids around her to work busily, and preparing things specifically for Xie Sixian and Xie Sinan.
Xie Sili stood there watching them for a while before leaving.
As she walked to the back gate of Siyuan Garden, she saw Huang Shi preparing to leave.
"Li girl, whose name is this Si Garden under?"
Hearing Huang's words, Xie Sili looked up at her and asked, "What do you think?"
Watching Huang turn and leave, Xie Sili shook her head helplessly. Just as she was about to leave, she heard her voice, "Third girl, Nan-ge'er is stupid. It's your good fortune to have such a good brother."
She didn't take Huang's attempts to sow discord to heart, but instead bowed and said, "Mother is right. It's my blessing to have a second brother like you. But it's heartbreaking that he's devoted to Mother." She feigned grievance, "I'm clearly his biological sister."
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of fleeting pleasure in Huang's eyes. She stood there with disdain in her gaze, every gesture hinting at something more.
Her insignificant and humble role was not something she should take to heart.
“Third daughter, how could you say such a thing?” Madam Huang covered her mouth and laughed. “Nan’er grew up under my care, so naturally he’s closer to me.” There was a hint of sadness in her eyes. “But unfortunately, Master doesn’t like this son.”
Huang's words made Xie Sili smile but remain silent.
After exchanging pleasantries with Madam Huang at the door, Madam Huang turned and left in a cheerful mood. Watching her retreating figure, Xie Sili secretly curled the corners of his lips as he turned away.
I wonder what Huang's expression will be when she finds out that Xie Siyu lost to Xie Sinan?
Will you be so angry that you feel that keeping Xie Sinan around is a disaster?
Do you feel like you should have killed Xie Sinan sooner?
She strolled leisurely through the streets of Chang'an, surrounded by a dazzling array of goods and the constant shouts of vendors. Occasionally, she would see two or three people stopping at a stall that caught her eye.
"Thank you, San."
Hearing the familiar voice, Xie Sili looked up and saw a familiar figure. Before she could speak, a flower was thrown down at her.
Xie Sili looked up and met the eyes of the person upstairs, then tossed the flowers in her hand to him.
"Your Highness Prince Yan certainly has a refined taste." Xie Sili's expression was calm, and his eyes were completely unmoved.
"Of course, of course, why don't you come and take a look?" Jun Qiyu extended a warm invitation.
Xie Sili listened to his words and glanced at the building next to her.
The three characters “倾世阁” came into her view.
These three characters alone are enough to vaguely indicate that this is a place of brothels and entertainment venues.
She went as arranged and, led by the madam, entered the private room where Jun Qiyu was.
Jun Qiyu sat comfortably on the windowsill in the private room, with a beautiful woman playing various musical instruments and singing beside him.
“You really aren’t worried at all.” Xie Sili sat down casually at the table and picked up a pastry to eat.
"What are you worried about?" Jun Qiyu asked without thinking. "The eldest and third brothers don't take me seriously, so I have to keep up appearances." He walked to the table and poured her some tea. "I heard you like Longjing tea, but Sparrow Tongue from Chang'an is also quite good."
She looked up at Jun Qiyu, picked up the cup in front of her, took a sip, and said, "Good tea."
"Her Majesty the Empress's birthday is just around the corner. What are you planning to do?" Xie Sili put down her teacup and looked at Jun Qiyu with interest. "Her Majesty the Empress has no children. Haven't you thought about relying on her help?" Her fingers tapped rhythmically on the table.
"Empress Feng was married to His Majesty when they were young. After giving birth to her son, he was immediately named Crown Prince by His Majesty. Crown Prince Jun Qichen grew up under His Majesty's care and was deeply loved by His Majesty."
At fifteen, she assumed the power of regent and was highly regarded by the ministers in the court. At twenty-three, she was ambushed and died on her way back to Chang'an. In all these years, the empress has not borne any children, yet no one has been able to shake her position. After saying this, she turned her gaze to Jun Qiyu.
“You seem to know quite a lot about these things,” Jun Qiyu said, taking a small sip of his tea. “It’s all just a facade of harmony. Those people are cunning; everyone wants to bring down the Empress, but unfortunately, no one has succeeded.”
Xie Sili nodded at Jun Qiyu.
“No matter how she treats me, she is still my legal mother, just like Huang Shi is to you.” Jun Qiyu’s brows furrowed with a hint of helplessness. “In that case, isn’t this whole effort in vain?”
“Huang is not my mother,” Xie Sili retorted. “Although I have no evidence, I know she must be the murderer of my biological mother, but the Empress would never harm your mother.”
Xie Sili poured tea, gazing at the tea leaves in the cup, then turned her gaze to Jun Qiyu, "Jun Qiyu, do you know Princess Anning?"
“Princess Feng Wanqing of Anning, granddaughter of the current Grand Tutor, is a model of noble ladies in Chang'an. She often travels to study, distributes porridge, and provides free medical care, and is deeply loved by the people of Chang'an.” Jun Qiyu’s expression froze. “Why are you asking about her out of the blue?”
"My people heard from the Huang family that they wanted Xie Siyu to marry Princess Anning, so I just casually asked about it." Xie Sili looked at Jun Qiyu and realized that he wasn't just making things up.
“Impossible.” Jun Qiyu retorted without hesitation, “An Ning has high standards; she wouldn’t be interested in Xie Siyu.”
"So she's taken a liking to you?" she asked without thinking. "Someone like you should be very popular with Princess Anning, right?"
"Stop joking!" Jun Qiyu retorted without hesitation. "An Ning has someone she likes, how could she possibly like me? Don't talk nonsense." There was no trace of affection for An Ning in his eyes.
Does Princess Anning dislike Jun Qiyu?
Xie Sili lowered his head, lost in thought.
But she clearly remembered that Princess Anning, Feng Wanqing, was the female protagonist in the original novel. She married the male protagonist, Jun Qiyu, and eventually became the only empress in history.
There shouldn't be any gaps in her memory, right?
"Xie San, what are you thinking about?"
Jun Qiyu's voice brought Xie Sili back to her senses. She turned her gaze to the person opposite her. "And what about you? Don't you like Princess Anning?"
? ? ?
Noticing Jun Qiyu's questioning gaze, Xie Sili quickly said, "It was a slip of the tongue!"
“An Ning has someone she loves,” Jun Qiyu explained again. “I heard that her sweetheart is a peerless hero who will come to marry her riding on a colorful cloud.”
? ? ?
Jun Qiyu's words suddenly reminded Xie Sili of some things he had said before.
She and Feng Wanqing had only met once; she shouldn't have fallen for the woman disguised as a man.
Thinking of this, Xie Sili couldn't help but mutter to himself.
"What a tragedy!"
"Today at 5 PM, when the exams end, I'll go with you to the academy to pick them up. I've booked a private room at Yu Pin Xuan; tonight we're going to drink until we drop."
“Okay!” Xie Sili glanced at Jun Qiyu and said in a low voice.
After sitting with Jun Qiyu in the Qing Shi Pavilion for a while, Jun Qiyu accompanied her back to the Si Garden.
Before dusk, they took a carriage together to the entrance of the academy to wait.
Unfortunately, their carriage was next to the Prime Minister's carriage.
Standing beside Xie Zhun, Huang Shi had a look of anticipation on her face, and the expression in her eyes seemed to show her happiness.
Xie Zhun glanced at them and then turned away with a disdainful expression.
"Li girl, what do you think of Chuan-ge'er and the others' exams today?" Madam Yang's voice held a hint of worry. "It wasn't their first major exam, but I'm still worried about this child..."
Before Xie Sili could speak, Huang's voice rang out, "Second sister-in-law, why are you so nervous? It's as if Brother Chuan is so outstanding. Even if he is outstanding, so what? When he gets to Chang'an, he will still be just an ordinary person."
Madam Huang pressed down on her sleeve, a smile on her face, "How can the Longmen Academy in Yuzhou City compare to the Longmen Academy in Chang'an City? Don't make a fool of yourself and give people nothing to talk about after dinner."
"I know that Brother Chuan is excellent in his studies and learning, but if he really goes to Chang'an, he probably won't be even one ten-thousandth as good as others." Every word was meant to belittle Xie Sichuan to the dust.
Seeing Yang's expression, Xie Sili gently held her wrist to comfort her.
She glanced at Madam Huang and smiled, “My stepmother lives in the Prime Minister’s residence and rarely leaves the inner quarters. I suppose she doesn’t know much about the academy. Longmen Academy originated in Yuzhou City, and its teaching staff is unmatched in Chang’an City. Not to mention that the headmaster is Mr. Zhuge.”
A smile played on her lips, and she didn't miss the expression on Madam Huang's face with every word she spoke. "I suppose my stepmother must have heard of the name of Mr. Zhuge."
Seeing the expression on Huang's face, Xie Sili didn't give her a chance to speak, "Mother, don't say that Second Aunt is worried about Fourth Brother. I think Mother should be worried about Fifth Brother."
"What a quick-witted girl," Madam Huang muttered to herself. "My Yu-ge'er has always been excellent in his studies and has never needed my help. He will surely be the top student this time as well."
Xie Sili looked at Huang Shi and Xie Zhun, but smiled without saying a word.
At the hour of You (5-7 PM), the academy gates slowly opened.
Soon, groups of students walked out, and it was only after about an incense stick's time that they saw Xie Sinan, Xie Sixian, and Xie Siyu walking at the back of the crowd.
Xie Sichuan walked forward confidently, Xie Sinan pursed her lips with little expression on her face, while Xie Siyu wore his usual smile.
"Mother." Xie Sichuan walked towards her with a calm and steady smile on his face when he saw Madam Yang.
"Chuan-ge'er, Nan-ge'er," Yang said with a smile as she looked at them. "Hurry home. Everything you need for bathing is ready in the hot spring on the back hill."
"Second Aunt, Sister," Xie Sinan said softly, looking at them.
Noticing Huang's gaze, Xie Sinan only turned around and glanced at her.
Xie Sili and Yang Shi led them onto Jun Qiyu's carriage.
"Fourth brother, are you confident about this big exam?" Xie Sili asked, his gaze falling on Xie Sichuan.
"Don't worry, Third Sister. The content of this exam is the same as what Mr. Zhuge taught us in Yuzhou City. Whether it's poetry, arithmetic, or policy essays, we did very well."
Hearing Xie Sichuan's words, she then turned her gaze to Xie Sinan, "Second brother, how did you do on the exam?"
"Thanks to the guidance of Mr. Murong and Mr. Shangguan, I did quite well in this exam, probably the best result ever." He scratched his head sheepishly as he spoke. "As for the final policy essay, although I am not a talent for governing the world, I have read quite a few books, and it was not bad."
Xie Sili breathed a sigh of relief at Xie Sinan's words. She reached out and patted his shoulder. "That's good. Take a good bath after you get back to the garden. His Highness Prince Yan has booked a private room at Yupinxuan tonight. We'll drink until we drop."
"Thank you for your expense, Your Highness Prince Yan." Xie Sichuan and Xie Sinan's voices rang out simultaneously.
Upon returning to Siyuan, a servant led Xie Sixian and Xie Sinan to the hot spring in the back mountain, which was fully equipped.
Xie Sili sat in the courtyard with Jun Qiyu, waiting for them to return together.
"I won't go later," said Yang, who was sitting next to me, with a smile. "Why should I get involved in your young people's business?"
"That's fine." Xie Sili didn't think much of it. "After today's big exam, both my second brother and fourth brother can get a good rest."
After all, there are still several tough battles to fight.
“Li girl, I heard from my sister-in-law that Her Majesty the Empress’s birthday is coming soon. How about we go to Ci’en Temple and get a longevity tablet?” Madam Yang paused here.
“Ci’en Temple is the national temple of our dynasty and is deeply loved by the people. If we could obtain a Buddha statue consecrated by the abbot, it would be appropriate to present it to Her Majesty the Empress.” Madam Yang paused here, “I previously obtained a white jade Guanyin statue. How about sending it to Ci’en Temple to be consecrated before presenting it to the Empress?”
Hearing Yang's suggestion, Xie Sili recalled the news he had heard before, and then looked at her again. "Second Aunt's suggestion is good. I'll take my second brother and fourth brother with me. It's been a long time since I've seen Master Huiwu." As she spoke, she took Yang's hand.
"Don't worry, Second Aunt. No matter what kind of gift you give, Her Majesty the Empress will be pleased, after all, it is your kind intention."
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