Su Yunyi spent several days in the exam hall, and when he came out of the exam hall after finishing the last subject, he and Gao Wenyan were supporting each other.
The two looked pale and their cheeks were sunken, as if the female ghost had drained their life force.
Jin Fengnian, on the contrary, had the best complexion of all the people. He didn't make things difficult for himself; if he couldn't pass the exam, he would just give up.
He swaggered past the two of them, then slowed down and turned back, his smug demeanor truly making people envious.
"You two are too weak. You can't even last a few days. Look at me!" Jin Fengnian patted his strong biceps and mocked the two skinny scholars.
Gao Wenyan twitched the corners of his mouth, too exhausted to argue with him, and nodded perfunctorily: "Yes, yes, who can compare to your strong limbs?"
Jin Fengnian felt there was something strange about that statement. "Are you trying to say I'm all brawn and no brains?"
"That's not quite right. Brother Jin is already a scholar, how could he be so simple-minded? It's just that we're all sweaty and smelly, why don't we go back and wash up first?"
Jin Fengnian covered his nose in disgust and backed away: "Hurry up and leave, you're making me smell bad."
See you later!
He waved his hand and swaggered away, simply circling around the group of spoiled young men who rushed towards him.
Gao Wenyan asked suspiciously, "Did an exam really give him an epiphany? Besides, how did he pass the imperial examination looking like this?"
Little did Su Yunyi know, he just wanted to get back and wash up as soon as possible; he felt like he'd been pickled to perfection. He casually replied, "Maybe it's because my ancestors' graves are emitting auspicious smoke."
Jin Fengnian's sudden change in attitude was baffling. The two didn't have time to think about it and just wanted to get home as soon as possible, so they parted ways at the intersection.
Gao Wenyan was almost at his doorstep when he slapped his forehead, "Oh no, I forgot to tell Jin Fengnian about the money!"
He felt there was no need to rush, so he returned the money on the day the results were announced and didn't dwell on the matter any further.
Su Yunyi was unaware of Jin Fengnian's gift of silver and was eager to go home and have a serious conversation with Qiuqiu.
Unfortunately, they came up empty-handed.
After washing up and resting, Su Yunyi waited at Qiuqiu's place for a long time but didn't see her. He went to look for his mother and found out that Qiuqiu had gone out fishing with his grandfather.
During this period, Yun Jinglan only saw Qiuqiu at night, and she didn't know what the grandfather and grandson did during the day.
"Your sister is very busy lately, so don't bother her unless it's something important."
Yun Jinglan felt that life was gradually getting back on track. "If you have nothing to do, go help your two younger brothers with their studies, and then take your fourth brother out to buy some medical books."
The fourth brother seems to really mean it this time; he's much more dedicated than when he was studying. However, he can't neglect his studies either, so time is running out.
After finishing the exam, Su Yunyi suddenly felt what it was like to fall from the clouds.
I always feel like I'm the most superfluous person in this family!
"Mom, I just finished my exams."
"That's perfect, go quickly. I still need to help your older brother find a suitable wife. Once he returns from the southwest, the marriage will be on the agenda."
Su Yunyi peeked out and realized that the book his mother had been looking at wasn't an account book, but rather a list of names sent by several matchmakers in the capital.
Big Brother is in danger!
Yun Jinglan stopped what she was doing and looked Su Yunyi up and down. "You..."
Su Yunyi felt a chill run down his spine and turned to run away, saying, "Mother, I'm taking my fourth brother out."
Yun Jinglan was amused by her second son's panicked escape: "I just wanted him to give me some advice, what's the rush?"
We should discuss marriage after he enters the imperial court and becomes an official; otherwise, it won't work if he's neither good enough for a high-ranking official nor a low-ranking one.
Su Yunyi ran wildly all the way, and bumped into someone as soon as he arrived at the garden.
"Why are you running so fast, you little rascal!"
Old Marquis Su, still as sharp as ever, lifted Qiuqiu high and sidestepped the charging Su Yunyi. But the latter wasn't so lucky, and caught off guard, fell to the ground.
The stone was making his back ache, so he rubbed his back and got up. "Grandpa, where did you take Qiuqiu?"
The grandfather and grandson were in a sorry state, with mud and algae stuck to the grandfather's sleeves. Most strangely, their faces had an unnatural flush.
Normally, the two of them would sneak back to their room to change clothes when no one was around, but today Su Yunyi caught them.
Chuchu smiled adorably at her second brother, her cheeks flushing even more. Chuchu, thick-skinned as ever, didn't seem to mind being hit by the koi, but Old Marquis Su was a different story.
For a man his age to be bullied by a fish—people would laugh their heads off if they heard about it. Seeing his second grandson constantly staring at Qiuqiu's little face, he immediately hugged Qiuqiu and hid away.
"Did you finish the exam?"
"The last exam today, we're just waiting for the results to be released."
"You better get into high school, otherwise... hehe! You just wait and see!"
He couldn't let that red koi fish draw all those swipes for nothing these past few days. If he really didn't get any good fortune, who would he complain to?
His grandfather's inexplicable concern startled Su Yunyi, making him feel that things were not so simple.
What's even stranger is that I didn't hear any of those cute little chirps and whispers today. It feels so strange!
Chiu Chiu's face wasn't actually just red; because of her baby fat, it was a little swollen, which wasn't noticeable. She didn't really want to talk right now. How dare a koi fish that had just gained sentience rub her face against the ground? She was determined to get revenge!
I'll definitely bring it back and make fish head stew someday!
In a fit of anger, Qiuqiu snapped. She glanced at her poor second brother, wondering how he had done on his exam.
Su Yunyi calmly accepted Qiuqiu's scrutiny; he had a bit of confidence in himself. He was just waiting for the results to be released.
Life at the Wenyang Marquis's residence seemed to have returned to its former tranquility, except for Thirteen, who left early and returned late, and Su Jinze, who had completely disappeared in the southwest.
Every day, Chiu Chiu was caught in a vicious cycle of catching fish, getting beaten by fish, going home crying, and then getting beaten by fish again, until the day the results were released, this cycle was finally broken.
Chiu Chiu thought she was supposed to see the list of successful candidates in the imperial examinations herself, and after being excited for a long time, her mother told her that she had to wait at home.
【Why?】
Chiu Chiu didn't understand. Su Yunyi smiled without saying a word; someone would come to their house to announce the good news of the top three winners. They just needed to wait at home with lots of wedding candy and money.
But seeing Qiuqiu so anxious has a unique charm.
Except for Su Junyao, who was on duty and not present, everyone else was gathered in the front hall waiting. Qiuqiu's little ears were all perked up, eager to hear any sound; even the slightest noise could make her happy for a long time.
"Madam! Madam! The messenger has arrived at the door with good news! Our young master has achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination! Congratulations, young master! Congratulations, Lord Marquis! Congratulations, Madam!"
"Good, good, good!" Yun Jinglan exclaimed three times, slamming her hand on the table with a deafening roar. Her second son's high school entrance exam was finally a joyous occasion to ward off bad luck, promising a brighter future!
"A reward! Qiuyue, there is joy in the manor today, every servant shall receive a reward!"
The servant who came to deliver the news was grinning from ear to ear; luckily, he ran fast and got the most reward money.
He fawned over Yun Jinglan, saying, "Madam, our young master is truly remarkable! When I came from the gatehouse, I saw a huge group of officials and constables, their bearing was impeccable! No wonder he's our young master!"
This left everyone bewildered. Officials delivering good news were usually only one person; even if there were many, it wouldn't be a massive, imposing group, would it?
"A group of people? Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
The servant was taken aback and was about to speak when Qiuyue, who had returned, rushed in: "It's terrible, Madam!"
"An official has come to say that he wants to take the young master back to the yamen for questioning!"
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