Yan Qingqing didn't ask Li Xiangkang how the exam went in the end.
Since the exam has already been taken, asking these questions again is pointless and only adds to his stress.
After dinner, Yan Qingqing told Li Xiangkang to go and rest.
The next day, Li Xiangkang still got up early and started reading.
Li Xiangkang was quite confident about this exam. He was absolutely certain of becoming a student of the lowest level, and becoming a scholar of the lowest level shouldn't be a problem either, but his ranking might not be very good.
Moreover, Li Xiangkang knew that his goal was not just to become a student of the lowest level or a scholar of the highest level.
He still needed to pass the provincial examination, become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), and be among the top three in the examinations to complete his goal.
Someone had already reported Li Xiangkang's situation to Yan Qingqing. After listening, Yan Qingqing sighed; this child was putting too much pressure on her.
Yan Qingqing thought for a moment and whispered a few words to Ruyi, who nodded and quickly agreed.
Around noon, Ding Xiaopangzi and Xu Hui arrived at the door.
Scholars are generally very polite, so the two of them naturally had to greet Yan Qingqing first.
Yan Qingqing looked at the two boys standing in front of her. Xu Hui hadn't changed much; he was still wearing the same faded clothes, but they were clean and tidy.
Ding Xiaopang has changed a lot. He used to look like a little ball of flesh, but now you can at least make out his features.
Although she is still a little chubby, the degree is completely acceptable.
After the two respectfully greeted Yan Qingqing, she had some tea and snacks served to them.
Ding Xiu's eyes lit up when he saw the delicious food, and he said with drooling, "Auntie, you have no idea how much I've suffered lately. Look at my pointed chin, it's even showing."
Your family's food is the best! Auntie, you'd better have someone cook me something nice to nourish me.
Ding Xiu often visited the Li family and became very familiar with Yan Qingqing, always addressing her as "Auntie".
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Okay, Auntie knows you've suffered. I've already told the kitchen to make your favorite tomato stewed beef brisket."
Seeing Ding Xiu so casual and Yan Qingqing so easygoing, Xu Hui also relaxed considerably.
He knew that Ding Xiu often came to visit Li Xiangkang, and he also wanted to visit him, but because of the huge difference in their social status, Xu Hui felt somewhat ashamed.
He was able to go to the prefectural city for the exam thanks to Li Xiangkang, who gave him a ride in his carriage the whole way.
Even his lodgings were paid for by Ding Xiu.
Of course, he later gave Ding Xiu some money. But Ding Xiu insisted on refusing to accept it, saying that since Xu Hui could ride in Li Xiangkang's carriage, he could stay in the room that Li Xiangkang had booked.
Xu Hui knew they meant well, so he didn't press the matter further.
I just want to repay them if I have the chance in the future.
Then he added, "Hui was able to go to the prefectural city to take the exam this time thanks to Brother Kang and Brother Xiu."
It was also thanks to the set of writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone that Ming Zhaoshuo had given me.
Hui knew his family was poor and he had no way to repay the kindness, but he would remember it in his heart.
Xu Hui was speaking from the heart, and he also understood to some extent that the set of writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones that Yan Qingqing gave him as a thank-you gift was meant for him, since Ding Xiu didn't lack these things.
Yan Qingqing laughed after hearing Xu Hui's words: "It's better to deceive an old man with white hair than to deceive a poor young man."
Young Master Xu, there's no need to belittle yourself. Your virtuous character is priceless.
If you're on good terms with my fourth son, just call me "Auntie" like Ding Xiu does.
I figured you've all finished your exams and it's a good time to relax, so I invited you all to come and have some fun.
Li Xiangkang was practicing calligraphy in his study when A-Wu came in and reported, "Fourth Young Master, your friends Young Master Xu and Young Master Ding have arrived."
Li Xiangkang was somewhat surprised to hear this. It was normal for Ding Xiu to come to his door, but he found it rather strange that Xu Hui would come.
Seeing this, A-Wu smiled and explained, "It was Madam who invited them."
Li Xiangkang was even more puzzled. Why did his mother invite them? Could it be that the two of them had caught his mother's eye?
So Li Xiangkang asked, "Why did Mother invite them here? It wasn't just to invite them for dinner, was it?"
Ah Wu quickly smiled and said, "Madam really did invite them to dinner."
Early in the morning, I instructed the kitchen to prepare the dishes that Young Master Ding likes.
However, they were invited by Madam for the Fourth Young Master. Madam was worried that you were under too much pressure from studying so hard every day, so she wanted you to relax together.
Li Xiangkang was instantly moved upon hearing this; it seemed that he was still the most important person in his mother's heart.
His mother chose him over bringing glory to the family.
Thinking of this, Li Xiangkang put down the book in his hand and ran towards Yan Qingqing's courtyard.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw the three of them chatting enthusiastically. Ding Xiu smiled and said to Li Xiangkang, "Brother Kang, you're too kind of you."
Knowing I'd been suffering, he specially came to invite me to relax.
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangkang glanced at Yan Qingqing, then chuckled dryly, "Brother Ding, haven't you been raving about how delicious our food is? So I specially prepared this to nourish you."
Ding Xiu laughed even harder upon hearing this, patting Li Xiangkang on the shoulder and saying, "Brother Kang is truly a man of great taste."
Yan Qingqing knew it wasn't appropriate for her to talk to the three of them, so she said, "Alright, you guys go out and have some fun."
I still have things to take care of.
"Si Lang, this is Young Master Xu's first visit, so please treat him well. Don't neglect him; if he needs anything, just have someone go find A Da."
Seeing how much Yan Qingqing cared for him, Li Xiangkang naturally agreed quickly.
The three of them had a great time and played all day.
Before they left, Yan Qingqing asked A-Da to prepare many gifts for them.
The two had spent the whole day eating, drinking, and having fun at Li's house, and they felt a little embarrassed to leave with so many things. Even Ding Xiu, who was as thick-skinned as he was, felt a little embarrassed.
Seeing this, Ah Da laughed and said, "Young masters, there's no need to be so polite. These things are all produced by our own family."
It's not worth much money, but I'll take it back home for my family to try.
And these fabrics are cotton, which are newly developed by our embroidery workshop. They are not yet available on the market. You two gentlemen can take them back and try making clothes from them.
If you are all dressed comfortably, our embroidery workshop is going to make a fortune!
To put it bluntly, these things were prepared for Xu Hui, but if they were only given to him and not to Ding Xiu, it would be embarrassing for him. So Yan Qingqing asked A Da to prepare them for both of them.
The three of them knew what was going on, especially Xu Hui, who knew that Yan Qingqing was trying to save face for him, but none of them said it out loud.
After thanking Yan Qingqing, the two boarded the carriage sent back by the Li family.
On the way back, Xu Hui's eyes were red. Ding Xiu patted him on the shoulder and said, "We will remember the great kindness that Auntie has done for us."
Xu Hui nodded and said, "Brother Ding is right. It's just that it's been hard on you to come with me to receive gifts every time."
Ding Xiu laughed upon hearing this, "In the end, I'm the one who benefits. I'd be willing to do this kind of hard work a few more times."
After saying that, the two of them burst into laughter again.
Ding Xiu then recounted to Xu Hui how Yan Qingqing had helped Master Ding. Compared to the great kindness Yan Qingqing had shown to the Ding family, this was just a small favor, so he didn't need to feel burdened.
Xu Hui was also deeply moved after hearing this.
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