At the gate of the yard.

The newly married girl spoke in a soft voice as gentle as water, quietly "accusing" her lover.

She quietly felt his 'easy' change, and couldn't help but guess curiously: "I... I didn't 'provoke' you this morning, or it was just an accident that you liked the way I look in men's Confucian clothes..."

Zhao Rong: ...

Xiao Qian'er quickly raised her head and glanced at Zhao Rong, whose old face was slightly red.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier when you were in the room? You're already at the door... You're holding it in by yourself, and you have an exam this morning."

At this moment, Zhao Rong, who was standing at the gate, wished he could find a hole to crawl into, and hurriedly said, "Listen to my explanation, it's not like that."

Xiao Qian'er was also very understanding, "Okay, explain it to me, Qian'er, listen carefully!"

"I mean it wasn't me...that is, I didn't..." Zhao Rong paused.

How to explain this? He is indeed very energetic now. This is also a side effect of his lively state. He didn't pay attention to it before. He was just thinking about studying. As a result, now his woman has misunderstood him. There are some secrets in his heart that he can't explain to her for the time being.

So, in the face of facts as hard as steel and Xiao Qian'er's smiling eyes, Zhao Rong was defeated and speechless.

Xiao Qian'er snorted and pushed the bad guy's chest, "Humph, you're so tough."

Then, she wrinkled her nose and said, "I have an important exam this morning. I can't let you be distracted. I feel bad for you just thinking about your state... Come on, go in. I suddenly remembered that I forgot to take something."

"What?"

Xiao Qian'er, who was clearly holding a porridge box in her hand, blinked and whispered in his ear: "Yes, it's delicious."

The corner of Zhao Rong's mouth twitched violently.

She should have been spanked hard in the morning, but now she is so bold.

"Haven't you eaten enough? Hurry up and bring the porridge back. Qingjun is still hungry. If she knew you were so greedy, she would tear your mouth apart..."

Zhao Rong brought up the eldest lady, and Xiao Qian'er was indeed shocked. She was still a little afraid of the young lady.

"Don't, don't tell her. Qian'er is doing this for your own good and for our family. She's afraid that you'll miss the exam..." The little girl rolled her eyes and offered advice:

"Well, actually we just don't have to tell the lady..." He still wanted to eat secretly.

Zhao Rong shook his head, patted her head lightly, and said in a clear tone: "I'm fine. On the contrary, I'm in good condition. I can overcome the small problem... You should go back quickly. The porridge boxes in this inn are not very warm. If you really don't have enough, hey, why are you so hungry... go and ask Qingjun to give you some more porridge."

Xiao Qian'er's attention was successfully diverted, "Then she will definitely not agree."

Zhao Rong smiled and said, "Just say what I said."

"Oh, okay, then... I'll be leaving then."

Even though she was saying she was leaving, the little girl stayed in his arms for a while, nodded her head, and whispered shyly, "Really not necessary?"

Zhao Rong smiled helplessly, "No, just go back obediently."

"Okay! You said it, you have to concentrate on the exam in the morning and not think about bad things. Well, even if you can't help thinking about bad things, you can only think about Qian'er, and the young lady, well, the little sister is also fine, but not Su the maid..."

Zhao Rong was speechless as his second wife had even arranged a temporary farewell for him in clear details.

"Come on! Brother Rong'er, do well in the exam. The requirements are not high. Your music skills are lagging behind. As long as you can pass Fan Yushu, it will be fine. Well, after the exam, the young lady and I will come to see you!"

Xiao Qian'er waved her little hand, picked up the porridge box, and left reluctantly.

The goals and requirements given to him before leaving made Zhao Rong unsure whether to be happy or angry.

Well, just be happy.

I am happy for Brother Yushu.

By the way, I am finally going back to the quiet life of studying in the academy...

Surprisingly feeling a little nostalgic for his lovely classmates and teachers in the academy, Zhao Rong left the yard muttering to himself, walked through the town which was particularly lively in the early morning, and returned to Linlu Academy.

He decided to go back to the school to get some paper, ink, brush and inkstone for the exam. As soon as he got back, he bumped into Fan Yushu at the gate of the Dongli courtyard.

Fan Yushu seemed to be waiting for him specially. He was pacing back and forth in front of the courtyard gate, holding a new commentary on Confucian classics in his hand, as if he was reviewing for an exam.

Seeing Zhao Rong returning, he immediately came up to him and asked him with concern.

"Tzuyu, Tzuyu, how's your review going?"

Zhao Rong couldn't help but glance at Brother Yushu's anxious and expectant look. It felt like he cared more about his review than he did.

Fan Yushu couldn't help but ask, "I only reviewed one subject, what about you?"

As Zhao Rong went back to the house to get something, he turned his head and glanced at the scripture book in his hand which had only a few pages opened.

He asked doubtfully, "Could it be that the subject you are reviewing is the meaning of the sutra?"

"How did you know? You're amazing, Ziyu." Fan Yushu was stunned, and then asked hurriedly, "This first question is too tricky... By the way, how about you? Tell me how you are doing?"

"Uh." Zhao Rong paused and said, "I'm not very good. I only reviewed one subject. It's a bit uncertain."

Fan Yushu followed behind him and heaved a sigh of relief. "Oh, that's good, that's good. I'm not doing well either. It's very dangerous."

Zhao Rong, who was about to ask where Brother Teng Ying had gone, couldn't help but stop. He turned around and looked at Fan Yushu's relieved and relieved expression.

Um, you don't think that what I said is true, do you? Or do you think that I am not being modest at all?

Zhao Rong thought about it and changed his words: "But as for the subject of classics, well, I'm just so-so."

Fan Yushu was shocked and said, "How can it be so-so? The Arts and Crafts exam is a big subject, how can it be so difficult!"

Zhao Rong: ...

You are worthy of being called Brother Yushu. You never let me down.

Fan Yushu sighed a little sadly, but still pulled himself together and praised and encouraged: "It seems that Ziyu is still very capable. I often see you reading the scriptures and often go to Mr. Yan for advice... Hey, in this aspect, I am far inferior to Ziyu. After the big exam is over, I must correct my mistakes and listen carefully to the lessons. I can't fail any subject. Oh, I have to review and prepare for the exam in advance... Ziyu will supervise me!"

Zhao Rong took out paper, ink, brush and inkstone, put them in a small bookcase, and also brought some water and snacks. Upon hearing this, he turned around and asked seriously:

"Brother Yushu, did you think the same thing before the last big exam?"

Fan Yushu choked and remembered something. A little embarrassed, he answered in surprise: "It seems so... How did Ziyu know?!"

Zhao Rong waved his hands and had nothing to say.

He walked towards Mochi Academy in the autumn morning light, carrying a small book box.

Fan Yushu also followed behind with his exquisite and expensive examination supplies and book box, saying all the way:

"Tzuyu, I feel like you're better prepared than me this time. I'm probably going to be the last one again."

"But your music skills are lagging behind, not even as good as mine. You have to focus on this in the future. But I guess after this exam, when the results come out, Senior Yu will give you more tasks to cram for, so you have to be mentally prepared."

"Hey, me too, actually. It looks like we'll have to be brothers in distress again during Senior Yu's tutoring... But it doesn't matter, I'll be with you! We're brothers after all!"

"But, I feel that your ranking in the school this time might be two ranks higher than mine! Your calligraphy is so good that you will definitely be number one, right? Unless Mr. Zhu is deliberately making things difficult for you..."

Zhao Rong ignored Fan Yushu's next words. He hoped that Zhu Yourong would make things difficult for him. It would be great if there were conflicts between them. He couldn't wait to have that. He would no longer have an excuse to "disturb" her.

At this moment, Zhao Rong was pondering over Brother Yushu's previous words in his mind. What did he mean... maybe he could be two ranks higher than him?

Even with his rapidly increased mental agility, it still took him a while to figure out that the second highest place that Brother Yushu was referring to was the third from the bottom!

"Tzuyu, even though I always came last in the past, my classmates at Ruseong Hall are so amazing. The second to last one is so much higher than me. I'm a little depressed. How can anyone catch up with me? It's useless to have any enthusiasm at all."

Zhao Rong: ...

Um, is there such a possibility? I mean maybe... you are just too bad.

In front of Zhao Rong, Fan Yushu was not shy and continued to complain:

"But you said, what right does the second-to-last Brother Hu have to exclude me? He is the second-to-last one anyway, so why is he showing off? And I saw that when you first came to the academy, this expressionless Brother Hu seemed to be quite happy. I didn't understand it at the time, but now it seems that he must think he can be promoted to the first place."

"It's really abominable. He has a good innate foundation, so it's no use for him to bully us. Tzuyu! Try your best this time and make good use of your calligraphy and classics. If you're lucky, you might be able to defeat him. Hey, help me vent my anger."

Just as Fan Yushu in the back was happily imagining the future, Zhao Rong who was walking in front couldn't help but speak.

"Brother Yushu."

"Ah, what's wrong? Lack of confidence?"

"no."

"Then what's wrong with you?"

Zhao Rong said sincerely: "I... really thank you."

Fan Yushu waved his hands, "It's okay, don't be so formal..." He paused and suggested tentatively, "If you really feel embarrassed, when you take the exam on the classics, can you tilt the paper sideways so I can take a look?"

Zhao Rong: ???

…