"Xiao Liu, poison her to make her mute, and urge the people from the Ma family. I don't want to see them in the city again."
"yes."
After giving his instructions, Zhao Shi'an left the inn.
Xiao Liu tied up Ma Ru.
Before the poison was fed to Ma Ru, she cried out and begged for mercy, but by then no one could save her.
When Zhao Shi'an returned to the courtyard, Fang Qing had already prepared the meal.
"Brother, where have you been? Go wash your hands, it's time to eat."
Zhao Shi'an stood at the kitchen door for a while, watching Fang Qing's busy figure, before washing his hands.
The dinner table was quiet during the meal, and Fang Qing couldn't help but glance at Zhao Shi'an several times.
"elder brother?"
Zhao Shi'an put down his chopsticks.
"Do you already know?"
"ah?"
"I like the things about you."
Zhao Shi'an said it directly.
He felt uncomfortable thinking about how Fang Qing had been troubled by this matter for the past few days.
Fang Qing's expression went blank for a moment, then her cheeks turned red.
"Brother, we're eating, don't mention it..."
When do you want to bring it up?
Fang Qing opened her mouth.
She didn't know either.
Because she hadn't figured out how to respond to Zhao Shi'an yet.
There's one more thing.
She hadn't figured out what her feelings for Zhao Shi'an were yet.
“I used to treat you like a younger sister, but I don’t know when that feeling changed. I want to take this feeling to the next level and want to be with you for the rest of my life.”
"No one can deny my feelings for you. My love for you isn't a dependence on you because you're good to me; it's the kind of love between a man and a woman. It's the feeling of impulse that comes from dreaming about you at night. I want to kiss you, I want to possess you..."
"elder brother!"
Fang Qing interrupted him.
She was afraid that if Zhao Shi'an continued talking, he would say something even more shocking.
"Stop talking, I understand."
"Really? Now that we know your answer?"
He spoke so calmly, but no one could know that his heart was pounding with anxiety.
"I……"
Fang Qing was momentarily at a loss for words.
You don't like me, do you?
Fang Qing quickly shook her head.
"No, it's just me..."
That's what liking someone means.
A slight smile appeared on Zhao Shi'an's lips.
"Don't worry, if you're concerned about Uncle Niu, there's absolutely no need. They already know I like you."
Fang Qing's eyes widened in shock.
"What? How did my parents know?"
So she was the last to find out?
Zhao Shi'an relaxed at this moment, and seeing her dazed look, he couldn't help but reach out and rub her head.
"Fool, we live together, anyone can see how I feel about you."
Fang Qing felt embarrassed again.
This was so sudden.
She didn't know how to respond.
"Let's eat."
Zhao Shi'an did not press her for an answer.
Because he already knew.
Fang Qing definitely has feelings for him too.
Otherwise, after knowing his feelings, she would definitely have been as decisive as she was in rejecting Fang Dashu and Fang Zhu before.
They ate their meal in unusual quiet.
Fang Qing was quite awkward, but Zhao Shi'an was in a very good mood.
After finishing her meal, Fang Qing made an excuse to go to the grain station and left home, not returning until evening.
And so, in this awkward atmosphere, the results of the provincial examination were announced.
The results were released the day before they were officially announced, and the news was leaked. Late that night, people from the academy knocked on the door of their courtyard and brought gifts to congratulate Zhao Shi'an.
Also arriving after hearing the news were gifts sent by officials from several government offices in the prefectural city.
The next morning, before Fang Qing even came to check the list, someone delivered the good news to their courtyard.
Top of the list! The top scholar!
Fang Qing was so excited she almost jumped up.
Zhao Shi'an is now a proper scholar who has passed the imperial examination.
Before long, people outside were already celebrating with gongs and drums.
Even if Zhao Shi'an didn't want to attend some of the banquets, they were all organized for him by officials in the prefectural city, so he had no choice but to attend.
People from the Gao family's side were also included.
Gao Quan's leg was broken, and his father was paralyzed in bed. Now, Gao Quan's eldest sister is in charge of the household.
Fang Qing did see this woman.
The eldest daughter of the Gao family personally came to invite Zhao Shi'an. Zhao Shi'an politely declined, citing physical inconvenience. The eldest daughter was not angry and left the gifts in a friendly manner.
He came over a few more times after that, and each time he showed concern and care for Zhao Shi'an.
Seeing her attitude towards Zhao Shi'an, Fang Qing thought that the eldest daughter of the Gao family was interested in Zhao Shi'an. Later, she heard from Zhao Shi'an that the eldest daughter of the Gao family had been married for several years and that her husband was a military general.
Two days later, Fang Qing learned about Fang Dashu's grades.
Third on the list.
After a few days of socializing, Fang Qing and the others returned to their village.
Two scholars from the village passed the imperial examinations, and the village chief led the entire village in a welcoming ceremony with gongs and drums.
As soon as they got off the carriage, Zhao Shi'an and Fang Dashu were surrounded. Fang Qing couldn't get through, so she went home to help Zhao Shi prepare the banquet.
This time, the banquet was held again in the bamboo forest behind their house, and many people from the neighboring village came to celebrate.
The festivities lasted until late that night. While clearing away the dishes, Zhao couldn't help but ask Qiao a question.
On such a lively day, those three women didn't even come.
Fang Qing was also curious.
She hadn't seen Qiao Shi during her days in the prefectural city.
The three of them disappeared just as suddenly as they had arrived.
No one cared whether they stayed or left. In the past few days, Fang Qing's doorstep had been worn down by suitors, all trying to arrange a marriage between Zhao Shi'an and Fang Qing.
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