Zhou Wen also talked to her about his ambitions and promised to treat her well in the future.
Ren Yaoying learned from her conversation with Zhou Wen that although his father was only a minor clerk in the Yanbei Palace and his ancestors had never held high positions, the Zhou family, dating back to Zhou Wen's great-grandfather, had been a direct descendant of the Yanbei Palace, enjoying great trust and a considerable degree of seniority within the palace. Zhou Wen was a brilliant figure, a leader among the younger generation. If he could pass the imperial examination, the Yanbei Palace would undoubtedly place him in a high position. As long as he made no mistakes, his future was undoubtedly bright.
Ren Yaoying was just a teenager, so it was impossible for her to not be moved by Zhou Wen's deep affection. He Kuan and Zhou Wen were both good-looking, well-spoken, and humorous. So at the time, facing Zhou Wen's confession of love, Ren Yaoying was still shaken, and she also carefully considered the possibility of marrying Zhou Wen.
Zhou Wen was confident in marrying Ren Yaoying. Mrs. Zhou had a close relationship with Ren Yaoying's aunt and took great care of her. Zhou Wen liked her, and Zhou Rong, simple-minded, was obedient to her. If Zhou Wen could truly achieve fame and success at such a young age, coupled with the Zhou family's experience within the Yanbei Palace, his future would be bright.
Thinking this way, Ren Yaoying felt that marrying Zhou Wen would not be a bad idea.
But when Ren Yaoying returned to the Ren family home with joy, she overheard the chatter of several maids sitting together, hiding from the rain and eating sunflower seeds. They were discussing the major families of Yanbei, especially the Lei family and its patriarch, Lei Ting. Everyone in the Ren family knew that the third daughter would marry into the Lei family and become its head lady, so whenever they mentioned the Lei family's former glory, they were all proud of it, as if the Lei family's glory was also the Ren family's glory, and they were very open and honest.
Ren Yaoying paused as she listened. She stood silently under the veranda for a long time, stunned and motionless. After returning to her own courtyard, when Ren Yaoying thought about what Zhou Wen had said to her before, her joy and satisfaction faded unconsciously.
The autumn rain seemed to be prepared for this autumn examination. When Master Ren San returned from his invigilation, the sky had cleared up again and even suddenly became warmer.
Perhaps it was because of the unpredictable weather lately, but Master Ren San fell ill the day he returned. His illness wasn't serious, just a cough and nasal congestion. Master Ren San disliked medicine, so Li had the kitchen stew pears with Sichuan Fritillaria for him. Even that, Master Ren San refused to eat, always requiring Ren Yaoqi to personally deliver it to him. She'd watch him eat it before she'd stop.
Master Ren San held his breath and gulped down a bowl of Sichuan Fritillary and Pear stew in one gulp. His wrinkled face made Ren Yaoqi unable to hold back laughter. After he finished eating, she quickly poked a candied fruit for him with a pick.
Master Ren San took one look and said disdainfully, "I won't eat it! Give me some tea to rinse my mouth!"
Ren Yaoqi ordered the maid to bring tea and ate the candied fruit himself.
After rinsing his mouth, Master Ren San said, "I'll go to the academy tomorrow." Master Ren San had been ill and had been staying home for two days. As soon as he finished speaking, he sneezed loudly. He nearly dropped the teacup in his hand, and his nose began to run. He immediately threw the bowl onto the table and covered his nose with a handkerchief. He looked utterly awful.
Ren Yaoqi asked, "Dad, do you want your students to see you like this?"
Imagining what it would be like to sneeze and have a runny nose in front of the students, Master Ren San immediately stopped talking.
He paused before saying, "Many people fell ill this time. During the autumn examination, someone fainted in the examination room and had to leave midway." At this point, Master Ren San shook his head with some regret.
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