Letter of Recommendation
Lin Yanan chuckled, "Actually, I have something to ask of you..."
Xu Shubai immediately put down the pastry on his lips. "I knew it was up to no good when you came. When I was a kid, you pulled out most of the flowers I planted. Last time, you stole my only copy of the book. What's going on this time?"
"It's not a big deal," Lin Yan'an raised his eyes and pretended to be obedient, "I just need you to write a letter of recommendation..."
Xu Shubai was thinking, and suddenly remembered that the selection of female officials was over today. He leaned over, a little curious, "Whose family is this girl that can persuade you to ask for a letter of recommendation?"
Lin Yan'an casually placed the black piece he had just thrown at him on the chessboard, breaking the game, and then looked up. "She didn't ask me to come here. I was worried that no one would make the decision for her, so I took the initiative to ask for it on her behalf. If she gets it, I'll return the spot to you."
Xu Shubai raised an eyebrow. "It's rare to see you so attentive to something. Since you brought me some pastry, I'll reluctantly write one for you."
Lin Yan'an's eyes lit up, "Thank you, Taifu. If you have the chance to marry her in the future, we will take care of you until the end of your life!"
Xu Shubai worked diligently all his life and only married one wife, never taking a concubine. Unfortunately, his wife was infertile, so at his age, he still had no children. If it weren't for Lin Yan'an's frequent visits, the Taifu Mansion would probably be the coldest place in the entire Kyoto.
Xu Shubai's eyes were moist, but he still said stubbornly, "I don't care. Besides, if you don't marry her, will you not provide for us in our old age?"
Lin Yanan shook his head and said with a smile, "If you marry him, we will both take care of you and the old lady in your old age. If you don't marry him, I will have to work hard to support you alone."
…
It was five days later that the result of the female official selection came out. Fu Huaiying rested in the courtyard for five days, and her face had just become a little plump. She stood at the gate of the courtyard, waiting for someone to report the news.
But she didn't wait for the person who brought the news, she only waited for Wen Shuangye's personal nanny.
"Third Miss, Madam is waiting for you in the front yard. General Wen is also here. Let's go. Don't keep Madam waiting anxiously."
Fu Huaiying nodded and followed her, but she felt uneasy and inexplicably nervous.
When she entered the yard, she found that Fu Huairou was also there. The scar on her face had not healed yet, and she was still wearing a veil. Except for Fu Liusong, everyone else was there, and their faces were not looking good. She bowed and stood aside, her mind in turmoil, but she couldn't figure out what was going on.
Wen Shuangye looked at her with a look that was as if filled with poison. She looked at Fu Huaiying with a sinister tone, "You've been in the mansion for so many years, and I didn't know you were educated. I guess you've been hiding your incompetence in the past."
When Fu Huaiying heard this, she felt relieved. She must have been selected, otherwise Wen Shuangye would not have said that.
"To answer mother, my brother left me some books before he went to war. I only read them when I have nothing to do."
Fu Huairou couldn't help but say, "You're kidding! How could you possibly be in the top ten if you didn't learn it secretly? Or did you cheat?"
"Huairou!" Wen Chuyan interrupted her immediately, "The selection of female officials is more rigorous than the imperial examination. How could there be cheating? If you say this now and someone with ulterior motives spreads it, neither of you will ever be able to enter the officialdom!"
Fu Huairou stopped talking after being scolded, but she was still unwilling in her heart. She had studied hard for many years, but Fu Huaiying had never even entered a college. Why should he be ranked ahead of her?
Fu Huaiying didn't say anything, not knowing what they were going to do today.
Wen Shuangye suppressed her anger and spoke calmly, "You're smart and have a high ranking. I'll give this letter of recommendation from the Grand Tutor to your sister. After all, there are only three people a year. You can take the exam again in three years. That way, you can both enter the court. It's the best of both worlds, isn't it?"
Fu Huaiying's heart sank to the bottom in an instant. She raised her eyes and looked at Wen Chuyan for help, hoping that he would reject this proposal.
Wen Chuyan felt sorry for her, but he had no other choice. He gently advised, "Huaiying, you are at the top of the list. With your ability and knowledge, you can be selected again in three years. If you take the exam again, I will definitely get you a letter of recommendation. But Huaiying is ranked tenth. She may not be able to pass the exam in three years. If you slow down a little, she will be squeezed out..."
Fu Huaiying lowered her head, her palms almost pinched to bleed. She should have realized earlier that Wen Chuyan and she were not a family, so it was normal for him to go back on his word for Fu Huairou.
Everyone in the room was waiting for her reaction. Fu Huaiying wanted to tear off this gentle facade and poison everyone to death, but she couldn't because her life and property were tied to this courtyard.
After a long silence, she finally lowered her head and said, "I understand. I'll take the exam again in three years."
Wen Chuyan closed his eyes and felt sorry for her, but there was no better way. Fu Huairou was lucky. Three women on the field fainted due to poor health and were sent out of the Imperial Examination Hall. Only then did she have the opportunity to enter the top ten. If she missed this year, she would have no chance. But Huaiying was different. She was at the top of the list. With her knowledge, she would definitely be selected if she took the exam again in three years.
After leaving the yard, Fu Huaiying walked very fast. When Wen Chuyan chased her out, she had disappeared.
Da Hu was guarding outside the courtyard and was relieved to see Fu Huaiying return safely. "Why did you take so long, young lady? I almost went to the Marquis' Mansion to report the news."
Fu Huaiying took off the hairpin on her head without saying a word and smashed it hard on the ground. Watching the hairpin break into three pieces, she turned around, closed the courtyard door, and locked Wen Chuyan, who had rushed over, outside.
Wen Chuyan knew he was in the wrong, so he could only stand outside the door and coax her, "Huaiying, I'm wrong about this, but you also know about the exam. If those three women weren't weak, Huairou wouldn't have been able to take advantage of this opportunity. If you let her take the exam again in three years, she definitely won't be able to do it. Just wait a little longer. After three years, I'll guarantee you a chance to become an official no matter what."
He waited for a long time before he heard a voice from inside, "Give me your brother's letter of recommendation, and let father ask for another one for my eldest sister. Is that not okay?"
"...Huaiying, you know that my uncle has never approved of women entering the government, and it's even more impossible for him to lower his dignity and ask... I'm sorry, brother, three years later... three years later... I will definitely..."
Fu Huaiying stopped listening to him and pulled Dahu into the house. After closing the door, she cried against Dahu's chest, "I... I... I don't have a letter of recommendation... I can't be a female official anymore..."
It was the first time that Da Hu saw her cry. In the past, the girl always held on by herself and refused to shed tears no matter how much injustice she suffered. But today she cried like a child. Da Hu couldn't bear it and patted her shoulder, "Girl... don't cry... don't be sad..."
When she had cried enough and raised her head, Da Hu suddenly remembered something and slapped his head, "Oh, girl, I almost forgot... It's just a letter of recommendation. The master will definitely get it for you. I was a little confused just now and almost forgot about it, making you cry for so long."
Fu Huaiying wiped her tears. Although she didn't know if Lin Yan'an could get it if she asked him, she still felt a little bit of anticipation in her heart.
Da Hu pressed her in front of the mirror, soaked a handkerchief, and applied it to her eyes. "The master is very concerned about the young lady. If the young lady asks him for it, he will naturally give it to her."
Fu Huaiying nodded, but she was still worried, "Da Hu...will this be too much trouble for the young marquis?"
Da Hu shook his head and carefully applied the compress to her eyes. "No, if the master knew that the young lady was willing to trouble him, he would definitely be happy. Let me tell you, young lady, this General Wen has his own cousin after all. He is not related to you by blood. How could he always think about you?"
Fu Huaiying closed her eyes and remained silent for a while. "In this world, relying on others is often unreliable. I wanted to become a court lady so that one day I could make my own decisions, but I didn't expect that my first step would be ruined by others."
Fu Huaiying thought for a while and decided to ask Lin Yan'an for help. She has never been someone who can't let go of her pride. In order to climb up, what's wrong with giving up a little ridiculous self-esteem?
"Da Hu, shall we go out for a while? I want to see the young marquis."
Da Hu nodded and said, "I'll go see if General Wen has left."
After getting Fu Huaiying's consent, Dahu pushed open the gate and found that the person had already left. She sighed. There was not even one person in this mansion who was kind to the girl.
Lin Yan'an visited the residences of the three examiners in the past few days, begging them to recommend him. Later, he found out that Huaiying was selected just like in his previous life, and all he needed was a letter of recommendation. He realized that these trips were in vain, and he felt ashamed that he still did not trust Huaiying enough.
He was sitting with his legs crossed, drinking tea when He Feng excitedly pushed open the door, startling Lin Yan'an so much that the tea spilled all over him. "What are you doing? You're so impatient! You're wasting my good tea!"
He Feng glanced at him and said, "Master, you don't know how to taste tea. It would be a waste if you drink it."
"Fuck you, tell me, what happened?"
"Miss Fu is here and wants to see you."
Lin Yanan stood up and said, "You are so tactless. Huaiying wants to see me. What's the point of reporting? Just bring her in directly. Forget it, I'll go see her."
He Feng watched his master rushing out in a hurry and shook his head helplessly.
Fu Huaiying had just entered the mansion when she saw Lin Yan'an coming to greet her. She was slightly startled. How could this person come so quickly? Didn't He Feng just go in not long ago?
"Sister Huaiying, why are you here?"
Da Hu was worried that the girl would be embarrassed to speak, so he spoke first, "Master, General Wen went back on his word and gave the letter of recommendation he had promised to give to Miss Fu..."
Lin Yan'an looked a little ugly. Although he really wanted Fu Huaiying to take out the letter he wanted, he also didn't want her to suffer such grievances.
He took out the letter of recommendation he had prepared long ago from his sleeve and said, "Sister Huaiying, take this. This is the letter of recommendation from Grand Tutor Xu. I asked him to write more. When His Majesty sees it, he will definitely choose a good place for you."
Fu Huaiying did not refuse. She came here today for this, but she did not expect that Lin Yan'an had already asked for the letter for her, and she did not expect that he would give it to her so readily. She was a little stunned for a moment.
"I'll go to the palace to wait for you when you're appointed in a few days. Grandpa Xu will also be there. Although a letter of recommendation will suffice, he said that if he goes, it will show more importance, and His Majesty will use him more in the future."
Fu Huaiying raised her eyes to look at him. "I won't refuse this letter today. I've kept it in mind. If you need me to do anything or help you in the future, just ask. I can do it."
Lin Yan'an nodded and whispered, "I won't be polite to Sister, but I still want her to owe me a favor."
Fu Huaiying raised her eyes, confused, "What do you mean?"
Lin Yanan smiled and said, "I'm a person who will never let go of any grudge. If someone bullies someone I care about, I won't let them off easily no matter what."
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