It was Li Yuan, the mother, who came to her senses first. She rushed over and grabbed Yu Luo's arm.
“An’er…”
She cried out in a trembling voice, then abruptly changed her words.
"No, Xinran..."
"We...we..."
She was incoherent, her eyes filled with a mixture of tenderness and hope, and she looked somewhat delirious.
"Come in, all of you!"
With a low shout, Grandmother turned and went into the main room first, leaning on her cane.
Her back was ramrod straight, as if the old woman who had slammed her fist on the table and threatened to poison her was just an illusion.
Li Yuan suddenly realized what was happening and quickly pulled Yu Luo inside.
Zhou was startled and scrambled to pick up the copper basin. She staggered behind, not even daring to close the door properly.
In the main room, the grandmother sat in the main seat, her gaze carefully scrutinizing Yu Luo.
"Hmm, it's about 80 or 90% similar."
She nodded, a hint of satisfaction in her voice.
Then, she looked at Li Yuan, who was almost in tears.
"What are you panicking about? Once you've chosen this path, there's no turning back."
She paused, then lowered her voice even further.
"Since they look so alike, we don't need to worry so much."
"There's another provincial examination coming up, so Xinran can give it a try."
"Anyway, An'er only passed the county-level examination two years ago, so his foundation is still weak. This provincial-level examination is also a training exercise. It's normal if he doesn't pass."
Li Yuan's eyes suddenly lit up: "Yes, yes!"
She said repeatedly, "Xinran, you...you just write whatever you want, just don't stand out! The Liang Kingdom's imperial examinations have never checked your physical condition. As long as you fail the exam quietly, no one will find out!"
Looking at the two family members in front of her who had risked everything for her, Yu Luo felt a warmth in her heart.
She spoke calmly, her voice deliberately low and hoarse.
"I see."
"But I will do my best."
One sentence left both the grandmother and mother stunned.
Do your best?
Could a woman, doing all she could, really possibly want to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar?
Just then, the courtyard gate creaked open, and a head peered in.
"Youngest sister of the Yu family, are you home? I heard a loud crash just now, is everything alright?"
An old woman with a face full of wrinkles walked in, her eyes darting around the yard as if searching for something.
Her husband, a thin old man, followed behind her, his hands behind his back, looking completely at ease.
The old lady spotted Yu Luo standing in the room at a glance and immediately exclaimed "Eh!"
"Isn't this An'er? Look how energetic she is, all spry up now?"
Her surprise was undisguised.
"I remember it clearly. A few days ago, your family called a doctor, saying that your An'er was dying. How come in the end, it was Xinran who passed away?"
The question was direct and somewhat sharp.
Grandmother's face instantly darkened, and she slammed her cane heavily on the ground.
"Wang family! I think you old hag are just bored out of your mind, coming here early in the morning to curse my grandson!"
“Our An’er is perfectly fine!”
The old woman was speechless after being scolded, but the old man behind her rolled his eyes, pursed his lips, and muttered something sarcastic.
"Hmph, so be it."
"That's a real shame."
"It seems we won't be able to get my elder brother's courtyard back!"
Upon hearing this, Li Yuan's face turned completely white, then flushed red with anger.
She was trembling all over as she pointed at the elderly couple.
"roll!"
"Get out of here, all of you!"
"When our An'er passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, you were all eager to take advantage of him! Now that our family is in trouble and An'er is seriously ill, you all want to take advantage of us, right?"
The old man sneered, showing no fear whatsoever.
"Who cares about your sickly scholar! My grandson has started his studies and will definitely be more successful than him in the future!"
"Instead of spending that spare money on the girls' schooling, we'd be better off using it to nourish the scholar's body!"
Just then, a clear, cold voice came from the main room.
Yu Luo slowly walked out and stood inside the threshold, the sunlight gilding her slender figure with a golden edge.
Under her mother's tense, almost suffocating gaze, she glanced calmly at the elderly couple.
"Grandpa Wang, Grandma Wang."
She mimicked Yu An's manner, nodding slightly, her tone distant yet polite.
“I’ve met your Xiaoyun before; she’s a very intelligent child.”
"If there is an opportunity, she should be allowed to study together."
"Who knows, there might be great opportunities in the future."
The old man opposite him seemed to have heard the funniest joke, and burst into laughter, laughing so hard he was doubled over.
"Women going to school? What for? To pass the imperial examinations and become a female scholar?"
He pointed at Yu Luo, his face full of mockery.
"It's only because your family is stupid that you let your sister follow that teacher and learn nonsense. What good is it? And now? She's gone just like that!"
"You brat, getting married as soon as possible to get some dowry is the real deal!"
Before he could finish speaking...
"Whoosh—"
A strong gust of wind swept past.
Grandmother had rushed into the courtyard at some point, swinging her cane in a wide arc with a desperate, reckless force, and smashed it down on the old man!
"I'll beat you to death, you disrespectful old bastard!"
"I'll teach you to curse my granddaughter!"
"I'll teach you to take advantage of my family!"
"Get out! All of you, get out!"
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