Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 218

Turning back, she saw that Yu Qizhe had already led Yu Jiao back to their room, leaving only Yu Fuling still standing nearby.

“San-di, are you alright?” Yu Fuling asked hesitantly, seeing the red mark on Yu Zhizhou’s face.

Yu Zhizhou shook his head. “I’m fine, really. It’ll fade soon.”

Yu Fuling noticed that Yu Qiaoshan was standing at the doorway and quickly called out to greet him before heading to Yu Qizhe’s room.

“Father,” Yu Zhizhou called as he entered.

“How did the exam go?” Yu Qiaoshan asked while pouring him a cup of tea.

Yu Zhizhou accepted the cup, looking a little ashamed. “Not very well, I’m afraid.”

Yu Qiaoshan hadn’t really expected him to pass on his first attempt. He was a steady, down-to-earth person who never aimed too high. Seeing his son’s expression, he didn’t press further on the exam and instead asked with concern, “You must be tired. Have you eaten yet? Why don’t you have some pastries to fill your stomach for now?”

After the final session of the exam the day before, the gates of the examination compound hadn’t been opened until morning. When they finally left, everyone had skipped the stale, dry rations.

Yu Zhizhou drank the tea and grabbed a pastry, stuffing it into his mouth. “I was pretty hungry, actually.”

Just as Yu Qiaoshan was about to send a servant for more food, someone knocked on the door and asked, “Does Third Young Master wish to dine first or bathe first?”

Yu Zhizhou, now hungrier after eating the pastry, said, “Please bring food first. I’ll bathe after I’ve eaten.”

The servant acknowledged the request and soon returned with food.

Similar scenes played out in the other rooms as well. The Mu household’s servants were nothing if not thorough.

Yu Qizhe had originally planned to bathe first, but with Yu Jiao and Yu Fuling in the room, he also had the food brought in first.

Yu Jiao and Yu Fuling had already had breakfast before heading to the examination hall, but they still sat with him, picking at the food as they chatted.

“How did you do this time, little brother?” Yu Fuling asked between sips of porridge.

Yu Qizhe had initially wanted to say he was confident of passing, but thinking of Yu Jiao’s words of comfort in the carriage, he simply shook his head and said, “It depends on the examiners’ preferences.”

The Four Books and Classics weren’t difficult for anyone who studied hard, but the real challenge came from the five policy essays, where students analyzed current affairs through Confucian philosophy. 

That part truly tested the candidates’ temperament, whether they were conservative, moderate, or radical, and a lot depended on the examiner’s personal leanings.

Yu Fuling barely knew a few characters and had no real understanding of what the exams entailed, so she didn’t ask further about the content or how well he thought he did.

After finishing breakfast with Yu Qizhe, Yu Jiao and Yu Fuling didn’t linger. They told him to rest well and returned to Luofu Courtyard.

Since they had woken up early to go to the examination hall, the two of them took a nap when they got back, only waking when a maid came in to ask about lunch.

After lunch, Yu Jiao began teaching Yu Fuling about medicinal theory.

The midday sun was warm, filtering through the windows and casting soft shadows across the low table. The two girls sat side by side on the couch, the atmosphere lazy and serene.

Yu Fuling’s mind began to wander after studying for a while. She started fiddling with the embroidery on Yu Jiao’s sleeve and asked casually, “Now that the provincial exam is over, are we going back to Changkui? Before we leave, I want to visit the Embroidery Pavilion Miss Yang mentioned and buy a double-sided embroidered handkerchief.”

Yu Jiao knew she was interested in studying the embroidery technique. Yu Fuling was skilled with needlework and just might figure it out on her own. “We’ll go tomorrow,” she said.

Yu Fuling beamed. “Once I’ve mastered double-sided embroidery, I’ll make you a new outfit!”

Yu Jiao chuckled, setting down her brush. “Let’s rest for a bit. No need to study too hard right now.”

Yu Fuling flopped onto the couch and muttered, “Medicinal theory really is dry and boring.”

“Take it slow, write down a little each day and it’ll add up,” Yu Jiao replied. When she was young, she’d been punished often by her grandfather while memorizing medical texts. 

Back then she’d grumbled, but later, when diagnosing and prescribing became second nature, she finally understood his strictness had been for her own good.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard. A maid entered and announced, “Second Madam is here.”

Yu Fuling quickly sat up, and before the two could rise to greet her, Second Madam Mu had already entered the room.

Seeing them about to stand, she smiled. “No need to be so formal. Sit, sit.”

She walked over to the table and picked up a sheet of paper with writing on it. “This is medicinal theory you wrote?” She asked Yu Jiao.

Yu Jiao gave a small nod.

Second Madam Mu smiled with admiration. “So studious, no wonder your medical skills are so advanced at such a young age.”

Yu Jiao had intended to explain that it wasn’t hers, but hesitated, saying it was for Yu Fuling might imply her elder sister wasn’t as capable, which would be inappropriate.

Second Madam Mu sat on the couch with them and pulled a scented invitation slip from her sleeve, placing it on the table. “Miss Yang sent this over,” she said with a smile. “She mentioned she’d arranged to go boating with you two on the southern lake tomorrow.”

Yu Jiao picked up the invitation. The fragrant paper was beautifully inscribed in elegant script, inviting her and Yu Fuling to Bibo Lake the next day for a boat outing. The sender was Yang Jiyan.

Yang Jiyan’s handwriting was undeniably more refined than Yu Jiao’s own.

“I heard the examinees are hosting a poetry gathering at Bibo Lake tomorrow, it’ll be quite the event. It’s a pity Rong-jie isn’t home, or she could’ve joined you,” Second Madam Mu said. 

She clearly wished she could go, there would be many talented, eligible young men among the examinees, some of whom might make the final list. If she could scout out a suitable match for her daughter, all the better.

Yu Fuling looked to Yu Jiao. “This must be the same poetry gathering little brother and the others were invited to, right?”

“It must be,” Second Madam Mu replied cheerfully. “You girls should go together. With your brother there, you can relax and enjoy yourselves. Who knows, you might even hear some verses worthy of passing down through the ages.”

Yu Fuling had been dreaming of a lake cruise for days, and now that she knew a poetry gathering was happening, and that Yu Qizhe and the others would be there, she was thrilled. “Second Madam, won’t you come with us?”

Second Madam Mu chuckled. “I’ll pass. These outings are for the young. An older woman like me would only dampen the mood.”

It was true. Young scholars composing poems, girls cruising the lake, it was all for the younger generation. A middle-aged lady wouldn’t fit in.

Besides, once the autumn exam results were posted, she could go view the successful candidates outside the government office, just like everyone else.

Having delivered her message, Second Madam Mu reminded them of the evening banquet in the flower hall and then took her leave.

Yu Fuling held the invitation, sneaking glances at Yu Jiao. She asked in a quiet voice, “Do you not want to go boating with Miss Yang?”

Yu Jiao shook her head. The weather had been fair these past few days, and since their return from the Yang residence, Yang Jiyan hadn’t sent any messages, until now. Choosing tomorrow of all days… it couldn’t be a coincidence. Was this about the poetry gathering?