Chapter 261: Smart People
As it was getting dark, Gu Yan had not yet returned to the villa, so Li Xiaonan could only leave a letter.
When Gu Yan returned and read Li Xiaonan’s letter, he smiled.
He truly liked her little thoughtful gestures, which surprised and delighted him, and also eased his mind a little. Her intelligence made her stronger than he had imagined, allowing him to relax a bit and worry about her less.
Gu Yan was lost in thought for a moment, then had Wan Jing called in and entrusted her with matters concerning Li Xiaonan.
Wan Jing bowed her head in assent and was about to withdraw when Gu Yan added, “Go and pick out some fine cloth, and prepare some fine cloth clothes for me as well.”
Wan Jing was taken aback for a moment, then quickly replied, “Yes.”
Oh my, her Young Lord truly looks at A Nan with special favor. No wonder that girl always speaks of the Young Lord with a hint of smugness.
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February arrived, and soon it was time for the county examination.
Ni Rush’s household registration was in Wu County. He arrived a day early from Gao Village Market in Kunshan County to Wu County and checked into an inn.
Many child scholars taking the examination were staying at the inn, and there was movement within the inn around the Yin hour.
Ni Rush got up, washed, carefully checked his examination basket, and as he carried it out of the inn, he saw Mr. Shao.
Ni Rush hurried a few steps forward and smiled, “Why have you come, Teacher? Were you waiting for me?”
“I was a little worried. I couldn’t sit still at home, so I came to see. Have you eaten breakfast?” Mr. Shao asked with a smile.
“I usually eat two meals a day. I brought food,” Ni Rush said, lifting his basket slightly.
“It’s still early. Have some hot food.” Mr. Shao pushed Ni Rush back into the inn and ordered a shop assistant to bring a portion of Eight-Treasure Rice.
“Eight-Treasure Rice is the most filling and won’t make your stomach bloated. You didn’t drink too much water this morning, did you?” Mr. Shao asked with concern.
“No. Please don’t worry, Teacher.”
“Good. Eat well and go by yourself. I won’t see you off. Calm your mind and do your best in the examination. Someone is surely watching over you,” Mr. Shao mumbled the last sentence.
Ni Rush softly hummed in agreement.
He understood what “someone is watching over you” meant. It wasn’t just today; perhaps someone had been secretly watching him from the villa even before Mr. Zhou found his home.
“Don’t overthink it. Everything is within fate. Maintain a normal mindset,” Mr. Shao said, a little rambling.
He thought more than Ni Rush, and thus was more nervous about this examination.
“Take the exam with confidence. No one will help you, but no one will bully you either. For people like us, to not be bullied is already extremely fortunate.”
“I understand,” Ni Rush said softly. “These past few years, my mother and I didn’t even dare to hope not to be bullied. We only wished for a way to live, to survive.”
“Alas, I know. Let’s not talk about it anymore. Hurry up and eat something,” Mr. Shao realized he had spoken too much and quickly gestured to Ni Rush.
The inn was full of experienced people. A portion of Eight-Treasure Rice was just a few bites. After Ni Rush finished eating, he bid farewell to Mr. Shao and went towards the county school.
Mr. Shao stood at the entrance of the inn, watching Ni Rush walk away. He then turned back into the inn, ordered a pot of tea, placed it by the window facing the street, took out a book, and held it. His eyes were on the book, but his mind was racing.
He was very skilled in Investigation of Things, and his insights on policy essays were certainly not bad. Unfortunately, he had no literary talent and struggled to pass as a Xiucai scholar. He didn’t dare to hope for anything higher, but he was someone who truly wanted to do things, so he asked someone to find him a position as a staff member.
He followed his employer for two terms as county magistrate. On his employer’s path to promotion to prefect, his father fell seriously ill. He hastily resigned from his employer and returned home. The month he arrived home, his father passed away. He observed the mourning period for three years, and his employer had already hired another staff member.
He had no choice but to look for another job. After searching for nearly a year without finding a suitable position, his family was about to run out of savings. He had to accept the Hong Family’s offer first.
When Hong Zhenye was arranging his marriage to the Li Family, he placed his hopes on Hong Zhenye, but felt a sense of melancholy in his heart. Hong Zhenye’s talent was truly limited. Later, when Hong Zhenye abandoned the path of the Imperial Examinations, he never expected Ni Rush to appear so suddenly.
Mr. Shao turned a page of his book.
He had quietly asked Teacher Zuo, and Teacher Zuo said that Ni Rush had a prominent destiny and his future was limitless. However, the better Teacher Zuo spoke of him, the more anxious and worried he became.
For example, at this moment, with Ni Rush’s articles and knowledge, passing this child scholar examination should be effortless. Yet, his heart remained tense, always anticipating negative outcomes.
Alas, one truly cannot overthink things. Only with no desires can one be strong!
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On the day the county examination results were posted, the Prince’s Estate villa invited a master of Investigation of Things to give a public lecture at the Hangcheng Academy. A grand notice and the county list were posted together.
The lecture content listed on that grand notice precisely covered the books to be tested in the next prefectural examination.
This grand notice immediately overshadowed the county list and became the focus of everyone’s discussion.
After all, poetry and prose are easy, but Investigation of Things is difficult. Finding a teacher who truly understands Investigation of Things is even more challenging. This notice and this opportunity were like a pillow delivered when one was drowsy for those poor scholars.
Ni Rush passed the county examination without any surprises and was looking at the notice with Mr. Shao.
“Do you know that the Li Family’s Fourth Mistress is skilled in Investigation of Things?” Mr. Shao asked Ni Rush.
“I had thought of it,” Ni Rush replied, his expression hesitant.
“Is there something inconvenient to say?” Mr. Shao asked knowingly.
“It’s not inconvenient, it’s just that it might not be very respectful to you, Teacher.” Ni Rush seemed a bit embarrassed.
“Tell me, I’m not a petty person,” Mr. Shao said with a smile.
“Yes. The person who guided me to seek Teacher’s instruction in Investigation of Things said: ‘Although you are not entirely proficient in Investigation of Things, you are sufficient to teach me. As for Fourth Mistress, if she says so, I thought that since Fourth Mistress can say that, she is probably slightly better than you in Investigation of Things.'” Ni Rush was as tactful as possible.
Mr. Shao chuckled, “That might be the truth. I heard…”
Mr. Shao pushed Ni Rush out of the crowd. Once they were far enough from others, he lowered his voice and said, “The Young Lord and Fourth Mistress first met because of Investigation of Things. It is said that the Young Lord sought Fourth Mistress’s guidance in Investigation of Things.”
“This lecture?” Ni Rush also lowered his voice, glanced in the direction of the notice, and did not finish his sentence.
“It’s likely that Fourth Mistress is the one lecturing. Let’s go listen. We’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning,” Mr. Shao said with a smile.
If this lecture was truly given by that Fourth Mistress, he would have to listen carefully and see if this Fourth Mistress was indeed more proficient in Investigation of Things than he was.
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Pingjiang Prefectural Yamen.
Investigator Wang pondered over the notice for a while before taking it to Prefect Liu.
“Prefect, you’ve seen this, haven’t you?” Investigator Wang handed the notice to Prefect Liu.
“I have. I was just discussing it with Mr. Cao,” Prefect Liu nodded.
How could he not know about such a significant matter?
“Prefect, I’m wondering if this matter might have originated from the incident with the official matchmaker Nanny Miao?” Investigator Wang tapped the notice with his finger, subconsciously lowering his voice.
“Continue,” Prefect Liu picked up a cup and poured Investigator Wang a cup of tea.
“The filth that Nanny Miao smeared on the Young Lord,” Investigator Wang gave a dry laugh. “I couldn’t refute it or deny it, it was truly suffocating. This, I suspect, is presenting the facts to refute that ridiculous talk about a young girl.”
“Mr. Cao said the same thing, and I agree,” Prefect Liu said with a smile.
“Then I can rest assured,” Investigator Wang sighed in relief. “Shouldn’t we quickly pass judgment on Nanny Miao’s case? A severe punishment is certain. What else can be done? We can’t just do nothing, can we? But how should we show our stance?”
“I think this way,” Prefect Liu said with a smile. “Let’s also present the facts. We will meticulously explain the methods and rhetoric used by Nanny Miao to arrange the three marriages for the Wu Family. As for the marriage arranged by Steward Huang’s residence, don’t say too much. Just a single sentence: ‘going too far is as bad as not going far enough and ruins one’s reputation.'”
“Brilliant!” Investigator Wang clapped his hands in admiration. “None of the important people are involved in those three marriages for the Wu Family, only Ping Yatou. We can just offer some appeasement. Then it’s settled. I’ll go write it now.”
“Write it here. Have Mr. Cao come over to watch as well. This is a major matter,” Prefect Liu indicated to Investigator Wang.
