Yu Family picked up the docunt on the table and scrutinized it repeatedly.
Xie Yan had once been a student at the Imperial College, and the Marquis Mansion had previously received an admission docunt from the Imperial College. This one looked identical, and the seal was genuine.
She had shown it to many other ladies, so she could imdiately tell whether it was real or fake.
But this was simply too unbelievable.
How could Yu Li possibly obtain an admission docunt for the Imperial College?
To gain entry to the Imperial College, one path is through local governnts’ recomndations, but typically, the candidates recomnded are the top provincial exam winners.
Secondly, families of officials ranked third-grade or higher could have one admission slot. However, ever since Lin Zhengliang took charge as the Sacrificial Officer of the Imperial College, students admitted this way could only enroll in external classes. Those seeking entry into the Six Halls would have to compete equally and pass the entrance examination.
The docunt for Yu Li clearly stated "Justice Hall," proving that he had been admitted through an examination!
"You... you took the exam for the Imperial College? Has the Imperial College reopened its admissions?"
Even now, Yu Family couldn’t bear to think about the possibility of a private examination—it was sothing even the Marquis Mansion couldn’t arrange, so who could possibly have the power to make it happen?
Yu Li thought for a mont but ultimately decided not to disclose that the Sacrificial Officer had arranged a private examination for him. He wasn’t sure if spreading this information would trouble the Sacrificial Officer.
Instead, he chose to remain silent and addressed Yu Family: "Aunt, I’d like to ask you a favor."
Yu Family’s expression imdiately turned cold: "I’ve already t her. What more do you want to do?"
Yu Li was stunned: "Aunt... you’ve t cousin?"
Cousin hadn’t ntioned anything to him.
Yu Family replied, "The ti you took her to the Minister’s Mansion without my permission, I already discussed everything with her. She’s just like her father—diocre in skill, but full of arrogance."
Yu Li didn’t know the full story, but judging by his aunt’s words, it seed she and his cousin hadn’t gotten along well.
Cousin was an exceptionally kind person. Whether towards him or the household servants, she was always gentle. He had lived in Fengshui Alley for so long and had never seen his cousin lose her temper.
On the other hand, his aunt, having beco the Marchioness of the Marquis Mansion, carried an air of superiority and often spoke as if above others.
"When I first arrived in the Capital City, I did think about persuading Aunt to et Cousin, but now, I don’t believe you deserve to et her."
"Yu Li!"
Yu Family’s face darkened.
Yu Li was exceptionally respectful to elders, treating them with utmost reverence. But at this mont, in the face of his aunt’s rage, he stood firm and unwavering, showing no sign of retreat.
"What I wish to say to Aunt is that I’ve just written to the family, notifying them of my admission to the Imperial College. However, they’ll likely receive it in about a month. If they send letters addressed to the Marquis Mansion during this ti, I’d appreciate it if Aunt could arrange for soone to forward them to ."
Yu Family was taken aback.
Even as she boarded the carriage back ho, she still couldn’t believe Yu Li’s attitude toward her. This was soone introverted and shy, yet the mont the girl was ntioned, he seed like a completely different person.
Yu Family felt wronged as well.
Why did everyone in the Yu Family think she was wrong? Her elder brother did, her father and mother did, and now even a junior like Yu Li dared to contradict her.
It was already difficult for a woman to remarry, not to ntion marrying up into the Marquis Mansion. Was she really supposed to bring along her "burden"? What would the people at the Marquis Mansion think? How would the nobles in the Capital City make a mockery of her?
Besides, she had told that girl she could co to the Marquis Mansion for help whenever she faced trouble, and she would support her. But the girl herself rejected this offer.
The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. Even back in her room, her eyes remained red and swollen.
The Marquis of Anyuan hurriedly asked, "What’s the matter now?"
Yu Family recounted her eting with Yu Li but omitted the parts related to ng Qianqian.
The Marquis of Anyuan was astonished: "Li’er was admitted to the Imperial College? Was it... external classes?"
Yu Family replied, "Justice Hall."
The Marquis of Anyuan drew a sharp breath.
Among the Six Halls of the Imperial College, the introductory halls consist of three: Justice Hall, Chongzhi Hall, and Guangye Hall. Justice Hall is the hardest to enter, requiring at least two "top-tier" grades across four examinations.
Xie Yan had achieved three top-tier grades and one second-tier grade back in the day, securing first place to gain admission.
The Marquis of Anyuan asked, "His scores—"
Yu Family replied, "I didn’t ask, but they surely weren’t as remarkable as Yan’er’s back then."
That was natural. Xie Yan’s scores were outstanding even across the Capital City and hard to surpass.
The son was the pride of the Marquis of Anyuan. In the future, there would surely be a place for him in the Jinluan Palace.
But having a talented nephew like Yu Li also pleased the Marquis.
"Who arranged the private examination for him?"
He inquired.
Yu Family replied curiously, "I was going to ask Marquis about this. Wasn’t it arranged by you?"
"?" The Marquis of Anyuan shook his head. "Even if I wanted to arrange it, I would have asked you to notify him. How would I know where to find him myself?"
Yu Family thought this made sense. Earlier, she had been too shocked and upset to process the details properly.
She murmured, "This is puzzling."
Even though Yu Li ntioned that it was thanks to his cousin’s assistance, Yu Family, upon so deeper reflection, felt he was exaggerating the girl’s role in supporting him.
Arranging a private examination for Yu Li—this was surely unrelated to that girl.
The Marquis of Anyuan mused, "Didn’t you say last ti at the Minister’s Mansion that Li’er got along well with several young noblen?"
Yu Family suddenly realized, "Now that you ntion it, I rember. That day, Lady Lin and her son Lin Zhengliang were present. Young Lin even praised Li’er’s literary talents, saying his poetry and essays rivaled those of the Imperial College scholars."
"So that must be it." The Marquis of Anyuan smiled. "Li’er appears reserved and quiet, but it seems he caught Young Lin’s attention. Young Lin must have recomnded him to the Sacrificial Officer, resulting in the examination. Your nephew is impressive—arrange for him to visit the Mansion when there’s ti. Also, prepare a separate courtyard for him. From now on, during holidays and festivals, he should co to stay at the Mansion."
Originally, the Marquis Mansion only accommodated Yu Li occasionally out of consideration for Yu Family.
Later, due to the inability to arrange his examination at the Imperial College, the Marquis felt guilty and suggested Xie Yan tutor Yu Li as compensation.
Now, however, the Marquis was suggesting arranging a private courtyard for Yu Li, which proved he was genuinely beginning to value him.
Having her nephew earn the Marquis’s favor was a source of pride for Yu Family. But it was ironic that she had just quarreled with Yu Li.
Well then, when Yu Li takes his first holiday, she would personally accompany the Marquis to pick him up. By then, his anger should have subsided, and he would agree to return to the Mansion with them.
On Yu Li’s first day at school, ng Qianqian and ng Tianlan escorted him to the gates of the Imperial College.
ng Tianlan patted his shoulder: "Study diligently."
Yu Li nodded: "I will, Uncle."
ng Qianqian said, "When your holiday cos, I’ll pick you up, Cousin."
Yu Li shyly replied, "There’s no need to pick up for the first holiday. I’ve arranged to et Young Lin and asked him to help review last month’s lessons."
He was a transfer student and had missed prior coursework.
ng Qianqian smiled: "Alright then, I’ll bring so food for you and Young Lin."
"Alright." Yu Li was a bit bashful, thinking, how co he was supposed to be the older sibling, yet his cousin acted more like a caretaker?
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