Bailu Academy holds an exam every year, from mid-April to mid-May, with results released in late May.
The results ca out, and Brother Feifei didn’t get in.
Yueyao didn’t hope for Brother Feifei’s success in this exam in the first place, for a simple reason: Brother Feifei was too young, just seven years old in nominal age! How could he compete with those who are several years older?
Upon learning this news, Brother Feifei was not discouraged; instead, he confidently said, "I’ll definitely get in next year." Not being admitted this ti didn’t an he gained nothing. During this attempt to enter Bailu Academy, Brother Feifei learned a lot.
Brother Xuxu, this younger brother, was very supportive: "Second Brother, don’t worry. I’ll take the exam next year too, and then we can study together at Bailu Academy."
Brother Sheng, as the elder brother, naturally didn’t want to fall behind and also said that he would take the exam at Bailu Academy next year.
Yueyao thought that if Brother Feifei and Brother Xuxu waited another two years to take the exam, they might pass, but it was uncertain with Brother Sheng. Among the three children, Brother Sheng was the least proficient in studies. However, Yueyao didn’t mind, as Brother Sheng wouldn’t need to pass the civil service exam to enter the bureaucracy in the future.
With these thoughts in mind, Yueyao certainly wouldn’t undermine Brother Sheng’s confidence at this ti; it’s a good thing that the sons know how to be ambitious. Yueyao smiled and said, "I’ve found a tutor for you, and he will arrive in a few days. You must listen to the teacher well."
Brother Xuxu shook his head and said, "Mother, is he like Teacher Li?" In Suzhou, Brother Xuxu had studied with Teacher Li along with Brother Sheng for half a year, so he wasn’t unfamiliar with teachers, nor did he resist them.
Yueyao smiled and nodded, "Yes. When the ti cos, you must listen to the teacher, do you understand?" Yueyao initially wanted to visit the Marquis’ household to et Mr. Min before deciding whether to hire him, but Madam Ping blocked her. Madam Ping’s reason was simple: soone like Mr. Min was highly sought after; if Yueyao attempted to probe him and accidentally offended him, causing him not to teach, she would regret it too late. After more than a month of investigation by Xiang Wei, everyone whose children were taught by Mr. Min had nothing negative to say about him.
It was not easy for everyone to have positive opinions, which made Yueyao feel assured about Mr. Min, even if she had only heard his na and never t him in person.
While the mother and her three sons were conversing, Gu Lan approached and said, "Madam, soone from the Ma Family sent a ssage. Old Master Ma and Madam Ma have returned from the hotown, arriving in the Capital City at noon."
Yueyao’s face lit up with joy: "Cousin and cousin-in-law have returned. Tell the ssenger that I will visit them in a couple of days."
Brother Xuxu was particularly excited: "Mother, has Cousin Jie co back too?" Ma Peng and Zhuang Ruolan went back to their hotown for a funeral, taking the children with them.
Speaking of this matter, Yueyao thought that Uncle Ma Chengteng mishandled it, inviting criticism. When his wife passed away, it would have been appropriate to return to the hotown, but Ma Chengteng simply refused to go back, making people in the Capital City think he was sowhat cold-hearted.
The Ma Family returned to attend the funeral, leaving hastily, and returned quite discreetly, only sending so local specialties through the ssenger.
Xiang Wei looked at the large parcels and said, "Now this is family!" Xiang Wei was comparing the Lin Family to the Ma Family.
Gu You, puzzled, asked, "Sister Xiang Wei, what are you talking about? What does this an ’this is family’?" This seemingly off-topic remark just left people baffled.
Gu Lan laughed and explained, "Sister Xiang Wei ans that Lady of the Ma Family is affectionate to our madam, unlike Madam Lin..." The latter part Gu Lan didn’t dare continue.
Judged solely by the things sent, what Madam Lin sent was much more than what the Ma Family sent. But the Ma Family, upon returning, promptly sent a ssage to Yueyao, highlighting the distinction in familial ties.
Yueyao’s expression remained calm, showing no change in emotion. However, her light dinner betrayed her feelings.
Xiang Wei laughed and said, "Not happy, are you? I thought you were really so magnanimous."
Yueyao glanced at Xiang Wei and asked, "How much silver in total was the stuff Lin Qinghan brought back to the Lin Family this ti?"
Xiang Wei’s eyebrow twitched slightly as she said, "Just the items on the gift list would be worth about four to five thousand taels of silver." Xiang Wei calculated these items based on the prices in the Capital City. If valued based on Haikou goods, it would only be worth about two thousand taels of silver.
Yueyao disliked it when Xiang Wei spoke half-truths, revealing only part of the story.
Xiang Wei continued with a smile, "Besides the items on the gift list, Lin Qinghan also gave Lady Lin quite a few valuable things, and that’s not all. I heard Lin Qinghan gave gemstones to several nieces, generous indeed. Adding them all together, it should be worth several thousand taels of silver." Such generosity made even Xiang Wei feel a bit pained, though the person involved wasn’t the least bit concerned.
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