The green jade mask once again covered the upper right half of the face, concealing half of the nose, rising and falling like the graceful peaks of green mountains.
Tang Xiaobai took two steps back, gazed at it for a mont, and sighed, "When can this mask finally be taken off?"
After entering Shuozhou, the little ancestor resud the daily practice of wearing the mask.
She originally thought that after acknowledging her roots, she could take it off. Little did she know, it remains worn still.
Although it looks good while worn, surely it can’t be worn for a lifeti?
Regarding this, Li Mu’s answer was quite clear, "After the next provincial examination, once I’m nad the top scholar, then I can remove it."
Tang Xiaobai was puzzled, "What’s the connection? Even if you beco the top scholar, removing the mask is still a cri of deceiving the emperor!"
Li Mu smiled slightly, "By then, the Crown Prince in Ren Zhi Palace should return to the Capital City."
Tang Xiaobai suddenly understood, becoming excited.
So, it’s about preparing for a power struggle at that ti?
Upon seeing her expression, Li Mu knew she understood his intent, and couldn’t help feeling ward in his heart. He held her nape, lightly lowered his head to touch her forehead gently, and softly said, "Everything will be fine later."
Tang Xiaobai nodded repeatedly but quickly thought of a question, "You’re so sure you can beco the top scholar?"
The plot in the original book had reached its end by this point. She didn’t know what would happen next.
However, she knew who would participate in the next examination.
Gu Hui, Zhu Li, Tao Fen from the A-Class Academy, along with other famous children from the Capital City. It’s truly a gathering of talents.
Truth be told, what makes the little ancestor so confident about becoming the top scholar?
Could it be—
"Do you... have soone above?" Tang Xiaobai asked quietly.
Li Mu’s face darkened, "Does the Second Miss not trust ?"
Tang Xiaobai laughed, "It’s not about trust. Everyone else has burned the midnight oil studying for years, while you, starting later than others, have only been reading military books in the past two years—" at this point, she switched thoughts, clapping her hand and laughing, "Ah Xiao could take the martial top scholar exam!"
"I’m not taking the martial top scholar exam," Li Mu said sullenly.
With his military accomplishnts in Hedong, he could at least be conferred a Fifth Rank position, what’s the point in aiming for the martial top scholar?
"The war in Hedong will end this year. After it ends, I’ll return to the Capital City to prepare for the exam," saying that, his eyes flashed, glancing at her, "Will you still accompany in my studies?"
He worried she’d fall in love with mapping and start running all over the world.
Luckily, Tang Xiaobai nodded without hesitation, "Of course! Once the war ends here, I should return ho too. It’s been nearly a year since I studied properly. I wonder how Senior Brother Pei will scold when I return! Everything settled, naturally it’s ti to study!" After speaking, she showed hesitation, "But preparing for just a year, you might not achieve top scholar..." others have dedicated ten years to it!
The heart just raised by Li Mu was brought low again, he spoke with indifference, "If I rank top three in the provincial exam, the emperor will appoint as the top scholar."
Tang Xiaobai suddenly realized.
There indeed was soone above, way above.
But—
"Can you be in the top three though?" Tang Xiaobai asked again.
Li Mu couldn’t stand it anymore, "Why not place a bet?"
"Bet on what?" Tang Xiaobai showed so interest.
Li Mu thought for a while, "If I am in the top three in the provincial exam, we’ll get engaged imdiately?"
Tang Xiaobai flushed red instantly.
"You don’t dare to bet?" Li Mu looked at her intensely.
"Childish!" Tang Xiaobai murmured, jumping away, ran to the side table, picked up a new garnt, and raised her arms high to unfold it, "Look, I made you a new piece of clothing!"
Li Mu’s attention was imdiately drawn away.
The new garnt was a narrow-sleeved robe, similar in style to what he wore daily now, only it was silver-white.
Silver-white brocade, embroidered with hidden patterns, bordered with a faint cyan edge, looking both cold and luxurious, while carrying a hint of brightness.
"How is it? Do you like it?" Tang Xiaobai shook the new garnt lightly.
Li Mu found himself awkwardly reminded of the na "Ah Hei" from before.
Previously, in Duke Yan Mansion, he always wore blue clothing, after coming to Hedong, he switched to black, thinking it more steady.
This flashy white clothing appeared frivolous in his eyes.
Much like that Wenren Jia, he held disdain in his heart.
Yet, this new garnt was made by the Second Miss...
"Did you make this by hand?" Li Mu asked.
If she made it by hand, he’d grit his teeth and wear it.
"Not quite," Tang Xiaobai finally put the new garnt down, revealing her face, "It’s made by Yingying—"
"Not so great!" Li Mu comnted.
"Not so great?" Tang Xiaobai looked shocked, lowered her head to inspect, "I think it’s marvelous. The stitching is dense and neat, Yingying is truly skillful—"
"I don’t like silver-white," Li Mu said flatly.
Tang Xiaobai froze, then chuckled awkwardly, "I chose the material..."
Li Mu’s eyes shifted, ready to say sothing to smooth things over.
Tang Xiaobai didn’t mind and continued, "I noticed you always wear black, making people feel solemn after a while—"
Upon hearing the word "solemn," Li Mu’s eyelid twitched. He snatched the garnt from her hand, "I’ll wear it!"
...
September 20, Yunzhou assembly.
During the day, the appropriate scenes of monarchs and siblings eting take place.
After entering the city mansion, Li Mu took off the pitch-black cloak outside, nearly blinding Qin Rong.
"What is this—" She almost blurted out inquisitively.
Luckily she held back, walking with a smile beside Li Mu, half-biting her teeth, gently saying, "This is— it truly suits you well! Ah Xiao looks great in this color, it brings out a healthy complexion!"
After several months apart, the "recovered" "Young Master Qin" couldn’t just be said to look well, he appeared radiant.
Not only radiant, he began to show off!
Silver-white silk cloud-patterned robe, bordered with faint cyan, made the young man appear as a glowing jade tree.
Moreover, donned in military attire, cinched at the waist, he looked even more slender and graceful. Even with the mask still on his face, he seed quite a sight.
Not like coming for war, more like coming for a beauty contest.
Li Shu, overshadowed, didn’t quite look pleased, "It’s heard that Young Master Qin captured Shuozhou State Mansion in just one day, those earlier injuries should have healed fully."
Li Mu: "Mm." His deanor was indifferent.
Qin Rong, Liang Junchen, and others were slightly choked by his "Mm."
Was this a blatant stance? This must be a blatant stance! Surely there’s a blatant stance!
Is it ti for action?
Everyone felt a slight excitent.
However, after that "Mm," Li Mu said nothing more.
Li Shu didn’t pursue the matter further, "The Three States Outside the Pass are secured, today we should host a great feast to celebrate!" After pausing, his gaze swept around, finally passing Qin Rong, "It’s unfortunate Prince Li couldn’t be here."
Qin Rong lowered her gaze, montarily unsure how to express herself.
Earlier, when Liang Junchen arrived, he said Li Xingyuan was leading troops in attacking Weizhou.
The result was Weizhou defeated, those eting Li Shu were still generals under Li Xingyuan.
Yet Li Xingyuan himself remained out of sight.
Should she continue trusting this "unfaithful man," or be heartbroken and sever ties with him henceforth?
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