Chapter 618 - 346: Bright Clothes and Spirited Horses
Chapter 618: Chapter 346: Bright Clothes and Spirited Horses
Pei Guanli followed closely behind him.
Candidates for the Annual Examination would begin entering the venue at 7:00 AM, with doors closing at 9:00 AM. The exam itself would commence exactly at noon.
Since it was still early, Chen Yi was in no rush.
Just as he stepped out of Spring Lotus Garden, he spotted Shen Huatang already waiting with a carriage at the entrance of Jiaxing Garden. After a brief thought, he walked over.
Moments later.
Xiao Wan’er arrived with Xie Tingyun. Seeing him from a distance, a gentle smile graced her face.
"Chen Yi, best of luck on your Annual Examination today."
Perhaps because she was planning to discuss the matter of the academy’s headmaster with Cui Qingwu, she had dressed up a bit more than usual today.
She wore an elegant, understated floral cloak and a pair of green brocade shoes. With a light touch of makeup, her eyes and brows shone like the stars and the moon. Her breathtaking beauty, coupled with a dignified and graceful aura, commanded attention.
Chen Yi couldn’t help but take a second look. "Thank you for the good wishes, Wan’er."
Xiao Wan’er noticed his gaze. A hint of shyness flashed in her eyes, but unlike her past evasiveness, she spoke directly.
"It’s getting late. You should hurry to the examination grounds.
"I already instructed Guard Wang yesterday to wait for you in the front courtyard. You can go find him."
Chen Yi smiled, nodded, and waved goodbye.
After taking a few steps, he turned back and said, "I will go speak to Ma Liangcai later. Rest assured, Wan’er.
"Also, I left the letter for Madam in the study. You can send it out along with yours."
Xiao Wan’er gave a soft hum of acknowledgment. Without another word, she waved her delicate, fair hand, gesturing for him to go ahead.
Saying no more, Chen Yi smiled in farewell and led Pei Guanli toward the middle courtyard.
Pei Guanli didn’t forget to look back and wave playfully at Xiao Wan’er and the others, who were still standing and watching them.
Xiao Wan’er smiled. Only after watching the two leave the backyard did she step into her carriage and instruct, "Tingyun, tell Cui’er to give the letters to Steward Lu at noon, so he can have someone deliver them to my second sister."
"Yes, Miss."
Xie Tingyun stayed behind to carry out the order. Shen Huatang pulled the reins at the right moment, and the carriage rolled forward with a RUMBLE.
Through the gap in the curtains, Xiao Wan’er gazed toward the middle courtyard, her hands unconsciously clasping together.
She prayed that Chen Yi’s Annual Examination would go smoothly. She didn’t expect him to place in the top three; she only hoped he could retain his title as a Scholar.
In the Great Wei Dynasty, scholars held a lofty status. Even though Chen Yi was now a matrilocal son-in-law of the Xiao family, he would still receive certain privileges. Whether inside the estate or out in the world, he would command respect.
Without an official academic title, even if he served as an Instructor at Guiyun Academy, he would inevitably be subjected to gossip and ridicule. Xiao Wan’er naturally did not want to see that happen.
Although she was well aware of Chen Yi’s abilities, civil service examinations were unlike Martial Arts. No matter how brilliantly an essay was written, it still needed to catch the examiners’ discerning eyes. Over the Great Wei Dynasty’s two centuries of rule, such unfortunate oversights had happened countless times.
Unaware of Xiao Wan’er’s concerns, Chen Yi chatted and laughed with Pei Guanli as they traversed the corridor to the middle courtyard.
From a distance, he spotted Duke Qian, Zhang Xuan, speaking with two middle-aged guards. He vaguely overheard snippets of their conversation.
"...Japanese pirates appearing in Shu State is no trivial matter. Keep a close watch on their movements. If you discover anything, report back immediately."
"Yes, My Lord."
By the time Chen Yi walked past, the two guards had already walked away. He smiled and bowed to the turning Zhang Xuan. "Lord Duke Qian."
Pei Guanli mimicked him, awkwardly cupping her fists in a comical salute. "Grandpa Duke Qian."
Seeing the two, the serious expression on Zhang Xuan’s face instantly dissolved into a wide smile. "Ah, Qingzhou! Miss Pei."
He had previously stayed at the Xiao family estate for several months. Later, to obtain Chen Yi’s congratulatory birthday poem, he had made special trips to Spring Lotus Garden, so he was quite familiar with them both.
"Are you heading to... the Annual Examination? That tricky old scoundrel Xiao Yuan mentioned it last night."
Chen Yi was about to exchange a few pleasantries when he heard Elder Master Xiao’s laughing scold from behind.
"Calling me tricky? It’s obviously just your terrible alcohol tolerance, you old geezer."
Zhang Xuan glared at him, his eyebrows raised. "My tolerance is terrible? Let’s have another match today!"
Elder Master Xiao naturally didn’t back down. He accepted the challenge, threw out a few half-hearted taunts, and then looked at Chen Yi. "Qingzhou, the Annual Examination is fairly important... Do your best."
Chen Yi smiled and nodded. "I will do my utmost."
Elder Master Xiao discreetly appraised Chen Yi. Whether observing from afar, examining up close, or probing with his True Essence, he couldn’t detect the slightest trace of Martial Arts on the young man. Muttering to himself, he felt slightly relieved but still intended to find a time later to personally test the boy’s strength.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries.
Chen Yi and Pei Guanli finally boarded their carriage and headed for the examination grounds.
Elder Master Xiao and Duke Zhang returned to Qingjing Residence, chatting idly as they ordered the servants to prepare breakfast and wine.
"That grandson-in-law of yours is truly remarkable these days," Duke Zhang remarked.
"Oh? Has Qingzhou’s reputation already reached Guangyue Prefecture?"
Zhang Xuan gave him a look that said he was feigning ignorance while reaping all the benefits, and snorted. "Setting aside the ’Song of the Water Melody,’ just the calligraphy piece presented at my birthday banquet was enough to make Qingzhou famous throughout Guangyue Prefecture.
"If I hadn’t deliberately spread the word, the threshold of your Xiao family estate would have been trampled to pieces by those old fools from Guangyue Prefecture by now."
"Why is that?" Elder Master Xiao asked.
"Why else? For your grandson-in-law’s calligraphy, of course.
"People used to say I was just throwing my money around, paying a thousand pieces of silver per word for a piece written by a nobody. But now... heh, everyone says it was money well spent."
Catching the underlying meaning, Elder Master Xiao paused his chopsticks mid-air and looked at him. "A thousand pieces of silver per word? You bought it?"
The smug expression on Zhang Xuan’s face turned slightly unnatural. "You refused to ask Qingzhou for a piece of his calligraphy on my behalf, so I’m not allowed to buy one?"
"What I mean is, does Qingzhou have silver on hand now?"
"Yeah, why? You... you wouldn’t happen to be..."
Elder Master Xiao placed the food in his mouth and nodded thoughtfully. "Since he has such a talent, it ought to be put to practical use."