This chapter is brought to you by zhopiabee, thanks for the ko-fi! (ﾉ´ヮ`)ﾉ*: ･
Shen Qingyao tied a beautiful string around the jade fox and hung it on her sachet1. Every time she saw it, she couldn’t help but smile and touch it affectionately.
Not long after the Lunar New Year, Shen Qingli happened to come over and saw her sister clutching the jade pendant, smiling like a fox that stole a chicken, just like the one in her sister’s hand. Thinking about the origin of this jade pendant, she couldn’t help but shake her head with a smile, only thinking that Lu Zhao really understood her sister well.
She walked over and, feeling somewhat exasperated, tapped her sister’s forehead, pretending to be surprised: “Why are you still looking at this pendant?! What’s so interesting about it?”
Rolling her eyes, she thought to herself that her sister was really hopeless!
Shen Qingyao happily leaned over, reaching out to hug Shen Qingli’s arm, softly calling her Elder Sister, successfully suppressing Shen Qingli’s irritation.
Shen Qingli sighed and asked, “You really like it that much?”
Shen Qingyao nodded. Since knowing that her Elder Sister didn’t like Lu Zhao, whenever she talked about Lu Zhao in front of Shen Qingli, Shen Qingyao felt much more relaxed. Anyway, she was going to play the role of a girl deeply in love with White Moonlight, so she might as well not bother hiding it and just admit it openly.
Seeing her sister’s happiness, Shen Qingli also smiled, thinking that only Yaoyao’s innocent and adorable nature could make Lu Zhao treat Yaoyao differently. At this point, many things that were previously incomprehensible seemed to have explanations. She became more certain that Lu Zhao must have had other thoughts about Yaoyao even before the day of the forced marriage. These two were truly matched for each other.
Unable to resist teasing, she said, “Then this little fox isn’t in vain for our Young Master Lu to personally take time out of his busy schedule to draw the design and personally polish it.”
“Huh?” Shen Qingyao suddenly looked puzzled, both foxes were patterns drawn by Lu Zhao, she knew, but personally polished? How could that be?
“You didn’t know?” Shen Qingli became interested, deliberately prolonging her tone, quite nostalgic, “Before, I begged him for a long time before he reluctantly drew one or two patterns for me, and the final product was just the one you took last time. But now…”
She deliberately dragged her tone, making Shen Qingyao raise her eyebrows, wanting to ask but feeling embarrassed to ask too directly.
Observing her expression, Shen Qingli chuckled, then continued, “Now, our Young Master Lu, with various social engagements before the New Year and preparing for the imperial examination, still managed to find time amidst all these trivial matters to carve this little fox for you. It’s really hard for him.”
Shen Qingyao opened her mouth in surprise; this was something she hadn’t expected. No wonder she noticed a few small scars on Lu Zhao’s hands on New Year’s Eve; it turned out to be from this.
Looking at Shen Qingli’s teasing expression, Shen Qingyao released the pendant in her hand, feeling a bit shy. If it weren’t for confirming that her Elder Sister liked Xiao Mu, she would have worried that the female lead was jealous.
[Host! See! Didn’t I say it before! White Moonlight treats you differently!] The system was triumphant, thinking that the straight-minded host should have some insight now!
“Is that so?” Shen Qingyao hesitated, unable to deny it as firmly as before. Before, she always felt that Lu Zhao was acting, but as time went on, she felt that these things weren’t entirely acted out. However, she couldn’t figure out why Lu Zhao was so good to her.
Shen Qingyao mused, “System, do you think… is it possible that White Moonlight might actually like Shen Qingyao a little bit?”
She was talking about the original owner. After all, she had only been here for a short time. It didn’t make sense for White Moonlight to have deep feelings for her.
[No way! The original owner had no connection with White Moonlight at all! How could it be possible?] The system denied it strongly!
Was there really no connection? Shen Qingyao’s eyes flickered. Then how about that memory that suddenly appear in her mind on New Year’s Eve?
Without waiting for Shen Qingyao to ponder, the system suggested, [Host, why don’t you do something instead of being idle? White Moonlight is too busy to come and find you now. Why don’t you go find him instead? Only by taking the initiative can you have unlimited possibilities!]
Shen Qingyao pursed her lips as her thoughts were interrupted. What unlimited possibilities? All she knew was that if someone disturbed her frequently before her college entrance examination, she would throw them tens of thousands of miles away! It wouldn’t work no matter who came! She hadn’t even figured out what was going on with Lu Zhao yet, so she didn’t want to invite trouble!
But…
Shen Qingyao’s mind stirred. Whether to pursue Lu Zhao was secondary. She just felt that she could indeed think about what she could do during this time to save him from his increasing blackening value.
Thinking about this made her somewhat annoyed. If Lu Zhao really had feelings for the original owner, then why did his blackening value increase every time she approached him?
Shen Qingyao shook her head, shaking off these messy thoughts. The Imperial Examination! She told herself that the most important thing right now was the Imperial Examination, wasn’t it?
This was a big step for Lu Zhao to enter the court and join the struggle for power among the main characters! It was the beginning of a new stage in the plot! Such an important plot point must be taken seriously!
She sighed. Although she knew Lu Zhao was a top student and would surely be the top scorer, what if?
Shen Qingyao rolled her eyes and suddenly remembered something. She turned to look at Shen Qingli with anticipation and asked, “Elder Sister, I remember… Elder Brother was the top scorer in the last imperial examination, right?”
Three years ago, when Lu Zhao did not participate in the imperial examination, Shen Yushu scored the highest, becoming a topic of conversation and further enhancing the reputation of the Shen family. Shen Qingyao carefully recalled that this part was mentioned in the original book.
Shen Qingli was stunned, not understanding why she suddenly brought this up, but still nodded, “Yes, that’s correct.”
Shen Qingyao’s eyes lit up. That’s great!
It wasn’t that she thought Lu Zhao couldn’t compare to Shen Yushu, but everyone’s experience was different! With another top student assisting, wouldn’t Lu Zhao’s performance in the Imperial Examination be more stable? Shen Qingyao thought that Lu Zhao must seize the top spot in accordance with the plot! Strike hard at those villains!
She narrowed her eyes but hadn’t forgotten the farce she witnessed at the Ruyi Pavilion last time.
Especially the face of the villain, Xiao Jing! She thought angrily.
Suddenly, Shen Qingyao stood up in front of Shen Qingli’s puzzled gaze and hurriedly called out, “Elder Sister, you sit first! I’ll go play with Elder Brother for a while and come back!”
It wasn’t until Shen Qingyao walked out of the courtyard gate with a cheerful stride that Shen Qingli reacted.
What could her sister play with Shen Yushu? Was she, Shen Qingli, just abandoned by her sister?
Shen Qingli couldn’t help but laugh bitterly, not even having time to tell Shen Qingyao that at this time, Shen Yushu hadn’t finished his work yet!
“What did you say? Let me? Teach? Lu Zhao?” Shen Yushu’s tone became somewhat strange, his expression resembling someone who had eaten something indescribable, at a loss for words. And there was his little sister in front of him, looking serious, as if this were something natural.
… Shen Yushu’s expression became even weirder.
Did that brat Lu Zhao need to be taught? If Shen Yushu really went, he could hardly imagine how Lu Zhao would mock him. It was true that they were about the same age. It was true that he participated in the imperial examination one period earlier than Lu Zhao. And, it was true that he was the top scholar in the last Imperial Examination. But he didn’t think he could teach Lu Zhao.
The Imperial Examination three years ago, was it that Lu Zhao couldn’t participate? No, Lu Zhao just didn’t want to.
Shen Yushu wasn’t so conceited.
But looking at his little sister’s trusting eyes, he couldn’t find the words to refuse.
It’s a torment! However hopeless Shen Yushu felt inside, he remained calm on the outside. Three years of navigating the officialdom had taught him one thing, if nothing else: how to speak the right words to the right person and when to speak nonsense.
He smiled stiffly, calming down Shen Qingyao. He had thought that seeing his sister waiting for him when he returned from work would be a pleasant surprise, but he didn’t expect it to be a shock.
“I… I’ll do my best. Yaoyao, don’t worry,” Shen Yushu’s teeth were almost clenched to pieces. He saw Shen Qingyao cheer, as if feeling relieved that it was settled!
Shen Qingyao thought, The two top scorers are together! The Imperial Examination’s result will definitely be settled!
Shen Yushu smiled bitterly, “Yeah, it’s settled.”
So three days later, when Lu Zhao went to the Hanlin Academy for business, he was stopped by someone from afar. He stopped, looked at the person in front of him, and then respectfully saluted, saying softly, “Grand Tutor Jiang.”
The person who stopped him was named Jiang Mao, who was now in his twilight years but still spirited. The light in his aged face made him formidable. He was an elder of the three dynasties who had advised three emperors. He had long retired from politics to enjoy his later years, so it was strange to see him here today.
Grand Tutor Jiang greeted him with a smile and said he was entrusted by someone to deliver something.
Lu Zhao was surprised that someone could make Grand Tutor Jiang deliver something. Grand Tutor Jiang seemed casually indifferent as he took out a booklet from his pocket and handed it to Lu Zhao.
“What’s this?” Lu Zhao took it with a puzzled expression, flipping through it casually. Inside were some strategic points, current affairs summaries, and insights from Grand Tutor Jiang’s decades of experience in office. If circulated, it would be considered a treasure by any scholar or official. Lu Zhao raised an eyebrow, puzzled, and asked, “What does Grand Tutor Jiang mean by this?”
Grand Tutor Jiang smiled mysteriously and shook his head, “Nothing special. Someone asked me to give this to you. Take a good look. The examiner for this Imperial Examination is Mr. Fang from the Hanlin Academy. This will be very beneficial for you.”
Naturally, Grand Tutor Jiang was entrusted by Shen Yushu. Shen Yushu had to fulfill his sister’s request, even though he was reluctant. Thinking about who could teach Lu Zhao, he could only think of Grand Tutor Jiang, so he had to swallow his pride and ask Grand Tutor Jiang for help.
But Lu Zhao just smiled faintly. Although he didn’t understand why Grand Tutor Jiang suddenly wanted to help him, he still respectfully said, “Thank you for Grand Tutor Jiang’s guidance, but I have my own plans for the exam. I’m afraid I have to decline Grand Tutor Jiang’s kindness.” With that, he handed the booklet back, showing no attachment.
“Oh?” Grand Tutor Jiang seemed somewhat surprised and asked, “You really don’t want it?”
There was a hint of playfulness in his tone. Seeing Lu Zhao nod, he didn’t insist further, just nodded and walked away.
Lu Zhao, feeling puzzled, tilted his head and was about to leave. Just as he stepped out of the gate, he met Shen Yushu, who had been waiting there early.
Considering that this man would be his future brother-in-law, Lu Zhao gave him face and stopped again. Shen Yushu approached eagerly, “How was it? Did you get what Grand Tutor Jiang gave you?”
Lu Zhao frowned, looking at him strangely. Was this man who arranged for Grand Tutor Jiang to give him something?
“You asked Grand Tutor Jiang to give this to me?” Lu Zhao asked.
Shen Yushu nodded generously, “Yes.”
Seeing Lu Zhao empty-handed, he frowned in surprise and said, “You didn’t accept it?”
Knowing Lu Zhao’s proud nature, Shen Yushu cursed inwardly and said angrily, “Why are you so ungrateful? If it weren’t for Yaoyao asking me, do you think I would willingly owe Grand Tutor Jiang a favor? Why don’t you accept it? Who do you think you are to refuse?”
“What did you say?” Lu Zhao, with an indifferent expression, stopped in his tracks and turned around, “Yaoyao asked you?”
Shen Yushu snorted.
Lu Zhao understood something and couldn’t help but laugh. He had been feeling that Shen Yushu was displeased with him everywhere since he and Yaoyao were engaged. How could Shen Yushu suddenly arrange for someone to teach him? So this was the reason…
Thinking that this was the intention of the young girl, Lu Zhao turned and walked away. Leaving Shen Yushu standing at the door with a puzzled expression, why did this man leave without saying a word again? “Hey! Where are you going back to?”
Lu Zhao ignored him.
A moment later, Grand Tutor Jiang, who had just sat down in the Hanlin Academy, was stopped again. He seemed to have expected this, smiled and looked at the person in front of him without saying a word.
When Lu Zhao returned, Grand Tutor Jiang was somewhat surprised. He saw the confident and arrogant young genius, who was now slightly bowing his head with a humble and respectful attitude, “Grand Tutor Jiang, upon careful consideration, I think it’s better to take a look at that booklet after all. After all, learning is endless.”
“Haha.” Grand Tutor Jiang laughed.
“…”
- a pouch filled with dried fragrant flower or herbs hung on one’s waist, used like a perfume in ancient China ↩︎