Li Yixing stammered, his mouth moving, but for a long moment, he couldn't get a word out.
If he said yes, where would that place him?
If he said no, then why wasn't his name on the list?
Second Aunt Li knew why Li Yisheng was saying this. It was because on the day Fang Zichen arrived in Yuanzhou, he spent the whole afternoon wandering outside. She had brought this up several times.
But her criticisms had always been directed at Fang Zichen. Why was Li Yisheng seizing upon this matter to attack them now?
"Xiao Sheng, don't forget who your real brother is," Second Aunt Li said. "His surname is Fang, yours is Li. You and Xiao Xing are brothers. You should support and look out for each other, not act like this, kicking someone when they're down. If my Xiao Xing passes in the future, won't you share in the glory? Would he forget an elder brother like you?"
"Please, I wouldn't dare bask in any of his glory." Li Yisheng's gaze was sharp. "Moreover, a brother like this is one I, Li Yisheng, truly cannot accept."
Second Aunt Li wrung her hands: "You... what do you mean by that?"
"What do I mean? I think you should understand," Li Yisheng said impatiently. "Xiao Yu, let's go."
Just as Xie Xiaoyu stepped forward, Li Yixing grabbed him. Only now did he speak: "Xiao Yu..."
"Go where?" Second Aunt Li looked at Xie Xiaoyu. "Don't forget whose fiancé you are! Hugging and carrying on with an unrelated man in the street, and I haven't even reprimanded you for it yet, and you still follow him away? Do you have any regard for my Xiao Xing at all?"
They hadn't interacted much before, only meeting occasionally once a year. Previously, Xie Xiaoyu thought Second Aunt Li was a decent person. But these past few days had opened his eyes.
Second Aunt Li was truly sharp-tongued. If she was like this even towards her own nephew, it was clear she wasn't a good person.
Xie Xiaoyu struggled. Li Yixing held on tight. Seeing Li Yisheng glance at him coolly, Xie Xiaoyu panicked and directly used his hands, shoving Li Yixing in the chest.
Li Yixing, a scholar, weak and frail, staggered back from the push.
"Soon, I won't be," Xie Xiaoyu said. "I will have my father go and break off the engagement."
Second Aunt Li: "You..."
"Let's go," Li Yisheng said.
Xie Xiaoyu didn't speak again, but trotted off obediently after Li Yisheng.
...
The news that first place in the prefectural examination had been taken by an unknown youth caused an uproar throughout the Qinghe Academy. A servant had copied the list and immediately brought it back to the study. Old Master Wu looked at it; the three characters shining brightly in first place caused no ripple on his face, as if he had already anticipated it, as if it was only natural.
That kid, his ability truly matchs his big mouth.
The Prefect sat opposite him. From the moment the servant entered until he left, the Prefect's eyes never left Old Master Wu's face. He poured a cup of tea and pushed it towards Old Master Wu, smiling: "Not surprised?"
Old Master Wu cast his eyes briefly over the list. Most of the names listed this time still belonged to Academy students. He was thoroughly familiar with these scholars' capabilities; their being on the list was well within expectations.
"Not surprised." Old Master Wu picked up the teacup. The temperature was just right. He took a sip; it was tea from the northern regions, smooth on the palate without any astringency.
A single liang of it cost several hundred coppers.
[1 liang approximately equivalent to 50 grams]
"You're being uncharacteristically generous," Old Master Wu said. "Well, out with it, what matter brings you here today?"
"Who is this top scorer?" the Prefect asked directly. "Don't tell me you don't know him. If it were anyone else, you would have sent someone to investigate long ago."
The Prefect and Old Master Wu were old classmates, friends for decades, and knew each other best.
Old Master Wu valued talent greatly and deeply appreciated cultured, capable individuals. The Prefect was the same.
This year's prefectural examination had suddenly produced a dark horse, someone not from Qinghe Academy, nor from any other academy. The Prefect had checked the records and found this person was not only first in the prefectural exam, but had also been first in the county exam. He couldn't help but be astonished. Having found some free time today, he had come over originally to discuss with Old Master Wu how to attract such talent to their academy. But he saw Old Master Wu wasn't the least bit surprised.
Old Master Wu felt both gratitude and resentment towards Fang Zichen.
Remembering that mouth of his made his teeth itch with hatred.
"He's just an unruly kid, very narcissistic."
"Ah?" This was the first time the Prefect had heard him describe someone like this, and with such a complex expression. The Prefect became interested: "Tell me in detail."
Old Master Wu then recounted the incident from that day when he was in danger, finishing with: "That kid does have some skill. It's just that mouth of his..." He paused, took another sip of tea, as if considering his words. "Sometimes, he doesn't particularly care to speak like a normal person."
The Prefect laughed. He rarely saw Old Master Wu with this kind of expression, as if he had suffered a setback.
"Hearing you say this, he must be quite an interesting character. Since you are acquainted with him, could you persuade him to enter our academy?"
Qinghe Academy was founded by Old Master Wu and the Prefect together. The Prefect was busy with affairs and seldom involved himself in academy matters, effectively leaving full management to Old Master Wu.
In the past, outstanding candidates had appeared in prefectural and academy examinations, but Old Master Wu had never seen him make a special trip like this despite his busy schedule. If it were merely a Tongsheng, he wouldn't have necessarily come all this way. He reached out his hand: "Let me see that kid's exam papers."
"Nothing gets past you." The Prefect handed over three exam papers.
Upon opening them, the first thing seen was elegant, neat handwriting. Yet, to call it merely elegant wasn't quite right; the strokes were vigorous and powerful, the dots and lines all smooth and sharp, forming a unique style that made one's eyes light up.
But this wasn't the most outstanding point.
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