The vegetable delivery route was good, but it wasn't the only possibility.
Her husband was nimble and competent; he could easily manage tasks like serving dishes and clearing tables. She too could have helped in the kitchen, washing vegetables or bowls. The work was respectable—surely that would have been better than delivering vegetables.
Zuixiao Restaurant often had leftover dishes. For dishes the customers had eaten much of, Fang Zichen usually didn't take them. But for the ones that were nearly untouched, he would sometimes pack them up to bring home.
Wu Ger and the other shop assistants didn't mind much. Even though the dishes had been touched, they were still clean. It was nothing. Farming families often did this; sometimes when guests came and they cooked a meal to entertain, the leftovers weren't thrown away but could be reheated and eaten in the evening.
Wu Ger often packed them up and brought them home. At dinnertime, the delicious scent often wafted all around their house, and everyone was always so envious.
If she could have gotten a job there, what need would there be for Wu Ger?
Even if Fang Zichen didn't find them jobs, if they hadn't fallen out with Zhou Ger, then during future New Year's festivals or holidays, when Zhou Ger visited, he might have brought some meat or wine.
No matter how she looked at it, it would have been much better than the current situation.
In the end, she had offended Fang Zichen and suffered a great loss of face, without gaining a single advantage from it all.
Qian-shi was filled with immense regret.
Later, she considered seeking out Zhou Ger again to apologize and plead her case, but each time he saw her, he avoided her as if she were a plague. She never succeeded in finding the right opportunity.
...
Yuanzhou Prefecture
Today was the day the Prefectural Exam results were posted.
Although the Prefectural Exam was held in Yuanzhou, on the day the results were released, the Ministry of Rites office would prepare multiple copies written on red paper.
One copy was kept for their own use, while the others were sent by courier on fast horses to the various counties and towns below, to be delivered to the local magistrates.
Li Yisheng had gotten up early in the morning.
As he arrived at the entrance, he happened to spot Second Aunt Li and Li Yixing.
The two of them were likely also heading to check the results.
When Second Aunt Li saw him, her expression became somewhat strained. That day's argument had been particularly fierce. In the heat of the moment, Li Yisheng had cast all propriety aside and directly told her to get out. Second Aunt Li found the insult unbearable. Upon returning to her room, she immediately began packing her belongings, intending to move to an inn.
However, at that time, the inns in the city were either fully occupied or demanding exorbitant rates.
An upper-class room that normally cost four to five hundred coppers had now skyrocketed to over eight hundred coppers.
Hundreds of scholars from various counties and towns had gathered in Yuanzhou, making rooms quite scarce. Even the common rooms, which usually remained empty, were fully occupied these days.
Of course, those staying in the common rooms weren't the examination candidates themselves, but the servants or bookboys who had accompanied them to the exam.
After the exam was over, most people didn't leave immediately. The majority stayed in Yuanzhou to wait.
Firstly, after taking the exam for several days in a row, they were exhausted and needed rest.
Secondly, since they had made the effort to come, and before the exam everyone was seizing every moment to study and had no mind for sightseeing, after the exam it was natural to take the opportunity to appreciate the local customs of Yuanzhou and relax.
Thirdly, they wanted to know the results as soon as possible.
While the red placard was sent to each county and town, those closer by might get the results posted early in the day, while those farther away might have to wait until noon, or even the next day.
Most candidates found it hard to contain their anxiety.
Second Aunt Li calculated: waiting three or four days, for accommodation and food, for two people it would easily cost over ten taels.
At the medical hall, there were also servants to attend to them.
Li Yixing said he probably had no hope of passing this Prefectural Exam, but without seeing the results with her own eyes, she couldn't quite give up hope. Li Yixing urged her to return home, but she didn't agree.
Li Yisheng was usually busy. She stayed in the backyard and rarely saw him anyway. After thinking it over, she swallowed her pride and returned to the medical hall.
These past few days, they really hadn't seen much of each other. Running into him like this now, her expression was a bit awkward.
Li Yisheng paused for a moment, then was the first to speak: "Second Aunt."
Second Aunt Li, seeing him take the initiative to greet her, resumed her airs: "Mn. You're up so early. Are you going somewhere?"
Li Yisheng replied: "To check the results."
Li Yixing looked over at him. Li Yisheng added: "I'm checking for my brother."
Li Yixing furrowed his brows slightly, his expression darkening.
Second Aunt Li asked, though she already knew the answer: "That fellow who stayed in the backyard last time?"
"Exactly!"
"I'm afraid you've gotten up early for nothing." Second Aunt Li had never held much hope for Fang Zichen. It was difficult for those from humble backgrounds to produce officials.
The scholars coming to take the exam from various academies were all led by their masters. Even those who came alone wore their academy's uniform. Fang Zichen came by himself, without a single servant to attend to him. His clothes couldn't be considered wealthy. On the day he arrived, instead of staying in his room to study, he ran out to wander for the entire afternoon. He didn't have an ounce of a scholar's refined elegance. He was boisterous and more like a little ruffian, a reckless ruffian who didn't know his own limits, just coming to try his luck.
Most scholars and literate people were refined and quiet. Fang Zichen was far too unrestrained, and his way of speaking was quite boastful, always giving people the feeling he was bragging. Li Yisheng didn't hold much hope for him either, but one must keep up appearances even in defeat. If he didn't support his own brother, who would?
"Who is making a wasted trip is still unknown. My brother might not excel in other areas, but..." Whether intentionally or not, he glanced at Li Yixing.
When he narrowed his eyes and swept his gaze over, it carried a sharpness that made Li Yixing feel as if needles were pricking his back.
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