Wan Mingji was a bit speechless. He didn’t expect to get such a result. Xue Zian was quite happy holding his own essay, as he received a “Good” grade.

The essay grades were divided into Fail, Pass, Average, Good, and Excellent.

The scholars were whispering to each other, checking what evaluations they received. Xue Zian took a stroll around before returning to his seat, satisfied. “Mingji, let me see.” 

Upon seeing it, Xue Zian almost burst out laughing. The big red cross was too obvious.

“Mingji, if you didn’t do well this time, there’s always next time.” Xue Zian cleared his throat, “Don’t be discouraged.”

Wan Mingji: “…” He clutched the paper of his essay tightly. 

When Tan Fuzi came to class, he also saw Wan Mingji staring at his essay with the big cross. He sighed inwardly. It wasn’t that he didn’t care, but Wan Mingji’s writing style was slightly off, looking very stiff, like a soulless body.

The entire essay was just a format, filling the whole page, but in the end, it was worse than writing less. It was too watered down, to be honest, it was seriously diluted. 

Squeeze it, and it’s all water. People, the more you hit them, the stronger they become. 

“Brother Wan, you can do it.” Xue Zian continued to comfort Wan Mingji. 

Wan Mingji gritted his teeth. He was determined to nail this essay! He refused to believe in bad luck. 

* 

Xie Qiaoyu had been busy making rouge these days, living a fulfilling life. During this time, he made some peach slices for Xie Zhi to take to Wan Mingji. 

Xie Zhi: “Alright, by the way, have you seen Weixia lately? I haven’t seen him for a while.” 

In the past, Xie Weixia loved to cling to him. Since he returned from his study tour, Xie Weixia hadn’t come to his courtyard. 

Xie Qiaoyu’s heart stirred. Of course, he knew where Xie Weixia went. Wasn’t he off pouring his heart out to Wei Bowen? With a slightly strange expression, he said, “I haven’t seen Second Brother recently either, but he often goes out.” 

He subtly passed the message to Xie Zhi. Xie Weixia always flaunted in front of him, and he would seize any chance to put him in a bad light. If Xie Weixia were around, he would probably try to smear him. 

“I see.” Xie Zhi’s expression remained unchanged, having a rough idea of where Xie Weixia went. Wei Bowen still hadn’t come to propose, and this matter had to be kept under wraps. Now, Xie Zhi was somewhat dissatisfied with Wei Bowen’s procrastination. 

Xie Qiaoyu left Xie Zhi’s room and returned to the courtyard, grabbing a small hoe to weed the flower pots. This was his way of making money, so he treated it with care. 

Weeds? Remove them all! 

“Young Master, you’re still weeding? Qian Shaoye has found his ideal partner.” Yao He, who was always well-informed, ran over excitedly to help Xie Qiaoyu with the weeding. 

“So soon?” Xie Qiaoyu put down the small hoe, a bit surprised. 

“Anyway, it’s a scholar. Xiao Yuanyuan in the kitchen said it’s the second young master of the Yan family who’s getting married.” 

“Yan Jue? Isn’t he still without a main wife and already has two illegitimate sons, with many concubines too?” Xie Qiaoyu wasn’t optimistic about this marriage. 

“But the second young master of the Yan family passed the scholar exam, marrying him means becoming a scholar’s fu lang.” Yao He heard people outside saying this. 

Although Xie Qiaoyu also wanted to be a scholar’s fu lang, he still kept his distance from Yan Jue. This was Xie Qian’s decision, and he couldn’t say much. 

Xie Qiaoyu cleared his throat, “How does he look?” 

“I sneaked a peek in the main hall, very handsome,” Yao He said. 

Xie Qiaoyu didn’t believe it. If he were a famously handsome man, he would know. Yao He was probably being too polite. 

“How does he compare to Wan Gongzi?” He insisted on comparing everything. 

“How can you compare? Wan Gongzi is very good-looking,” Yao He knew what his young master wanted to hear. 

Xie Qiaoyu was very satisfied. He wanted to join the fun, so he quietly wandered in the garden, tiptoeing to see Yan Jue proposing in the main hall. 

Yan Jue was a decisive person. Once he set his eyes on someone, he was determined. He brought betrothal gifts to propose to Xie Qian, but it turned into a joke because Xie Qian’s parents weren’t at the Xie Mansion; they were in Shuifuzhen. 

“No problem, I can go to Shuifuzhen to propose again.” 

Xie Qian blushed quietly, showing none of his usual sharp-tongued demeanor, instead displaying a shy side. 

“Oh my.” Xie Qiaoyu exclaimed in surprise. 

How quickly things progressed! Xie Qiaoyu was truly envious. 

But he was very reserved and didn’t want to look too much. 

His eyes were wide open, round and bright, looking towards the main hall. 

Xie Laofuren laughed, “Of course, we’ll discuss further when Xie Qian’s parents arrive.” 

Xie Qiaoyu watched the scene, seeing the betrothal gifts Yan Jue brought, his eyes lit up, “How many rouge shops could this buy?” 

There were so many betrothal gifts, he suddenly didn’t want to work hard anymore. 

House deeds, land deeds, jewelry, silver, wow, if he had such things, he’d feel so secure, why bother making rouge? 

The thought of buying a rouge shop on his own was instantly forgotten. 

Yao He’s eyes also sparkled. 

The master and servant duo reluctantly watched the betrothal gifts being carried away. Xie Qiaoyu had sharp eyes and noticed Xie Qian exchanging glances with Yan Jue. 

“Foolish, after marriage, no matter how you look at it, exchanging glances is fine, but you should focus on calculating the betrothal gifts and dowry.” Xie Qiaoyu said with an old-fashioned tone, implying that after marriage, you might as well discard the man. 

He had “shrewd” written on his left cheek and “calculating” on his right. 

He looked elegant and beautiful, but in reality, his little schemes were all over Yao He’s face. 

Yao He was in a daze. 

Young Master, you’re a bit… mature. 

“Young Master, you’re right,” Yao He eagerly echoed Xie Qiaoyu’s words. 

When Xie Weixia heard someone came to propose to Xie Qian, he immediately smashed the vase in his room, “Brother Wei hasn’t even proposed to me, and this Xie Qian is getting married.” 

“Young Master, be patient. Young Master Wei still has the provincial exam. Maybe he’ll propose after the exam.” 

“Without a proposal, my heart is always unsettled.” Xie Weixia was not calm. He knew that Wei Bowen was once close to Xie Qiaoyu, and he didn’t want to be snatched away. Once engaged, it’s generally hard to snatch away. 

“Those two with the surname Xie are no good, making me so angry. I can’t handle Xie Qian, but I can handle Xie Qiaoyu, can’t I?” 

Xie Weixia was furious, and Xie Qiaoyu immediately went to pay respects to Xie Furen. 

Xie Qiaoyu: “?” 

“Didn’t she pretend to be magnanimous and not let us pay respects?” 

“Young Master probably has bad intentions,” Yao He said indignantly, the master and servant duo teary-eyed and fearful. 

“How about you tell her I’m sick?” Xie Qiaoyu hesitated. 

“No way, Young Master, that trick has already been exposed. Furen will send someone to check on your illness,” Yao He advised earnestly. 

“Then shall we go together?” 

“Young Master, I still have to sell rouge for you.” 

Xie Qiaoyu: “…” 

What an ungrateful fellow. 

Xie Qiaoyu had no choice but to go to Xie Furen’s courtyard. Anyway, he would be caught making mistakes. Sure enough, not long after, Xie Qiaoyu was obediently kneeling. 

Fortunately, he had padded his knees beforehand. Xie Qiaoyu skillfully knelt in the courtyard and even had a maid give him a sip of tea. 

“Third Young Master, you’re here to be punished, not to enjoy yourself?” The mama beside Xie Furen scolded. 

“Furen is the most magnanimous. I don’t believe she won’t let me drink water. The punishment is for my own good, not to make me die of thirst,” Xie Qiaoyu said righteously. 

Mama: “…” 

After kneeling for a while, Xie Qiaoyu was getting sleepy. He said, “Mama, I need to use the restroom?” 

“Third Young Master, this is a punishment, not a place for you to order people around.” 

“People have three urgent needs. I can’t just… in the courtyard,” Xie Qiaoyu shyly lowered his head, “Besides, Furen is the kindest. If this gets out, it won’t be good for her reputation. I’m not ordering anyone around; I can go to the restroom myself.” 

Mama was choked. 

Why do you have so many demands! 

Xie Qiaoyu went to the restroom as he wished, then returned to kneel in the courtyard. As soon as he knelt down, he heard a maid announcing that Lao Ye had arrived. 

His heart stirred, swaying, biting his lower lip until it turned pale, his body trembling, “I was wrong, I dare not, I dare not again…” 

Mama was furious, her eyes blazing, “Third Young Master, what are you doing?!” 

“Mama, hit me, hit me hard. I’m not a young master in your eyes; I’m weak and easy to bully. If hitting me makes you feel better, then hit me,” Xie Qiaoyu was full of drama, grabbing Mama’s hand and placing it on his face, looking weak and easy to bully, like a delicate little white flower. 

Mama controlled her fingers to avoid touching Xie Qiaoyu’s face. 

“What’s going on here? Do you still have the demeanor of a young master? Get back inside.” Xie Yuan had a headache, annoyed by the noise. 

“And you all, why are you forcing the third young master to this state? How can you make someone kneel in the courtyard under such a big sun? Truly impressive!” Xie Yuan wanted some peace, but there was none to be found. 

Mama wanted to explain, “Lao Ye, I didn’t…” 

“What’s the matter? Can’t I say anything to you? It seems you’re not easy to get along with,” Xie Yuan said coldly. 

Mama dared not speak further, cold sweat dripping. 

Xie Qiaoyu covered his face and ran back, sobbing. 

Xie Furen’s eyes narrowed, and she came out smiling, “Lao Ye, don’t be angry. Have a bowl of mung bean soup to cool off.” 

“Qiaoyu is not well-behaved, but he’s grown up. Do you have to make him kneel in the courtyard for everyone to see? You should give him some face,” Xie Yuan said, his tone softening. 

He took a sip of mung bean soup to cool down, still reluctant to speak harshly to Xie Furen. She was his main wife, and besides, Xie Zhi was so promising. 

“Also, whatever Xie Zhi needs, just comply. I think he has a chance in this provincial exam. If Xie Zhi succeeds, it will bring honor to me.” 

“As for Weixia’s marriage, keep an eye on it.” Xie Yuan hesitated before saying, “Find a good family for Qiaoyu too. You’re his legitimate mother. If he does well in the future, he’ll be grateful to you. They’re brothers and can support each other.” 

Xie Furen outwardly agreed gently, but inwardly she sneered. How could she find a good family for Xie Qiaoyu? If he married well, he’d be above her. She wasn’t that foolish. 

She would definitely find a “good family” for Xie Qiaoyu. 

In Yiju Courtyard, Xie Qiaoyu rolled up his robe and lay on the couch. Yao He removed the thick padding from under his knees, revealing some bruises. 

“It hurts…” 

Yao He softened his touch, “Young Master, these bruises need to be massaged out.” 

“Luckily, I got that mama scolded too, probably angered Furen as well.” 

“Young Master, you always provoke Furen.” 

“If I don’t provoke her, she’ll be even more rampant. Anyway, she’ll target me, so I might as well be at ease,” Xie Qiaoyu hugged a pillow, resting his head on it, obediently looking at his knees. 

“Tomorrow, I have to get up early to pay respects to Furen.” Xie Qiaoyu was in a good mood, “Wake me up at the hour of the tiger, I want to sleep early today.” 

Yao He almost bit his tongue, “Young Master, the hour of the tiger is too early.” 

“Your young master, I, want to be this early,” Xie Qiaoyu smiled, his eyes curved, radiant. His long, white legs moved on the couch, the hairpin on his head swayed, and a strand of black hair fell by his ear. 

The next morning, the rooster crowed. 

Xie Qiaoyu got up, yawning, swaying slightly.