Passing the Provincial Examinations

"Congratulations, Uncle Lin! You've placed Thirty-Second Place."

The messenger went to the Lin Family to claim the reward, and all the members of the Lin Family came.

"Master Lin is only eighteen! And he's already Passing the Provincial Examinations?"

"That's right! I heard he's not married yet."

The neighbors were talking about it, and an elder from the Lin Family came over, set off firecrackers, and gave them a reward.

The Lin Family hasn't produced such a young Provincial Graduate in many years.

The family members led Lin Yunyi into the house, chattering, "Yi-ge'er, quickly offer incense and kowtow to your father and Elder Sister!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Lin burst into tears and pushed her son, saying, "Go."

Their family has waited for this day for far too many years!

Lin Yunyi paid respects to his family and dealt with the elders of the clan.

"Several young Provincial Graduate passed the imperial examinations in the Capital this year, the youngest being the one from the Lu family."

He heard people talk about Lu Chang'gong and said, "Lu Chang'gong was diligent in the Academy and had extremely high talent. Moreover, it was his Elder Sister who introduced him to the school."

The Lin Family members nodded. "After all, she's a child raised by Yun Wan."

"Oh, what a pity... your sister can't see it."

Lin Yunyi lowered his head, seemingly very sad.

The clan chief brought up Lin Yunyi's marriage prospects, Madam Lin replied with a beaming smile, "It's not settled yet."

The clan chief said, "No rush. The Metropolitan Examination is next February. With Yun Yi's current ranking, Presented Scholar in the highest imperial examination) is a piece of cake."

That's actually a bit of an exaggeration.

But Lin Yunyi was determined to win.

At the entrance of the Lu family Wuding Marquis Residence, a string of firecrackers was also set off. Lu Zhengliu was happier than anyone else, as if he himself had passed the Provincial Graduate.

"Give them gifts, give them all gifts. Give gifts to the children too, don't be stingy."

He very generously gave instructions to the steward in the Front Courtyard.

The manager, feeling quite pleased with himself, took a bag of loose silver and copper coins and went out to reward the people who came to offer their congratulations.

Lu Zhengliu greeted the guests at the entrance, "Chang Gong-- "

He looked back, but couldn't see anyone at all.

Where did this child run off to?

Alright, today is a joyous occasion, the banquet is the priority, and there's also the Old Madam; he needs to go and tell Old Madam the good news.

"Grandmother, Chang Gong Passing the Provincial Examinations and Provincial Graduate! He's only fifteen!"

Old Madam Lu had taken too much medicine and wasn't quite lucid. Hearing Lu Chang'gong's name made her very averse, and she waved her arms, shouting, "Get out! Tell him to get out! He's not a member of the Lu family!"

"Grandmother, Chang Gong has already Passing the Provincial Examinations, how could you be so foolish?"

Lu Zhengliu pursed his lips, feeling very uncomfortable. "Grandmother, now the Lu family has someone to support it. Chang Gong has long been registered in our Lu family Clan Genealogy. How can he not be a member of our Lu family?"

Old Madam Lu was still grumbling and cursing.

Lu Zhengliu shook his head. "Why would I tell you this?"

The Old Madam has gone mad.

He turned to leave, and then he heard the old man on the bed ask in a hoarse voice, "She... she's back? Has she really come back?"

Lu Zhengliu stopped and turned back to ask, "Grandmother, who told you that?"

Of course, I only found out from Nanny Yan and other people gossiping.

Old Madam Lu asked tearfully, "Zhengliu, is it true? Yun Wan has really returned?"

Lu Zhengliu paused for a moment, then said, "I don't know."

He went out to find Lu Chang'gong. On such a joyous day, father and son should celebrate together. He also wanted to take him to meet all the relatives, friends, and family acquaintances of the Wuding Marquis Residence. He wanted to tell them, "This promising child is my... my son."

He is his son with Yun Wan.

But then he ran into Ge Bao'er had a very unpleasant expression on her face.

Ge Bao'er was also taken aback when she saw Lu Zhengliu.

Lu Zhengliu: "What are you doing here?"

On this joyous day, she was in charge of the Inner Residence and had plenty of things to do, yet she was strolling around here.

Ge Bao'er couldn't help but be happy; she had to show the magnanimity of a matriarch.

Lu Chang'gong is gaining more and more influence in the Lu family. She is really afraid that her son will not be able to compare with Lu Chang'gong. Even if she has to pretend, she has to pretend that everyone is getting along well.

She forced a smile, "Chang Gong Passing the Provincial Examinations the imperial examination. I'm going to the storeroom to get some things. After all, I'm his Concubine, so I should congratulate him."

Lu Zhengliu nodded and said, "There will be a banquet at the manor in a few days. Hurry up and prepare the guest list and the tableware."

"Yes."

Just as Ge Bao'er curtsied and took her leave, her maid rushed over and said, "Concubine, Madam says she's looking for—" Upon seeing Lu Zhengliu, she stopped talking and quickly lowered her head, saying, "Master."

Lu Zhengliu frowned. "Why are you running away so recklessly?"

Ge Bao'er suddenly clenched her handkerchief, feeling extremely guilty, and scolded the maid, "Get out of here!"

"Yes..."

"Stop!" Lu Zhengliu called out to the maid, looking at her coldly. "You just said 'Madam said she was looking for', Madam Chen? What was she looking for?"

The maid looked at Ge Bao'er.

Lu Zhengliu said expressionlessly, "If you don't tell me, I'll have you beaten to death right now."

"Uncle!"

The maidservant was so frightened that she knelt down and begged, "Master, spare my life!"

She blurted out the whole story of Madam Chen's investigation into the former servants who had served Lin Yunwan.

"This servant is merely a messenger!"

Lu Zhengliu waved his hand, dismissing the maid, and questioned Ge Bao'er, "What exactly do you want?"

Ge Bao'er couldn't bear it any longer.

She'd really had enough!

"Sir, I refuse to believe I'm the only one who wants to know if she really is Lin Yunwan!"

Ge Bao'er's skin was still fair, and although her almond-shaped eyes had wrinkles and dark circles, she still had the ambition she had when she first entered the mansion.

She retorted defiantly, "Since you know she's not dead, don't you have any thoughts about it?"

Lu Zhengliu was stumped by the question.

Ever since he learned that the Lin Family had moved the graves, and recalling the past, from Yun Wan being burned to death to Lin Yunyi forcing him to write Divorce Deed, he understood the Lin Family's attitude of only seeking to settle things peacefully.

I know... she's not dead.

Lu Zhengliu closed his eyes and said in a low voice, "She is now the Prince Huan Consort."

She's not someone he can aspire to be with.

He mocked Ge Bao'er: "You don't think that with your shady relationship with the Duke Xingguo's Residence, you can do anything to Prince Huan Consort?"

Don't get your hopes up.

Ge Bao'er tilted her head back and asked, "What if I can find evidence to expose her? Would you like to expose her, sir? Or would you rather let her stay by Prince Huan's side and live a carefree life?"

She sneered, "Sir, you've reserved the position of your Principal Wife for her, and for her sake, you only have one legitimate Legitimate Son, Chang Gong, and you don't even acknowledge your own bloodline! But what about her? What kind of life is she living now? Carefree and happy."

Lu Zhengliu slightly.

He could barely hear his own voice, but he asked, "What do you want to do?"

Ge Bao'er smiled before saying, "My mother investigated. Ping Ye and Tao Ye, the two maids, have been living with their husbands' families since their marriages. Lin Yunwan hasn't seen them since returning to the Capital. Although they have some contact with the Lin Family, the Lin Family and the Prince's Mansion had dealings before, so this isn't really grounds for suspicion."

"Lady Guo, she hasn't gone to see her either?"

Lu Zhengliu suddenly remembered this person.

Ge Bao'er said, "That old Matron moved away a long time ago; we can't find her anywhere now."

Lu Zhengliu scoffed, "You searched all you wanted and found nothing?"

Who said that?

Ge Bao'er said smugly, "Lin clan of Jiangqian has a daughter who married out of the country and came to the capital with her husband, Wenhai, who is also here to take the imperial examination. Does the master know what her relationship is with the Prince Huan Consort?"

Lu Zhengliu was unaware.

After being driven out of the Lin Family, he deliberately avoided learning about Lin Yunwan's affairs.

He feared that the thought of her pleasuring him beneath Prince Huan would drive him mad.

"They're sisters! But the Wen family lives in a shabby rented house."

"Sir, do you think this is normal?"

This was abnormal, but Lu Zhengliu no longer wanted to know.

He said coldly, "Let's stop here. Don't let me find out that you've led the Lu family to dig their own grave. Chang Gong is about to Presented Scholar the imperial examination; our Lu family still has a chance to rise again."

He lifted his foot and left.

Ge Bao'er gritted her teeth, her delicate face contorted in a ferocious expression.

"I refuse to believe that you can still hold back now that we've found the evidence..."

She instructed her maid, "Prepare the carriage; I'm going to see the Wen family."

She refused to believe that, given such a large sum of money, Wenhai and Lin Yunjiao, a married couple, could keep their mouths shut.

"Elder Brother, you 'Passing the Provincial Examinations! Don't you need to see the guests?"

Mu'er, holding her pen, was a little distracted by the sound of gongs and drums outside.

Lu Chang'gong said calmly, "Focus."

Mu'er pouted and asked, "Elder Brother, do I really have to learn to write?"

"Only when girls learn to write can they become sensible and intelligent, and know how to protect themselves when faced with injustice."

Mu'er asked, bewildered, "Elder Brother, can't you protect me?"

Lu Chang'gong smiled and patted her head, saying, "I can. But you're a girl, Elder Brother can't protect you forever."

Why?

"Because Mu'er will grow up and get married."

Mu'er put down her pen, smiled, and said, "Then Mu'er won't get married. I'll stay with Mother and Elder Brother for the rest of my life."

Lu Chang'gong placed the pen in her hand, held her small hand, and said, "Finish this one first."

Mu'er stuck out her tongue.

Her Elder Brother saw right through her little scheme.

Lu Chang'gong tapped her head and said, "After Elder Brother finish learning the Three Hundred Thousand Thousand...

"Really?"

Mu'er's eyes suddenly brightened.

"Um."

Mu'er has regained her enthusiasm for practicing calligraphy.

Zhu Qing brought in the pastries and asked with a smile, "Eldest Young Master, why are you teaching Mu'er calligraphy today? Today is your joyous occasion, aren't you going out to greet the guests?"

Lu Chang'gong didn't turn his head, his tone gentle. "Mother isn't here."

Zhu Qing was immediately disappointed and sighed, "Young Madam, if she's watching over us from heaven, she'll know. I think it was Young Madam who blessed you to Passing the Provincial Examinations."

Lu Chang'gong smiled faintly, pursing his lips.

His mother should... know that he Passing the Provincial Examinations.