Xuan Yi knew his second brother was unusually intelligent, but had previously been stuck in a rut.
Now, with a little guidance, he would naturally figure things out quickly.
So he didn't continue speaking to Nan Qing and turned to Xing Yun instead:
"Third brother, regarding Nian Da Bao, we should just do our own duties. We must not overstep our bounds just because her personality has changed."
Xing Yun pouted and nodded.
"Alright, it's getting late. I'll go hunting early tomorrow. Let's sleep."
Upon hearing Xuan Yi's words, Xing Yun immediately said with concern:
"Big brother, you've only just returned. Why don't you rest at home for a couple of days before going out again?"
Xuan Yi shook his head:
"No, while the weather hasn't turned completely cold yet, I want to hunt more game to save some money. Wife's studies still cost quite a bit."
Xing Yun felt a bit frustrated:
"I'm really useless, unable to earn money to help with household expenses or assist big brother!"
Nan Qing had initially been indifferent to what Nian Jiao Jiao was doing, but since she was a significant household expense, he couldn't help but ask:
"Third brother, you've been by your wife's side these days. Is she truly studying with focus?"
Xing Yun nodded, then shook his head.
Realizing the other couldn't see his actions, he quickly replied:
"She should be extremely serious. Lately, besides doing some incomprehensible movements in the yard and putting vegetables on her face, Wife mostly practices calligraphy and reads..."
"It's just... Xing Yun can't understand those characters, so Xing Yun doesn't know how her calligraphy is."
Xuan Yi was taken aback by Xing Yun's words. While this wife's temper had improved, she seemed to have developed some peculiar habits?
Strange movements... and smearing things on her face?
Wasting food like that wasn't good...
Nan Qing, however, seemed to have made up his mind, his eyes deep as he gazed into the dark room, seemingly contemplating something.
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, Da Yue welcomed winter.
It was less than three days until Da Yue's Tong Sheng examination.
"Nan Qing, aren't you going back to rest?"
Nian Jiao Jiao looked helplessly at the man sitting expressionlessly in the room.
She didn't know what had gotten into him. Ever since Xuan Yi returned, he sat in her room for several hours every day, saying nothing and doing nothing.
Honestly, having such a large person sitting there watching her study put a lot of pressure on her!
He had even said: "Just pretend I'm not here..."
Thinking of this, Nian Jiao Jiao's mouth twitched a few times.
Nan Qing calmly replied:
"Wife, I cannot see. Just pretend I am not here."
"You just sit here every day, doing nothing. Don't you get bored?"
Nan Qing did not answer Nian Jiao Jiao's question. Instead, he closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.
Nian Jiao Jiao: "..."
Always like this!
Nian Jiao Jiao felt a sense of powerlessness.
At this moment, Yu Chuan pushed the door open. He glanced at Nan Qing, a flicker of expression in his eyes, and then said to Nian Jiao Jiao:
"Wife, Mother sent word that she was very satisfied with the venison sent last time. She thanks you for your thoughtfulness and also asked about your preparations for the imperial examination, saying that with only a few days left, you should come to the mansion to stay."
The Tong Sheng examination began at Mao Shi (around 7 AM) every morning. If one traveled from Shan Shui Town to the examination on the same day, they might miss the exam.
Therefore, candidates from villages typically went to town the day before and stayed with relatives or found inns.
Nian Jiao Jiao was so happy to be able to leave two days in advance that she almost jumped up, unable to contain her smile.
"That's wonderful! Without further ado, let's leave now!"
After speaking, she realized she was too excited and coughed twice before saying to Nan Qing:
"Cough, cough, Nan Qing, you heard that. I won't be home for the next few days, so you don't need to come and sit here every day."
Nan Qing remained motionless.
Nian Jiao Jiao didn't bother with him and started packing her luggage with a skip in her step.
Not long after.
Outside the courtyard.
Nian Jiao Jiao stepped onto the carriage sent by the Xu family, lifted the curtain, turned back, and said to Xing Yun, who had come to see her off:
"Go back. It's cold, be careful not to catch a cold."
Xing Yun smiled shyly and handed over a small package:
"Wife, take this to eat on the road."
Nian Jiao Jiao took the package and nodded at him:
"Thanks!"
After speaking, Nian Jiao Jiao looked into the courtyard. Seeing no one emerge, she turned and boarded the carriage.
Once she and Yu Chuan were settled, the carriage slowly started moving.
"Giddy up... giddy up..."
Xing Yun returned to the room and looked at Nan Qing, who was sitting in the living room, puzzled:
"Second brother, if you wanted to give Wife something, why didn't you give it to her yourself? And why did you tell me not to tell her?"
Nan Qing's gaze was as calm as a deep well:
"What does it matter if she knows? What does it matter if she doesn't? Third brother, you don't need to dwell on it."
Xu Residence.
Walking through a winding corridor, they arrived at a side hall at the end of the corridor.
Father Xu sat in the main seat, with Nian Jiao Jiao and Yu Chuan seated on either side.
"Young Lady Nian's examination is the day after tomorrow. Have your studies gone well?"
Since Mother Xu was not at the mansion, Father Xu put on airs.
Nian Jiao Jiao smiled politely:
"It's going okay, okay."
Father Xu suppressed a smile in his heart.
Okay?
How could she say that?
After the examination, would she still be able to say that?
Although Father Xu thought this, he said:
"Ahem, since you've been reviewing for so long, it's time to relax. How about this, tomorrow, have Yu Chuan withdraw some silver from the accounts and go to the street to see if there's anything you need."
Upon hearing this, Nian Jiao Jiao thought, "Wow, they really have no hope for me at all."
Who would advise someone to go shopping at such a critical time just before an exam?
However, Nian Jiao Jiao, relying on her photographic memory, had nothing to worry about.
So, she politely smiled:
"Well... how could I possibly accept?"
Father Xu nodded:
"Young Lady Nian, you don't need to be polite. The family head instructed before leaving that we must entertain Young Lady Nian well and ensure she has no worries to participate in the examination."
Seeing him say this, Nian Jiao Jiao no longer stood on ceremony and nodded:
"Then thank you very much. Jiao Jiao will always remember your kindness."
After Nian Jiao Jiao and Yu Chuan left.
An old servant by his side looked at Father Xu's expression and said:
"Master, do you think this third young lady can manage in the imperial examination?"
Because he was a trusted confidant of many years and had been with the family since the dowry, Master Xu did not blame the servant for speaking out of turn and replied:
"Heh, her? Look at her, does she look like someone who studies?"
"My Xuan'er told me that two or three months ago, she couldn't even recognize a single character. She's participating in the imperial examination this year. Isn't that a joke?"
The old servant immediately chimed in:
"Exactly. I really don't know why the family head regards this third young lady so highly."
Master Xu of the Xu family cast an unhappy glance at the old servant:
"What third young lady? It's truly unlucky that our Xu mansion is associated with such a person!"
The old servant bowed and immediately smiled apologetically:
"You are right, Master. Compared to our Miss Xuan, this Nian clan is not even fit to be compared, let alone associated with our mansion."
"Besides, Miss Xuan will surely win first place in the imperial examination next year, while that Nian clan might not even make the list in her second attempt."
The old servant's method of praising one while belittling another pleased Master Xu of the Xu family greatly, making him giggle repeatedly.