Chapter 11: What Does This Have to Do with Her Sister?

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Last year, Tao Xundao’s eldest son passed the academy examination and was currently studying elsewhere, so only his twelve-year-old second son, Tao Ji, was at home. Tao Ji was polite but not particularly warm toward Li Yu, who also remained courteous without actively seeking closeness, maintaining a respectful demeanor especially when interacting with Tao Wan’er, who served tea and water.

In contrast, Tao Ji’s attitude improved considerably as he began to initiate conversations about their books. Seeing that Li Yu could answer everything, he felt some admiration.

“My mother told me you are very diligent; you study until midnight and only sleep for two and a half hours before waking up at dawn. Is that true?” Tao Ji asked, suspecting his mother might be exaggerating out of fondness for her son.

To his surprise, it was indeed true. Initially, he had harbored prejudice against Li Yu, assuming someone of his background would be more cunning and opportunistic. But now he realized he was wrong.

Li Yu smiled and replied, “Burning the midnight oil and rising with the rooster call—that’s the time for young men to study.”

If one wants to find a way out, how can one not work hard? As the saying goes, diligence can make up for lack of talent. If others with talent study four hours a day, then I will study seven or eight to catch up. Sleeping a little less now means a smoother life later.

Tao Ji admired him greatly. “With such perseverance, your path to success in the examinations is sure to be smooth.”

He himself couldn’t manage that. At most, he could keep that pace for four or five days before finding any excuse to rest. Yet, no matter how much one talks about hard work, the real test comes in the examination hall. Whether one truly has ability will be revealed in the results a month later.

It seemed many had visited Tao Xundao recently, all with well-known intentions. Therefore, their visit yielded nothing; the paintings and books had all been packed away, and no conversation touched on the classics, poetry, or prose.

Li Gang left the Tao household smiling but soon after, regret darkened his face.

“We didn’t learn anything, what a waste of my pheasant…”

Old Tao was truly unhelpful; after so many years of friendship, he refused to reveal even the slightest information. But after all, it was just the county examination. Was it really worth the fuss?

“Father, why be upset?” Li Yu comforted with a smile. “If one must bribe their way through the county exam, what about the prefectural and academy exams to come?”

Li Gang thought it over and agreed. He patted his stepson’s shoulder.

“My son has ambition. Then your father will wait at home for good news.”

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With this experience, when the youngest son needs to take the exam in the future, there would be no need to carry a pheasant to visit Old Tao again. That was fifteen hundred cash wasted!

February ninth was the day to enter the exam hall. The county examination venues in Dayue were not called examination halls but named after their locations.

The place where Li Yu would spend five days was called the “Yingshan Examination Pavilion,” consisting of four blue-brick buildings on five acres, accommodating about a hundred candidates.

Outside the examination venue, the noise was lively. Vendors sold food, paper, brushes, ink pouches, and talisman papers promising success. Many innkeepers held signs to attract business.

Li Gang bought a rice dumpling symbolizing good fortune and told Li Yu to eat it outside the exam hall. Then he called his wife to check their preparations.

“Double-check everything—the exam permit, clothes, food. The spring chill here is even colder than winter. I’ll tell Captain Li to put extra charcoal under your desk. If the snacks get cold, warm them by the fire. Roasted taro is filling and warming.”

All food had to be self-provided; all he could do was slip some extra charcoal to his son.

“Father, don’t worry. I know how to take care of myself.”

Li Yu felt unusually calm. For exams, one’s mindset was most important.

“Then why are you wearing summer socks in winter?”

The eight-year sibling bond was close; Li Ying was a bit worried for him.

“You must pass the county exam. Then I can proudly show off to my sisters. Don’t embarrass me in front of them.”

Many were already waiting to see the failures of Li Yu and his father, thinking that a boy from the countryside could never succeed no matter how hard he tried. If he failed the county exam, the laughter would only grow louder.

“Hey, my child,” Li Gang worried about his eldest son’s pressure, quickly comforting, “It’s the participation that counts. Passing or failing doesn’t matter...”

“Brother Zixuan, uncle, aunt~”

Before anyone could say that the younger son was still too young to pass, Wu Jingcheng came running, a playful smile on his face.

Seeing Li Ying’s instantly flushed cheeks, he greeted composedly, “Hello, Sister Ying.”

Seeing her beloved approaching, Li Ying immediately became coy and demure, even nervously fiddling with the braid at her chest.

Her tone was different from usual, warm and shy. “Hello, younger brother Wu~”

Two exchanged glances, the air thick with unspoken emotion.

Li Yu: “...”

The scent of young love was overwhelming. He should really stuff a tissue in his nose—or better yet, cover his eyes.

Although both families were nearly tacitly aware of the relationship, public displays of affection outside the solemn examination hall were inappropriate.

Wu Langzhong smiled, “It’s getting late. Let’s have the children enter first. I’ll treat Captain Li and his wife to some tea at Tianming Inn, shall we?”

In the previous dynasty, sons of medical families could not take the imperial exams and could only become doctors, leading to social discrimination. Many scholarly families avoided marrying into medical households, seeing no future there.

Now, in Dayong, that rule no longer applied. Sons of medical families could take the imperial exams and marry into scholarly families.

Although Captain Li’s official rank was low, his power was considerable. Wu Langzhong was very pleased with this match, especially since both families knew each other well.

Li Gang glanced at his shy daughter and happily agreed. As Wu Jingcheng stepped into the exam hall, he cheerfully said to Li Yu:

“After the county exam, my parents will come to propose. Once that’s settled, you’ll have to call me brother—or brother-in-law, either is fine...”

After passing the academy exam, marriage would follow!

First become a licentiate, then marry a beautiful childhood sweetheart. Who in the world could be luckier?

Seeing Wu Jingcheng so full of himself, Li Yu couldn’t help but ask, “What kind of girl do you think my sister Ying is?”

Though childhood sweethearts, the two did not truly know each other well.

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and Wu Jingcheng was no exception.

“Of course she’s gentle, beautiful, dignified, kind, and obedient...”

Hearing the unfamiliar string of adjectives, Li Yu’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.

“You’re right. My sister is indeed a perfect lady. Rest assured, if you really become my brother-in-law, I’ll willingly let you call me ‘second brother.’”

Apart from kind and beautiful, do the other words really describe my sister?

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