Chapter 13: Top of the County Examination

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Li Yu was quite speechless at his mother’s doubts: “He’s not the only one like that in the examination hall. It’s normal for children who have enjoyed a privileged upbringing to have weaker health.”
As for that other matter, it probably, most likely, wouldn’t have any impact, right?
“Besides, it might not even be about his health. His examination seat is right next to the number room by the testing pavilion. I think it’s very likely he’s just affected by the fumes…”
Even if there really was an issue with that, there’s no way to test it anyway.
You can’t just take him to a brothel, can you?
Even if you did, let alone whether Sister Ying would go mad and scratch his face to pieces, what if the education official found out? That would be bad, wouldn’t it?
Zhang Sanniang frowned: “A man fears entering the wrong trade, a woman fears marrying the wrong man. Your sister’s own mother passed away early. As her stepmother, I have to think more about her.”
She truly cared for the girl, afraid that her future might be full of hardship and misfortune.
She also worried that if the girl’s life went badly, people would say all kinds of nasty things about the stepmother. She didn’t want to bear such a heavy burden.
“Don’t worry, Mother. Their family runs a medical clinic and knows better how to care for their descendants’ health. Besides, Sister Ying herself likes that style.”
“Didn’t you see outside the exam hall? Her eyes almost never left the person.”
Isn’t it said that women prefer older men?
Apparently, Sister Ying’s tastes are quite unusual—she likes younger brothers.
Maybe it’s because younger brothers are more obedient and good listeners?
Hearing this, Zhang Sanniang finally relaxed, content to wait until the results came out before preparing a proper dowry for her stepdaughter.
No matter whom she married, everything had to be ready.
During the month after the exam, Li Yu returned to Shenjia Village three times to look for Shen Dan, but each time he missed him.
Either he was said to be out with classmates on a spring outing or helping at his eldest aunt’s house.
He vaguely felt something was wrong. On the fourth visit, he planned to lie in wait and see what the family was really up to.
But first, the day the results were announced arrived. Both he and Wu Jingcheng passed the county exam smoothly.
Li Yu ranked first, Wu Jingcheng third.
Out of a hundred candidates, only ten passed—a mere ten percent acceptance rate.
Quite low!
To celebrate their excellent rankings, Doctor Wu even reserved a private room at Chuntang Tower, saying it was to celebrate the boys’ success in the preliminary exam.
It was an elder’s invitation, so it was hard to refuse, especially since it concerned Sister Ying’s lifelong matters.
He planned to return the next day anyway, so a day or two more wouldn’t matter. Unexpectedly, he saw Shen Dan here, who should have been studying at school.
The twelve-year-old, thin and lean, wore coarse cloth and was fiddling with an abacus at the counter.

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Next to him stood a middle-aged man in his thirties, who occasionally raised his hand to knock the boy’s head, while the boy nodded repeatedly in apology.
Li Yu saw it, and naturally, Zhang Sanniang did too.
Though her heart was breaking, the mother held back her eldest son who was about to lash out, whispering so only they could hear:
“Sister’s matters are most important. We’ll deal with the Wu family later.”
“Don’t lose your temper!”
Li Gang and Li Ying only frowned, choosing not to bring up the matter now. Only the youngest, Li Lian, looked fixedly at his second brother.
Brother had already promised to study, so why was he here as an apprentice?
Seeing he had been spotted, Shen Dan panicked briefly but soon calmed down.
How he lived his life was his own decision; no one else’s opinion mattered.
It was his own business, yes!
Suppressing his anger, Li Yu still maintained a smile while entertaining the Wu family. Fortunately, Wu Jingcheng was rather thick-skinned and didn’t notice Shen Dan behind the counter.
The meal passed peacefully, but only the Li family knew how much patience Li Yu had to summon.
After parting with the Wu family, Li Yu turned to go find his younger brother.
Li Gang quickly blocked him: “Talk to him properly first. If he won’t listen, then you can discipline him. This is a lifelong matter—you can’t let him run wild.”
He glanced around and then pointed to a hidden alley.
“Once you’re done with the discipline, I’ll have your mother come out to persuade you to back down…”
At this age, just hitting or coaxing wouldn’t work; a combination was necessary.
Li Yu said, “Such a good opportunity, how could you bear to let mother have it?”
Usually, when disciplining the youngest, it was him and mother doing the hitting and father playing the good guy.
Li Gang smiled: That stubborn boy Shen Dan would hardly appreciate his help.
If he intervened, things might get even harder to control.
“What’s there to persuade?” Li Ying snorted. “It’s clearly those two old fools causing trouble. Just have the head of the Shen clan come out and scold them.”
Once those two old fools were dealt with, who’d be afraid Shen Dan wouldn’t go back to studying?
“Sis, stop it.” Li Lian tugged her sleeve, signaling her to hold back: “Second brother is troubled in his heart. You can’t blame the old folks entirely…”
As a future scholar, he spoke more politely, at least refraining from cursing the two old fools.
Though… he really wanted to curse!
Seeing his eldest brother storm off to confront his second brother, Li Lian couldn’t help but tug his sister’s sleeve, motioning her to crouch down and whisper in her ear.

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“Sis, I want to help big brother and second brother get some revenge. How about we sneak over to the Shen house and slip some laxatives into their water jar?”
Make them suffer for a few days, then they won’t have the energy to bother with our brother’s studies.
“Nonsense! What kind of scholar would do such a thing?”
Li Ying first glared at her brother, then quickly changed her tone.
“I’ll handle this. You don’t need to get involved.”
No need to sneak back; she would take care of it when they returned with mother to reason with them.
A simple matter!
Li Lian was a bit disappointed not to get to act himself but was obedient to his sister.
“Alright, then where do we get the medicine powder?”
Buying it from a pharmacy—he wasn’t sure if his pocket money would be enough.
Li Ying crossed her arms mysteriously: “Don’t worry about that.”
The Meng family ran a medical clinic…
It was a pity they couldn’t see those people’s ugly faces; it really was a shame.
When Li Yu returned to Chuntang Tower, Shen Dan was wiping tables and putting away chairs with a waiter. Seeing Li Yu enter, he said nothing and kept his head down.
“Master Li, why are you back again?”
The tavern keeper, surprised by his return, immediately greeted him with a smile.
“Did you forget something?”
This Master Li was truly remarkable, having ranked first in the county exam. He might be someone they would want to curry favor with in the future.
Better to be polite!
Li Yu pointed at Shen Dan, who kept his head lowered: “That’s my younger brother.”
The tavern keeper’s smile froze for a moment. Li Yu cupped his hands in a respectful bow.
“I’ve come to take my brother home to study. I hope you can understand. If there’s any contract signed, I wonder if it can be voided. I’ll pay the penalty if there is.”
Before the shocked tavern keeper could reply, Shen Dan put down his work and rushed over.
“Brother, mind your own business. My affairs have nothing to do with you.”