Chapter 27: The Two of Us Brothers Will Rise in Rank and Make a Fortune Together

"The Third Young Master has arrived..."

Ning Yuan had heard the commotion in the main courtyard and, setting aside his book, hurried over. Seeing the scene before him, he understood the situation instantly. He did not rush to help his sister up from the floor; instead, he bowed to his father and mother before speaking.

"The inspecting censor, Wang Zhichiu, is a favorite in the presence of the Emperor and is said to be deeply trusted by His Majesty. During the provincial examinations, I observed that he spoke very highly of Li Zixuan."

His point was simple: did his father want a mediocre son-in-law, or one who had been praised by the Emperor's favorite? Ning Duan certainly wanted a son-in-law with a promising future, but he could not let his true intentions be seen. After a moment of internal conflict, he feigned anger and flung his teacup to the floor.

"Do as you wish! Since you have grown wings and want to make your own decisions, then do so. I will no longer interfere in your affairs."

With that, he stormed off, sleeves billowing in his rage. Lady Yu, unwilling to let the matter drop now that he had washed his hands of it, quickly chased after him to demand an explanation.

Once they were both gone, Ning Yuan finally went to help his stubborn sister to her feet. "Sister, you are grown now; you should know to invoke the names of our ancestors, not..." He had been incredibly worried when he arrived, fearing his sister might have reached for a blade as she did when they were children.

"Do you take me for a fool?" Ning Zhao'an stood up and began to walk slowly back toward her own courtyard. "Father is no fool either; he never truly favored Yu Guang." He had simply wanted her to play the villain and deliver the harsh rejection. He just hadn't expected his daughter to be so ruthless in her words, which was why he had been nearly choked with anger. Yet, seeing her father in such a state, she felt something akin to... satisfaction.

"Since you understand, why did you have to twist the knife in his heart?" Ning Yuan asked. After all, he was their father—the one who gave them life and the prosperity they enjoyed.

"I just feel it was unjust for Mother," Ning Zhao'an said, a hint of sadness in her voice. "Look at Father—has he ever spared a thought for Mother?" If he had cared even a fraction for his late wife, he would never have forced her, an unmarried woman, to come forward and deal with the troublesome Yu family herself.

Ning Yuan nodded, agreeing deeply, then added with a reassuring smile, "We should at least be grateful that Father hasn't lost his wits entirely." At the very least, he did not simply do whatever his second wife demanded.

He looked at his sister and advised, "Sister, you are at an age where you will soon be married. You really must temper your temperament. It is one thing to exchange harsh words between father and daughter, but it is entirely different between husband and wife..." Unrelated family ties must be carefully nurtured, or one slip could lead to total ruin. Moreover, he had heard that her future husband preferred gentle and submissive women.

However... he looked his sister up and down. He thought that when she wasn't angry, she looked very gentle and refined indeed. In any case, she would certainly not marry Yu Guang. As for how their father would soothe his second wife, that was no longer their concern.

Ning Zhao'an was no fool; she would certainly not use the same tactics on a husband that she used on her father. Seeing that her brother’s clothes were disheveled from his rush, she reached out to smooth them for him.

"You as well. Although you are clever and talented, you must remember to remain humble. Recently, in all the major teahouses and taverns, people have been talking about the Crown Prince's grave illness."

"The tides of the world shift in an instant. You must remember not to speak too freely in front of others, lest you provide fodder for your enemies and ruin your own future." Who would ascend the throne was a matter for the Emperor's household; speaking carelessly would only label one as having picked a side. If the one you backed did not ascend the throne, your political rivals would use your words against you, and you would be lucky to escape with your life.

"I know, Sister." Ning Yuan had his own thoughts but never voiced them. What right did someone without an official title have to discuss such things?

Li Yu took the twelve strings of cash he had earned from his serialized novel and gave half to Shen Dan. "Here, study hard and read good books. Your brother can support you now. Keep this hidden and spend it carefully—don't let our grandparents know, understand?"

With his new academic status, Li Yu’s spirit was different, and his pockets were fuller. He could even bring himself to order a pot of eighty-wen tea at the teahouse. Drinking tea bought with his own earnings—the flavor was indeed much sweeter.

"I understand." Shen Dan accepted the money from his brother without hesitation. "Brother, you are truly impressive. I will take the county examinations the year after next." If passing the exams brought such rewards, it was more than many earned in a lifetime. Once he became a scholar, the first thing he would do was relocate his father's grave.

"Good. I believe in you."

Seeing his brother happily accept the money, Li Yu’s mood finally cleared completely.

"Brother, this is for you." Shen Dan pulled a lotus-embroidered pouch from his robes. "I prayed for these at the Wenchang Temple—one for each of us. I hope you pass the provincial examinations smoothly the year after next, and that I pass the academy examinations the same year. We brothers will become officials, gain wealth, and bring honor to our ancestors together."

Seeing his brother so motivated, Li Yu happily took the pouch, checked the talisman inside, and tied it to his waist. "How much were these pouches?" The embroidery was quite good; he thought he might buy a few to give as gifts to the children during the New Year.

"This one didn't cost anything." Shen Dan’s gaze flickered, but he didn't want to hide it from his brother. "It was made by Teacher Liu’s daughter, Sister Liu Er. She made them and gave me several."

Hearing this, Li Yu guessed the truth. Beyond marveling once more at how precocious the ancients were, he simply warned his brother not to overstep any boundaries.

That night, however, he couldn't sleep. He wondered if, the next time he visited the Ning family, their Third Young Lady might give him one as well? This was, after all, the ancient version of a scholar and a beauty. Thinking this, Li Yu began to chuckle foolishly, looking forward to Instructor Ning’s birthday banquet.

Little Lu, who had been woken up just as he was falling asleep: "..." Laughing in the middle of the night was truly terrifying.

Knowing the Ning family’s intent to arrange a marriage, the gifts for the first formal visit could not be meager. The two pheasants alone cost Li Gang three thousand copper coins. With the addition of fine tea, pastries, and premium wine, the total came to eight strings of cash. Li Yu offered to pay from his prize money, feeling that while his father was relatively well-off, the pressure of preparing a dowry for his eldest daughter and raising his youngest son was significant.

But Li Gang refused firmly, insisting on using his own money. "Keep your money for buying land or for your future travels to the imperial examinations—everything costs money. Let your father handle these small expenses." Even though a few hundred strings of cash sounded like a lot, in reality, it could not buy much good farmland.