When Xue Rui said he had business to discuss, Yu Shu thought he was going to talk about opening a restaurant. Unexpectedly, he asked, "How long have you been learning Yi?"
Yu Shu didn't understand what he meant, but she still told him the truth. "Actually, it's been eight months since March of this year."
It wasn't that she didn't know, but she had unknowingly lived in ancient times for more than half a year. It was really a blink of an eye.
"Then what are you good at?" 'Eight months is really short. The children of the Yi Xue Clan usually start learning at the age of six,' Xue Rui thought.
This was hard to say. Yu Shu thought for a while and answered selectively, "I don't dare to say that I'm good at it. I learned the Book of Changes from the First Move of Qimen Dunjia, so I'm pretty good at timing and calendar. I've only dabbled in Fengshui recently. As for the rest, it's the copper coin divination."
"Then what method did you use to calculate my horoscope a few days ago?" Xue Rui didn't understand.
Yu Shu's eyes flashed, and she smiled sheepishly, "It's a small divination skill."
Her rule of time of calamity was really unimaginable. She used divination to calculate the horoscope, knew and judged disasters, and calculated every possibility. Even if people didn't think she was crazy, they would still think she was guilty of having a treasure.
"Small skill?" Xue Rui thought, this was a disaster that even a Great Yi Master couldn't calculate, but it was predicted by her. If she called it a small skill, wouldn't it be insulting? He knew that Yu Shu was holding back from him, but Yi Masters valued their knowledge, so he didn't want to pry too much. It was enough for him to know what she was good at.
"Why are you asking me this? Aren't we talking about serious business?"
"Aren't we talking about serious business?" Xue Rui asked. He lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then looked up and asked seriously, "Shu, are you considering taking this year's Da yan examination?"
"Ah?"
"Hey, do you want to take the Great Yan Examination?" Xue Rui repeated once more, and as he looked at Yu Shu's dazed expression, he explained, "In this Grand Yan Examination that's held once every three years, not counting the top three in each subject, anyone who's able to seize a hundred RMB will be able to obtain a Master Changing Moniker, and it will be recorded in the Imperial Astronomer's Register before being issued with official documents. With this Changing Moniker, everything will be convenient. So many people study the Grand Yan Examination just for this Changing Moniker. I thought you were only proficient in mathematics and didn't know much about Yi Ke, but now it seems that you have a good chance of passing. Why don't you give it a try? "
Yu Shu was silent. She had already considered this question. She did not participate in this year's Da yan examination for two reasons. Firstly, it was because of the Ji family. Secondly, it was because she had too many things to do. She had just moved to the capital and did not even have a stable place to stay. She was busy making money to support her family and did not have the time to prepare for the examination.
Xue Rui saw that she was silent and guessed her thoughts. He said: "I know you want to improve yourself, but instead of self-studying, why don't you try the Da yan examination? You might not know that every year, the Celestial Commissioner will select a few young and promising Teacher Yi to enter the Taishi Library to study. The Taishi Library is not just for show. Not only are there Teacher Yi personally teaching and answering questions, it also has the richest collection of Teacher Yi books in the world. Once you enter, you won't have to worry about not being able to improve. After three years of study, I believe that with your diligence and intelligence, you won't have to worry about your future. This kind of opportunity only comes once every three years. It's best not to miss it easily. "
"Isn't it too late for you to say this now? The Da yan examination is not allowed in October. It's almost the twelfth month. Even if I want to take the examination, there's no way." Yu Shu played with the broken teacup on the table. Xue Rui must have a way to let her take the examination if he mentioned this to her.
"You don't have to worry about this. I have a way to help you get a place, as long as you are willing to take the examination."
As expected, Xue Rui came prepared. Yu Shu thought about it. She was indeed tempted by Xue Rui's words. Now that she had settled down and had enough money, her only worry was the Ji family. However, that Ji Xingxuan had coincidentally met her and recognized her. There was no point in hiding from them now.
Taishi Shuyuan was indeed a good place to go. If she fought hard, she might have a chance.
"What about you?" Yu Shu looked up at Xue Rui. "Didn't you say that you wanted me to help you take care of the restaurant's business?"
Xue Rui shook his head gently. "Just take my matter as a backup plan. If you are lucky enough to enter Taishi Shuyuan to study, just pretend that I didn't mention it. If you don't pass the examination, you can still help me. How about that?"
Yu Shu did not hesitate. She stood up. On her beautiful face, a pair of eyes were bright. "Since you've put it this way, wouldn't it be ungrateful of me to refuse?"
"Haha." Xue Rui admired her straightforwardness. She did not have the indecisiveness of a young girl, and instead, she was more decisive than most men. "Then it's a deal. I'll go and settle the matters regarding the entrance examination for you tomorrow. Just wait for my good news at home."
Yu Shu nodded and rolled up her sleeves. "Sit here. Xiaoxiu will be back soon. I'll go cook. When he comes back, I'll ask him to get some wine. I'll thank you then."
Xue Rui nodded with a smile and watched her go out.
Xue Rui stayed at Yu Shu's house for dinner. At the table, Yu Shu told Jing Chen and Yu Xiaoxiu about her decision to take the Great Yan Examination. Both of them were familiar with it because of Xia Mingming.
"It's good that you've made up your mind." Jing Chen never had any objections to Yu Shu's decisions. He glanced at the man opposite him who was holding a wine glass and smiling warmly. He knew that it was this man who had helped him this time. "I'm going to take the exam in three years." Yu Xiaoxiu already had the ambition of a young man. He stayed at Baichuan Academy for a while. Because of Academician Song's special care, Yu Shu was willing to spend money to buy him books and pens. She also gave him some pocket money. He was like a fish in water among the children. He was much more confident than he was half a year ago.
"Then you should study hard now." Yu Shu patted his head. She picked up the wine pot and poured wine for Xue Rui, then filled her own glass.
Xue Rui did not stop her from drinking like he did last time. Seeing that there was no glass in front of Jing Chen, he asked, "Where's Young Master Jing?"
"I don't drink."
"He doesn't drink."
The two of them spoke in unison. Xue Rui's gaze moved back and forth between them, and the smile on his face faded. "Is that so? Ah Shu, don't drink too much. You'll be fine after you finish this cup."
"Well, let's eat. This fried chicken giblets is my specialty. It doesn't taste very good, but it's not sold outside."
Xue Rui picked up the chopsticks and tasted the meat dish that Yu Shu pointed out. It was slightly spicy, but it unexpectedly suited his taste. With the small wine, he unconsciously drank two more cups.
After the meal, Yu Shu asked Yu Xiaoxiu to clean up the dishes. She took a lantern and sent Xue Rui out. When the two arrived at the entrance of the alley, Xue Rui asked her to stay. "It's inconvenient for you to walk. You should go back. I'll walk for a while. There's a sedan waiting for me in front."
Yu Shu nodded and raised the lantern to illuminate the way for him. She watched him walk a few steps. Looking at his tall back, she suddenly called out to him. "Brother Cao."
When Xue Rui heard this name, he stopped and turned his head. "Hmm?"
It was night. The dim yellow light from the lantern made the man's face look like it was covered with a layer of mist, making people unable to see him clearly.
In her previous life, Yu Shu could be considered to have seen countless people. But when it came to Xue Rui, she clearly knew him for a long time. She said he was smart, but he liked to pretend to be ignorant. She said he had a good temper, but he wasn't easy to provoke. This kind of person should not get up early without benefits.
However, he took care of her many times. It was beyond the level of an old acquaintance. If he said that he didn't want anything else, she wouldn't believe it.
This sentence had been bottled up in her heart for many days. She treated him as a friend, so she didn't want to beat around the bush. She blurted out, "Can you tell me, why are you always thinking about me, what is it that you want?"
With his hands behind his back, Xue Rui's gaze swept across her delicate and pretty face that was in between that of a young man and a young lady. Finally, his gaze landed on her overly calm eyes. His dark eyes stared straight at her through the fog of light as he asked in a soft voice, "What do you think?"
Yu Shu's eyelids slightly trembled. Being looked at like this by him, she actually felt a little scared. After a moment, her throat seemed to be blocked by something. She looked away and her eyes fell on the road not far away. Her lips moved and she forced out a bitter smile, "If I knew, why would I ask you?"
"Hehe." Xue Rui gave a shallow laugh. He shook his head and didn't say anything more. He turned around and walked away.
Yu Shu looked at his gradually disappearing figure and let out a sigh. She stood there for a while, touched her slightly sweaty neck, and turned back to the alley.
Just as Xue Rui left Huixing Street, half a city away, in the Ji Mansion in the north of the city, Ji Huaishan, who had just returned from his evening work as a Celestial Commissioner, was sitting in his study. He looked up from a scroll of official documents, "Xuan 'er, what did you say just now?"
The patriarch of the Ji family was an important figure in Yiyang City. He was famous but never seen in person. He had many children and grandchildren, but he was in his sixties. There was not a single strand of white hair on his head. He had a square face, but there were some wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and mouth.
"Previously, when I was discussing marriage with the Ji family, I found a younger sister under Third Uncle's name to replace me. She is now in the capital. Not long ago, I met her at Dingbo Hall. Grandson suspects that Shifu Qing Zheng taught her the Art of Six Yao Lines."
When Ji Xingxuan finished speaking, Ji Huaishan's expression changed, "What do you mean? Your Third Uncle's daughter was brought into the family by a concubine? How did she get involved with Daoist Qing Zheng? Xingxuan, explain clearly. "
"Yes, Grandfather." Ji Xingxuan deliberated for a moment and said, "Do you remember that I went home in April this year? At that time, Shifu Qing Zheng was still living in our fu. I met him once. After drinking, I heard him say that he had accepted a disciple. At that time, I thought it was someone from outside. However, that day when I went with the Seventh Prince to Dingbo Hall, I saw someone using Shifu's Art of Six Yao Lines. Later, when I thought about it, I felt that the person looked familiar. Only then did I remember seeing this person beside Fifth Miss Xia Jiang. I heard that she also came from the south, so I paid more attention. After making an appointment with the eldest son of the Xue family, I concluded that it was that younger sister. "
Ji Huaishan was confused as he listened, "How did she get involved with Miss Xia Jiang and Mr. Xue?"
Ji Xingxuan lowered her eyelids and said, "I heard that she escorted Miss Xia Jiang to the capital. As for Mr. Xue, they probably got to know each other when we were discussing marriage in Yiyang City."
"Hmm?" Ji Huaishan finally understood. He frowned and placed his hand on the table. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Where is she now?"
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