The two of them sat opposite each other and chatted. The topic of conversation could not stray away from the exploration of the mystery.
Back then, two of the Little Six Righteous Brothers died, two were injured, and two left. They had completely fallen apart. When they talked about this, the two of them felt a little down. Things had changed with the passage of time, and they felt a sense of loss.
Thus, he changed the topic. "Xiaoyi, there are only the two of us left in Pu City. I won't hide it from you. After the confinement ends and the Old Master's anger subsides, I'm afraid I won't be able to stay here any longer. I'll have to go out and run around. It's very likely that I'll have to stay in the capital for a long time.
This time, my Old Master is really angry with me. He's angry that I don't know when to stop even though I'm a few years older than you. But I'm also suffering. There's actually another reason why I joined you … "
Lou Xiaoyi asked, "What's the reason? I also feel that we weren't close to each other in the first place. How did we get together just like that? Third Brother, what's your motive? Tell me the truth! "
Li San Lang was very embarrassed. "I'm ashamed to say this, but I was entrusted by someone. I'll tell you about this later. You'll understand very soon!
But Xiaoyi, you and I know a little about each other. Did you come to look for me this time for something?
Just tell me! If I'm not in the residence in a few days, you won't be able to find me! "
Lou Xiaoyi did not stand on ceremony. He had to beat around the bush when talking to scholars, but there was no need to do so with a businessman. Since you owe me a favor, I'll find an excuse to return it. Everyone will be at ease.
"You also know that there's an examination this summer. Talented people compete. Mother wants me to pass the examination, or else I'll have to marry and have children. I won't be free!
At first, it didn't matter. Although I'm not considered outstanding, I didn't study for nothing for the past ten years. It's probably not difficult to pass the Literature Examination. But ever since the Cave Carvings disaster, I've been feeling uneasy and distracted. I'm afraid that I'll lose control of myself. If the young master of Lou Province fails the examination, who knows how many people will gossip about me! "
Li San Lang nodded. "Little Yi is right. I just happen to have something to remind you of. As far as I know, those poor and destitute people in Pu City are probably going to join forces and stir up trouble. They're targeting our Cave Carvings rescue mission this time. They said that they're using the power of the government and using public resources for private purposes. They're planning to submit a petition to the Minister of Education.
Among the eight of us, the rest of us don't care. We don't even take the exam, so we can let them do whatever they want. You're the only one who's different. You're a scholar, and there's going to be an exam this summer, so … "
Lou Xiaoyi realized something. "Is someone deliberately targeting me?"
Li San laughed, "Of course! Who told you to hit my head with a brick and make a fool of yourself? "
Lou Xiaoyi suddenly realized that it was this guy who was secretly stirring up trouble.
"This person is still in Pu City? How dare you collude in private? "
Li San shook his head. "He's smart! At that time, the Old Mistress of your residence passed down a message to suppress his scholarly achievements for a few years. In the end, this destitute person is also quite capable. I don't know how he managed to hook up with Miss Lin, the county magistrate of Lan Wei County. With Lan Wei County's recommendation, he's already gone to the prefecture.
The ones who stayed here to stir up trouble are his destitute friends. He's actually completely removed himself from this mess.
Little Yi, this person is not to be underestimated. He's very scheming. If you want to deal with him, strike hard and get it done once and for all! "
Lou Xiaoyi was a little speechless. He didn't know that his mother would do such a thing after the incident!
In the eyes of a poor scholar, this was abusing one's power to bully others, colluding with the rich and powerful, and was unpardonably evil. However, from Lou Xiaoyi's perspective, he saw a mother's love and care for her son!
Was there even a need to say which side his ass was sitting on? How much of a hypocrite did a son have to be to stand on the side of so-called justice?
Li San Lang continued, "Every summer's imperial examination questions are set by the local government. In Pu City, the Prefect and the Scholar of Dao discuss it together. Only the two of them know about it. It's sealed in the storehouse and guarded by soldiers day and night. It's impossible for outsiders to know about it!"
Seeing Lou Xiaoyi looking at him quietly, Li San smiled. "Of course, we're not outsiders. If we want to know, we can do so!
Little Yi, you don't have to worry about this matter. Just leave it to me. In the past years, the questions were set three days before the examination. I'll need some time to deal with it. I'll send the questions to your residence about one to two days before the examination!
You've never asked me for help, and I've never helped you. Before the examination, I'll send you a banquet to cheer you up! "
Lou Xiaoyi smiled. "Third Brother, if you have such convenience, why don't you take the examination yourself? It'll be more convenient for you to go out if you have a Wen Zheng with you. "
Li San Lang shook his head. "Me? Not suitable!
Among the upper echelons of Pu City, there's not a lot of demand for Wen Zheng. You know that there are only so many rich and influential families. Which family has a disciple who makes progress every year?
Besides, it's just a Wen Zheng, not a Wen Zheng. It's just a title and can't be taken seriously.
My Li family is a businessman, and we value genuine goods at a fair price. We can have our methods, but they're all within limits. For someone like me, who's not good at studying, if you insist on using a Wen Zheng as a title, once someone tries to stir up trouble and accuses me of bribing the government, the losses will be greater than the gains, so it's meaningless. "
Lou Xiaoyi sighed. "The Li family knows when to advance and when to retreat. No wonder their business is so big! Actually, it's good to go on the trade route. You'll be free and at ease, and you'll also be a guest of the Prefect. If you want to become an official, who knows how many years you'll have to endure before you can step through the doors of the Prefect's office! "
Li San thought about it. He probably felt that this young master from Lou Province was indeed very compatible. Moreover, in a short while …
He spoke the truth. "The Prefect won't do such a thing. His family is rich, and he doesn't lack money. He only wants to climb up the social ladder, so he's very strict in this aspect!"
Lou Xiaoyi laughed. "So it's actually … But I see that Lord Xuedao is usually very serious and serious. I didn't expect him to reveal such a thing!"
Li San said disdainfully, "The more serious he looks on the surface, the more dirty and filthy he is in private. Otherwise, why do you think that he, a poor scholar with no family business, would marry three or four concubines?"
The servants served wine and food. It was different from what Lou Xiaoyi had imagined. It wasn't wine and meat, but some light snacks.
Li San suggested, "Why don't we find someone who can play music?"
Lou Xiaoyi laughed. "Third Brother, in your current situation, how can you find someone who can play music from outside? Will the Old Master of your family turn a blind eye? "
He wasn't interested in the music of this world. He didn't appreciate music from the same point. However, everyone liked it, so he couldn't stand out too much. It was just a way to adjust the atmosphere. However, there was no need to do so in a private setting like this. It was also a way to tactfully decline.
However, Li San insisted. "If it's not from outside, then it's from within the family. The Old Master won't say anything."
The guest should follow the host's wishes. Since Li San said so, there was no need to insist.
While they were eating and drinking, a graceful figure walked in with a pipa in her arms. Her face was covered with a veil, making her look hazy. Every step she took, she had a seductive charm.
Lou Xiaoyi was a meticulous person. He noticed two things that were very unusual. First, Li San revealed a strange expression when he saw this musician. It seemed to be disdainful and helpless.
For a normal musician, the most basic etiquette would be to bow to the two of them, and then earnestly request for music before performing.
However, this musician didn't care about such etiquette at all. She found a stool and sat down. She tuned the strings and plucked the music …
Perhaps, this was the style of a rich family?
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