The Dowager also glanced at Ye Shaohua. “You never liked studying since you were young. It was fine when you went out to fool around before, but now that you’ve passed the provincial exam as the top scholar, you should really focus on your studies. Otherwise, you won’t be so lucky to rank first next time. You must correct those bad habits of yours immediately.”
Her tone was quite severe.
It was clear she was extremely dissatisfied with Ye Shaohua’s frivolous attitude and lack of ambition.
Madam Ye and several others covered their mouths, stifling laughs.
Ye Shaoming, who had initially felt threatened upon hearing Ye Shaohua had taken first place, now realized the other’s character was like this.
He smiled at Ye Shaohua. “Fourth Brother truly has the grace of a dragon or phoenix, destined for greatness.”
Although his tone was affectionate, a faint trace of disdain flickered in his slightly lowered eyes. In a corner unseen by others, there was a cold, mocking smile.
The imperial examinations these days also tested luck. Regardless of one’s actual talent, if an examinee’s policy essay aligned with the examiner’s preferences or the Emperor’s current concerns, they could achieve a higher ranking than others, even if their literary skill wasn’t as refined.
However, such candidates often fared worse in the subsequent metropolitan and palace examinations, as the content tested was entirely different.
Ye Shaoming, who had initially been wary of Ye Shaohua, felt reassured seeing his indifferent attitude.
He assumed Ye Shaohua was likely that type of person.
One couldn’t blame the Ye family for thinking this way.
Even Concubine Mei harbored some doubts.
Otherwise, why was the imperial exam considered so difficult? Which scholar nowadays didn’t endure years of arduous study, often failing even after a decade of effort?
For someone like Ye Shaohua, who spent his days leisurely walking dogs, drinking with friends, or playing with birds, merely passing would be an achievement, let alone becoming the top provincial scholar?
Wasn’t it natural for people to be suspicious?
The meal left everyone with mixed feelings.
Originally, the second and third branches, who had already separated from the main Ye household, had intended to visit and curry favor upon hearing Ye Shaohua’s success.
But seeing him like this, their enthusiasm cooled considerably. They decided to wait and see.
Was he putting on an act for Madam Ye’s benefit, or was this his true nature?
At the moment, they couldn’t tell.
After all… Ye Shaohua’s way of playing with birds didn’t seem like an amateur’s performance…
After the meal, Chun’er followed Ye Jin.
“Third Miss, should we go to the Pear Garden to see Fourth Young Master and Concubine Mei?” Chun’er had previously served Concubine Mei.
However, she understood the ways of the world.
When Concubine Mei and Ye Shaohua were sent to the separate estate, she didn’t leave with Liu’er and the others. Instead, she immediately sought out Ye Jin that very night, wanting to stay by her side.
Ye Jin, after all, held some favor with the Dowager.
She didn’t plead for Concubine Mei and the others to stay, only asking to remain as a maid.
The Dowager agreed.
Originally, Chun’er and Ye Jin both thought that Aunt Mei was timid and didn’t know how to use her beauty to gain benefits. The Fourth Young Master was also a coward. They thought that the mother and son had no future and leaving them was the best choice.
Who could have imagined Ye Shaohua would stun everyone with a single feat?
Becoming the top provincial scholar!
Eldest Young Master Ye Shaoming had taken the exam twice, from age twelve to eighteen, before passing the provincial exam.
An eighteen-year-old Provincial Graduate was already considered exceptionally talented and promising.
After all, many who passed the provincial exam were either in their twenties or even scholars in their thirties or forties who had taken the exam for decades.
That’s why the Ye family was so overjoyed when Ye Shaoming ranked ninth at eighteen.
But how old was Fourth Young Master?
Fourteen!
A full four years younger than the Eldest Young Master. Not only did he pass, but he also took first place as the Provincial Top Scholar!
“Third Miss, do you think Concubine Mei might be displeased?” Chun’er thought of what Third Miss had said to Concubine Mei before the fire, a flicker of worry crossing her brow. “Might she refuse to see you?”
Ever since her seemingly cowardly fourth brother became the top scholar, Ye Jin felt like she was living in a dream.
Hearing Chun’er’s words, she finally snapped back to reality. “Go to the Pear Garden? No, we can’t go. Not now. Right now is the perfect opportunity to prove my loyalty to the legal mother. The more crucial this time is, the more I must distance myself from Concubine Mei. If Concubine Mei or Fourth Brother come looking for me in the future, remember to stay away from them. My elder brother is the study companion of the Third Prince, not to mention the legal mother’s maternal uncle is a renowned merchant in Jiangnan, extremely wealthy.”
“But Fourth Young Master…” Chun’er thought of the fourteen-year-old Provincial Top Scholar.
“Him? Did you see his behavior today?” Ye Jin said with utter disdain. “Didn’t you hear what Concubine Mei said? Every day it’s either walking dogs, playing with birds, or going out drinking with friends. How can he compare to Elder Brother? Just wait and see. Next year’s spring metropolitan exam will reveal his true level.”
Although this reasoning sounded plausible,
after all, Fourth Young Master was Third Miss’s own full-blooded younger brother, surely more reliable than the legal mother?
Chun’er wanted to advise Ye Jin, but seeing her determined expression, she swallowed the words about to leave her lips.
After returning to the Ye residence, Ye Shaohua didn’t restrain himself either, still playing when he wanted and going out as he pleased.
“Mother, keep these,” Ye Shaohua handed a stack of banknotes to Concubine Mei. “Now that we’re in the main Ye residence, don’t stint yourself. If the kitchen doesn’t have what you want to eat, send someone to buy it from outside.”
“Where are you going?” Concubine Mei was no longer surprised by such actions from Ye Shaohua. She didn’t take the banknotes, just squinted her eyes.
Ye Shaohua flicked open his folding fan with a swish. “Father and Elder Brother said they’d take me out to broaden my horizons.”
“That’s good. Just don’t cause any trouble.” Concubine Mei watched her swift movements. Although her appearance was ambiguously androgynous, with such actions, no one would dare say she wasn’t a playboy.
She offered this admonition before seeing Ye Shaohua off.
Shortly after Ye Shaohua left, the Dowager sent someone to fetch Concubine Mei.
When Concubine Mei arrived, she found several sisters-in-law were already present. Not only Madam Ye, but also sisters-in-law from the second and third branches. Truth be told, she was the only concubine among them.
“How is Ming’er’s studies lately? I heard from the Master that a recent policy essay of his greatly pleased the Tanhua (Third Place Metropolitan Graduate) Lord.” The Dowager asked Madam Ye.
Madam Ye smiled, pressing her lips slightly. “Indeed, Ming’er studies diligently day and night.” At this point, she looked towards Concubine Mei. “Concubine, the spring metropolitan exam is in February. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Hua’er lately. I wonder how his studies are progressing?”
