“You flatter me too much, Lord Li. His talent is merely average.” Ye Qingweng clasped his hands towards Lord Li in a modest salute. “Shaoming has always studied under the Tanhua scholar. It took him two attempts to pass the provincial examination.”
Although Ye Qingweng was proud, he understood Ye Shaoming’s true level. The Tanhua scholar had said that a ranking within the top ten was quite possible, but placing within the top three would depend on luck.
The phrase “startling talent, peerless brilliance” was far too exaggerated.
Initially, hearing Ye Qingweng’s modest refusal, Lord Li wondered if the man had lost his mind—why be so excessively humble?
But upon hearing the following words, Lord Li began to understand.
“Shaoming?” At this point, Lord Li couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration. “The top scorer this time is Ye Shaohua from the Ye residence. He writes excellent essays. We were just about to present them to His Majesty for review. From your manner, Lord Ye, could it be that this Ye Shaohua is not a young master from your household?”
“Yes! He is my son!” Ye Qingweng was stunned for a moment.
After thinking for a while, he finally remembered this son whom he had previously sent away to a separate estate. He never expected this son to have actually taken the top spot.
Ye Qingweng suddenly felt as if he had been struck by a stroke of incredibly good fortune.
He had no time to continue speaking with Lord Li and hurriedly excused himself.
“Quickly,” Ye Qingweng hadn’t even finished handling his official duties yet. He simply called out to the servant waiting by the carriage, “Go to the separate estate immediately and bring Consort Mei and the Fourth Young Master back to the Ye residence.”
Consort Mei had originally been waiting with Liu’er for the results to be posted. Before they could even get there, halfway on the road, they were intercepted by a servant from the Ye family and taken directly to the Ye residence.
“Back to the Ye residence?” Consort Mei had grown accustomed to a carefree life outside over the past three years. Upon hearing she was to return to the Ye residence, she felt somewhat reluctant.
However, this was Lord Ye’s order, and the servant was very insistent.
Consort Mei had no choice. She simply asked the elderly scholar who had been accompanying them to go check the results on her behalf, while she took Liu’er and went to the Ye residence first.
As for Ye Shaohua.
She had become increasingly elusive lately. Consort Mei took out a few pieces of broken silver and sent someone to Ever Spring Pavilion to find Ye Shaohua, instructing her not to return to the separate estate but to go directly to the Ye residence.
**
Meanwhile, Ye Shaohua had also just come out from Ever Spring Pavilion.
“Young Master Four! Young Master Four! Consort Mei says you should go directly to the Ye residence!” The person who had received Consort Mei’s silver ran over, panting heavily.
Ye Shaohua, who was about to board the carriage, paused in her steps.
She then casually tossed him a piece of broken silver. “Alright, I understand.”
Ye Shaohua estimated that Ye Qingweng must have learned about her provincial examination results by now.
She had an idea of the situation, so she calmly and unhurriedly instructed the coachman to change the route.
“Young Master Four, would you like someone to accompany you?” The manager of Ever Spring Pavilion asked quietly.
Ye Shaohua gave a slight wave of her hand. “That won’t be necessary.”
As she boarded the carriage, she suddenly remembered something and lifted the curtain again. “If that Lord Duan comes looking for me later, tell him I’ve gone home and will see him tomorrow.”
“As you wish, Young Master Four.” The manager respectfully stepped back.
When Consort Mei returned to the Ye residence.
The Ye residence was filled with a celebratory atmosphere. The person who had gone to check the results for Ye Shaoming had already returned.
“The Eldest Young Master placed ninth in the top tier!” Consort Mei only heard a servant, delivering news from the main hall, rush into the Ye residence like the wind.
In the past, Consort Mei might have had some thoughts upon hearing that Ye Shaoming had passed the provincial examination. However, after living outside for three years, her heart was now calm and undisturbed.
Although she didn’t know why Ye Qingweng had called her back, her eyes still lit up when she saw Ye Jin among the crowd.
“Jin’er!” Consort Mei took two steps forward.
After all, Ye Jin was flesh of her flesh. Consort Mei couldn’t help her feelings upon seeing her.
Seeing Consort Mei, Ye Jin frowned and avoided her mother’s outstretched hand. She didn’t call out to her. Instead, her expression changed, “Elder Brother’s eighteenth birthday hasn’t even passed yet. Why are you back? You didn’t return specifically upon hearing Elder Brother passed the exam, hoping to overshadow his fortune, did you?”
Consort Mei never expected Ye Jin to show such an expression of disdain.
She stood there stunned for a long moment, unable to come back to her senses.
“Consort, could you please, for mercy’s sake? I’m about to enter marriage negotiations. The Old Madam is arranging potential matches for me. Do you know what a huge impact your return has on me?”
“Jin’er, we have money now…” Consort Mei said blankly.
Over these past few years, Ye Shaohua had procured many fine things for her. She had also saved a small portion for Ye Jin, since she was also her daughter. Although, due to past events, she wasn’t as close to Ye Jin as she was to Ye Shaohua.
Still, Consort Mei hadn’t neglected her entirely.
With such a substantial dowry, Ye Jin would have standing in her future husband’s household.
“I only have the Madam as my true mother,” Ye Jin said coldly, looking at Consort Mei. “From now on, don’t come looking for me for anything!”
After saying this, she directly led her maidservant away from Consort Mei to find the Old Madam and Lady Ye, afraid that someone might see her together with Consort Mei.
Meanwhile, the Old Madam learned from the steward that Consort Mei had returned.
“Old Madam, my Ming’er finally passed the examination, and now Consort Mei returns. What about my Ming’er’s prospects for the spring metropolitan examination next year…” Lady Ye was wiping her tears.
The Old Madam’s face was icy. She patted Lady Ye’s hand, “Daughter-in-law, rest assured, I will absolutely not let anyone affect Ming’er. Steward, take some people and drive Consort Mei out of the capital. I recall the Ye family still has an estate in Jiangnan. Send the mother and son there directly! Qingweng has truly lost his mind!”
Hearing that the Old Madam didn’t blame her, Ye Jin breathed a sigh of relief.
A hint of mockery flashed in Lady Ye’s eyes.
Just at that moment, Ye Qingweng entered with a beaming smile, leading Consort Mei. “Mother, wonderful news!”
“What wonderful news?” The Old Madam slammed the table. Looking at Consort Mei behind Ye Qingweng, she gave a cold laugh. “Tie her up and put her directly on a boat.”
“Mother, what are you doing?” Ye Qingweng was taken aback.
The Old Madam, furious, laughed angrily, “What am I doing? What fine work you’ve done! Ming’er has finally passed the exam, and you bring this woman back to overshadow his fortune again?”
“Overshadow his fortune?” Ye Qingweng shook his head, still smiling. “Mother, you don’t know. Shaohua also took part in this year’s examination!”
“So what if he took part? Could he possibly have passed?” the Old Madam said coldly.
“Not just passed,” Ye Qingweng said excitedly, his face flushed red. “Shaohua took the top spot! He is the Provincial First Place Scholar!”
