Here it comes!
Seeing Yang Zi Ji’s reaction, Ye Shao Ming and the others couldn’t help but smile inwardly.
They were waiting for Yang Zi Ji to lose his temper, hoping he might even cripple Ye Shao Hua’s hand while he was at it!
“Brother Zi Ji, this is Lord Ye’s fourth son…” The Third Prince, who was already acquainted with Ye Jin by now and knew some things about Ye Shao Hua, also held a strong dislike for him.
Yang Zi Ji waved off the Third Prince’s hand, his face flushed with an agitated excitement, paying no attention to the prince’s words at all.
Witnessing this, Ye Qing Weng’s mind went completely blank.
It’s over, he thought.
Several other young masters from prominent families on the scene also closed their eyes, thinking that Young General Ye was about to be his bloody self again.
However, after waiting for a long time, the expected sound of Yang Zi Ji drawing his sword never came.
“Fourth Master! I was just saying, I went to your manor looking for you recently but couldn’t find you anywhere. So you’ve come to the capital!” Far from drawing his sword, Yang Zi Ji didn’t even seem angry. Seeing Ye Shao Hua standing, he even poured a cup of hot tea for her. “Here, let me hold the birdcage for you, Fourth Master. Where have you been lately? Give me your address so I can find you! Aunt Mei won’t see me, but she might just miss me. When will you have time?”
Ye Shao Hua handed the birdcage to him and glanced at Ye Shao Ming, whose face had stiffened, with a teasing smile. Then she looked at Yang Zi Ji. “I need to prepare for the Spring Examinations right now, no time. What do you need from me?”
“The Spring Exams?” Yang Zi Ji was shocked, looking at Ye Shao Hua’s determined expression. “No way, you’re going to take the imperial exams? Have you forgotten what I told you about?”
Ye Shao Hua narrowed her eyes for a moment before remembering what Yang Zi Ji was referring to.
She set down the teacup and took the birdcage back from Yang Zi Ji. “I remember now. Let’s talk after I finish the exams.”
“Third Prince, I have another engagement, so I’ll take my leave first.” Initially, Ye Shao Hua had wanted to see what trick Ye Shao Ming was up to.
But running into Yang Zi Ji made her realize there wouldn’t be any interesting spectacle today after all.
So she decided to leave.
Seeing her agree, Yang Zi Ji didn’t stop her—though, to be honest, he probably wouldn’t dare to even if he wanted to.
He then turned back to the Third Prince with a satisfied grin.
“Third Prince, I never expected you to actually manage to invite Fourth Master here. Just for that, I’ll agree to that matter you mentioned,” Yang Zi Ji patted the Third Prince’s shoulder. “Since you’re a friend of Fourth Master’s, you’re now a friend of mine, Yang Zi Ji. If you ever need anything in the future, Third Prince, just come find me!”
Everyone present was utterly astonished by Yang Zi Ji’s demeanor.
Not just Ye Shao Ming and Ye Qing Weng, even the Third Prince’s expression changed several times.
In the capital, Yang Zi Ji answered to no one but the Emperor, not even his own father. This was the first time they had ever seen him show such deference to someone, addressing them repeatedly as “Fourth Master.”
Who on earth had such clout to make Yang Zi Ji call them “Fourth Master”?!
Just who was this “Fourth Master”?
The hall was filled with people lost in troubled thoughts.
They had come expecting to watch a drama, but by the end, it had turned into a thriller.
“Lord Ye,” the Third Prince personally escorted Ye Qing Weng to his carriage in the end, extremely polite. “My hospitality was lacking today. I, your junior, will pay a visit to your residence another day.”
Ye Qing Weng was both flustered and honored.
However, he knew full well that the Third Prince’s courtesy was solely due to Ye Shao Hua’s influence.
It was also after this day that Ye Qing Weng began treating Concubine Mei well again.
All because Ye Shao Hua was acquainted with Yang Zi Ji?
Watching this, the Ye family’s main branch gnashed their teeth in frustration.
Time flew, and soon it was the Spring Examinations the following year.
Lady Ye, watching Concubine Mei fuss over Ye Shao Hua by another carriage, sneered coldly. “After a whole year of eating, drinking, and having fun, he actually dares to show up for the Metropolitan Exams? And what if he becomes the top scholar? In his dreams!”
Ye Shao Ming nodded. “Mother, don’t worry. Your son will definitely not let you down.”
He was acutely aware of how much his father had favored his fourth brother over the past year. But now, the Metropolitan Exams had finally arrived. This was no ordinary provincial exam. This time, his fourth brother wouldn’t have such good luck!
His fourth brother’s lucky streak was about to run out.
The Metropolitan Exams lasted several days in a row, a grueling ordeal, especially for physically weaker scholars.
Both Lady Ye and Concubine Mei anxiously watched the situation. Halfway through, seeing many candidates carried out with fevers, their hearts filled with worry.
Finally, when the time was up, both Ye Shao Hua and Ye Shao Ming finished their exams and emerged with the other candidates.
Concubine Mei saw that Ye Shao Hua looked the same as always—composed and graceful, even casually fanning herself with a blank folding fan, her appearance strikingly handsome and flawless.
A few passing maidservants glanced at her, then turned away with flushed faces.
Concubine Mei’s heart instantly settled.
On the other hand, Ye Shao Ming wasn’t faring as well as Ye Shao Hua. Stressed and tense for days, he looked haggard and worn, just like the other candidates, having lost his usual handsome demeanor.
“Madam, looking at the Fourth Young Master’s condition, he probably slept through the entire exam and didn’t actually take it seriously,” Steward Ye observed the situation on Ye Shao Hua’s side and whispered, bowing his head. “It seems you need not worry about Concubine Mei’s side anymore.”
Both Ye Shao Ming and Lady Ye thought the same.
After all, being confined to a small cell for days during the exams, unable to wash, and having to write several policy essays—who could possibly maintain such a fresh and impeccable appearance?
Ye Shao Hua’s energetic and impeccable look inevitably raised doubts.
Especially since over the past year, apart from indulging in pleasures, Ye Shao Hua had rarely been seen studying, making Lady Ye even more confident.
Upon returning home, the Old Madam and others all gathered around Ye Shao Ming, offering many words of encouragement, then instructed him to rest well while awaiting the results.
As for Ye Shao Hua, the Old Madam, seeing her spirited appearance, only asked perfunctorily.
Ye Shao Hua just smiled without saying much.
Soon, half a month passed, and it was time for the results to be posted.
The Ye family sent someone early to wait for the official list.
Ye Shao Hua seemed to have gone out to play again. Only Ye Shao Ming waited anxiously in the main hall from the early morning, anticipating the arrival of the news bearers.
Seeing Concubine Mei also coming to wait for news, Lady Ye couldn’t help but cover her mouth with a laugh. “Concubine Mei, what are you doing here?”
This time, her son wouldn’t be so lucky.
The other sisters-in-law also chuckled.
Ye Jin merely glanced at Concubine Mei without any intention of engaging in conversation.
Just as everyone was talking, the news bearers from the authorities arrived outside.
“Officials here to announce good news? It must be that my Ming’er has taken first place! Hurry, invite them in!” The Old Madam was overjoyed.
Goodnight!
Also, tonight I saw the screenshot of the flower ranking sent by the moderator and was really happy. I originally wanted to join your chat, but I really didn’t have time to reply, so I could only silently look at the screenshot.
