The county magistrate thought it was all because his son had an exceptional talent, but when the words reached his lips, he felt that saying so would be too arrogant, and changed it to good fortune.
Li Wenshan thought of the great strategy he had agreed with Li Xia: to find an opportunity to speak out and bring his father back. This was exactly a good chance!
"Its indeed the sons good fortune, and also thanks to Eldest Uncle. If it werent for Eldest Uncles support, how would we have had the chance to meet the Duke? That trip to Jiangning Prefecture was definitely arranged by Eldest Uncle on purpose. As for this official salary, half of it is because the son has to accompany the Duke in his studies, and the other half must also be due to Eldest Uncles face, right, Father?"
Li Wenshan said while observing the expression of his father, Li County Magistrates face was filled with a mixture of emotions, and after a long time, he forced a smile and said: "He is just for the sake of brotherly love and fraternal affection... In those years, Father suffered so much, and it was not easy to survive, thanks to your aunt who took care of him day and night without sleep. Your grandmother died miserably at their hands... I dont want to bring up past events, he is not really good to us, just a favor in return."
Although the county magistrate said so, he didnt have much confidence. He wasnt a person who couldnt argue right from wrong. On the trip to Jiangning Prefecture, Eldest Brother had indeed made arrangements for him with good intentions. If he wanted him to pretend not to see and deny it, he wouldnt be able to do it. But if he wanted him to admit that this was Eldest Brother being kind to them, he absolutely didnt want to admit it either. He could only bring up past matters, speaking vaguely and without confidence.
"Father, those words the old lady often says cant withstand scrutiny. If it were really like she said, everyone in the manor would want to kill you, I think youd definitely not survive. Not to mention the manor, just our own family - take Lan Ge and Xia for example, theyre still so young... if Mother werent around, or even if I were the one who wanted to harm Lan Ge, who could stop me? And another thing the old lady always says is that she doesnt sleep day or night. People arent made of iron, how many days can you go without sleeping?"
"Whats with the way youre speaking?" County Magistrate Li scolded, "Those were all personally experienced by your aunt, can an old lady like her tell lies? I think youve benefited a bit and forgotten your roots!"
"This isnt a conversation that needs to be dragged on, whats bothering you? Forget it, I wont say anything more." Li Wenshan also got a bit annoyed, as the greatest pride of his father, he wasnt afraid of his father before and now even less so.
The county magistrate was choked by his sons words, looking at his son who galloped forward on horseback, he had a few regrets, the previous words were a bit too much...
………………
After returning to Huis home in Hengshan County, the four siblings of Li Wenshan were all exhausted and went to bed without even having dinner.
Magistrate Li didnt feel tired, and he sat facing Old Lady Zhong on the upper bed, sipping wine while watching Mrs. Xu and Hongs mother, Qionghua, unpacking the gifts sent by Wang Tongzhi, chatting idly all the time.
"Isnt this Wang Tongzhi the superior of Master Lao? How come he has sent so many valuable things to Master Lao instead?" Mrs. Xu unpacked a pile of expensive fabrics and other precious items, looking puzzled and worried.
Old Mrs. Zhong wanted to say something, but swallowed it back after opening her mouth, as there was a high-ranking official behind Old Master...
Magistrate Li smiled with narrowed eyes, and Wang Tongzhis courtesy was because Shang Geer was going to accompany the king to read books. He had already made up his mind on the way: Shang Geer accompanying the king to read books, not a word could be said more.
Shan Geer serves by Wang Yes side, and this reputation is extremely important. Its best to be neither arrogant nor humble, viewing the powerful as fleeting clouds, and being calm and composed. At home, its even more crucial not to be reckless. The best way to ensure that home is not reckless is to say nothing to them; if they dont know, they will naturally remain calm and composed without being reckless.
"Whats the big deal? Wang Tongzhis family is extremely wealthy and hes also very generous, in his hands, these things are nothing." Li County Magistrate said vaguely.
"He is the superior of the old master! This is not a matter of money, there is no such reason." Mrs. Xus eyebrows were even more tightly knotted, worried and anxious. Since the old master became the county magistrate, compared to before, he has become much more arrogant. If this continues, it will invite great disaster.
Magistrate Li smiled complacently and said, "You just rest assured, I have it all under control."
"Old Master is a steady person, he has reassured you, what else are you worried about?" Mrs. Zhong was half puzzled like Mrs. Xu, but the other half felt that she understood, no matter whether she understood or not, following the usual practice, she scolded Mrs. Xu with a stern face, and Mrs. Xu accompanied her with a smile, not daring to say more.
………………
Mingtao Mountain Villa, Lu Yi followed the young servant into Qin Wangs study, with an expression that couldnt distinguish whether to laugh or be annoyed, and reported: "It was Gu Shan Chang of Wansong Academy, who said that Luo Shuai Si asked him to go over today, and told him that Li Wen Shan is going to take the imperial examination, and cannot lose in terms of Confucian classics and literary composition."
"Huh?" The King of Qin raised his two eyebrows, looking at Lu Yi in surprise. Lu Yi had a bitter smile on his face, "Just now, Vice Envoy Guan also sent someone to tell me that he has already sent people to investigate the Li familys residences in both the capital and Xiaoli Town. It wont be long before everything is clear. It seems that your invitation for Li Wenshan to enter Wan Song Academy has spread throughout Hangzhou City, and no one is unaware of it. This is... I didnt think it through, Your Majestys side is like a swarm of flies, and even these flies need to be thoroughly investigated for three generations."
Lu Yi bowed his head and admitted his mistake.
The King of Qin slammed the book in his hand onto the table, his face filled with anger.
"Unless I go and clarify?" Lu Yi glanced at the book that had been slammed onto the table.
"Dont bother, let him in." Qin Wang was furious, but he couldnt quite put his finger on what it was that made him so angry. It was originally a small matter, too trivial to even be considered an issue... But no matter how small, theres no reason to give up halfway through.
………………
The next day, Li Xia got up early, had breakfast, wrote a few words, and helped her sister wind a few skeins of yarn before rushing out to find Fifth Brother.
"Has Mr. Qin given you a reply? How was the delivery yesterday?" This is what Li Xia is most concerned about, Li Wenshan nodded, "Just now someone came back with a reply, saying that everything has been taken care of."
"Thats good, Im going back." Li Xia let out a sigh of relief and turned to leave, but Li Wenshan called her back. "Theres something."
"Huh?" Li Xia spun around.
Li Wenshan carried his sister to the edge of the table and sat down, pulling a chair over to sit across from her. "Father said that since Ive entered the Wan Song Academy, although General Luo sent a message, following Prince Wang is definitely not my main job. Now that we have the public funds, Father wants to invite a teacher to review my writing. Or should we push Mr. Qin to a prominent position? First, lets tell Father that theres a decent teacher idle at Eldest Uncles place and see what he thinks."
"Uh-huh!" Li Xia nodded repeatedly, "I agree!"
Li Xia came out of Wu Ges study and went to the back kitchen to find Xiao Jiuer. That big thing was also about to be set in motion.
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