Chapter 88 A Facade of Harmony

Chapter 88 A Facade of Harmony

Lu Kuan was led in by someone.

"Big Sister, I've come to return the book."

"Did you finish it so quickly?" Lu Lingyun smiled at him.

"Mm."

In two days, Lu Kuan had transcribed the book himself.

Once transcribed, it became his own; he could read it slowly without worrying about damaging Lingyun's copy at home.

"You don't need to rush; books should be read slowly." Lu Lingyun pulled Lu Kuan to sit down. "Which school are you attending now?"

Lu Kuan shook his head. "After passing the county examination last year, I haven't been to school anymore. Father said he'll see how I perform in this year's prefectural examination before deciding on a new school."

The men of the Lu family usually start their education at around seven or eight years old and are sent to primary schools, which only teach up to the county examination level.

The examinations for men are divided into county, prefectural, provincial, metropolitan, and palace examinations.

The county examination is the most basic test, and those who pass it become child scholars.

The prefectural examination tests for scholar-bachelors, and those who pass are called scholar-bachelors or students.

The provincial examination tests for provincial graduates, and those who pass can directly be selected for local government positions, typically as county magistrates or secretaries. If they have confidence, they can continue to the next level, with the top scorer being named the provincial champion.

The metropolitan examination is the grand spring examination, and those who pass become metropolitan graduates, with the top scorer being named the metropolitan champion.

All metropolitan graduates proceed to the palace examination, where no one is eliminated. Those who pass become imperial scholars, so essentially, anyone who passes the spring examination is an imperial scholar.

The rankings in the palace examination are divided into three grades, also known as the three lists.

Third-grade imperial scholars are called associate scholars and can wait for appointments, but rarely enter prestigious institutions like the Hanlin Academy. They are often assigned to local government positions such as magistrates or county officials.

Second-grade imperial scholars are genuine imperial scholars, with the top scorer being named the herald. The herald can be directly appointed to a sixth-grade position, while other second-grade scholars are called scholars-in-training. To enter the Hanlin Academy, they often need to take additional exams, and their appointments depend on their backgrounds and luck.

First-grade imperial scholars are the top three achievers: the zhuangyuan, the bangyan, and the tanhua. These individuals typically have bright prospects ahead.

If someone achieves first place in the provincial, metropolitan, and palace examinations, becoming the provincial champion, metropolitan champion, and zhuangyuan, they achieve the legendary feat of winning all three championships.

Such an achievement would truly elevate them to unprecedented heights.

Lu Kuan has already passed the county examination and become a child scholar. He is now preparing for the prefectural examination to become a scholar-bachelor.

After passing the county examination, he no longer attended school. For further studies, he needed his family to arrange a new school or find a mentor, or study at home. The Lu family did not value him much, and he was just a minor child scholar, easily overlooked. He once approached his father, who dismissed him with a casual remark, saying to come back after becoming a scholar-bachelor.

His father was once a second-grade imperial scholar and looked down on the titles of child scholar and scholar-bachelor, believing that even failing to become a scholar-bachelor was unworthy of his attention.

Thus, Lu Kuan studied at home to prepare for the prefectural examination.

Fortunately, the prefectural examination is held annually, so there was no significant delay.

Hearing Lu Kuan's words, Lu Lingyun smiled faintly. "I know of a school. Would you like to go there?"

Lu Kuan's eyes lit up. "Yes, yes!"

"You're willing without even asking where it is?"

"I trust Big Sister. Whatever Big Sister gives me must be good." Lu Kuan answered without hesitation, filled with trust.

Lu Lingyun chuckled softly. "It indeed is a good place. Have you heard of the Tianfu Academy?"

Lu Kuan left the Ningyang Marquis's residence with a light step.

Upon learning that Lu Lingyun was sending him to the Tianfu Academy, he was completely stunned.

After passing the county examination, he had chatted with some classmates from his previous school. One of his friends came from a family of fourth-grade officials and mentioned that several renowned scholars were founding the Tianfu Academy, where some teachers were former imperial tutors!

His friend's family had exhausted all connections and resources but failed to secure a spot for him. Instead, they sent him to a top-tier school for further studies. When speaking of the Tianfu Academy, his friend's eyes shone with admiration.

And Lu Lingyun was recommending him to the Tianfu Academy!

His Big Sister... What incredible luck he had to have such a divine sister!

After leaving the Ningyang Marquis's residence, Lu Kuan made a silent determination in his heart.

After Lu Kuan left, Lu Lingyun glanced at Xing Dairong, who was still standing nearby.

"Alright, sit down for a bit."

Xing Dairong's tense face relaxed slightly as she sat down.

"You can't blame others for your situation; it's all your own doing."

Lu Lingyun's voice echoed.

A deep resentment flashed through Xing Dairong's mind.

"Hmph, what do you mean by 'can't blame others'? It's simply because I lack support and backing."

If she had the same background and support, who could touch her!

Xing Dairong felt indignant.

In the evening, after spending the whole day under Lu Lingyun's watchful eye, Xing Dairong returned to her courtyard.

She asked Qiukui to massage her slightly sore legs, filled with resentment. At that moment, Cheng Yunshuo returned.

"Yunshuo!" Xing Dairong saw him return and kicked aside the okra, then ran into Cheng Yunshuo's arms.

Seeing the okra on the ground that had been kicked over, Cheng Yunshuo frowned slightly. Before he could say anything, the woman in his arms began to whimper in grievance, "I stood all day today."

Cheng Yunshuo couldn't bring himself to scold Xing Dairong anymore. He dismissed the okra and carried her to the couch, "I'll talk to Lingyun later."

"Forget it, forget it. If you tell her, she'll resent me even more. Who knows what schemes she might come up with against me." Xing Dairong's eyes flashed as she leaned against Cheng Yunshuo.

Her speaking ill of Lu Lingyun again displeased Cheng Yunshuo.

For some reason, the current Xing Dairong was increasingly unlikable to him.

Their relationship was very subtle. He could clearly feel that he no longer loved her as much as before. The past right and wrong, the principles, were hard to distinguish now. He couldn't blame everything on Xing Dairong, but since she had apologized and he had forgiven her, they should be reconciled.

But why was it getting harder for him to tolerate her?

Just like now, her casual abuse of servants and speaking ill of Lu Lingyun behind her back made him very uncomfortable. He couldn't stand it and found it irritating.

"......I'm six months pregnant, and I'll probably give birth around April. Do you think we'll have a boy or a girl? Yunshuo?"

"Yunshuo?!"

"Yunshuo!"

After saying a lot to Cheng Yunshuo, Xing Dairong looked up and saw him lost in thought. She immediately felt a surge of anger.

"What's wrong?"

"Did you hear what I just said?"

"Oh, oh, you said you stood all day." Cheng Yunshuo replied evasively.

Xing Dairong's face darkened, "Repeat the last sentence I said."

Cheng Yunshuo hadn't heard her rambling at all and now showed signs of impatience, "You stood all day today, so rest well."