Chapter 505 After All, Born from Muddy Legs

Chapter 505: Still Just Country Bumpkins at Heart

Xingxing had been running around nonstop these days.

First, she had to help Yu Yongbai check the dowry prepared for Huya, and even managed to find time to accompany Huya to meet that scholar named Zhang Nan.

It had to be said, he was quite different from what Xingxing had imagined.

Zhang Nan wasn’t particularly handsome—one could only say he was average-looking. But when his eyes rested on Huya, it was as if he only had eyes for her, leaving no room for anyone else. His ordinary features seemed to glow with an extraordinary radiance because of this singular devotion.

Xingxing thought to herself that it was no wonder Yang Ruyuan had fallen for Zhang Nan after just one meeting.

After seeing how Zhang Nan cherished Huya, holding her in his eyes and heart, Xingxing was completely reassured.

She prepared an exceptionally generous dowry addition for Huya.

Her second brother’s dowry for Huya was his own contribution, while Xingxing’s gift was a separate token of her affection.

Two days before the exam results were announced, Xingxing accompanied her second aunt, Bai Xiaofeng, to visit the Rector of the National Academy’s residence.

The Rector’s wife treated Bai Xiaofeng and Xingxing, the Lady of Blessed Peace, with polite and attentive courtesy.

The Rector’s wife had three daughters—one was the eldest legitimate daughter, while the other two were the concubines’ daughters. They stood in a row to greet Bai Xiaofeng, who was so impressed by the sight that she couldn’t help feeling envious.

However, when she learned that the eldest legitimate daughter was only three or four months older than the two concubines’ daughters, Bai Xiaofeng’s expression froze.

After that, though Bai Xiaofeng appeared just as warm as before, Xingxing could tell that her second aunt’s enthusiasm was just for show, and there was a subtle distance in her demeanor.

Sure enough, once they left the Rector’s residence, Bai Xiaofeng grabbed Xingxing’s hand in the carriage, deeply torn.

“...How could the eldest legitimate daughter be only a few months older than the concubines’ daughters? The eldest legitimate daughter is the first child of the Zhou family! Doesn’t that mean that while the Rector’s wife was pregnant, Chancellor Zhou was already knocking up his concubines?”

Bai Xiaofeng’s brows furrowed tightly. “Though it’s not really a big deal, it just doesn’t sit right with me. If I were pregnant with your third brother and your second uncle turned around and had a child with another woman, I’d have knocked his head off!... Even though the girl seems lovely—prim and proper—the thought of a teacher with such conduct educating others makes me uneasy. If one concubine-born daughter could be written off as an accident, what about two? It’s just too unsettling. I’m worried that this unreliable Chancellor Zhou might cause trouble later and land your third brother in hot water.”

Bai Xiaofeng was torn!

The girl was truly excellent, and she liked her, but to put it crudely, even when buying a pig, one checks the pen. If Liu Ge'er was to pursue an official career in the future, having Chancellor Zhou as a father-in-law would be a recipe for disaster.

Xingxing comforted her, “Then let’s wait and see, Second Aunt. Third Brother should like her too, after all.”

That was true. Bai Xiaofeng nodded eagerly. “The Yu family has no tradition of taking concubines. Marriage is for a lifetime. I’d rather your third brother marry someone he truly loves...”

She couldn’t help but mutter again, “...Ideally from good stock, someone who can support him in the future. At the very least, she shouldn’t hold him back.”

Suddenly, Xingxing let out a soft “Hmm?”

“What is it, Xingxing?”

Xingxing lifted the carriage curtain with one hand, stuck her head out to look back uncertainly. “I think I just saw Fourth Brother?”

Just now, as the carriage passed a restaurant, she’d spotted Gui Ge'er sitting inside, talking to someone.

But when she looked back now, there was no sign of him.

Mentioning Gui Ge'er reminded Bai Xiaofeng of another grievance. “...Your fourth brother is always running around outside, never home. Seeing him is pure luck.”

Xingxing recalled how, after learning she had been bullied by Yang Ruyuan, her fourth brother, Yu Yonggui, had come home just to see her, promising to get revenge for her.

Not long after, the Crown Prince obtained evidence of the Yang family’s second household seizing land and other illegal activities, landing the Yangs in hot water. It wasn’t that Xingxing was overthinking things—it was just too much of a coincidence.

However, there was no evidence for these speculations, so Xingxing simply steered the talk to Yu Yongliu's metropolitan exam with Bai Xiaofeng.

"Auntie, the results will be announced the day after tomorrow. When I was buying Huya’s dowry items the other day, I saw bookmakers in the market setting up gambling stalls, wagering on the top three placers this time."

Bai Xiaofeng immediately perked up. "Are many betting on your third brother?"

Xingxing shook her head. "Not a lot."

Although Yu Yongliu had achieved the Triple First, most of those who made it to the metropolitan exam were outstanding scholars from all over, and there were naturally others who had also secured the Triple First.

But the top three spots were limited to only three candidates.

The competition was fierce.

At the time, Xingxing didn’t have much silver left, but she still bet a full two thousand taels on her third brother becoming the top scholar.

The odds for a single candidate winning the top scholar were already high, especially since Yu Yongliu had been in the capital for less than a year and wasn’t widely known—his odds were even higher, at one to eight.

The bookie teased Xingxing, saying such a young girl was playing with such high stakes.

Xingxing merely tilted her chin up and told him to record the bet.

Of course, there was no need to share these details with her aunt. Xingxing knew that if Bai Xiaofeng found out, she would likely send her silver taels afterward.

When Bai Xiaofeng heard that not many were betting on her son, she huffed. "They’ll eat their words when the results come out!"

That said, Bai Xiaofeng herself had her doubts.

Her Liu Ge'er was brilliant, but the world was vast, and the capital was full of talented people. No matter how much faith she had in her son, she didn’t dare dream of him becoming the top scholar.

Wei Pozi felt the same. Though she believed her third grandson was a reincarnation of the literary star, she still didn’t dare hope for the top scholar.

She thought even ranking as a provincial graduate would be an incredible achievement!

...

After the Yu family left, the Chancellor’s wife sipped her tea and asked her daughter, "Are you satisfied?"

Miss Zhou lowered her head and smiled without answering.

Madame Zhou understood—her daughter was pleased.

Indeed, the girl had once secretly caught a glimpse of Yu Yongliu visiting her father’s study. The young man was dashing, and she’d long fancied him.

However, Madame Zhou still had some reservations.

"...Yu Yongliu’s mother is, after all, a country bumpkin," Madame Zhou frowned slightly, dissatisfied, and sighed softly. "And his whole family—the eldest brother is in the military, a rough man; the second brother is even a merchant. It drags down our scholarly pedigree... Though that Lady of Blessed Peace is an exception, in the imperial family’s good graces."

Miss Zhou softly defended Yu Yongliu. "But they are they, and the third young master is the third young master. Father has said that Yu Yongliu is a prodigy and has a bright future."

Madame Zhou smiled. "You’re right, my child. Then let’s wait for the results. If he ranks as a palace graduate, well and good. If not, no harm done—it was just a dinner invite... No one’s the wiser."

Miss Zhou replied meekly, "Yes, Mother."