Chapter 81: Pei Jin’s Thoughts

Chapter 81: Pei Jin's Thoughts

Lin Yingxue finally came to her senses, "Ah, I thought..."

She had merely been lost in thought for a moment, and it was already time. The gates of the examination hall opened, and her husband was already standing before her.

After several days in the examination hall, his jaw had sprouted fine stubble. Lin Yingxue knew that these seemingly insignificant stubbles felt like a shoe brush scrubbing her face when they brushed against it.

Looking at the stubble, Lin Yingxue felt an itch in her hands, wanting to shave it off with a razor to avoid the "shoe brush" assault at night.

Seeing her daughter lost in thought, Wen Hui smiled with satisfaction as Fu Jiaze tapped Lin Yingxue's forehead. Anyone could tell how well these two got along.

Lin Yingxue noticed that Pei Jin's gaze had softened even more.

Her eyelids twitched as she stared at Pei Jin, deep in thought. Was Pei Jin planning to become her stepfather?

Feeling a touch on her fingertips, Lin Yingxue realized it was Fu Jiaze.

Fu Jiaze winked at her.

Lin Yingxue understood his meaning; it was a signal to talk about it later. She pretended nothing had happened and withdrew her gaze, no longer paying attention to Pei Jin and her mother.

Fu Jiaze walked up to Pei Jin and bowed deeply, "Teacher."

Pei Jin looked at Fu Jiaze, who smiled at him. Pei Jin knew his disciple would not have done poorly.

Pei Jin also smiled, "It seems Jinyuan did well."

"Let's go," Pei Jin said, then turned to Wen Hui, "Thank you, Lady Wen. I'll come to pick her up later."

Wen Hui smiled, "I haven't seen Qinghe since the New Year. It's a good opportunity to chat. There's no need for you to come; I'll send her back to the Pei residence."

Pei Qinghe smiled at Wen Hui upon hearing this.

Since suspecting Pei Jin's intentions, Lin Yingxue now felt a sisterly affection towards Pei Qinghe.

/

Fu Jiaze and Pei Jin went together to the Pei residence.

Once they reached Pei Jin's study, Fu Jiaze recited the essay he had written during the exam.

During the exam, Fu Jiaze naturally used the official script style, but for recitation, he switched to cursive script for speed, abandoning the neat and orderly official script.

Handing the essay to Pei Jin, Pei Jin's eyes lit up.

He had no idea Fu Jiaze possessed such skill.

Fu Jiaze's official script was excellent, but it was too rigid and lacked the free-spirited elegance.

After reviewing the handwriting, Pei Jin read through Fu Jiaze's main text. As the chief examiner, Pei Jin was familiar with the current examiner's preference for practicality. Fu Jiaze excelled in this type of writing, and he was certain to be among the top candidates. Whether he would secure the top position, however, remained uncertain.

"The essay is well-written," Pei Jin nodded slightly, "In my opinion, it deserves first place."

Receiving Pei Jin's approval, Fu Jiaze became even more confident and said with a smile, "All thanks to your guidance, Teacher."

The depression from being unable to participate in the imperial examinations smoothly in the past was swept away. With the triennial spring examination, which had been held without incident since the beginning of the Great Qi dynasty, he felt assured of his success.

Years of diligent study were finally bearing fruit.

Pei Jin chuckled and shook his head, "I didn't teach you much. It's all due to your daily accumulation."

"How can that be?" Fu Jiaze replied, "The current chief examiner, Lord Cen, rarely publishes essays. Only a few examination pieces are available, mostly ornate and parallel prose. If one writes in that style, it might not please the examiner."

After reviewing Fu Jiaze's essay, Pei Jin let him leave early.

Before leaving, Fu Jiaze visited the old lady. Once Fu Jiaze departed, Pei Jin said, "I'll go to fetch Qinghe."

Old Lady Song suddenly spoke, "Have you made up your mind?"

Pei Jin stumbled slightly, turned around, and said softly, "What do you mean, Mother? I don't understand."

Old Lady Song dismissed the others and beckoned Pei Jin closer.

The wrinkles around her eyes relaxed as she spoke earnestly to her son, "I'm talking about Lady Wen."

Pei Jin clenched his fists, and the old lady stood up, unclenched his hand, and gently rubbed his palm, saying with concern:

"If you like her, give it a try. My son is such a fine man, capable of attracting a golden phoenix like Lady Wen. Even if it doesn't work out, at least there will be no regret."

Pei Jin, usually more rational than emotional, had once stood in the dark alley, believing he had made up his mind. However, he hesitated recently due to a poem, leading to the act of sending the "River and Mountain" anthology.

Hearing his mother's words, he felt utterly defeated and turned his head away.

"Mother, marrying her is inappropriate. How will the officials in court view me? And His Majesty, he might think I am indulging in beauty. I want to become a renowned minister and leave a name in history."

Indulging in beauty is not what a gentleman should do.

Old Lady Song's hand caressed her son's cheek, and she said gently, "You should have married your beloved over a decade ago, but your father's indiscretion after drinking ruined your marriage. If you could marry your beloved, your late father would be the happiest."

Pei Jin knew his father's regret but remained silent in response to his mother's words.

"The fame you seek, my Jin, I know you can achieve what you desire. Marrying her won't hinder anything. I just want you to have no regrets in your old age. I met Mr. Lin earlier, and he is filled with regret."

By choosing the eldest daughter of the Changqing Marquis, Lin Yi doomed himself to never be with Wen Hui.

In fact, Pei Jin's decision to send the printed "River and Mountain" anthology to Wen Hui was spurred by Lin Yi.

Lin Yi wrote a poem called "Plucking Fragrance," which was his best work. According to Lin Yi, to avoid causing too much impact on Wen Hui, he would not release the poem for now.

This poem made Pei Jin wonder if Wen Hui, upon knowing it, would be moved by Lin Yi's sentiments. They had a child together, so it would be natural for Wen Hui to choose Lin Yi again.

"Mother." Pei Jin recited the poem, "... Though vows of love remain, no letter can be sent. No, no, no."

"Where did these vows come from?" Lady Song patted her son's hand. "All those so-called vows of eternal love are built on false lies and don't count. If it weren't for this poem, whether or not Lady Wen remarries would be of no concern. But now that this poem exists, she should marry even more. Lady Wen is stubborn; marrying someone better than Lin Yi would be a slap in Lin Yi's face."

Pei Jin remained silent.

Lady Song recited the poem again, shaking her head. "This Lin Yi is truly cunning. He didn't release this poem to do good for Lady Wen. Instead, if Lady Wen remarries, what will people think? Lin Yi's deep affection will be celebrated for generations, while Lady Wen will be pointed at wherever she goes. Whoever marries Wen Hui will always be reminded of this poem."

Hearing his mother's words, Pei Jin was taken aback. He had never thought about the issue from this angle. "If that's the case, wouldn't Lady Wen be even less likely to remarry?" Then he could also give up his thoughts.

Lady Song laughed and shook her head. "Think about it carefully?"

Wen Hui seemed weak, but there was a fire within her. Pei Jin thought, Wen Hui clearly hated Lin Yi deeply. The more Lin Yi didn't want Wen Hui to remarry, the more this poem might actually push her to remarry.

Lady Song originally wanted to encourage her son to take action, thinking that if things continued like this, when would Wen Hui ever enter their family? Now, it seemed that Lin Yi was too useful!

"The more unhappy Lin Yi is, the happier Lady Wen might be. Perhaps she had no intention of remarrying, but because of this 'Xie Fang Ci,' she might be willing to remarry. If she is willing to remarry and you have feelings for her, wouldn't you regret seeing her marry someone else?"

Pei Jin said nothing, his expression unchanged.

As Pei Jin's birth mother, how could Lady Song not know the turmoil in her son's heart?

Finally, Lady Song said, "I don't know if Lady Wen would marry you if you proposed, but I think you should be more proactive. Even if it doesn't work out in the end, at least you won't have any regrets."

Pei Jin was silent for a long time before he finally whispered, "I'll think about it."

Lady Song smiled and nodded continuously.

Though Pei Jin didn't give her a definite answer, he had already made up his mind.

/

Lin Yingxue had been waiting for her husband at home. After Fu Jiaze washed up and they ate together, Lin Yingxue couldn't wait to say, "Steward Pei..."

"Steward Pei must have some feelings for your mother."

Lin Yingxue's eyes widened, her face showing a conflicted expression. Not only had her mother not noticed, but even if she did, she probably wouldn't choose to remarry.

After all, Pei Jin and Lin Yi were officials in the same court. Wouldn't it be awkward to see each other in the future?

"She is no longer a young maiden waiting to be married. She is an independent woman with no elders to restrain her. If she likes her teacher, she can go with him. If she doesn't like him, it's fine too."

Fu Jiaze added, "We, as juniors, shouldn't meddle too much, or it would be awkward."

Lin Yingxue had been carrying this matter in her heart outside the Imperial Examination Hall. Hearing Fu Jiaze's words, she couldn't help but ask, "Did you know about this early on?"

Fu Jiaze hugged her and kissed her cheek, "I noticed it earlier. At the time, the teacher seemed to have given up, but now it seems he has some thoughts again."

Fu Jiaze was also curious about what had changed the teacher's mind.

Lin Yingxue's brows almost knitted into one.

Fu Jiaze's long fingers smoothed out her furrowed brows.

Fu Jiaze said, "You don't need to worry so much. If this marriage does happen, the one who will be most worried should be Lord Lin."

Thinking of Lin Yi's possible expression, Lin Yingxue couldn't help but laugh, "You're being a bit mischievous."

Fu Jiaze kissed her soft cheek, smiling, "Lord Lin's face will turn blue with anger, and he'll have to grit his teeth to send the wedding gifts. Isn't that amusing?"

After laughing, Lin Yingxue shook her head, "As long as Mother is happy, I don't care about anything else."

Fu Jiaze held Lin Yingxue, thinking that he had made a good choice in this marriage. Many people, due to face or various reasons, would try to stop their mothers from remarrying, but his wife only wished for her mother's happiness.

"By the way, I've been asking about Steward Pei and your mother, I forgot to ask you, how did your essay go?"

Fu Jiaze nodded, his tone much more confident than when he was with his teacher, "I think it deserves first place."

"Really?!" Lin Yingxue was both surprised and delighted.

Her eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky, radiant and luminous.

Fu Jiaze gently brushed her eyelashes, gathering the stars in his palm.