In the small courtyard at the end of the capital's street, sharp scolding voices could be heard as usual.
Neighbors shook their heads one after another. This family was always either the old woman scolding or the daughter scolding. What a sharp-tongued girl; who knew how she'd ever get married.
Su Yue carried the medicine, ignoring Zhao Ruyan's curses, and walked straight into Zhao Huai'an's room.
"Young Master, it's time for your medicine."
Hearing the voices outside, Zhao Huai'an frowned and said, "You've been wronged."
Su Yue bit her lip, appearing wronged but choosing not to voice it.
"It's nothing, I'm used to it. If Young Master hadn't saved Yue'er, Yue'er would no longer be in this world. Being able to accompany Young Master, Yue'er is content and not wronged."
Seeing her so sensible, Zhao Huai'an felt even more pity for her. He pulled her into his embrace and said, "Yue'er, don't worry. I will make Mother properly discipline Ruyan."
He hadn't thought much of it before, but after seeing the contrast between his sister and Su Yue, Zhao Huai'an realized how unpresentable his sister was. She didn't need to write poetry or paint, but at least she shouldn't scream and curse whenever things didn't go her way. In the future, as he pursued an official career, having such a close sister would indeed be a headache. If she could be properly trained, she could even pave the way for him.
In his embrace, Su Yue's lips subtly curved upward. In the past few days, she had clearly felt Zhao Huai'an's changed attitude towards her. With her looks and tactics, dealing with an unsophisticated, poor scholar was as easy as pie.
"Thank you, Young Master. I'm just afraid Miss will resent Yue'er even more."
Zhao Huai'an patted her back and said, "It's alright. She's grown up, and it's time she learned some rules. This is for her own good."
Su Yue withdrew from his embrace and held out the medicine bowl. "Young Master, please drink the medicine quickly before it gets cold."
Zhao Huai'an took the bowl and drank it in a few gulps. Su Yue took out a handkerchief, unfolded it, and offered him a candied fruit, feeding it into his mouth.
Zhao Huai'an was slightly startled, the sweetness spreading in his mouth. His gaze towards Su Yue softened even further.
"Yue'er noticed the medicine was bitter, so I secretly bought some candied fruits. Young Master, please don't let Madam and Miss know, or they'll scold Yue'er for wasting money..."
Zhao Huai'an saw her lower her head, revealing the slender, pale skin of her neck.
He pulled her into his arms. A flicker of triumph crossed Su Yue's eyes, and she let out a surprised gasp.
Just as Zhao Huai'an's kiss was about to land, he heard Zhao Ruyan's voice.
"Who are you people! Who are you looking for?"
Then a rough voice came, "Does Zhao Huai'an live here?"
"Yes, Zhao Huai'an is my brother. Who are you?"
Zhao Huai'an released Su Yue and walked outside. Pushing open the door, he saw a squad of government soldiers standing in the courtyard.
A soldier looked at him and asked, "Are you Zhao Huai'an?"
Zhao Huai'an was confused and cupped his hands, saying, "Indeed, this humble commoner is he. May I ask..."
Zhao Huai'an and the others were shocked.
"Sir, what crime has this humble one committed?"
Zhao Ruyan also asked, "You're just arresting people for no reason! Is there no justice left!"
At this moment, Madam Zhao, hearing the commotion in the courtyard, rushed out. Seeing her son being restrained by two soldiers, she immediately rushed forward.
"Let go of my son! My son will be the Zhuangyuan in the future, an official! Do you dare to offend him?"
The soldiers glanced at the ignorant old woman, ignoring her completely, and snorted, "Take him away!"
Su Yue quickly stepped forward, grabbing a soldier, and softly asked, "May I ask, Sir, what crime has my Young Master committed? You arrest him with just a command, but my Young Master hasn't left the house for the past few days. There must be a misunderstanding."
Seeing her beautiful and gentle appearance, the soldier frowned and asked, "Are you this family's maid?" This maid looked more like the mistress than the actual mistress.
Su Yue nodded and said, "Yes."
Seeing her meek and polite, the soldier advised, "Your Young Master cheated in the provincial exam. His life is ruined. Find another way out soon!"
Su Yue froze, looking at Zhao Huai'an in shock.
Zhao Huai'an also looked disbelieving. "I've been wronged! I didn't cheat! It's a miscarriage of justice!"
Madam Zhao and Zhao Ruyan also frantically rushed forward, grabbing at the soldiers. "Impossible! My son is truly talented! He would never cheat! Someone is framing us!"
"Exactly! My brother doesn't need to cheat! Let him go quickly!"
Su Yue stood motionless. She knew Zhao Huai'an had some real talent and that passing the provincial exam should be no problem for him. How could he have cheated?
But for a poor scholar to be embroiled in such a case, it was practically ruined. She herself had nowhere to go for the time being, so she decided to wait and see.
The soldiers pushed aside the Zhao mother and daughter, dragging Zhao Huai'an out.
Zhao Huai'an struggled, his face flushed, shouting, "I didn't cheat! I've been wronged!"
Su Yue felt that Zhao Huai'an would be hard-pressed to turn things around, but she still shouted loudly, "Young Master, I believe you! I'll wait for your return!"
Zhao Huai'an gave her a deep look, then stopped struggling and followed the soldiers. He hadn't cheated. As long as he didn't confess, when the higher-ranking officials reviewed the case, they would realize that with his talent, he didn't need to cheat at all! Struggling now was useless, it would only make these arresting officers use more force.
Watching Zhao Huai'an being taken away, Madam Zhao collapsed to the ground, wailing. "An'er! How could you be so foolish as to cheat! You've ruined yourself! How can I ever be the Zhuangyuan's mother now!"
Zhao Ruyan also cried and cursed, saying she was ill-fated and would never have a chance to marry into the royal family in this life.
Su Yue pouted and walked straight into the house.
Su Li heard about this incident a few days later. While dining with her parents, Father Su suddenly sighed, "It's fortunate that Yuan Ling wasn't implicated in this provincial exam cheating case."
Madam Su was surprised. "Provincial exam cheating? Who would be so audacious!"
Father Su took a sip of wine and said, "Actually, cheating is common, but this time it was too obvious and involved too many people."
Su Li's eyes flashed, and she asked, "Obvious?"
"Yes, the essays written by over a dozen scholars were practically identical. This has never happened before, so it was much easier to find the cheaters."
Su Li curved her lips into a smile and said, "Indeed. These cheaters are too stupid. They bought the exam questions but didn't bother to change them. And they weren't the only ones who bought the questions. Isn't this just rushing to tell everyone that they cheated?"
Father Su laughed, "That's why they say this incident this year is a big deal. The Emperor has ordered a strict investigation into the source of the exam questions."
Su Li wasn't worried at all. The source had been cut off long ago; no matter how much they investigated, they wouldn't find anything.
Su Li asked, "What will be the consequences for those who cheated?"
"They will be permanently banned from participating in the imperial examinations! Meaning they will never have the chance to become officials."
Madam Su sighed, "What were these people thinking? If you don't pass once, you can just try again next time. Buying exam questions, isn't that just ruining one's own official career?"
Su Li chuckled softly.
Father Su looked at her strangely and said, "Li'er seems very happy."
"Yes, happy. Those who cheat will not come to a good end, and that makes your daughter happy. I even want to have a drink with Father."
Father Su laughed heartily, "Good, then you shall have a drink with your father."
Madam Su interjected, "A girl, drinking wine?"
Su Li cajoled, "Mother, it's just a glass of fruit wine~"
Father Su also persuaded, "One glass of fruit wine, she can just rest in her courtyard after drinking it. No harm done."
Madam Su looked at the old man and the young girl, both looking eagerly at her.
"Alright, alright, you just spoil her."
"Thank you, Mother! Siqin, quickly bring the fruit wine!"
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