The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 466 Blocking My Way to Get Married (4)_1

Chapter 466: Chapter 466 Blocking My Way to Get Married (4)_1

Although the points addressed were general and incomplete, they were insights from a Palace Graduate who had experienced the officialdom, far stronger than merely the knowledge found in books.

Fang Liuming benefited greatly and, upon returning, took out his private savings to buy an additional thank-you gift for Sister Pei Qin. If not for his cousin, Sir Wu would not have bothered to guide him in his studies, let alone pay any extra attention to someone of no official rank like him.

Back home and about to jot down his newfound understanding, as well as to practice writing a few more policy essays, Zhang Gengshan found him.

Fang Liuming had met Mo Heng and knew that this lame-legged Zhang Gengshan was Mo Heng’s attendant, but what business could he possibly have with him? Could it have something to do with the marriage proposal to his cousin?

With doubts filling his mind, Fang Liuming followed Zhang Gengshan inside.

Mo Heng was still dressed in a black robe with dark patterns, his ink-black hair tied up high, his strikingly handsome face cold and expressionless as he lifted his eyes to look over at him.

Fang Liuming recognized him but had never observed him up close. Upon seeing him clearly now, he found him stunningly noble and exquisite, someone to be admired from a distance.

"Starting today, you will come here every day for an hour to study policy essays," Mo Heng said directly.

Fang Liuming was stunned, "Young Master Mo, I...." Why the sudden summons to study policy essays? What was this Young Master Mo planning? To curry favor with his cousin?

Mo Heng, seeing the look in his eyes, did not bother explaining and simply handed him the revised versions of his own policy essays.

When Fang Liuming took a look, the essays Mo Heng altered seemed vastly different. Compared to his own, he couldn’t help but feel embarrassed and ashamed.

Mo Heng didn’t say much more, indicating that if Fang Liuming wished to stand a good chance at the examinations next year, he should come by; if not, it didn’t matter.

Fang Liuming emerged, the emotions on his face complex, still holding the scroll on which the policy essay was written.

Zhang Gengshan, seeing his apparent unwillingness, said displeasedly, "Our young master was the top rank in the provincial examination at thirteen years old. Him guiding you in the civil service exam is nothing but beneficial to you!"

Fang Liuming’s eyes widened in astonishment—thirteen years old?! The top rank in the provincial examination meant... Jie Yuanlang?! Young Master Mo looked like he was from an aristocratic family, but not to this extent... to achieve that at thirteen!

Zhang Gengshan watched with satisfaction as Fang Liuming’s shock unfolded, then escorted him out and closed the door behind them.

After the shock wore off, Fang Liuming began to seriously consider. Young Master Mo might be young, but as a thirteen-year-old Jie Yuanlang, he must be exceptionally intelligent. With his guidance, Fang Liuming would have a much better chance next year. However, since his cousin was involved, Fang Liuming felt he needed to speak with Pei Qin for approval. After all, Young Master Mo had made a marriage proposal to his cousin.

Upon leaving, Fang Liuming went straight to Liu’er Alley to find Pei Qin.

Pei Qin was not at home; she was at the workshop.

He put the scroll away and headed to the workshop to find her.

Pei Qin was extracting soy sauce, the previously prepared autumn yellow bean soy sauce had now developed a rich and mellow taste.

Seeing her busy, Fang Liuming pitched in to help with the work.

Once the soy sauce extraction was finished and stored in jars, Pei Qin washed her hands, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and said, "What brings you here? Spill it!"

Fang Liuming glanced around at the others in the workshop, drew closer and whispered to her about Mo Heng’s offer to teach him policy essays.

"Damn it! He’s still here!" Pei Qin had already asked Lu Hai and Lu Hao to assist a few days ago, requesting their help to teach Little Radish martial arts. As for knowledge, Mo Heng had taught them enough for two years, and she planned to teach them arithmetic well afterward so they could easily fill positions as imperial strategy advisors. But why was that blind man Mo teaching Fang Liuming policy essays? What was he up to?

"Cousin! That Young Master Mo...," Fang Liuming had long sensed that her relationship with Mo Heng was out of the ordinary, though he dared not inquire.

After pondering, Pei Qin frowned and said, "Go! Why not? If he has called for you, then you must go!" Old Scholar Fang, despite his degree, was limited in his knowledge. Wu Dongsi could only give him a rough idea, but with blind man Mo’s guidance before the exam, even if a new educational officer came to supervise, Fang Liuming still stood a great chance.

Fang Liuming was worried that Mo Heng, if unsuccessful in his marriage proposal, might have ulterior motives in teaching him policy essays.

"Just go confidently! If there’s anything you don’t understand or are confused about, just ask! Don’t be polite!" Pei Qin said with slight irritation.

"...Okay, cousin," Fang Liuming decided, then allocated the time he usually spent writing policy essays in the afternoons, ceasing to stay at the school and instead seeking Mo Heng’s guidance.

Mo Heng wasn’t merely providing guidance, but instructing him to relearn entirely.

After reviewing his own essay drafts and seeing the level of his own policy essays, Fang Liuming finally understood why Mo Heng said "learn" rather than "guide" — he indeed needed to study from scratch, as his own efforts were significantly lacking!

As for studying policy essays with Mo Heng, Fang Liuming thought about it and decided not to discuss it at home, not even with Old Scholar Fang. His days were packed with activities: practicing martial arts, calligraphy, studying, and learning policy essays.

After hearing about Ms. Liangsan’s ennoblement as County Magistrate for her discovery of double-season rice, Pei Wendong and Chang Yonglin also became more diligent in their studies.

Pei Yuan and Pei Qian started their cabbage harvest and opened the Kimchi Workshop.

Pei Qin was busy too. The soy sauce for the end of the year could be managed by Old Man Chang in the Melon Seed Store, but she had to oversee the soy sauce herself. Ever since Pei Qian learned about the double-season rice, she had been resentful, speaking out hastily when encountering injustice, sometimes without measure. Before, with Pei Yuan alongside her, she could be kept in check, but even Pei Yuan was indignant this time. Pei Qin, not entirely at ease, took the time to join them, leaving the cabbage harvest to Sun Quanliang.

The Fang family also began their cabbage harvest early this year. Last year, they had not harvested much and made little money, so they had been preparing early.

Watching their bustling activity, Lady Zhu would return from the market fuming every time.

Lady Chen was having a dispute with the Zhao family, unable to call off the marriage arrangement. And yet, the Pei siblings had become imperial merchants, supplying the palace with soy sauce and sweet potatoes, fueling her rage and jealousy even further.

Old Pei hoped that Wu Dongsi would be reassigned this year and a new County Magistrate would come next year to thwart Fang Liuming’s civil service exam attempt. Otherwise, if the Pei siblings remained imperial merchants and the Fang family’s children excelled in the exams, Old Pei’s House would be left behind.

Upon receiving a letter from the Qian family, Qian Wanxiu’s surging anger finally subsided, and she couldn’t help but laugh, "The Liang family’s young lady was ennobled as County Magistrate just for her double-season rice discovery, and she, Pei Qin, only got a Pai Building. She won’t be content with that!" She ordered her people to keep a close watch on the Pei siblings, "Every single thing they do must be noted down! If they’re unaware, make sure they find out about this! Choose a place where many people gather!"

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