C11 Fearing Sick

Jing Bao returned home just before dusk. Mrs. Lu was eagerly waiting at the second gate, and when she saw her son, she greeted him with a hopeful smile. Sensing her anticipation, Jing Bao decided to tell her about his disappointing exam results to manage her expectations.

Mrs. Lu's face fell, and she sighed, "It's probably just the adjustment to a new place. Anyway, you can still study back in Lin’an Prefecture. It's not the end of the world." Her calm acceptance was harder for Jing Bao to bear than any scolding.

He helped Mrs. Lu back to her room, stayed with her through dinner, and chatted a bit before retreating to his own quarters. Once inside, Jing Bao's shoulders slumped, and he collapsed onto the bed like a deflated balloon. Mann, sensing his mood, didn't ask questions. She quietly brought water for him to wash up, and Jing Bao let her help him, soon feeling drowsy.

In the middle of the night, a nightmare jolted him awake. He got up, opened the window, and leaned against the frame, lost in thought. His essay was unfinished, and the chance of entering the Imperial College seemed slim. He faced two choices: stay in the capital to prepare for the Autumn Quarter Examination or return to Lin’an Prefecture to study. The capital was chaotic, and going back seemed more sensible.

However, Jing Bao was determined to stay in the capital; there was too much left undone. But before he could start, he fell ill. Mrs. Lu was beside herself with worry and immediately asked the Xuanping Marquis to call the doctor her late mother had trusted most.

Men and women are different, and once a pulse is checked, nothing can be hidden.

The old doctor had been checking the pulse of the matriarch of the Marquis Mansion for most of his life. He had seen it all, and with a generous consultation fee handed over, he was as tight-lipped as a clam.

After the examination and prescribing of medicine, word spread throughout the Jing Mansion that Seventh Master had fallen ill after failing his exam.

The first to come and watch the spectacle was Second Old Master Jing. He stood by the bed, his kindly face barely concealing his satisfaction.

"Not passing might be a blessing in disguise. With your temperament, entering the Imperial College could lead to trouble. Better to return to Lin’an Prefecture and study diligently," he said.

Mrs. Zhao chimed in, "Seventh Master is so smart, yet he stumbled. It shows that the Imperial College isn't for just anyone. Don't be upset. Work hard for the Autumn Quarter Examination. Even if you can't study with the future Chief Minister, aim to serve in the same government."

Jing Bao didn't even blink. "It's fine if I can't become an official. There's still the Jing family's business to manage."

Both Second Old Master Jing and Mrs. Zhao were visibly stung by this remark. After a few stern words, they left.

As they exited the courtyard, Mrs. Zhao glanced at Mrs. Zhou, who understood her intentions perfectly.

In a low voice, Mrs. Zhou said, "Second Madam, fortune favors the bold. If we wait until Seventh Master becomes a scholar, it might be too late."

Mrs. Zhao covered her mouth with a handkerchief and said, "I just can't figure out what the master is thinking."

Mrs. Zhou replied, "In my opinion, the mistress's thoughts are the master's thoughts. We should strike while the iron's hot, before the mansion regains its strength."

Mrs. Zhao smirked coldly, "Make sure it's done neatly, without anyone noticing."

...

While the two were plotting their scheme, Mrs. Lee entered, parting the beaded curtain, holding a half-pack of dried bird's nest.

"The eldest miss sent these over, along with some pastries. But the mistress held them back, worried you might overindulge and choke."

Jing Bao chuckled, "Did my sister send any other messages?"

Mrs. Lee pulled out a property deed from her pocket, "This is the deed to a restaurant. It cost 3,200 silver coins, which the eldest miss covered for now. She said for you to keep it."

"Great!"

Jing Bao took the deed and tucked it under the pillow. Noticing the fatigue on her face, Mrs. Lee decided not to say more. As she turned to lift the curtain, it suddenly flew open, startling everyone inside and out.

"Young Master, what brings you here? Why didn't you announce yourself?"

"I'm here to see my Little Seven. No need for announcements!"

Lu Huaiqi gently nudged Mrs. Lee aside, "Don't stand in the way. I have some private matters to discuss with Little Seven!"

Jing Bao rolled his eyes and quickly curled up under the covers, leaving only half of his head peeking out.

"Little Seven! You're so sick your chin's all sharp. It's really pitiful."

Jing Bao was too lazy to respond.

"Don't worry. Those two from the Shea family, I'll deal with them sooner or later. It's just not the right time yet. Let's bear with it for now, okay?"

Jing Bao finally took a good look at Lu Huaiqi. Seems like this fool isn't lacking in brains, just in strength.

In this whole mess, even though the old emperor didn't punish the Shea brothers, everyone in the capital is watching. Besides, the Crown Prince will eventually take the throne. Embarrassing the Xuanping Marquis Mansion is like embarrassing the Crown Prince. It's only a matter of time before the Shea family gets what they deserve.

"Thank you, Cousin Lu."

Still sick, Jing Bao's voice was hoarse and lazy, which made Lu Huaiqi feel sorry for him. He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket.

"Fifth Sister sent this for you. She said if you don't like it, just throw it away. No need to return it."

Jing Bao looked at the beautifully embroidered handkerchief, unsure of what to say.

Lu Huaiqi added, "Oh, and Father wanted me to tell you, if you can't get into the Imperial College, it's no big deal. Head back south early; there's always the Autumn Quarter Examination."

Embarrassed, Jing Bao pulled the blanket over his head.

Is there no privacy left in this city? Just one day after my exam failure, and everyone knows about it. How does news spread so fast? It's unbelievable!

At this moment, Gu Changping was reviewing papers at his desk. Shen Changgeng sat nearby, holding an exam paper with a smirk. "I can't believe it," he said. "That jerk Shea Shun actually knows his classics."

Gu Changping looked up. "The Shea family has always been well-educated. Ministry Shea himself comes from a scholarly background. His sons grew up surrounded by culture and refinement. How bad could they be?"

"Ugh!" Shen Changgeng spat out. "Don't talk to me about scholarly families. They're a bunch of lowlifes, nothing more!"

Gu Changping glanced at him, then took the paper and read it thoroughly before marking it with a red pen. "You're right, the writing is impressive, but his character is lacking. He'll never achieve greatness. Giving him a second-class mark is already a favor to Ministry Shea."

"Favor, my foot!" Shen Changgeng picked up another student's paper, saw the name, and his mood lifted. "Qian Sanyi, what kind of name is that?"

"Must be the son of Minister Qian," Gu Changping replied, pausing thoughtfully. "One begets two, two begets three, and from three comes everything. It's an interesting name. I wonder how his essay turned out."

As Shen Changgeng read, he nodded. "Minister Qian might be all about money, but his son is something else. This essay is exceptional, truly exceptional!"

"To make you say 'rare' twice in a row..."

Gu Changping read through the document carefully and, without hesitation, marked it with a red pen, "Excellent. Overflowing with talent and knowledge, this person is destined for greatness."

"Even a crooked bamboo can produce good shoots. Qian Sanyi's ancestors must be smiling down on him."

Gu Changping took a sip of tea, hiding the glint in his eyes.

"Jing Bao? Like a precious treasure? Giving a boy such a name suggests he was raised by women. It's not suitable, not suitable at all!" Shen Changgeng shook his head.

Gu Changping's eye twitched as he set down his teacup. "How's the essay?"