Hou Ye's palm heart is a black lotus

The capital city, the eighth day of the eighth lunar month.

Numerous students rushed to the examination hall, creating a lively and bustling scene.

A horse-drawn carriage slowly pulled up in the alley outside the examination hall.

"You're going in today. Here are some snacks and clothes. Take good care of them. It's been raining a lot lately, and the nights are chilly. You'll be all alone in there, so please take good care of yourself."

Ye Chutang handed over the prepared box and gave her careful instructions.

Ye Jingyan accepted the gift with both hands, but couldn't help but laugh. "It's rare to hear you nag like this, sister. I'm not a child anymore, why should I need you to worry about me like this?"

“I know you’ve always been the least troublesome, but this time the National Curriculum Reopens, which is a rare opportunity for you, so you should naturally take it seriously.”

Ye Chutang lifted the curtain and looked outside.

"Other people would personally escort you to the door, it's really a bit of an inconvenience for you that Xiao Wu and I are here to see you off."

Ye Jingyan, however, did not care.

"There are countless eyes watching the Ye family, so it's best to keep a low profile."

Ah Feng didn't send any news for a long time, so all they could do was wait.

Ye Chutang nodded.

Xiao Wu's eyes sparkled as she reluctantly said goodbye, "Third Brother, when you pass the exam, maybe, maybe Fourth Brother will come back! He'll definitely be very proud of you then!"

Ye Jingyan smiled and pinched her cheek. "Okay, even for this reason, Third Brother will study hard for the exam."

After saying that, he picked up his box, got off the carriage, and walked towards the examination hall on his own.

The boy's originally slender back seemed to have grown taller and straighter, overlapping with his youthful appearance in my memory.

Ye Chutang thought quietly, and the corners of her lips unconsciously curved into a smile.

Xiao Wu threw himself into her arms, tilted his head up, and whispered, "Sister, when do you think... Fourth Brother will be back? What if he misses Third Brother's victory celebration?"

Ye Chutang: "..."

The little girl had complete confidence in her brother and hadn't considered the possibility of him failing the exam.

She thought about it.

“This is a big event for our family. Although your fourth brother doesn’t like studying, he wouldn’t forget the exam date. However, firstly, it will take about a month from the start of the exam to the release of the results, and secondly, your fourth brother probably still has a lot of things to take care of. It’s not too late to talk about it after they’ve finished their work.”

Although Xiao Wu really wanted the family to be reunited right now, she knew that what her older sister said was true, so she nodded vigorously.

"it is good!"

……

The autumn imperial examination lasted for nine days, with one session every three days.

Ye Chutang spends her days at home reading and drinking tea, seemingly enjoying a very leisurely life.

Since Ah Feng's accident, the Ye family has closed its doors to visitors, which has indeed reduced the number of trivial matters she has to deal with.

The only exception was the tea caravan heading north, which would send back letters every other day, detailing the local customs, road conditions, and other aspects of their journey.

Doing international business is tough...

Ye Chutang took a sip of tea, feeling a mix of emotions.

She turned her head and saw Xiao Wu arranging various types of tea leaves on the table, identifying and learning them one by one. He was also holding an abacus, occasionally making a crisp clicking sound.

It's not that she can't do the math; she just really enjoys the sound.

Of course, only those with high profits and a sense of accomplishment can pique her interest and make her fiddle with a few more beads.

Ye Chutang squinted her eyes contentedly, feeling that retirement was just around the corner.

Suddenly, she turned around and looked towards the courtyard.

Lu Yu appeared silently, cupped her hands in greeting, and said, "Miss Ye, my master said he has a letter to give to you."

Ye Chutang asked in surprise, "A letter?"

Recently, she has rarely gone out and has had much less contact with the outside world.

Shen Yanchuan was busy investigating the rebels, so why did a letter suddenly arrive? She suddenly thought of something, got up and took the letter.

The handwriting is unfamiliar; it's not Shen Yanchuan's.

But Ye Chutang immediately knew who the letter writer was—Uncle Di.

This is a farewell letter.

"Uncle Di is leaving?" Ye Chutang quickly finished reading the letter, her brows furrowing slightly.

Lu Yu nodded. "They should have already left the city by now."

Although the wound on his leg had healed and he had a prosthetic leg made by Ye Chutang, traveling long distances was still much more difficult and troublesome for him than for ordinary people.

Where is he going?

Lu Yu shook his head, "This subordinate does not know."

Ye Chutang read the letter again and again. Between the lines, it was clear that Uncle Di wanted to leave on his own.

He didn't say where he was going, but thanked Ye Chutang for saving his life and said he would repay her if he had the chance in the future.

Ye Chutang pondered for a moment, then said, "I understand."

She had no intention of asking any further questions, and Lu Yu soon disappeared again.

Ye Chutang turned around and went back inside.

Xiao Wu looked up, expecting Ye Chutang to burn the letter as usual, but was surprised to see that Ye Chutang had taken out a locked pear wood box and carefully put the letter inside.

Xiao Wu blinked.

Was that letter... important?
But she didn't ask any more questions. She quickly finished tasting the last two teas in front of her, then quickly calculated the profit from sending them to Wazhen for trading, and then jogged over to Ye Chutang.

"Sister! Today is the last day of the autumn imperial examinations, let's go pick up Third Brother!"

……

It started to drizzle as soon as I stepped outside, leaving the bluestone slabs wet and the world shrouded in mist.

Ye Chutang and Xiao Wu waited outside the examination hall for half an hour before they heard a commotion.

Countless candidates poured out.

Ye Chutang got off the carriage, opened her umbrella, and walked in that direction.

From afar, she first saw Xu Fengchi standing on the steps.

He was the supervising official for this autumn imperial examination.

As the students passed by him, they all bowed respectfully and nervously.

Xu Fengchi smiled and waved his hand, "The exam is over, everyone has worked hard! It's raining now, so everyone should go back and get some rest!"

This was the only time he smiled during the days he was in charge of the autumn imperial examinations.

The students thanked them profusely before hurrying away in the rain.

Suddenly, Xu Fengchi saw another person.

As dusk approached, in the slanting wind and drizzle, the young man, dressed in an indigo brocade robe, walked with a leisurely and unhurried gait.

Xu Fengchi felt a tremor in his heart, as if he were seeing an old friend from many years ago.

Soon, the young man came to him, his features refined and gentle, and bowed to him.

"This student has met Lord Xu."

Xu Fengchi snapped out of his daze. "Ayan, why be so polite between us?"

"Before leaving the examination hall, you are the supervising official, and I am the student. This courtesy is only proper," Ye Jingyan said.

Xu Fengchi's eyes welled up with tears, but he finally ignored the stares around him, raised his hand and patted his shoulder, his heart filled with countless emotions.

"Good lad, your father in heaven will be happy!" (End of Chapter)