maidservant

Chapter 20: Li Song passed the exam and Yunshan congratulated him. An old friend appeared in the Jiaofangsi.

"Yunshan, I have something to entrust to you."

Lin Yu's voice was filled with excitement. "The results of the imperial examination will be announced today. Do you want to know whether cousin Li Song passed?"

Yunshan turned around and looked at the glint in Lin Yu's eyes. "Don't worry, Miss. I'll go find out later."

Lin Yu shook her hands and said coquettishly: "Why don't you go and wait for the results to be announced early?"

"I'll go right away and will be back as soon as possible." Lin Yu nodded with satisfaction and turned back to the study to organize her dowry.

Yunshan hurried to her room and carefully packed her belongings. She pinned a crabapple branch to her temple. This was her first time traveling as a first-class maid—to meet Master Li, so she naturally had to be in her best spirits.

"The results are out! There are a total of 270 candidates for the Imperial Examination—"

Following a loud announcement, two civil servants in green robes slowly moved forward, surrounded by officers and soldiers.

The crowd surged like a tide, mixed with cheers, exclamations and the sound of horse hooves, and the whole street was shrouded in noise.

Yunshan was pushed forward, her heart beating wildly, and her eyes scanned the row of ranking characters eagerly, as if every stroke was testing her patience.

The sunlight filtered through the layers of oil umbrellas, casting mottled shadows on the names written in bold ink on the list, making them appear particularly dazzling.

"Found it!" Yunshan cheered and almost jumped up.

But at this moment, a deep voice shouted "Hit" at the same time as her.

She turned her head and saw a tall man smiling at her.

The man was wearing a long green gown, had a handsome face, and exuded vitality in his every move.

Yunshan was stunned. Wasn't this Li Song?

Li Song walked quickly to her, raised his eyebrows, tilted his head and asked: "Miss, have you come here to check the list for me?"

Her cheeks instantly flushed, and she quickly lowered her head and said softly, "Sir, I came here on the orders of the Madam and the Young Miss to check on you. Congratulations on your admission—"

Li Song refused to let her finish her words. He grabbed her arm and led her to a corner where there were few people.

The noisy sounds around them seemed to fade away in an instant, leaving only the conversation between the two people echoing in their ears.

Li Song asked with a smile, "I just saw you standing in the crowd, your eyes eagerly searching for my name."

Yunshan became even more embarrassed when he asked her this, and whispered:

"Yes... I am a little anxious. Madam and the eldest lady both praised the young master's talent. This time, I came here to get the good news from the young master as soon as possible."

After hearing this, Li Song's eyes flashed with warmth: "Thank you for your concern."

As he spoke, he suddenly noticed that Yunshan's fingers curled slightly. "Your palms are a little sweaty. Is it too hot?"

"." Yunshan lowered her head and her fingers unconsciously twisted together.

She felt her heart beating faster, and even breathing seemed to become difficult.

"You came in a hurry this time. Haven't you had breakfast yet?"

"Wait for me here."

Li Song said this, turned around and walked quickly towards a gorgeous carriage.

He bowed deeply toward the window of the carriage and said, "Dad, Mom, I won the exam!" His voice was filled with uncontrollable excitement and joy.

After a moment, Li Song returned to her side and said, "Staying in this noisy place for too long really makes people anxious and angry."

"I'll take you to a quiet little building right now, and we'll eat and talk." Yun Shan quickly replied, "Sir, you don't have to be a slave..."

"No need?" Li Song glanced back at her and tapped the Guanyin mole between her eyebrows with his fan. "You came here specially to congratulate me today, so it's only right that I treat you to a meal. Besides, we're half classmates. Am I not even going to treat you to a meal now that I'm in high school?"

After hearing what he said, Yunshan could not resist his insistence.

The two of them walked on the bustling street, and Li Song pointed and commented on her from time to time:

"This teahouse is good, and this cloth shop has just received a batch of material..." It was as if he wanted to share the bustle of the entire capital with her.

In the private room upstairs, Li Song personally poured Yunshan a cup of tea and asked with a smile, "Do you know about the palace examination in half a month?"

"Yes, I have heard about it too."

Yun Shan nodded. "The competition in this imperial examination was fierce. You are truly talented to stand out from so many other students."

After hearing this, Li Song's eyes flashed with humility: "Thank you for your compliment." He paused, as if he wanted to ask something, but in the end he just smiled.

Yunshan noticed that he was hesitant to speak, and she couldn't help feeling curious, but she didn't ask any further questions.

The two sat opposite each other, and the atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.

As Li Song was talking, he would pick up some dishes and pour tea for Yunshan from time to time; while Yunshan carefully set the dishes and poured water for him. The tacit understanding between the two seemed to have long surpassed the distinction between master and servant.

"Ah! I almost forgot." Yun Shan quickly took out a brocade box from her bosom. "This is a small gift that the eldest lady specially asked me to bring you. It's not a token of respect, but I hope you will accept it."

Li Song took the brocade box and gently opened it. Inside was a fine Duan inkstone and a wolf-hair brush.

His gaze lingered on these things for a moment, and he suddenly looked up at Yunshan: "Did you choose these?"

"Yes, I remembered your preference and chose this rosewood wolf hair brush."

"You remember everything?" Li Song quickly accepted it.

"Thank you, Madam and cousin, for your expectations. I asked you to prepare a gift before the results were announced."

He examined it carefully and closed the brocade box. "I'll definitely come to thank you someday."

Yunshan nodded, with a faint sense of anticipation in her heart. It seemed that she could see him again before entering the East Palace.

After the two chatted a little more about Lin Yu's selection for marriage, they walked out of the teahouse. Yunshan followed behind him and listened to his introduction to the new shop on the street.

Walking on this street that once made her panic and lonely, she felt an inexplicable sense of security when she walked with such a person.

As night fell, the Jiaofangsi was brightly lit and bustling with people.

In the String Music Pavilion, the magnificent walls are hung with lanterns and silk curtains painted with flowers.

The air was filled with a faint fragrance, a mixture of wine and powder.

A band consisting of more than a dozen musicians played moving music in the center of the stage. The music was melodious and intoxicating.

The luxurious decorations and superb performances attracted many nobles and wealthy businessmen to come for entertainment.

Everything here is full of temptation and desire. The dancers dance gracefully under the lights, the piano sounds melodious, and the singing is gentle.

Xiaoyue, 22, plays the guzheng for a group of guests. Her fingertips traverse the strings, creating a melodious and graceful melody. Twelve years ago, due to her family's poverty, she was sold into the Jiaofangsi (Chinese Music Bureau).

At first, she felt extremely humiliated and desperate, but in order to survive, she learned how to show her beauty and charm in front of the guests.

　Everyone~ From February 2th to February 18nd, this novel will be participating in the ranking. Please read the two newly updated chapters every day. This "reading rate" is very important to me! Thank you! ~~~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)