The young lady is delicate and soft, yet she criticizes the powerful minister for bowing and scrapin

"Asi." Qi Yunli took out an old book from her sleeve; the blue cloth cover was worn and frayed.

"The Essence of the Records of the Grand Historian!" Qi Yunsi's eyes lit up. This eleven-year-old boy only showed childlike excitement when in front of books. He carefully took it, lowering his voice, "Thank you, elder sister."

Qi Yunli held her chopsticks, and seeing her younger brother's happy expression, she couldn't help but smile.

Her younger brother has long since passed the elementary school stage and is now at an age where he is particularly interested in the classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary collections.

"How was Asi's day at school?" Qi Yunli asked as usual.

Qi Yunsi replied calmly, "No different from usual. I neither stand out nor fall behind, and I've kept a low profile in the private school. I don't know what others think, but I've done everything my elder sister instructed me to do."

Although Qi Yunsi was only eleven years old, her eyes were already deep and her gaze was gentle.

Even though he wasn't as blessed with the brilliance of the sun, moon, and stars as Wei Jun, Qi Yunli believed that her younger brother would one day be able to serve the court with his talents, earn a salary, and live a smooth and prosperous life.

This was her greatest wish.

After her younger brother finished his meal and went back to his room to study, Qi Yunli asked Tingyue to sit down and eat with him.

The two were not only mistress and servant, but also sisters who had gone through thick and thin together. It took Tingyue quite a while to get used to the unconventional custom of "sitting down to eat together".

However, Qi Yunli said that she already had too many irregularities, so one more wouldn't make a difference.

"I can't wait any longer..." she said, looking at the rice in her bowl, her voice as soft as a sigh. "I can't wait until the day of the imperial examination."

Tingyue held her breath. She had heard the old lady mention the marriage, and she could tell that the young lady had been restless ever since she returned.

Qi Yunli coldly mocked herself: "It's been a year, and he still isn't tired of me. He wants to marry a noblewoman, yet he insists on keeping me by his side, making me a secret..."

She naively thought that Wei Jun's desire for physical intimacy with her was only a one- or two-time thing.

If we can tolerate this once or twice and avoid offending this high and mighty young master, we can live in peace.

Unexpectedly, it went from once a month to once every ten days, then to once every three days, and sometimes even once a day.

This young master clearly had so many concubines, yet he only tormented her.

Tingyue noticed the sadness in the girl's eyes. The young master must have said something else to make her so heartbroken.

"As you instructed, Miss, I have disguised myself and inquired about some unmarried men of marriageable age in the capital. I have also secretly brought back their portraits, which are hidden in my room. I have personally verified all the information on them, so please rest assured, Miss," Tingyue said in a low voice.

Qi Yunli's original plan was to wait until Wei Jun grew tired of her and her younger brother studied at the private school for another two or three years before finding someone she liked. Even if the man had no power or influence, as long as he was of decent character, she could marry him quietly and support her brother's education with her skills.

But Wei Jun's words today shattered her illusions completely. She could hear the stubbornness in his tone. He would never allow her to leave easily; he only wanted to keep her by his side for the rest of his life.

"The person we found ourselves... I'm afraid we won't be able to get married," Qi Yunli said softly.

Tingyue's eyes widened, but upon reflection, it made sense. The young master had been intimate with the young lady just last night, and now he was doing it again today.

And before he escorted the military funds, the two became more and more frequent, as if he was very dependent on the girl in this matter.

Tingyue thought for a moment and said, "Now all the branches of the family are busy preparing for weddings, and there are flower viewing banquets and poetry gatherings all the time. If you ask the Second Madam if you want to go with the sisters to see them, she will most likely agree. If you meet someone at a banquet, in front of everyone, even if the eldest son wants to stop the meeting... he will have to consider the reputation of the mansion."

Qi Yunli nodded. She vaguely remembered that the Rong Prince's Mansion was going to hold a flower-viewing banquet recently. The Rong Princess was a great lover of flowers, and she would always host the first grand flower banquet after the start of spring each year, with the sons and daughters of officials in the court all invited.

"Many young men from the capital will be attending the flower-viewing banquet in ten days. Try to move some inconspicuous valuables out of my courtyard and find out which families will be attending, especially... young men from humble backgrounds, with few family members, and who are eager to get married."

Tingyue nodded solemnly. Her young lady was meticulous and incredibly intelligent; from her very first day in the manor, she knew how to act opportunistically and plan for the future. It was just that this young master Wei had suddenly appeared…

Fortunately, the girl was determined and never thought of giving up, even when she was in the mud.

As a servant, she would do her utmost to find a way out for the young lady, hoping that one day the young lady could escape this sea of ​​suffering.

Three days later.

The lamplight on the desk in the small courtyard flickered in the wind. Tingyue hurriedly closed the window, then whispered to Qi Yunli:

"I've found three suitable young men, all of whom are of decent appearance and family background. Miss, which one do you find most pleasing to the eye?"

Qi Yunli chuckled softly. In her current situation, she no longer cared whether the other person was handsome or not.

She casually unfurled a scroll. The young man in the painting was handsome, his features not striking but well-proportioned, exuding a scholarly air and appearing refined.

"Who is this?"

"Young lady, he has just passed the imperial examination and been appointed as a ninth-rank registrar. He has no parents and his family is small. He has just entered officialdom and his position in the court is not yet stable. He is twenty-two years old."

But... I've heard people say he's cursed, destined to bring misfortune to his parents, so many young ladies in the capital are quite hesitant about him. Perhaps... you could consider others?"

"No father or mother, few family members...that's good." Qi Yunli pondered, "This way I won't have to worry about mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. I can be the mistress of the house as soon as I marry into the family, and I can make all the decisions in the backyard."

Tingyue nodded repeatedly, "What you say is true, young lady. How about we take a look at the other two as well? Having more options will increase our chances of success."

Looking at the painting in the girl's hand, she suddenly remembered a rumor: "Moreover, I've heard that he takes medicine all year round and is physically weak, so I'm afraid... he might be lacking in sexual matters."

Qi Yunli's heart and mind were solely focused on her younger brother's future. As for marital relations... this year had been enough, and she was already tired of them.

"Poor health and childless, that's good."

"It's fine for him to take medicine all year round. Look at his physique, he was able to pass the imperial examination, and he should be able to hold on for another two or three years without any problem."

Once my younger brother passes the imperial examination and is able to support himself, I will become a widow, which would be a wonderful thing.