Chapter 38 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM
FlamingoBees
Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)
Favoring Concubines and Destroying Wives? I Refuse to be the Mistress of this Marquis' Mansion
Chapter 38:
Testing Progress
"Wu Ding Marquis's Mansion is not as good as you think."
"I know, Mother."
Lin Yunwan said meaningfully, "Although you are the eldest legitimate son, being the eldest son is not an easy role. In any case, I will do my best to fight for what you deserve, but your greatest expectation in the future must be yourself. Don't rely on the Marquis's Mansion to help you climb to success."
Lu Chang Gong nodded firmly, promising, "I don't want to fight for anything. I just want to rely on myself."
"Moreover, what the Lu family has given to the son is already enough. With you as the mother, this son doesn't ask for anything more."
He lowered his head shyly, worried that he might have said too much, worried she might be suspecting himself of intentionally trying to please. But he clearly spoke involuntarily.
Luchang Gong, looking distressed, tightened his face into a straight line with pursed lips.
Smiling, Lin Yunwan said, "It's getting hot, hurry back."
"Yes."
Lu Chang Gong quickly turned and left.
Lin Yunwan felt somewhat relieved. With Chang Gong being so ambitious, she didn't have to worry about potential conflicts. As long as he continued to study diligently, he could still excel in the imperial examinations and rise through the ranks.
Ping Ye brought in tea, smiling and saying, "Young Master Chang Gong is truly filial. In the future, he will be your greatest support, Madam."
Lin Yunwan smiled faintly. "Don't rely too much on others."
In her previous life, she had placed too many hopes on others, and it had backfired.
"Let things unfold naturally." Lianyun Wan reminded herself quietly.
~
Another half month passed, and the Old Madam decided to evaluate the study progress of the two young masters. She was mainly interested in seeing how Qing Ge'er performed, but she couldn't leave Chang Gong out, so she announced her intention to review both of their studies.
"Yunwan, you and your mother-in-law can watch from the side," the Old Madam instructed. She didn't have much understanding herself, merely scratching the surface, so it was natural for Lin Yunwan to oversee things.
Madam Wei was feeling hot, fanning herself lazily as she said, "Dear daughter-in-law, you don't really need me..."
The Old Madam gave her a stern look.
Her own grandson, and she still didn't seem to care enough!
She scolded Madam Wei, "The child has been in the family for so long, and you still don't know how to show some concern."
Madam Wei wanted to retort, mentioning that they had a good daughter-in-law like Yunwan. However, the Old Madam's gaze was sharp, and she didn't dare to talk back. Although she felt somewhat dissatisfied, after all, the child wasn't her own, so what was there to care about?
In her opinion, it would be better if her daughter-in-law could give birth to a legitimate grandson.
After exchanging a few words, both Lu Chang Gong and Qing Ge'er entered the room. Maids were in the next room, preparing brushes and ink.
The Old Madam said, "Each of you copy a passage of an essay and then compose a poem."
She glanced at Lin Yunwan, as if she wanted to ask whether this was the usual method of teaching students.
Lin Yunwan nodded. For beginners, this kind of test was challenging enough.
However, for Lu Chang Gong, it was not difficult at all.
Next door, the two young masters had contrasting demeanors—one calm and composed, the other wearing a troubled expression.
Yan Mama said, "Young Masters, you may begin."
She lit an incense stick and softly reminded them, "You have the time it takes for three incense sticks, roughly."
Lin Yunwan checked the time discreetly, finding it more than sufficient.
Qing Ge'er wore a pained expression and asked, "Only three incense sticks?"
Lu Chang Gong had already started writing.
Qing Ge'er didn't dare to waste any more time. He quickly picked up the brush, but his hand trembled. The first stroke resulted in a small blot, and even the maid who ground the ink for him was sweating nervously.
Yan Mama was also on edge. What on earth had Young Master Qing Ge'er earned? It had been so long, and he couldn't even hold the brush steadily.
Qing Ge'er was covered in sweat, almost forgetting how Teacher Zhang usually taught him. This situation wasn't entirely his fault.
When the time was up Old Madam said, "Bring what they've written, let's have a look." Yan Mama fetched the papers written by the two young masters.
After reviewing them, Old Madam's expression turned sour. There was no need to say anything; it was evident that the neatly written one belonged to Lu Chang Gong, and the poem was well-crafted. As for her own grandson...
It was barely passable.
How did this Teacher Zhang teach him? He managed to make Qing Ge'er's work pale in comparison to Lu Chang Gong's!
"Yunwan, take a look," Old Madam said, handing over the papers of the two boys. Chang Gong's performance was better than she expected. As for Qing Ge'er's, it was surprisingly better than she imagined.
She remarked, "There's nothing to say about Chang Gong, but Qing Ge'er's is unexpectedly good."
Old Madam was curious, "What makes it unexpected?"
Lin Yunwan explained, "If it were up to me to teach, I couldn't have done as well as Teacher Zhang. He managed to copy a whole essay perfectly." Even though it was a very simple essay.
Old Madam was skeptical at first, but suddenly she had an epiphany, recalling Lin Yunwan's assessment of Qing Ge'er — foolish and lazy, always trying to get away with things.
Her mouth twitched. She felt that Zhang Feng'an must have put in a lot of effort.
"Bring someone to reward Teacher Zhang," Old Madam Lu ordered.
Lin Yunwan corrected her, "This is Teacher Zhang's duty. If the Old Madam feels he has put in effort, it's enough to give him some hard-earned money. No need for a reward."
The Old Madam smirked. These scholars were overly particular. Following Lin Yunwan's suggestion, she changed it to express gratitude for Zhang Feng'an's hard work.
Madam Wei also took a look at the papers of the two young masters. She praised Chang Gong a bit, almost blurting out derogatory words about Qing Ge'er. Fortunately, Yan Mama gave her a warning glance, and she stopped in time.
After leaving Yu Shou Tang, she confided in her maids, "Why does Old Madam Lu dote on this fool so much? Look at his handwriting. If Wu Ding Marquis Mansion relies on him in the future, it would be a disgrace to our ancestors!"
Madam Wei was unaware that she had missed an interesting scene by leaving early.
As Madam Wei left, Ge Bao'er entered the hall.
"Old Madam, I've been a burden for too long. I truly feel guilty. I want to return home to accompany my deceased parents and fulfill my filial duties."
Ge Bao'er wore a veil and changed back into the outfit she wore when she first arrived at the Wu Ding Marquis Mansion. However, she didn't wear the cloud-patterned shoes again.
Old Madam's face darkened as she asked, "You're settled here; there's no need for such concerns."
Kneeling down, Ge Bao'er sincerely said, "Old Madam, Bao'er truly misses her hometown."
She chose the timing well, as just then, Lu Zhenliu came back. Hearing that Old Madam was testing the children's studies, he rushed over and witnessed this scene.
Lin Yunwan sneered inwardly.
Did Ge Bao'er really want to leave the Wu Ding Marquis Mansion?
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