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This was to be expected. Given the current situation, the regent should be trying his best to win over his own people. A scholar like Yang Wenju, who is completely innocent and honest, is really of no use in politics.
"Not passing the exam isn't necessarily a bad thing. Do you want to stay in the capital to work or go back?"
"I still need to go back."
“That would be best.” Qiu Su pursed her lips. “It’s best not to come to the capital for the next year or two. If you want to find a job first, you can go and see the magistrate of Pingcheng County. He’s a good official.”
"Where is Young Master Pei?"
"He's been busy lately. Do you want to see him? This capital isn't a good place for you, at least not right now. He might be able to give you an official position, but he can't guarantee your family's safety. You're probably aware of the current situation in the capital."
Yang Wenju nodded, "Then, I'll take my leave. If there's an opportunity in the future, I'll thank Young Master Pei for his help."
"If you go to Pingcheng, just tell Magistrate Qin that it was me or Pei Yuan who recommended you. You should go back as soon as possible; your family must be worried about you."
Huang Tao saw Yang Wenju off, and when she returned, she asked in confusion, "Why did Miss keep urging him to leave the capital?"
"Is the capital a place anyone can stay in?" If possible, and if she hadn't fallen in love with him, she would rather she had never come here.
"You really can't let the son-in-law see him? Maybe something's going to happen."
“He’s just a scholar.” Qiu Su got up and walked out. “You can secretly follow him out and see if Yang Wenju is selling any calligraphy or paintings or anything like that. Buy them with your money.”
Huang Tao agreed and went. Qiu Su went out to see the bright sunshine, but after thinking for a moment, she went to Zhu Yuan's courtyard instead. The colder the weather got, the worse her health seemed to be.
Zhu Yuan remained aloof, but Qiu Su was stopped by Xiao Qing as soon as she entered the courtyard. Xiao Qing had always been hostile towards Qiu Su, which Qiu Su could understand; she probably would have reacted the same way to Huang Tao. Qiu Su wasn't annoyed. She stood there watching her, and after waiting a while without her speaking, she curled her lips and asked, "How is your young lady's health?"
"Thank you for your trouble, Madam. It's almost done."
"Then I..."
"Don't worry, young mistress, the young master is inside with you." Xiaoqing didn't budge. "Young mistress, you've come at just the right time."
Qiu Su looked up at the white cotton curtain with its silvery sheen, curled the corners of her lips, and then looked away.
Pei Yuan returned early, which was unusual, and went to Zhu Yuan's courtyard first. Qiu Su was too lazy to think about it; these were things she couldn't understand, and she didn't have the energy to bother with them. Let them go; she needed to think about her own life.
When Pei Yuan returned to the courtyard, the sun was already setting. Huang Tao had already bought a pile of calligraphy and paintings. Qiu Su looked through the pile and exclaimed in amazement. Yang Wenju was indeed a talented person. She couldn't understand the art of the ink paintings, but she liked the calligraphy, which was vigorous yet gentle. It is said that one can see a person's character from their calligraphy. Yang Wenju should be a meticulous person, yet he also has a bold spirit. Given the opportunity, he would surely achieve something great.
"You're back?" Qiu Su asked Pei Yuan, who had been standing at the door for a long time, without looking up.
"What are you looking at so intently, my wife? I've been standing here for quite a while."
"I know," Qiu Su glanced over, "I'll leave you outside in the wind from now on."
Pei Yuan walked to the table and sat down, propping his chin on his hand and staring intently at Qiu Su, whose eyelids were lowered. Qiu Su put down the writing in her hand, frowned slightly, and asked, "Is something the matter?"
"My wife, don't you notice any changes in me?"
Has it changed? Qiu Su's eyes swept over the top of his head again. Where there had been a black jade crown, she had noticed at a glance that it had been replaced with an unfamiliar dark blue hand-embroidered turban. She didn't want to ask who had given it to him; asking would probably only lead to an argument, and in the end, she would be the one who suffered.
"Yang Wenju came by."
"Um?"
“I made him leave the capital.” Qiu Su pushed the calligraphy and paintings on the table toward him. “His calligraphy is not bad.”
Pei Yuan casually drew a card, glanced at it absentmindedly, and chuckled, saying, "He has
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