Chapter 958 - 960: Another Prime Suspect_1
By the time they returned to the room that evening, Bai Ruozhu gave Jiang Yichun a severe scolding, telling him to avoid their son more in the future, as the child was slowly beginning to understand everything. It was only because you thought he didn’t understand.
Jiang Yichun didn’t get angry and just chuckled as he carried his son off to one side for a talk. His voice wasn’t loud, and he rambled on to his son for a long time, saying things like not to randomly imitate what mom and dad do, that kissing shouldn’t be done recklessly, that only dad can kiss mom, and in the future, you’ll kiss your wife...
Bai Ruozhu rolled her eyes at him speechlessly and then went off to draw toy designs.
In the following days, Bai Ruozhu was busy with the garden affairs during the day and played with her son in the evening. After her son went to bed, she would draw designs. This made Jiang Yichun worry about her health, fearing that she would wear herself out.
"Take this for expenses, and let me know if you’re ever short on money," he said, pulling out a stack of silver banknotes and putting them in her hand.
Bai Ruozhu was taken aback for a moment before realizing he thought she had been working so hard to earn money recently because she might be financially strained.
"I’m not short on money right now. I have nothing else to do, so I just want to fulfill my previous plans," she said with a smile, her eyes nearly closed like a lazy cat. "I just enjoy the sense of achievement from earning money, it’s really not because I’m short on it. You hold onto the banknotes, you’re often running around outside, and you’ll always have a need for money." Just don’t go borrowing from others like before.
Of course, Bai Ruozhu didn’t say that last part aloud. After all, you need to leave some dignity for a man.
"No need to worry, I have some private business dealings, and I don’t manage money myself. Keeping too much on me tends to lead to wasteful spending," Jiang Yichun insisted, not allowing her refusal and forcefully stuffing it in her hand.
Bai Ruozhu looked at the silver banknotes that had become crumpled and disorganized due to his forceful action, feeling quite pained in her heart. It seemed to her that he treated the banknotes as if they were just waste paper.
In the blink of an eye, the garden delight had officially gotten on track. Bai Yihong and Zhang Liliang opened a toy workshop in a quieter part of the city, using Bai Ruozhu’s designs to start making the first batch of toys.
Bai Yihong understood technology, Zhang Liliang knew sales, and the toy shop was quickly up and running.
The day for the Rural Examination results to be posted soon followed, and the Bai Family didn’t discuss it much. One early morning, Bai Zepei came out of his room full of vigor, ate breakfast, and then stood up, saying, "I’m going to see the results. Aren’t you all coming?"
He had a restrained smile on his face; it seemed the family was afraid he hadn’t passed the exam and therefore hadn’t even mentioned going to see the results.
Bai Ruozhu was the first to jump up, saying, "Of course we’re going; we’re going right now to get a good spot. I’m also bringing Dengdeng along to soak in the cultural atmosphere. Who knows, maybe he’ll also make the list in the future Rural Examinations."
Lin Ping’er and Bai Yihong exchanged worried glances but didn’t want to dampen Bai Zepei’s spirits, so they all agreed to go together.
Jiang Yichun sent Chen Feng to the main camp to request half a day off, but Bai Ruozhu quickly said, "Just go to work. Don’t randomly ask for leave."
"It’s alright; I’ll accompany you all," he said with a firm tone.
The corner of Bai Ruozhu’s mouth lifted slightly. He was worried about the crowd and wanted to protect her and their son in person.
The family took two horse carriages and soon arrived at the place where the results were to be published. Thanks to the guards, they weren’t squeezed by the crowd. They quickly found a good spot and waited for the list to be posted.
"Why haven’t they announced the results yet?" Bai Ruozhu wiped the fine sweat on her forehead. It was already autumn, but the recent Pa Laohu had been fierce, making the days unbearably hot.
She checked the time on her pocket watch around her neck; it was already the appointed hour.
She was grumbling to herself when Kuai Minglang came out, followed by two officers carrying none other than the big red list of results.
Her eyes widened as she strained to look, but because the list was not flat, and the officer kept moving, she couldn’t quite make out any of the names, and moreover, none of them were her second brother’s.
Bai Ruozhu always believed that her second brother wasn’t so easily defeated, so she harbored a sliver of hope that she would see his name on the list, otherwise, poor Yihong would have to wait another three years.
Finally, the list was posted on the wall, and Kuai Minglang loudly addressed the onlookers, "This is the list of those who have passed this year’s Rural Examination. Everyone, please have a look."
Next to her, Lin Ping’er grabbed Bai Ruozhu’s arm, her grip was a bit too strong due to her nerves, causing Bai Ruozhu some pain.
"Ruozhu, you have good eyes, quickly see if your second brother is there!"
Bai Ruozhu didn’t bother to ask her mother to let go, her gaze intently fixed on the list. Quickly, her face lit up with surprise, and she said with a smile, "Mother, just look for yourself, his name is so big!"
It turned out that the names at the top of the list were the largest, followed by second to tenth place with medium-sized names, and below that the names grew much smaller. The name "Bai Zepei" was among the largest on the list!
Upon hearing Bai Ruozhu’s words, everyone felt as though a light had burst before their eyes, and immediately saw the large characters at the top. In an instant, they all burst into ecstasy.
Bai Yihong’s face turned red with excitement, slapping Bai Zepei’s shoulder so hard that it nearly sent him stumbling, almost bending his waist.
"You brat, you even got top rank and didn’t tell us, keeping us worried every day, missing so many nights of sleep." Bai Yihong’s tone contained not a hint of complaint; his face was clearly beaming with joy.
Lin Ping’er’s eyes were also moist with excitement. She took out a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her eyes, saying just as excitedly, "It’s the blessing of the Bodhisattva, our Zepei has this level of talent. He got several first places at the Eight Academy Competition in Jiangnan. There’s no doubt about the Rural Examination."
Bai Ruozhu also gazed at her second brother with a face full of smiles, her stare devoid of any killing intent; her second brother really was something, keeping it a secret from them all this time, definitely sneaky and crafty!
Bai Zepei, looking helpless, said, "You never asked me, and when I brought it up later, Father and Mother just said that’s good. How was I to know you didn’t actually believe it?"
"Is this just good? You got top rank and you call it just good?" Bai Ruozhu asked indignantly.
Bai Zepei touched his nose. "This wasn’t my best performance."
Alright then, comparisons really can kill. Bai Ruozhu felt fortunate she wasn’t a boy. If she had to take exams or study alongside a brother like him, she would surely be irritated to death.
Jiang Yichun’s eyes also carried a smile. Despite his jealous antics on normal days, most were just in jest. He already considered the Bai family as his own kin, and he was genuinely happy for Bai Zepei’s success in the Imperial Examination, achieving top rank once again.
"Second brother, congratulations!" He gave Bai Zepei a formal bow in celebration.
Bai Zepei glanced at him, a sincere smile spreading across his lips, "Thanks."
The surrounding crowd, hearing the Bai family’s conversation, pressed forward, all clamoring to see what the top ranker looked like. Some even held up their children and boldly exclaimed, "Top rank sir, please touch my son’s head, so he might someday also achieve the rank of scholar!"
Bai Zepei was taken aback, but in the end, he raised his hand and gently touched the child’s head.
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Thank you to Book Friends "Crazy Woman╰Just For You", "『if...』", "Ming Yue Sky", "Meng", and "D?n?n?°" for your rewards. Thank you, everyone. Mwah~