At the entrance of the Guo residence, as they returned, Guo Yiyao and Qiu Ye had already removed their veiled hats. The medicine packages in their hands were concealed by the hats, so no one could tell they were hiding anything.
The moment her right foot stepped into the courtyard, a maid waiting at the door of her room hurried forward, her face etched with worry. "Miss, the matron from the Madam's courtyard came by a quarter of an hour ago. She knew you were out and said you must go to the main courtyard immediately upon your return."
Guo Yiyao's heart leapt into her throat, her breath catching for a moment. She returned to her room first to straighten her dress and adjust her makeup before heading to the main courtyard with Qiu Ye.
The woman sitting on the daybed had slightly upturned phoenix eyes, a gentle smile playing on her lips.
Guo Yiyao curtsied, greeting respectfully, "Mother."
A flicker of displeasure crossed Liu Fufeng's face. "You went out today?"
Guo Yiyao lowered her chin, adopting a meek and submissive demeanor. "Yes. I heard a new delicacy shop opened on Wuyi Street, famous for its delicious braised dishes. I thought to buy some for Father and Mother to try first. But the shop was so crowded there was barely room to stand, so I had no choice but to return."
The warmth in Liu Fufeng's eyes gradually chilled. "The wedding is in three months. You should stay home during this time to properly prepare. Leave such trivial matters to the servants in the future."
Guo Yiyao clenched her fist inside her sleeve, but on the surface, she nodded obediently in agreement.
After she left, the matron beside Liu Fufeng showed a look of disdain. "The eldest young miss is deep and cunning, always finding new ways to curry favor with the Master. Just some common street food, yet she goes to buy it herself? She's clearly planning to present it to the Master to claim credit."
Liu Fufeng's face was cold. "She has always been calculating. Otherwise, why would the Master remain so firm about the Meng family marriage?"
The matron lowered her voice. "If Madam cannot persuade the Master, perhaps we can approach this marriage from the Meng family's side."
"The Meng family has had only one male heir for three generations, they treat the continuation of the family line as paramount. If the eldest young miss were to be... infertile, the Old Madam Meng would certainly not agree to the marriage. Then, Madam could rightfully replace the candidate with the second young miss."
Liu Fufeng's eyebrows, sharp as swords, furrowed. After a moment's thought, she raised her head and motioned for the matron to come closer.
"Quietly find a physician. Figure out an undetectable way to tamper with Guo Yiyao's food. Be quick."
The matron bowed and retreated. "This old servant will see to it at once."
Song Qiming left the academy and went to the Ye residence.
Since formally taking Song Qiming as his disciple, Ye Liangyu had added another desk to his study.
"The academy's monthly exam is in three days. How is your preparation?"
Song Qiming's voice was firm and resolute. "Do not worry, Teacher. This student will surely advance to the Inner Lodge this time."
Ye Liangyu studied Song Qiming and asked, "Have you encountered any trouble at the academy recently?"
Thinking of his Outer Lodge classmates who kept their distance, and of Yan Baoyi's repeated provocations, Song Qiming's gaze fell to the desk. He clenched his jaw tightly, then immediately released it.
"My classmates are somewhat aloof, but the Outer Lodge instructors treat everyone equally and have not given me a hard time. I can handle minor troubles myself."
Recalling what his friend had said, Ye Liangyu fell into thoughtful silence for a long moment, looking at Song Qiming as if reaching a decision.
Yang Yanfeng obtained Song Qiming's daily assignments from an Outer Lodge instructor. After reviewing them, he confirmed the young man indeed had the talent of a top scholar.
The Outer Lodge curriculum was relatively simple. Wanting to gauge Song Qiming's true depth, Yang Yanfeng devised a rather difficult essay question on policy and had the Outer Lodge instructor assign it to all students.
After the essays were submitted, Yang Yanfeng read Song Qiming's piece three times. A weak, helpless smile lifted the corner of his mouth as he shook his head with a bitter laugh.
Li Tianchong's eye was as sharp as ever. Among so many students, he had truly managed to pick out a genius.
During the midday meal, Guo Yiyao stared at the crab on the table with suspicion. "Why is the main courtyard suddenly willing to send crab to me this year?"
Qiu Ye said with a smile, "Perhaps it's because the young miss is soon to marry into the Meng family. Considering the Meng family's status and the Master's face, Madam might be trying to show goodwill."
"However, crab is cooling in nature. It would be best if the young miss did not eat it."
Physician Song had explicitly warned against consuming raw, cold, or cooling foods. Since returning from the clinic, Guo Yiyao had been especially careful about her diet, not even touching pastries anymore.
"It would be a waste not to eat what's been sent. I'll reward you with half. Have the rest distributed among the others."
"Thank you, miss."
Qiu Ye moved the crab to the side, planning to clear it away after Guo Yiyao finished her meal.
In the afternoon, the kitchen sent a plate of persimmons to Guo Yiyao's desk, along with many fattening sweets.
In the middle of the night, Qiu Ye made several urgent trips to the outhouse in her sleep, seriously suspecting she had eaten too much crab during the day.
The next day at noon, frowning at the returned iced dessert, Guo Yiyao felt uneasy.
She took out the list of foods to avoid, written for her by Song Jinzhao, which included raw, cold, and cooling items. Staring at the dishes on the table, her brow furrowed deeply.
She set down her chopsticks and whispered to Qiu Ye, "Go quietly to the kitchen and find out who ordered these dishes and pastries to be sent over the last two days. Don't let anyone see you."
Qiu Ye first raised an eyebrow, then thought of yesterday's crab and her own multiple bouts of diarrhea during the night.
Her heart sank with a thud, a sense of foreboding washing over her.
Her expression turning serious, she bowed. "This maid will go and inquire at once."
By the afternoon, Qiu Ye hurried back into the room. "Miss, it was Nanny Lu from the Madam's side who gave the orders. She said the weather is hot, and since the young miss has a sweet tooth, chilled drinks and pastries must not be lacking. Even the fruit must be iced before being sent."
The needle she was using to embroider her wedding dress pricked her finger, but Guo Yiyao seemed not to feel the pain.
Master and maid stood frozen in place, one sitting, one standing, for a very long time, until Guo Yiyao used a handkerchief to wipe the blood from her finger.
"Let's play along. Make them think I ate it."
Qiu Ye's eyes reddened. She lowered her head, holding back her emotions. "Yes."
For three consecutive days, Nanny Lu came before Liu Fufeng as if to claim credit. "Madam, everything is proceeding smoothly with the eldest young miss. The physician said it will take effect in two months."
Liu Fufeng nodded with satisfaction, her mind already picturing Guo Yiyao's face, filled with despair, upon hearing the physician's diagnosis once it was done.
At the end of the month, during the academy examinations, Yan Baoyi stared at the rankings posted on the board, his face livid. His fists, hanging at his sides, began to tremble involuntarily, his back teeth clenched so tightly they seemed about to shatter.
Once again, Song Qiming had pressed him down into second place. It was utterly infuriating.
The Outer Lodge classmates gathered around saw his expression and quickly lowered their heads to leave.
When the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer. They had no desire to be those fish.
Song Gaoli placed a disappointed hand on Song Qiming's shoulder. "I was so close to entering the Inner Lodge."
Out of a hundred students taking the exam, only the top ten could advance. Song Gaoli had placed fifteenth.
Song Qiming patted his back in return. "Don't worry. There's an exam every month. Keep working hard, and you'll surely make the top ten next month."
Song Gali nodded vigorously. "I will definitely come to the Inner Lodge to find you next month."
Yan Baoyi's eyes were fixed like death on Song Qiming and Song Gaoli talking not far away, as if he wanted to devour them.
Song Gaoli felt a chill run down his spine. He turned and met a pair of eyes fiercer than any ghost's.
Turning back, he grabbed Song Qiming's arm forcefully and said, "Yan Baoyi failed to surpass you in the exam again. Looking at his expression, he seems like he wants to drink your blood and eat your flesh. Once we're in the inner school, with Master Ding backing him, he'll definitely target you even more."
Song Qiming's expression remained calm, showing no trace of fear. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. It depends on what they plan to do. I'll counter their moves one by one and won't retreat a single step."
On the first day of entering the inner school, Master Ding placed Song Qiming at the very last row near the back door.
During the lesson, out of the ten students who had advanced to the inner school, only Song Qiming was never called upon to answer a question. Master Ding didn't even glance his way once.
The students in the room keenly sensed that Master Ding seemed to hold some dislike for Song Qiming.
This year's top scholar in the county examination, and first place in the inner school entrance exam—shouldn't such a student be a teacher's favorite?
Why did it feel like he was being treated as if he didn't exist?
Su Luobai, sitting in the middle, let his gaze shift between Song Qiming and Master Ding.
Song Qiming had been at the academy for less than a month. Had something unpleasant happened in between?
After class, Su Luobai walked over and sat down beside Song Qiming's desk.
Seeing it was him, Song Qiming's eyes curved, his face showing indescribable trust. "Brother Luobai."
Su Luobai smiled and praised, "I knew you could do it. You've become my classmate so quickly."
"It went fairly smoothly. The academy is just as you described, Brother Luobai—there are too many talented classmates. If I don't work hard, it would be terrible if I got left behind."
Su Luobai lowered his voice slightly and asked, "Do you have some grievance with Master Ding? His attitude towards you seems a bit off."
The smile instantly vanished from Song Qiming's face.
"I have no grievance with him. Today was even our first meeting. However, Master Ding's disciple, Yan Baoyi, was the second-place candidate in this year's academy examination. He dislikes me. Back in the outer school, apart from Gao Li, almost no one dared to befriend me."
Su Luobai recalled the student Master Ding Weiyue had praised twice earlier. He turned to look and happened to meet Yan Baoyi's gaze, which was filled with needle-like contempt.
"What place did he get in this inner school advancement exam?"
Song Qiming tilted his head. "Second place. I got first."
Su Luobai swallowed hard, murmuring to himself, "No wonder."
Being constantly overshadowed by someone—a narrow-minded person would surely hold a grudge.
"He's already become Master Ding's disciple, yet you still surpassed him. That's quite impressive."
Song Qiming gestured for Su Luobai to lean his ear closer and whispered, "Master Ye has taken me as his disciple."
Su Luobai's eyes widened in disbelief, staring fixedly at Song Qiming's face. He opened his mouth with difficulty to confirm, "The formal kind? With the bowing ceremony and offering tea?"
Song Qiming nodded emphatically. "It happened just a few days ago. But even before the formal ceremony, my teacher had always looked after me."
Su Luobai's eyes went vacant, his thoughts in disarray.
This was a living example of the latecomer surpassing the old-timers, truly the student surpassing the master.
"How did you win over Master Ye? He doesn't even give face to the other teachers at the academy."
Song Qiming raised his right hand, bending his fingers down one by one.
"Personal connections, plus talent, plus hard work, plus perseverance. Not a single one can be missing."
Su Luobai felt thoroughly crushed.
All that worry for nothing. If others knew Song Qiming was Ye Liangyu's disciple, who would dare bully him?
Not rushing over to call him 'big brother' would already count as being restrained.
When Yang Yanfeng entered the lecture hall, he didn't see Song Qiming at first glance. It was only after stepping onto the platform that he noticed Song Qiming sitting at the very back, while Yan Baoyi was in the best seat in the third row.
They couldn't even wait past the first day.
Everyone in the hall noticed that Master Ding never called on Song Qiming once, while Master Yang, on the contrary, praised Song Qiming highly.
The other eight students who had advanced from the outer school sat in their seats, looking down, their eyes shifting. The situation seemed a bit off; they didn't know how things would unfold next.
Would Song Qiming break through successfully, or would he end up like in the outer school—solitary, a lone figure, becoming invisible?
Watching Master Yang praise Song Qiming, Yan Baoyi's brows furrowed tightly, his eyes filled with displeasure. He needed to ask his teacher to have a word with Master Yang.
The unlit backyard could only be illuminated by the moon hanging in the sky.
Qingshuang lay on the ground, her whole body soaked with sweat as if she had just climbed out of water.
Song Jinzhao sat on a chair nearby, legs crossed, her voice emerging from her throat. "Can't even last an hour?"
Qingshuang pushed herself up slowly with her hands. Sweat flowed into her eyes, causing a sharp sting and burning sensation in her eyelids.
"I can hold on. Please continue, Miss."
In the woodshed, Fushun, exhausted from a busy day, was already fast asleep, his snores echoing in the room, loud enough to keep others awake.
Lanxi lay by the window, his gaze fixed intently on the two practicing martial arts in the courtyard, his eyes full of envy.
He looked down at his own leg bound in splints and his arm suspended in a sling, took a deep breath, and fell back onto the bed.
His eyes were closed, but his ears remained pricked, listening intently.
Inside the clinic, Song Jinzhao reviewed the account books from the past few days. The food shop's business had now stabilized, with daily profits around twenty taels of silver.
They braised twice a day. The batch made in the morning would sell out before lunch. The batch braised at noon would be cleared out before 5 PM in the afternoon.
It was a bit insufficient to meet demand. They needed to negotiate with suppliers for more raw materials and increase their stock.
With the business stable, they could start considering looking for a house.
"Doctor! Doctor!" Urgent shouts came from outside the shop. Song Shixue, who had been reading a medical book handwritten by Song Jinzhao, suddenly looked up.
Seeing a burly man rushing in carrying another man whose head was wrapped in cloth, she quickly put down the book and called out, "Elder Sister, a patient is here."
She hurried out from behind the counter and had the burly man place the injured man on a wheelchair.
Just as Song Jinzhao was about to reach out to unwrap the cloth, the burly man stopped her with a puzzled look. "Are there any other physicians here?"
Song Shixue's hands, holding a tray, froze instantly.
Song Jinzhao straightened up, staring directly at the burly man. "We only have female physicians here. Will you accept treatment or not?"
The burly man's eyes shifted between Song Jinzhao and Song Shixue's faces. They could run a clinic, so they must know how to treat illnesses.
"Yes, treat him, Doctor. My brother fell from a cart and hit a stone lion by the roadside. He lost consciousness on the spot. The wound kept bleeding profusely, and it hasn't stopped yet."
He had already rushed to three other clinics, but the resident physicians weren't there. If he had to find another one, he was truly afraid the man would die on the way.
Song Jinzhao unwrapped the cloth binding the man's head. There was significant blood loss.
While pressing a gauze pad against the man's bleeding wound, she asked, "When did the impact happen? Did he regain consciousness at any point?"
The burly man replied, "Half an hour ago. He woke up once in between, kept crying out in pain, and then lost consciousness again not long after."
