The night was deep.
Hu Yaozu was so busy that his feet barely touched the ground.
After leaving the post station, he still needed to escort Mr. Chu back ho.
Mr. Chu waved dismissively, "No need, I’ve said it’s not on your way, so why bother making this trip every night?"
Hu Yaozu smiled, his deanor neither humble nor arrogant, yet thoughtful and respectful.
"It’s dark, and I can’t rest easy unless I accompany you ho, sir."
Mr. Chu stroked his beard, no longer refusing, unable to hide the smile in his eyes.
There were many people on the street; the Ze County City Gate had no curfew these days, allowing citizens to report to the authorities and co and go as they please.
Once the two left the main road, the number of people around them thinned out.
They could see the Chu Family residence ahead.
Mr. Chu glanced at the sky and spoke, "Once this matter is settled, co to our house to propose."
Hu Yaozu paused in his steps, his hand under his sleeve tightened.
The surroundings were dim, and barely he could see the road by the moonlight. Mr. Chu didn’t notice his unease.
"Today, a nobleperson praised you. If they test your knowledge later, don’t be nervous."
Leaving a good impression is better than anything.
"I will do everything I can to pave the way for you."
"Your qualifications are apparent. After the provincial exam, I will shalessly approach Mr. Zhao in the county city and ask him to take you in. With his guidance, you will benefit greatly."
Mr. Zhao...
Hu Yaozu’s breath beca shallow.
Mr. Zhao was an excellent scholar who had produced many scholars over the years!
How many scholars yearned to study under him.
But Mr. Zhao, having a daughter, was afraid of being too busy to spend ti with his wife and daughter and feared not having enough energy to teach. Though he continued to teach at the academy, he hadn’t personally taken in students in recent years.
This left many scholars sighing in regret.
If he could receive guidance from Mr. Zhao...
Mr. Chu’s efforts exhausted and worried for him, how could he not know his intentions?
Hu Yaozu smiled at Mr. Chu, "It’s kind of you to be concerned, sir."
This was his way of agreeing.
As expected, Mr. Chu laughed in satisfaction, "We shall be family in the future, no need to speak of two households."
Soone was already eagerly waiting at the Chu Family’s door.
It was Miss Chu, Chu Yun.
She had co out to et her father, but also had the thoughts of a girl wanting to see Hu Yaozu.
Holding a lamp, she heard the conversation from afar and blushed instantly.
Chu Yun was overjoyed.
Hu Yaozu was handso and gentle, and cared for others. Over the years, under her father’s guidance in studies, his manners were thoughtful, and he treated her with particular attention and respect.
To marry such a man was truly a blessing for her.
"Father."
She walked over in small steps, supporting Mr. Chu, not daring to look at Hu Yaozu beside them.
Mr. Chu smiled, "Heard everything?"
Seeing Chu Yun was too shy to speak, he smiled and patted his daughter’s hand.
"Alright, you and Yaozu have a chat. I’ll go find your mother."
He intended to let the two of them spend ti together.
Although it was late, Mr. Chu had faith in the student he personally taught. He couldn’t wait for the two young people to deepen their relationship.
Though the Hu Family was from the countryside, he valued Hu Yaozu as an individual.
This boy, given ti, would surely have great achievents. If matters were not set early, soone else might snatch the opportunity.
After Mr. Chu left, Chu Yun beca even more bashful. Her whole body felt flushed. Little did she know that opposite her, Hu Yaozu’s gaze was icy and cold, devoid of any affection for her.
She extended the light in her hand slightly towards Hu Yaozu.
"It’s late, you should head back. Our matter... we’ll discuss it in the future. Father cos ho exhausted, falling asleep quickly, so it’s clear you’ve been worn out too. Take this lantern for so light."
Her voice was both tender and shy.
Hu Yaozu was thinking of another woman.
He had never heard Yu Tingwan speak to him in such a tone.
Yu Tingwan only ever kept him at a distance.
"Brother Hu."
Without a response, Chu Yun tentatively called out.
Hu Yaozu snapped back, gently accepting, "Thank you."
Since a decision was made, his deanor needed to align accordingly.
He took a deep breath and retrieved a carefully crafted wooden hairpin from his coat.
It was sothing he bought for Yu Tingwan.
Still warm from his body temperature.
At this mont, it was offered respectfully with his gentle hands.
"This is of little monetary value, but it’s a token of my regard. I hope you won’t disdain it."
Yes, it was inexpensive.
He intended to buy Wan better things in the future.
Chu Yun’s heart raced.
Since there was a verbal agreent with her father, this was their token of affection.
Hu Yaozu’s attention to detail was ingrained in him; even if others were deceived, he could deceive himself.
The night was cold, yet his voice was surprisingly tender.
"It’s cold outside, Lady Yun, you should go back. I’ll leave after seeing you safely inside."
He watched Chu Yun enter through the door, watched the Chu family’s door close, and when he turned around, the smile on his face vanished abruptly.
Mr. Chu was childless, paving the way for him, also out of personal motives.
He wanted to rise up.
The relationship between him and Mr. Chu was nothing more than mutual exploitation, each taking what they needed.
As for Chu Yun.
She was virtuous and could accommodate Wan in the future.
Hu Yaozu was playing a long ga, confident that everything was within his grasp.
Upon returning to the inn, he couldn’t hide his weariness and just wanted to have a good rest.
But surprisingly, the guest room was empty. Hu Yaozu frowned and quickly walked out, heading down the stairs, and approached the shopkeeper, who was calculating at the counter.
"Shopkeeper, have you seen my elder brother and father?"
The shopkeeper looked up and glanced at the scholar.
"You don’t know?"
"Your father and brother ca back from outside in the evening, looking unwell, and hurriedly took the carriage and left."
Shopkeeper: "They didn’t leave any ssage with . So, I didn’t ask much."
What could have happened? Leaving without a word?
Wasn’t it agreed that they would leave after he had finished?
Hu Yaozu felt inexplicably uneasy.
The waiter, who was wiping tables, stopped what he was doing upon hearing this.
"Probably returned to the village."
In the evening, a group of rchants arrived, ordered a table full of good dishes, and the wine at the inn was not strong enough for their liking. The waiter, having received a tip, went out to the restaurant to buy so. Coincidentally, he bumped into the Hu father and son with Widow Shi.
After all, it was a scandal, and the waiter spoke quite tactfully.
"I overheard that your sister-in-law gave birth, and the household was in an uproar. The child... isn’t doing well."
Hu Yaozu pursed his lips.
His mother was dissatisfied with his sister-in-law, but she had always longed for a grandson. Fearing that her wish had not co true, unrest might have occurred.
Suddenly, he felt a sense of sha.
His elder brother cared a lot about this child; he knew that. Remaining in town was also for his sake.
If sothing did happen to the child, he would be overwheld with guilt.
Not to ntion, rumors of mistreating a granddaughter would bring disgrace to the Hu Family and affect his reputation.
Seeing his poor complexion, the waiter quickly tried to lighten the mood with so good news.
After all, he often heard the Hu brothers ntion their cousin at ho.
With a smile, the waiter said, "Your cousin got married!"
"It’s a pity the roads are closed, or else you could have gone back for a drink and celebrate."
"Congratulations to Hu Xuezhi!"
Hu Yaozu’s face suddenly darkened. His emotions were intense and frightening.
The lantern in his hand slipped and was crushed under his foot.
He moved closer to the waiter, his voice trembling slightly.
"What did you say?"
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