The Exiled Life of the Noble Girl

Chapter 194

Father was often not in the capital, and Mother didn't like to take care of things. The three siblings of the Li Family practically grew up in the Li Family, raised by Li Yi and Li Langyue.

Liu Simo admired his great-grandfather very much and aspired to be a scholar like him from a young age. Of course, it all had to start with the imperial examinations.

Hearing that the Hanlin Academy had a vast collection of books, Liu Simo, who loved reading since childhood, aimed for the top three positions, as only the top three were qualified to stay and work in the Hanlin Academy.

When the exam came that year, Liu Yizhu was on an inspection tour, and the Emperor, in recognition of his hard work and to ease his mind, graciously appointed Liu Simo as the top scorer.

However, after a few days, Liu Simo couldn't help but go to the Liu Family to complain to his mother: "I thought I could go in to read books, but it turns out I have to attend court with the Emperor every day."

Li Mingwei shrugged, "What can I do? Go find your father."

"Mother~"

Liu Simo was exasperated. If his father were here, he would have gone to find him long ago. There was no need to waste time here.

"Don't call me." Li Mingwei looked at him disdainfully, "I'm so smart, how did I give birth to such a fool like you? Do you really think that by reading a lot of books, you can become a scholar like your great-grandfather?"

She asked, "Why was your great-grandfather famous?"

"Because he had good knowledge and produced many outstanding students."

"Wrong!" Li Mingwei didn't expect him to be so naive, so she grabbed his ear, "You've read yourself silly!"

"Your great-grandfather did have good knowledge, but his fame came from teaching the previous Emperor, the current one, and countless princes and grandsons. You, a mere top scorer, if you don't seize the opportunity to climb higher, let others see you, and still complain here, is your brain not working properly?"

Liu Simo quickly realized his mistake. He had never cared about these things before. He looked up at his mother quietly and suddenly realized that she wasn't foolish today.

Didn't Grandma always say that Mother was the dumbest, not knowing anything?

"Why are you looking at your mother like that?" Li Mingwei kicked him and directly drove him away, saying, "Go on, don't come back for the next few months. I'm going to find your father."

"Going to find Father again?"

"What do you mean, 'again'? I haven't seen your father in a long time!"

Well~

Liu Simo calculated. From his Spring Examination until now, it had been at most three months. His mother was the most active in leaving the capital. But at least she still cared about him. She came back from afar just to accompany him for the exam. Although she didn't help much, her spirit was commendable and worthy of praise.

"Take care on your journey, rest a bit more. It's not good to always be rushing around like this."

"I know." Li Mingwei nodded, smiling at him, "By the way, your grandmother brought over a few picture albums today, saying she wanted you to take a look. I picked the most beautiful one for you. See if you like it when you go back later."

"I don't like it. There is an old saying, 'When choosing a wife, choose a virtuous one.' Mother, you can't just focus on appearances."

Li Mingwei clicked her tongue, "Pretending to be righteous!"

But she added, "As long as you are not narrow-minded, fond of arguing, or greedy for power and influence, your father and I have no objections."

Liu Simo fell silent, does he have such poor judgment?

After returning to the Li Family, not long after, Li Langyue brought a picture album to his study, asking him to see if there was anyone he liked.

"Which one did Mother choose?"

Li Langyue pointed to the top book, "This one, the second daughter of the Minister of Rites, who is currently studying at our academy. She appears polite and gentle in daily life."

Liu Simo glanced at the other albums and found that she was not the most beautiful as described by his mother. He chuckled lightly and remarked, "Mother, how can you be so superficial?"

"Just her."

Li Langyue nodded, "I will arrange a meeting. If you both get along well, we can discuss further."

"Alright."

The girls who sent the picture albums were all interested in marrying Liu Simo. Li Langyue set a time and sent invitations to inform them.

Upon hearing that the Li Family had sent an invitation, Yan Yan hurried to the front hall. After reading the invitation, she asked, "Besides our family, did the Li Family send invitations to anyone else?"

The servant bowed, "Miss, no, only our family."

"Really!"

Seeing her daughter's excitement, Yan's Mother couldn't help but pour cold water on her enthusiasm, "The Li Family just wants you to meet first. If it doesn't work out, they will look for other families."

Yan Yan was not too concerned, at least she was the first one, after all.

Yan's parents exchanged a glance, shaking their heads helplessly. They wouldn't have agreed to this marriage if it weren't for her genuine interest. It wasn't that Liu Simo was not good, but they had heard that the Queen's niece, Lin Fu, also had her eyes on him, and their family was weaker. They couldn't afford to offend the Lin Family.

But since things had come to this, Yan's father could only advise, "Be cautious."

"Understood, Father."

Both girls were studying at the academy, and Yan Yan knew who Lin Fu was very well. But she had finally gotten this opportunity and couldn't just let it slip away.

Li Langyue arranged for the two to meet at Tai'an Lake next to the academy. After class, Yan Yan took her maid to the lakeside. She saw Liu Simo waiting in the pavilion and turned to her maid.

"Do I look alright today?"

"You look great. Miss, go ahead. Don't keep Master Liu waiting. I'll wait here."

Yan Yan smiled at her and went to the pavilion alone. Liu Simo heard footsteps and turned to see her, a bit surprised by her somewhat intense gaze. He tentatively asked, "Have we met before?"

Yan Yan nodded gently, they had met many times.

"Oh!"

"Help!"

Before Liu Simo could respond, he heard screams and a splash. He quickly stood up and looked outside, only to see Lin Fu and her people standing by the lake. Yan Yan recognized the person who fell into the water and turned pale, "It's my maid."

As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Simo rushed out and jumped into the water, rescuing the struggling maid.

Lin Fu didn't want him to get into trouble, so she had someone come forward to help. Liu Simo shook off the Lin family's servants and stared at Lin Fu, "Miss Lin, do you know the consequences of harming someone's life?"

"I..."

"Miss Lin, there's no need to say more. I will report this matter tomorrow, and the Emperor will make the decision."

In just one night, accusations of improper upbringing in the Lin family and allowing a Lin family woman to commit murder in public piled up on the Emperor's desk. The Emperor was furious, even the Empress was reprimanded.

A young eunuch handed over a tea cup and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Lin family has sent Miss Lin to Jing'an Temple to reflect on her actions."

"Send her there then, leaving her in the capital will only be a nuisance." The Emperor took the tea cup, took a sip, and looked at the report on Liu Simo, "Yizhu should be returning to the capital next year, right?"

"Yes, if all goes well, Mr. Liu will be able to return to the capital in June next year."

The Emperor closed his eyes and whispered, "As for the Yan family, they are fine. Send some gifts to soothe their hearts."

"As you command."

Once the imperial gifts arrived, both families knew that the Emperor approved of this marriage. The two families discussed and decided to have the betrothal first, and the wedding date would be set after Liu Yizhu and Li Mingwei returned.

Liu Simo, who had only exchanged three sentences with Yan Yan...