Days passed neither too quickly nor too slowly, and before long, it was the 19th day of the Second Month.

When Zhao Huanxi and Zhao Huanrong went to Dunyi Hall to practise swordsmanship with Guogong Yé, Zhao Huanxu happened to be in Guogong Yé’s study. Guogong Yé, smiling cheerfully, appeared to be in good spirits.

Seeing Zhao Huanxi arrive, Guogong Yé asked, “Huanxi, was there a ten-day exam at the Imperial Academy today?”

旬考 - ten-day examination; the academy granted students a day off every ten days, with an examination conducted the day before the break to assess what they had studied.

Zhao Huanxi replied, “Yes.”

“How did you do?”

Zhao Huanxi scratched the back of his head in slight embarrassment. “Ninth place in the class.”

Guogong Yé nodded and said, “Not too bad.”

From the side, Zhao Huanxu remarked, “Huanxi, if you encounter anything you don’t understand in your studies, feel free to come and ask me. There’s no need to trouble your wife’s brother to keep coming over to our house. If outsiders saw, they might think we Tang brothers don’t get along well.”

Guogong Yé added, “Huanxu ranked third in the academy in this ten-day exam. Huanxi, you should consult Huanxu more often.”

Zhao Huanxi glanced at Zhao Huanxu, who was smiling at him warmly. He merely responded with a soft “En.”

Guogong Yé turned to Zhao Huanxi and said, “I heard from your mother that you’ll be taking the entrance examination for Canglan Academy tomorrow. Why don’t you skip tonight’s sword practice and go home to study instead?”

Zhao Huanxi thought for a moment and said, “Alright, I’ll head back then.”

Guogong Yé nodded.

Zhao Huanxu said, “Zufu, I’ll go back and study too.”

Guogong Yé replied, “Go on.”

After the two left, Zhao Huanrong bowed and said, “Zufu, Sun’er takes One’s leave.”

Guogong Yé said, “You’re not studying, so what are you taking leave for? Come, to the training grounds.”

Zhao Huanrong: “….…”

He had always thought he was only allowed to practice here thanks to Huanxi’s presence. The idea of his grandfather personally teaching him never crossed his mind, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Guogong Yé had already walked over. Seeing Zhao Huanrong standing there in a daze, he patted him on the shoulder and said, “What are you standing around for? Let’s go.”

Zhao Huanrong snapped out of it, his eyes momentarily feeling warm. He followed Guogong Yé to the small training grounds.

Zhao Huanxi and Zhao Huanxu walked one after the other on their way to the back courtyard. When they reached the fork leading to the Fifth Branch and Jiaxiang House, Zhao Huanxu called out to Zhao Huanxi again.

“You’re really going back to study? You don’t actually think, with your level, you have any chance the chance of getting into Canglan Academy? They probably gave you an exam invitation just to return the favor for the meal you treated them to last time. Do you really think you have any talent?” Zhao Huanxu mocked.

Zhao Huanxi shot back, “You have talent, but you still couldn’t get in, right?”

Zhao Huanxu, enraged and embarrassed, snapped, “Just because I didn’t get in last year doesn’t mean I won’t get in this year. But you, stop dreaming and stay in your Imperial Academy with your bunch of sycophants and troublemakers!” With that, he flicked his sleeve and walked off.

Zhao Huanxi returned to Shenhui Courtyard, feeling gloomy.

Xu Nian’an, who was embroidering boot tops with Yisu, looked up when he entered and asked in surprise, “Why are you back so soon? Does Zufu have something on tonight?”

Seeing that both Yisu and Mingli were present, Zhao Huanxi didn’t say much. He simply nodded and replied, “I’ll go to the study to read.”

After he left, Mingli remarked, “Why does Gu Yé look so down? Could it be that Guogong Yé scolded him?”

Yisu whispered, “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Xu Nian’an thought for a moment, then put down her embroidery, adjusted her sleeves, and stood up. She took the tea pot and cups and went to the study.

In the study, only a small lamp on the desk was lit. In its dim light, Zhao Huanxi, with his dark eyebrows, red lips, and glowing skin, rested one hand on the book while his right arm lay on the desk, his chin resting on his arm, looking like a child as he leaned there.

Xu Nian’an entered the study, closed the door behind her, set the tea tray on his desk, then walked over and gently touched his hair, asking softly, “What happened? Why are you unhappy?”

Zhao Huanxi knocked over the book he was propping up, buried his face in his arm, and muttered sulkily, “I don’t want to go to Canglan Academy for the entrance exam tomorrow.”

“Why not?”

“I won’t pass anyway, and I’ll just be ridiculed for no reason.”

“Who ridiculed you?”

Zhao Huanxi turned his head, revealing half of his handsome profile, and said, “Zhao Huanxu. He’s so hypocritical. He tells Zufu I can come to him for help if I don’t understand anything, but then mocks me outside.”

“So that’s why you’re upset and don’t want to take the exam tomorrow?” Xu Nian’an asked.

Zhao Huanxi sat up, lowered his head, and muttered, “En.”

“Then aren’t you falling right into his trap?” Xu Ni’an said.

Zhao Huanxi was taken aback and looked up at her. “What do you mean?”

Xu Nian’an moved over, nudged him aside, and sat beside him in the chair. She asked, “Have you ever thought about why he chose today, of all days, to mock you, right before the exam? What good does it do him?”

Zhao Huanxi replied, “He’s always looked down on me and seizes any chance to mock me. What good would it do?”

Xu Nian’an shook her head. “It’s not as simple as you think. None of us know the selection criteria for Canglan Academy. Zhao Huanxu is already well-known for his literary talent, so his writing must be good. Yet, he still hasn’t been chosen by Canglan Academy, which suggests that their criteria aren’t just about good writing. Zhao Huanxu must know this.

“He hasn’t been accepted by Canglan Academy in the past, and with the pressure this year, it’s even worse, especially since you’ve received an exam invitation. Do you know why he mocked you today? It’s because he’s feeling anxious. He’s always looked down on you, and both inside and outside the residence, people say you’re not as good as him. But if you manage to pass the exam and he doesn’t, just think of how embarrassing that will be for him.”

Zhao Huanxi laughed. “He’ll be humiliated, big time!”

“Exactly. He’ll be extremely, extremely humiliated. Not only in front of others, but especially in front of Zufu. So, rather than worrying about not getting in, he’s more concerned that you might actually pass. That’s why he deliberately tried to undermine your confidence. This proves that, in his mind, you could pass. After all, you’ve earned the chance to take the exam, which already shows your ability.”

Xu Nian’an spoke as she reached out, cupping his face in her hands, and looked at him with unwavering determination. “Sanlang, don’t do as he wishes. Even if you don’t pass the exam, give it your all. You’re only sixteen. I believe that even if you don’t pass this year, you won’t have to wait until his age to succeed. One day, you’ll prove to everyone that you, Zhao Huanxi, are better than him, Zhao Huanxu, whether in character, talent, or martial skill.”

Zhao Huanxi felt a surge of passion rising in his chest. He nodded forcefully and said, “En!”

With the gloom in his heart lifted, he became mischievous again, wrapping his arms around Xu Nian’an’s waist and asking, “I saw you and Yisu embroidering boot tops just now. Who are you making them for?”

“I’m making them for myself. San Jie said she’ll teach me how to ride,” Xu Ni’an replied.

Zhao Huanxi’s expression became serious. “Learning to ride is a bit dangerous. If you want to learn, wait for my break. I’ll teach you.”

Xu Nian’an smiled and said, “When will you have the time? During your break, you’ll be learning painting from Shang Xiansheng, and Qu Gong will be evaluating your handwriting. Qian Ming will also be asking you to perform in a male dan role and rehearse the play.”

Zhao Huanxi replied, “If you want to learn to ride, I won’t go anywhere. I’ll teach you myself.”

“No need, I’ve already promised San Jie. What, don’t you trust her?” Xu Nian’an asked.

“It’s not that,” Zhao Huanxi said. “Her riding skills used to be quite good, but after marrying into Ding Guogong Residence, she hasn’t ridden for years. I’m worried she’s gotten rusty. Plus, she’ll be teaching you. I’m afraid that’s not a good idea.” Zhao Huanxi frowned slightly.

“It’s fine. Don’t you know me? I’m very timid. I’d be scared even if you were carrying me while running, let alone riding a horse. If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll just watch San Jie ride,” Xu Nian’an said.

Zhao Huanxi thought back to the time when he had carried her back to Shenhui Courtyard and she got angry. He couldn’t help but laugh and said, “You’re right, you are pretty timid.”

Xu Nian’an, annoyed, punched him lightly and said, “Even if I’m timid, I didn’t cry.”

Zhao Huanxi’s face turned red, and he retorted, “Who cried?”

“You cried more than once.”

“I haven’t cried in a long time.”

“Ten days…”

Xu Nian’an wanted to say, “Ten days is considered a long time?” but Zhao Huanxi caught on to her hint, leaned in, and kissed her lips. It had been ten days since that last kiss, and he had been thinking about it for so long. Now, with the chance to silence her, why not take it?

“You still…” Xu Nian’an noticed his intention and tried to protest, but he leaned in again, this time holding the kiss firmly.

Xu Nian’an raised her hand to punch him twice, but her hand ended up gripping the fabric on his shoulder.

✦

The next day was a rest day (for the academies and court), and Yin Furen asked Zhao Huanxi to go and report to Guogong Yé.

When Zhao Huanxi arrived at Dunyi Hall, Zhao Huanxu was already there.

He greeted Guogong Yé with a bright expression and said, “Zufu, I’m heading to the exam.”

With both of his grandsons set to take the exam at Canglan Academy, Guogong Yé was pleased. He said, “Good, you and Huanxu go together, and be careful on the way.”

The two brothers acknowledged him and left Dunyi Hall. Once outside, Zhao Huanxu noticed that Zhao Huanxi seemed to have shaken off the gloom and dejection from the previous day. Surprised, he couldn’t help but say, “You really have no self-awareness.”

Zhao Huanxi lifted his head, straightened his back, and ignored him as he walked ahead, saying, “You should worry about yourself. If I pass the exam and you don’t, where will you put your face?”

Zhao Huanxu, hit by the most hidden worry in his heart, changed his expression and sneered, “The sun’s already up, and you still haven’t woken up?”

Zhao Huanxi raised his chin, snorted, deliberately left him behind, and strode forward, thinking to himself: Even if I don’t pass, at least I’ll annoy you!

The two rode horses out of the Guogong Residence, with Zhao Huanxi leading the way, not wanting to ride alongside Zhao Huanxu. Zhao Huanxu, unwilling to lose, chased after him.

When they reached the official road outside the West City Gate, Zhao Huanxi was galloping ahead when, unexpectedly, a man pushing a cart by the roadside suddenly tilted the cart into the middle of the road, as if he had twisted his ankle.

Zhao Huanxi was startled and quickly urged his horse to jump over the cart, narrowly avoiding it and continuing forward.

Zhao Huanxu, two horse lengths behind, wasn’t able to react in time and crashed into the cart, tumbling off his horse and landing hard.

Zhao Huanxi heard the shout behind him and reined in his horse, looking back. He saw Zhao Huanxu’s horse struggling to rise while Zhao Huanxu sat on the ground, blood streaming from a head injury. The man who had pushed the cart hurried to help Zhao Huanxu, but his gait was normal-he hadn’t sprained his ankle.

Zhao Huanxi quickly realized that the man had intended for him to be the one affected, and it was no accident.

The people who would benefit from him failing the exam were obviously from the Fifth Branch.

Even if he didn’t pass the exam, the fact that they would resort to such underhanded tactics revealed just how malicious they were. If Zhao Huanxu were to inherit the title of Guogong in the future, would they stop targeting him?

If not, what could he rely on to protect his mother, Dong Jiejie, and others?

No, he regretted that thinking. He couldn’t let the Fifth Branch inherit the title. As the legitimate eldest grandson, as long as he proved himself superior to Zhao Huanxu in every way, Zufu had no reason to give the title away to Zhao Huanxu.

Even if, in the future, he became the Jing Guogong, and his mother and Nian’an had to suffer, it would still be better than being powerless against others who harbour evil intentions.