A good omen for a good person

  The eldest uncle is a man of elegant appearance and refined manners, who is said to be fond of painting and poetry. However, no matter how talented he is, it's hard to avoid the expectations placed on him by his family. Although still young, he has already gone through two imperial examinations, only to fail both times, despite ranking high in the exams. Now, he even has to take the provincial exam with his wife's younger brother. But this year is an exception. Originally, the autumn examination was held every other year, and last year there was also a spring examination. However, for some unknown reason, perhaps because of the emperor's good mood or some other purpose, another provincial examination will be held this spring to increase the number of candidates, making it easier to hold the metropolitan examination next year. As usual, official families tend to know about this news before ordinary people do, so young men from these families who are preparing for the exam have been eagerly waiting and hoping to pass the imperial examination smoothly.

  The Second Master Jin Mu Xun had his heart set on making a name for himself in this imperial examination, and if it weren't for the Old Mistress sending someone to the academy to call him back, he would probably still be there studying hard. So when the Eldest Uncle arrived, he was invited to the study, where they chatted with the Old Master until noon, after which the Eldest Uncle naturally stayed for lunch. The men were all in the front courtyard, and of course the women wouldn't have any contact with them. Xian Yi secretly observed Dong Jing, seeing that she had no energy every day, listless as if she was ill, but it was unclear whether her body really wasn't feeling well or if she was just pretending.

  Xian Yi was watching others, but didn't think that they were also watching her. At the age of 14, although still young, she had already shed more than half of her childishness. In the eyes of women in this era, she was already a big girl. The madam sized up Xian Yi, who looked like a tender peach, and hesitated again. But Zeng Nian's nanny came over and whispered: "Now that Chun Jing has had children, the big girl will have to take care of her body too. If this matter is not decided quickly..."

  The old lady clenched her fists, thinking of her daughter's mother-in-law, and then remembered the troubles of this family, her headache worsened, so she asked: "I don't know what happened to Ling, insisting on having this girl, not afraid of inviting more trouble in the future."

  "It's also because our eldest miss has good eyesight, you see..." Zeng Nainai said with a smile, nodding her head.

  The madam raised her eyes and took a look, and there, standing outside, was the fairy-like girl in her bright clothes. The winter scene beside her was simply incomparable. She counted the maids in the room again, and they were either stupid or plain-looking. If they were sent over, it would be an insult to Xiu Zhu's heart.

  The lady fell silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Only Zeng Yiniang made an excuse to come out from inside and exchanged a glance with Dong Jing, smiled slightly and then slipped away.

  After Zeng's wife left, Chen's wife entered the main house and saw the madam leaning on a soft couch resting her mind. She didn't dare disturb her and could only stand aside waiting. The madam hadn't actually fallen asleep, but she felt uneasy in her heart, so she thought about letting it out for a while before speaking up after a moment: "Back yet?"

  "Yes, madam," Chen hurriedly stepped forward and curtsied.

  "What did he say?" The little servant beside the eldest maternal uncle was personally received by Chen's mother, just to ask about the situation of the eldest girl. Even if that little servant was a man, it was better than not getting any news at all.

  "Madam Chen glanced at Madame's expression and suddenly said: 'Replying to Madam, I heard that recently the eldest uncle has been resting in the study.'"

  The madam opened her eyes and asked suspiciously: "Is there no one else?"

  "Alone."

  "What about Ling's mother-in-law then?" The madam thought of that woman and felt displeased.

  "It was originally some thoughts, but was scolded by Lang Zhong. Said to be disturbing Da Gu Ye reading, if this time again not pass, then the responsibility will have to be borne by Qinqie Furen." Chen Yini actually only heard the first sentence, the second sentence is her own addition, thinking that if Furen really has a plan, she must consider it carefully.

  As expected, the lady sat up and thought for a moment before saying: "I know what to do. I'll get someone to advise Ling's sister, we must let Master Gao pass the imperial examination, otherwise our family can't bear the responsibility."

  Chen Ayi let out a sigh of relief and hastily stepped forward to say a few flattering words, which made Madame's attitude towards her soften slightly.

  Xian Yi still didn't know that her mother had thought of a way to help her get through this again, she was only thinking that Lady Han's condition was getting worse and worse, if Lady Han really passed away, then Jin Fenghua would likely leave the Jin Manor, at that time she would no longer be able to find him for help. In desperation, on this night, coincidentally Jin Fenghua took her to care for Lady Han, she took the opportunity on the way back to express the anxiety that had been weighing on her heart for many days.

  "Do you really want to follow me, or do you just want me to help you resolve the immediate threat?" Jin Fenghua walked ahead, suddenly stopping, almost causing Xian Yi to bump into his back.

  “Servant...” Xian Yi originally wanted to say some insincere words, but under the moonlight, Jin Fenghua's expression was unusually serious. She couldn't help but sigh and say: “I am a servant born into the Jin family. Third Young Master can leave the Jin family without any worries, but I cannot. I still have my mother, and the contract for my mother's and my servitude is in Madame's hands. If I were to casually follow you, that would be considered escaping from servitude...”

  "If I could get hold of your and your mother's contract of sale?" Jin Fenghua said slowly, as if it were a hypothesis.

  Xian Yi saw that he wasn't angry and smiled, saying: "We still need to go to the government office to transfer ownership. Without Madame's seal, we are still slaves of the Jin Manor."

  "These you don't need to worry about, I'm just saying, if I can take you away, completely according to the law, are you willing?" Jin Fenghua asked again.

  Xian Yi looked puzzled and unconsciously asked, "I'm just a weak woman, why is Third Young Master being so thoughtful?"

  Jin Fenghua surprisingly thought for a moment before saying seriously: "My mother likes you."

  "That slave can stay here to take care of Madame Han, besides, Madame Han is more close to Pan Tao, in the future when Madame Han and Third Master leave the mansion, as long as there's an opportunity, this slave will definitely go visit." Xian Yi said sincerely, however, even if Madame Han could leave the Jin Mansion with Jin Feng Hua, she wouldn't want Jin Feng Hua to worry about her more.

  "My mother... it's no use, no matter how I try to think of a way, it's just no use, just like that time... only the time has been prolonged by several months..." Jin Fenghua seemed to have fallen into reminiscence, but the next moment he suddenly leaned in close to Xianyi, looking at her with an inquiring gaze, as if muttering to himself: "But you're different, you're very strange, you're an exception... so, apart from my mother's reason, I also want to keep you by my side."

  "What for?" Xian Yi's eyes sparkled with excitement and skepticism, making her heart flutter.

  "I want to see... when you will die." Golden Windhua continued with a strange tone.

  A chill ran up her spine as a creepy feeling crawled from the base of her neck, Xian Yi shuddered violently, unable to force out a smile. She was even regretting why she had come to collude with this abnormal person despite knowing better.

  "Don't be afraid..." Jin Fenghua stretched out his hand and stroked the hair of Xian Yi's clothes like a pet, saying in a low voice: "Actually, I just asked, anyway you will be leaving with me soon."

  "What for?" Looking at Jin Fenghua's determined look, Xian Yi couldn't help but ask.

  "I'm fed up." Jin Fenghua's delicate pink lips pursed into a straight line.

  "What?" Xian Yi felt like she had become stupid, completely unable to keep up with Jin Fenghua's rhythm.

  Jin Fenghua suddenly changed the subject and said, "I don't like others prying into my things, so you won't become someone else's concubine. As for your mother, I'll send her somewhere else after a while. Just follow me."

  Isn't that a hostage? Xian Yi's heart suddenly filled with anger, but she didn't dare ask again.

  "Don't worry, it's just that where I'm going with you isn't suitable for her to follow. My mother also likes your mother, so I won't mistreat her. As long as she can live comfortably in retirement, that's all." Jin Fenghua seemed to have understood Xian Yi's thoughts and rarely explained himself.

  Xian Yi had already been mentioned by him time and again, leaving Jin Fu, making his thoughts chaotic.

  "Ugh, it's really boring...!" Jin Fenghua suddenly hugged Xianyi and jumped onto the roof of the house, then pointed at the five-entry courtyard and sneered: "It looks grand and luxurious, but it's actually incredibly shabby."

  Xian Yi didn't say anything good, actually most wealthy families are like this.

  Just then, Jinfenghua's eyes lit up, and she hugged the fairy clothes and rushed towards the fifth alley. The fairy clothes didn't dare to resist, could only hold onto Jinfenghua's neck, feeling the cold night wind, but found that Jinfenghua's lower body was extremely stable, her lightness skills were flying without shaking, only felt the night scene quickly moving backwards, but didn't feel uncomfortable, slowly, she also relaxed.

  "This is... " Hou Jie Xian Yi wasn't particularly familiar with the back alleys, but had been here before. This was where the lower-ranking people of the Jin Fu lived, mostly individual families, not suitable for those who resided in the rear courtyard of the Jin Fu.

  "Look!" Golden Windhua jumped down from the rooftop, flashed into the alleyway, and a person walked over from the other end of the narrow street, somewhat familiar, but Xianyi couldn't recall who it was.

  However, this person was not very familiar, but another sneaky ghostly figure, Xian Yi, was recognizable. Even though she wrapped her hair and half of her face with a headscarf, those eyes and the width of her forehead were what Xian Yi often saw in her daily life.

  "How could it be Yu Shuang? It's so late, how did she come out?" Xian Yi whispered, leaning on Jin Fenghua's shoulder.

  Jin Fenghua felt a gentle breeze brush past his ears, causing a slight tingling sensation that made him feel numb. He couldn't help but become distracted, but when he looked at Xianyi's expression again, he guessed the question in her mind. However, instead of answering, he asked: "Do you recognize the person standing next to her?"

  Xian Yi looked again and shook his head: "I don't know this outsider very well."

  Jin Fenghua didn't know why, but after hearing this, he felt a sense of relief in his heart and a smile involuntarily appeared on the corner of his mouth. However, the words that came out were filled with sarcasm: "Really can't recognize?"

  Xian Yi shook her head again.

  Jin Fenghua stopped selling this gimmick and pointed to the front with one hand, saying: "His surname is Zhao, he will soon go out to be the second shopkeeper."

  Xian Yi only reacted now, this person isn't her cheap fiancé, she had even met him twice and yet forgot completely.