Twelfth exam school

  Just as Yang Lan felt strange, Second Sister poked her waist and asked in a low voice, "Do you feel strange?"

  Yang Lan pursed her lips and smiled slightly, with curiosity in her eyebrows and eyes, but she didn't continue the conversation, instead lowering her head to stir the green rice in her bowl.

  The second daughter, Mingyu, glanced at her sixth brother and smiled secretly. Lowering her voice, she said: "He has always been spoiled, even when he grew up, he was not allowed to move out, and still lived in the old lady's warm nest. Who wouldn't gossip about it? But because of the old lady, no one dared to speak out. Anyway, he is the eldest son of the third house, not our second house's business! If we interfere too much, they will not only be ungrateful but also resent us!"

  Yang Lan glanced at her and asked, "But who got scolded?" She asked in a low voice.

  "Who else could it be, but my mother? She originally had good intentions, thinking that after all he's a boy and can't be spoiled like this. But she didn't expect to be scolded by the old lady in such an unreasonable manner, now there's no way to talk about it!" The second daughter's face was full of indignation.

  Yang Lan slightly furrowed her brow, also feeling that this was not proper. How could a boy be so pampered? She remembered that by the time her second brother was this age, he already had a resolute face and was managing his own small courtyard outside the house on his own. He would often listen to discussions about state affairs with their father and eldest brother in the study, and sometimes even ask questions or offer suggestions.

  To know that from a young age, the children in their family have all been like this, regardless of whether they are boys or girls, they discuss things together, each expressing their own opinions, gradually cultivating the children's ability to handle matters, correcting and making up for mistakes in time, and slowly but surely becoming more capable. How can an 8- or 9-year-old still be so childish? To know that in ancient times, a 15-year-old boy was already considered an adult who could discuss marriage and go out on his own to make friends and gain experience.

  The second daughter interrupted Yang Lan's thoughts and whispered, "In the future, you should also avoid the third sister and sixth brother. They are Grandma's favorites, I don't know how many times I've been scolded for them. There are more interesting things than this!"

  Then she asked again: "I heard that the husband invited by your aunt is very fierce, are you going to class with us tomorrow?"

  Yang Lan glanced at everyone and quietly said, "Lin Fuzi is very skilled, you follow him and learn well, you won't go wrong. Tomorrow I won't be with you all to study, I'm going into the palace, let's talk when I get back."

  Just as the two were chatting happily, San Guniang Mingyuan had been ignored all along and felt embarrassed. She raised her voice and said with a smile: "What are Sixth Sister and Second Sister talking about? Why are they so happy? Let us have some fun too?"

  Everyone's attention was drawn to the two little people, who were chatting enthusiastically with their heads together! For a moment, they didn't notice and were caught off guard by everyone staring at them, and they looked a bit dazed.

  Yang Lan's expression changed the most, and she was the first to laugh: "Second sister asked me if Lin Fuzi is very fierce and would bully us. I told Second Sister that Lin Fuzi is very talented, proficient in poetry, songs, and essays, and even needlework is extremely outstanding. We were just talking about this!" She smiled a little awkwardly.

  The third girl pouted and muttered: "I thought you were going to say something secret?"

  Third Aunt smiled and said, "Look at the two of you, still following one person around! Lan'er, why don't you take our Wenyu to play too? It's only right that sisters should be close to each other. Just look at Mingyu sitting alone over there, how pitiful!"

  This means Yang Lan is not united with her sisters and should not have left San Guniang Mingyue sitting alone.

  Yang Lan was suddenly speechless, every time she talked to San Guniang, she would be scolded, it's human nature to feel unhappy, who didn't owe you anything, when talking to you, always had to suppress others, how suffocating!

  He Hui Chang Gong Zhu chuckled and cast a slightly chilly glance at San Gu Niang, saying: "Look what Third Brother's wife said! Children's affairs are also your concern? Kids will be kids, one moment they're close, the next they're fighting. What can adults do but watch?"

  This glance made San Guniang shudder all over, she was not afraid of others, but the Princess Chang was someone she did not dare to provoke, provoking her would really cost lives, this glance weakened her momentum again, and she lowered her head and ate obediently.

  Third Aunt was somewhat disgruntled, especially when she saw her daughter's timid and wronged eyes, like a small kitten's, and suddenly felt heartache. She opened her mouth to say something but was abruptly interrupted by the old lady, "It's lively for children to make a fuss, what are you meddling in? Hurry up and eat!"

  The rest of the meal was eaten in harmony and without any further incidents, which made Yang Lan feel relieved.

  After dinner, Yang Lan and Er Gu Niang accompanied the old lady for a while, watching her mother and aunt play several rounds of cards until the old lady felt sleepy before closing the stall and returning to their rooms.

  On the way back, Hou Ye was afraid that his daughter would get cold, and he also wanted to take a walk to digest his food, so he hugged his daughter and held her in his arms, saying to He Hui Chang Gongzhu, "Third brother asked me to find him a position at the dinner table today?" His tone was devoid of any warmth, making it impossible to discern his emotions.

  He Hui thought for a moment and asked: "What position do you think is suitable?"

  Yang Xu thought for a moment, turned his head and looked at his daughter, asking: "Lan'er, where do you think your third uncle should go?"

  He Hui burst out laughing and scolded in a bad temper: "What are you talking about? How can you ask a child, what does she know?"

  Yang Lan pouted and said: "I know! Don't underestimate people!"

  A large group of people followed closely behind, flooding into the princess's mansion. Yang Huan, the eldest brother, had a hint of a smile on his face, as if he was looking forward to seeing what would happen next. "So, which position in the six ministries do you think is suitable for Third Uncle?"

  Yang Lan counted on her fingers, "The emperor's son is growing up, the position of the crown prince is unclear, we need to avoid suspicion and make careful arrangements. I'm not sure about Third Uncle's abilities, but I know that it's best to stay out of imperial family affairs - when gods fight, small ghosts get hurt! So after thinking it over again and again, I think the Ministry of Works would be most suitable!"

  Although Yang Xu didn't say it out loud, he had actually acknowledged his daughter's words in his heart. The look of approval in his eyes was hidden under the cover of night, making it somewhat hard to discern.

  It was then that Hui Chang Gongzhu couldn't help but praise him, "Although this child's words are not comprehensive, they're almost there. So tell me, why is it the Ministry of Works and not the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of Punishment?"

  Yang Lan burst out laughing, her smile sweet and lovely. "Mother, do you think my third uncle looks like Bao Qingtian? The Ministry of Revenue? With the greedy and petty appearance of my third aunt, even if my third uncle was good-looking, he couldn't be sent to the Ministry of Revenue. That's the emperor's money bag, and once something happens, he'll die without a burial place! Although the Ministry of Works is a bit more trivial, it's an idle post that doesn't interfere with anything. Generally, people won't go to curry favor with an idle official like him. Father just needs to keep an eye on things, and basically, it's all set."

  Yang Huan stretched out his hand and rubbed Yang Lan's head hard, "Look at you, showing off!" His tone was full of doting and delight.

  "Oh no! You've messed up someone's hairdo again! Mother, look at big brother!" Yang Lan insisted on tattling.