TRBDM -Chapter 45 Passing the Assessment

Three days passed quickly, and the day came for Xie Lan to undergo Mr. Dong’s assessment.

That morning, Shi Yi, who had been bedridden for a long time, was dressed properly and was already waiting at Xie Lan’s door.

“Shi Yi, you’re up so early?”

“Third Master, I’m accompanying you to the Dong residence today.”

Xie Lan hadn’t slept well the previous night and was already a little nervous. Hearing that Shi Yi would accompany him instantly eased his mind.

But thinking of Shi Yi’s condition, Xie Lan couldn’t help asking worriedly, “Your injury…”

“It’s fine. I’ve recovered. The scabs on my back have mostly fallen off; it just itches a bit.”

No one knew Shi Yi’s back injury better than Xie Lan—every night he had helped change the dressings.

Still, Shi Yi had suffered a severe depletion of energy, and going out for a whole day would be exhausting. Xie Lan worried he might not be able to handle it.

“If you get tired, find a place to rest. I’ll tell Mr. Dong.”

“No need. I’m fine. Third Master, you just focus on the assessment.”

“Mm.”

After getting ready, Xie Lan went to the Anhe Courtyard to pay respects to Wei Zhaorong.

Wei Zhaorong sat calmly, not worried at all. “Lan’er, don’t be nervous. Do the assessment the way you usually do. I believe in you—there’s no problem.”

“Mm, Mother. Don’t worry. I will give it my all.”

At that moment, Dou Shuyao also arrived.

She smiled as she stepped forward and handed Xie Lan a brocade pouch.

“Third Younger Brother, this is a pouch I got from the temple earlier. It’s said to bring success in exams. I’m giving it to you—may your assessment go smoothly and pass without a hitch.”

Xie Lan accepted it gratefully. “Thank you, Sister-in-law.”

After sending Xie Lan off, Dou Shuyao busied herself with Nanny Qi.

Lately, Wei Zhaorong had been reviewing the household accounts.

In her previous life, she rarely managed the Marquis House’s accounts. When the accounts eventually showed a deficit, she didn’t even know where the money had gone.

The Mingde Marquis House had fertile land and shops; just the deeds and property contracts alone formed a thick stack.

If properly managed, the yearly revenue could be substantial.

The accounts had accumulated over decades, and some old records were impossible to trace, giving Wei Zhaorong a headache.

But the accounts were the foundation of the family. As the matriarch, she had to know them inside and out.

Forewarned is forearmed. Preparing in advance ensured that when the tides of political change arrived, the Marquis House’s ship could safely reach the other shore, depending on careful daily management.

After a whole day of poring over the accounts, she still had no clear idea, her eyes strained from the effort.

As evening approached, Wei Zhaorong set out for the Dong residence.

At the Dong residence, her carriage waited outside. Through the curtain, she saw Xie Lan and Shi Yi walking side by side out of the main gate.

Both of them wore smiles of pure joy that could not be hidden.

Xie Lan was the first to spot Wei Zhaorong’s carriage. He ran over, smiling. “Mother, why are you here?”

“To take you back home.”

“Mother, I have good news to tell you.” Xie Lan straightened, suppressing the smile at his lips, trying to remain composed.

“You’ve been accepted by Mr. Dong,” Wei Zhaorong said.

It wasn’t a question—it was a statement.

“Yes, Mother. I haven’t let you down. I’ve officially become Mr. Dong’s disciple.” Xie Lan’s eyes lifted, full of pride and vigor.

Even though she had already known the result in advance, Wei Zhaorong was still delighted. “Really? Lan’er, you’ve made me so proud.”

Hearing the praise, Xie Lan froze. So he had made his mother proud.

Realizing this, a blush spread across his face. His mother’s expectations were so low! He whispered to correct her:

“Mother, it will truly make you proud only after I achieve honors.”

Being accepted as a student by Mr. Dong was just the beginning; it was only the first step.

In Xie Lan’s heart, there was a dream he could hardly voice—he wanted to pass the imperial examination with a first-class jinshi ranking.

But he had never spoken of this dream, because even he felt it was just a fantasy.

“Lan’er, if you can achieve the second class jinshi, it will bring great honor to the Xie family. Your mother has been looking forward to that day, when you succeed.”

Second class?

Xie Lan thought that with some effort, it might be possible.

“Mother, I will definitely pass with second-class honors.”

“Good. Let’s get in the carriage.”

Mother and son rode together back to the manor.

After being accepted by Mr. Dong, Xie Lan did not slacken; on the contrary, he studied even harder, often staying up all night.

That day, a few tailors came to the manor.

Dou Shuyao brought them to the Lan Courtyard. “Third Brother, stop reading for a moment. Come, let the master take your measurements.”

Xie Lan put down his brush. “Sister-in-law, what is this for?”

“For making you new clothes.”

“No, no, I already have plenty of new clothes,” Xie Lan hurriedly refused.

The last time Wei Zhaorong had bought him several outfits, two of which he hadn’t even worn once.

“Third Brother, these clothes are for your birthday banquet, custom-made. Mother specifically asked me to find the best tailors from the capital—and here they are.”

Xie Lan had been immersed in his studies all day, completely oblivious to worldly matters, and had forgotten that his mother was planning a birthday banquet for him.

“Oh, I completely forgot about that.”

“It’s fine. Just focus on your studies; we’ll handle the rest.”

Dou Shuyao let the tailors get to work.

“By the way, Shi Yi—let him come over too. This time, he should get two sets of clothes as well.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Lan immediately called Shi Yi over.

Seeing Shi Yi, Dou Shuyao couldn’t help but glance at him twice.

Shi Yi’s appearance was extraordinary. After studying alongside Xie Lan, his scholarly elegance radiated from within; it was hard to imagine he had once been a lowly servant sweeping the floors.

“Shi Yi, come over and let the master take your measurements.”

“Thank you, Madam,” Shi Yi said obediently.

Dou Shuyao looked at the two young boys, and her eyes were filled with tenderness.

She had no brothers, only a younger sister. In her eyes, Xie Lan and Shi Yi were like two adorable, well-behaved little brothers.

Once the tailors finished measuring, Dou Shuyao didn’t linger. She left, as there were still many matters to attend to in the front courtyard.

Dou Shuyao was busy from dawn till dusk, while Shen Zhizhi had nothing to do and felt utterly bored.

After a few days in the Quyang Courtyard, she could no longer stay put. She found an excuse and went to the Ruixiang Courtyard.

“Sister-in-law, recently I’ve been feeling tired easily. Could I see the prescription that Imperial Physician Xiao gave you last time? I want to take a few doses myself.”

Dou Shuyao put down the papers in her hand and smiled. “Sister-in-law, prescriptions shouldn’t be used recklessly. Each person’s symptoms differ. It’s better to take medicine suited to your condition. Why don’t we have the manor doctor take a look?”

“You’re right, Sister-in-law. I’ll have the manor doctor check it,” Shen Zhizhi said casually, glancing at Dou Shuyao’s hand. “Sister-in-law, is that a guest invitation list? Does something happen in our manor that requires entertaining guests?”

“Third Master’s birthday is coming soon. Mother is holding a birthday banquet.”

Shen Zhizhi’s face changed suddenly. “How come I didn’t know about this?”

“Oh? You didn’t know? Mother didn’t tell you?” Dou Shuyao asked deliberately.

“No.”

Shen Zhizhi wrung her handkerchief, feeling a pang of unease.

If Mother was hosting a birthday banquet—a matter of such importance—why wasn’t she informed? In the past, she had always helped manage events in the manor.

“Sister-in-law, may I ask—Mother entrusted you with organizing Third Brother’s birthday banquet?”