TSWPF -Chapter 169 Charity

After getting married, the exam day arrived in the blink of an eye. Li Qingling felt a bit anxious thinking that Liu Zhimou would have to stay in the examination hall for three days.

Liu Zhimou checked his things and, seeing Li Qingling nervously pacing back and forth, chuckled and reached out to hold her shoulders. Looking at her, he smiled and said, “What are you worrying about? Don’t you trust me yet, hmm?”

Seeing the confidence in his expression, Li Qingling rubbed her hands together and exhaled. “I do trust you, but I still feel a bit nervous.”

Examinations in ancient times were extremely strict. Eating, drinking, and even relieving oneself all had to be done inside the exam hall. Only after finishing could one leave.

For someone with a weaker body, it was truly grueling.

She looked at Liu Zhimou’s slender frame and felt even more worried.

Liu Zhimou bent down and kissed her on the lips, his voice low and comforting. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine…”

Li Qingling leaned lightly against him and gave a small hum of acknowledgment.

The two of them held each other quietly, savoring their feelings for one another, until they heard the old man calling them, at which point they reluctantly separated.

Liu Zhimou carried the satchel with the exam materials in one hand and held Li Qingling’s hand with the other as they left the room.

The old man, seeing Liu Zhimou’s calm expression, nodded with satisfaction. He had confidence in this young man—he would definitely pass the exam.

Patting Liu Zhimou on the shoulder, he asked, “Everything packed? Didn’t forget anything, right?”

“Yes, all packed.”

“Good. Then let’s go!” The old man strode ahead, and a few of the children followed.

They were preparing to escort Liu Zhimou to the exam hall.

When Liu Zhimou reached the courtyard gate to get on the carriage, the village chief arrived.

Seeing Liu Zhimou, he quickly approached with a smiling face. “Zhimou, all set to go?”

Liu Zhimou stopped and nodded at the village chief.

The chief patted Liu Zhimou’s shoulder firmly, looking at him expectantly. “Do your best. We’re waiting for good news.”

If Liu Zhimou did well on the exam, it would be the pride of Niutou Village. The chief had high hopes for him.

“I’ll do my best.” Even though Liu Zhimou was confident, he didn’t want to arrogantly claim he would definitely pass. “Village Chief, I’ll be off now.”

“Good. Take care.”

Liu Zhimou nodded and turned to board the carriage.

Near the exam hall, the crowd was overwhelming. There was no other option but for them to get off the carriage and walk the rest of the way.

Li Qingling, seeing so many people, was a bit taken aback. How could there be so many? Truly terrifying…

If not for the constables maintaining order, they wouldn’t even be able to move.

“Xiaofeng, Xiaoyan, hold Ningning and Rourou tight. Don’t lose them.” Liu Zhimou frowned slightly, taking Li Qingling’s hand and instructing Li Qingfeng and Liu Zhiyan.

The two nodded and held their younger sisters’ hands firmly. With so many people, they feared the girls might get pushed aside.

After struggling to reach the exam hall entrance, they met Teacher Tong. Seeing Li Qingling being held by Liu Zhimou, he guessed she was his wife.

Her delicate beauty even surpassed that of his own daughter. No wonder Liu Zhimou wouldn’t look at his daughter.

Thinking of his disappointed daughter, Teacher Tong felt slightly displeased.

“Sir, what brings you here?”

“I couldn’t help but come to check.” Seeing Liu Zhimou in high spirits, he nodded. “Keep calm. If you perform as usual, you’ll almost certainly succeed.”

He had high hopes for his favored student. As long as he didn’t slip up, he was bound to pass.

Liu Zhimou acknowledged with a nod.

Teacher Tong carefully gave him some final advice, which Liu Zhimou listened to attentively, nodding from time to time.

“Ziqian…” Before Teacher Tong could finish, Xiang Yunfei ran over. “Sir, you came too?”

Seeing Xiang Yunfei with his playful, carefree grin, Teacher Tong sighed inwardly and slapped him on the shoulder. “Everything packed? Didn’t forget anything?”

Although Xiang Yunfei’s studies weren’t as strong as Liu Zhimou’s, he had worked hard recently, and his efforts were noticeable.

If he took the exam seriously, he should be able to pass as well.

Xiang Yunfei chuckled and patted his chest. “Don’t worry, sir, I’ve got this.”

Looking at him, Teacher Tong thought there was no way he could be relaxed about it. He called over the student attendant to bring Xiang Yunfei’s satchel for a check to see if anything was missing.

At that moment, Xiang Yunfei saw Li Qingning blocked behind Liu Zhimou. Excitedly, he ran over and ruffled her hair. “Ningning, you’re here too? I’ve been too busy lately to come play with you.”

Previously, catching birds on the mountain and fishing in the river with Li Qingning had been so much fun. After the exams, he definitely wanted to stay at Liu Zhimou’s house for a few more days.

Before Li Qingning could respond, Li Qingfeng slapped Xiang Yunfei’s hand away and pulled Li Qingning behind him. “Who are you?” How dare he touch his sister?

Ouch… that boy was strong. Xiang Yunfei rubbed his reddened hand and looked at Li Qingfeng. “And you are?” He looked a bit like Li Qingning. “You’re Ningning’s brother? Why didn’t I see you last time?”

“I am…” Li Qingfeng nodded seriously.

“I’m Xiang Yunfei, classmate of your brother-in-law Liu Zhimou.” Since he was Li Qingning’s brother, he let it slide.

Li Qingfeng sized him up and curled his lips. How could his sister-in-law’s husband have a classmate like this? He didn’t look serious at all.

Feeling insulted by Li Qingfeng’s disdainful look, Xiang Yunfei stomped his foot, about to ask what it meant, when Liu Zhimou called him to enter the hall.

“Ningning, I’ll come play with you after the exam!” Xiang Yunfei hurriedly threw out a sentence and ran to the student attendant to grab his things and queue up.

Liu Zhimou rubbed Li Qingling’s head without saying anything and carried his satchel to join the queue.

After seeing Liu Zhimou pass the inspection and enter smoothly, Li Qingling and the others prepared to leave.

At that moment, a young maid approached and said to Li Qingling, “Madam Liu, my mistress requests your presence.”

Hearing “Madam Liu,” Li Qingling paused, realizing it referred to her.

She had married Liu Zhimou, taken his surname, and now in the eyes of outsiders, she was Madam Liu.

“And who is your mistress?” She had never seen this maid before. How could she just follow her?

“Madam Liu knows the Tong family, right?”

It turned out it was Teacher Tong’s wife summoning her…

Li Qingling understood. She turned to the old man and said, “Grandpa, you take them over there to wait. I’ll come find you later.” She pointed toward a nearby teahouse.

The old man glanced at the maid and nodded.

“This sister, please lead the way.”

The maid led Li Qingling to a carriage, then stopped and respectfully informed the occupant, “Madam, Madam Liu is here.”

The carriage curtain lifted, revealing Madam Tong, whose face resembled Tong Wanrong’s. She looked at Li Qingling and, upon recognizing her, snorted coldly. Such an enchanting appearance—it was clear she was a restless woman.

Li Qingling wasn’t blind and saw the contemptuous look in Madam Tong’s eyes.

Indeed, mother and daughter shared the same expression.

“And what does Madam Tong want with me?” If not for knowing how well Madam Tong treated Liu Zhimou, she wouldn’t even bother responding.

Madam Tong lifted her chin arrogantly. “Oh? So you’re Ziqian’s wife? I thought you were some celestial beauty. Turns out you look like this…” She covered her mouth and giggled.

Who knows what the master was afraid of? Warning her every day not to go settle scores with Li Qingling. If she dared to act behind his back, she’d pay dearly.

In her view, just for tarnishing Rong’er’s reputation, Li Qingling deserved a good lesson—to show her whom to provoke and whom not to.

Clearly, she came with ill intentions…

Li Qingling remained calm, looking at Madam Tong with a polite warning, “Madam Tong, perhaps you should laugh a bit softer. If others hear, they might think it’s a hen laying eggs!” Her own hens made the same clucking sound when laying eggs.

Madam Tong’s smile froze, and her face instantly turned cold. “Your mouth is sharp. No wonder Rong’er lost to you. Just from your words, my daughter already lost.”

Truly a country woman, speaking so crudely.

Li Qingling lightly tapped her own mouth and said helplessly, “Madam, don’t mind me. I have a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Unlike some people who speak sweetly but harbor dark intentions.” She watched Madam Tong’s increasingly ugly expression and curled her lips. “Though I speak harshly, compared to those black-hearted people, I’m quite good. Don’t you agree, Madam?”

Hah… she couldn’t be provoked.

Madam Tong gritted her teeth in anger, twisting the handkerchief she held into a ball. With a bit more force, it might have torn.

How could Liu Zhimou, the refined gentleman, fall for such a woman? Truly blind.

Taking a deep breath, Madam Tong forcibly suppressed her anger, reminding herself not to lose her temper in public, or it could be used against her.

If another bad rumor spread, the master would not forgive her.

Her daughter’s chances of marrying a good husband would become even slimmer.

For all this, she couldn’t act rashly…

“Yes, Madam Liu is quite right.” Madam Tong forced a smile. “I heard Madam Liu keeps many chickens at home?”

“Yes…” Li Qingling nodded frankly. It was true; there was no need to hide it.

Hearing this, Madam Tong covered her mouth and giggled, though this time, she didn’t dare laugh out loud after being rebuked by Li Qingling.

“Madam Liu could send some chickens daily to the Tong residence. The household would certainly not let Madam Liu be at a loss.”

From Madam Tong’s words, Li Qingling could sense the full measure of condescension and charity in her tone.