TNIBFT -Chapter 121 What Exam?

Tao Lichun’s eyes brightened.

Seeing his daughter crying with tears streaming down her face, he reached out and wiped them away. “Ye Tian may seem wild and unrestrained, but he is a man of great wisdom. I’ve heard of many of the things he’s done. If my health were better, I’d really like to have a drink with him.”

“Talking by candlelight at night—that’s also a beautiful story.”

Tao Ling’er wasn’t particularly concerned about Ye Tian. She shifted the topic: “Tomorrow is the official selection. Father, are you really going?”

“I’m worried about your health.”

Tao Lichun patted his daughter’s hand to reassure her. “I can still manage, don’t worry!”

His eyes were resolute, bright and clear, as if he were preparing for a long-planned battle.

…

The next morning.

By the time Ye Yunting opened his eyes, the room was already filled with the aroma of fried eggs.

Half asleep, he thought he was dreaming.

Rubbing his eyes, he hurriedly got out of bed. Making breakfast was his first task of the day; if he was late, it would delay something important today.

“Ye Tian?”

Just as he got up, he saw Ye Tian squatting by the large copper pot, one hand holding a spatula, the other a ceramic bowl, flustered as he cooked.

Ye Tian usually slept until late in the morning—why was he up so early today?

Ye Yunting felt a little awkward. Could it be that Ye Tian was worried that he would get up too early and affect his performance? So he secretly got up to make breakfast for him? Thinking this, a small, serious face broke into a smile.

“Up already?”

Seeing his son staring, Ye Tian smiled. “Hurry and wash up. After breakfast, I’ll take you to your exam.”

“What exam?”

Ye Shuangxue climbed out of bed, frowning and still half-asleep as she looked at Ye Tian.

Xiao Jiang also said, “The master didn’t say anything about an exam, did he?”

“Fried eggs?”

Before Xiao Jiang finished speaking, Ye Shuangxue threw off the covers and jumped out of bed, hair tousled, excitedly shouting, “I love fried eggs the most! Father, I want two!”

“I want two too!”

Ye Tian shook his head with a smile. They were all born of the same mother. The eldest was about to become an official, yet the other two were only thinking about eating eggs.

After breakfast, the second and youngest children waited until it was time to go to school, while Ye Tian first took the eldest to the city for the official assessment.

The official selection started quite early.

When Ye Tian and Ye Yunting left, the sky was only just beginning to lighten. The cold and icy roads made the journey difficult; Ye Tian carried his eldest along, stumbling several times along the way.

…

“Brother Shen, look at this!”

Jiang Yunxi was dressed elegantly and fresh-looking, with striking features that drew attention wherever she went. The envious gazes of others made Shen Jie feel extremely satisfied. Walking beside her, he smiled and joked with Jiang Yunxi.

At this point, Jiang Yunxi was holding a small shadow puppet, showing it off to Shen Jie as they walked.

Though they were supposedly here for the assessment, it was more like a romantic outing.

“There are so many people today!” Jiang Yunxi casually folded the puppet and squinted at the crowd blocking the gate of the examination hall.

Among the people were those dressed elegantly, scholars, and ordinary students. Some nervously studied their books; some were in groups, reciting poetry and laughing at the gate; others were saying goodbye to family. Shen Jie felt a little nervous. As he looked at the solemn and imposing examination hall, his heart was mostly filled with hatred for Xiao Haoyang.

He was originally the son of the city lord and should have enjoyed the best of everything, yet he had nothing. He had to compete alongside people of low status.

Why was a useless brat like Xiao Tianyi so favored by Xiao Haoyang, while a son like him, ambitious and capable, was treated like a worn-out shoe?

It didn’t matter. Shen Jie would find his own way to prove to everyone that he was the strongest!

“Miss Jiang.”

“Brother Shen!”

“Brother Shen!” As soon as Shen Jie arrived, a few young nobles immediately gathered around him. They greeted him politely, eyes full of admiration.

Shen Jie returned their gestures, calling them brothers in a familiar tone, appearing very close.

“This selection, Brother Shen will surely rank among the top!” one said. Another quickly agreed: “Yes, with Doctor Jiang’s strong recommendation, not even the city lord could ignore her face. Forget others, even he has to give her some respect.”

“When Brother Shen prospers in the future, don’t forget us little brothers…”

“Miss Jiang and Brother Shen are a perfect match, a childhood sweethearts’ destiny…”

The group chattered on, and Shen Jie smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Meanwhile, Ye Tian and Ye Yunting had already arrived at the entrance of the testing hall early.

Ye Yunting’s little face was serious. He was young, and this was his first time taking such an exam. Even if a five-year-old child participated, or even Ye Tian himself in his previous life, he would still be nervous facing such a test.

Seeing his son’s solemn expression, Ye Tian raised a hand to pat Ye Yunting’s head: “Don’t overthink it. Don’t pressure yourself. Just perform normally.”

“You’re still young. There will be countless opportunities in the future. The fact that you can participate in this selection already shows how excellent you are.”

Ye Tian bent slightly, looking sincerely at his eldest son.

Ye Yunting felt shy, averting his eyes: “I understand!”

Seeing Ye Tian casually glancing around, Ye Yunting suddenly felt a little less nervous.

“Yunting!”

“Ye Tian!”

A sweet, charming voice rang out. Ye Tian turned to see Tao Ling’er wearing a bright crimson jacket with a misty outer layer of the same color. Her outfit was striking yet ethereal, her hair meticulously styled with delicate ornaments that shimmered silver in the sunlight as she waved at him.

Tao Ling’er looked very different today. Could it be that Tao Lichun was about to take office?

Ye Tian smiled politely at Tao Ling’er.

At the sound of her call, the surrounding students’ attention immediately shifted to her.

“Whose daughter is this? So exquisitely beautiful!”

“A graceful lady, a gentleman’s match indeed!”

“There’s a beauty in the northern lands, one glance can topple a city…”

“Is she from Sifang City?”

The students chattered excitedly, eyes sparkling as they stared at Tao Ling’er.

Tao Ling’er lifted her skirts and approached Ye Tian and Ye Yunting. Today, she had deliberately applied rouge and powder, making her naturally delicate face even more refined and radiant. Panting slightly, she lifted a handkerchief to wipe her hairline: “Ye Tian, Yunting, when did you arrive?”

“Have you eaten breakfast? I still have some buns over there; do you want to come have some?”

“No need!”

Ye Tian interrupted with a smile. Tao Ling’er glanced at him, teasing with a smile: “Why are you so shy today? Before, whenever I said something, you always had to reply back.”

“You were young and naive back then, weren’t you?” Ye Tian joked, and Tao Ling’er covered her mouth, laughing softly.

Ye Yunting was Tao Lichun’s prized disciple, and also the hope for both Tao Lichun and Ye Tian in the future. Tao Ling’er bit her lip, bent slightly, and whispered to Ye Yunting: “Don’t be afraid, Yunting. My father has already made all the arrangements.”