Female Supremacy and Rise to Power: Lin Shu's Imperial Examination Adventures

Upon hearing this, Su Jing's expression grew even more unpleasant, and he almost wanted to flee the place immediately. Sure enough, Su Mu's wife was even more detestable than him.

"You...you've really gone too far!" Su Jing said, then tried to pull Gu Qing away.

Gu Qing glanced at Su Mu, then at Lin Shu, as if she had a thousand words to say, but in the end she could only utter one sentence: "Treat him well!"

Lin Shu gave her a strange look and said, "What does my husband have to do with you?"

Gu Qing was so embarrassed by the rebuke that she had no choice but to turn around and leave the inn. Her back view looked like she was fleeing in panic.

After the two left, Lin Shu sat down by herself, poured herself a cup of tea, and sipped it slowly. Gu Qing must be the female lead of this book, right?

He was indeed somewhat extraordinary; his eyes were fairly clear and honest, but he was a bit indecisive and easily swayed by others. She'd been here for almost half a year and had already integrated into life. If it weren't for today's incident, she would have almost forgotten where she came from. Perhaps it was for the best; she was quite satisfied with her current life…

Seeing Lin Shu remain silent, Su Mu feared she might have misunderstood what had happened that day, so he hesitated before quickly revealing his thoughts:

“My lady, this person is me… I swear that since our marriage, I have had no further connection with her. Please don’t be angry.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Shu stared at him, realizing that he had mistakenly thought she was angry because she hadn't spoken for a long time.

Thinking of this, a look of relief appeared on his face. He then pulled Song Yun and him to the stool next to him and said, "Amu, I have not been thinking about what happened today."

After a moment's thought, perhaps feeling that his words were inappropriate, he added affirmatively, "I believe you."

Su Mu was moved, and a sweet feeling spread through his heart.

……

Qingshi Hutong, Liu Qiqi's house.

"Miss Gu is leaving already?" Liu Qiqi lay on the bed, looking at Gu Qing and Su Jing who had come to say goodbye.

"Indeed, I have been away for many days, but my elders at home are urging me to return, so I have come today to say goodbye," Gu Qing said gently.

"Alas! It's a pity that my injuries have worsened and I can't see you off!" Liu Qiqi felt a little regretful. Gu Qing's mother was a teacher at Nachuan Academy in the prefectural city. Nachuan Academy was backed by the prefect, and many people wanted to get in but couldn't. She had finally managed to get in through a scheme, and now she was leaving just like that?

Reminded by this, Gu Qing recalled that a few days ago, after visiting her former teachers, she was stopped by a group of thugs in an alley. If it weren't for Miss Liu appearing and saving her, the consequences would have been unimaginable. Miss Liu was even injured as a result.

Thinking of this, she quickly asked, "How did Miss Liu get injured? Did those people cause you trouble?"

Just as her father, Madam Liu, was about to speak and say that it was the Li family's doing, Liu Qiqi stopped him. She looked dejected, but pretended to be magnanimous and said in a deep voice, "Miss Gu, there is no need to worry. They are just some local thugs. How could I, Liu Qiqi, take them seriously?"

Madam Liu also came to her senses and hurriedly replied, "Daughter, you... Alas! Forget it! I'm afraid it's too late to stay in Yun County. Alas, forget it! It's better to go back to the countryside! But I'm afraid your studies will also..."

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Qiqi interrupted him, "Alright, Father, stop talking." Then she turned to Gu Qing and said, "Miss Gu, please don't believe what my father says. He is getting old."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qing realized that it was all for his sake, and immediately felt that Liu Qiqi truly deserved to be called a scholar, with a broad mind. So he took the initiative to say, "Miss Liu, my mother has quite a bit of influence at Nachuan Academy in the prefectural city. If you don't mind, I can introduce you to her."

"Is that really true? Then thank you very much!" Liu Qiqi's eyes lit up. It was so easy for her. She was about to get up to thank Gu Qing.

Gu Qing quickly stopped her, then took out a purse from his pocket and handed it to her: "It's not much money, Miss Liu, please don't mind."

"My lady, it's time to go." Su Jing watched the group exchanging pleasantries from the side, feeling somewhat impatient. The room had a strange smell, and he didn't want to stay a moment longer.

After Gu Qing and his companion took their leave, Madam Liu took out some silver from her purse, weighed it in her hand, and said with a pout, "Only ten taels."

A hint of disdain appeared on Liu Qiqi's face, then she said:

"Alright, ten taels it is. At least it will secure a place at Nachuan Academy. Father needs to sell this property as soon as possible in the next few days, and also sell some of the servants in the backyard to raise enough money. Only then can we go to the prefectural city to settle down and study."

Madam Liu quickly agreed, moved to Liu Qiqi's bedside, looked at her injured cheek with a solemn expression, and said with heartache:

“Qiqi has suffered today. The Li family is truly despicable, humiliating you like this… Father will go and fetch a doctor to examine your wounds and see if you need any medicine…”

Having said that, he went out to fetch a doctor...

"Li Huanzhi, you really are a fickle woman. One day I'll make you kneel down and apologize to me!" After Madam Liu left, Liu Qiqi muttered to herself with a gloomy expression.

Chunyu, the servant girl outside, naturally overheard their conversation.

He never expected Liu Qiqi to consider selling them; he needed to find a way to leave with the children. These days, Liu Qiqi rarely ventured into the backyard, and even when she did, Liu Shi would find an excuse to send her away, which ironically made things easier for him…

But Chunyu never expected that this plan would be stillborn...

……

The inn, after dinner.

Lin Shu then suggested that they depart for the prefectural city the following afternoon.

“That’s a good idea. Staying in the inn for too long is not a sustainable solution. Let’s go to the prefectural city first.” Xue Wen nodded upon hearing this, and the others also agreed.

Lin Shu then sent a servant to the Li residence to inform Li Yun'er, but to her surprise, Li Yun'er also came along.

"Girls, I heard you're leaving tomorrow?" Li Yun'er dashed into Lin Shu's room, poured herself a cup of tea and took a big gulp: "Ah...that feels good. I'll go with you too."

"Has Aunt Li agreed?" Lin Shu asked with a playful expression, staring at her.

Li Yun'er said with a proud expression, "Of course. If my parents didn't agree, I wouldn't dare to come and talk to you."

Lin Shu raised an eyebrow. There was still more than a month until the prefectural examination, and she didn't have to go to school. Why would Li's parents allow her to come to the prefectural city with her now?

Li Yun'er stared at Lin Shu for a long time, but couldn't figure out what she was thinking from that icy face. So she rolled her eyes, leaned closer to Lin Shu, looked her over, and then whispered, "Hey, sister, my brother is going too."

Lin Shu paused in her teacup, then brought it to her lips, took a small sip, and said, "Watching you go to school?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yun'er gave her a look that said, "How could you be so stupid?" and then sighed, "Alas! It seems that there is little hope for my brother!"

Lin Shu remained silent.

Seeing that Lin Shu still had no expression, Li Yun'er finally couldn't hold back and asked, "Lin Shu, tell your sister the truth, don't you feel any... uh... intense desire for my brother?"

Lin Shu was speechless: ...

"Nothing."

As soon as she finished speaking, a series of hurried footsteps sounded outside the door, rushing downstairs. They were almost inaudible unless deliberately made, and Li Yun'er didn't notice them.

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