I'm dressed up as the timid eldest daughter, and the whole family has to listen to me!

Just as Su Songchuan was wondering what to do, he heard a sweet, delicate voice.

"Young Master Su, why are you standing outside instead of coming in?"

Su Songchuan looked up and saw Li Shuer's shy expression, and his heart immediately leaped with joy.

"Shu'er, why did you come out? Did you come out to look for me?"

Li Shuer hadn't expected Su Songchuan to be so direct, and her face flushed red. She coughed a few times and said softly:

"Ahem, I just came out for some fresh air and happened to see you."

The truth is, Master Li was already annoyed that Su Songchuan hadn't arrived despite his waiting, and he was quick to hurl insults, having already cursed the impolite Su Songchuan thousands of times over.

However, Li Shuer still liked Su Songchuan, so she was a little anxious. She secretly slipped out when no one was around and wanted to wait for Su Songchuan at the door. Unexpectedly, she saw Su Songchuan standing at the door as soon as she came out, so she called out to him.

Su Songchuan genuinely believed that Li Shuer hadn't come out specifically to greet him, and he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. However, he still smiled at Li Shuer.

"Shu'er, I'm so sorry that your servant wouldn't let me in. Actually, I arrived a long time ago, but I was delayed at the gate for a while. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to attend the essay writing banquet today. Now that you're here, I'm relieved."

Upon hearing this, Li Shuer frowned. No wonder Su Songchuan was so late today; it turned out that her servant was the one causing trouble.

Thinking this through, Li Shuer glared at the servant, then quickly stepped forward and bowed to Su Songchuan.

"I'm so sorry, it's my little servant who doesn't know his manners. I'll definitely have Father punish him properly later. Please come inside with me."

The servant was already terrified, sweating profusely, and stood trembling beside him, apologizing incessantly. He never expected that the shabby Su Songchuan was actually a guest invited by the head of the family. He had really messed up his plan and kicked a hornet's nest.

Li Shuer glanced at the servant with some impatience, then instructed the even hotter nanny beside her:

"Granny, please move this servant to the back courtyard to serve, so he doesn't embarrass the Li family in front of us!"

Upon hearing this, the old woman behind her quickly bowed to Li Shu'er and glared at the servant.

"You ignorant fool, you've offended Young Master Su for no reason. Hurry up and come with me to the backyard to be punished!"

After saying that, he was dragged to the backyard by the servant's arm.

Seeing that the servant had been punished because of him, Su Songchuan was very pleased, feeling that Li Shuer cared about him a lot. So he stepped forward and gave Li Shuer a slight bow.

"Shu'er, thank you so much for getting me out of this predicament today. Let's hurry inside so we don't miss our time."

Li Shuer nodded and said softly:

“Young Master Su, there’s no need for such formalities. It’s all because my servant was blind and didn’t recognize your greatness, causing you to suffer. I will personally report the situation to my father.”

As he spoke, he slightly turned to the side, gesturing for Su Songchuan to enter the mansion.

Su Songchuan stepped into the courtyard and was immediately struck by the magnificent decor of the Li residence. The pavilions and towers inside were beautifully arranged, and above him stood a row of blue brick walls. The screen wall was engraved with a scene of mountains and flowing water, which looked very grand and imposing.

Further in, there's a winding pebble path, lined with various flowers and plants of different heights, all arranged harmoniously.

The colorful garden truly dazzled Su Songchuan. Even though he had lived in the city for so many years, he had never seen such a grand and beautiful courtyard.

Before long, Li Shuer led Su Songchuan behind a rockery, where a completely different scene unfolded.

Many literati and scholars gathered here, and various kinds of food were laid out on the table, which momentarily stunned Su Songchuan.

Seeing this, Li Shuer quickly nudged Su Songchuan and laughed:

"Young Master Su, you should hurry and pay your respects to my father. He must be getting impatient."

Su Songchuan only realized what was happening at this moment, and quickly nodded and smiled at Li Shuer:

"It was my fault for the delay."

Li Shuer covered her mouth and chuckled, then led Su Songchuan towards the front hall. Upon entering, they saw Master Li surrounded by a group of people.

Li Shuer stepped forward, bowed, and spoke first:

“Father, I brought Young Master Su here. He was delayed outside the door for a while because our servant didn’t recognize him and stopped him at the door.”

Upon hearing this, Master Li's anger subsided considerably. He glanced at Su Songchuan and nodded.

"Take a seat."

Upon seeing this, Su Songchuan quickly bowed to Master Li, then bowed to everyone present and said with a smile:

"I apologize for being late today."

As he spoke, Su Songchuan handed the candied hawthorn in his hand to the servant beside him and said with a smile:

"I have prepared some small gifts, please accept them with a smile."

Su Songchuan left a bunch of candied hawthorns and personally handed them to Li Shuer. Li Shuer glanced at the candied hawthorns in her hand, smiled shyly, gently took them, and ran away as if fleeing.

Seeing his daughter's shy demeanor, and recalling how she had personally gone out to greet Su Songchuan earlier, Master Li sighed helplessly. It seemed his daughter had grown up; he truly couldn't keep her any longer.

If Su Songchuan can pass my test today, then it wouldn't hurt to put the marriage proposal on the agenda. After all, my wife also wants to find a son-in-law to live with her so that our daughter can stay by my side and accompany me through my old age.

If this kid is truly capable, I'd be happy to pay for his education in the future. But I'm afraid he's a hopeless case, so I'll have to put him to the test today.

Thinking this, Master Li spoke up:

"All the flowers in my garden are in bloom. Please follow me to the garden to enjoy them."

After saying this, Master Li got up and led everyone to his back garden.

"Master Li, you've really grown these chrysanthemums very well."

"Yes, the chrysanthemums of all colors are really beautiful."

“Master Li, your garden is probably the best garden in our Fuping County.”

Master Li listened to everyone's words and smiled faintly.

"You flatter me. Today, I would like to invite you all to use these chrysanthemums as a starting point to compose poems. How about we have a poetry competition?"

"That's a good suggestion. Please have Master Li prepare paper and pen for us."

Master Li nodded and gave a few instructions to the servant beside him, who then hurried off to prepare the writing implements.

A short while later, the servant brought over the writing implements.

"Please, everyone, begin writing."

As soon as Master Li finished speaking, several scholars stepped forward, took paper and pens, and began to write poems.

Seeing this, Su Songchuan, who was standing to the side, also became anxious. If he couldn't compose a poem in this situation, he was afraid he would really lose face in front of Master Li...