Chapter 871: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 871: The Imperial Examination Fame (1)
The fact that Chen Ji died at the hands of his own daughter was a death that certainly sent chills down one’s spine, but it was also deeply satisfying, and Mo Yan felt no sympathy at all.
With the latent threat finally gone, Mo Yan’s mood couldn’t be anything but light.
Xiao Ruiyuan seized the opportunity, trying his best to gain the forgiveness of the woman he loved. However, no matter how much he apologized and tried to comfort her, even though Mo Yan's earlier anger had completely subsided, she had no intention of letting the matter go easily.
In the end, Xiao Ruiyuan was coldly and "mercilessly" pushed out of the room by Mo Yan.
Standing in the yard, Xiao Ruiyuan stared blankly at the door to the small hall, which slammed shut with a loud noise. Then the lights inside the room went out, plunging everything into darkness. Despite his many thoughts, the cool night wind swept them all away.
Mo Yan lay in bed but couldn’t fall asleep no matter how much she tossed and turned. Her eyes were fixed on the window as though she could see through it, wondering if the person outside was still there.
Half an hour passed, and Mo Yan couldn’t hold out against her own emotions any longer. She quietly got out of bed, went to the window, and gently opened a crack, making a soft noise.
Xiao Ruiyuan was no fool. How could he not hear such a subtle sound? In the darkness, his gaze locked onto the slightly open window, but he pretended not to notice that someone was standing behind it. He remained still in the yard, the corner of his lips curling up in a subtle smile that no one could see.
Behind the window, Mo Yan was conflicted. This man was obviously busy, and tomorrow he couldn’t afford to rest, yet he insisted on wasting his time in her small yard. Did he think that if he stood there all night, she would "forgive" him? How could things be that simple?
Hmph, let him stand if he wishes. It would serve him right if he missed tomorrow's morning court session and was late to work at the office—let them laugh at him!
Mo Yan thought this to herself, but she didn’t move from the window. The two of them stood there, separated by the window, silently staring at each other for another half hour without either leaving.
Even Xiao Ruiyuan, as oblivious as he might be, understood the intent of his beloved girl. He felt increasingly regretful about his actions. If he hadn’t been awakened by her sharp words in the critical moment, he would have made a huge mistake. It was no wonder that Mo Yan was so upset with him.
The painful reminder on his tongue only added to his remorse. Though he now understood Mo Yan's true intentions, he still didn’t know how to earn her forgiveness.
Reluctantly, not wanting his beloved to stand there with him all night, Xiao Ruiyuan finally turned to leave the small yard. As he walked away, a long, wistful sigh escaped his lips, clearly heard by Mo Yan.
When Mo Yan finally came to her senses, the yard was empty, with only the branches swaying in the wind. Xiao Ruiyuan’s figure had completely vanished.
...
For several days, people both familiar and unfamiliar came to the Mo household to offer their congratulations. By the end of it, the Mo family was completely exhausted from dealing with visitors. Although they understood that these people were acting out of good intentions, it still left them feeling weary and disturbed. Mo Yan, on the pretext of Mo Qingze studying for the imperial examination, refused visitors and closed the door during the day.
This spring’s imperial examination saw neither Han Zhiyun nor Shen Ji passing. Though disappointed, they had prepared themselves for the possibility of failing and didn’t take it too hard. They simply resolved to try again three years later.
Not everyone could have such a mindset. Though Mo Yan felt regretful for their failure, she couldn’t go so far as to send them spiritual water every day, to help them, as she did with Mo Qingze, in enhancing their mental clarity.
What she could do, however, was send them fresh fruits and vegetables from the family’s surplus crops, inviting them to visit often, and ensuring they had enough of the spiritual water she had prepared.
(End of chapter)
No comments: