NOVPUBBut what happened later greatly exceeded her expectations.
Mumu generously shared part of her own gifts with Ning’er, and even agreed to lend the wooden kite to Ning’er to play with.
The gifts bestowed by King Chun were naturally not the exact same duplicates; even if the clothes and jewelry she received were not as pretty as Mumu’s, Ning’er unusually didn’t make a fuss.
Mumu was always obedient, but it was the change in Ning’er that caught Li Nuo off guard.
She seemed to suddenly become better behaved.
Li Nuo couldn’t help but be curious. Could it be that practicing martial arts could change one’s personality?
Song Residence.
Within the secluded courtyard, Song Ning’er laid out a bunch of jewelry on a stone table and said, "Master Sister, these were all given to me by Song Mu’er; take whatever you like..."
The veiled woman looked at the sparkling jewelry and said, "Your sister is really generous. These items are all crafted by skilled artisans, they must have come from the royal family."
Song Ning’er chatted excitedly, "Master Sister guessed it right. Song Mu’er said a prince uncle gave them to her. That prince uncle also gave Jiaren Sister a precious necklace; I saw it last time, it was so beautiful, so beautiful..."
Engrossed in describing the beautiful necklace Jiaren Sister had, Ning’er failed to notice that a golden hairpin in the veiled woman’s hand had been fiddled by her until it was misshapen.
…
At the entrance of the Song Residence, Li Nuo effortlessly leaped onto the carriage.
Housekeeper Wu looked at him in surprise and asked, "Young Master, are you better now?"
He thought the young master was genuinely weak, but it seemed he might be taking the opportunity to take advantage of the young lady?
After all, they were husband and wife; hugging and cuddling didn’t count as taking advantage.
Li Nuo nodded and said, "Much better."
Under the nourishment of Medical Family True Qi, his body had fully recovered.
Housekeeper Wu smiled, picked up the whip, and asked, "Young Master, where to?"
Li Nuo said, "To yesterday’s Horse Field."
The issue of qualification for the Imperial Examination had been temporarily resolved.
But he himself still wasn’t capable of passing the spring exam.
Among the Six Arts, he was proficient only in Mathematics and a part of the Book Department.
Ritual, Music, Horse Riding, Archery—basically, he was clueless in the other four.
Although he could quickly learn by illuminating images, he also needed to establish some foundation; otherwise, he was always uncertain.
Housekeeper Wu’s carriage driving skills, Li Nuo had to say, were not exactly commendable.
The journey was bumpy and shaky. Maybe he should also learn Horse Riding.
As a fourth realm Martial Path expert, he just hadn’t systematically learned to drive; relying on his profound Martial Path Cultivation, he would definitely pick it up easier than Li Nuo.
The carriage stopped suddenly, and Li Nuo thought they had arrived, wondering why it seemed much faster than yesterday.
At that moment, Housekeeper Wu lifted the curtain and said, "Young Master, it’s Song Yu and the others; do you want to say hello?"
Li Nuo looked outside and indeed saw the figures of Song Yu and two others not far ahead.
Song Yu was about to enter the Jade Sound Pavilion when a carriage halted beside him.
He instinctively looked over, then his expression brightened as he said, "Brother-in-law, you’re here too. Are you here to see Phoenix Lady?"
Li Nuo wasn’t here for Phoenix Lady—his visit was for someone else.
He looked towards Zhou Yu standing beside Song Yu and asked, "Did you practice Horse Riding today?"
Zhou Yu shook his head and said, "No..."
Not practiced Horse Riding and yet came to Jade Sound Pavilion?
As the favorite candidate for being the top scholar in Horse Riding for the next Imperial Examination, Daxia’s most skilled young talent in carriage driving, Li Nuo’s very life depended on him.
With no cases at the Heavenly Punishment Department, he couldn’t settle any disputes; as he watched his life waning day by day, Li Nuo was getting anxious, yet he still had the leisure to listen to music?
Li Nuo looked at Zhou Yu, frustrated as if he were upset with an untrained youth, and said, "There’s only half a year left until the Imperial Examination, many students are striving hard to catch up. At this stage, how can you afford to be here listening to music? Is your Horse Riding already perfect beyond critique, or does your father have connections at the court, and the title of Horse Riding top scholar has been predestined for you?"
Zhou Yu shivered and stammered, "I, I was just accompanying Brother Song and Brother Pei..."
Li Nuo pointed at Song Yu and Pei Jun, frowning and said, "Do you compare yourself to them, are you the same? Their participation in the Imperial Examination is merely a formality; after it, they’ll be placed in the military for training. You’re different; you have the potential to become the top scholar in Horse Riding. Even if the other arts are lacking, you could still be employed exceptionally, comfortably becoming a civil servant. Do you really need to suffer in the military?"
Zhou Yu’s lips quivered but said nothing.
Though Brother Li’s words were harsh...
He was right!
Who would choose to suffer in the military if they could become an Advanced Scholar and a civil servant?
Song Yu and Pei Jun were certain to not pass the Imperial Examination, but he was different. With his strength in Horse Riding, if he could achieve top scholar in that field, he could serve in either the Ministry of War or Taipu Si, which was far better than being an ordinary soldier...
Brother Li truly woke the dreamer with a single word!
His face showing shame, he said, "I won’t go in then; I’m heading to the Horse Field to practice right now!"
Li Nuo said, "Get in the carriage, we’re heading the same way, you drive!"
Watching the carriage take off, leaving a cloud of dust, Song Yu stood in a daze, unable to discern for a moment exactly whose brother-in-law was taking such interest in Zhou Yu.
Increasingly puzzled and sharing the same bewildered countenance was Phoenix, who had just come out to greet Li Nuo upon hearing of his arrival.
She had put on a new dress and carefully retouched her makeup, stepping out of the Jade Sound Pavilion with a radiant smile, ready to greet Li Nuo; but he didn’t even glance at her, dropped the carriage curtain, and drove away with ruthless indifference...
