After entering the room, Auntie An and Aunt Wang greeted Mrs. Lu. Mrs. Lu glanced at the two women. Today was a major event for her son, so she didn't quibble with them. "Please rise."
The two women stood up, and Aunt Wang sat down. Chunlu Granny entered the room and reported, "Madam, as you instructed, I have exchanged for two large baskets of copper coins at the bank. They have been brought back."
"Good. Let them place them properly, and let me know when the messengers arrive. We'll scatter them outside the main gate," Mrs. Lu said resolutely. Auntie An frowned inwardly, thinking, "Let's see how you handle this if he doesn't pass."
"They're here," Li Xia said as soon as she heard a commotion at the Li residence's main gate.
"Where?" Mrs. Lu asked as she rose to go outside. She had just stepped out of the courtyard gate when she heard someone running over, shouting, "Joyous news for the Madam! The Young Master has passed! The Young Master has passed!"
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Lu was so delighted that she almost couldn't stand steady. Fortunately, Chunlu Granny reacted quickly and supported her, with Auntie Mei also stepping forward to hold her up. The two women helped Mrs. Lu reach the main gate, where they heard the messenger shouting the good news: "Congratulations to Li the Successful County Candidate, ranked 10th on the prestigious list!"
This was a very high ranking. Li the Steward handed over a prepared pouch to the messenger. The messenger received the pouch, which felt light, probably containing silver notes. This trip was not in vain, and the messenger's smile grew broader.
Firecrackers sounded as Chunlu Granny instructed the servants to bring out two large baskets of celebratory coins to scatter. Hearing the commotion, many people gathered around to grab the copper coins.
At the Prefectural Office where he was working, Li Ming also received the news, and his subordinates came to offer congratulations. Li Ming remained modest outwardly, saying he must continue to strive, but inwardly he was very satisfied – his son had met his expectations and moved one step closer to an official career.
Li Hui, Li Chou, and Li Guang had studied together in Li Ming's study room, so the three brothers had grown quite close. Upon learning of Li Hui's success in the County Examination, they went to congratulate him: "Congratulations, Elder Brother!"
Li Hui, who knew the result beforehand, was actually the calmest person in the family. He showed no excessive joy, and responded with composure to the congratulations from his younger brothers and sisters. Li Chou was full of admiration, vowing to work even harder to pass the County Examination soon.
Standing at a distance, Auntie An glared resentfully a few times at Li Chou and Li Guang, who were surrounding Li Hui. She inwardly cursed, wondering how Li Hui had managed to pass.
Aunt Wang looked at the triumphant Mrs. Lu and thought about urging Li Yao to work harder, so that she could enjoy such glory in the future. She also glanced disdainfully at Auntie An and curled her lip.
With Li Hui passing the County Examination and ranking highly, Li Ming and Mrs. Lu decided to hold a celebratory banquet. The banquet was scheduled for the third day after Li Hui returned to the provincial capital to attend the Celebration for Successful Candidates.
The preparation time was tight, and everyone in the household, from top to bottom, had to change into new clothes. Fortunately, Li Xia had made preparations early. Before the County Examination, she had instructed Hua the Steward to prepare in advance. With no one dragging their feet in the Embroidery Room, Hua the Steward was more efficient in handling the task.
Under Hua's supervision, the early stages were well-planned. The servants' clothes were already completed, and the main family members' clothes could be finished within two days with some rushed work.
Li Xia walked back to the Orchid Courtyard with light steps. She saw Qiu Kui feeding Qiu Chan. Ever since working alongside Wu Auntie, Qiu Kui's interest in cooking had increased significantly. However, the taste of Qiu Kui's dishes was vastly different from Wu Auntie's. In the entire Orchid Courtyard, only Qiu Chan didn't mind Qiu Kui's cooking, so if asked who liked Qiu Chan the most in the courtyard, the answer would undoubtedly be Qiu Kui.
Although Qiu Chan was plump, she was strong and diligent in her work. After coming to the Orchid Courtyard, all the heavy chores were assigned to this maid. In return, Qiu Chan could eat as much as she wanted. At a single meal, not only could she finish six large bowls of rice, but she could also finish quite a few dishes and drink two more large bowls of soup. Yet, she would still feel hungry before the next meal.
Qiu Chan had just finished cleaning the courtyard and was feeling hungry again. Just as she was wondering where she could find something to eat, Qiu Kui brought over freshly made rice cakes. "I made these rice cakes. Would you like to try them, Qiu Chan?"
Qiu Chan was feeling hungry, so she opened her mouth, waiting for Qiu Kui to feed her. "Delicious! Sister Qiu Kui, you made these so well!" In Qiu Chan's eyes, as long as something was edible, the taste was secondary. Hearing Qiu Chan's praise, Qiu Kui sat on the steps and happily continued feeding her.
"Where are the others?" Li Xia looked around the courtyard, seeing only the two of them. The others were not present.
"The Young Master passed the County Examination, and the Madam was overjoyed. She said she would give everyone an extra month's wages, so Sister Qiu Shui went to collect them. Wu Auntie's leg was hurting, so she went back to her room to rest," Qiu Kui and Qiu Chan stood up and replied.
"Why didn't you two go?" Li Xia saw how happily Qiu Chan was eating and felt a craving herself. She reached over and took the smallest rice cake from the plate, taking a small bite. Her face stiffened slightly as she swallowed it without a change in expression. She shouldn't have been curious about Qiu Kui's cooking skills.
Qiu Kui's rice cakes looked normal on the outside, but inside they were both salty and sweet, with a strange taste. Li Xia glanced at Qiu Chan, wondering how this plump maid could eat them so happily with her enormous appetite.
"We servants were tending to the courtyard, so Sister Qiu Shui collected the wages on our behalf," Qiu Kui explained. She didn't like crowded places and preferred to stay in the Orchid Courtyard to experiment with snacks. Then she told Li Xia, "Miss, the ingredients in the tea room are running low again, and we need to replenish them."
"But we just restocked a couple of days ago, didn't we?" Li Xia recalled that Qiu Kui had mentioned the shortage just a few days prior, at which time she had advanced her some silver to purchase more supplies.
Qiu Kui glanced at Qiu Chan. The main kitchen provided fixed portions of food. However, Qiu Chan's appetite was so great that she alone consumed as much as a whole portion. Before each meal, Qiu Kui and Wu Auntie had to prepare an extra pot of staple food just for Qiu Chan. Adding Li Xia's occasional extra meals, it was no wonder the supplies were running low again.
Qiu Chan put down the rice cake she was holding. "Then I'll try to eat less from now on." Qiu Chan knew her appetite was too big, which was why her previous owners had sold her. Someone had taken a chance on her because of her physical strength, but they soon regretted it due to her voracious eating habits. This time at the Li residence, the broker had warned that if she was sent back again, she would be sold to work in the northern mines.
Li Xia gestured for Qiu Chan to eat her fill. "When Sister Qiu Shui returns, have her come find me."
"Miss, you should just send me away," Qiu Chan said reluctantly, knowing that she was causing a burden for the Miss with her excessive eating.
"After eating so much of my silver, you want to leave now? That's too cheap for you. Go fetch the reclining chair and bring it to the corridor," Li Xia instructed Qiu Chan.
Qiu Chan went inside and brought the recliner to the corridor, placing it there. Li Xia went over and lay down on it, while Qiu Chan considerately used her height to shade the Miss from the sun.
"Qiu Kui."
"Miss."
"Take Qiu Chan with you to check on Wu Auntie's leg. If it hasn't healed, have Qiu Chan carry her to see the doctor." Li Xia took some broken silver pieces from her pouch and handed them to Qiu Kui.
Qiu Kui accepted the silver and set down the rice cakes before leading Qiu Chan away.
After taking a couple of steps, Qiu Chan turned back and said softly to Li Xia, "Miss, rest assured, I will work diligently."
Li Xia grunted and closed her eyes to rest.
Qiu Kui led Qiu Chan to Wu Auntie's room. Along the way, she advised Qiu Chan, "Qiu Chan, as long as you work hard and don't betray the Miss, she won't send you away. Don't overthink things in the future. Just listen to the Miss obediently and work hard."
