Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 180 - 74: Spring Imperial Examination (Part 2)_2
Chapter 180: Chapter 74: Spring Imperial Examination (Part 2)_2
But Nanny Deng hesitated, “Miss, do you think there could be a mistake?” If cousin wins, it will all be thanks to you. In the future, whenever you ask cousin for help, he will surely assist you. But if he doesn’t succeed, it will all be just false joy.”
Yueyao also didn’t know if these were indeed the test questions, “Let’s leave it to fate!” If he passes, it will greatly improve cousin’s prospects. Even if he doesn’t, cousin’s destiny has already changed, having married Eldest Miss Zhuang; it couldn’t possibly deteriorate to how it was in his past life.”
As Nanny Deng recalled the bustle of the gambling house she had passed on the way back, she shared the amusing story with Yueyao, laughing, “Miss, I heard that some people are betting that Jiangnan’s candidate Yu Zida will become the Top Scholar.”
Yueyao’s expression changed, thinking Nanny Deng was suggesting she place a bet, and her face went through several changes, “Nanny, let’s not talk about this anymore.” To her, gambling was nothing more than a despicable act.
Nanny Deng snapped back to reality, realizing how pretentiously noble her Miss could be, which was quite frustrating. She was merely sharing an amusing tale, not suggesting that Miss should go place bets. How could she possibly allow her Miss to bet? If Madam found out, even in death she would not find peace. Yet, she couldn’t say this to Yueyao, fearing it might make her lose face, “Miss, it’s all this old servant’s fault.”
Yueyao was, in truth, quite sensitive to the matter, mainly because in her past life, Ma Yue had gambled away all of the Ma Family’s fortune, leaving a deep impression on her: “Nanny, don’t blame yourself, I know you mean well, but I have enough Silver Coin for my needs.” She had enough silver for a lifetime; there was no need to scramble for more.
After much back and forth, Yueyao was still influenced by her past life, or to be precise, by the common fault of scholars in that era: that all trades rank beneath that of scholarly learning.
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While practicing calligraphy in the study, Yueyao suddenly put down her brush and sat in the chair, reflecting on whether she was being too pedantic. She could use this opportunity to set a trap for the Lady family, and simultaneously let Nanny Deng make a profit—a chance to kill two birds with one stone.
After contemplating for a long time, Yueyao eventually let interest win out. She called for Nanny Deng, “Nanny, how much private silver do you have?”
Nanny Deng didn’t know what Yueyao was planning, but she knew the Miss wasn’t after her little savings, “Miss, over the years I’ve saved up more than two thousand taels of Silver.”
It didn’t surprise Yueyao that Nanny Deng had more than two thousand taels, having served by her mother’s side for so many years and being the Steward Lady of the second branch, more than two thousand taels really wasn’t much, “I’ll give you some more to make it three thousand taels. Have Hua Lei hand this money to her uncle to place a bet at the Money Shop that Yu Zida will pass the imperial examinations at the county, provincial, and national levels.”
Nanny Deng’s eyes nearly popped out, and after gaping for a while, she managed to utter, “Miss, Mi… Miss, with your noble character, how could you consider placing a bet? The sun must have risen from the west.”
Yueyao didn’t explain to Nanny Deng, “Just go and do it, Nanny. I’ll explain after the fact.” It wouldn’t make sense to explain now.
Seeing this, Nanny Deng didn’t question further. Nanny Deng had one virtue: she did as Yueyao instructed without asking about the whys, which allowed Yueyao to feel at ease.
Holding the silver note worth three thousand taels, Hua Lei was momentarily dumbstruck, “Nanny…”
Nanny Deng explained the reason to Hua Lei: “Make sure your uncle handles this carefully, don’t let anyone find out. It’s simply inexcusable not to make a profit on such a good opportunity.”
Hua Lei was somewhat anxious, “Mother, how do you know for sure that Yu Zida will pass the imperial examinations at the county, provincial, and national levels?” Such things are never certain.
Nanny Deng naturally brought up Ma Chengteng to make her point: “Yesterday I went to Uncle Master’s residence and heard Uncle Master say that several Great Scholars in the court think highly of this Yu Zida. They all say he is a rare talent that comes only once every hundred years, and he might even pass the imperial examinations at all three levels, so I’m betting that what the Great Scholars said is true.”
Hua Lei hesitated, “Mother, why don’t we bet less, just one thousand taels. If…” if Yu Zida didn’t pass the imperial examinations at all three levels, then it would all be for naught.
Nanny Deng waved her hand dismissively, “If I tell you to go, then go. Why all the fuss. Remember not to tell the young lady.” Nanny Deng said this to test Hua Lei. She wanted to see if Hua Lei would act behind the young lady’s back since she was the young lady’s confidante mother.
Although Hua Lei usually obeyed Nanny Deng, she dared not hide such a big matter from her young lady, lest the young lady also be implicated if something went wrong.
After receiving Hua Lei’s message, Yueyao called Nanny Deng in front of Hua Lei and said, “Mother, didn’t we agree not to place bets, why are you still so insistent?”
Nanny Deng was not angry about Hua Lei’s betrayal; she was actually satisfied that Hua Lei had told the young lady. If she hadn’t, Nanny Deng would have had to reassess whether Hua Lei was reliable: “Young lady, I want to earn more money. Having money by one’s side means not having to worry when one gets old.”
Yueyao’s lips twitched, “Since Mother insists, let’s do it. Hua Lei, hand these silver notes to your uncle and go now.”
Nanny Deng’s face turned green, just about to speak, Yueyao shook her head at her. Nanny Deng had no choice but to swallow the words at the tip of her tongue.
After Hua Lei left, Nanny Deng became anxious, “Young lady, how could you… Young lady, are you really going to place the bet?” Nanny Deng thought Yueyao was just testing Hua Lei or Hua Lei’s uncle, not knowing Yueyao was actually going to place the bet. It was as if the young lady she knew had been split into two different people.
Yueyao glanced at Nanny Deng, “Mother, I had you do this not to test Hua Lei. Mother, I trust Hua Lei after all these years by my side.” Actually, it could be used to test Hua Lei’s uncle through this incident.
But Nanny Deng was still worried, for if this were to be known it would harm the young lady greatly, “Young lady, if the Lady family finds out, the consequences are unimaginable.”
Yueyao smiled, “If they don’t know, then good; even better if they do find out.”
Nanny Deng now found her young lady more and more enigmatic, but she did not ask further. As long as the young lady had a plan, Nanny Deng was no longer concerned.
