Li Juren was nearly overwhelmed with excitement, looking at his somewhat shabby cotton robe. "Please wait a moment, young sir, allow me to change my attire."

He first instructed the landlady to watch over his porridge, then returned to his room to comb his hair, wash up, and change into a robe of brocade that was neither new nor old.

This robe was bought by his mother at a pawn shop; old robes were cheaper.

She specially bought a set of silk garments to prevent him from being looked down upon while traveling outside.

His mother washed the robe clean and dried it under the sun several times before putting it in his bundle.

Li Juren was too preoccupied to eat porridge.

He hurriedly gathered a few of his past articles and rushed out.

After getting on the carriage, it traveled for nearly half an hour to the Duke Mansion.

The servant led Li Juren into the study.

Upon entering, Li Juren saw a stately young man sitting at the desk, wearing a robe of pale moon color, holding a book, slowly raising his head to look at him.

Li Juren immediately knew that this was the former top scholar, now the Chief Cabinet Minister, Mr. Jiang.

He bowed deeply, "Student Li Changqing greets you, sir."

Jiang Youzhi stood up and walked over to the Grandmaster chair, "No need for formalities, take a seat."

Li Juren sat down with slight trepidation, and Jiang Youzhi noticed the small bundle in his hand, "Did you bring the articles?"

Li Juren quickly opened the bundle and presented the articles.

Jiang Youzhi took them and read through a few articles carefully.

After reading, he slowly shook his head.

Li Juren felt a chill in his heart, then heard Jiang Youzhi say, "The articles are not without merit; their strengths are simplicity and practicality, with substantial content."

"However, the chief examiner this term is Lord Miao from the Ministry of Rites."

"Lord Miao is well-read and likes to cite classical references in his speech."

"Your articles have too few classical references, which might not please Lord Miao."

Li Juren said hesitantly, "My family is poor, with only examination books and few collections, thus—"

Jiang Youzhi returned the articles to him, "I have plenty of books here."

Li Juren immediately said, "Thank you, Mr. Jiang, but in such haste, I wouldn’t know which books to read. I humbly ask you to recommend a few books for me to borrow and read."

Jiang Youzhi smiled; Li Juren was quick to catch on and thick-skinned enough.

He saw thick skin as a strength.

He suddenly asked, "Do you have a wife at home?"

Li Juren was taken aback, "No."

"Because my family is poor, therefore—"

Jiang Youzhi laughed, "You’re at least a scholar now; are there no local gentry or wealthy families wanting to marry their daughters to you?"

Li Juren blushed slightly, "This—"

"I only became a scholar last year, and some did come to propose, but with the spring examination imminent, I did not want to be distracted by this."

Jiang Youzhi stood up, speaking slowly, "I have a younger sister, sixteen years old, not yet betrothed."

"Though we are not of the same mother, in my heart she is no different than my own sister."

Li Juren’s face flushed with excitement and he immediately said, "I am eager to marry a virtuous woman and continue my lineage. If you do not mind, sir, I will find someone to propose marriage."

Jiang Youzhi looked at him with a hint of a smile, "I haven’t finished. My sister is of ordinary appearance."

Li Juren replied, "To marry a wife, one marries for virtue."

Jiang Youzhi raised an eyebrow, "But there is a saying, ’Take a concubine for beauty.’

Li Juren replied earnestly, "My family used to be an official family, but declined decades ago. There is a family rule, no concubine may be taken before forty if without an heir."

Jiang Youzhi smiled, "What if there were no family rule?"