"Who? Yu Shinan?"
Li Jingyun was completely stunned upon hearing this.
This man was one of the "Eighteen Scholar Officials" and ranked among the twenty-four meritorious officials on the Lingyan Pavilion. His character and conduct were of the highest caliber. But that wasn't the most important thing. The most crucial point was that he was extremely erudite himself and placed the greatest emphasis on the learning of his descendants.
Sixth Brother hadn't been to Hongwen Academy since he was eight. He was utterly ignorant about poetry and literature. Was he really going to marry Yu Shinan's granddaughter?
The difficulty level was just too high! Would that old man ever agree?
"Sixth Brother, how did you take a fancy to that young lady from the Yu family?" Li Jingyun asked curiously.
"I saw her at your novelty exhibition last time. Just that fleeting glance made Sixth Brother go gaga," Li You said.
Li Yin, with his usual personality, actually looked a bit shy at this moment.
Li Jingyun burst out laughing. She had never seen Sixth Brother like this before.
She and Yu Xiuyao were just on nodding terms. They would occasionally chat a few words when they met, but they didn't have a deep friendship. Li Jingyun only had a rough idea about Yu Xiuyao's preferences and wasn't very familiar with her.
What Yu Xiuyao liked most was the novelty exhibition.
She would definitely come and stroll around every time the exhibition was held. She would hang out with a few of her sisters for a long time before going back.
"Then let's hold this exhibition for five days this time. Just the other day, Sister Mingda told me that one day was too short and she couldn't see all the new gadgets," Li Jingyun said with a smile.
"Great idea, Hongxuan! I'm sure I'll succeed this time!"
Li Yin cheered himself on.
Li Jingyun smiled and said, "Feng, go and give the order. Prepare for a five - day exhibition."
"Yes, Princess."
As Li Jingyun watched the eunuch Feng leave, she thought for a moment and then said, "Brother, don't you think you not only need to win the heart of the young lady from the Yu family but also satisfy Old Master Yu? If you can't get past Old Master Yu, it'll be very difficult to get married."
"Let's take it one step at a time. I haven't even managed to say a single word to Xiuyao yet," Li Yin replied.
He also wanted to satisfy Yu Shinan and get his consent to marry Yu Xiuyao, but right now, it seemed like an insurmountable task.
He just wasn't cut out for studying and hadn't achieved much in the court. At most, he could promise Yu Shinan that he would live an honest life on his own fiefdom in the future, stay out of politics, and lead a steady life.
"If all else fails, we can ask Father to issue an imperial decree to arrange the marriage. No matter how stubborn Yu Shinan is, he wouldn't dare to go against Father's imperial edict," Li You said nonchalantly.
Li Jingyun smiled and said, "Fifth Brother, things aren't as simple as you think. If the Yu family doesn't agree to this marriage and Father forces the issue with an imperial decree, it'll be no different from forced marriage in the eyes of the public. Gossip can be very harmful."
"I can relate," Li You said and fell silent, quietly munching on his meat.
Once, someone had framed his mutton restaurant, saying that the mutton was dirty and had made people sick. At first, he didn't care and thought the rumors would die down on their own.
But later, he didn't even dare to go out for a while, afraid that people would point fingers at him on the street. The mutton restaurant was on the verge of closing down. There were often no customers for an entire day.
It was Eldest Brother and Third Brother who joined hands to catch the mastermind behind the scheme, some jealous restaurant owners who couldn't stand his booming business. Only then was the public opinion reversed, and gradually, more customers started coming back.
Even now, just thinking about it made him feel aggrieved and scared.
So he had found excuses to send those masterminds to hell. Did they really think he was a pushover?
"Sixth Brother, you've got a long way to go. Take your time," Li Jingyun said.
Three days later, the novelty exhibition kicked off.
The place was bustling with people, packed like sardines. Many high - ranking officials and nobles were proud to have attended the novelty exhibition.
It had become a new trend in the noble circles.
Li Jingyun came to stroll around as usual. She accidentally spotted Sixth Brother, who was meticulously dressed up. On the surface, he was sitting there reading a book, but in reality, his mind was wandering somewhere else.
"Sixth Brother?"
Li Jingyun walked over with a smile, scaring Li Yin.
"Hongxuan?" Li Yin turned his head and saw his younger sister behind him. "How do I look in this outfit?"
Li Jingyun sized him up from head to toe.
Actually, his taste in clothing was quite good, and he had put extra effort into it this time. It was obvious that he attached great importance to this.
"It looks great, Sixth Brother. Just go over there boldly. Miss Yu is very kind - hearted."
Li Jingyun, who had absolutely no dating experience, was seriously giving her sixth brother advice on his first approach.
Her sixth brother was listening attentively. It was really a case of one daring to teach and the other daring to learn.
Li Yin kept his eyes on the crowd. Finally, he saw the girl he had been longing for. She was only followed by a little maid and was looking at a strange - looking machine that was said to be able to spin silk threads quickly.
After saying goodbye to Li Jingyun, he quickened his steps and caught up with her.
Li Jingyun continued to wander around. She had a bowl of newly - launched syrup at one stall and some snacks at another. She was having a great time.
At the same time, she silently prayed for Li Yin in her heart. Brother, I hope everything goes smoothly for you. I'm looking forward to having a sister - in - law.
Li Jingyun really admired Yu Xiuyao.
She was brave, erudite, and outstanding in every aspect. In comparison, Sixth Brother was at a slight disadvantage.
He still had to work hard, brother.
"Princess?" Su Gui called out to Li Jingyun. "Just now, His Majesty summoned me. The imperial examination will be held again next spring, and he wants me to be the chief examiner."
"Father really values you. You should know that you passed the imperial examination at the age of nine and became a fourth - rank official at sixteen. You're like a guiding star in the eyes of so many scholars. How many people are looking forward to following in your footsteps," Li Jingyun looked at him and smiled, showing two cute dimples at the corners of her mouth, looking extremely charming.
They were old acquaintances, so there was no need for false modesty.
"The exam questions were easy back then, and I was very ambitious. It's normal for me to pass," Su Gui said without a hint of shame.
Li Jingyun laughed and said, "You once vowed to work for me. Now, it seems that I've become the one who paved the way for you to enter the court."
"It's all because the princess has a discerning eye for talent," Su Gui said.
The two of them started to flatter each other again.
Not long after, Yu Xiuyao and Li Yin came over to greet them. "Greetings to Princess Chengyang and Deputy Prime Minister Su."
"Please rise, Miss Yu," Li Jingyun was a bit flustered for a moment. She looked at Li Yin. Weren't they chatting just now?
Why did they suddenly come over?
Li Yin shrugged, indicating that he was helpless. She insisted on coming over to say hello.
"Princess, look at this paper. It's even more beautiful than the bamboo paper before. If I used it to practice calligraphy, I'm sure I'd be in a better mood," Yu Xiuyao exclaimed, holding a piece of snow - white paper.
Li Jingyun immediately followed up, "This paper is made by soaking it in a new type of medicinal solution. It took two years of research to develop it. We can't mass - produce it yet. We'll have to wait a few more years."
"That's really a pity," Yu Xiuyao said.
After chatting for a while, they left.
Li Jingyun secretly asked someone to wrap up a stack of paper and send it to Yu Xiuyao's mansion in Li Yin's name.
Brother, look at how I'm giving you a strong boost!
How could this escape Su Gui's notice? "Princess, you've really gone to a lot of trouble. No wonder the exhibition is suddenly being held for five days."
"It's for Fifth Brother's lifelong happiness. Holding a few more exhibitions is nothing," Li Jingyun said with a smile.