Su Xiaoqi thought to herself, oh no, could it be that her internal complaints about Old Master Zhao being seen through by Shen Yun?
This would be catching her red-handed. Fearing Shen Yun's reprimand, she kept her head down, feigning gentleness and deference.
Shen Yun, however, had no time to bother with such matters at the moment.
Zhao Ci, as usual, seized Shen Yun and repeatedly instructed him on matters related to his studies and career prospects.
Driven by his own obsession with the imperial examinations, Zhao Ci never missed an opportunity to extoll the virtues of diligent study and success in the exams, urging Shen Yun to become a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), rise to the rank of an aristocratic scholar, and bring honor to their ancestors… thereby silencing any disparaging remarks about their origins.
The former part of this speech was something Zhao Ci often uttered.
But the latter part, about preventing others from looking down on them, was something Su Xiaoqi had never heard him say to Shen Yun before.
Even Shen Yun raised his eyebrows, a hint of confusion in his eyes regarding Zhao Ci's words.
Before either of them could inquire further, Zhao Ci changed the subject, "Are you here to deliver festival gifts to your clan patriarch's family?"
Shen Yun replied affirmatively.
Zhao Ci then patted his shoulder and told him to proceed.
With that, he turned to leave.
Su Xiaoqi, however, was secretly pondering the meaning behind Zhao Ci's words.
She had always known that Zhao Ci greatly admired Shen Yun's pursuit of the imperial examinations and was always proud of his achievements.
Every time they met, he would praise Shen Yun, saying that he was better than his own maternal grandfather.
But just now, he had spoken about preventing others from looking down on their origins.
Su Xiaoqi's thoughts raced. She couldn't fathom who in Zhao Family Village would have a higher social standing.
After all, before Shen Yun, Zhao Ci had been the only Xiu Cai (a scholar who passed the prefectural examination) in Zhao Family Village for over twenty years.
And Shen Yun, even more so, was the only one in the village to pass the Juren (successful candidate in the provincial examination).
According to the official system of the Great Liang Dynasty, a Juren was qualified to hold office.
Generally, they could be appointed to positions such as education officials, deputy magistrates, or scribes.
In any case, passing the Juren examination meant one foot had already stepped onto the path of officialdom.
Even with proper connections, if a vacancy arose, they might directly become a seventh-rank county magistrate.
Just like Huang Liangsheng, the magistrate of Mianzhou City, who had once passed the Juren examination.
Although he failed to pass the subsequent Metropolitan Examination twice, as a collateral relative of a prominent family in the capital, he managed to secure an official post with a little maneuvering.
"Yes," Shen Yun bowed his head in response. After seeing Zhao Ci off, he and Su Xiaoqi entered the clan residence one after the other.
This was a house twice the size of Zhao Ci's courtyard, with an additional four rooms.
Although the spacious courtyard was not as exquisitely laid out as residences in the city, it was still adorned with grapevines and various flowers and trees, making it distinctly different from the vegetable-filled courtyards of other villagers.
Su Xiaoqi knew that in the Great Liang Dynasty, in some places, clan rules could supersede imperial law.
For instance, although Zhao Baoren was the village head, he also bore the surname Zhao. If Zhao Renzhen were to assert his seniority, Zhao Baoren might not be able to compete.
This was why Shen Yun had felt no psychological pressure when plotting against Zhao Hai'e.
He wasn't afraid of offending the village head and making life difficult for himself in the village.
As it turned out, Zhao Baoren indeed dared not do anything to Shen Yun.
At the very least, after Zhao Hai'e became Magistrate Huang Liangsheng's concubine, he hadn't made any overt moves.
Of course, Su Xiaoqi didn't believe he truly harbored no resentment towards Shen Yun.
He simply lacked the means or the courage to act personally.
Otherwise, Zhao Baoyi and Zhao Guanggun wouldn't have poisoned her two fishponds.
Especially Zhao Guanggun, who was someone who wouldn't stir early without profit.
Without significant gain, why would he be willing to abandon everything and bear the responsibility alone?
Although Su Xiaoqi hadn't stayed in Zhao Family Village for long, she felt she had a good understanding of Zhao Baoren's character.
He was selfish and profit-driven, otherwise, he wouldn't have been so prone to extorting benefits from the villagers.
However, he did have one advantage: he was extremely adaptable to circumstances.
As soon as he realized that the other party could bring him significant benefits, or was someone he couldn't afford to offend, he would immediately curb his behavior.
He would never refuse benefits within reach, nor would he offend those he shouldn't.
Su Xiaoqi disliked his character, but she had to admit that his adaptability was also a good thing for them.
Otherwise, like the Su family, they would constantly try to stir up trouble for her whenever they encountered an obstacle. While she wasn't afraid of anything, it would still be tiring.
As it was now, things were much better.
The patriarch of the Zhao clan warmly invited Shen Yun and Su Xiaoqi into the main hall.
He was visibly surprised by the substantial festival gifts they had brought.
However, considering Shen Yun's current status and the large estate they had purchased, his demeanor soon calmed.
Since they had presented the gifts, it was naturally something they could afford.
It was their way of showing him respect and acknowledging his standing.
Zhao Ren quickly convinced himself and instructed his eldest son, Zhao Boyang, to receive the gifts.
He then encouraged Shen Yun to focus on his studies, assuring him that other matters would be taken care of.
Although they did not bear the surname Zhao, their mother did, and having lived in Zhao Family Village for so long, they were, in a sense, family.
He offered to help if Shen Yun needed anything.
"I will help in any way I can!"
Zhao Ren was eloquent and possessed great dignity, making conversations with him effortless.
Su Xiaoqi secretly nodded, understanding why he held the position of Zhao clan patriarch.
Zhao Ren had initially intended to invite the young couple to stay for lunch.
However, as they had to go to Mianzhou City, they couldn't linger and soon took their leave.
During this time, they returned to Furong Manor to summon Steward Li.
They instructed him to load all the gifts destined for Mianzhou City onto the mule carts.
Su Xiaoqi's initial intention was to have him help deliver the festival gifts to her aunt, Zhao Si Mei.
But Shen Yun later suggested that it would be better for them to go together.
"Next year, we will be leaving Mianzhou City, and I don't know when we will return." This might be the last time he would personally deliver the Winter Solstice festival gifts to his aunt's family.
Su Xiaoqi raised an eyebrow, understanding Shen Yun's implication. After a moment's thought, she asked nothing further.
Instead, she complied with his wish and accompanied him to Zhao Si Mei's home.
Upon seeing Su Xiaoqi and Shen Yun arrive, Zhao Si Mei was overjoyed. She took them by the hand and ushered them into the main hall to sit.
Su Xiaoqi promptly presented the gifts.
The gifts for Zhao Si Mei's family were the same as those for the Zhao family's main residence, with the only difference being the absence of a ginseng root.
The snow fungus was still measured out at two jin, as before.
Zhao Si Mei let out a gasp of surprise upon seeing the snow fungus.
"This, isn't this the 'Wu Ding Zhi' that's selling so well in the city? This, this is too precious," Zhao Si Mei dared not accept it.
She worked in the kitchen of the Fuyue Inn, and while she had little other knowledge, she had a vivid memory of edible items.
She had personally seen Shopkeeper Su purchase one jin and pay the delivery boy ten taels of silver.
Now, with two jin here, that would be twenty taels of silver.
A flicker of conflict crossed her thin face as she quickly waved her hands, saying she couldn't possibly accept it.