Chapter 567 - 344: Liu Ze’s Plans
What are your plans next?
Liu Ze thought seriously.
At the mere age of thirteen, he had passed the scholar exam. Without arrogance, he could be considered a young talent.
Liu Ze had never underestimated himself, but similarly, he was also more aware that being a scholar, relative to the system, was merely the simplest first step.
Although from a young age, people said he was extremely wise and excelled in reading and calligraphy.
However, Liu Ze knew very well that compared to his elder brother, he was still a step behind. In his childhood, when their parents were busy, it was almost always his elder brother who taught him his lessons.
Back then, the elder brother was only a few years old himself, yet he was already able to teach him to be outstanding, a testament to his elder brother’s knowledge.
It was just that his elder brother was gentle and low-key in daily life and seldom debated with others, so he didn’t show his brilliance publicly.
Moreover, among his elder brother’s teachers was an aging scholar who had returned to his hometown, who also spoke highly of him.
Even so, his elder brother prepared for a very long time for this exam.
Therefore, Liu Ze was very self-aware, knowing that the provincial examination was much more difficult than the county examination, relying on many factors described in his brother’s previous teachings, including laws, arithmetic, calligraphy, literary talents, and political essays.
And these were not something that could be achieved merely by reading books; better teachers were essential, especially as the exam also depended on the current political situation.
At any rate, on this path, aside from knowledge, one also needed vision and insights into the political situation, which required a good mentor.
The most important thing is, even with these, it does not guarantee passing the exam.
His brother’s ability to pass the provincial exam on the first try was truly impressive, and no wonder their parents worried about him being noticed in the capital city.
However, that was his elder brother; Liu Ze didn’t feel he could be that outstanding.
This time, passing the scholar exam at the age of thirteen, to put it plainly, he thought it was a stroke of luck.
Before this, his elder brother often taught them potential exam topics, accurately predicting about one-third of them, hence their excellent results this time.
A hand waved in front of his eyes, bringing Liu Ze back to his senses. He saw it was Jiang Yu: "What are you thinking about?"
Liu Ze casually sipped his tea: "I was thinking that since I can only take the provincial exam after turning twenty, there’s still time. Before that, it wouldn’t be bad to get married first."
Jiang Yu was momentarily choked up, then rolled his eyes: "You wish! Little Xue is only turning twelve next May."
Liu Ze chuckled softly: "Why is elder brother anxious? I never said the marriage has to happen immediately, but there is one thing I haven’t told Uncle Jiang yet."
Saying this, his brow furrowed slightly, and his eyes showed concern.
"What?" Jiang Yu asked, then remembered: "You mean marrying Little Xue? Don’t talk about your parents, I bet Little Xue herself doesn’t even know about this, right?"
Liu Ze chuckled bitterly and shook his head: "If only it were something that simple. I truly admire Little Xue and earnestly wish to marry her. Uncle and Aunt shouldn’t oppose."
"Then what are you worried about?"
Speaking of which, Liu Ze was also the only outsider Little Xue had contact with, and regardless of conditions, Little Xue marrying Liu Ze would indeed be marrying up.
After all, Little Xue was just an ordinary village girl, while Liu Ze was the son of a county magistrate and now a scholar.
Of course, in Jiang Yu’s heart, his sister was the best. Never mind a county magistrate’s son; even the emperor’s son would suit her!
However...
*Cough cough*, one must consider practical matters after all.
Putting aside Liu Ze’s background, he grew up in their family for nearly seven years.
His character and temperament were known, and most importantly, he had secretly admired Little Xue since childhood.
Back in Fu’an Village, he would subtly find ways to keep other boys wanting to work with Little Xue away.
Jiang Yu had seen through his intentions long ago.
Although Little Xue was too young to understand romantic feelings or have such thoughts, Jiang Yu had to admit that her attitude towards Liu Ze was indeed different from her attitude towards Wei Ziang.
So, their relationship as childhood sweethearts with mutual affection was undeniably true.
From this perspective, Little Xue marrying Liu Ze would be undoubtedly good.
Moreover, the Liu and Jiang families had a good relationship. Uncle Liu was a county magistrate, and Aunt Qian was a merchant, both kind-hearted people, so there’s no need to worry about in-law relationships.
Furthermore, Aunt Qian was very kind to her elder daughter-in-law. Everyone noticed and knew she was considerate enough to build a special house in the village so her daughter-in-law could rest during her pregnancy.