"Indeed, but it may need to be earlier!"
Yun Jinnian thought of Yun Zhen, who had failed the imperial examinations time and again.
"Is the City Lord's son an imperial scholar?"
"He achieved that status years ago, but after the City Lord, his father passed away, he returned to observe filial mourning and perhaps lacked connections in the Capital City, so ever since he came back, he hasn't been willing to go to the Capital City to pursue further examinations!"
Now that he's willing to offer them his support, to the Liao Family, it truly is an immense gift.
"Speaking of which, this waterway disaster is due to me!"
"No harm done, City Lord Liao is an understanding man!"
The three arrived at the dining hall, where City Lord Liao and several of the Liao young masters were present. After going through pleasantries, they all took their seats in a respectful manner.
Yun Jinnian looked around the room and remembered the man that City Lord Liao had pointedly introduced to her before, unable to help but take another glance.
He was quite lean, of average appearance, but he carried an air of scholarship, spoke with refined gentleness, his voice neither loud nor low, his movements neither hasty nor sluggish. He seemed a very decent man.
And to forsake the grand examinations in favor of returning home to observe mourning, it showed he was a person of deep emotions and loyalty.
Add to that his extensive knowledge of poetry and literature, plus the mentorship from Chu Yu, his potential was boundless.
Suddenly, Yun Jinnian thought of Yun Zihan.
If the two could become...
It seemed she needed to inquire with Chu Yu as to this man's age and temper, and she must also write a letter home, asking her mother to probe the thoughts of Aunt Hemei and her second sister.
One must not act rashly.
Liao Shijie's face turned beet red under Yun Jinnian's gaze, but his amiable nature meant he couldn't voice a reminder to Yun Jinnian that she had been watching him for quite some time now.
He was also one of only a few in the City Lord Residence who knew of Yun Jinnian's true identity.
And he was merely a son born out of wedlock, raised by his stepmother after his mother's early demise—how could he dare to fancy someone like Yun Jinnian, who seemed as divine as a celestial being?
His face grew even redder, when suddenly he stood up with his cup of wine and walked over to Chu Yu, "Prince Rui, Shijie toasts to Your Highness!"
Chu Yu lifted his cup of wine and nodded in acknowledgment.
He had noticed Yun Jinnian's attention focused on Liao Shijie and was feeling quite bothered by it.
Liao Shijie was perceptive, using the toast to escape Yun Jinnian's gaze. By doing so, he not only avoided discomfort but also didn't offend Yun Jinnian—a sign of someone clever.
Yun Jinnian withdrew her gaze, picked up her wine cup, sipped and swallowed slowly, then picked up her chopsticks to serve food to Han Tianci.
She also ate in small, delicate bites.
After the meal, Chu Yu left some instructions with City Lord Liao, and shortly after, Hemei came to fetch him.
It was rare for Yun Jinnian to seek him out actively, and Chu Yu was extremely pleased, hurrying to the courtyard where Yun Jinnian was staying.
"Jinnian, you were looking for me?"
Yun Jinnian smiled tenderly, gesturing for Chu Yu to take a seat, "Indeed, I need your help with something!"
"Tell me!"
Yun Jinnian poured Chu Yu some tea and handed it to him, and after seeing him take a sip, she asked, "The Liao family's young master from earlier, the one who toasted you, what kind of man is he?"
"Cough, cough, cough!!"
Chu Yu suddenly burst into coughing, his face turning red from choking.
Alarm bells rang in his heart.
Could it be, could it be that Yun Jinnian was interested in Liao Shijie?
This was simply...
Yun Jinnian, puzzled, stood up to pat Chu Yu on the back, "Look at you, did I ask something that shocking?"
She completely missed just how tenderly she was treating Chu Yu, her eyes and eyebrows soft with affection.
The intimacy resembled that between spouses or lovers.
Wasn't this serious?
A young lady, unless she was interested in someone, would never ask such questions.
He felt so anxious that his heart ached, yet he dared not confront her directly, only left to guess wildly, wishing he could grab Liao Shijie and give him a good beating.
Chu Yu exhaled deeply and inhaled just as deeply before looking intently at Yun Jinnian and asking, "Why do you inquire about him?"