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Chapter 310: Uncle VS Dad

Just as Yan Lao’er finished recounting the rumors he heard in Yongning City, the Qi Family Three Brothers came looking for him.

They had planned to go into the mountains, and the Qi brothers were eagerly anticipating it. After waiting for Yan Lao’er for so long without any news, they couldn’t hold back any longer and came to find him.

Yan Lao’er greeted his brother, grabbed his gear, and left with the Qi Family Three Brothers.

Of course, before leaving, he lingered in the house for a while.

He asked Maomao to show him the way.

This left Yan Yu feeling particularly like crying.

Her uncle seemed to have finally caught her, pulling out a new book.

It was something he hadn’t taught before, and without any warning, he started teaching.

Yan Yu was stunned!

She wanted to say it wasn’t class time, but in front of her uncle, Yan Yu, like her father, couldn’t help but feel intimidated.

The authority of the family head was overwhelming, and she didn’t dare to resist.

In fact, facing her uncle’s gaze, it was hard not to follow his wishes.

It felt as if he could see right through her, leaving her with nowhere to hide.

Finally, during the break, Yan Yu dutifully served tea to her uncle.

She also took the opportunity to rest.

“Is there anything you don’t understand?” Yan Huaiwen asked.

Yan Yu shook her head, then nodded.

“Speak up.”

“Uncle, why do I have to study the Analects¹?” she murmured softly. “I’m not taking the Imperial Examination²…”

Yan Huaiwen replied, “The words of the sages are pearls of wisdom. All the principles are within, and you must understand them with your heart.”

Yan Yu wasn’t foolish; her uncle’s words couldn’t fool her.

If it were truly about understanding the sages, would he need to teach her this way? She had been studying for over ten years and could clearly distinguish between gaining knowledge and preparing for the Imperial Examination.

“Uncle, I’m a girl; I can’t take the Imperial Examination.” Yan Yu didn’t give up on fighting for herself.

How could she give up? The Imperial Examination was a huge pit!

The Analects was just the beginning; there were several other major works to follow!

Yan Huaiwen took a sip of light chrysanthemum tea.

“At your age, if you don’t study, what do you plan to do?”

Yan Yu: …

Stockpile food, build high walls!

Stay home and relax.

Could she say this dream? She feared her uncle would glare at her if she did.

“Uncle, it’s Dad who should be studying, not me.”

Sorry, Dad, but Da Bao will be filial to you in the future.

“Your father has his own arrangements,” Yan Huaiwen said.

Seeing Xiao Er looking rather indignant, he thought for a moment and patiently explained, “After the festival, Magistrate Tian will go to Gufeng, and I will accompany him. However, Magistrate Tian won’t stay long and should return in a few days. At that time, your father and elder brother can go to Crouching Tiger County School until February next year.”

Yan Yu’s eyes shifted as she asked, “Uncle, have you told Dad about this?”

Yan Huaiwen smiled, “Not yet. It’s not too late to tell him later.”

He was well aware of Tianyou’s aversion to studying and planned to delay telling him for a few days, ideally until the last moment, so he would have no choice but to go.

Once at the County School, with Master Tian overseeing, Tianyou wouldn’t be able to escape.

Yan Yu wanted to laugh but held it back.

She had to be considerate.

Poor Dad.

No, she had to be a thoughtful daughter and give him a heads-up.

…

When Yan Lao’er returned joyfully from the mountains with two wild boars, the first thing he heard was this bad news.

“What?!”

He pointed at his own nose, “Me? And Heng’er, both of us? Did Master Tian give us two spots?”

What a bolt from the blue!

Yan Yu, looking like a good daughter who cared about her father, held his big hand and sighed emotionally, “Dad! It’s hard on you. Uncle has made up his mind, and to prevent you from fiercely resisting, he decided to tell you this news in a few days. It seems he’s really determined this time. He even said you both have to study until February next year. Think about it, February next year is the Tong Sheng³ exam!”

Yan Lao’er was as if he had lost a loved one, “Your uncle is dead set on having me pass the Tong Sheng exam and come home. What should we do, Da Bao? Your dad is only half-educated; others might not know, but you do. Quickly, help me think of a way!”

“Dad! I’ve thought it through seriously. You can’t escape this.” Yan Yu said solemnly, “While Uncle and Magistrate Tian are in Gufeng, don’t even think of going with them. Quickly catch up on your studies. I’ve thought it over for you. If you can’t memorize, you can say you forgot. If your writing isn’t good, you can write slowly. But you must be able to read. Let’s hurry and read through those books in the next few days.”

Yan Lao’er was in a mess, but having been through some things, he asked suspiciously, “Da Bao, is this all your uncle’s idea? You didn’t add fuel to the fire, did you?”

Yan Yu righteously declared, “Dad! How could I do such a thing! Think about it, am I closer to you or Uncle? Of course, it’s you! Besides, where would I have a say in Uncle’s decisions? Master Tian even gave two spots. Don’t you think this is fate wanting you to go?”

She earnestly said, “I want you to pass the Tong Sheng exam and be respected wherever you go, but I certainly respect your wishes more, Dad. Last time we talked about this, you didn’t want to, and I never brought it up again. Dad, how can you not trust me?”

Yan Lao’er quickly placated his daughter, “Dad was wrong, Dad was wrong. It’s just that I was so anxious I got confused.”

Yan Yu patted his hand and spoke earnestly, “Dad, since you can’t resist the Imperial Examination, try to accept it!”

…

Yan Lao’er ran out to find Luo San to slaughter pigs.

He heard that in the evening, he would go to the woods to burn charcoal.

Yan Yu understood her father. Unable to accept it all at once and afraid of showing any signs in front of Uncle, he had to hide outside for a while.

Naturally, she had to be a considerate daughter, helping her brother move the divided pork back home, then assisting Big Sis Daya in helping Granny Rong clean the pig offal and add it to her family’s marinade pot.

The two pig pancreas had to be made into scented soap while fresh.

Fortunately, they had done it a few times and were experienced. By evening, the Yan family’s courtyard was filled with familiar round balls.

Granny Rong prepared dinner, and Yan Yu packed extra to take to the woods for her father and the Qi family uncles.

“Did your uncle ask about me?” Yan Lao’er asked.

“How could he not ask?” Yan Yu set out the buns and dishes, handing him chopsticks. “But I said you received another charcoal order today, and Uncle didn’t suspect a thing.”

In just two hours, Yan Lao’er had gone from being full of spirit to looking utterly dejected.

“Da Bao, I’ve thought it over. You can’t fight against the inevitable. Dad… will go!” Yan Lao’er spoke with a tone full of grievance.

“It’s just losing face. I’ll go; after all, Dad has thick skin and isn’t afraid of that. It’s your uncle’s reputation on the line.

In a while, all of Crouching Tiger City will know that your uncle has a brother who can’t make heads or tails of anything, who has studied for over ten years and can’t memorize anything, who looks at books as if they’re in a foreign language, and who doesn’t understand a word of the classics!”

Yan Lao’er had given up, “Let them laugh!”

Yan Yu: …

An uncle determined to have his brother succeed in the Imperial Examination VS a father on the verge of giving up

Which side will the scales of victory tip towards?

(End of Chapter)

Translator’s Notes