At the end of the year and the beginning of the year, with the arrival of the seventh year of virtue, the triennial examination competition gradually became more and more popular.

What the scholars are most concerned about is which bachelor will serve as the examiner of this year's examination. Naturally, the one with the highest voice is Shi Fengwu, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, followed by Fang Xu, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

As the examination was approaching, Lin Ruhai took advantage of the Spring Festival break to personally guide Lin Yun's homework.

Jia Min was not idle either. She strictly ordered several girls in Lin Yun's house to not interfere with Lin Yun's studies until the end of the examination.

Even Daiyu was restrained and was not allowed to go to Lin Yun to play around.

…

January 15th is Jia Mu's birthday. As a junior, Lin Yun naturally has to accompany Lin Ruhai and his wife to celebrate the old lady's birthday. Even Qin Keqing, the niece-in-law, must also accompany her.

When Qin Keqing learned that she was going to Rongguo Mansion to congratulate Mrs. Shi on her birthday, she became extremely nervous. She got up early in the morning to wash up, which made Lin Yun extremely depressed.

After thinking about it, Lin Yun walked over and chased the Baozhu and Ruizhu away. He smiled at Qin Keqing and said, "Keqing, let me do your makeup today, okay?"

Qin Keqing said happily: "Well, my husband has never put makeup on my concubine."

Lin Yun picked up the black pen in the makeup box, and while drawing Qin Keqing's eyebrows, he reminded: "The ancestors of the Jia family are the wives of generals. They like heroic women and don't like weak women, so your eyebrows are the best."

The painting should be more heroic."

Qin Keqing said nervously: "Thank you husband for reminding me, I almost missed it."

"Don't wear lipstick on your lips. First of all, it's not good for the baby in your belly, and also because our ancestors don't like coquettish women."

Qin Keqing hurriedly asked: "Husband, do you want me to wear less jewelry?"

"It doesn't matter. You just need to learn from Sister-in-law Feng. Why does my ancestor like her? Isn't it just because she has a cheerful temperament and does things vigorously and resolutely."

Qin Keqing said hurriedly: "I remember it."

"And the most important thing is that the old lady has a grandson named Baoyu. He always likes to hang out with girls. You have to remember, try to stay away from him and ignore him."

Qin Keqing hurriedly asked: "Will my ancestors be displeased by doing this?"

Lin Yun: "It's okay. Our ancestors love women who know etiquette and observe etiquette. I will never blame you for this."

"Okay, I remember it."

Lin Yun put down the eyebrow pencil in his hand and smiled at Qin Keqing: "I've painted it for you. How about you take a look in the mirror?"

Qin Keqing quickly looked in the mirror and was startled by this sight. She raised her hand and stroked her eyebrows, and said with a bitter face: "Husband, I always feel that my eyebrows are painted strangely."

Lin Yun said hurriedly: "What's strange? A heroic spirit is coming to my face. You are now like contemporary Mu Guiying and Hua Mulan."

Qin Keqing said shyly: "Husband, stop talking nonsense, lest you make others laugh."

At this time, Ping'er followed Baozhu in and asked the two of them: "Third Master, Grandma, Madam, let someone come over and ask if you are ready?"

Lin Yun said hurriedly: "Ready."

After a pause, he ordered to Baozhu again: "Baozhu, go and inform Xiaoya and ask her to accompany your grandma to the mansion over there today."

"yes."

Ping'er: "Third Master, do you want Xiang Ling to follow you?"

Lin Yun: "Xiang Ling will stay in the house with me. You go there with Ke Qing."

Ping'er hurriedly said: "I respect your orders."

…

Not long after, Xiaoya, all dressed up, appeared in front of everyone.

Lin Yunchong said to Ping'er: "Sister Ping'er, you accompany Keqing to see her aunt. I have a few words to tell Xiaoya."

"OK."

After Ping'er left with Qin Keqing, Lin Yun frowned at Xiaoya and said, "Are you going to sing in an opera dressed like this?"

Xiaoya smiled secretly: "The third master painted grandma like that and asked the slave to accompany him. Isn't it just that he wants the slave to dominate the scene?"

Lin Yun: "Are you the roundworm in my belly? You know everything I think?"

Xiaoya pursed her lips and smiled and said, "There are also things that I can't guess. For example, I can't guess who the young master in the back house likes the most."

Lin Yun said with a dark face: "Don't think too much about me, or I'll have your legs broken and then sell you to human traffickers."

Xiaoya giggled and said, "My servant is so smart and beautiful, are you willing to sell me?"

"I can save some money by selling it."

“Your mouth doesn’t match your heart.”

…

At midnight in the morning, a long queue from the Lin Mansion appeared outside the main entrance of the Rongguo Mansion. Since Lin Ruhai came in person to congratulate the old lady on her birthday, they could enter through the middle door this time.

There was a lot of excitement outside Rongguo Mansion, with the middle gate, east corner gate, and west corner gate all open.

The female family members who come to celebrate their birthdays enter through the west corner gate. Some of the younger generations of relatives and friends use the east corner gate. Only princes and ministers can enter through the middle gate.

Of course, given the current situation in which the Jia family is increasingly declining in the court, no prince or courtier is willing to come to the house in person to congratulate the old lady on her birthday.

When Lin Yun escorted Lin Ruhai and his wife to the car arriving at the gate of Rongguo Mansion, he saw Jia Zheng and Jia Lian waiting outside the gate. However, he did not see the figure of the eldest master, Jia She.

Lin Ruhai quickly stepped out of the carriage, stepped forward and bowed to Jia Zheng, greeting each other warmly.

After the two exchanged pleasantries, Lin Yun stepped forward, saluted Jia Zheng and said, "Ruoyu, please give my uncle my regards."

Jia Zheng twisted his beard and said with a smile: "Why don't you call me Mr. Zheng today?"

Lin Yun hurriedly greeted him and said, "If you are foolish to Meng Lang, please forgive me, uncle."

Jia Zheng: "Next time if something happens, you can ask Lian'er to tell me. You don't have to use those tricks."

"Thank you uncle for your advice. Ruoyu will remember it."

After Jia Lian saluted Lin Ruhai, Jia Zheng said to him: "Lian'er, take Ruoyu and your aunt to see the old lady."

"My nephew respects your order."

…

To go to Jia Mu Yuan from the middle gate, you must first pass through Rongxi Hall.

This time Mrs. Wang did not pretend to be sick. She led Aunt Xue, Mrs. Xing, Li Wan, and Wang Xifeng to stand at the courtyard gate to greet them.

Jia Min led Qin Keqing to pay homage to him. Everyone greeted each other and the atmosphere was lively. It didn't look like they were fighting like black-eyed roosters before.

After the greetings, everyone gathered around Jia Min and Mrs. Wang to go to Jia Mu's courtyard.

Once here, the atmosphere becomes even more lively.

Jia Mu was sitting at the top of the flower hall, surrounded by female relatives who came to celebrate her birthday. Among them, Lin Yun only recognized Mrs. Baolinghou, Mrs. Yang.

Jia Min led Qin Keqing forward to salute Jia's mother. The old lady stood up quickly, took Qin Keqing's hand and said with a smile: "I have long heard that Brother Yun's daughter-in-law is a very good one. When I see her today, she really looks like this."

No one can match it.”

Qin Keqing said happily: "Thank you for the compliment, ancestor."

Several female relatives sitting next to her echoed the old lady's words one after another, praising Qin Keqing's appearance.

Lin Yun was shocked when he heard this. He had been painted like that for Qin Keqing, so why did the old lady say it so exaggeratedly?

But when he took a closer look at Qin Keqing's face, he was stunned. The heroic eyebrows he had painted for Qin Keqing had turned into slender willow eyebrows. Without thinking, he could guess that this must be Jia Min's handiwork.

After everyone had finished their compliments, Lin Yun stepped forward and saluted Jia Mu: "Old Ancestor, Keqing is weak and pregnant, so it is not easy to stand for a long time. Please forgive me and allow her to go to Sister-in-law Feng's house."

Take a rest."

Hearing this, Mother Jia smiled and said, "I didn't expect that Brother Yun still cares about his wife. Tomorrow, you can also teach your second brother Lian and let him learn from you."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said: "If our second master can learn even half of what Brother Yun has learned, I will be satisfied."

Jia Min: "Lian'er is reliable and diligent. She is also very good."

Jia Mu nodded and said, "What Min'er said is that Lian'er has indeed made a lot of progress in the past two years, and this is all due to Brother Yun."

Lin Yun said hurriedly: "The old lady is too complimentary."

Jia Mu said to Wang Xifeng: "Brother Feng, take Brother Yun's daughter-in-law to your room to rest. There is no need to stand here."

Qin Keqing said hurriedly: "Thank you, ancestor."

Wang Xifeng: "Ancestor, let's go there first."

"Go ahead."

…

Baoyu was in front of him entertaining the nephews and nephews who came to congratulate the old lady on her birthday. When the boy heard that his aunt and his family were coming, he hurried over to meet them.

When Baoyu arrived at the flower hall, he happened to see sisters Li Wan, Daiyu, Baochai, Shi Xiangyun and Sanchun surrounding Sister Feng, while Lin Yun and Qin Keqing were standing together talking and laughing.

When Baoyu saw Qin Keqing, he was immediately stunned as if he had lost his soul.

Lin Yun saw this and scolded: "Brother Bao, don't you know how to salute your sister-in-law when you see her?"

Baoyu hurriedly bowed his hands and said, "Baoyu pays homage to Sister-in-law Yun."
To be continued...