Peaceful Farm Life

Chapter 2489: Chapter 2490: Return to Tianyun (56)

”Alright, alright, let’s go inside.” Knowing that Taoming Hai did fairly well in the exam and should have no problem becoming a Scholar, Mrs. Cao was very happy, holding her son’s hand as they went in together.

At the same time, Mrs. Cao instructed the servant, ”Quickly, have the kitchen prepare a meal with dishes that the Second Young Master likes.”

The more Mrs. Cao acted this way, the happier she became, and the more uneasy Taoming Hai felt.

It wasn’t until they reached the courtyard where Mrs. Cao lived, when it was just Mrs. Cao and Taoming Hai inside, that Taoming Hai spoke to his mother: ”Mother, Huo Xiner didn’t disgrace Father; it seems she did...even better than me.”

Not wanting to reveal much about how Huo Xiner shone and stood out in the examination, which would make him feel quite humiliated, Taoming Hai only vaguely mentioned it.

Upon hearing Taoming Hai’s words with the word ’seems,’ Mrs. Cao wasn’t too convinced that Su Xing did well and remarked, ”Don’t give others more courage while diminishing your own drive. Huo Xiner’s small skills wouldn’t be enough to pass as a Martial Talent, let alone a Scholar. You’re different. I hired a master to teach you strictly since you were young, and you’ve been training hard for this day. Haier, I have faith you’ll become a Martial Champion. I’m counting on you becoming a Martial Champion to bring honor to our family.”

Taoming Hai felt even more distressed and found it hard to speak. His mother, like him, also thought Huo Xiner had meager skills, yet he had seen with his own eyes how her ability could make him feel inferior...

Mrs. Cao didn’t notice Taoming Hai’s expression and continued, ”If Huo Xiner went to the exam, she surely didn’t tell your father. Otherwise, I would have known. For such a big matter, if Huo Xiner is successful and becomes a Scholar, that’s fine. But if not, she should be prepared for a scolding from your father! Alright then, Haier, you’ve just returned from the exams, go rest. Once the food is ready, I’ll have it brought to your room. Starting tomorrow, you need to prepare to become a groom. It’s already the seventeenth today, and on the thirtieth, you’ll be bringing Banyan into our home as your bride.”

”Hmm.” Aside from a simple acknowledgment, Taoming Hai didn’t know what else to say.

...

When Tao Chengyin returned home in the evening, Mrs. Cao immediately took Taoming Hai to see Tao Chengyin to discuss how Taoming Hai did in the exams.

”Master, Haier said he did fairly well; it seems becoming a Martial Talent shouldn’t be a problem.” Mrs. Cao said with a smile.

Tao Chengyin, upon hearing this, was also quite pleased and said to Taoming Hai, ”Haier, if you really manage to become a Martial Champion, that would truly bring glory and honor to our family.”

Taoming Hai still felt quite uneasy inside, but he understood courtesy and replied with compliments, ”Father, you’re already a Third-ranking official; that’s truly what brings glory and honor.”

Tao Chengyin, hearing the flattery, stroked his beard and laughed heartily before saying, ”I misspoke earlier; if you become a Martial Champion, it will indeed bring even greater glory to our Tao family.”

Taoming Hai accompanied with a smiling face.

Mrs. Cao, seizing the opportunity while Tao Chengyin was pleased, adopted a kindly mother facade, yet her words carried a hidden meaning.

Mrs. Cao sighed and said, ”Master, Haier mentioned that Xiner also went for the exams. You probably didn’t know, right? It’s one thing for her to disregard me as her mother, but you dote so much on Ye’er, yet Ye’er didn’t mention it to you. Such a significant matter...”

Tao Chengyin immediately became displeased, his expression stern: ”It’s truly unacceptable. Such an important matter, and not saying a word to the family? This is letting her become too unruly at her mother’s home. Tomorrow I’ll have them brought back. It’s unbecoming not to live with the family and always staying at her mother’s home!”