Chapter 516: The Second Trial

The group of little maids at the doorway stood there like a row of beckoning lucky cats, their small hands clasped together as they chirped out auspicious blessings. Yet their slender bodies formed an unyielding barrier, firmly blocking the entrance and refusing to let Zhu Ping’an pass.

The way they guarded the door so deliberately—it was obvious they had been instructed beforehand.

Zhu Ping’an could already imagine what would happen if he failed to even enter the bridal chamber. By dawn tomorrow, his mother, Madam Chen, would surely grab him by the ear and drag him straight to the ancestral hall, forcing him to kneel before the neatly arranged ancestral tablets and repent.

“Of the three unfilial acts, having no descendants is the greatest. You can’t even enter the bridal chamber—how dare you face your ancestors…”

He could practically hear her scolding voice in his mind already.

No matter what came next, he had to get inside first. Only by entering the bridal chamber could he at least answer to his parents and avoid their wrath.

Looking at the six “lucky cat” maids blocking the door, Zhu Ping’an shook his head with a faint smile. Under their eager, glittering gazes, he slowly slipped his hand back into his pocket and began rummaging around.

The moment the girls saw this, their excitement soared. Each one lit up like a child about to receive a long-awaited treat—like little puppies eagerly waiting for their master to toss them a bone.

He did not disappoint them.

When Zhu Ping’an withdrew his hand, another stack of red envelopes appeared.

The six maids’ eyes sparkled instantly, wide and shining as they stared fixedly at the envelopes in his hand, their anticipation almost palpable.

“Thank you all for your blessings. A small token of my appreciation,” Zhu Ping’an said with a nod.

Then, instead of handing them out one by one, he lifted his hand and tossed the envelopes high into the air.

A rain of red envelopes descended.

The maids let out excited squeals as they saw the envelopes falling from above. Without a second thought, they bent over, scrambling eagerly to grab them—quick hands darting everywhere as they competed with one another, completely absorbed in the joyful chaos. The responsibility of blocking the door was instantly forgotten.

Seizing the moment, Zhu Ping’an quickened his pace and slipped past them, weaving through the distracted girls and crossing the second gate in one smooth motion, entering the inner courtyard without obstruction.

“Ah! The young master got in!”

One of the maids, who had managed to snatch two envelopes, looked up just in time to see Zhu Ping’an already walking into the second courtyard. She slapped her forehead in regret.

“What? How did he get in so fast? The young miss will definitely blame us…” The other maids also froze, their faces filled with dismay.

“It’s all your fault for being greedy,” one of them complained.

“You grabbed some too!” the accused girl shot back, unwilling to take the blame alone.

In the end, the six little maids could only stand there, watching Zhu Ping’an’s retreating figure, each one silently regretting their moment of greed.

The second courtyard was even more richly adorned with festive decorations. Lush lucky bamboo, roses, lilies, and delicate sprigs of lover’s grass mingled with a variety of colorful flowers, painting the space with vibrant celebration. A pathway of scattered rose petals stretched forward, adding a soft, intimate charm reminiscent of a young lady’s private boudoir. The air carried a stronger scent of cosmetics and perfume, sweet and lingering.

“Congratulations, young master. Auspicious greetings.”

The maids stationed in the second courtyard were clearly of a higher rank—likely second-tier attendants from the Li household. They were a couple of years older than the previous group, and their attire was more refined. As Zhu Ping’an entered, they approached in small, measured steps, bending their knees gracefully with hands placed at their waists as they greeted him.

“My thanks, my thanks,” Zhu Ping’an replied with a courteous bow.

By habit, he reached for a few more red envelopes, intending to distribute them. On a wedding day, the groom was practically a walking dispenser of wealth—handing out red envelopes at every turn. Whatever the situation, giving gifts was rarely a mistake.

“Hehe… our young master is a renowned scholar of the Great Ming. How can you keep offering such vulgar things?” one maid teased with a light laugh.

“Exactly. You’re the top scholar—the zhuangyuan! How could you dismiss us with something so ordinary?” another chimed in.

The group shook their heads, smiling, but none of them accepted the envelopes. Clearly, they had a different task to fulfill.

“Oh? Then what would you have me do?” Zhu Ping’an asked, smiling faintly. He had anticipated this and showed no surprise.

“Naturally, we want your writing—your brush and your talent,” the maid at the front replied with a firm nod and a bright smile. “You are the zhuangyuan, after all. Your literary brilliance is unmatched in the realm. If what you write satisfies our young miss, we will allow you to proceed.”

“Yes, yes! The zhuangyuan must write!”

“You must compose poetry, lyrics, or an essay for our young miss. Only if she is pleased will you be allowed to enter.”

“You’ll have to show the same brilliance you used to win first place. If it’s not good enough…” one of them giggled mischievously, “…you may enter the imperial hall, but the bridal chamber will remain closed to you.”

The maids chattered excitedly, all insisting that Zhu Ping’an prove his literary talent. Whatever he wrote would be delivered to Li Shu for judgment—only her approval would grant him passage.

Ah, so this round was about literature.

Zhu Ping’an nodded with a small smile.

Writing poetry or essays was hardly a challenge for him. After all, he had achieved the rank of zhuangyuan precisely through his mastery of the written word—this was his strongest domain. Moreover, he carried with him knowledge and experience that spanned centuries beyond theirs. The finest works from later dynasties and even modern times were at his disposal.

In this regard, he felt no pressure.

“Young master, here are brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. There is also a stick of incense burning—you must finish before it burns out. If you exceed the time…” one maid said with a playful grin, “…you’ll have no choice but to spend the night in the guest room.”

“You only have the time of one incense stick!”

“And even if you finish, if it’s not satisfactory, it still won’t count!”

Amid their lively chatter, the maids led Zhu Ping’an to a spot beside the second gate. There stood a table and chair set adorned with red “double happiness” characters. On the table lay a complete set of writing tools—brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. A red candle flickered steadily, and two large lanterns cast a warm glow, illuminating the area brightly.

“Allow me to grind the ink for you, young master…”

One of the maids stepped forward eagerly, rolling up her sleeves to reveal a slender, pale wrist. Under the candlelight, her skin appeared smooth and luminous, clearly well cared for.

“Thank you, but I’ll do it myself,” Zhu Ping’an replied gently, declining her offer.

He took a seat, drawing the inkstone closer. As he began to grind the ink slowly, the rhythmic motion steadying his thoughts, he pondered what he should write.

Li Shu was no ordinary girl.

Her intelligence—and her subtle, cunning nature—he had witnessed since childhood. Ordinary poetry or flowery prose would hardly be enough to impress her.

Still, there was one advantage.

She liked him.

Though he could not fully understand why, it seemed she had held affection for him for a long time. If not for that moment on the island—when he recognized the familiar taste of her cooking, reminiscent of her family’s chef—he might never have uncovered that hidden truth. At the same time, it only reinforced how inscrutable her thoughts could be.

A woman’s heart was as deep as the ocean.

Writing something that would truly satisfy Li Shu… would be no simple task.