Chapter 202: The Scholar Brother Takes Charge

After Li Yaoguang greeted the polite neighbors around her, she packed up the stall with Li Qifeng. When her brother didn't let her help carry the goods, she took Yaoyao by the hand and followed Li Qifeng home. She was still confused on the way.

"Brother, why did you suddenly think of setting up a stall? How come I didn't know how long you've been doing it?"

It was not convenient to talk too much on the road at this moment. Li Qifeng shook the backpack behind him and pointed at the people in front of him, "Send these little guys away first, I will explain it to you in detail later."

"to make."

Li Yaoguang quickened his pace and led the group of little kids who were carrying things and waiting obediently at the door of his house without going in. He asked Aunt Qiu to find the candies that were always available at home and distribute them to the kids. He also found cakes from the many gifts, picked up two bags and opened them directly to distribute to the children, so that each person could get several pieces.

This is the pastry from Duke Cheng'en's mansion, which is not easily available outside. It is both beautiful and delicious, but a little small and exquisite. However, the children are happy too. Their hands are full and their pockets are full. They hold candies and rare pastries, and run away with satisfied smiles on their faces.

Li Yaoguang did not forget about Yaoyao. He left two packets to be brought back to Yangger and Yiger, and stuffed the remaining packet directly to Yaoyao. He patted the little girl's butt and told her to put it aside and eat it. Then he turned around and urged someone who was pretending to be busy.

"Brother, are you okay?"

Li Qifeng knew that he couldn't avoid this, so he nodded and walked to the edge of the well to wash his hands with the drying water. He walked back and motioned Li Yaoguang to follow him into the house and sit in the main seat in the middle hall. Li Yaoguang urged him again.

"Brother, please tell me quickly, don't try to hide it from me."

Li Qifeng gave her a calm look, then he spoke slowly.

"Yaoguang, I'm not hiding it from you. It's just that you've been busy lately and I haven't had a chance to tell you."

"You're right. Tell me how many days you've been setting up the stall."

Li Qifeng raised his hand and counted, "Three days."

"You are quite good at keeping it a secret. No wonder your uncle said you were so quiet and focused on doing great things."

Li Qifeng smiled helplessly and self-deprecatingly.

"Yaoguang, I know you are doing this for my own good and you are worried about me, but I am fully recovered now, so what's wrong with doing some work? And Yaoguang, I am the elder brother and you are the younger sister. Men have always been responsible for the outside world and women for the inside world. Since we are destined to be brother and sister, and you saved my life, as the elder brother, I should shoulder the responsibility of supporting the family. What kind of man would you be if you pushed everything onto a little girl like you?"

"elder brother……"

"No, Yaoguang, please don't say anything yet. Listen to me. I know you want to talk about the matter of Cheng'en Mansion. You have to repay Mr. Lu's favor. You have no choice but to show up. I know and understand this, so I won't say it. But from now on, I am here, and these things should be borne by me as the elder brother. Yaoguang, you and Yaoyao are the same to me. Although you are a useless scholar, I still want to protect you from the wind and rain. I only wish you a safe life."

The young man is sincere and his eyes are shining.

At this moment, Li Yaoguang fully realized the warmth of her brother. She remained silent and finally accepted this brother who showed up out of nowhere, just like she accepted her aunt and uncle.

Seeing Li Yaoguang silent, although Li Qifeng felt sorry for his sister, he still firmly expressed the thoughts that had been in his heart for a long time.

"Yaoguang, we are grown up now. We can't always be a burden to our aunt and uncle. Their lives are not easy either..."

This is a misunderstanding. They rely on their elders for food and drink.

"As a member of the family and the eldest brother, we can't just live off our savings. We have to increase income and reduce expenditure. I have only this little ability. I can't even think about making a fortune, but I can definitely make money to support you and Yaoyao."

"Then you wouldn't have to set up a stall. It's so hard."

"What's the big deal? Isn't it better than farming? Besides, I was inspired by you to set up the stall. My aunt even whispered that you had done that before!" Li Yaoguang was dumbfounded, wondering why his aunt sold herself out.

Li Qifeng laughed out loud, "Hahaha, you are dumbfounded, right? Besides, who said I was just setting up a stall? I also took on copying jobs in two bookstores in the city. Yaoguang, brother can support the family."

"What? Still copying books?" Li Yaoguang was shocked again. "You're setting up a stall and copying books. Brother, don't you want to continue taking the imperial examination? No way!"

Although his words were disapproving and he treated her coldly, Li Qifeng knew that Li Yaoguang was sincere behind his attitude.

Could it be that this silly girl has made up her mind to support herself and continue to take the imperial examinations?
He wanted to work hard to continue taking the exam, so that he could provide shelter for this kind family who were willing to accept them as their closest relatives. Unfortunately...

Li Qifeng's eyes suddenly dimmed. Being stared at by his sister, Li Qifeng could not help but smile bitterly.

"Forget it. Even if I don't tell you, you will know it in two days."

"Know what?"

Li Qifeng told Li Yaoguang what he heard from the people inside when he went to the bookstore to look for work.

"Today, the Dajing is in turmoil, and the imperial court is in turmoil. The Hu Di people have not robbed and fled as they did in the past. Instead, they have been entrenched in the north and plundered everywhere, and even have the intention of breaking through the defense line along the river and continuing to move south.

Under such circumstances, how could Your Majesty and the court have the heart to hold the imperial examination?

It’s stopped. Everything has stopped. The autumn examination that was supposed to take place this year has been cancelled. The county and prefectural examinations have also been completely suspended. As for when they will start again, there is no news from the court. However, judging from the current situation…” He was afraid that it was hanging in the balance.

Li Yaoguang was also shocked. "The imperial examination is for selecting talents. If this is stopped, how will officials be selected in the future?"

Li Qifeng said: "Recommend or select to serve as an official."

Li Yaoguang shuddered, "If this is the case, then Dajing..." He was afraid that it would be over sooner or later, "Brother, you..."

"I'm fine, you don't have to comfort me."

Years of hard work came to naught, hopes vanished in an instant. It was impossible not to be sad or lost, but Li Qifeng thought it through. After all, he had his own thoughts and ambitions, and he could still comfort Li Yaoguang calmly.

"If you hadn't saved me, Yaoyao and I would have died long ago. There is no imperial examination there, so we can't take it. Although it's a pity, I'm not sad. Besides, I don't want to serve such an emperor and such a court, which is a great rebellion."

"Really bro?"

"Do you think I'm forcing a smile? Don't worry, silly sister. I have my own plans."

Li Yaoguang was still worried, afraid that he would regret it. "Brother, how about I find a way for you, or find a college? As the saying goes, don't fight a battle without preparation. No matter what, let's study first. When the imperial examination is reopened, brother will definitely be able to make great achievements. As for this stall, it is too complicated and disturbing. How about we not set it up?"

Li Qifeng shook his head without hesitation, "No, I know my own abilities, and I still need to settle down. As for going to the academy, there is no need. Right now, the outside world is in chaos, and I am afraid that people in the academy are also in a state of panic. It is said that all things in the world are books. These are enough for me to observe for a while, and let me study them calmly, and we can talk about other things later."

Li Yaoguang did not try to persuade him anymore as the other party was firm in his attitude. He just kept telling him that his family had enough savings so they would not starve to death, and that he had received a lot of rewards this time. The family could make ends meet and did not need any subsidy from the elders. He asked Li Qifeng not to make things difficult for himself, to relax, and not to focus only on making money.

Li Qifeng nodded and smiled without saying anything, but he secretly swore in his heart that he would copy more books and never let the girl go out in public and be bullied again.

It’s not that he is a male chauvinist, but this world is too harsh on women.

Not only is she a benefactor, but she is also a sister, and more importantly, a relative. She is the person he must protect for his entire life, and he must cherish her. He is afraid that if he is not careful, they will be bullied or humiliated in a place where he cannot see. Then what is the point of him living?