Edward Carter seemed to understand, straightened up, stroked his graying beard, and exclaimed in astonishment, “Prosti...prosti what? Oh, you mean consorting with prostitutes, what! Your father actually went out to consort with prostitutes for pleasure? This...this is truly muddleheaded, a disgrace to scholars, absurd, absurd...” He couldn’t help but shed old tears, looking wistfully at William Carter: “After more than ten years apart, your father has gone astray. To be upright and sincere, to cultivate oneself, manage the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world—if one’s heart is not righteous, how can one manage a household? Terrible, absolutely terrible. If I see him next time, I must give him a good lesson on behalf of the ancestors of the Ye family.”

“……”

William Carter was dumbfounded. This...there’s just no way to communicate. Beside him, Thomas Carter was laughing so hard he was out of breath, bursting into loud laughter: “William, great-uncle is deaf, haha...hahaha...”

Who would have thought that Edward Carter actually understood this sentence, and flew into a rage, giving Thomas Carter a hard knock on the head: “You rascal, no manners at all! Look at William, even though his father consorts with prostitutes, William is still like a lotus unsullied by the mud. But you, you ill-mannered scoundrel!”

Thomas Carter was given a thorough beating by the old great-uncle, wailing loudly. At first, William Carter laughed too, but then, thinking it over carefully, he wondered, wait, is this praise or an insult? My father is really being wronged—he never consorted with prostitutes.

The Ye family’s manor wasn’t far from the county town; it only took a little over an hour to reach the county seat. William Carter looked at this small town, which resembled a marketplace, and didn’t find it anything special.

Great-uncle Ye was an old hand, skillfully leading everyone to an inn closest to the county school. The innkeeper was very familiar with the old great-uncle, grinning as he said, “Old Master Ye, here to take the exam again? Wow, your Ye family’s turnout is quite impressive this year.”

Old great-uncle Ye didn’t bother speaking with such crude people; he just stroked his beard and smiled reservedly. As usual, he booked seven rooms, two people to a room. Thomas Carter came over wanting to share a room with William Carter, and then everyone went downstairs for a meal.

The first floor was bustling, as the exams were about to begin, and most of the guests at the inn were here for the exams. The Ye family had some connections with the locals, and the old great-uncle quickly struck up a conversation with an old “scholar,” discussing this year’s county exam.

James Carter’s nose was bruised and his face was still swollen, but he knew many people in the county and was quite the celebrity. Many had heard of his name. Someone said, “Brother Ye, are you confident this time?”

James Carter replied modestly and appropriately, “The results aren’t out yet, so how can I be confident?”

“Others may not dare say, but Brother Ye is sure to pass this time.”

Because James Carter was quite learned, he had made many friends and was well-liked. Someone laughed and said, “Brother Ye, you’re too modest. If you don’t pass, wouldn’t we all fail as well? I’m betting on you for the top spot this time. Come, Brother Ye, have some tea here.”

Chapter 11: Even the County Magistrate Loves Gossip

James Carter walked over, followed by several Ye family juniors who were close to him. James Carter carried himself like a refined gentleman, drawing more praise from those around. Of course, there was always something a bit lacking about that face.

In contrast, “black sheep” like William Carter and Thomas Carter sat down in a corner, looking rather dejected.

Just then, someone at James Carter’s table said, “Are those Ye family juniors over there? Why don’t they come sit with us?”

As soon as James Carter heard they were being invited over, his expression stiffened.

In front of outsiders, James Carter quickly put on a pleasant smile and affectionately waved to William Carter and the others: “William, Thomas, come meet these friends from the Zhao family.”

The dishes had already been served. Thomas Carter was gnawing on a pork knuckle, eating heartily with greasy hands, muttering, “A few bookworms from the Zhao family? I’m not going.”

“William...William...” Seeing the two still hiding over there, James Carter felt his pride was hurt and became a bit annoyed. He didn’t dare provoke Thomas Carter—that kid was a troublemaker and would hit people if angered. Having already been beaten by Thomas Carter before, James Carter didn’t want a repeat. William Carter might also be a scoundrel, but he was thin and frail, with skinny arms and legs, so the danger level was low.

He couldn’t even eat his meal in peace.

William Carter was thoroughly annoyed with James Carter, but since he was being called out in the inn, he had no choice but to go over. He was unfamiliar with the people sitting with James Carter, and everyone was looking at him. One of them asked, “Oh, which talented member of the Ye family is this?”

James Carter said, “This is my younger brother William Carter, my eldest uncle’s son.” He deliberately emphasized the words “eldest uncle.”

Immediately, those “friends” started winking and making faces.

The eldest of the Ye family—wasn’t that the one rumored to have eloped with a big-footed woman? Tsk tsk, this young master William must be the son of that big-footed woman, right?

Someone said insincerely, “A pleasure, a pleasure.”

James Carter chuckled and said, “William studies quite diligently. Come on, William, recite a passage from ‘The Master Said: Xue Er’ for these gentlemen.”

At once, everyone put down their chopsticks, thinking to themselves: Ye Chenliang says this cousin is diligent, so if he’s diligent, his learning must be good. But why ask him to recite Xue Er? You know, the most basic requirement for the imperial exams is to be able to recite the Four Books and Five Classics backwards and forwards. Otherwise, if the examiner asks a question you don’t understand, how can you even take the test? It’s like asking a high school student about to take the entrance exam to recite the multiplication table to prove his knowledge.