Chapter 15: First Meeting with My Cousin, Pei Yunrui

After dealing with his aunt, Lu Jin noticed a young man sitting beside his uncle and aunt, who was quietly watching him. The man wore a gray robe, his tall figure accentuated by long hair bound with a gold and ruby crown, with a white jade hairpin tucked beside it. His face was slightly elongated, yet not in an awkward way. His fair skin was set with striking features: thick eyebrows, bright eyes, a high-bridged nose, and full lips.

Lu Jin was uncertain about his own looks, but the young man could well be called a paragon among men.

"This is cousin Pei Yunrui, my aunt's only son. He's a year older than you; last year he ranked third in the imperial examination, and now he serves as an editor at the Hanlin Academy..." Shen Yanxi, noticing Lu Jin's gaze, hurried to make introductions.

Lu Jin was left speechless.

He hadn't expected that even a casual glance could deal such a blow. Just a year older, and Pei Yunrui was already a Jinshi, while he himself had spent half the day basking in the glory of being a mere scholar. Suddenly, Pei Yunrui didn't seem all that handsome anymore.

This was the difference between ordinary people and those born to privilege; even after a lifetime of effort, you might never reach their starting point.

"I heard from Yanxi that you were the top scorer in this year's provincial exam. Congratulations!" Pei Yunrui said, picking up the teacup on the table for a sip.

"Compared to cousin's brilliance, I hardly deserve mention," Lu Jin replied modestly.

"Cousin..." Shen Yanxi protested, her tone playful.

Lu Jin maintained a calm expression, though inwardly he cursed: Excellent, a pair of shameless lovers!

"Yanxi, I only congratulated him for his achievement; can't I even do that?" Pei Yunrui laughed, turning towards Shen Yanxi.

She said no more, both aware of the situation, though neither would speak openly.

"What are your plans for the future?" Pei Yunrui turned his gaze back to Lu Jin.

"I haven't decided yet..." Lu Jin admitted honestly.

He had been here nearly a month, most of it spent recovering from illness. He planned to venture out once his health improved, but for now, he had no direction.

"Will you pursue further examinations?" Pei Yunrui asked again.

"A son-in-law can take the exams?" Lu Jin asked him.

In truth, he didn't care about the examinations; since crossing over, he was already cut off from that path. Not only did he lack any special advantages, but even his cheat sheets were confiscated.

But what was this occasion? A polite, superficial family gathering—he might as well play along.

"Others may not, but as the Shen family's son-in-law, who could stop you?" Pei Yunrui replied.

This answer surprised Lu Jin. Was it really so? He glanced at Shen Yanxi.

She nodded, saying little more.

Lu Jin no longer dwelled on it; the civil service exams were out of the question, he would have to find another path.

"Rest assured, cousin, I know what I'm doing," Lu Jin said nonchalantly.

Pei Yunrui thought, 'You know nothing! Just now you looked so clueless, I almost suspect your top score was bought.' But he said nothing further.

"Even if you don't pursue the exams, the Shen family can recommend you for office," Pei Yunrui added.

"Then why bother with the exams yourself, cousin?" Lu Jin asked. According to his explanation, a recommendation would suffice—why go through the trouble?

Pei Yunrui's face stiffened; he coughed awkwardly.

"In our dynasty, both exams and recommendations are valued. But lately, more and more noble sons wish to prove themselves in the imperial examinations and compete with their peers. Cousin's learning is profound, so he won't be content to fall behind others; that's why he takes the exams," Shen Yanxi explained.

Lu Jin looked at Pei Yunrui again. Even noble sons were caught up in such competition?

To become an official? Lu Jin had never considered it; in his previous life, he had no such experience. He doubted he could manage the intricacies of officialdom.

In his heart, having lived again, he only wished to follow his own desires, do what he liked, shun power and wealth, and live as a small landowner. But reality seldom cooperates.

"Ancient scholars gave their all, only finding success in old age. What comes from paper always feels shallow; true understanding comes from practice. I'm afraid too much study would make me foolish; being a scholar is quite enough," Lu Jin said.

Pei Yunrui almost spat blood—what did he mean by 'foolish from too much study, being a scholar is quite enough'? Did that make his own third-place rank nothing but a joke?

Shen Yanxi, too, was surprised; she hadn't expected her nominal husband to speak so eloquently, his words rich with meaning.

But hadn't he lost his memory? Doubts surfaced again in Shen Yanxi's mind.

"Cousin, I wasn't talking about you, just myself. You should keep studying," Lu Jin smiled.

"Ha, I didn't expect my brother-in-law to be so talented, able to recite fine lines at will!" Pei Yunrui said awkwardly.

"You're too kind, cousin. I'm just a scholar, hardly deserving of praise—only a few simple truths. Speaking of talent, why not compose a poem, cousin?" Lu Jin smiled politely.

Pei Yunrui was caught off guard, his face reddening. Was it so easy to produce a poem on the spot?

"Cousin excels in other fields, and besides, good poetry doesn't come at a snap," Shen Yanxi interjected, anxious not to let her cousin lose face in such a setting.

"True enough, great writing is born naturally, and genius is found by chance. When cousin produces a fine work, don't forget to let me appreciate it," Lu Jin continued, maintaining a humble smile.

He could tolerate elders, but would he let a cousin show off before him?

Both Shen Yanxi and Pei Yunrui glanced at Lu Jin in surprise—such eloquence, could he really be just a scholar?

"Yanxi, your husband is quite remarkable; he outshines even me, a third-place scholar!" Pei Yunrui laughed.

Though his smile was gentle, he felt a stubborn dissatisfaction. In family and learning, how could he accept being bested by a mere son-in-law?

But time was long; there was no need to rush.

"You're too generous, cousin," Shen Yanxi replied politely.

She knew little of her husband and could say no more.

"Your praise is undeserved, cousin," Lu Jin responded courteously.

The conversation continued with idle remarks. Pei Yunrui's noble demeanor was evident in his words, and the atmosphere was harmonious on the surface.

At last, this table was finished. Shen Yanxi led Lu Jin to the right.

"These are uncle and aunt. Uncle is currently the deputy magistrate of Yizhou, and has returned to visit the family. Aunt comes from the Bai family in Puzhou; she and grandmother are kin," Shen Yanxi continued her introductions.

"Greetings, uncle and aunt," Lu Jin said, now reduced to a nodding machine—greet everyone, whoever they were.

Uncle Shen Ze, dressed in a purple robe, was thirty-five, in the prime of life. He was lean and capable, his hair meticulously groomed, with thick brows and large eyes, a nose like a hanging gall, lips fine as willow, and a natural smile on his fair face.

Beside him, the young woman Bai Xueyao, about thirty, was a typical southern beauty. Her slender figure was clad in pink, the dress adorned with a profusion of flowers. Her hair was piled high, topped with a leaf-shaped ornament studded with various gems. Her delicate face was accented with a black mole between her brows; her brows like willow leaves, eyes like jewels, her expression gentle. Beneath her small nose, her lips were full and rich—a true beauty.

"How are you? Are you settling in at the manor?" Aunt asked gently.

"Thank you for your concern, aunt. Everything is quite good," Lu Jin replied.

"Yanxi grew up under our care. You two should get along well, and don't let her down," Aunt said earnestly.

"I will remember your words," Lu Jin nodded.

The Shen manor was peculiar; if Lu Jin didn't know his own situation so well, he might have thought everyone was sincerely wishing him well.

He had no idea it was only because the old lady sat at the head of the table. Without her presiding, few would pay him any mind.

He was then introduced to two children, both aunt's offspring. The youngsters were clearly less adept at pretense, pouting and ignoring him.

Having finished with this group, Shen Yanxi led Lu Jin to the last table.

Lu Jin raised an eyebrow—were these his nominal father- and mother-in-law?