I relied on a system to prolong my life in ancient times.

Chapter 370 Sesame Paste

Xiao Siqi sent his son away before sitting down next to Qu Yin and taking out the gift for her. It was a hairpin with somewhat immature workmanship, but the pearls and other accessories on it were clearly very rare.

Qu Yin looked at the hairpin and then at Xiao Siqi: "Where did you buy this? What a waste of such fine pearls."

Xiao Siqi's face turned slightly red: "I made this myself. My skills aren't very good, Yin'er. Please don't mind. I will definitely study hard in the future and do better next time."

He acquired the pearls recently. Qu Yin doesn't lack jewelry these days, so Xiao Siqi thought he'd make them himself. However, his skills were really poor, and this is what he ended up with. But at least they're not ugly.

Qu Yin chuckled upon hearing this, and the last trace of anger she had felt earlier dissipated.

"Put this on for me." Qu Yin placed the hairpin in Xiao Siqi's hand.

"Okay." Xiao Siqi knew that Qu Yin had calmed down when she saw Qu Yin's face light up, so she quickly put the hairpin on her head.

Qu Yin reached up and touched her head, then stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. The hairpin in her hair swayed as she turned her head, making her look a little playful. Looking at it this way, she didn't look ugly at all; in fact, she looked quite pretty.

Qu Yin gave Xiao Siqi a satisfied look.

It wasn't that the hairpin was actually beautiful, but rather that it was made by Xiao Siqi herself, making it seem more precious.

"If Yin'er likes it, I'll make it for you from now on," Xiao Siqi quickly said.

"Then you'll have to study hard, I don't want to take this out with me all the time." Although she said that, she felt very sweet inside.

"That's for sure." Xiao Siqi nodded quickly, not wanting his wife to be laughed at by others.

Before we knew it, the triennial autumn imperial examinations arrived, and a wave of academic atmosphere swept through the capital. Songyue Study was packed with people, all eager to study there, especially students from other places.

Over the years, Liu Xiaoyu has opened her study in counties and prefectures near the capital, but it hasn't been many years yet. She still doesn't have one in more distant places. When students come to learn that there is such a place, they are very excited.

Xiao Siyu, the only member of the Xiao family to participate in the autumn imperial examination this year, is Xiao Siyue's older brother. He is currently being kept busy by his two family members who are officials in the court, and they are also being dragged to study for extra lessons.

Since Xiao Siyue, as the younger sister, couldn't help, she could only try to find various ways to nourish Xiao Siyu's body so that he wouldn't overwork himself.

Today, Xiao Siyue collected a recipe for walnut and sesame paste from the system. Walnuts are said to be good for the brain, and Xiao Siyue thought she should let Xiao Siyu drink more of it, since studying is a mentally taxing activity.

Xiao Siyue carried the sesame paste she had made in the kitchen to Xiao Siyu's study. She could hear Xiao Siyu reading aloud from outside, so she quietly went in.

Upon seeing Xiao Siyue inside the house, Xiao Siyu immediately put down his book and came over to greet her.

"Little sister, what delicious food have you made for me again?" These days, he has been able to drink the tonics that his sister personally brings him every day. He really hasn't lost any weight and his health is excellent. The main thing is that these tonics taste really good, and he likes them very much.

Most importantly, Xiao Siyue can come and keep him company every day.

Xiao Siyu was originally a lively and active person, and he felt like he was going to get moldy from reading in the study every day these past few days.

Xiao Siyue placed the basket on the table, opened the lid, and took out a large porcelain basin inside, answering her brother's question as she did so.

"Today I made walnut and sesame paste, brother, please try it."

Upon opening the lid, Xiao Siyu saw a dark, thick substance inside, which immediately froze his excited expression. He was highly skeptical that this was safe to drink.

"Here, brother, try this. There are walnuts in it, which are great for your brain. You've been studying hard these past few days." Xiao Siyue seemed not to notice Xiao Siyu's expression as she ladled a bowl from the basin and moved it closer to him.

Xiao Siyu was a little conflicted. It didn't look very appetizing, but it was her sister's gift, and she couldn't waste it. So she picked up a spoon, scooped up a little, and put it in her mouth.

Hmm, it tastes pretty good, but it's a bit too sweet. He still prefers the black chicken soup from the other day.

However, it wasn't unacceptable; Xiao Siqi picked up the bowl and drank it all in a few gulps.

"How is it, brother? Is it delicious?"

"Mmm, it tastes good." Xiao Siyu nodded.

"Then I'll continue to bring you sesame paste tomorrow." Xiao Siyue smiled secretly. Did she really not see Xiao Siyu's frown just now? Actually, she didn't like drinking sesame paste either. Although sesame paste is fragrant and mellow and melts in your mouth, it is precisely because of this that it becomes a bit greasy after a couple of sips.

Of course, some people like it, like Old Lady Xiao. Before she came, she brought two bowls to the old couple. Not only that, she also gave some to everyone in the family. She liked it very much, but Grandpa didn't like it very much.

"No need for that," Xiao Siyu grinned. He'd get sick of drinking it every day.

“Why not? Brother, didn’t you say you liked it? Besides, it’s good for your brain, it’ll make you smarter if you eat it.” Xiao Siyue said seriously, her eyes wide open.

"Really?" Xiao Siyu was somewhat skeptical. This pump really made her smarter. Although she felt she was already very smart, she wouldn't mind if she could become even smarter. Otherwise, she would reluctantly drink some. Although she didn't like it, it tasted much better than medicine.

Xiao Siyu drank two more bowls as he spoke, feeling not only full but also nauseous from the greasiness, and let out a big burp.

"Haha, of course it's fake, brother, how can you be so stupid?" Xiao Siyue laughed. She had just been teasing Xiao Siyu on purpose. Walnuts and sesame seeds are indeed nutritious, and walnuts are indeed good for the brain, but making you smarter is nonsense.

"You brat, you actually lied to your brother." Xiao Siyu glared at him and immediately stood up, trying to grab Xiao Siyue.

But Xiao Siyue wasn't about to let her catch her so easily; she had already run off the moment she started speaking.

Xiao Siyue also ran out, shouting, "Xiao Siyue, you stop right there!"

"Haha, haha," the two siblings were playing around in the yard, their cheerful voices reaching Xiao Qinian's ears as he arrived. Xiao Qinian chuckled softly and quickened his pace toward the source of the sound.

"What are you two arguing about? Xiao Siyu, why aren't you studying? Why are you chasing after your sister?"

Both of them stopped when they heard Xiao Qinian's voice. Xiao Siyue ran to Xiao Qinian's side, panting, and began to complain: "Dad, look, my brother is bullying me."

Xiao Siyu, who was following closely behind, widened his eyes. His sister was lying through her teeth. When had he ever bullied her? When he saw Xiao Siyue smiling at him, he immediately understood that the girl was doing it on purpose.

What a terrible sister who's a pain in the ass!