Before the six publicly displayed answer sheets, everyone saw with their own eyes and only then realised how vast the gap was between them and the first-place Xu Fei. The man had solved all thirty riddles in just half an incense stick’s time. Even the second-place top scholar could not catch up no matter how hard he tried.
Someone sighed with emotion, “Half an incense stick to crack all the riddles. Brother Xu truly has remarkable quick wits.”
“Hey!” Suddenly someone stopped in front of Xu Fei’s answer sheet, stamping his foot and thumping his chest. “‘Rice’ to guess one character. Isn’t it just ‘coarse’? So simple. How could I not have thought of it? Just one question short and I would have made the top six!” He looked utterly regretful and annoyed.
“I solved the ‘rice’ riddle the moment I saw it,” someone else sighed.
But words like these were treated as mere wind past the ears by others, at most registering as a faint sound. Without shining glory, one would naturally be ignored. That was human nature. He could not say much more either, since he had failed to hand in his paper within one incense stick’s time.
“This was originally just a riddle-guessing game suggested by Master Yu Qi. Solving a few riddles does not count as serious scholarship. It cannot be compared to a real examination. Everyone need not take it too seriously. When it comes to true ability, we must look to the upcoming capital examination. A thousand cliffs compete in splendour, ten thousand valleys vie in flow. That is the real place for our generation to display our talents.”
Someone said this to comfort everyone, or perhaps to comfort himself. There was also an undertone of belittling this riddle contest, but he did not dare mention the provincial governor directly. He only dared to refer to it as Master Yu Qi’s suggestion.
Few responded. After all, the contest had still been initiated with involvement from the provincial governor himself.
The top scholar Zhan Muchun did not utter a word. He quietly turned and left, carrying unspoken melancholy in his heart.
After winning first place in the provincial examination, he had been praised until he felt dizzy. This time, he truly tasted what it was like to have the limelight stolen from him.
No matter how the other scholars discussed things inside the academy, Yu Qing and Xu Fei slipped away first. At least Yu Qing did not care at all about those scholars’ opinions. They were not the same kind of people. There was no common ground for argument. He only cared about what Xu Fei was carrying on his shoulder.
Yu Qing very much wanted to shoulder the burden himself. However, considering the practical issues, he had to endure it. His heart itched like it was being scratched by a cat’s claws.
The two walked quickly side by side, almost as if the wind was carrying their feet.
Xu Fei had the mentality of wanting to flee the crime scene quickly. Yu Qing, on the other hand, wanted to hurry up and embrace his harvest. More than ten thousand taels of silver!
Yu Qing had never seen so much money in his life. The sudden wealth made his state of mind easy to imagine.
After they had gone far from the academy, the two instinctively looked around. No one was chasing them. There was hardly anyone nearby. They turned back at the same time, their eyes meeting with perfect understanding. Almost simultaneously, they let out a sneaky “hehe” laugh.
Then they both immediately stopped laughing again. It was the guilt of thieves at work.
But at least now they dared to speak. Yu Qing said, “Brother Xu, I really feel bad making you carry things for me. It is not that I want to tire you out. It is just that in front of everyone, it would easily arouse suspicion.” He made sure to remind the other party specially: you are carrying my things.
Xu Fei replied, “To claim first place in something like this. What kind of monstrous confidence does that take? Brother Shiheng, today I am truly convinced by you!” The excitement and thrill in his tone were unmistakable. Today they had pulled off something huge. It was the first time in his life.
Yu Qing said, “Between us, there is no need for such words. We help each other. Each gets what he needs. You take ‘fame’, I take ‘profit’.”
Xu Fei knew very well that the benefits he had gained were far more than that. It was only that this reward did not belong to him in name. In reality, he had still gained both fame and profit. With fame, would profit be far behind? What he feared now was something else. “Brother Shiheng, this matter must never leak out even half a word. Deceiving and toying with the provincial governor is no joke. People can die from it.”
Yu Qing laughed. Knowing that the other was afraid was exactly what he wanted. Even if they later met the real A Shiheng, this one probably would not dare make a fuss. It saved him the trouble of reminding or threatening. “Brother Xu, you worry too much. How could I dare spread this? I am your accomplice. If you get into trouble because of it, I would not escape blame either. Leaking this would mean I no longer want a future. From now on, I will forget this ever happened.”
That made sense. Xu Fei immediately felt much more at ease.
The two rushed back to their lodgings like a gust of wind. Ignoring Chong’er who came out to greet them, they ducked straight into Xu Fei’s room together.
Chong’er outside looked surprised and turned back into the room. Seeing Xu Fei toss a pile of bags onto the floor with a clatter, he asked in astonishment, “Young master, what have you brought back?”
Xu Fei did not answer. Before Yu Qing could speak, he first stuffed the bottle of demon-pointing dew into his hands.
The Xuan-grade demon-pointing dew worth ten thousand taels was finally in his possession. At last he could relax. Yu Qing beamed with joy, grinning like a weasel that had stolen a chicken. After a quick look, he tucked it into his bosom and kept chuckling nonstop.
Xu Fei kicked one of the bags on the floor. “You do not need me to carry this upstairs for you, right?”
Yu Qing’s smile faded. He had already considered this question back in the examination hall. He shook his head. “The quantity is right here. If I take it, there is no reasonable explanation. It would easily make people suspicious. I trust Brother Xu. For now, just keep it here.”
Chong’er looked back and forth between them, full of confusion and doubt. He could not understand what the two were talking about.
Xu Fei nodded. Thinking about it, it made sense. Spiritual rice worth several thousand taels could not be casually given away. If the other took it and someone saw, it would indeed arouse suspicion. So he smiled. “Fine, leave it here then. There are guards all around. No one should steal it. But Brother Shiheng, this is good stuff. You have to treat us. Later, shall we cook a pot and try it?”
With more than ten thousand taels tucked against his chest, his confidence was sky-high. The newly rich Yu Qing became generous. “Fine. Eat until you are full!”
If he did not treat them, it would not feel right. He had gained this fortune thanks to the other’s contribution and hard work. Treating him to a good meal was only proper.
Spiritual rice was excellent for martial practitioners. Xu Fei could not help feeling excited too. “Then tonight, shall we have Chong’er cook some to taste?”
“Fine!” Yu Qing agreed. He patted Xu Fei’s shoulder. “Later the provincial governor is hosting a banquet. I will go back first to tidy up. You handle those things.” He pointed at the drafts they had brought back from the examination hall on the table.
Xu Fei’s heart jolted. He realised this fellow was indeed thorough in such matters. He himself had overlooked it. He immediately understood and nodded.
Yu Qing kept looking back three times with every step, his eyes fixed on his spiritual rice.
Once upstairs and back in his own room, Yu Qing shut the door at once. He pulled the bottle of demon-pointing dew from his bosom, took two or three steps, threw himself onto the couch, hugged it to his chest, and rolled around. He kept stealing delighted laughs, occasionally kissing the bottle again and again. His face flushed red with excitement.
Just one transaction and ten thousand taels in hand. The moment he came down from the mountain, he struck it so rich. This was the first time in his life he had so much money. He was simply too thrilled, happy like a child.
“Not a wasted trip at all!”
Hearing the door close, Chong’er, who was hanging clothes to dry, turned and saw Yu Qing carrying a bundle and his sword. He swaggered downstairs and hung the “A Shiheng” plaque on the door right next to their master and servant’s room, then opened the door and went in. Clearly, he was moving in here.
Chong’er quickly ran back into the room to report to his young master.
Xu Fei came out upon hearing the news. He went next door to check, asked around, and sure enough, the man had moved right next door.
Yu Qing’s public reason was that it would be easier to look out for each other.
In truth, the biggest reason was that his spiritual rice was stored next door. He had to stay nearby to keep watch. Otherwise he would have no peace day or night.
Another reason was that there was no longer any need to avoid Xu Fei. Hiding was useless. In a few more years, Xu Fei would still recognise him at a glance. The impression was already deeply etched.
It would also make things convenient. Later, for miscellaneous chores like washing clothes and such, he planned to toss them all to Xu Fei’s bookboy to handle.
Dinner time was approaching. The provincial governor was hosting a banquet. The two needed to arrive early.
As they went out, Yu Qing did not forget to instruct, “Chong’er, stay in the room and do not go out. I will bring food back for you.”
He was terrified his spiritual rice would go missing.
“Chong’er, guard the house well,” Xu Fei also reminded him.
Chong’er could only nod and agree. He watched the two young masters leave for the banquet, still full of doubt in his heart.
Xu Fei had already told him that the bags contained spiritual rice, since he was supposed to cook some tonight.
Spiritual rice was such an expensive thing, and they had brought back so much at once. Naturally Chong’er asked how they got it. Xu Fei told him not to ask too much. The real situation was not something that could be easily explained.
They arrived at Chenxiang Pavilion not long after. Yu Qing consciously walked away from Xu Fei’s side and shrank into an inconspicuous corner by himself.
There was no choice. After that word game, who here did not know Hengqiu’s Xu Fei? Too many people were actively approaching Xu Fei to get acquainted. Standing beside Xu Fei would make him far too conspicuous.
After the banquet began, Xu Fei once again stood out among the crowd. An official came over to greet him and had already arranged Xu Fei’s seat at an upper position, close to the provincial governor. Directly opposite Xu Fei sat the top scholar Zhan Muchun.
A gathering of talented scholars in their prime, a feast of laughter and conversation, a banquet full of insincere flattery and false pleasantries.
After the banquet, Lu Jiwei and the others left the academy directly. Liezhou had numerous military and administrative affairs. The fact that the provincial governor could spare half a day here was already showing great leniency.
Looking back, Yu Qing, who had moved next door to Xu Fei, felt a bit puzzled and even regretted moving there.
Xu Fei’s “home”, which had always been quiet and deserted before, suddenly became lively. The sounds of guests filling the place, hearty laughter and bold talk, even someone bringing a qin to play music for amusement. All these noises came clearly through the wall, disturbing Yu Qing who was hiding in his room and leaving him no peace.
He was lying on the couch in boredom, arms behind his head, one leg propped up, staring at the dappled tree shadows swaying on the window paper. Suddenly a somewhat familiar voice came from outside the door. Yu Qing slowly sat up.
“Huh, A Shiheng?”
“So you moved next door to Brother Xu.”
“You must already be quite familiar with Brother Xu by now.”
Immediately after, there came a knock knock on the door. Someone called out, “Brother Shiheng.”
Yu Qing roughly guessed who it was. Helpless, he went to open the door. Standing at the entrance were four people. He had guessed correctly. It was exactly the four who had forced him to give up his room for the top scholar earlier: Su Yingtao, Fang Wenxian, Zhang Manqu, and Pan Wenqing.
Yu Qing immediately felt depressed. He thought to himself, why do these four grandsons stick together like they are wearing the same trousers? Wherever they go, they are together. They are not going to make grandpa here give up his room again, are they?
After exchanging greetings, Yu Qing blocked the doorway and asked, “Is there something?”
Su Yingtao laughed heartily. “Brother Shiheng, can we not come to visit you if there is nothing?” As he spoke, he actually entered without invitation, slipping sideways into the room.
The attitude seemed to say that coming to visit you on their own initiative was already giving you a lot of face.