Insect had no objections and quickly replied, “I will do it.”
Yu Qing immediately put on a smiling face. He reached out to put an arm around his shoulders and walked with him into the house. “That is the right way. Insect, you seem to have grown distant from me lately. What is it? Are you reluctant to leave Xu Fei and feel aggrieved following me?”
Insect shook his head again. He said “no” with his mouth, yet large teardrops had already rolled out of his eyes.
“Look at you. You were speaking fine, yet you cry. You cry at the slightest thing, no wonder others always mistake you for a woman. All right, from now on settle down here. Choose whichever room you want and tidy it yourself.” Yu Qing patted his back and pushed him forward. “Put your things away, then I will have your slave status removed.”
After he put his things away and saw him standing there anxious and hesitant, Yu Qing reached out to pinch the back of his neck and pushed him outside.
Outside the main gate of the Zhong residence, the people arranged by Steward Li were already waiting. The carriage was ready too.
They got on the carriage and went straight to the prefectural yamen. The people from the Zhong residence handling such matters were familiar with the process. After all the Zhong family had many servants of their own. It did not take long to complete everything at the office. However the appearance of ‘A Shihueng’ caused quite a stir among the yamen runners. A group of them heard the news and rushed over to see what the top scorer who achieved full marks looked like.
At this point Yu Qing confirmed that A Shihueng could no longer appear publicly under his real identity.
On the way back in the carriage, Insect seemed to remember something from the earlier scene. He tried to offer congratulations. “Congratulations, young master, on achieving the top score in the provincial examination!”
Yu Qing looked at him speechlessly. He realised this lad really knew how to bring up the wrong topic at the wrong time. Yet he could not explain his difficulties, so he could only give a cold laugh. “Perhaps one day you will understand whether you helped me or harmed me.”
Insect looked puzzled.
Late at night, with stars and moon in the sky, a lone rider galloped along the official road. A figure in a black cloak sped alone.
There were lights ahead. As he approached it turned out to be a post station. The single rider slowed down and entered. A servant came out to look. The person in the black cloak dismounted and tossed the reins to the servant before entering the building.
The innkeeper behind the counter greeted him with a smile. “Sir, do you want a room or something to eat and drink?”
The cloaked figure took out a silver ingot and pushed it to him. “I want to see today’s registration ledger.”
“This…” The innkeeper saw that half the man’s face was covered and could not make out his features. He hesitated for a moment but eventually took the silver. Then he brought the ledger over.
The cloaked figure immediately flipped through today’s entries. His gaze finally locked onto a name that had checked in after nightfall. He closed the ledger, turned and walked straight inside.
The innkeeper quickly called out, “Sir, please do not cause trouble. Officers are staying at this post station today.” He said it deliberately to intimidate.
The cloaked figure gave a reply with his back turned. “You are overthinking. I am just here to see off a friend.”
He went straight to the rear courtyard. After confirming the position of the target room, he hurried up the stairs.
Inside the dimly lit room, Mister Ming was bent over writing.
Knock, knock, knock, knock.
A rhythmic and steady knock sounded suddenly. Mister Ming, who was writing, tilted his ear slightly. He continued writing and said calmly, “If you have come all the way from the capital, please come in.”
The door bolt lifted. The cloaked figure pushed the door open, entered, and closed it again. He looked at Mister Ming with his back turned, then removed the cloak. It was Yu Qing’s junior martial uncle.
He had searched hard along the way, basically inquiring at every inn and post station he saw, until he finally found him here.
“You knew I was coming?” Zhou Xinyuan asked with doubt. He glanced around with high vigilance.
Mister Ming, still writing at the desk, said, “You came later than I expected. I thought you would arrive last night.” He put down his pen, turned and sat down. Seeing an entirely unfamiliar face who still carried an impressive bearing, he asked, “Are you with A Shihueng?”
Zhou Xinyuan found this teacher rather interesting. He walked over, lifted his cloak and sat down. “You could say that. I suppose you have guessed why I am looking for you.”
Mister Ming said, “What else could it be except to deal with the palace examination?”
Zhou Xinyuan asked, “Could it not be to kill and silence you?”
Mister Ming replied, “Someone who could leak the exam questions before the test is no ordinary person. The state affairs are rotten to this extent, corrupt officials are deeply entangled, and the court has become a den of thieves. Even if I reported it I could not touch them in the slightest. Besides I have no evidence. Why would you need to silence me? Is it to confirm that the top scorer who made the palace examination difficult to conclude has problems? I just do not understand. Clearly someone who did not want to pass, why did he take the exam, and why did he obtain the questions?”
Is it that obvious? Zhou Xinyuan felt somewhat speechless. He had not expected even this person to see so clearly that Yu Qing had only gone through the motions.
Seeing the other party remain silent, Mister Ming said, “So it really is about the palace examination that you came to find me?”
Zhou Xinyuan nodded. “I must trouble you to come with me.”
Mister Ming asked, “The palace examination questions are set by His Majesty on the spot. Surely you cannot obtain His Majesty’s questions in advance?”
Zhou Xinyuan said, “That is our business.”
Mister Ming replied, “I know. Since you have come for me, I have no choice. Still I want an explanation. If I feel unhappy I also want to test how hard these old bones of mine are, and see whether I can create some discomfort for you with my blood!”
After a moment of silence Zhou Xinyuan spoke. “Has Mister heard of the former Ministry of Works Langzhong A Jiezhan?”
Mister Ming thought briefly then nodded. “I know of him. I once saw him from afar in the capital back then. Both surnamed A. Could there be some relation to A Shihueng?”
Zhou Xinyuan said, “He is A Shihueng’s father. This you can verify at any time. Back then A Jiezhan opposed the emperor’s search for immortality and was convicted for his words. After being dismissed and driven out of the capital he encountered an ambush on the road. His entire family was massacred in a bloodbath. Only A Jiezhan and A Shihueng were saved by someone and survived. A Jiezhan was crippled for the rest of his life and never stood again. He passed away a year ago.”
Mister Ming was stunned for a while and finally let out a sigh.
“Many things are inconvenient to explain in detail to Mister. In short, there are people in the court who hope A Shihueng will follow in his father’s footsteps. But A Shihueng himself does not want to be used again. Under those circumstances the situation Mister mentioned appeared. Clearly someone who did not want to pass, yet why did he take the exam, and how did he obtain the questions…”
In the morning Yu Qing, who was drinking tea in the east courtyard, received good news. It was delivered by Zhong Su and his wife Wen Jianhui together.
The couple had consulted someone on auspicious dates. A certain day one and a half months later was a greatly fortunate one.
“Shihueng, what do you think of this date?”
Wen Jianhui, who was standing in the courtyard talking, asked with a smiling face. Her attitude was gentle and kind.
The couple had come to seek Yu Qing’s opinion.
Yu Qing did not know what to say to these two. They had not even informed him in advance about the public engagement. If they had told him then he could still have found an excuse to stop it. Now the engagement between A Shihueng and Zhong Ruochen was already known to everyone. Did the date even matter to him anymore?
He could only try to act as if nothing was wrong and cup his hands. “Everything is up to Uncle and Aunt to decide.”
Wen Jianhui chuckled. “Good, then it is settled. In one and a half months we will hold the wedding for you young couple.”
Insect, who was sweeping nearby, lightened his movements. Listening to the conversation, he secretly bit his lip.
Zhong Su said, “We will handle the wedding arrangements. You do not need to worry about anything. Do not let your mind wander. Focus fully on preparing for the palace examination.”
Wen Jianhui added, “Yes, yes, the palace examination is also a big matter.”
After much rambling they finally sent the couple away. Yu Qing could not help letting out a deep breath.
Insect, who had been sweeping nearby, came over just then and could not help asking, “Young master, is Miss Zhong more beautiful than that Lady Tie Miaoqing?”
Yu Qing shrugged. “I do not know. I have not seen her.”
Insect said softly, “Congratulations to young master.”
“Hmph!” Yu Qing smiled without warmth. He really did not know where the joy was supposed to come from. He only hoped the Zhong family would not turn against him when the time came.
Several days later what was coming finally arrived. The palace examination took place as scheduled.
Early in the morning outside the grand imperial palace, around two hundred tribute scholars lined up waiting. Heavy guards stood inside and outside the palace gates.
Yu Qing, dressed neatly with his hair combed perfectly, stood out. He led alone at the front of all the tribute scholars and drew countless eyes. Even the guards on the palace walls wanted to see clearly what this full-mark top scorer looked like.
Beyond the wide area were watching commoners and many failed examinees. Since they had already come to the capital they wanted to see the opening scene of the palace examination and gain some experience.
Su Yingtao among the crowd asked, “The one standing at the very front should be Brother Shihueng, right?”
The distance was a bit far and they could not approach, so it was hard to see clearly.
Pan Wenqing said, “No doubt about it. It must be him. No one else qualifies to lead at the front. Among more than two hundred tribute scholars he stands alone at the top and leads the way into the inner palace. What an honour that is!”
Fang Wenxian added, “What a pity. We do not even qualify to join the line.”
There were several light sighs and some sourness.
Zhong Su and his wife, along with Du Fei and Steward Li, had all come. They watched joyfully from the crowd, sharing in the glory. Wen Jianhui really wanted to tell the strangers around her that the one leading at the front was her son-in-law.
Wen Ruowei had also wanted to come and watch the excitement, but her parents did not allow it this time and kept an even tighter watch on her, fearing people would say the Zhong family daughter lacked proper upbringing.
Yu Qing, bearing countless envious gazes, appeared calm on the surface but felt extremely nervous inside, a rare tension.
Only he himself knew best that entering the palace this time might be risking his life. He did not know what the situation inside the palace was like. If something unexpected happened during the palace examination and his junior martial uncle failed, how should he handle it?
But there was no choice. Just as his junior martial uncle said, the disaster was caused by him alone. If he did not take the risk, who would?
He wanted to look around, yet he had been trained on palace entry etiquette and could not glance left and right.
Buzz…
The palace gate opened with a heavy groaning sound. An old eunuch in eunuch robes walked out majestically, followed by two whip holders on left and right.
The whip holders each cracked their whips loudly three times in the air. Then the old eunuch raised his voice and announced shrilly, “This year’s top scorer A Shihueng leads the tribute scholars into the palace. Take positions for the palace examination!” He dragged out the long ending note, stepped aside, and flicked his whisk in invitation.
The whips cracked again, echoing in all directions.
A Shihueng immediately cupped his hands, bowed towards the palace, then strode forward with head high and chest out.
The group of tribute scholars behind him also performed the rites and followed him into the palace in three columns.
Zhou Xinyuan, who was also mixed in the watching crowd, could not help raising a hand to cover his forehead. It was unbearable to watch. He estimated that the successive masters of Linglong Temple could never have dreamed that a later generation head disciple would do such a thing.