The Tribute Students left the palace gates beneath the pattering rain. Though they had been given umbrellas, these were no match for the wind and downpour. Seeing lanterns lighting up one after another at several distant restaurants, they hurried over to take shelter.
Yu Lü reached the foot of one restaurant. He had fared reasonably well; only his outer robe was wet. Finding the ground floor bustling and noisy, he quickly requested a private room upstairs. Fortunately, he spoke up fast enough to secure the second-to-last room. Feeling somewhat relieved, he asked for towels.
When Fang Xi approached, Yu Lü studied him. He looked thoughtful, but showed no obvious regret or dejection. Yu Lü breathed a small sigh of relief. Since both of them had received pointers from the Imperial Grandson beforehand, he felt their results could hardly be too poor.
"Come, sit down and wipe your face. I've already ordered." As Yu Lü spoke, the waiter brought their food: four dishes, a soup, and a pot of wine. He raised his cup and urged Fang Xi to drink. "Have some wine to warm yourself up."
Fang Xi raised his cup and drank with him. Color returned to his face. He glanced at Yu Lü and suddenly asked, "How did you write your policy essay this time?"
Yu Lü smiled. "I followed the Imperial Grandson's pointers. There's nothing I can't tell you about that. I'll recite it for you."
Despite saying this, Yu Lü instinctively lowered his voice and recited several passages from his answer.
"...Yet the benevolent governance your servant hopes for from Your Majesty does not mean changing every custom under heaven, nor restoring the well-field system to all its lands. It means only establishing institutions suited to the times and the people's circumstances, without losing the intent