Xu Yu, the household servant, listened in silence. He had been born into the household, but had studied alongside Prefect Xu as his companion reader. In truth, he had learned exceptionally well.
By the laws of the court, anyone who had sold themselves into slavery could not take the Imperial Examinations. Even after redeeming themselves, they could only make a living by farming and were forbidden from taking examinations or entering office. Only after three generations, including themselves, could their descendants take the examinations and serve as officials like ordinary commoners.
But Prefect Xu himself was a Presented Scholar, leaving little room for suspicion. Moreover, since Xu Yu and his descendants for three generations were barred from office, Prefect Xu felt safe employing him and trusted him relatively well.
And Xu Yu had already been granted his freedom. He was now a commoner, in truth half a strategist, and could therefore speak freely.
Just as Xu Yu was about to speak, urgent hoofbeats suddenly caught up with them from outside the ox cart.
Riders accompanied their ox cart as well, yet these urgent hoofbeats had not been stopped and came straight up close. That alone was enough to show that the arrival was one of their own.
Sure enough, someone outside the ox cart soon reported anxiously, "My lord, the Imperial Grandson is about to reach the docks. He is already within fifty li!"
Inside the cart, Xu Yu opened his mouth, then immediately looked toward the prefect.
Upon hearing this, Prefect Xu did not hurry. Instead, he laughed, stroked his beard, and even showed three parts pride. "As expected, Heaven is helping me. The Imperial Grandson has come!"
"The ships travel swiftly. They will arrive in less than half an hour. There is no need to return to the