Shadow

Tavern

The young man swept his gaze around. Seeing that he had frightened off Boss Zhang and become the center of attention, he clearly did not wish to stand out. He rose directly and said, "Forget it. The mood is gone; I can't drink this wine anymore. Let's go buy some tea at Xilu Teahouse."

Using that as an excuse, he prepared to leave.

"Please wait, both of you." Su Ziji did not want to take advantage of them, and he was even more grateful for their help. Rising, he bowed deeply to the two. "A good word brings warmth in winter, let alone your financial aid. I am deeply grateful. Might I know your honored names and addresses, so that I may return the silver later?"

The young man turned back, his gaze falling upon Su Ziji's face with a trace of scrutiny. Then, recalling that no one here knew who he was, he realized there was no need for suspicion and merely smiled.

"No need. The Great Ancestor once said: 'Those enrolled in the schools are the finest among the common people. They should be exempted from miscellaneous corvée duties and provided with clothing and food, so they may devote themselves wholeheartedly to their studies.'

"These mere five taels of silver are nothing more than a casual gesture to us. If you are grateful, then study hard. If you can become an official someday, be a good official for one term!"

With that, the young man waved a hand and left the tavern with the middle-aged man.

"Be a good official for one term?" Having some guesses about the two men's identities, Su Ziji did not chase after them to ask further. Instead, he turned and bowed. "Fellow students, you helped just now and gathered twelve taels between you. I cannot thank you enough. Please leave your calling cards, so we may keep in touch in the future."

The few scholars in the tavern repeatedly declined, but Su Ziji still borrowed paper and brush, wrote promissory notes, handed them over, and thanked them again.

After all that, Yu Lü and Zhang Sheng no longer felt like celebrating at once.

Zhang Sheng simply suggested, "Why don't we set a time to gather again tomorrow? Right now, I can't even drink. I just want to go back and sleep."

His nerves had been stretched tight because of the examination. Now that they had slackened, exhaustion washed over him, and that was without mentioning someone like him, who had not passed and felt even more disappointed.

"Agreed."

"Let's do as you say."

The atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward. Su Ziji fell silent for a moment, agreed upon a time and place, then left the tavern and went home separately from the others.

On the way back, Su Ziji initially kept looking around, wary that Boss Zhang might come looking for trouble. But after turning onto another street, he shook his head and came to his senses, realizing that he had thought Boss Zhang too foolish.

"Since he fears those two, he probably will not dare lay a hand on me before they leave Linhua County."

"The government's deterrent power truly is formidable. Still, borrowing the tiger's might to frighten the fox is not very reliable. I need to earn the title of Cultivated Talent as soon as possible."

Su Ziji did not immediately return home. Instead, he went to Ye Bookshop and told them that he had passed as an Examination Student.

"Now that you have passed as an Examination Student, I can rest easy." Ye Weihan was actually quite handsome, but his complexion was waxy yellow, and he occasionally coughed dully. Hearing this, delight immediately appeared on his face. He glanced at Ye Buhui and said, "We ought to celebrate."

Ye Buhui hesitated slightly. There was not much silver left at home, and they still needed to buy medicine. Were they going to spend more?

Su Ziji turned slightly and said, "I have already celebrated. I just returned from the feast. Uncle Ye, there is something I would like to tell you about and ask your advice on."

He then recounted everything one by one.

After listening, Ye Weihan concentrated deeply in thought. Suddenly, his body swayed, and he hurriedly reached for the wall. But Su Ziji was faster, catching him at once. "Uncle Ye, what is wrong?"

"It's nothing. I was momentarily dazed." Ye Weihan straightened up and coughed lightly twice. "Official silver is all remitted upward to the province and the Ministry of Revenue. When it is later spent, it is cut apart. Anyone who uses official silver for purchases is no ordinary person."

"You have encountered a benefactor." Ye Weihan smiled.

Hearing this, Su Ziji relaxed slightly. "That was what I thought as well. But a benefactor's favor is not easy to accept."

These five taels of silver might be something even five hundred or five thousand taels could not settle in the future.

"It does not matter. By the time you are capable of repaying the favor, this little amount will not matter." Ye Weihan patted his shoulder. "Since you have already eaten, I will not keep you. The County Examination is held once a year, while the Prefectural Examination is held once every two years. This year's will be held in the fourth month, and only around twenty-five people are selected from an entire prefecture. You must put your heart into it."

"Come by before then, and I will see you off."

"Yes, I will work hard!" Su Ziji found it a little strange. Ye Weihan seemed somewhat eager to send him away, but then he felt he was overthinking it. He turned and left. After he was gone, Ye Weihan went inside and saw Ye Buhui folding clothes. He sighed softly. "Bu Hui, you seemed a little unhappy just now?"

"No, I wasn't!" Ye Buhui refused to admit it. Under her father's fixed gaze, she finally said in a low voice after a long while, "Yes, I feel a little stifled."

"Su Ziji has passed as an Examination Student. When will I be allowed to enter a chess competition?" Ye Buhui raised her little face, looking stubborn. Her chess skills were clearly already good, yet her father still would not allow her to compete.

She did not want Su Ziji to pull too far ahead of her.

Ye Weihan stared blankly at her. This was his daughter, whom he cherished beyond measure. At this moment, her expression seemed to overlap with that of another woman of graceful bearing—equally unwilling to remain beneath others. He understood her very well, but...

Then a shadow crossed his heart. A distinguished person has come to this tiny place, Linhua County. Is that merely a coincidence?

At that thought, he suddenly broke into violent coughing.

"Father, what is wrong?" Ye Buhui hurried over to support him. Thinking her stubbornness had angered him, tears immediately welled in her eyes. "Father, if you do not like it, I won't go..."

"No, go. Compete this year." Ye Weihan stopped coughing and suddenly said.

No matter how reluctant he was, it was time for her to spread her wings and soar.

After leaving Ye Bookshop, Su Ziji walked along streets that had grown increasingly empty as dusk fell. Unaware of what happened in the shop afterward, he was in high spirits and smiled.

"That girl in the temple said talent could suppress bad luck, and it has actually come true. Could she be some ghost or deity sent to help me?"

But he only thought of it casually. Nothing happened that night. The next day, after changing into clean clothes, Su Ziji went as promised to the place where Yu Lü was treating them—not the previous tavern, but a small eatery beside the city gate.

Fine raindrops fell sporadically nearby. At least it was no longer snowing. The storefront was not large; two rooms held six tables, all lit by soybean-oil lamps. Only three tables of customers were scattered about, drinking and chatting.

"A pot of wine!" Yu Lü had already arrived and was seated at a table by the door. Seeing him enter, he called out, "Bring the dishes I ordered."

The waiter agreed with a smile and soon brought over a tray: braised carp, shredded pork stir-fried with mushrooms, and five-spice peanuts. It was not that Yu Lü begrudged the money, but the food here was good, and it allowed him and Su Ziji to maintain give-and-take without making Su Ziji, who still owed debts, feel troubled by an overly expensive meal.

Su Ziji naturally appreciated the gesture. By the time Zhang Sheng arrived, their wine had been warmed. After they drank a cup, Su Ziji saw Yu Lü staring through the open window at an ox cart passing by. He was dazed for a moment, then worry appeared on his face. Su Ziji asked curiously, "Brother Yu, have you encountered some difficulty?"

Yu Lü had just become the County Examination Laureate. By custom, he was certain to pass the Prefectural Examination, and he should have been riding high on the spring breeze. His household was also well-off, so he had no worries about expenses. Why did he look so troubled?

Yu Lü gave a bitter smile. "It is a small household matter, nothing important. If I told you, I would only burden you both for no reason."