In Search Of

After parting ways with Li Er, Liu Yuanzhou had no mood left for strolling the streets. With Er Ni on his mind, he headed back.

Upon returning home, Liu Yuanzhou went straight into the main hall. He wanted to give the pastries in his hands to his aunt.

In one corner of the main hall, his aunt, Gao Shi, was doing needlework. His sister-in-law, Luo Shi, sat beside her, while little Shuwen squatted on the floor, playing with several wooden toys.

"Aunt, Sister-in-law, I went into the city for a stroll just now and bought two packets of pastries along the way. Have a taste." Liu Yuanzhou placed the pastries on the table, then added, "One is Jujube Cake, and the other is Crisp Heart Candy."

Gao Shi looked up at Liu Yuanzhou and smiled. "Second Child, that was thoughtful of you. Have you eaten? I'll have Aunt Li make you a bowl of noodles." Her nephew had bought her a gift, and she was quite happy.

Liu Yuanzhou said, "I've eaten. I ran into Li Er from our village and ate with him."

Hearing there was candy to eat, Shuwen tossed aside his toys, ran over, and leaned against the table, his unblinking eyes fixed on the pastries and candies atop it.

Liu Yuanzhou opened the paper wrapper, took out a piece of Crisp Heart Candy, and handed it to Shuwen.

"Thank you, Uncle Second Child. You're so nice." Shuwen was very polite. Liu Yuanzhou smiled and rubbed his head. After saying a word to his aunt and sister-in-law, he turned and left.

When he returned to his room, there was no one there. Third Master presumably had not yet returned from meeting friends over chess.

After downing a cup of cooled boiled water, Liu Yuanzhou sat on the bed and sorted through his tangled thoughts.

From the information Li Er had given him, Er Ni worked at a Weaving Factory run by her uncle. He knew Er Ni's mother's surname was Liu, so her uncle was clearly surnamed Liu as well. What he needed to find now was a Weaving Factory whose owner was surnamed Liu.

As for whom to ask, he had already thought of two people on his way back.

One was his cousin Liu Yuanyang. He worked at the Prefectural Yamen, and as someone from the government, he should know something about the merchants on the streets of Yan Province City.

The other was Niu Baoyuan. As a local snake, and someone who worked at Yan Province Academy, he surely knew quite a few people.

He decided to visit Niu Baoyuan later that day. If he had not known Niu Baoyuan was currently at the academy, he would have gone to find him at once.

And after finding Er Ni, what then? He did not want to think about it. Right now, he only wanted to see her.

Yet there was still a thorn in his heart—the man Li Er had mentioned who was with Er Ni. Even brushing against that thought made his heart ache.

By the time the sun hung low in the west and dusk gradually gathered, Liu Yuanzhou reckoned Niu Baoyuan had gotten off work and returned home. After telling Third Master, he hurriedly headed out.

He first rushed to East Main Street and bought two packets of pastries from Old Wang Pastry, then turned back toward North Main Street.

Niu Baoyuan's address was Number Thirty-Four, East Twelfth Alley, North Main Street. Niu Baoyuan had told him that the last time they ate together. Following the house numbers, Liu Yuanzhou quickly found Number Thirty-Four, East Twelfth Alley. It was already close to the city wall, and before him stood an old, weathered gate.

Liu Yuanzhou lightly rapped on the gate with his fingers. After waiting a while without anyone opening it, he knocked several times more forcefully.

The faint sound of people talking came from within. A moment later, the gate swung open, revealing Niu Baoyuan in the uniform of Yan Province Academy. He had clearly just returned from work and had not yet had time to change.

Seeing Liu Yuanzhou, Niu Baoyuan was somewhat pleasantly surprised. He ushered him through the gate and said with a smile, "What made you think to visit your brother? Don't go back tonight. I'll call over a few more brothers later, and we'll have a good few drinks." Then he called toward the main hall, "Mother, a friend has come!"

Compared to the courtyard of his uncle Liu Jiali, Niu Baoyuan's home was much more modest. It was only a single courtyard, with no flowers or trees planted within. There were merely some miscellaneous items and two large water vats, making it appear empty and spacious.

A woman in her fifties emerged from the main hall. Her clothes were patched, and her hair was streaked with gray. This should be Niu Baoyuan's mother.

Liu Yuanzhou hurried forward and saluted the woman. "Hello, Auntie. My name is Liu Yuanzhou. I'm Brother Niu's friend." As he spoke, he lifted the pastries in his hand before her. "This is my first visit, and I didn't know what to bring. I heard Old Wang Pastry's Jujube Cake was delicious, so I brought you some."

Mother Niu smiled. "Why bring gifts? Come in and sit. I'll go make dinner for you two." With that, she turned and went into the kitchen.

She was quite happy inside. Niu Baoyuan had no shortage of dubious friends, and people often came to the house looking for him, but polite young men like Liu Yuanzhou were rare indeed. That was why there was a little more delight in her voice.

Entering the main hall, Liu Yuanzhou casually set the pastries on the table and sat down on a stool. Niu Baoyuan brewed hot tea and asked, "What did you come to see me about? Don't tell me you really just came to drink with me?"

Seeing Liu Yuanzhou come over so late, he knew Liu Yuanzhou clearly had not come merely to drink. There had to be something else.

Liu Yuanzhou did not waste words and told Niu Baoyuan why he had come.

After hearing him out, Niu Baoyuan pondered for a moment before saying, "I'm not very familiar with the merchants in the city, but I know a few friends whose families do business. I'll go ask them about it for you tomorrow."

Liu Yuanzhou was not particularly disappointed. He had not expected to uncover news at once. Yan Province City was so vast—who knew how many people ran factories and workshops?

The two then chatted about recent happenings. Niu Baoyuan told Liu Yuanzhou some interesting stories from the academy, while Liu Yuanzhou listened more than he spoke. After all, he stayed at home all day. What could he possibly have to talk about? Naturally, there was Er Ni's matter, but that was not something he could share with Niu Baoyuan.

When he asked about the date for new students of Yan Province Academy to formally enter at the Entry Level, Niu Baoyuan did know that. He told Liu Yuanzhou the exact date was the twentieth day of the fifth month.

Liu Yuanzhou could not directly ask his uncle about this, since it would make him seem impatient. Getting a definite answer from Niu Baoyuan put his heart much more at ease.

Without realizing it, they had finished two pots of tea. Mother Niu came over and said dinner was ready, calling the two of them to eat.

Dinner was Helao Noodles, with Mutton Soup. The Niu family normally ate their noodles in plain broth, but they had spent extravagantly today to entertain Liu Yuanzhou.

The noodles had already been served. Seeing a few strands of scallion floating atop the glistening broth, its fragrance rushed straight at him, and Liu Yuanzhou's appetite was instantly stirred.

Mother Niu's noodles were truly delicious, carrying the flavor of home. Liu Yuanzhou unconsciously ate two bowls.

Setting down his bowl and chopsticks, Liu Yuanzhou praised, "Auntie, the noodles you made are truly delicious."

Mother Niu's eyes curved into a line with her smile, and she moved to scoop him more noodles. Liu Yuanzhou hurriedly stopped her. He saw that Niu Baoyuan had eaten only one bowl, while his mother had not even touched her chopsticks, and the soup in the pot was nearly gone.

Seeing that it was getting late, Liu Yuanzhou took his leave.

Niu Baoyuan knew Liu Yuanzhou's circumstances and did not press him to stay for drinks. He saw him out the gate, and they agreed to meet again another day.

Returning to the kitchen, Niu Baoyuan saw his mother take out a packet of pastries and a bowl of noodles covered in meat broth. He immediately understood what was going on.

A little angry, he said, "Mother, you eat the noodles. I'll bring the pastries to Eldest Brother later."

Mother Niu said, "My stomach feels blocked today, and I don't feel like eating meat. There are still noodles in the pot. I mixed them together with the broth for you, so go ladle some out yourself. I'm going to your brother's house to see my little grandson."

With that, she went out the door, carrying the noodles in one hand and the pastries in the other.

Niu Baoyuan shook his head helplessly. He had no appetite left either. Pulling over a stool, he sat in the courtyard and simmered in silent anger.

His father had died early. His mother had endured hardship and raised the two brothers, then married off the eldest, Niu Guiyuan.

But Niu Guiyuan's wife was a fierce, snobbish woman. She treated Niu Baoyuan and his mother with cold words and colder looks. Niu Guiyuan, meanwhile, had a soft temperament and did not dare say anything to his own wife.

Watching his mother suffer such grievance, Niu Baoyuan flew into a rage and moved out with her, renting a place to live.

They had been moved out for nearly half a year, yet his eldest brother Niu Guiyuan had not once come to ask them back. Niu Baoyuan's heart gradually turned cold as well.

When Liu Yuanzhou returned home, his uncle's family had just finished dinner. He offered a few explanations to his uncle Liu Jiali. Seeing that his cousin Liu Yuanyang had not yet gone into the rear courtyard, Liu Yuanzhou secretly gritted his teeth, stepped closer, and said in a low voice, "Brother, I want to ask you to look into something. Let's talk outside."

Liu Yuanyang was curious. This younger cousin of his had a close relationship with his younger brother, but only an ordinary one with him. Aside from meals, they usually had little interaction.

Suppressing the doubts in his heart, Liu Yuanyang nodded, handed Shuwen from his arms to his wife, and followed Liu Yuanzhou outside the gate.

"What is it?" Liu Yuanyang asked.

"I have a friend who works at his uncle's Weaving Factory in Yan Province City. His uncle's surname is Liu. I'd like to ask Brother to help me find out about this factory." Liu Yuanzhou went straight to the point.

Hearing that he merely wanted information about a factory and that it was no major matter, Liu Yuanyang immediately agreed. "That won't be difficult. Leave it to me." He was an official in the Household Office of the Prefectural Yamen and often dealt with merchants. Asking about a Weaving Factory would be easy.

Liu Yuanzhou said happily, "Thank you, Brother."

Liu Yuanyang said, "There's no need for formality between brothers."

The next two days passed as blandly as water. Neither Niu Baoyuan nor Liu Yuanyang had any news yet. Though Liu Yuanzhou was anxious inside, he could only patiently wait.

The sixteenth day of the fifth month arrived. This was the day of Liu Yuanzhi's Prefecture Exam.

Early that morning, while the sky was still dark, Gao Shi personally made her son a bowl of egg noodles. After breakfast, the entire family, young and old, saw Liu Yuanzhi to the gate.

Once they stepped outside, the sky had only just begun to brighten.

The examination lasted two days, and candidates could not return home. To prevent cheating, the examination hall provided brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and three meals a day, so there was no need to carry anything.

The four men boarded a mule cart. The driver, Wang San Ge, flicked his whip, and the mule cart slowly set off toward the examination hall. Liu Yuanzhou, Liu Jiali, and Third Master were accompanying Liu Yuanzhi to the exam.

The examination hall was beside the Prefectural Yamen. Once the mule cart turned onto South Main Street, the people and vehicles on the road grew more numerous. At this hour, nearly everyone arriving was either an exam candidate or a family member seeing one off.

Near the Prefectural Yamen, the road was blocked solid by Mule Carts standing every which way. The four could only get down and proceed on foot. Fortunately, the examination hall was not far away.

After sending Wang San Ge back with the cart, the four hurried to the examination hall. There was still half an hour before entry began, but the small square outside was already packed shoulder to shoulder. Everyone spoke in low voices, and order remained fairly good under the watch of yamen runners from the Prefectural Yamen.

The four waited outside for admission. Liu Jiali and Third Master repeatedly reminded Liu Yuanzhi of things to watch out for during the examination. Though Liu Yuanzhi was impatient, he still pretended to listen attentively.

"Time is up! Candidates, enter!" a yamen runner shouted loudly at the entrance to the examination hall.

Liu Yuanzhi hurriedly waved farewell to his father, grandfather, and cousin, then followed the other students into the examination hall one by one.

Liu Yuanzhou suddenly thought of Li Mingzhong and looked around, but there were too many people, and he did not see him.

"Good luck on the exam, Brother." Liu Yuanzhou waved and clenched his fist, cheering Liu Yuanzhi on.

Liu Yuanzhi turned back and gave him a smile before stepping through the gates of the examination hall.