Matchmaking

The moment Fang Yue stepped into the inn, the waiter's quote startled him.

Even the worst room cost one tael of silver a day.

There were still eight days until the Martial Scholar examination, and he would also have to wait for the results to be posted.

That meant another three days of waiting.

All told, he would be staying for roughly eleven days, costing at least eleven taels of silver.

He had only brought ten taels of silver with him on this trip to Xiahe County.

He really could not afford to stay at an inn.

Did he really have to ask to stay at Uncle-Master Zhang's home?

Seeming to notice Fang Yue's predicament, the waiter continued introducing the options with an enthusiastic smile.

"Sir, there's nothing to be done about it. Xiahe County is holding the Martial Scholar assessment this time, the first of its kind since Great Wei was founded. Quite a few people came to County Town a month ago, so naturally, room prices have risen with the tide."

"However, our firewood room is still vacant. If you do not mind, you may stay there. It is cheap—only three taels of silver for half a month, and it includes two meals a day."

"Fine, I'll stay in the firewood room." Fang Yue readily agreed.

Generally speaking, the firewood rooms in inns like this faced the sun.

They were also quite spacious, with separate rooms. Put in a bed and tidy them up a little, and they were not bad at all.

As for losing face by staying in a firewood room, he did not care.

A hero was not judged by his origins, and the Martial Scholar examination did not care where he lived.

After traveling for two days, Fang Yue was covered in dust.

Once he had settled in and eaten dinner, Fang Yue fetched a bucket of water, washed away the dust on his body, and went to bed early.

The next morning, faint golden clouds lit up the eastern sky.

Fang Yue pushed open his door and stepped outside, refreshed and brimming with vigor.

Today, he needed to register, then visit Uncle-Master Zhang. Although he would not be staying at his home, because of his master Fang Hu, he had visited the man's home every time he came to Xiahe County Town over the past year.

Some relationships had to be maintained. Besides, setting Zhang Shu aside, Uncle-Master Zhang was a fine man—he cared greatly for the younger generation and truly treated Fang Yue like a junior of his own family.

When he left the inn, it was still early.

There were few pedestrians on the streets. Only the breakfast vendors were setting out their tables, while the morning mist had yet to disperse. Xiahe County Town possessed a distinct charm at this hour.

Xiahe County Town lay beside the Xiahe River. Great amounts of manpower had been spent to make the river circle the County Town once, while another channel had been drawn through the town itself, creating a splendid scene.

Fang Yue walked along the bluestone-paved streets toward the County Yamen.

By the time he arrived at the County Yamen, it had just opened for business.

Fang Yue announced his name, revealed his identity as a disciple of the White Tiger Martial Arts School, and stated that he had come to register for the Martial Scholar assessment.

He was easily admitted into the Civil Service Office of the County Yamen and did not encounter the rumored extortion and obstruction.

Having just completed the registration procedures, Fang Yue had barely stepped out of the County Yamen.

"Brother up ahead, please wait!"

A voice rang out. Immediately afterward, a young man in a fitted green martial outfit came before Fang Yue.

Looking up, Fang Yue saw that it was the horse-riding youth from yesterday. Not far from him, Fang Yue also spotted the two young women from yesterday.

Compared with yesterday, the two young women had changed into different clothes.

Their bedraggled appearance was gone, making them seem all the more gentle and lovely, impossible to look away from.

"My name is Chen Chengan. Have we met somewhere before?" Chen Chengan asked with cupped fists.

"We met yesterday on Baishi Mountain. Brother Chen's bearing left one longing for such grace." Fang Yue smiled faintly and introduced himself as well.

"It seems Brother Fang has also come for the Martial Scholar assessment. Since we walk the same path, I shall host a feast tonight. We will not return until we are drunk." Chen Chengan warmly invited him.

"I fear I must disappoint Brother Chen. I still need to visit an elder today." Fang Yue tactfully declined.

Seeing this, Chen Chengan did not press him further. After asking where Fang Yue was staying, he entered the County Yamen to register.

In the afternoon, after estimating the right time,

Fang Yue carried the gifts he had prepared and arrived at Uncle-Master Zhang's home.

Since he had already come several times, the gatekeeper recognized Fang Yue and directly opened the door to let him in.

Fang Yue met Uncle-Master Zhang in the reception hall.

"You came all this way, and you still brought gifts. Worthy nephew, you are always so formal. It makes us seem far too distant." Zhang Boyang was as warm as ever.

"It is only some pan-fried tea leaves, all made at home. It is nothing much."

Naturally, Fang Yue had brought the pan-fried tea he had made himself. It cost him nothing, and it was much better than the tea sold on the market. It made a fine gift for others.

Uncle-Master Zhang accepted it with a chuckle, his attitude becoming even more cordial.

"Worthy nephew, have you come this time to take the Martial Scholar assessment?" Zhang Boyang asked.

When this child had first come to his home a year ago, he had only just begun practicing martial arts.

By past experience, it would take at least three to five years before he had a chance to take the Martial Imperial Exam.

And that was assuming he had decent talent and could reach the third martial stage, the Bone Forging Pass, within three to five years.

Yet who could have expected the Imperial Court to change the era and add the Martial Scholar assessment?

Still, Fang Yue had cultivated the second martial stage, Skin Tempering, to a respectable level in merely one year. That was enough to prove that his martial talent was not lacking.

Furthermore, his martial school now intended to develop a pan-fried tea business, and the pan-fried tea had been invented by the youth before him.

He possessed literary talent when needed and martial skill when needed; he was accomplished in both civil and martial pursuits. One day, he would certainly not remain a creature trapped in a shallow pond.

With that, the thought in Zhang Boyang's heart grew ever firmer.

"Uncle-Master, I have merely come to broaden my horizons this time."

Fang Yue nodded. Fang Hu had already written about this in a letter, so Zhang Boyang naturally knew.

"Hehe, it is good for young people to broaden their horizons."

Zhang Boyang laughed heartily, then abruptly changed the subject. "If I remember correctly, worthy nephew, you are seventeen this year. May I ask whether you are betrothed?"

Fang Yue was startled. He had apparently not expected Zhang Boyang to ask such a question, but he quickly recovered and said, "My elder brother has not yet married, so neither have I."

In ancient times, order between elder and younger was emphasized. Even in marriage, elder brothers married before younger brothers. Otherwise, the proper order would be disrupted and people would laugh at it.

"Hehe, then that is excellent. Excellent." Zhang Boyang laughed again, then continued, "Worthy nephew, what do you think of my Shu'er?"

The moment Fang Yue heard this, he understood Zhang Boyang's meaning. Was he trying to bring Fang Yue and Zhang Shu together?

That made no sense. Zhang Boyang treated Zhang Shu extremely well, and what kind of household did Zhang Boyang have?

He owned several hundred mu of fertile farmland and also had businesses in the city, bringing in over a thousand taels of silver each year.

Moreover, his own cultivation had long reached Bone Marrow Cleansing Great Accomplishment. He was also an Imperial Martial Candidate and held an official post at the County Yamen.

With such a family background, his only daughter should marry someone of equal social standing no matter what.

How could Zhang Boyang possibly want to match him with Zhang Shu?

Still, though he found it impossible in his heart, Fang Yue forced himself to say against his true feelings,

"Senior Sister Zhang is naturally clever and pure-hearted, and her temperament is exceptionally good."