After watching the play, Xiao Yaozu descended the stairs and nearly collided with a scholar dressed in coarse cloth.
“My apologies, brother. I was lost in thought just now,” the scholar said, collecting the books in his hand and speaking first.
Though dressed in humble attire, his demeanor exuded a crisp and efficient temperament.
“No matter. Are you also a candidate this year?” Xiao Yaozu steadied himself and asked.
Liang Zhizhu nodded, looking at Xiao Yaozu: “I am Liang Zhizhu, from Baiyue. It’s rare to meet a brother like you?”
“Yes, I’m also taking the Spring Examination this session. My surname is Xiao.” Xiao Yaozu didn’t mention his role as an inspector, seizing the opportunity to ask about the earlier incident: “Brother Liang, were you also going to buy the exam key points?”
He pointed toward the crowd scrambling to purchase them in the distance.
Liang Zhizhu shook his head, his expression serious: “Taking shortcuts is not advisable. One must rely on genuine talent and learning. Only with real ability can one handle the examination hall with ease.”
Xiao Yaozu: “The imperial exams are just the first platform after years of effort. What if you don’t pass this time?”
Liang Zhizhu: “The path of learning is inherently long. One failure means nothing. I will continue to refine my knowledge, and when I take the exam again, I will surely pluck the laurel from the moon palace.”
His words were filled with an indomitable spirit.
Imagine if she failed the college entrance exam—she wouldn’t have the courage to retake it. Her former classmates, who used to play with her, would already be heading to universities. Passing by their homes or seeing their parents would be even more painful.
The teachers would remain the same, and new classmates would occasionally ask about or remind her of her failure.
At that age, how many could face it calmly?
Gazing at the surging crowd in the streets and then back at Liang Zhizhu, with his plain clothes and resolute expression, for a moment, a certain ancient figure seemed to come to life.
Xiao Yaozu smiled faintly.
“Brother Liang speaks wisely.”
Liang Zhizhu’s eyes lit up; he was certain that Brother Xiao understood what he meant.
“Zhizhu, you’re here.” A young man in a blue robe approached the two.
As he drew near, his gaze fell on Xiao Yaozu, and a look of confusion crossed his face: “And this is…?”
Seeing this, Liang Zhizhu said: “Brother Haoran, let me introduce you. This is Brother Xiao, also a candidate for this session’s Spring Examination.”
[System, are these two really from the same village?]
[Host, they’re from the same academy. Liang Zhizhu is a candidate from Liangjia Village, and Lu Haoran is the son of the county magistrate.]
[The friends of a county magistrate’s son are usually from wealthy families, or wealthy families. System, is there some gossip here?]
[Let me check. Ah, here it is. This Lu Haoran was accustomed to spending lavishly at the academy. He hired two carriages to bring several people to the exam, but on the way, Lu Haoran came down with measles. The others were afraid to get close, worried that catching measles would delay their exams. It was Liang Zhizhu who took care of him.]
Xiao Yaozu nodded toward Lu Haoran.
Lu Haoran, in turn, scrutinized Xiao Yaozu carefully before returning the gesture with a cupped-hand salute.
He hadn’t expected that Liang Zhizhu, who usually buried himself in books, would know someone in Bianjing.
Judging by the other’s physique and demeanor, he seemed slightly more handsome than himself.
He was a man of principle and didn’t associate with people handsomer than himself.
Liang Zhizhu actually wanted to chat a bit more with Xiao Yaozu, but he had matters to attend to and could only hurriedly offer a cupped-hand salute to Xiao Yaozu before turning and entering the teahouse.
Xiao Yaozu asked the attendant beside him, “Where did that Lang Jun go just now?”
“Sir, you must be his friend. He’s staying here but doesn’t have enough for lodging, so he helps wash cups and do chores during the teahouse’s busy hours to cover his rent.”
“Your teahouse rents out rooms too?”
“There’s still a woodshed in the backyard. Every Spring Examination, all the inns in Bianjing are fully booked. The manager only gave Liang Lang Jun that woodshed because he saw some scholarly merit in him.”
Xiao Yaozu thought of a term: work-study.
Just then, Shen Feiyan from Tongfu Inn came downstairs.
She stormed over to Xiao Yaozu.
“Xiao Yaozu, stop right there! It’s all your fault I misunderstood Brother Xu.”
From a distance… it looked like a handsome man being followed by a childhood sweetheart playfully bickering with him.
Simultaneously, the crisp sound of horse hooves came from afar.
Shen Feiyan, who had been scolding him moments before, recognized it as the Eighth Prince’s carriage and felt her heart tighten. Compared to His Majesty, she actually feared this Eighth Imperial Uncle more.
Because the Eighth Prince’s eyes were like tempered ice and snow—cold and utterly emotionless.
“Eighth Imperial Uncle.”
“What’s going on here?” a deep voice emerged from the carriage.
Xiao Yaozu’s eyes curved upon hearing his work buddy’s voice: “Your Highness, what a coincidence.”
Before Shen Feiyan could respond, the man spoke again: “Get in. Come with me to the examination venue.”
“Oh, right away.”
He nimbly climbed into the carriage.
Shen Feiyan could only slink away alone.
Inside the carriage, the atmosphere felt somewhat… strange.
The Eighth Prince sat on one side, his expression indifferent.
Xiao Yaozu, however, was completely at ease, sitting with legs spread wide.
[System, am I manly enough?]
The System responded with a burst of electronic praise.
Noting how the person beside him was lifting his chin higher and higher, the Eighth Prince broke the silence: “Explain. What happened.”
Xiao Yaozu paused.
[How should I put this? Your niece wanted me to help her cheat in the imperial exams, and she’s fallen for a scoundrel who flirts with widows above and dallies with noble ladies below. Does she really think I’m stupid? If things go wrong, I’d be the sacrificial pawn thrown to the wolves.]
The Eighth Prince was also stunned.
What was that girl thinking at such a young age? And to fancy such a man?
Xiao Yaozu carefully weighed his words: “Your Highness, what kind of husband would be suitable for the princess in the future?””
The Eighth Prince acted as if he hadn’t heard, yet seemed to be pondering the meaning behind Xiao Yaozu’s words.
Under Xiao Yaozu’s puppy-dog eyes assault, he finally spoke.
“Her marriage will naturally be decided by Princess Anding and His Majesty.” He added, “Not someone like you.”
“Me?” Xiao Yaozu pointed at himself, “What kind is that?”
The more Xiao Yaozu listened, the more unpleasant it sounded.
If you’re going to talk, talk properly—no need for comparisons.
Just as he was about to curse, meeting the Eighth Prince’s face—which perfectly suited his tastes—he could only swallow it and mutter…
[This wicked creature.]
Wicked? Just like that?
The Eighth Prince tapped his finger on the armrest: “Feiyan has a restless temperament. She’d be better matched with a steady Lang Jun. So, I’m afraid Lord Xiao will be disappointed.”
???
How did we jump back to this topic? Could the Eighth Prince think I have feelings for Shen Feiyan?
[What I like is……] Xiao Yaozu met the Eighth Prince’s gaze.
The Eighth Prince: “……”
Though he didn’t hear who Xiao Yaozu was referring to, for some reason, his earlier displeasure suddenly eased.
Xiao Yaozu: “Your Highness, I noticed the princess is particularly concerned about this Spring Examination. Could it be she’s planning to snatch a husband from the list of successful candidates?”
The Eighth Prince narrowed his eyes slightly: “Even if she has such thoughts, the man must be both virtuous and talented.”
[So even if Shen Feiyan takes a liking to Xu Mingze, they’ll break them apart… But the more they oppose, the more intense the lovestruck reaction becomes…]
Xiao Yaozu’s eyes suddenly lit up as he enthusiastically said to the Eighth Prince: “Your Highness, you wouldn’t believe the fresh gossip I heard this morning. Among those taking the Spring Examination, many are wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
The Eighth Prince: “Do tell.”
Xiao Yaozu cleared his throat: “While drinking tea at the teahouse earlier, I saw a candidate at the inn across the street. Outwardly, he appears to be an elegant young master, but he was flirting with a widow.”
“Coincidentally, the princess also went to that inn. Guess what? What’s even more coincidental is that the princess knows that candidate. Her expression was quite spectacular – first like this… then like this…”
Xiao Yaozu was thinking of Aunt Qiongyao’s classic expressions.
First frowning, stubborn questioning, ending with a shy conclusion.
This was the first time the Eighth Prince had discovered one person could have so many expressions.
“Understood. If that girl looks for you again, don’t agree to any of her requests.”
[Eh, does the Eighth Prince mean I don’t need to help the princess cheat anymore? So sudden?]
[Then I’ll save this lovestruck princess myself – return favor for favor.]
“Your Highness, I have a plan to help the princess.”
Inside the carriage, Xiao Yaozu leaned closer, his soft fragrance arriving before his voice.
Even the voice in his ear carried a hint of sweetness.
The Eighth Prince was somewhat puzzled why Xiao Yaozu, being a man, smelled so pleasant…
After presenting his plan, Xiao Yaozu observed the Eighth Prince’s silence and looked up…
Just meeting the Eighth Prince’s profound gaze, the man’s eyes deep and obscure.
He exuded the steadiness of a mature man and the cultivation of good upbringing.
Completely unknowable what he was thinking, what he would do next…
Is this what a true ancient prince looks like…
The Eighth Prince followed the shadow cast by his lowered lashes, his gaze falling on his flushed earlobes.
That faint blush appeared particularly enticing against his fair skin.
The Eighth Prince slightly furrowed his brows and withdrew his gaze.
Xiao Yaozu didn’t understand why the Eighth Prince had changed his expression again when the atmosphere was fine just moments ago. No matter, he had plenty of energy and topics.
“Your Highness, are you also going to inspect the examination venue today?”
“As supervisors, we naturally need to make a trip.”
After speaking, he closed his eyes.
Xiao Yaozu tactfully closed his mouth, but his inner monologue continued.
[System, when is the Spring Examination?] Xiao Yaozu was thinking about those three life points and the big gossip at the examination venue.
[Host, check-in will succeed in two days.]
[Still two more days? My feet get cold when I sleep now, and I have to coax myself for half an hour to fall asleep in bed.]
[Host, didn’t you keep a beautiful woman? Have her warm your bed, get some human warmth.] After saying this, the System inexplicably felt its data body grow cold. Who, exactly who wants to assassinate it?
[That wouldn’t be appropriate, would it?]
[Then do you dare to climb into the Eighth Prince’s bed?]