"What do you make of the Jiangnan Yan clan's assets being confiscated and the family exiled?"
In the bamboo grove, a pavilion stood tall. Two men sat facing each other at a stone table, their hands moving pieces across a chessboard in a back-and-forth exchange that gradually filled the board without yielding a clear victor.
The man at the head of the table was in his forties, with a long beard, dark hair loosely tied, and deep, composed eyes. Seated there, he exuded an air of refined elegance. He was Chu Shao, the great scholar of Wenyuan Academy this term. He had once served as a tutor at the Imperial Academy and had been tasked with enlightening several princes. Later, he pursued the path of Confucianism and began traveling across the land, until he arrived at Wenyuan Academy last year, where he had temporarily settled.
His opponent was no more than seventeen or eighteen, dressed in coarse cloth with a simple wooden hairpin. Though his attire was humble and plain, his gaze when he looked up was neither servile nor overbearing—like the green bamboo beside him, handsome and restrained, carrying a striking presence for one so young.
In response to the question, he pondered for a moment before saying, "His Majesty is a wise sovereign for the ages. Even if he indulges the Grand Secretary, he would not exile an entire clan without cause. Nor would the other centuries-old great families among the court officials sit idly by. So there can only be one possibility."
As he spoke, he picked up a white stone and placed it on the board, turning the tide against his opponent by a single move. He looked up and said with certainty, "The Yan clan deserved their fate."
Chu Shao did not reply, only placing another piece with a light, airy tone: "You've lost."
In the blink of an eye, the white piece opposite fell again. Though it did not reverse the outcome, it narrowed the margin of defeat.
Yan Sheng continued, neither humble nor haughty: "However, the Yan clan is a centuries-old family with considerable standing among scholars. They contributed to His Majesty's ascension, suppressing the remaining rebel forces and pacifying the countless scholars of the south. Their merits are not insignificant. Even if they were guilty, they should not have met such an end. Grand Secretary Song acts with arrogance and lawlessness, showing no regard for scholars—it is no wonder everyone is so incensed."
Only then did Chu Shao show a look of satisfaction. He said, "Song Shang looks down on everyone with his nose in the air, has always disdained others, and acts with excessive harshness, showing no consideration for old ties. If not for His Majesty shielding him…"
The unspoken implication was clear, but Chu Shao did not elaborate. Instead, he gazed at Yan Sheng with approval and said, "You are clever, but your foundation is weak—those fools delayed you for far too long. I do not ask much of you: place in the second tier at the palace examination, and you will be accepted as my disciple."
If he could not even make the second tier, then he was not worth the attention.
Hearing this, Yan Sheng grew more solemn. "I will give it my all."
…
By the time Yan Sheng walked out of the bamboo garden, half an hour had passed.
He was born into poverty. Even with all his effort, he could only acquire knowledge from books. Of the affairs of the world, the distribution of power at court, and the conditions of various regions, he knew nothing. Fortunately, he had met a good teacher, and now he was full of confidence for this examination.
Yan Sheng walked out through the elegant bamboo grove. Beneath the dappled sunlight, in his coarse clothes and rough shoes, beneath his thin and impoverished exterior, his eyes could not hide their burning ambition.
Second tier?
No, his goal was the top scholar.
He glanced back at the faintly visible pavilion hidden among the trees, suppressed his ambition, and walked out. To his surprise, the moment he emerged, he came face to face with Tao Zhiyi, who wore a look of utter exasperation.
Yan Sheng raised a hand in greeting. "Brother Tao, what are you doing here?"
Tao Zhiyi fumed at the question. "What am I doing here? Go ask that shrew outside yourself. The sages said: cultivate the self, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world. You'd better start by regulating your own family."
With that, he waved his hand and stalked off.
Those few vague words didn't register with Yan Sheng at first. He thought for a moment, then realized what was going on and hurried toward the academy gates.
By this time, Song Jin had already been waiting outside the gate for half an hour.
With that much time on her hands, she naturally hadn't been standing the whole while.
When Yan Sheng came out, she was sitting by the roadside on a small stool, a cup of cold tea to her left, a pile of melon seed shells to her right. In her left hand she held a piece of meat she was tearing into with her teeth, and in her right hand she held a storybook, grinning from ear to ear.
On the entire road, she was by far the most conspicuous sight.
Yan Sheng: "…"
Song Jin was used to reading in the mountains, and even when absorbed in a favorite passage, she kept her ears open to everything around her. She immediately noticed Yan Sheng coming out. She closed the book and rubbed her face, which had gone red from laughing.
This book had been published three years ago. It told the story of a stone-faced youth who stumbled into all sorts of chaotic adventures. Though the author didn't seem to intend it that way, Song Jin loved it. She had followed it from the very first volume and was a devoted reader.
She carefully tucked the book away, put down her crossed legs, drained the cold tea, and only then rose slowly to her feet. She waved at Yan Sheng and called out, "Yan Number Two, over here!"
Yan Sheng, who had already spotted her, gave a composed smile under the gaze of those around him and walked toward Song Jin.
Their family had fled famine from another region to Linxi Town. In those days, life was hard—so poor that their eldest brother fell ill and died for lack of money for medicine, and he and his younger siblings were as thin as praying mantises.
Under such conditions, the family naturally could not afford to send him to school.
But Yan Sheng loved learning. From a young age, he would go to the academy and eavesdrop on the lessons from outside. Listening again and again, he memorized the Three Character Classic on his own—a testament to his talent. Yet even so, he still had no books to read.
In those days, the cost of schooling was simply too great. Their town had only just begun to see better days, and even then, not to that extent. Everyone struggled just to fund their own children's education, let alone an outsider's child like him.
Besides, even if he had a gift for learning, were there ever a shortage of educated men in this world? Even if he passed the county and provincial examinations, it wouldn't change much for the townsfolk. Only a jinshi degree would truly matter, but that was far, far too difficult.
It wasn't until later, when Niu Tielan moved to town with her children and discovered that this boy—hardworking, quick to learn, and reciting texts even while tending the pigs—that he finally began his schooling.
From age five to now, thirteen years had passed. The silver spent in that time was beyond counting, and this was only the beginning. The real expenses would come later with the prefectural, provincial, and metropolitan examinations.
Yan Sheng felt he owed a debt, but once he succeeded in the examinations and made something of himself, none of it would matter.
He looked at Song Jin over there—bright and bold—and his heart filled with joy. But when his gaze landed on her slouching posture, utterly lacking in grace, he couldn't help but furrow his brow and say tactfully,
"Jinjin, this is the entrance of the academy."
Song Jin patted the dust off her robes, laughing carelessly and even looking a little proud. "No worries. Last time I squatted right here with Magistrate Xiao and nobody said a thing."
Yan Sheng was caught off guard. "The magistrate is above such trivialities."
Song Jin: "Exactly, exactly. Well said."
Yan Sheng's mouth twitched. He was talking about the magistrate, not her.
How could she compare herself to Magistrate Xiao? The man had talent and status—no one would dare question anything he did. But she was just a young girl.
Yan Sheng wanted to say something, but seeing Song Jin's unconcerned expression, he swallowed his words.
Forget it. Aunt Niu has spoiled her since she was little, and she's still young, never caring about such things. Once we're married, I'll teach her slowly.
The thought that he could discuss marriage once he passed the prefectural examination filled Yan Sheng with even more joy, and a smile spread across his face. "Why have you come today? Is something the matter at home? Are my father, mother, brother, and sister all well?"
Song Jin teased, "They're full of energy, bragging to everyone every day that they'll soon have a xiucai son. You'd better work hard, or you won't have the face to go home."
Yan Sheng could already picture the scene. He felt helpless but also confident. "I will definitely pass."
Song Jin raised an eyebrow. She too believed that with all his hard work, Yan Sheng would surely succeed. She smiled and asked, "Why are you wearing that outfit?"
Yan Sheng looked embarrassed. "My clothes got wet and haven't dried yet."
The truth was, yesterday while out, he'd encountered a girl who had fallen into the water. He'd saved her and soaked his clothes. His other set had been hung out to dry but got rained on, so this was all he had left.
Song Jin didn't think much of it. After all, he was her neighbor-brother from childhood and her future ticket to success. She said with concern, "Then be careful not to catch a chill. If you feel unwell anywhere, go see Old Man Liu. He knows you, so he'll definitely help."
Yan Sheng felt warmed. "I know. I'll be careful."
Song Jin nodded, then pulled out the brush, ink, and paper that Elder Shu had given her, smiling brightly and boldly. "The prefectural examination is coming up. Throw away your old worn-out stuff and use these new ones."
All these years, Yan Sheng's studies had been supported by her mother's help, but he never threw away a brush until the bristles fell out, and he filled every sheet of paper to the brim. He also copied books for sale and wrote letters for people to earn a little money for supplies. He never borrowed from them unless absolutely necessary—diligent and frugal.
He looked at the stationery in Song Jin's hands and knew its worth at a glance. Touched and delighted, he still declined. "These are too expensive. I can't use such things. What matters most in studying is the books, not these trappings."
"Take them, I said. There's no difference at all. What do you think people sell these for? Your only job right now is to do well on the exam." Song Jin shoved the items into his hands, her face alive with mischief as she winked.
"Once you pass and become a big official, my mother and I will be eating well and living large off your success."
Yan Sheng pressed his lips together, amused, but his expression gradually grew resolute. "Don't worry. I will definitely pass."
And when that day comes, I'll return in glory to welcome her through my door.
Song Jin wasn't thinking nearly as far ahead as he was. Seeing that he'd accepted the gifts and her task was complete, she waved at him, then casually led Little Black away.
Yan Sheng stood there, clutching the expensive brush and ink set tightly, watching her grow smaller and smaller in the distance.
**
"Clop, clop, clop."
"Clop, clop, clop, clop, clop."
Song Jin rode her mule along the country road she'd traveled countless times, swinging her legs and humming a light tune as she leisurely made her way back to Linxi Town.
The road from the county to the town passed by the town's only schoolhouse.
With the prefectural examination imminent, though it had nothing to do with the students of the town school, there was inevitably a bit more tension in the air than usual.
Even from a distance, Song Jin could hear the sound of students reading aloud.
As long as she wasn't the one doing the reading, it was actually rather entertaining to listen to.
"Humans at birth, are naturally good…"
Song Jin sat on her mule, playfully swaying her head like the children inside, reciting the opening lines along with them, utterly unabashed. From afar, several townsfolk caught sight of her, their faces changing as they turned and hurried away, lest they run straight into this little tyrant.
She walked along that road until she reached a house with golden phoenixes carved on its door. There, she stopped, narrowed her eyes, then jumped down from the mule, smiling as she looked at the people in front of the house.
"Oh, if it isn't Aunt Mei and Jiaojiao! Why do you run off the moment you see me? Do I really look that frightening?"
Meihua and her daughter Lin Jiaojiao, the very pair who had gone to someone's door the day before and made them so angry they "spit blood": …
Wait—whether you're frightening or not, don't you have any idea yourself?