chapter 67

Chapter 67: Sweet Treats

The institution exam was the final test for students; passing it granted them the title of "Xiucai."

Compared to the grueling days and nights of the preliminary and main exams, this exam only spanned a day.

On the day of the exam, Lianqiao, full of concern, prepared an array of delicacies for Shen He.

Mid-exam deliveries were prohibited. Even a young master like Shen He, raised by the crown prince, wasn't granted an exception.

Lianqiao reassured Shen He, "Master Shen, focus on your exam. Once finished, I've heard you might be allowed to leave early. I've prepared all the food. After you're done, we can enjoy a hearty meal to replenish your energy."

Shen He was under immense pressure right before the exam, wishing he could forgo sleep, for even in his dreams, he was reciting essays.

Now, he seemed the calmest among all. With a chuckle, he said, "It's me taking the exam, not you. There's no need for such concern. Moreover, it's just a day. Once done, I'll be out and won't starve. Don't worry about me."

How could Lian Qiao be at ease?

Observing the young man's composure, she whispered, "I always thought the young master was still a child. Now, I realize just how much he has grown."

She softly remarked, "Time flies so fast."

He Ling whispered from the side, "The young master looks a bit like the prince, doesn't he?"

Shen He gently patted their backs in reassurance, then turned and walked away. Zhong Yan carried their belongings and followed.

Qi Zhuo Yun was waiting outside, determined to accompany Shen He to the examination site.

My, it's almost as grand as the college entrance exams.

Parents accompanying their kids for exams.

With downcast eyes, Qi Zhuo Yun gazed at Shen He, a faint smile playing on his lips, he gently pinched the back of Shen He's neck and asked, "Are you nervous, He He?"

Most people would be scared to death before entering the examination hall.

Shen He confidently responded, "What's there to be afraid of? The examination hall is like a battlefield. With the battle about to start, there's no need to get hung up on trifles."

As he spoke, his expressions were animated, deepening the curve of Qi Zhuo Yun's smile.

He wrapped both arms around Shen He's waist and before the young man could react, lifted him into the carriage.

Then, gathering his robes, he gracefully stepped onto the carriage himself.

Shen He, still startled, protested once seated, "Brother, I'm not a child anymore. Don't lift me into the carriage like that. People might think I'm so short that I can't even climb into a carriage without help!"

When he was discontented, his cheeks puffed up, resembling a perfectly steamed bun. One would feel an irresistible urge to poke them to see if they felt as fluffy.

The maturity he displayed earlier had now completely vanished, not a trace remained.

Qi Zhuo Yun hugged him, lightly pinching the puffed-up cheek, "Oh? Now that you've grown up, your brother can't hold you anymore? In a couple of years, will I not even be allowed to pinch your face? And once you come of age, do you plan to distance yourself from me, move out of the palace to enjoy your freedom, and leave me all alone, hm? Is that your plan?"

Shen He: "..."

Shen He muttered under his breath, "Come on, I was just making a point. Why are you making such a big deal out of it, Brother?"

A pang of guilt weighed on Shen He's heart.

Help! It felt as if he was seen through, sending chills down his spine.

After coming of age... he indeed had plans to slip away.

Seriously, just because he wasn't staying in the capital city didn't mean the bond between them had diminished.

Male leads always tend to overthink.

Overthinking isn't good for one's health.

Shen He internally grumbled, but on the surface, he tried to muster a righteous and wrongfully accused expression.

Qi Zhuo Yun failed to notice Shen He's unease.

Unbeknownst to him, Shen He, being aware of the plotline, had been keen to avoid crucial plot points and had been preparing an escape plan from a young age. Seeing Shen He's behavior, he merely perceived it as a child's dissatisfaction at losing face.

Or perhaps Qi Zhuo Yun had ulterior motives.

His guilt ran deeper than Shen He's, it was just suppressed and not apparent.

He coaxed the young man, "All I did was hug you. Who would think otherwise?"

Feeling cornered, Shen He reluctantly replied, "Fine."

Qi Zhuo Yun pulled the youth onto his lap.

He did so with ease, treating Shen He not as a nearly grown individual of over 1.7 meters but as a petite child.

Startled, Shen He instinctively tried to wriggle free, protesting, "Brother, what are you doing? I have an exam! Can we discuss this afterward? The exam is vital. If I don't rank first because of you, it'll be your fault!"

Ever since he was young, whenever Qi Zhuo Yun intended to tease or discipline him, he would pull Shen He into his embrace to prevent escape. It had become such a conditioned response for Shen He that his immediate reaction was to flee!

Qi Zhuo Yun wrapped one arm around the youth's waist and caught his wrist with the other hand. "Sit still. I'm not teasing you; just want to hold you."

Shen He was skeptical, "Really?"

He turned his head, trying to get a sidelong glance at Qi Zhuo Yun's expression.

A delicate frown formed on his forehead, displaying a "You better not be tricking me" look.

He studied Qi Zhuo Yun's eyes intently for a moment. Sensing no deceit, he finally relaxed and murmured resentfully, "Then you should have said something. You startled me by grabbing me so suddenly."

Qi Zhuo Yun, while holding the youth's hand, moved slightly back, worried that his irregular heartbeat might be detected.

He cradled Shen He's pristine hand; it was different from his own.

Not only was it smaller and fairer, but the calluses on the pad of the thumb and fingertips were thin, mostly from holding a pen. Only a few were traces of archery practice.

The back of the hand was fair and delicate. The bluish veins were subtly visible, adding a hint of color to the pale backdrop.

Qi Zhuo Yun's hand was larger, with a rough palm and fingertips that lightly grazed Shen He's skin, causing a tickling sensation.

Although his fingers were long, they were distinctively masculine, with visible knuckles and slightly raised veins. They lacked the smooth delicacy of Shen He's hands, and one could feel the texture of the veins upon touch.

Holding Shen He's hand, Qi Zhuo Yun whispered, "I didn't mean to startle you. Should I inform you next time before embracing you?"

There was a teasing tone in his voice.

Shen He pondered and replied, "Never mind."

He imagined a scenario where Qi Zhuo Yun would say, "Come here, let Brother hug you," and he would eagerly oblige, settling into his embrace.

That's too juvenile!

It would be better to skip that embarrassing step and just embrace directly.

He sighed internally, thinking how, despite his age, Qi Zhuo Yun had yet to accept his growth.

Indeed, parents find it harder to let go than their children.

Considering Qi Zhuo Yun's diligent guardianship, he'd reluctantly give him more time to adjust to the idea of his "child" growing up and leaving the nest.

Qi Zhuo Yun chuckled, "Whether I speak or not, you're the one to decide, He He. You're indeed hard to please."

Shen He promptly raised an eyebrow, "Then you shouldn't hug me at all. What do you mean 'hard to please'? I'm not demanding."

As he continued to grumble, Qi Zhuo Yun patiently indulged his youthful temper, then smiled and gave his hand a gentle squeeze, "Alright, my mistake. Focus on your upcoming examination. Do your best, but remember it's okay even if things don't go as planned."

Qi Zhuo Yun's gaze settled on the nape of the boy's fair neck, where stray hairs had settled. He gently exhaled to blow them away. The young man shrunk back, evading the gesture, "Don't jinx it! Are you underestimating me already before I even start?"

Qi Zhuo Yun laughed, "Alright then, may Master He excel and secure the top position. Is that satisfactory?"

The rumbling of the carriage ceased, replaced by bustling voices from outside, neighing of horses, attendants shouting, and conversations among students all merging together.

They had arrived.

The young man on his lap grew restless. Detaching from Qi Zhuo Yun's grip, he exclaimed, "We're here!" and leaped out of the carriage.

As Shen He jumped down, Zhong Yan entered the carriage, gathering all of Shen He's belongings.

Qi Zhuo Yun stood by the carriage, watching the youth stride confidently towards the entrance.

Reaching the top of the steps, Shen He paused, turning around with bright eyes and waved, "Brother, head back! See you tonight! Goodbye!"

Qi Zhuo Yun responded, "See you tonight."

As the young man entered the examination hall, dawn was just breaking.

Qi Zhuo Yun fixed his gaze on the spot where Shen He disappeared, lingering for a moment before remarking, "Let's go, back to the palace."

Shen He secured the top positions in both the county and prefecture exams, attributing this to mere luck.

The meticulous exam-taking skills acquired from years of modern-day schooling were undeniably advantageous.

And with mentors like Song Shaofu and the male lead, under their strict supervision, it would be difficult for Shen He to perform poorly.

However, Shen He remained skeptical about securing the top position in the court exam, doubting that his luck could be consistently good.

That said, he was confident he wouldn't fail.

Shen He, after all, did possess some self-assurance.

Inside the examination hall, he wrote diligently throughout the day, completely engrossed.

When focused, time seemed to fly by in a blink.

Switching to a new answer sheet, Shen He rubbed his slightly aching wrist and only then realized he was hungry.

He reached into the lunchbox for the pastries Lianqiao had prepared, took a couple of bites, and as he pondered over the next paper, something in the box caught his peripheral vision.

The lunchbox had been inspected before he entered, and now a couple of small items wrapped in oiled paper had come undone.

A corner of a honey-colored hard piece peeked through.

The weather at the end of October had turned cooler, so the sugar piece hadn't softened.

Shen He picked one up, unwrapped the small oiled paper, and popped the sugar piece into his mouth. An immediate sweet taste filled his mouth, accompanied by a hint of fragrance.

He couldn't resist and curved the corners of his mouth into a quiet chuckle.

Someone secretly slipped him some sugar.

With that thought, the exam didn’t seem so bad.

At the very least, he was rewarded with candy.

The young man savored the sugar in his mouth, cheeks bulging slightly, eyes squinted with pleasure. He closed the box, lowered his head, took up his pen, and continued with the paper.

His handwriting was neat, strokes sharp.

Every word flowed effortlessly onto the paper.

He finished the paper earlier than expected and was among the first to rush out of the exam hall.

Outside, the sun had slanted towards the west, casting a radiant orange glow in the sky.

Carriages were stationed at the main entrance.

From afar, amidst the many carriages, Shen He spotted a distinct figure.

A young man stood in front of a carriage, hands clasped behind his back, his deep eyes filled with patience, seemingly having waited there for a long time.

The moment Shen He's gaze settled on him, the young man, as if sensing the attention, lifted his eyes to meet Shen He's.

His straight lips slowly curled into a gentle smile, his deep, inky eyes softening as if they were filled with the shimmering warmth of the setting sun.