Chapter 145: A Heart of Cherishing Talent

Chapter 145: A Heart of Cherishing Talent

Xiao Yiyuan had traveled from the southern border to the capital, a journey of ten thousand li, naturally encountering many events and many people, including sons of noble families. Yet, he had never seen anyone with the bearing of Xiao Yuchen.

He inwardly exclaimed that the scions of the capital’s powerful clans indeed stood apart from the rest.

Approaching the gatekeeper, he added, "Please convey a message to Master Fang for me. This is a letter from my teacher to Master Fang."

The gatekeeper's face showed impatience, "It's not that I won't announce you, but you see, an honored guest has just arrived. I'll notify him in a while."

Xiao Yiyuan's grip on the letter tightened before he smiled and said, "Very well, I'll wait here."

The gatekeeper, ignoring him, turned to Changming and commented with a smile, "I heard your young master is embarking on a journey?"

Changming replied with slight impatience to the sycophantic man, "Yes, our master came today to bid his farewells to Master Fang."

"Young Master Xiao’s return from his travels will surely bring about further advancement," the gatekeeper remarked.

Changming offered a polite smile, and the two made small talk, with Xiao Yiyuan standing by, waiting at a distance.

Inside the study, Master Fang tested Xiao Yuchen's knowledge, noting with approval his increased understanding of politics and public affairs, likely the result of Qi Liangsheng's tutelage. He couldn't help but think again how diligently the Marquise of Yongning had worked.

His views aligned with Qi Liangsheng's; Xiao Yuchen was of above-average talent with a solid foundation. A year of travel, coupled with guidance from him and Qi Liangsheng, would firmly secure Xiao Yuchen's success in the imperial examinations. Whether he could become the top scholar depended on luck and the Emperor’s favor.

Even a great scholar had to consider his livelihood and weigh benefits and losses. With Xiao Yuchen set to become the future Marquis of Yongning and potentially add the distinction of imperial scholar to his name, entering the court as an official would certainly not be a simple affair. The Emperor’s concern lay with the military power in the northwest, not the Yongning Marquis Manor itself.

With such considerations in mind, Master Fang took even greater care to advise Xiao Yuchen on the precautions and scholarly questions he should attend to during his travels. As a result, more than half an hour swiftly passed by in their discussion.

When Xiao Yuchen stepped out of the study, Changming had been sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, chatting with the young servant until his bottom ached. Upon seeing Xiao Yuchen emerge, he immediately rose and followed him out.

At the doorway, they encountered Xiao Yiyuan. Xiao Yuchen nodded to him, and Xiao Yiyuan returned the gesture. Once Xiao Yuchen had walked away, Xiao Yiyuan approached the young servant, "May I trouble you to pass on a message for me?"

"Just wait."

With those words, the young servant departed, leaving Xiao Yiyuan standing calmly, his gaze lowered. Shortly after, the servant returned with a more amiable expression, "Master Fang invites you inside."

Xiao Yiyuan nodded to him, "Thank you for your efforts."

Reaching the entrance of the study, the servant gestured invitingly, and Xiao Yiyuan stepped inside, bowing deeply before Fang Darru, "Student Xiao Yiyuan greets Master Fang."

Fang Darru lifted his gaze, scrutinizing him momentarily before saying, "Please, have a seat."

Xiao Yiyuan sat and presented a letter to Fang Darru, "This is a letter from my teacher to you."

Fang Darru took the letter, read it carefully, and with a smile, he inquired, "How is Master Mo faring?"

Qin Moqing, one of Fang Darru's most accomplished students, had not entered officialdom but had made significant contributions in the field of scholarship.

"My teacher is well. Before I left, he specifically asked me to extend his regards to you," Xiao Yiyuan replied.

Fang Darru hummed in acknowledgment, "Master Mo has informed me of your situation in his letter. Where are you currently residing?"

After Xiao Yiyuan shared that he and his cousin were staying at an inn, Fang Darru inquired further about his personal circumstances and then began to test his scholarship. The more he examined, the more pleased he became, finding him to be just as promising a student as Qin Moqing had described in his letter — diligent and hardworking. Fang Darru felt a growing desire to nurture such talent.

"Xing'er will take you to enroll shortly, and from today, you may reside in the academy," Fang Darru offered, considering that Xiao Yiyuan might be financially strained by staying outside.

Xing'er was the young servant mentioned earlier.

Xiao Yiyuan immediately rose and bowed deeply. Fang Darru gestured for him to sit and added, "Your cousin can temporarily stay with Xing'er and the others today. Tomorrow, I will see if there's any work he can do in the academy."

Xiao Yiyuan expressed his gratitude once more, and Fang Darru waved it off, "Focus on your studies. The imperial examinations are next spring. Prepare well."

Xiao Yiyuan nodded appreciatively. Although the next imperial examinations were nearly two years away, his time at Shanglin Academy would be short-lived. As he wasn't a registered resident of the capital, he would have to return to his hometown to sit for the provincial examinations. But to have the chance to study here for even a year was a stroke of immense fortune.

Emerging from Fang Darru's study, a look of joy was evident on his face.

When Xiao Yuchen left the Shanglin Academy, he didn't return to the Marquis of Yongning's mansion but went to the residence of the Duke instead. He had to bid farewell to his grandfather and uncles before embarking on a long journey. After receiving numerous pieces of advice, he finally returned to the Marquis of Yongning's mansion.

Since he had only met Xiao Yiyuan once and hadn't exchanged a word with him, Xiao Yuchen regarded him as a stranger and thus didn't mention him to Tang Shuyi. Consequently, Tang Shuyi was unaware that the protagonist of the original story had already arrived in the capital.

The next day, Xiao Yuchen bid farewell to Qi Liangsheng, and on the third day, he set out with Changfeng and a guard. Guan Yinnian and his page boy also accompanied them. Tang Shuyi, Xiao Yuzhu, and Xiao Yuming saw them off outside the city.

Having given all necessary advice, Tang Shuyi finally adjusted Xiao Yuchen's cloak and said, "Write to us often."

Seeing the tears in her eyes and feeling a twinge in his nose, Xiao Yuchen nodded firmly, "I will remember, Mother. I will send a letter every ten days."

He then turned to Xiao Yuming and said, "Take good care of Mother and sister."

Forgoing his usual frivolity, Xiao Yuming replied earnestly, "Don't worry."

Xiao Yuchen then looked at Xiao Yuzhu and instructed, "Be obedient to Mother."

Xiao Yuzhu nodded and said, "Big brother, remember to bring me something fun when you return."

Xiao Yuchen smiled and replied, "Of course."

Meanwhile, the Guan family was tearfully bidding farewell to Guan Yinnian.

No matter the reluctance, they had to part ways. Tang Shuyi patted Xiao Yuchen's arm and said, "Go on."

Xiao Yuchen hummed in response, mounted his horse, looked back at Tang Shuyi and the others, then spurred his horse forward.

Tang Shuyi watched their figures fade into the distance before turning around and saying, "Let's go back to the mansion."

PS: I want to say that everyone is working hard for their own life.