Chapter 128

Chapter 128

The provincial exam days passed by one by one.

The short span of five days felt like it was stretched infinitely, as if more than half a month had passed. Lu Yao wished he could blink and fast forward to the last day.

Every morning during these days, he and Zhao Beichuan went to circle around the exam venue. The venue was heavily guarded, and ordinary people couldn’t get close, only able to watch from a distance outside.

Occasionally, they could see candidates who gave up midway coming out of the exam venue.

Some were caught cheating. These people would be registered and forbidden from participating in the provincial exam again, essentially cutting off their path in the imperial examination system.

Others couldn’t handle the pressure and voluntarily dropped out. They encountered a few that morning.

When the two arrived that morning, they saw a few people squatting by the door, wailing. Not knowing what had happened, Zhao Beichuan asked someone nearby who was watching the commotion. He learned that those people had given up due to pressure that morning.

They had endured for four days, but just couldn’t make it through the last day, even though tomorrow would have been a new beginning.

Some regretted their decision as soon as they left and begged to go back in, but rules were rules, and no one had the privilege to change them. In the end, these scholars had to leave with tears in their eyes, preparing for the next exam in three years.

Lu Yao sighed, realizing that those who could pass the exam were not ordinary people when it came to mindset.

After staying for a while and seeing that there was nothing else happening, the two returned to the tavern by carriage.

Lu Yao was planning to acquire another shop. There was a spice shop in the eastern part of the city that was up for sale, but the price was a bit high at 7,000 taels of silver. Lu Yao intended to negotiate it down to around 5,000 taels.

The defective wine from the tavern had been distilled into alcohol. Although it had a strange taste, it was just as effective as the previous batch, with a concentration of around 70%. Lu Yao sent it to the military camp.

Just as the delivery arrived, Ge Changbao happened to meet the carriers. “Didn’t we already receive the alcohol last spring? Why is so much more being delivered now?”

Lu Shiliu replied, “General, our master is concerned about the northern drought this year and the potential invasion of the barbarians. He thought it best to prepare extra alcohol for the Zhenbei Army in advance, just to be safe.”

Ge Changbao chuckled, “Go back and thank Third Brother for me.” It was good to have family connections; they always thought things through.

He ordered the soldiers to unload the wine jars. They would be heading to the border for defense in September and could take the alcohol with them.

After delivering the goods, Lu Shiliu returned to the tavern to report.

Lu Yao said, “The new fermentation starters should be back in about seven or eight days. Just in time, as the autumn sorghum has been harvested. Buy 5,000 jin first, and we can add more later if needed.”

“Yes, sir. This year, are we still making rice wine? A few southern merchants inquired if our tavern needed rice a while ago. The price was significantly cheaper than at the grain shops.”

This year, the southern regions had plenty of water, and the rice harvest was good. The prices were lower than previous years, so it might be worth making some sweet rice wine to sell at the tavern.

Since women and young men often came to the tavern to eat, they found strong liquor too harsh, and huangjiu (yellow wine) didn’t taste as good. Rice wine and fruit wine would be more suitable.

“No need to buy too much, just make a few hundred jin.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Quick, quick, go rinse with water!” Just as they were talking, Zhao Beichuan’s voice suddenly called out from outside.

Lu Yao quickly got up and ran out, “What happened?”

“Xiaochun accidentally dipped his hand into the hot oil while frying fish. His hand is badly scalded and looks like it’s about to peel.”

Lu Yao gasped and quickly scooped water to rinse his hand, “Does it hurt?”

Xiaochun bit his lip and shook his head, “It’s fine, not very painful.”

“You careless child.”

Zhao Beichuan fetched a bucket of cold water and had him soak his hand in it, then went to the icehouse to get some ice blocks to throw into the water, working up a sweat in the process.

“This kid has been absent-minded since the day before yesterday after meeting the Zhang family’s son. Yesterday, he forgot to add salt while cooking, and this morning, he almost set the pot on fire while starting the fire. Now, he’s scalded by the frying oil.”

Lu Yao found it both amusing and exasperating, teasing him, “Since you’re not interested in him, should I help you call it off?”

“No, please don’t!” Xiaochun, frightened, forgot about his hand and hurriedly reached out to stop Lu Yao.

“I’m joking. We’ve already agreed, how can we go back on our word? If you’re anxious, have your older brother go to the Zhang family to finalize the engagement soon, and we’ll drink to your wedding by the end of the year.”

Xiaochun lowered his head, using his toe to trace the ground, “I’ll leave it to my sister-in-law to decide.”

Zhao Beichuan couldn’t help but flick his forehead, “Look at you, losing your soul after just one meeting.”

Xiaochun blushed and didn’t say anything, quietly feeling the smooth jade gourd in his pocket, remembering the smile in that person’s eyes, causing his heart to race.

*

Since wedding preparations were in order, finding a house also needed to be on the agenda.

The current yard they lived in was large, but the east and west wings were already occupied. It wouldn’t be appropriate for the bride to live with her younger brother-in-law, which would be inconvenient.

Moreover, they were financially capable, and Lu Yao had already prepared a dowry of 5,000 taels for Xiaochun, specifically for his wedding.

These past few days, they had asked around in Changrong Alley. Whether it was a two or three-courtyard house, they would go take a look if something suitable was available.

These matters aside, the final day of the provincial exam had finally arrived!

Today was the fifth day of the exam, and according to the usual rules, candidates could submit their papers and leave the venue after the hour of Si (9-11 AM).

Not only did Zhao’s family come today, but Lu Lin, Wang Youtian, and Ge Changbao were also present. After all, this was the only scholar in their family, so everyone naturally paid extra attention.

As the hour of Si approached, the gates of the exam venue opened, and they could see many candidates already lining up to leave.

Everyone stretched their necks, looking to see if Zhao Beidou was among them.

Soon, the sound of a gong rang out, and the first batch of candidates who had finished submitting their papers walked out.

Some looked haggard and walked with faltering steps, while others were spirited and laughed loudly as they left. These were likely the ones who had guessed the exam questions correctly.

Some people were crying bitterly with their relatives, lamenting the hardships of the past few days. Everyone who witnessed it couldn't help but feel an extra bit of sympathy in their hearts.

Lu Yao's heart was pounding in his throat, more excited than when he took his own college entrance exam years ago.

Zhao Beichuan wasn't much better, his voice trembling as he said, "Why hasn't Douzi come out yet?"

"No need to worry, they won't be forced to leave the examination hall until the very end of the hour of Wei."

Xiaonian and Xiaochun were equally anxious, pacing and stamping their feet. Xiaochun's hand was quite badly burned, with a layer of blisters forming on the skin. Upon learning of this, Zhang Qiulan sent someone over with a bottle of raccoon oil, which was excellent for treating burns. They applied the medicine and wrapped it with linen, turning it into a zongzi.

After nearly an hour of waiting, Zhao Beidou finally appeared at the examination gate around noon!

"Beidou!" Xiaonian was the first to spot him, waving her arms and jumping up and down to call him.

Hearing the call, Zhao Beidou looked over and nodded with a smile. Apart from his slightly messy hair, he looked quite well.

The examiner finished checking, and groups of ten candidates walked out of the examination hall. Zhao Beidou carried his examination basket and strode towards his family.

Zhao Beichuan stepped forward, and the two brothers embraced tightly. The others also quickly came over. "These five days must have been tough."

"It wasn't too bad. The provincial exam is more comfortable than the prefectural one. No rainy days, and the sleeping area wasn't damp and sticky. Plus, the instant noodles your sister-in-law made were especially delicious, so I didn't feel much hardship. It's just that the examination room was a bit close to the latrine, and the smell was a little nauseating these past few days."

In fact, Xiaodou had been quite lucky this time. His room was five units away from the toilet, so he could smell it but still bear it.

The few closest to the front weren't so lucky. The two candidates nearest to the examination room reportedly dropped out on the second day, unable to endure the stench of thousands of people's waste.

"Thanks to the refreshing ointment your sister-in-law gave me, I couldn't smell anything when I applied it under my nose."

Lu Yao held his hand and looked him over. In just a few days, his once tender face had gained a touch of determination. This imperial examination truly tempered a person.

"Well done!"

Everyone crowded him onto the carriage, to go home and rest, take a bath, and have a meal together in the evening.

With the provincial exam over, both Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan finally felt at ease. No matter the results, Xiaodou had brought his years of hard study to a perfect conclusion, and now it was just a matter of waiting for the results to be posted.

That evening, Lu Yao prepared a family banquet at home, with two tables set up. All the family members came over.

Those who drank sat at one table, and those who didn't drink sat at another. Everyone ate and discussed the examination.

Xiaodou told everyone what had happened inside. "On the first day, someone was expelled for cheating by hiding a cheat sheet. Guess where he hid it?"

Everyone shook their heads.

"He rolled up the paper, colored it, and wove it into the examination basket!"

Lu Lin said, "Oh, what a waste to use such a clever mind not on studying."

Wang Youtian asked, "What happens to someone caught cheating?"

"The officials have a register. Anyone caught cheating is recorded and banned from future provincial exams. Not only that, the local government is notified, and the person is forbidden from teaching because of their corrupt character, which might mislead students."

"Wow, that's harsh..." Lu Yao thought. Not only did it cut off the cheater's path in academics, but it also completely socially shamed them.

Even with such severe punishments, some still took the risk, because once you passed the exam, it was as if you ascended to heaven, bringing prosperity to all.

After dinner, the children played in the courtyard, watched over by servants and nannies, so there was no need to worry.

The adults talked and laughed until late at night before dispersing. The gatekeeper drove the three families back, and the courtyard finally quieted down.

It had been a joyous day, and Zhao Beichuan had drunk quite a bit of alcohol that night, his heart filled with inexpressible joy because of his brother's achievements.

After washing up and lying in bed, he suddenly said out of the blue, "Fortunately, I didn't give Xiaodou away back then."

"Huh?"

Zhao Beichuan chuckled softly, "Back then, when our parents were gone, Xiaonian was only three years old, and Xiaodou was just a one-year-old who couldn't walk yet. Old Madam Zhao advised me to give Xiaodou away. There was a family nearby who didn't have a son and was willing to take a boy. I heard that family was quite wealthy, able to afford livestock over a decade ago."

Lu Yao turned over and lay on his chest, asking, "So why didn't you give him away?"

Zhao Beichuan stroked his hair and back, saying, "How could I bear to? He was the child my mother had risked her life to give birth to. If I had given him away, I feared my mother would come haunt me in my dreams and scold me for being an unfilial son."

Lu Yao kissed the stubble on his chin and said, "Now, mother wouldn't scold you. She'd be too happy seeing how well you've raised your younger siblings."

"It's you who raised them well. I don't know anything other than doing some manual work."

Lu Yao thought back to when he first met Xiaodou and Xiaonian, both little and thin as cabbages.

Now, under his care, one had grown up gracefully, and the other tall and handsome, having even participated in the imperial examination, filling him with a sense of accomplishment.

"No matter how capable I am, I can't do without your support behind me. If you were unreasonable, even if I had all the skills in the world, I wouldn't be able to use them."

Pleased by his husband's praise, Zhao Beichuan pulled him close and kissed him thoroughly.

Their soft tongues entwined, and Lu Yao, unusually proactive tonight, undid his hair while kissing.

The boat swayed gently on the water, rocked by the waves. Suddenly, a large wave crashed over, capsizing the boat, leaving it to float and endure the increasingly fierce waves.

Perhaps because of the alcohol, it was more intense than usual. Lu Yao tried to pull away several times, only to be pulled back by the waist, and in the end, couldn't even remember when he had passed out.

*

The next day, Lin Zijian came to bid farewell and chatted with Beidou about the provincial exam questions. Both seemed confident.

After this provincial exam, Lin Zijian also appeared more mature, no longer preoccupied with who his parents loved more, but looking clear and bright.

"Beidou, I'll be waiting for you in Shang Jing in October."

Zhao Beidou smiled and said, "I'll definitely come visit you then. Don't find me annoying."

"Not at all, to have a true friend in life is indeed a great fortune!"

After seeing off Lin Zijian, Zhao Beichuan began preparing for the trip to Qing Prefecture.

The results of the provincial exam would take over a month to come out. In the meantime, he wanted to take his younger brother back to see if they could find their ancestral home. If they did, they would move their parents' graves back to Qing Prefecture.

Until now, Old Madam Zhao had been staying in a vacant room in the rear courtyard of the tavern.

The tavern had no shortage of food and drink, and with proper nutrition, Old Madam Zhao's health gradually improved. She occasionally helped the staff wash and prepare vegetables.

She had been anxious to go to Qing Prefecture for some time, but since Zhao Beichuan hadn't mentioned it, she didn't bring it up. Today, hearing Zhao Beichuan bring it up, she quickly said, "Are we going back soon?"

"Yes, preparing to leave in a few days."

"Good, good, good! I'll pack my things then!" Old Madam Zhao was so excited. She still had many relatives in Qing Prefecture, whom she had lost contact with during the famine migration. She didn't know if any were still alive.

Zhao Beichuan asked about his family, "My father told me that I have an uncle still alive. Are there any other relatives?"

Old Madam Zhao thought for a moment, "Your family line was thin. By your father's generation, there were only two brothers. But your father's older brother, your eldest uncle, died of illness some years ago, leaving only your father. There were many cousins, but after so many years, I can't remember their names."

Zhao Beichuan nodded, "What about my mother's side?"

"Your mother wasn't from our village. It was said that she had a younger brother, your uncle, but nothing else is known."

After a few more exchanges, Zhao Beichuan went to the kitchen to help.

*

That night, when going to bed, he mentioned this to Lu Yao, "I plan to go to Qing Prefecture sometime soon."

"Alright, it's good to go back while the weather is clear and crisp. Otherwise, it will become inconvenient on the road once it gets colder. Tomorrow, I'll go to the escort agency and ask if there's an experienced old escort who knows the route well. We can ask one to guide you."

Zhao Beichuan, holding his waist, said, "This trip to Qing Prefecture is long. You shouldn't go."

Lu Yao indeed didn't have the time to go. The marriages of Xiaochun and Xiaonian were both on the agenda, and he needed to prepare Xiaonian's dowry and Xiaochun's house in advance.

The spice shop also awaited his negotiations, and Shang Jing needed to be prepared in advance. If Beidou passed the provincial exam this time, they would need to buy a place in Shang Jing for him to stay.

There were too many household matters, and he really couldn't leave for a while. Thinking about the upcoming separation of over two months, Lu Yao felt reluctant.

However, this matter had weighed on his husband's mind for many years. Now that there was time, they should go early. Once Beidou's studies became busier in the future, there would likely be even less opportunity.

The next day, Lu Yao went to Qu Family Escort Agency and asked if there was an escort who often traveled to Qing Prefecture to accompany them.

Qu Tian, upon learning that Zhao Beichuan was going, said, "Yes, the escort agency has a delivery heading to Qing Prefecture in a few days. See if Brother Zhao can make it in time. If so, you can go together."

"When is the departure?"

"The day after tomorrow."

Lu Yao thought for a moment and said, "Then let's set it for the day after tomorrow."