Chapter 27: Arrival at the Prefecture

Chapter 27: Arrival at the Prefecture

Traveling from Zhang County to Xiangping Prefecture by a regular carriage takes three days and two nights. Xiangping Prefecture is located in the southern region, near the Bohai Bay, where the temperature rises earlier than in Zhang County, and the spring planting season also begins sooner.

As Qiu Huanian gazed out the window, he noticed that the closer they got to Xiangping Prefecture, the taller the crops in the fields grew. Since his transmigration, he found himself paying more attention to the land and its crops.

The official road was wide, but being a dirt path, it was inevitably bumpy. Before boarding the carriage, Qiu Huanian had cleaned the interior, folded two quilts to lay on the floor, removed his shoes, and sat on them, adding cushions and backrests to avoid back pain.

The journey from Zhang County to Xiangping Prefecture was pre-planned by the carriage service to save time. The carriage set off before dawn each day and only stopped for rest at designated locations after midnight, spending fifteen to sixteen hours on the road daily.

Qiu Huanian had prepared dried bean curd, Sorghum Candy, and vegetarian pastries in advance, using these long-lasting, cold-eaten foods for sustenance during the trip.

The journey was dull, and the two of them were stuck in the small carriage. Qiu Huanian often couldn't help but tease Du Yunse into talking, while Du Yunse always remained calm and composed, answering whatever Qiu Huanian asked.

Sometimes, Qiu Huanian would doze off and wake up to find himself lying in the carriage, his head resting on Du Yunse's lap. Du Yunse would be holding a book in one hand and shielding Qiu Huanian's ear with the other to prevent him from bumping his head due to the jolts.

After this happened several times, Qiu Huanian no longer felt embarrassed. When he felt sleepy, he would simply pat Du Yunse's leg, adjust his position, and lie down on it, secretly thrilled at the thought of resting on a handsome man's lap!

Du Yunse would put down the book, pull down the carriage curtain to darken the interior, and gaze at Qiu Huanian's delicate and beautiful face, a slight smile curling his lips.

At night, since they were in unfamiliar territory, one person had to stay in the carriage to watch the luggage. Du Yunse insisted that Qiu Huanian sleep at the inn while he rested in the carriage after a quick wash. Qiu Huanian wanted to take turns keeping watch, but Du Yunse firmly refused.

After three days and two nights, the carriage finally entered Xiangping Prefecture in the evening of the third day.

"The examination hall is just ahead. I'll leave you here. There are many empty carriages waiting across the street. You can hire one to take you wherever you wish to stay. If you're unsure where to go, there are many soliciting attendants here. Ask a few, and you'll surely find one to your liking."

The coachman, aware that Du Yunse was here for the academy exam, dropped them off near the examination hall for convenience.

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse got out of the carriage, stretched their numb limbs, and retrieved all their pre-packed luggage.

As they were about to hire an empty carriage, a sharp young attendant in his mid-teens approached them, "Are you two the gentlemen from Zhang County, Mr. Qiu and Scholar Du?"

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse exchanged glances before asking, "Who are you?"

"I'm an attendant from Shuyi Inn. You can call me Shu Wu. My boss received a letter from Huang Daniang in Zhang County a couple of days ago and sent me here to wait for you."

Shuyi Inn was the place Huang Daniang had mentioned, run by her sworn sister in the prefecture. Qiu Huanian hadn't expected Huang Daniang to send a letter specifically for this, and he felt a warm gratitude.

Dealing with generous and straightforward folks was always a joy.

Shu Wu came over to help with their luggage, "Our inn is just down the street. Let's talk as we walk."

Shu Wu accurately mentioned Shuyi Inn and Huang Daniang, so Qiu Huanian didn't doubt him but was curious, "Huang Daniang's letter couldn't have had portraits. How did you recognize us?"

Shu Wu chuckled, "The auntie wrote in her letter that Mr. Qiu is a strikingly handsome young man, and Scholar Du is an exceptionally handsome scholar. I was skeptical about how 'exceptional' he could be, but as soon as I saw you getting off the carriage, I knew the letter was spot on."

Huang Daniang had never seen Du Yunse in person, but Huang Erniang had. Hearing the sisters describe him and Du Yunse this way, Qiu Huanian coughed lightly, feeling slightly embarrassed.

After walking about two hundred meters, Qiu Huanian saw the sign of Shuyi Inn. It was a two-story building facing the street, with a dining hall on the first floor and guest rooms on the second. Behind the building was a courtyard surrounded by rows of rooms, also used as guest quarters.

Judging by its decor and size, it was one of the finer inns in Xiangping Prefecture.

As they approached the entrance of Shuyi Inn, before entering, Qiu Huanian saw a woman in a brocade dress emerging from behind the counter. She appeared to be in her forties, with a slightly weathered face, a slender figure, and a graceful demeanor.

Shu Wu called out to her, "Boss." The woman smiled at them, "You two gentlemen must be tired from your long journey. Auntie has already explained the situation in her letter. She and I are as close as sisters. By helping her, you've helped me, Zheng Yiwan."

"During the academy exam, if you need anything, just let me know. If you stand on ceremony, you're not giving me face."

"I'll have the kitchen prepare a welcome feast. Shu Wu, take the gentlemen's luggage to the back hall, and be quick about it!"

Zheng Yiwan's hospitality was hard to refuse, so Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse had no choice but to sit down. After a while, several dishes and wine were served, and the owner of Shuyi Inn, Shu Huacai, also came to join them.

"Back when my wife and I started from scratch in Xiangping Prefecture, it was thanks to Auntie's care that we managed to build such a large business. Later, Auntie returned to her hometown for her sister and hasn't been back to the prefecture for many years."

"We were thrilled to hear that Auntie was coming to the prefecture this year for the Hundred Flavors Test. If it weren't for Brother Hua making red fermented tofu to sell to her, given her temperament, she nearly didn't make it."

After a few cups of light wine, the way Shu Huacai and Zheng Yiwan addressed each other became more casual and affectionate.

Their Shuyi Inn is located near the examination hall, and every session they host many candidates participating in the prefectural, academy, and provincial exams, so they are very well-informed about related news.

While urging them to eat and drink, Shu Huacai explained, "The academy exam has two rounds, with a day's break in between. The results are announced three days after the exam, and those who make the list can participate in the Hundred Flavors Test that evening. You should already know all this."

"Every year, the exam papers for the academy exam are reviewed by the examination commissioner personally appointed by the Emperor. I heard from a guest staying at the inn that recently our Liaozhou got a new examination commissioner. The academy exam in Xiangping Prefecture is his first exam to oversee, so his preferences and strictness are a mystery to everyone. This year's academy exam might be quite unpredictable."

Du Yunse's heart stirred, "Brother Shu, do you know the name and background of this new examination commissioner?"

Shu Huacai thought for a moment, "It's only said that he came from the capital, named Feng Mingjun, but nothing else is known."

Du Yunse nodded slightly and did not speak further. Qiu Huanian noticed that he was deep in thought and planned to ask him about it later when they were alone.

"Boss Shu, do you know how many people are participating in the academy exam in Xiangping Prefecture this year?" Qiu Huanian asked a question he was concerned about.

To register for the academy exam, fellow candidates from the same hometown need to team up to vouch for each other and also need a recommendation from a scholar. Magistrate Wang helped arrange these matters for Du Yunse. Since he wasn't close to his fellow candidates, he naturally didn't hear these rumors.

Shu Huacai said, "This year, there are over three hundred candidates from the entire Xiangping Prefecture taking the exam, fewer than in previous years."

The court stipulates that the pass rate for candidates is between five to ten percent. With fewer total participants, the number of spots available also decreases.

Shu Huacai thought they were worried about the reduced spots and comforted them, "Yunse, being so young and already confident about passing the exam, is already a young hero. Even if he doesn't pass this time, he can try again in the next academy exam in two years."

The county, prefectural, and academy exams, this three-tiered examination system, are held twice every three years. This year is the second consecutive year, and the next academy exam will be in two years.

Qiu Huanian wasn't worried about Du Yunse not passing the academy exam. According to Magistrate Wang, if he hadn't been taken on a study tour by the great scholar Wen Huiyang, he should have been a scholar by the age of ten.

While Du Yunse studied, Qiu Huanian would sometimes peek in out of curiosity, always ending up awestruck by his knowledge and intellect.

Although if he really decided to work hard, with his years of modern exam-oriented education experience, he might not be unable to learn, but he had transmigrated into a role that couldn't take the imperial exams, and with choices available, why should he suffer through the hardships of studying and exams? One round of high school and college entrance exams in a lifetime is plenty!

The daunting challenge of the imperial exams should be left for the exceptionally talented Du Yunse to climb; he would just be responsible for handing over the rope and supplies.

As the dishes and wine on the table were nearly finished, Zheng Yiwan and her husband exchanged a glance and made a decision, "Brother Hua, there are about ten days left before the academy exam. Although our inn has good conditions, it's too noisy and might not be convenient for Yunse to prepare."

"Our house is just two streets away, close to the examination hall and quiet. Wouldn't it be better for you to stay there directly?"

Zheng Yiwan and her husband had discussed this matter before they arrived, but at that time, because they weren't clear about the personalities of the two, they were afraid that inviting them to their home might cause trouble, so they didn't make a decision. After meeting them, seeing Qiu Huanian's friendly and easy-going nature and Du Yunse's noble and reserved demeanor, they were completely reassured.

With a better place to stay, Qiu Huanian naturally wouldn't refuse, but he insisted on paying rent. Zheng Yiwan knew that Qiu Huanian had money after selling red fermented tofu and didn't insist on persuading him.

The Shu residence is located in Sweet Water Lane, two streets away, a courtyard with two entrances from north to south, with a small courtyard on the east side. The courtyard doesn't face the street and has a small garden, three south-facing rooms connected, and a small door in the southeast corner leading to the lane, making the environment very quiet.

Zheng Yiwan handed Qiu Huanian the key to the courtyard's side door and said, "You can stay here peacefully. If you need to go out, you can use the small door, and it's just a few steps to the street."

Apart from having fewer rooms, the courtyard is almost like a separate small courtyard. This living condition is much better than the two back rooms rented by Zhao and her group in the prefecture city. Zhao and her group spent three taels for two months, while Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse only need to stay for less than twenty days.

Qiu Huanian considered the rent and gave Zheng Yiwan two taels as rent.

Zheng Yiwan repeatedly refused, saying it was too much, and finally returned five qian, adding, "There's no kitchen in the courtyard, so you don't need to cook. The inn's kitchen will prepare meals daily, and Shu Wu will deliver them to you. The cost is all included in the rent."

Zheng Yiwan had the housekeeper bring some daily necessities and left the courtyard without further ado, allowing them to settle in.

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse unpacked their luggage. The three southern rooms in the courtyard were merged into one large space, roughly the size of a modern classroom. To the east was a heated brick bed connected to three walls, while to the west, beneath the window, there was a desk and a table adorned with calligraphy and paintings. The middle area was divided by cabinets and shelves, with a square table and two black lacquered armchairs positioned at the front. A large peony painting hung in the central hall.

In Xiangping Prefecture, this was the typical setup for ordinary wealthy households without noble status. Though it wasn't as fancy as Scholar Song's place, it was much more elegant and refined than Wei Dexing's house, which Qiu Huanian had visited before.

The cabinets in the courtyard contained bedding, which, although new, had become damp and stiff from being stored for too long. It wasn't as comfortable as the newly made bedding Qiu Huanian had brought from home. He put the original bedding underneath and his own mattress on top. As he tested the softness, he belatedly realized something.

This courtyard only had one connected southern room and one heated brick bed, so...

Qiu Huanian's back stiffened. Du Yunse seemed to sense his unease and softly said, "We are not yet married, so sharing a bed would be improper. I will sleep on the small daybed to the west."

As he spoke, he began to move the bedding over. Qiu Huanian quickly stopped him. The small daybed was less than a meter wide and at most 1.6 meters long—how could anyone sleep on something so hard?

"I haven't even said anything yet, why are you in such a hurry? Besides, isn't this..."

Qiu Huanian coughed lightly, stopping himself from saying, "Isn't this inevitable?" He reminded himself that this was ancient times, and he and Du Yunse hadn't reached the point of mutual affection yet. He needed to be more reserved.

Before Du Yunse returned, Qiu Huanian had worried about his "personal safety" and had decided that no matter what, they would sleep in separate rooms. However, after getting to know each other better, Qiu Huanian realized his initial concerns were unnecessary. Du Yunse was the epitome of a gentleman, so much so that Qiu Huanian even wondered if he ever had any impulsive moments.

Qiu Huanian thought that even if he were to pin Du Yunse down on the heated brick bed and straddle his waist, Du Yunse would only blush, push him away, and tuck him into the blankets—as long as they weren't married yet.

While personal safety wasn't a concern, the excessive level of safety was somewhat frustrating.

Qiu Huanian gritted his teeth. As a modern person whose mind often drifted to lewd thoughts, facing someone as pure as Du Yunse, he could only hold his breath and silently recite calming mantras in his heart.

After all, he wanted to maintain a good image and not scare the other person.

Qiu Huanian avoided looking at Du Yunse, his eyes fixed on the candlelight nearby. He bit his lip and spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's, "Let's sleep together. The heated brick bed is so big. You can sleep on this side, and I'll sleep on that side, leaving the middle empty. It won't be a problem."

Du Yunse lowered his gaze, looking at Qiu Huanian's lips, which glistened under the candlelight. He took a barely noticeable breath, his eyes darkening. After a long pause, he uttered a single word, "Alright."

The two of them had been traveling for days without proper rest and were now extremely tired. Seeing that it was already late, they only prepared the bed and did a quick wash, leaving the rest of the luggage to be unpacked the next morning.

Qiu Huanian extinguished the candle and bundled himself in the blanket. He felt a bit annoyed as he saw Du Yunse's figure lying far to the side, almost pressed against the wall beneath the window. He had suggested leaving the middle empty, and Du Yunse had taken it literally, sleeping as far away as possible.

It was like Qiu Huanian was a seductive temptress, and Du Yunse was the unshakable Tang Monk!

Qiu Huanian didn't want to just go to sleep like this, but he couldn't bring himself to ask Du Yunse to move closer, nor could he crawl over himself. So, he decided to bring up another topic.

"Do you know the new education commissioner that Boss Zheng mentioned during dinner?"

Du Yunse's voice came from the direction of the window, "Commissioner Feng was the third-place scholar in the sixth year of the Yuanhua Emperor's reign. He spent many years in the Hanlin Academy and later requested to become a censor. He is known for his integrity, his hatred of evil, and his fiery temper. He has offended many in the court."

"When my teacher served in the court, they had some interactions. After my teacher retired and traveled, their contact diminished. I've met Commissioner Feng a few times in the capital, but we've never spoken privately."

After hearing this, Qiu Huanian sighed, "From the Hanlin Academy to the censorate, and now to the education commissioner of Liaozhou—Commissioner Feng's career path is quite creative."

In modern terms, it would be like going from working in the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences to becoming a disciplinary inspector, and then suddenly becoming the head of the Liaoning Provincial Department of Education.

Given Du Yunse's description of his personality, Qiu Huanian suspected that even the Yuanhua Emperor found this talented official troublesome, which was why he kept moving him around.

"Well, that's good. At least he definitely won't deliberately fail your exam because your teacher is under house arrest."

Du Yunse hummed in agreement, thinking that perhaps this was also part of the current emperor's considerations.

Regardless, for him, the only path now was to work hard and climb step by step, ensuring a good life for Brother Hua, Jiu Jiu, and Chun Sheng, living up to his teacher's expectations, and fulfilling his ambition to govern and bring peace to the world.

Qiu Huanian mumbled a few more words, his voice fading as he drifted off. He was so tired that as soon as he lay down, he fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.

After a while, Du Yunse sat up and, by the moonlight from the window, moved his bedding a bit closer to Qiu Huanian.

In his dream, Qiu Huanian murmured a few times, his light breathing amplifying in Du Yunse's ears. At the last moment, Du Yunse stopped, looking down at his little husband who was still in deep sleep for a while, then got up and moved the bedding a bit closer to the window, maintaining a distance that was neither too close nor too far, and slept.

Hua Ge'er is young and shy; he couldn't take advantage of the situation. Being too hasty would scare him.

...

Qiu Huanian slept until the sun rose. Shu Wu brought breakfast, and Du Yunse woke Qiu Huanian.

Opening the lunchbox, inside was a pot of red bean and barley porridge, a steamer of fist-sized lotus root and pork buns, and four side dishes: fried peanuts, pickled radish cubes, cold mixed greens, and scallion tofu, all generous and delicious.

After finishing his meal, Qiu Huanian remarked, "This has to be the best breakfast Shuyi Inn has to offer. If every meal is like this, eating for half a month, the one and a half taels of rent would just cover the food expenses."

Du Yunse got up to clean the dishes, "The Shus are such generous hosts; offering more money might come off as too much."

"I know, it can only be remembered as a favor, to be repaid when the opportunity arises."

Shu Huacai and Zheng Yiwan are good to them not for money but out of a sense of camaraderie. Qiu Huanian calculating money would be awkward; it's better to remember it as a favor, and with future exchanges, the relationship will deepen.

After placing the dishes by the door connecting to the main courtyard as instructed by Shu Wu, Du Yunse returned to the room to organize his books and writing tools, while Qiu Huanian tidied up other things.

The food they brought was almost finished, and the food bags needed to be washed for reuse. Besides essentials, Qiu Huanian also brought half a pound of small jars of red fermented tofu. If Huang Daniang's new dish becomes famous at the Hundred Flavors Trial, Qiu Huanian's red fermented tofu could also seize the opportunity to enter the market.

There were twelve small jars of red fermented tofu in total. Qiu Huanian gave one each to Meng Yuanling, Hu Qiuyan, and the clan leader's family, and brought the remaining nine jars this time.

He carved a large rectangular seal featuring bean pods, chili peppers, and a few decorative spices on either side, with steaming blocks of fermented tofu below and "Qiu's Red Fermented Tofu" inscribed by Du Yunse in the center.

After carving the seal, he used red pigment to stamp it on similarly sized straw paper, which he then pasted on the jar lids, creating a unique label.

Over the next few days, Du Yunse stayed in the room, buried in his books and essays. Qiu Huanian went out a few times by himself, but being unfamiliar with the area and worried about getting lost, he didn't go far, just bought some exquisite and novel vine hairpins, hair ties, and wooden swords from nearby shops to take back to Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng. Having come to the prefecture city, he had to bring some souvenirs for the children.

One day, Qiu Huanian, wearing a brand-new vibrant Changrong-colored round-neck arrow-sleeved robe, was looking at a creatively carved paperweight at a small stall, wanting to pick one to add some elegance to Du Yunse's desk, when he suddenly heard a commotion behind him.

Holding the chosen paperweight, he turned around and saw seven or eight young scholars in white Confucian robes with lake green overcoats walking grandly down the street.

Seeing them all dressed the same, Qiu Huanian turned to the stall owner and asked, "Who are they?"

The stall owner laughed, "You must be from out of town, sir. These are students from Qingfeng Academy, one of the top academies in Liaozhou. Today is their day off, and they must be down the mountain to familiarize themselves with the roads near the examination hall as scholars."

"All of them are scholars?" Qiu Huanian asked in a low voice.

The stall owner said, "I don't know about the others, but that sixteen or seventeen-year-old scholar with a flower in his hair definitely is. His name is Yu Min, and he's the top of Class B at Qingfeng Academy. Everyone says he's sure to be the top candidate in this academy exam!"

The stall owner explained that Qingfeng Academy is divided into Classes A, B, and C. Class A is for those who have a chance to pass the imperial examination, Class B is for ordinary scholars and the top scholars, and Class C is for students who haven't yet passed the scholar examination.

Yu Min, a scholar who ranks first in Class B—a class mostly made up of scholars—is clearly a force to be reckoned with.

Thinking of Du Yunse also aiming to win a small triple crown, Qiu Huanian couldn't help but smile, planning to use this to motivate and tease him when he got back.

It was fine not to smile, but this smile caused a small trouble.

Yu Min, with sharp ears, had already caught about six or seven-tenths of the conversation between Qiu Huanian and the stall owner. He was initially proud of his fame, but hearing the questioning gentleman laugh, he was instantly provoked and turned around with a glare.

Seeing the flower-wearing scholar glaring at him angrily, Qiu Huanian, not understanding why, could only smile innocently at him.

Yu Min, who was still angry, suddenly found his anger dissipating like water dousing a fire upon seeing the other's picturesque smile, and he stood there momentarily stunned.

Until the people around him started urging him, he cleared his throat, clenched his fist inside his sleeve, and walked over with his head held high.

"Young master, why did you laugh just now? Do you think I can't be the top scholar in the academy exam?"

Hearing this, Qiu Huanian suddenly realized what the problem was. He hadn't expected that a low conversation in the bustling market, several meters away, could be heard by the person in question.

Qiu Huanian didn't want to stir up trouble over something so trivial, so he explained calmly, "The academy exam hasn't started yet. Before the results are out, anyone could be the top scholar. How could I think that you, Mr. Yu, wouldn't pass?"

"It's just that I thought Xiangping Prefecture is a place of outstanding talents, with many brilliant scholars. There might be someone as talented as you, Mr. Yu, so I couldn't help but laugh in anticipation."

Yu Min was not satisfied with Qiu Huanian's answer. He had always been far ahead in Class B of Qingfeng Academy, and those scholars from remote areas were no match for him. If it weren't for a sudden illness during last year's academy exam, he would have already been a scholar.

The top position in this year's academy exam should be a piece of cake for him.

Yu Min wanted to lose his temper, but looking at the innocent and beautiful face of the young man in front of him, his anger subsided. Finally, he pointed at the root carving paperweight in Qiu Huanian's hand and spoke.

"This paperweight is poorly made, and the material is cheap. I wouldn't even take it for free to use as firewood. With such a face, your taste is so low. You really need to work on your taste!"

"In ten days, when the academy exam results are announced, you'll know how wrong your words were today!"

After spouting this nonsense, Yu Min stormed off. Qiu Huanian, feeling utterly baffled, bought the paperweight as planned and comforted the stall owner a few words, which made the originally tearful stall owner look much better.

Qiu Huanian decided that he must motivate Du Yunse immediately upon returning. He absolutely didn't want to see that rude, delusional scholar's name at the top of the academy exam results!

Qiu Huanian returned to the courtyard, his mood still unsettled. He sat on the black lacquered round chair in the central hall, poured a cup of flower tea from the square table, and drank it in one gulp.

He was just minding his own business, enjoying a stroll, when out of nowhere, someone had the nerve to criticize his taste. Who had he offended!

Hearing the noise, Du Yunse turned back from the desk by the west window and came over to see him.

"What's wrong, Brother Hua? Did something unpleasant happen while you were out?"

Half of Qiu Huanian's annoyance was eased by the soothing tea. Seeing Du Yunse's concerned eyes and flawless handsome face, the other half also dissipated.

He shook his head and handed over the root carving paperweight, "What do you think?"

The paperweight was made of cheap cypress root, only roughly peeled and polished. The lower base was ground flat to press the paper, while the upper part retained the original shape of the root.

What made it special was the natural shape of the root, with its thick and thin roots all tangled together. After trimming and polishing, it formed a rectangle, with a few straight thin roots in the middle, resembling a musical instrument. The base was carved with simple cloud patterns, which matched Du Yunse's name.

Qiu Huanian had just been browsing casually, but when he spotted this paperweight, he was instantly taken with it and decided to shell out a hefty 120 coins to buy it.

Du Yunse played with the paperweight in his hand and quickly noticed its clever design. His heart warmed, and he smiled lightly, "I like it very much."

Qiu Huanian was finally completely happy, his beautiful eyes curving into a smile, "Now I've bought gifts for all three of you, so no one is left out."

Du Yunse's heart stirred. He hadn't bought a gift for Brother Hua yet, but all the family's money was in Brother Hua's hands. To buy a satisfactory gift, he would have to think of a good way.

Qiu Huanian took another sip of tea and mentioned the incident on the street, "Have you heard of that scholar named Yu Min?"

Du Yunse shook his head, then paused, "He should be a descendant of the Yu family from Liaozhou."

"The Yu family from Liaozhou?"

"Liaozhou is in the northeast, not as many prominent families as in Jiangnan, but there are still a few notable clans. The Yu family once had a grand secretary among their ancestors, and their family is large, with many successful descendants. They have connections both in the court and locally."

After listening, Qiu Huanian touched his chin and looked Du Yunse up and down. Du Yunse, feeling helpless under his gaze, asked, "Why are you looking at me like that, Brother Hua?"

Qiu Huanian smiled and said, "No matter what family they're from, I don't think any of them can hold a candle to you."

Say he has poor taste? He sure knows how to hold a grudge!

Objectively speaking, Yu Min is handsome, talented, comes from a prestigious family, and has already made a name for himself in Xiangping Prefecture at a young age. He excels in every aspect.

However, he's inexperienced in worldly matters, acts outlandishly, and is too flashy. Compared to Du Yunse, who has already learned to conceal his brilliance, Yu Min undoubtedly falls short.

"Yun Se, do well in the academy exam. I don't want to be told again at the results announcement that I have poor taste," Qiu Huanian muttered under his breath.

Du Yunse found it rare and endearing to see Qiu Huanian acting so childishly and couldn't help but glance at him a few more times, promising in a deep voice, "Alright."

...

Two more days passed, and the Dragon Boat Festival was just around the corner. Zheng Yiwan had a servant deliver realgar wine and sachets filled with mugwort. The little girl at home, with colorful threads wrapped around her wrist, was playing kickbag in the main courtyard.

Zheng Yiwan and Shu Huacai had only one daughter, named Rutang, who was ten years old and at a mischievous age. Qiu Huanian could sometimes hear her playful noises through the wall of the courtyard.

The servant was worried that Rutang might disturb the guests in the courtyard and wanted to advise her, but Qiu Huanian signaled that it wasn't necessary. The noise from Rutang playing kickbag wasn't loud enough to affect Du Yunse's studies.

Qiu Huanian stood by the small gate connecting the courtyard to the main house, chatting with the servant in the cool evening breeze.

According to the current dynasty's regulations, only nobles and scholars who had passed the provincial-level exams could use servants. However, there are always ways around policies. Some wealthy families who didn't meet the criteria had already figured out methods, either by adopting sons or daughters to use as servants or by not signing contracts and directly using trusted members of their own clan.

The servant from the Shu family, a distant relative of Shu Huacai, was a widow who had been working in Xiangping Prefecture. She ate well, slept soundly, had light work, was not beaten or scolded, and received a monthly wage of 300 wen. Her life was much more comfortable than it had been in her hometown.

The servant smiled and said to Qiu Huanian, "Tomorrow is the fifth day of the fifth month, the actual day of the Dragon Boat Festival. Madam asked me to tell the two distinguished guests that if you want to watch the dragon boat race, you can go to Yuanzheng Street tomorrow morning. There will be a dragon boat race organized by the prefect himself on the Ai River. Besides the dragon boat race, there will also be a poetry competition, with the headmaster of Qingfeng Academy and the examination commissioner as judges. This year's Dragon Boat Festival coincides with the eve of the academy exam, and many scholars want to take this opportunity to show their faces in front of the new examination commissioner."

Qiu Huanian felt a twinge of excitement. In modern times, he had only seen the grandeur of dragon boat races in online videos. After coming to ancient times, he lost access to the internet, and entertainment options were greatly reduced. Hearing about such a lively event made him want to join in.

"If Brother Hua wants to go, we can go together tomorrow morning," Du Yunse's voice came from behind.

Qiu Huanian turned around and saw him coming out of the house in a moon-white scholar's robe, passing through the small garden in the center of the courtyard. His tall figure brushed past the slender bamboo, looking very handsome.

"Won't it affect your exam preparation?" Qiu Huanian hesitated. The first academy exam was in three days.

"I've already mastered the texts. A daily review will suffice. We've been in the prefectural city for so long; it's time to visit the examination hall. Besides, many scholars from Xiangping Prefecture will participate in tomorrow's Dragon Boat Festival poetry competition. I also want to see their style."

After a moment's thought, Qiu Huanian nodded, "Then after we come back from the Ai River tomorrow, we'll go to the examination hall with you to check out the venue."

Check out the venue... A smile appeared in Du Yunse's eyes. That was an apt description.

The next morning, Qiu Huanian dressed himself and Du Yunse in new embroidered clothes, hung sachets filled with mugwort, and eagerly headed to Yuanzheng Street to watch the dragon boats.

Xiangping Prefecture was bustling with tourists. The wide streets were crowded with people, and occasionally, one could see young ladies and gentlemen accompanied by several servants, wearing veils and hats, laughing and chatting, with fragrant breezes blowing. The clear sky was cloudless.

Yuanzheng Street was located in the southern part of Xiangping Prefecture, built along the Ai River that runs through the prefecture. There was a three-mile-long riverbank, perfect for tourists to watch the dragon boat race.

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse arrived early and found a good spot, not only close to the colorful tower where the prefect, the examination commissioner, and the headmaster of Qingfeng Academy were seated but also with an open view and no obstructions.

Du Yunse carried a basket containing a water pouch and some snacks prepared by Qiu Huanian for watching the competition. Just like in modern times, where one must have skewers and beer to watch a football match, in ancient times, one couldn't watch a competition without snacks!

After the sun rose, the sound of gongs and drums filled Yuanzheng Street. Lion dance and acrobatic troupes began parading, and many children, carried on their families' shoulders, clapped and laughed, gradually heating up the atmosphere.

At noon, the prefect stood on the colorful tower and announced the start of the dragon boat race. Dozens of brightly colored dragon boats on the Ai River instantly raced forward. The rowers, dressed in uniform and with sweat towels tied tightly, rowed vigorously under the command of the drum beats at the bow.

Spectators along the Ai River cheered loudly for their favored dragon boats. Qiu Huanian, standing among them, found the noise deafening but was also infected by the lively atmosphere. He stood on tiptoe, tilting his sharp chin, cheering and supporting. Du Yunse, with one hand holding the basket and the other around Qiu Huanian's shoulder, was afraid he might be bumped or pushed into the river. The two got closer and closer, with Qiu Huanian unaware, while a smile flashed in Du Yunse's eyes, and he held on tighter.

The rewards for the top positions in the dragon boat race were very generous. All participating teams were striving hard to win. The one-mile-long racecourse was quickly halfway through, with some dragon boats already falling behind and others capsizing, causing the spectators to burst into laughter.

When the dragon boats were too far to see clearly, Qiu Huanian took some snacks and fruits from the basket Du Yunse was holding and shared them with him. This action caught the attention of some people around them, and some even wanted to buy the snacks from Qiu Huanian.

Qiu Huanian hadn’t planned to make money from this today, so he didn’t bring much. He handed out small snacks for free, and everyone watched the dragon boat race while eating, quickly warming up to each other.

Upon learning that Du Yunse had come to the prefecture to take the academy exam, a young man in his teens, dressed in fine clothes and surnamed Zhu, immediately said, “Brother, why are you still here? After the dragon boat race, there will be a poetry competition. Scholars interested in it have already gone to the pavilion to showcase their talents. I see that Scholar Du Yunse is a man of literary grace—why not give it a try?”

Du Yunse initially didn’t want to show off, but then the man added, “This year’s poetry competition has invited the new examination commissioner to judge. Many wealthy families in the prefecture, out of respect for the commissioner, have added prizes to the competition. If Scholar Du Yunse can win a place, those treasures would be well-deserved.”

Du Yunse, thinking of buying a gift for Qiu Huanian, was somewhat tempted. Qiu Huanian, eager to join the excitement, immediately urged Du Yunse to give it a try.

In ancient times, who could resist the charm of a live poetry competition?

“Brother Zhu, how do you know so much about the poetry competition?” Qiu Huanian asked curiously.

The young man in fine clothes smiled and fanned himself, “Of course, because some of the prizes are from my family.”

He closed his fan and pointed toward the pavilion. “The dragon boats are almost out of sight. Let’s go directly there. I’ll take you.”

They pushed their way through the crowd and arrived outside the pavilion. The ground floor of the pavilion was wide open, showcasing its interior setup. The spacious hall was set with hundreds of desks, each equipped with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, with cushions placed underneath.

The poetry competition would be held here shortly.

The young man surnamed Zhu was about to introduce them when his movements suddenly stiffened. Qiu Huanian followed his gaze and saw a man in his twenties with a slightly stern expression.

“Jingwei, why aren’t you at home studying patiently? What are you doing here?”

Zhu Jingwei cringed. “Brother, today is the poetry competition. The tutor gave me a day off, so I came to the pavilion to watch the scholars compose poetry.”

As for watching the dragon boat race, he didn’t mention it at all.

Zhu Jingwei’s brother, knowing his younger brother’s nature, was about to scold him but held back when he saw Du Yunse and Qiu Huanian beside him.

“Jingwei, who are these two?”

“This is Scholar Du Yunse, who is here to take the academy exam, and his companion. Scholar Du Yunse is a rare talent, and I accompanied him to the poetry competition.”

Zhu Jingwei, trying to divert his brother’s attention, heaped praise on Du Yunse.

The Zhu family was one of the prominent merchant families in Xiangping Prefecture. Zhu Jingcheng was the eldest grandson, strictly trained from a young age to follow his grandfather in business. Zhu Jingwei, the youngest grandson, was pampered and spoiled.

Although the Yu Dynasty did not allow merchant families to take the imperial civil service exams, the Zhu family still ensured their children were educated, so they would understand propriety and not be looked down upon for being uncouth in social interactions.

Zhu Jingwei had never had a real job. Zhu Jingcheng, fearing he might go astray, kept him at home to study with a tutor. Unfortunately, Zhu Jingwei was not cut out for studying and found each day extremely difficult.

Seeing that Du Yunse was young and had an impressive demeanor, Zhu Jingcheng quickly clasped his hands together. “So it’s Scholar Du Yunse. My younger brother has been presumptuous—please don’t take offense.”

In the Yu Dynasty, scholars were held in the highest regard, and merchant families like the Zhu family, whose members could not take the imperial exams, always treated scholars well, hoping to build good relations in case the scholar rose to prominence in the future.

Zhu Jingwei, having passed the test, cheerfully approached. “Brother, you know a lot about the poetry competition. Tell us about it.”

---

**Author’s Note:**

Qiu Huanian: Wants to flirt but hesitates.

Du Yunse: Wants to kiss but hesitates.

Both blush and say in unison: Can’t scare him!

The tug-of-war continues.

In the previous chapter, there was a small calculation error regarding the price of red fermented tofu (I really did return all my math knowledge to my PE teacher, resting in peace). Thanks to the little angels in the comments for pointing it out, it has been corrected now!

**Simplified summary of the correction:** The cost of red fermented tofu ingredients was 1 tael, with 50 catties of tofu plus yellow wine and spice water producing 80 catties of red fermented tofu. Kept 10 catties for themselves, sold 70 catties to Huang Daniang at 70 wen per catty, totaling 4900 wen. Huang Daniang rounded it up to 5 taels. This means that before setting off for the prefecture, Huanian had a total of 5 taels (gift from Mrs. Song) + 5 taels (money from selling red fermented tofu) + 2 taels (remaining from before) + over 3 taels (small change from daily sales of Sorghum Candy) = more than 15 taels in cash.