Chapter 54

Chapter 54

The night was cool as flowing water, yet Zhengyang Street hummed with undiminished vitality.

Crowds thronged the roads on either side, and lanterns blazed brilliantly, illuminating even the distant horizon. The dazzling lights left Lin Ting’s gaze darting uncertainly, unsure where to look.

He walked half a step behind Pei Xingjian.

Though laughter and chatter surrounded them, Lin Ting seemed deaf to it all, his gaze fixed on the upright figure ahead, his mind weighed down.

What had Pei Xingjian meant by those words earlier? How could someone just stop mid-sentence like that? The words stuck in his throat like a fishbone, neither rising nor falling. How could the man just keep casually strolling without offering an explanation?

Or was it really what he thought it meant?

But he had been planning to retire and travel the realm once Pei Xingjian recovered from his illness—he couldn’t stay in the capital forever.

Then again, maybe Pei Xingjian was just teasing him.

Lately, the emperor's migraines had gradually improved, and he seemed more like a normal person. Lin Ting had almost forgotten how, during their first meeting, he'd nearly had him thrown in the dungeons.

A sudden warmth pressed against his forehead—Pei Xingjian's hand, forcing Lin Ting to halt mid-step.

Startled, he looked up and met Pei Xingjian’s eyes, which reflected the flickering lantern light. He froze for two heartbeats.

Then Pei Xingjian’s low voice rumbled, “Do you always walk without watching where you’re going?”

Only then did Lin Ting realize he had nearly collided with a lantern post.

“Ah! Right.” Lin Ting took a few steps back, positioning himself beside Pei Xingjian.

Pei Xingjian studied that vacant expression, his gaze darkening. “What’s on your mind?”

Lin Ting glanced at the lively street scene—families laughing, couples strolling hand in hand beneath the lanterns.

“I was thinking about how prosperous the empire is under Your Majesty’s rule, with the people thriving in peace and happiness.”

His eyes caught on the full moon in the sky, and he paused. “Wait—is today Mid-Autumn Festival?”

Pei Xingjian corrected, “Today is Qiyuan Festival.”

As Pei Xingjian explained, Lin Ting realized it was basically their version of Mid-Autumn Festival—just with a different name and date. On this day, families gathered to eat mooncakes and ventured out at night to admire the moon.

They walked until they reached a bridge over the water, where floating lanterns drifted beneath the arches, emerging on the other side.

The moon’s reflection danced on the rippling water, appearing even brighter.

A cool breeze swept past. Noticing Lin Ting’s distant gaze, Pei Xingjian suddenly asked, “Does Minister Lin miss his family?”

Lin Ting nodded. In truth, his family from his previous life had long passed away in a car accident, though they had left him a considerable inheritance, ensuring he could live comfortably.

He ventured casually, “Does… Your Majesty remember your own family?”

The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them. Given Pei Xingjian’s upbringing, his childhood held no fond memories.

Sure enough, Pei Xingjian fell into a long silence.

Lin Ting waited quietly.

As the bridge grew more crowded, Lin Ting was jostled from behind, his balance faltering as he teetered dangerously toward the edge.

“Whoa—” He reached for the railing, but halfway there, his outstretched arm was caught mid-reach.

“Careful.” Warmth enveloped him from behind as his spine collided with a firm chest.

The voice seemed to vibrate through his eardrums.

Lin Ting shivered, his other hand gripping the railing tightly.

Once the crowd had passed, Lin Ting’s fingers twitched as he slipped free from Pei Xingjian’s grasp. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Fireflies streaked across the night sky, and the emperor's eyes held entire constellations, as if he held the entire galaxy within his gaze.

Pei Xingjian averted his eyes, his throat worked silently before he let out a soft hum of acknowledgment.

In the shadows where none would notice, several shadow guards melted into the darkness.

Amid the quiet night, a sudden streak of fire shot skyward, exploding in a shower of sparks against the black canvas.

“Look! Fireworks!” someone exclaimed.

Instantly, the crowd surged forward toward the bridge.

Lin Ting leaned against the railing, his slender frame jostled like a leaf in the current. Then, an arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him firmly against a solid warmth that radiated up his spine to his shoulders.

Even through the fabric, the sensation of skin contact felt unnervingly intimate. Lin Ting instinctively edged forward, only for the arm around his waist to tighten. Pei Xingjian’s low voice brushed against his ear:

“What are you avoiding?”

Though the surroundings were noisy and the sky ablaze with falling stars, Lin Ting heard those words with startling clarity. His heart skipped.

“It’s just… just a bit too crowded, Your Majesty.”

The chest behind him retreated slightly, but the voice remained close. “Is this better?”

Lin Ting shifted his legs, grateful for the few centimeters of space.

He nodded. “Yes.”

Then the figure behind him fell silent, keeping his arm around Lin Ting’s waist as they stood together.

The strange warmth at his waist made Lin Ting’s breaths grow shallow.

Even if the crowd was dense, even if everyone else was just as packed together—wasn’t this posture a little… unusual?

What kind of boss and subordinate watched fireworks like this? Didn’t Pei Xingjian realize how odd this was?

Holding his breath, Lin Ting tried to subtly free himself from that inescapable grip. But the moment he moved, the hand on his waist tightened.

“Don’t move.”

That husky murmur dissipated in the wind. Lin Ting immediately stilled.

Then a hand tipped his chin up, forcing his gaze toward the bursting fireworks.

“Pay attention.”

Lin Ting felt as though his ears were ice cubes dissolving in warm honey, melting rapidly under this relentless warmth.

He exhaled sharply, too afraid to move a muscle.

Fireworks bloomed ceaselessly in the sky, dyeing the sky in brilliant colors.

The scent of herbs drifted through the cool air, and Pei Xingjian breathed it in deeply. Though the surroundings were bustling, his heart had never felt so at peace.

Pei Xingjian suddenly spoke:

"When I was young, a master from Nanxiang Temple once said that my fate was to bring misfortune to my father and brothers, destined to live a solitary life."

He felt the person beneath him tremble all over, eyes widening in disbelief. Just as they were about to turn their head, Pei Xingjian gripped their chin and directed their gaze toward the reflections on the water. Amidst the chaotic ripples, it almost seemed as if two figures were overlapping.

"But when I visited again recently, the master said my matchmaking star had moved—only, the one destined to accompany me for life is not from here."

Not from here?

Lin Ting's pulse jumped.

Did Pei Xingjian know he wasn’t from this era? Or was he deliberately testing him?

"Yet I believe it matters not whether they are from here or not."

Fireworks rose from the water like leaping carps, illuminating the sky in the blink of an eye.

……

After a long while, the fireworks display finally ended, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

The hand at his waist withdrew at last. Pei Xingjian took two steps back, putting space between them.

Seeing Lin Ting’s confused look, he asked, "Was Minister Lin frightened by my words just now?"

Lin Ting collected himself before meeting Pei Xingjian’s gaze again. "It’s getting late. Let’s... let’s go back." He avoided answering the question.

Pei Xingjian’s eyes darkened slightly before he turned and strode ahead.

Lin Ting hurried to follow.

The two walked in silence all the way to the gates of the Lin residence. Before entering, Lin Ting hesitated for a moment, noticing out of the corner of his eye the protective charm he had gifted hanging at the other’s waist. His heart raced again.

"I’ll take my leave now."

Pei Xingjian nodded impassively.

Lin Ting didn’t linger on his expression either, turning to enter the gates.

……

In the days that followed, as the imperial examination drew near, the Ministry of Revenue grew increasingly busy. As the Imperial Examiner for this round of exams, Lin Ting involved himself in every meticulous detail of the preparations.

Even Minister Wang couldn’t help but remark upon seeing him, "When it comes to diligence, Lord Lin truly puts us all to shame."

Lin Ting wished he could gag him.

That day, just as he finalized the uniform ink and brushes for the exam—to prevent candidates from smuggling cheating tools—a messenger arrived to announce, "The Capital Prefect requests an audience."

Lin Ting instructed them to bring the visitor in.

Prefect Xue entered and immediately said, "Lord Lin, the second son of Duke Zhao’s household has made an official complaint, accusing scholar Yang Gongming of jostling him on the street."

Lin Ting’s hand, flipping through a book, paused. "When?"

Prefect Xue replied, "This morning."

Ordinarily, such cases were simple—once reported, the authorities would determine fault and assign responsibility.

But today, it was a nobleman's son bringing the charges against a scholar about to take the imperial exams. Looking further into it, it was discovered that the second son of Duke Zhao’s household was also on the list of candidates for this year’s exams.

Given the involvement of examination candidates, Prefect Xue remembered previous cases where examinees were stripped of their qualifications.

Since Emperor Taizu’s reign, the behavioral standards for scholars participating in the Metropolitan Examination had been extremely strict. A rule was even established: any scholar who caused trouble and had their name recorded by the authorities while awaiting the exam in the capital would be disqualified.

Though this rule hadn't lasted long, subsequent emperors kept it as policy, and officials quietly enforced it.

As a result, cases even emerged where aristocratic families, to improve their own chances, resorted to setting up talented poor scholars, getting them disqualified.

The previous emperor had never cared about such matters, so officials had followed the trend. But now, with the new emperor on the throne, Prefect Xue detected a change in the sovereign’s attitude toward scholars. Thus, faced with this situation, he chose to consult higher authority first.

Lin Ting had already risen to his feet. "To the magistrate’s office."

They rushed to the magistrate’s office, where a crowd had gathered at the entrance. Guards kept the crowd back, allowing Lin Ting to see the two men at the center.

One of them was pointing at Yang Gongming and shouting, "You worthless beggar! Do you have any idea how much this robe of mine cost? You couldn’t afford it even if you sold yourself!"

This was undoubtedly the second son of Duke Zhao’s household.

Yang Gongming, flushed with anger and defiant, retorted, "Yes, it was my fault for not noticing you while reading on the street. But what about you riding your horse recklessly in public? How do you explain that?"

Young Master Zhao sneered, "That's not your concern."

As the two seemed about to come to blows, Prefect Xue quickly stepped in to mediate. "Gentlemen, gentlemen—calm down. You’re both examination candidates. Let's keep this civil."

Young Master Zhao snapped. "Who’s a candidate with him? Prefect Xue, this man assaulted me in public. By regulation, he should be barred from the exams."

Yang Gongming made a move again but was restrained by the guards. "This is outrageous!"

Young Master Zhao tilted his head haughtily. "Defy me, and you're finished."

Lin Ting, who had been watching quietly from the crowd, sighed as the situation was getting out of hand. He stepped forward.

"What’s all this commotion? Making a scene in public—have you no shame?"