Chapter 122 City Streets 22

Chapter 122: Prefectural City Life 22

Liu Guyu, gripping Qin Rongshi’s arm, hurried forward, repeatedly calling out to a scholar ahead who was carrying a book crate.

The man, around twenty years old, was somewhat slender with delicate features, refined and scholarly—precisely the stereotypical image of a pale, frail scholar incapable of manual labor.

This scholar seemed rather timid. As soon as he heard someone call him, he quickened his pace, feigning deafness and trying to slip away. But Liu Guyu, moving swiftly, managed to intercept him.

The scholar was visibly flustered, beads of sweat forming on his brow. Staring at Liu Guyu, a young man even shorter than himself, he began to stammer. “Wh-wh-what… what do you want?”

Liu Guyu was already tired from the climb, and chasing after the scholar had left him even more breathless. Now, standing on the narrow path, he leaned on his knees, catching his breath.

He managed to say, “Why are you running? We just want to ask for directions!”

Qin Rongshi quickly added, “Brother, I’ve also come to study at Xiangshan Academy. Seeing you take this small path, I wondered if it’s a shortcut.”

The scholar, pale-faced, subtly retreated a couple of steps. Only after hearing Liu Guyu and Qin Rongshi’s explanation did his expression soften.

He glanced at the main road outside the woods, then back at Liu Guyu and Qin Rongshi. Seeing that neither carried much—only Qin Rongshi had a common satchel slung over his shoulder—and noting Qin Rongshi’s long robe, the typical attire of a scholar, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

Pointing to the main road outside, the scholar explained, “The main road out there is for carriages. It’s wide but takes a long detour. If you walk it on foot, it’ll take at least an hour. Students who walk up the mountain usually take the small paths in the woods. They’re narrow and steep, but if you walk quickly, you can reach the top in just over half an hour.”

Qin Rongshi nodded and asked, “Brother, are you heading back to the academy? Would it be convenient for you to guide the two of us?”

At this point, even if it was inconvenient, the scholar had to say it was. How could he possibly refuse?

Scratching his head, the scholar whispered, “Just follow me.”

With that, he gripped the straps of his book crate, turned, and continued up the mountain.

Liu Guyu, ever the talkative one, chattered the entire way despite breathing heavily from the climb. He quickly managed to extract some basic information from the scholar.

It wasn't that the scholar was timid; Liu Guyu sensed he was more socially anxious, reluctant to engage in conversation. Every time Liu Guyu asked a question, the scholar answered with noticeable reluctance.

The scholar’s surname was Yang, named Yang Su. He was twenty years old, had passed the imperial examination to become a *xiucai* two years prior, and had been studying at Xiangshan Academy for two years.

Though he disliked talking, he was visibly startled when he heard Qin Rongshi’s name.

“Qin Rongshi?”

“Brother, are you the top scholar from this year’s county examination?”

Yang Su suddenly grew more interested and began speaking more with Qin Rongshi.

Soon, they reached the mountaintop and saw the black-tiled, white-walled buildings nestled among the trees.

Xiangshan Academy had arrived.

Yang Su led them into the academy, then bowed slightly and said, “We’re here. Feel free to look around. I’ll head back to my dormitory now.”

After bidding farewell, Qin Rongshi and Liu Guyu wandered around the academy. They didn’t dare enter any buildings, only strolling through the courtyards.

Among Jiangzhou’s three major academies, Luming Academy was ranked lowest, yet it was already quite impressive. But now, seeing Xiangshan Academy, they realized there was another level entirely.

Scores of buildings stood among lush greenery, with elegant courtyards adorned with precious flowers like crabapples, orchids, and water lilies.

Bamboo lanterns hung along the corridors, and the inner stone walls were carved with classical maxims. Further in stood a five-story library, its eaves soaring high, with weighty bronze eave bells hanging below. Students could be seen coming and going.

Qin Rongshi quickly found a young servant to guide them to Minglun Hall.

Like Luming Academy, Xiangshan Academy was divided into several halls. Qin Rongshi was there to find Zhou Pozhi, the head of Minglun Hall and an old friend of his teacher.

They soon arrived at their destination. Qin Rongshi stood at the door and said to Liu Guyu, “Wait here for a moment. I’ll be out soon.”

Liu Guyu nodded, watching as Qin Rongshi entered the room.

Inside, an elderly man was studying a chess manual. Hearing someone enter, he didn’t look up but simply waved his hand and said, “Come, play a game with me.”

Qin Rongshi first bowed respectfully, then quietly sat opposite him and began playing chess.

He played seriously, without holding back, and soon had wiped out the elder’s pieces.

Zhou Pozhi frowned deeply, tossing his remaining pieces back into the box. “Enough! Enough! I’m an old man—couldn’t you go easy on me?”

Qin Rongshi smiled faintly, then stood up and bowed respectfully again. “Student Qin Rongshi pays his respects to Master Zhou.”

Zhou Pozhi finally looked up and asked, “You’re Lü Shiwen’s disciple?”

Qin Rongshi replied, “Precisely.”

Zhou Pozhi studied him for a moment before saying, “You’re just like your teacher! He never went easy on me either and even called me a terrible chess player!”

It wasn’t that Qin Rongshi didn’t want to go easy on him; it was just as Lü Shiwen had said—Zhou Pozhi was a chess enthusiast but a hopeless player. His moves were so poor that Qin Rongshi couldn’t find an opportunity to let him win even if he tried.

Qin Rongshi then took out a letter and handed it to Zhou Pozhi with both hands. “This is a letter from my teacher.”

It was the letter of recommendation. Zhou Pozhi took it but didn’t read it, instead placing it on the table casually. “He already wrote to me separately. I’m aware of the matter.”

Then, looking at Qin Rongshi, he continued, “I know your name. I saw it on the exam results list. With your ranking, getting into Xiangshan Academy wouldn’t have been difficult even without this letter. But since that old man rarely asks me for favors, I’ll gladly let him owe me one!”

“Today is a day off. Come to the academy tomorrow to register. Oh, and where are you staying? Do you need dormitory arrangements?”

Qin Rongshi replied promptly, “My family has moved to the prefectural city. We’re currently living on Riverbank Street, so there’s no need for dormitory arrangements.”

Zhou Pozhi nodded, then quizzed him on his studies. Qin Rongshi answered fluently, earning a satisfied nod from the elder, who dismissed him to prepare for the next day.

Once their conversation concluded, Qin Rongshi bid farewell and stepped outside, only to find Liu Guyu missing.

Frowning, Qin Rongshi quickly walked out a few steps and spotted the young servant who had guided them earlier.

He hurriedly stopped him and asked, “Excuse me, do you know where the young gentleman who came with me went?”

The servant replied, “He asked for directions to the lavatory and headed that way. You might want to check over there.”

Qin Rongshi nodded and hurried in the direction indicated. Soon, he heard a commotion outside the courtyard.

“We’re all scholars. Isn’t this behavior rather inappropriate?”

It was Liu Guyu’s voice.

Qin Rongshi quickened his pace and soon saw Liu Guyu facing off against someone, with Yang Su, who had guided them earlier, standing beside him.

Frowning, Qin Rongshi rushed over, shielding Liu Guyu behind him, and asked quietly, “What’s going on?”

Liu Guyu crossed his arms and said unhappily, “I never expected that Xiangshan Academy, praised far and wide, would have bullying.”

Bullying?

Qin Rongshi had never heard such a term before, but after glancing at the furious Liu Guyu, then at Yang Su standing beside him—noticing the bleeding cut on Yang Su’s forehead as he frowned and pressed on the wound—he quickly grasped the meaning of "bullying."

Frowning, Qin Rongshi gently pushed Liu Guyu further behind him and shot a cold look at the group in front of them. "We’re not far from Dean Zhou's study. If this commotion gets any louder, it might disturb the old man."

These individuals weren’t intimidated by Liu Guyu or Qin Rongshi, but the mention of "Dean Zhou" clearly made them hesitate. In the end, they just pointed at Yang Su, threw out a few threats, and left.

Yang Su, still holding his head, hurriedly thanked the two: "Thank you both! Thank you so much!"

Liu Guyu frowned, pointed to his own forehead, and asked with concern, "Yang Su, you should go get that wound on your forehead looked at first."

Yang Su nodded, thanked them again, and hurried off.

Liu Guyu and Qin Rongshi headed down the mountain, discussing what had just happened along the way.

"I just happened to see it. They were saying something about an item dropped over the wall and insisted Yang Su get down on the ground as a step stool so they could climb up and retrieve it."

Qin Rongshi also frowned and shook his head, realizing that not everyone at Xiangshan Academy was on their best behavior.

He also told Liu Guyu about life at Xiangshan Academy—days off and holidays were similar to those at Luming Academy—and mentioned that he could start classes the next day.

As they talked, they walked, making the return trip feel much quicker. Instead of heading straight back to Guozixiang after descending the mountain, they swung by Spring Street to check on the shop.

Liu Guyu had hired people to renovate, and it was a good time to check out the progress.

After inspecting the shop, they took a boat home and shared the news about Qin Rongshi starting at Xiangshan Academy the next day with the family.

The following day, Qin Rongshi went to the academy to study, while Liu Guyu spent the next while busy with the eatery’s renovations.

The calico cat at home gradually grew accustomed to having people around. Plus, with Banban occasionally leaving it jerky and dried fish, the two became quite familiar. Then one day, the cat brought her two kittens to Qin Banban’s bedside and went out hunting by itself.

The next day, they added a large cat bed beside Lucky’s doghouse.

In early August, Liu's Eatery opened for business.

The location was excellent, and after a month of renovations, many townsfolk who frequented Spring Street knew a new shop was opening.

On opening day, Liu Guyu hired musicians to perform and attract customers, drawing quite a crowd.

"What kind of shop is this?"

"An eatery! Can’t you see the bowls and dishes painted on the sign?"

"What kind of food do they sell? Don't tell me it’s another sweets and snacks place—how many of those are already on this street?"

...

Liu Guyu stood at the front, with a copper gong in hand, and announced: "Everyone! Today is the grand opening of Liu's Eatery! For the first three days, everything's 10% off, and every customer who dines in can participate in a prize wheel spin!"

Ancient wisdom had long included promotional activities like prize wheels, known as "guanpu." So when Liu Guyu mentioned "prize wheel spin," he didn’t need to explain—the crowd gathered at the door understood immediately.

Some young women who had come together liked the eatery’s decor and cheerfully said they’d go in to try the food.

The decor focused less on extravagance and more on elegance, with bamboo tables and chairs throughout the hall. Each table was separated by bamboo curtains, giving each table privacy.

Some customers entered out of curiosity for the new decor, others for the discount and prize draw, but most found the food quite tasty after trying it.

The food was even more interesting than the decor.

"This red bean grass jelly is delicious! I love it—refreshing and perfect for summer!"

"I had the taro dumplings—want to try some?"

"Come on, let’s go try the prize wheel. I have a good feeling today—maybe I’ll win a free meal!"

...

Gradually, all the tables in the eatery filled up. It was packed, not an empty seat in the place, and they were busy right through until the afternoon.