Chapter 173 City Streets 73

Chapter 173: City Life in the Prefecture 73

In mid-July, a notice was posted at the government office, with a yamen runner standing nearby, beating a gong and shouting:

"All scholars passing by, come take a look! This year’s provincial examination has been postponed to November. Those who see this, please inform your fellow scholars—don’t make a wasted trip!"

As the yamen runner put up the notice, many onlookers gathered. Some, unable to read, showed no interest upon hearing it was related to the imperial exams and quickly dispersed.

A few scholars in long gowns happened to pass by. Though the notice attracted a crowd, they hesitated to push through, deeming it beneath their dignity. Only after hearing the yamen runner’s shouts did they hurriedly approach.

"Postponed? Why so suddenly?"

"Didn’t you read the notice? Heavy rainfall caused floods in several counties of Jiangzhou. Disaster relief is the priority."

"It’s postponed to November… Well, that’s good—we get three more months to study!"

"Exactly! This is great news! I should go tell my classmates!"

"What day in November? The fifth? Excellent, the fifth is fine—more time to prepare!"

"It really has been postponed! I should call Brother Du, Brother Qian, and Brother Li to come see. They mustn’t miss the new date!"

…

Scholars passing by gathered around the notice. Some pushed to the front for a closer look; others, not content with reading it alone, talked about bringing friends and classmates; still others, their eyesight weakened from studying, squinted from the back, struggling to make out the words and muttering, "I can’t read this—why couldn’t they write it bigger?"

But it was clear: the provincial exam, originally scheduled for early August, was postponed to the fifth day of November.

By early July, the rain in the prefectural city had gradually ceased, and the skies cleared up, with sunny days.

As a result, Xiangshan Academy was back in session, and Liu's Eatery reopened. Everyone was busy, and Jiangning Prefecture bustled again. People were out and about, and the night market, closed for months, reopened.

Qin Rongshi learned about the exam postponement at the academy, from the instructor himself. Some were happy, others worried.

It was mid-July, and the exam was originally set for early August. He’d planned to marry within a month after the exam, never imagining the provincial exam could be postponed.

He looked calm, but Qin Rongshi sighed inwardly.

"Fellow Qin, Fellow Qin…"

Hearing someone call him, Qin Rongshi came back to himself and looked over. His classmates had already left, leaving only Yang Su standing nearby.

"Fellow Yang, what is it?"

Qin Rongshi nodded slightly and asked softly.

Yang Su looked around, making sure they were alone, then leaned in and whispered, "My father invites you to a banquet three days from now."

Qin Rongshi paused while packing his things and looked up again. "Your esteemed father?"

Yang Su nodded, adding, "Nearby prefectures have seen outbreaks of disease, but Jiangzhou has handled it well. Though minor cases appeared in some towns, they were stamped out quickly. My father credits you for foreseeing this and wishes to host a banquet in your honor."

After a moment’s thought, Qin Rongshi stood and bowed to Yang Su, replying humbly, "I wouldn’t dare refuse an elder’s invitation. I will surely attend in three days."

Having delivered the message, Yang Su cheerfully returned the bow, picked up his book bag, and left for the dorm. Qin Rongshi headed home.

His first task upon returning was to tell his family about the exam postponement.

"Postponed? Isn’t it always held in August? Why the delay this year?"

Surprised by the news, Cui Lanfang stopped her work and turned to Qin Rongshi.

Qin Rongshi explained, "This year’s heavy rains caused floods in several counties under Jiangzhou. Though precautions were taken, disaster relief comes first. Additionally, washed-out roads from the storms have blocked routes, preventing many scholars from traveling. Road repairs are urgent, hence the exam delay."

His explanation was clear, and Cui Lanfang understood.

She then wondered, "I wonder how Fushui Town is faring? Any floods there, especially in the villages? Qing Zhu’s wedding is soon, yet we’ve hit such times… Ah, it’s truly worrying."

Qin Rongshi reassured her, "I’ve been in touch with Bao Zhu and Anyuan. The rains there weren’t as severe as here. Months ago, I wrote advising precautions and asked them to pass on word to Shanghe Village. They recently replied—all is well."

Cui Lanfang then recalled that Qin Rongshi had recently received a letter, which he read to the whole family. Everyone back home was safe, though the heavy rains had harmed harvests, and Lin Xingniang’s flatbread business was struggling. Still, compared to the floods and outbreaks elsewhere, they were fortunate—at least no one was harmed.

After speaking, she turned and entered the kitchen, calling Qin Rongshi to follow.

She had him eat first while she packed warmed dishes and soup into a food container, put the lid on.

"The shop has reopened. After months of quiet, I went at noon to deliver food—business is good, the place was packed!"

"The weather today is pleasant, neither hot nor cold. I’ll bet the night market opens."

"Eat first. Afterward, take the food to Gu Yu and the others."

Hearing this, Qin Rongshi ate faster, worried that Liu Guyu might go hungry at the eatery.

After the meal, Qin Rongshi took a boat to Chun Street, carrying the food to Liu's Eatery.

The eatery was packed, with bamboo tables and chairs set up along the riverbank, all occupied. Inside, Tao Yu and Ping'an were rushing about, incredibly busy.

"Young master? Ah… bringing food?"

Tao Yu noticed him while clearing a table but had no time to stop and greet him properly.

Qin Rongshi nodded and asked, "Is the owner in the kitchen?"

Tao Yu nodded repeatedly, adding hurriedly, "Please go check on him. It’s been hectic today—the owner didn’t finish his lunch and has been busy cooking ever since. He must be starving by now!"

Frowning, Qin Rongshi carried the food container inside.

There, he saw Liu Guyu bustling by the counter, wearing an apron, with flour smudged on his temples and sweat streaking his face.

"The osmanthus stewed milk and red bean paste are ready. Take them out first."

Hearing someone enter, Liu Guyu assumed it was Tao Yu or Ping'an and spoke without looking up.

"I’ll bring them out later. You eat your dinner first."

Huh?

Startled by Qin Rongshi’s voice, Liu Guyu looked up and saw him.

"Eh? What brings you here?"

Qin Rongshi sighed softly, washed his hands, took the knife from Liu Guyu, nudged him away from the counter, and began slicing freshly made snowflake pastries.

"Have you seen the time? It’s dark outside. Aren’t you hungry?"

Liu Guyu: "Uh…"

He scratched his head, unsure how to respond, and glanced sideways as Ping'an passed by the kitchen, gesturing for him to come in and eat.

Before he could speak, Qin Rongshi grasped his wrist. The young man, who had already grown taller than him, leaned in close, asking a question that sounded more like a statement.

"I heard you barely ate at noon?"

Liu Guyu: "Ah... well..."

Liu Guyu scratched his head, guiltily looked away, only to have Qin Rongshi gently hold his chin and turn it back.

Qin Rongshi spoke softly, uttering just three words, "Go eat."

Liu Guyu: "...Okay."

He slumped his shoulders and walked over to the small table to sit down, opening the lunchbox and taking out the meal.

As he ate, he muttered under his breath: "Since Ping'an is the youngest, we should've let him eat first."

But Qin Rongshi said: "People’s hearts are naturally partial. I’m just an ordinary person, so of course I have to look out for you first."

Though it was a biased thing to say, he spoke with utter frankness, his expression unflinching, admitting it openly.

Liu Guyu almost buried his face in his bowl, eating quickly, thinking he should finish soon so others could take their turn.

The shop was extremely busy, and they couldn’t all eat at once. They had to take turns, one by one, freeing up staff to attend to the customers outside.

Qin Rongshi was the busiest. He first helped Liu Guyu pack the cut snowflake crisps, then went out to attend to the stream of customers, and finally took over Zhang Yun’s work at the accounts counter, doing the bookkeeping.

They were busy until 8 p.m., when the number of customers in the eatery gradually dwindled. Liu Guyu and Qin Rongshi closed up and headed home.

Three days later, Qin Rongshi went to the Education Commissioner's residence as agreed.

He had only told Liu Guyu about the Education Commissioner’s invitation, not mentioning it to Cui Lanfang, to avoid making her anxious. He thought it better to tell her after he returned.

When he arrived at the Education Commissioner's residence, this time he used the invitation Yang Su had given him and entered through the main gate. The steward of the residence personally welcomed him in.

He was led all the way to the flower hall, where a neat-looking servant invited him inside.

As soon as he entered, he saw Yang Su sitting in a lower seat, clearly fidgeting, as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

Seated next to Yang Su was the Education Commissioner, Yang Wancheng, whom he’d met twice before.

When Qin Rongshi entered, Yang Su let out a long sigh of relief and immediately stood up to greet him.

Qin Rongshi nodded to his classmate, then turned and bowed respectfully to the Education Commissioner, saying: "This student pays his respects to the Education Commissioner. Though I am of dull talent, I am honored by your regard, sir."

Yang Wancheng smiled warmly at the sight of him, appearing friendly and easygoing. He did not stand but raised a hand slightly, signaling Qin Rongshi to straighten up, then waved for him to take a seat. "It is not I who asked to see you," he said. "There’s still an honored guest at this table who has yet to arrive!"

Qin Rongshi’s brow twitched slightly, and he instinctively glanced at the table again, only then realizing that the Education Commissioner was not seated in the host’s position.

Hm?

Qin Rongshi’s eyebrows lifted slightly, and in a flash, a certain person came to mind.

Just as he was thinking this, a servant’s voice sounded from outside the room.

"Sir, Minister Shi is here."

-----------------------

Author's Note: I heard that changing the book title after completion can help prevent piracy, so I plan to try it after this book is finished. I’ve already commissioned a new cover, which will be replaced in a few days. Everyone can take some time to get familiar with the new cover first, and then I’ll change the name after the story is complete.

(To be honest, I quite like this current cover and am reluctant to change it... *sigh*)