Chapter 158 Day 22 of Transmigrating into an Imperial Examination Novel

Chapter 158: The Twenty-Second Day of Transmigrating into the Imperial Examination Novel

The small courtyard in Qingxi City seemed to still linger with the damp and sultry air of that rainy night, yet An Yi had quietly slipped away like a drifting cloud, without disturbing Granny Wang at the alley’s entrance.

He was still in that moon-white gown, stepping through the morning dew, merged into the flow of people coming and going, slowly making his way toward the northern imperial capital—a city of power and splendor.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

The capital was indeed worth a visit. Perhaps he might even encounter that "heaven-ordained" male lead?

He wondered what that child had become now.

At the same time, Qin Cang, riding alone at breakneck speed, was racing toward the military camp.

Qin Cang leaned forward over his horse’s back, his black cloak flapping noisily behind him, mirroring the restless tide in his heart.

The border winds and sand were harsh, stinging his face with a prickling pain, yet far less searing than the flame burning in his chest.

His lips were pressed tight; the scar above his left eyebrow seemed sharper as he galloped. In his deep eyes, there was no longer the usual sullen viciousness.

An Yi was waiting for him in the capital.

An Yi said that if he could make An Yi's heart stir, he would spend a lifetime with him.

He had to reach the capital as quickly as possible.

Behind him, his personal guards struggled to keep up, nearly out of breath. What was going on?

Hadn’t the general been unwilling to leave before?

Why was he in such a hurry now?

They were having a rough time!

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In the capital, under the emperor's watchful eye, it was a place of grandeur.

An Yi rented a small study with a tiny courtyard in a quiet neighborhood near the imperial city.

The yard was even smaller than the one in Qingxi, but its strength was its elegance—an old plum tree stood in the courtyard, its branches gnarled and strong, though it was not yet in bloom.

He made a few good friends and often went out with them.

One day, he strolled into Ink Fragrance Studio, the largest bookstore in the capital, hoping to find some interesting travelogues and miscellaneous notes.

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of books and ink. Shelves lined the walls, and many scholars in Confucian robes were either quietly browsing or chatting in low voices.

An Yi’s gaze swept over the spines of the books. Just as he reached for a copy of *Records of Customs and Scenery*, he overheard a lively discussion nearby.

"Have you heard? The day before yesterday at Xingzhao Pavilion, Top Scholar Fang debated with several great scholars, citing classics and arguing eloquently, holding his own!"

"You mean Fang Huaixing, the one who passed the provincial and metropolitan exams with top honors and became a closed-door disciple of Grand Tutor You?"

"Exactly! I heard his demeanor was extraordinary, his arguments incisive. Even Grand Tutor You smiled and stroked his beard, praising him as 'the young phoenix surpasses the old one’s song'!"

"Remarkable! At such a young age! In next spring’s palace examination, he might even achieve a perfect six consecutive top places, making history unparalleled in our dynasty!"

An Yi’s hand, holding the book, paused slightly. He turned his head to see a few young scholars gathered together, their faces full of admiration and yearning.

A faint, barely noticeable smile curved his lips. It seemed this protagonist’s journey was in full swing.

He smiled to himself, withdrew his gaze, and continued browsing the book in his hands.

But just as he was about to put the book back, a clear, youthful voice sounded beside him:

"Esteemed brother, are you also interested in this *Records of Customs and Scenery*?"

An Yi turned to see a boy of about twelve or thirteen, dressed in a sapphire-blue brocade robe.

The boy’s frame had not yet fully matured, but he already showed signs of a tall and straight posture.

His skin was fair, pale from lack of sun, with handsome features and an air of composure and sharpness far beyond his years.

It was Fang Huaixing.

He had clearly noticed An Yi too. His gaze lingered on An Yi’s face for a moment, a faint flicker of admiration flickering in his eyes.

That face—how could he ever forget it?

It was An Yi!

Comment section:

"An Yi? Who is that?"

"Uh... I flipped back. He’s that unlucky scholar who appeared at the beginning of the novel. (Crying with laughter)"

"I remember now! The author spent two whole pages just describing his appearance and aura... uh, I mean, wrote two pages!"

"......This time the author wrote another two pages, and the male lead was drawn to approach him again..."

"Speechless!"

"@Author, you’re too much! We said the male lead has to be the most handsome, otherwise we can’t immerse ourselves! Who’s going to give you gifts then?"

"Is the author gay? He never puts this much effort into describing female leads! (Confused) (Chin stroke)"

"Hard to say."

"......"

An Yi: ......

An Yi looked at Fang Huaixing, his image slowly merging with the memory of that clever child in the village, and then separating into the distinguished aura of this renowned Top Scholar of the capital.

He gave a gentle smile, warm as a spring breeze brushing the water’s surface: "Just browsing. I saw it records the customs and geography of various Western regions, quite novel, so I took a closer look. Is Top Scholar Fang also interested in the Western Regions?"

A flicker of surprise passed through Fang Huaixing’s eyes, clearly not expecting the other to remember him: "Senior Brother An."

He made a respectful bow with his hands: "I dare not accept the title of Top Scholar. It’s been many years; I never thought we would meet again here."

An Yi also smiled: "Young friend Fang, your bearing is even more impressive than before."

A flash of bashful shock crossed Fang Huaixing’s eyes.

He hadn’t expected that being praised by Senior Brother An, whom he hadn’t seen for so long, would actually make him shy.

He bowed again, his posture standard, carrying the clear and open manner unique to youth: "Senior Brother An flatters me. It is you who have an extraordinary bearing."

An Yi smiled at him: "Alright, no need to praise each other. Let’s just say we both have extraordinary bearing, shall we?"

Fang Huaixing was amused by his remark: "Naturally, what Senior Brother An says is very true."

The two of them exchanged a few pleasantries by the bookshelves.

Suddenly, Fang Huaixing seemed to remember something and asked casually, "Speaking of which, back in the village, I used to see a young man named Qin studying diligently at your side, Senior Brother An. I wonder if that Brother Qin is doing well now? Did he come to the capital with you?"

He remembered that young man with fierce eyes, like a little wolf cub, and also remembered that he seemed to have a close relationship with An Yi.

Every time he went to Senior Brother An for lessons, that young man's eyes would be unfriendly.

It was obvious he thought I was stealing away Senior Brother An's attention—childish possessiveness!

He understood.

Back then, when An Yi suddenly left the village, that young man also disappeared, so it's natural to connect the two. Considering their close relationship, they probably left together.

Upon hearing this, An Yi raised his eyes and looked at Fang Huaixing.

The smile on his lips seemed to deepen a little, leaving Fang Huaixing momentarily stunned.

An Yi simply said slowly in his clear, calm voice, with a hint of certainty: "He... will come to the capital very soon."

These words were light and casual, giving no specific time or explanation, yet carried an unquestionable certainty.

Fang Huaixing was slightly startled. From An Yi's calm and smiling eyes, he could not see any more information, but he sensed something was off.

He suppressed his curiosity, chatted a bit more on that subject, and then took his leave with a cupped-hand salute as other students approached to greet him.

An Yi watched his departing figure, already quite imposing, and gently brushed his fingertips over the rough cover of the *Records of Local Customs*, his eyes brimming with amusement.

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[2]. Li Shangyin, Tang Dynasty, *Two Poems Written for Han Donglang on the Occasion of a Farewell Banquet*.