Chapter 72

The next second lunar month will be the triennial imperial examination, which will be held in the spring, so this year the spring holiday of the imperial college has been postponed to the 12th lunar month.

As for those like Shangguan Yan and others, whether their families are wealthy or they come from distant places, they start their journey home early at the beginning of the holiday.

Jian Yujue, on the other hand, stayed for a few more days and only set off today. He was busy organizing his belongings in the dormitory when suddenly a sarcastic voice came from behind.

“With such a small amount of stuff, you still have the nerve to take so long to pack.”

Lu Guanlin walked in with a mocking expression. As soon as he saw Jian Yujue’s handsome appearance, jealousy ignited like sparks, emanating in all directions.

He glanced at the old cotton coat in Jian Yujue’s hand and couldn’t help sneering, “If you’re on good terms with Shangguan Yan, why didn’t you let him buy a few more items for you and prepare some gifts to take back home?”

This was Lu Guanlin’s own speculation. Although it seemed that Jian Yujue always had a gentle expression towards his classmates, which was his usual demeanor, Lu Guanlin knew that it was Shangguan Yan who helped Jian Yujue obtain the qualifications for imperial college.

Without any personal relationship, how could someone just give money for no reason? No wonder, on that day in the street, Shangguan Yan didn’t even help him. It’s just that Shangguan’s family is wealthy, and Lu Wenguang had warned him not to offend them casually, so he didn’t spread the word.

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…

Jian Yujue carefully put away the jade plaques given to them by their mentors. After the spring holiday, he would need these jade plaques to report back to the imperial college.

During the New Year, he had to return to Qingzhou and celebrate with his grandmother. But before leaving, Jian Yujue planned to say goodbye to Li Zhangguai on Xi Shui Street.

The winter days were cold, and the wind howled. The ordinary shops were closed early, and those that opened at night had not yet started business. This particular time,neither early nor late, was the most desolate.

Jian Yujue carried a basket and crossed Yong’an Street to the entrance of Xi Shui Street. He saw Li Zhangguai struggling to insert the door panels, with only four or five left. He seemed to be somewhat exhausted, supporting his waist with apparent difficulty.

Jian Yujue didn’t stay long and quickly ran forward to take the wooden board from Li Zhangguai’s hand.

Li Zhangguai felt a slight weight lift and looked up to see Jian Yujue, feeling somewhat surprised. “Yujue, you haven’t gone back yet?”

“Yeah, I’ll be going back shortly.”

Li Zhangguai watched as Yujue inserted the door panels, and soon they were all in place. He took the door lock from his waist and clicked it shut, securing the shop.

He patted Jian Yujue’s shoulder. “Alright, go back earlier. Your grandmother is anxiously waiting for you at home. It’s been a long time since you last went to Qingzhou.”

“Uncle Li, where are you spending the New Year?”

Jian Yujue asked, suddenly remembering that Li Zhangguai had sold his house in the countryside and had never mentioned his family. Could he be spending it alone?

Li Zhangguai spoke in a carefree tone, “Don’t worry about me. I can go wherever I want. If I get bored, I can always come back and watch over the shop.”

Jian Yujue glanced at him and lowered his gaze, speaking softly, “Uncle Li, come back to Qingzhou with me for the New Year.”

“Qingzhou?”

Li Zhangguai was momentarily stunned but then smiled, his face showing wrinkles that made him look even kinder.

“Sure! Sure.”

…

The old and the young boarded a mule cart that would take them back to Qingzhou, swaying as they traveled from the capital to Qingzhou.

Fortunately, the village where Jian Yujue lived was located at the border between Qingzhou and the capital, so it wasn’t too far away, and the journey only took a few days.

Jian Yujue’s grandmother, who had received the letter a long time ago, stood in front of the gray brick house. Her hair was white, and she wore a thick patched cotton coat that was faded but still clean.

Upon hearing from Yujue’s letter that he was bringing back the old shopkeeper who had always taken care of him, she immediately went to town yesterday to buy some minced meat on credit and made dumplings with meat and vegetable fillings to treat them.

In this small village, there were no distinct courtyards, and there were no high walls separating neighbors. The only boundary was a low bamboo fence surrounding the houses.

Bare and exposed, Yujue’s grandmother stood next to the old well, looking towards the road. From there, she could see all the way to the end of the road.

Her hands in her pockets were still cold, but her heart was filled with warmth and joy. She had been waiting and anticipating, and finally, a mule cart arrived in the distance and stopped at the village entrance.

Although Yujue’s grandmother couldn’t see clearly, she could still recognize Yujue’s figure at a glance.

“Alright, let me cook the dumplings first for you.”

Talking to herself, Yujue’s grandmother walked into the kitchen. Now she could put the dumplings in the pot, and by the time they arrived, they would have something warm to eat.

On this long journey, she had traveled in a mule cart when she was young. It was so uncomfortable with the cold wind blowing in from behind.

When Jian Yujue entered the house with Li Zhangguai, a burst of dumpling fragrance greeted his nose, causing a slight upward curve at the corners of his mouth. The handsome features of his eyebrows and eyes seemed even more charming than usual.

When Li Zhangguai casually caught sight of it, he felt momentarily surprised.

Jian Yujue behaved quietly outside, being gentle and moderate in his interactions, but he rarely smiled. However, as soon as he entered this old house, Li Zhangguai suddenly felt a youthful vigor emanating from Yujue, as if fireworks were bursting forth.

“Grandmother, I’m back.” Jian Yujue put down the basket, his voice clear.

Jian Yujue’s grandmother heard the voice and rushed out without even putting down the ladle. As soon as she saw Jian Yujue, her eyes inexplicably turned red. She turned her back, quickly wiped her eyes, and then turned around.

“This is Li Zhangguai, right?” She smiled warmly.

“Yeah, sister, it’s me.”

Li Zhangguai respectfully greeted her. It was their first meeting, so they were both a little unfamiliar, but they both wished the best for Yujue, so after a brief exchange of pleasantries, they soon became less awkward.

“The dumplings are almost done. Hurry, come inside. What are you doing standing outside?”

Jian Yujue’s grandmother wiped her apron with her hands, afraid of dirtying Yujue and Li Zhangguai’s clothes. She pushed them inside with her wrist.

Once Li Zhangguai entered the inner room and settled down, Jian Yujue went to the kitchen. The ladle immediately ended up in his hands.

His hands, which were beautiful when holding a book or practicing calligraphy, now held the ladle with determination. Yujue’s grandmother couldn’t help but feel guilty as she watched.

“Yujue, don’t touch these things at home in the future. Grandma can still handle them.”

Jian Yujue’s grandmother wanted to take the ladle from his hand, but after a few attempts, she found that Yujue was much taller; even when she stood on her tiptoes, she still fell short by a good margin.

Jian Yujue raised his hand and smiled gently. “Grandma, if you try to take the ladle from me a few more times, I’ll eat a few less dumplings.”

“Oh, alright, I won’t take it anymore,” Jian Yujue’s grandmother said helplessly. “I won’t take it anymore! But you mustn’t eat fewer dumplings.”

…

In the simple room, the three of them sat around a wooden table, savoring a bowl of spicy diced vegetables with relish.

Jian Yujue didn’t say much, but both Li Zhangguai and Jian Yujue’s grandmother loved to talk. The room was lively, and the New Year’s atmosphere was stronger than in previous years.

After the meal, Yujue’s grandmother, who was frail, went to rest first, while Jian Yujue cleaned up the dishes and utensils in the kitchen. Li Zhangguai walked around the perimeter of the brick house. Yujue’s grandmother’s cooking was excellent, with thin dumpling wrappers and generous fillings. He had eaten a whole bowl, and the food still hadn’t satiated his appetite.

As he walked a few rounds, Li Zhangguai noticed the visible cracks and leaks, which were even worse than the house he had in the countryside before. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache.

Had Jian Yujue grown up in such conditions?

“Uncle Li, it’s getting late. Why don’t you go inside and rest?”

Jian Yujue finished cleaning and came out of the kitchen, coincidentally meeting Li Zhangguai, who had circled back to the kitchen area by the old well.

“Your grandmother’s cooking is excellent, and the dumplings are delicious. I ate too much, so I’ll walk around a bit.”

Jian Yujue nodded with a smile and remained silent. He was always quiet and didn’t feel the need to engage in idle conversation.

However, he still stood outside with Li Zhangguai for a while. It was the middle of the month, and when he looked up, there was a silver disc-like moon in the sky.

The pale gray cotton robe he wore was coated with a layer of silver moonlight. When he tilted his head slightly to look at the sky, his eyes reflected the round moon, revealing no emotions.

“Full moon means contemplation,” Li Zhangguai glanced at the handsome profile of Jian Yujue and said softly, “Did something unhappy come to mind?”

His words were subtle, but he was naturally referring to Jian Yujue’s background. Only after Yujue was not present did he learn from Yujue’s grandmother that Yujue had been abandoned and that she found him when she went out to sell vegetables in the morning.

Jian Yujue’s grandmother had tried posting notices a few times, but as a lonely person, she had no power to find his birth parents for him.

She simply hoped that he would succeed and that his parents would come looking for him. The old lady’s thoughts were simple: she wanted him to find his roots. So the last time, when Jian Yujue didn’t participate in the imperial examination because of her illness, she felt even more distressed.

Jian Yujue met Li Zhangguai’s gaze and lightly shook his head with a smile. “I just think the moonlight is beautiful.”

“Being with Grandma is great.”

“Yujue, I’ve always thought too lowly of you.” Li Zhangguai seemed to think of something and sighed, “Actually, do you hate me for forcing you into the Imperial College?”

At those words, Jian Yujue suddenly looked up at Li Zhangguai. “Uncle Li…”

“When I was young, I went through some things. At that time, I chose to be stubborn, but I regretted it for decades.”

“Since then, I realized that for scholars, it is more important to seize the moment than to stick to one’s principles. Otherwise, there would be no chance to fully display one’s skills, and what would be the use then?”

Li Zhangguai looked at Jian Yujue, smiled, and said, “But now that I see you, I suddenly realize that I was the one who was wrong. There won’t be much to regret in the future.”

“Uncle Li, you…”

Li Zhangguai had entered the Imperial College, but according to the rules, only those with exceptional talent could enter. Therefore, something must have happened back then.

“Yujue, you need to relax and study well.”

And together, they would return to that moment from years ago.

***

Lu Guanlin returned to the Lu Mansion in a huff. Lu Wenguang was a high-ranking official, so the mansion was grand and imposing.

In the front hall, Lady Lu saw her son return and immediately smiled, her face lighting up. “Lin’er, why did you come back now? I heard from Mr. Chen this morning that you were already released.”

Mr. Chen was the ceremonial officer of the Imperial College, and Lu Guanlin’s father was the Minister of Rites, so they had close connections with the Imperial College and were well-informed about the students’ movements.

Lu Guanlin plopped down on a chair and took a sip of tea. “Let’s not talk about it. I ran into an annoying person.”

“The most irritating thing is when that person completely ignores me.”

“Who is it that has made you unhappy?” Lu Wenguang had just returned from outside and heard Lu Guanlin’s words as soon as he entered the front yard. He couldn’t help but ask.

He had put so much effort into his son, but unfortunately, when it came to studying, his son resembled him the most. When it came to studying, he couldn’t even concentrate for an hour.

“Dad, it’s that top scholar from the previous year in Qingzhou. He just annoys me.”

Lu Wenguang knew about the tribute matter. “Is he participating in the spring examination this time?”

“Yes.” Lu Guanlin couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Wasn’t that a stupid question from his dad?

Lu Wenguang narrowed his small eyes, his mind racing through various calculations. “Lin’er, what do you think of his knowledge?”

Although Lu Guanlin disliked Jian Yujue, when it came to academic achievements, he spoke truthfully: “He’s been here for less than half a year, and he’s already better than the top student in Class A.”

Lu Wenguang looked down at his son. Based on Lu Guanlin’s performance, it would be difficult for him to even achieve the position of one of the top three scholars, let alone become a jinshi.

His own official position had reached its peak as the Minister of Rites. If he wanted to become a marquis or prime minister, his hopes rested on his son.

Why not try it again? After all, he had come through smoothly in the past.

“Lin’er, in the future, don’t disturb him while he’s studying and don’t interfere with his affairs.”

“Dad?”

Lu Wenguang stroked his long beard. “Once I pave the way for you, you’ll understand.”