Chapter 137: Preparing for the Examination

“Your friend…” Liu Cheng cut in.

Zhou Runan’s expression dimmed slightly, but then relaxed. “After he passed the provincial examination, he stopped paying much attention to me. He even humiliated me viciously in public. I was furious at the time, but I’ve let it go now. After all, I never truly regarded him as a friend. If he never entered my heart, why should I grieve over him?”

Master Liu gave an almost imperceptible nod, clearly pleased by Zhou Runan’s breadth of mind.

He lightly tapped the tabletop and asked again, “Did he discuss matters of state with you that day?”

This time Zhou Runan nodded quickly. “Although my teacher is only a village scholar, he has considerable insight. He repeatedly warned me never to discuss affairs of the court in public. I have always remembered his words and never brought such matters up myself. Only once, when that merchant’s son invited me to a banquet, the conversation somehow turned to the Jin family, the Emperor’s maternal relatives. I had drunk two cups of wine and, carried away by the moment, remarked that whenever a family of imperial relatives seized power, calamity was bound to follow. He merely laughed and said nothing, then steered the conversation to another subject.”

So that was it. Master Liu sighed inwardly.

At the time, the autumn examination had been presided over by men under the Jin family’s control. Apart from those who willingly pledged themselves to the family, they also sought to recruit talented scholars among the candidates. Zhou Runan’s so-called friend must already have thrown in his lot with them and had deliberately baited him into speaking. Unaware of the stakes involved and straightforward by nature, Zhou Runan had offended the Jin family completely with a single sentence.

His friend probably had no wish to see him noticed or favored, either, and might even have slandered him extensively behind his back. Thus, no matter how extraordinary his talents, Zhou Runan would never have been able to enter officialdom or pursue a career at court.

The more Master Liu thought about it, the angrier he became. Over the years, who knew how many virtuous and capable men like Zhou Runan had been suppressed and discarded? Merely because they refused to collude with the Jin family, their path to advancement had been cut off.

How many crimes had the Jin family committed? How much longer would such a state of affairs continue?

If the Third Prince ascended the throne, then—

A chill ran through Master Liu, and he dared not think further.

Fortunately, the Emperor had come to his senses. If only the situation could be turned around from this point onward.

Of course, Master Liu knew that this was wishful thinking. The Jin faction had entrenched itself for so many years; how could the political landscape be changed overnight?

Suppressing the tumult of his thoughts, Master Liu gave Zhou Runan a brief indication of the truth behind the matter. Zhou Runan had already harbored some suspicions, and with his intelligence, he understood at once. Though furious, he could do nothing about it.

Then Master Liu told him that Grand Tutor Zhuang would preside over this year’s autumn examination. Grand Tutor Zhuang valued talent, so the examination ought to be relatively fair.

Only then did Zhou Runan’s eyes brighten. His heart opened as well, and the resentment that had burdened him for years was swept away.

Heaven had not treated him unfairly after all. It had given him an opportunity so soon.

He repeated the thought silently to himself. He believed in his own abilities. Not for a single day in all these years had he abandoned his studies, nor had he ever slackened. As long as someone capable recognized his worth, he would surely prove himself a fine steed beneath a discerning rider, displaying all his talent and ambition.

He was even more grateful to Master Liu—and to the Liu family. They had rescued him when he had nowhere else to turn, given him a place to live in peace, and now encouraged him and restored his confidence in sitting the examination.

Whatever the outcome, he would remember the Liu family’s kindness. One day, he would surely have the chance to repay it.

Meanwhile, Yao Xuanrong and her two children followed Liu Qin to the Plum Courtyard.

Before they even reached the courtyard, they caught the faint fragrance drifting through the air. The scent of plum blossoms filled their noses, and even the bitter wind seemed less irritating because it carried that perfume.

A young maid opened the gate. Hearing the commotion, Cui Liu came out to greet them.

This was only the second time Yao Xuanrong had met her.

Whether Cui Liu had deliberately avoided her or Liu Qin had arranged it, whenever Yao Xuanrong visited the Liu residence or Liu Qin went out to see her, Cui Liu had never been at her side.

Cui Liu raised her eyes and gave Yao Xuanrong a brief appraisal before lowering them again. She performed a proper curtsy, her expression utterly composed.

Yao Xuanrong returned her a sincere, open smile.

Ever since Liu Qin had seen through her thoughts and helped her work through them, Yao Xuanrong had let go as well. She had always been broad-minded; she had merely become trapped in a narrow way of thinking for a time because her feelings ran so deep.

Now that she had stepped outside those emotions and looked again, she felt that her husband was so outstanding that it was perfectly natural for another woman to admire him. Instead, she felt a sympathetic kinship with the woman who loved him.

Liu Qin held the hands of her younger brother and sister, chatting merrily with the two little children while stealing a glance at the pair from the corner of her eye.

Nearly a year had passed. Surely Cui Liu had let go by now; there was no need for her to keep hiding and avoiding them. People said that time was the finest blade, slicing this way and that. It not only stole away one’s youth, but gradually dulled even the deepest affection.

Besides, their feelings had never been that profound. It was merely a young girl’s first awakening to love, her first time taking a fancy to someone. Back when Liu Qin had been in high school, she too had once liked a boy in her class. At the time, she had thought there could never be anyone else in her life. Yet when they met again later, they were no more than strangers.

When Zhou Ruomei entered the courtyard and saw the plum blossoms blooming everywhere, she was delighted. Her eyes went round. “It’s so beautiful!”

Zhou Chengzhi clapped his hands. “Pretty, pretty.”

“Do you like them? If you do, we’ll break off some branches to take home when we leave.”

“All right! All right!”

Their interruption dispelled the slight awkwardness in the air. Looking at the two adorable children, the corners of Cui Liu’s lips curved into a kind smile.

Yao Xuanrong happened to catch that smile in passing. She could tell that it came from the heart. Cui Liu was a kind woman.

After ushering their teacher’s wife and the others into the room, Cui Liu and Cui Yu went to pour tea and fetch refreshments.

Whether she had truly let go or was simply skilled at controlling herself, Cui Liu showed no abnormality after her initial uneasiness. She spoke little and merely sat quietly to one side. Unless one deliberately looked for her, it was almost as though she were not there at all.

Liu Qin’s room was not lavishly decorated. In the outer chamber, there were only a table and chairs and a couch. The nanmu shelves held few ornaments, only a collection of novel little trinkets of no great value. From its appearance alone, one could hardly tell that it was a young lady’s boudoir. It suited her usual style of dress perfectly.

Yet the room was filled with green potted plants, and several antique vases held branches of plum blossoms in various colors. Together, they lent the room a vibrant air and made it feel comfortable. The brazier burned brightly, while thick quilts covered the couch, bringing a pleasant warmth.

Sitting there felt like being surrounded by spring.

Zhou Ruomei and Zhou Chengzhi had visited before and felt no restraint. Liu Qin led them to sit on the couch, where an assortment of tea, fruit, and pastries had been placed on a small table. Zhou Chengzhi unabashedly picked up a piece and began eating, while Zhou Ruomei glanced at her mother first. Only after Yao Xuanrong nodded did she accept the fruit Liu Qin handed her.

“Teacher’s wife, you should eat too.”

Yao Xuanrong smiled and shook her head.

“Teacher’s wife, is Teacher going to sit for this year’s autumn examination?”

Yao Xuanrong paused. Her husband had never mentioned it to her.

The thought of the autumn examination made her somewhat sad. Her husband was so talented, yet he had failed the examinations time and again, while men far inferior to him had passed. It was truly infuriating.

In truth, she did not care whether her husband achieved fame or distinction. When she married him, she had never expected wealth or glory. But she knew that this was the path he had chosen, and no matter how thorny or difficult it became, she would walk it with him.

“I heard Father say that this year’s autumn examination will be different. If Teacher takes part, he’s certain to pass.”

Liu Qin’s mouth was full of pastry, so her words came out indistinctly.

Yao Xuanrong received confirmation of the matter from Zhou Runan after they returned home.

“Xuanrong, I’ll take the examination one last time. If I still…” Zhou Runan held her hand, his voice hoarse with emotion. “Then afterward, I’ll stay home with you and the children and live quietly as a schoolteacher—or return to the countryside and farm.”

“Runan, I believe in you.”

Her voice was soft, but her words were unwavering, without the slightest hesitation.

To be continued.