Chapter 51: Visiting a Friend’s Home

The moment the children climbed onto the ox cart, excitement bubbled up among them. It wasn’t just the youngsters; even the adults couldn’t help but feel elated—after all, this was their very own ox cart. The children chattered away on the cart, and with the county examination over and only a few days left until the New Year, the private school had also closed for the holiday.

The others took the children out to play while Li Su and Li Daping headed to the local government office together. Li Daping would have felt anxious going alone, but with Li Su accompanying him, his heart was much more at ease. In his eyes, his youngest son was educated and understood everything, unlike himself, who only knew about matters in the fields.

On seeing Li Su’s scholarly appearance, the yamen clerks did not intentionally make things difficult for him, and their attitude was quite decent. They simply followed standard procedures, and before long, the business was done and they had the land deed in hand.

The village chief couldn’t help but wonder. He’d dealt with these clerks many times before, and they had never been so agreeable. He had often had to force a smile, but rarely did the clerks show him any goodwill. Looking at Li Su, the village chief could only sigh inwardly: being an educated man really makes a difference.

He recalled what his wife had mentioned and tentatively asked, “Old Li, your son Su is nearly sixteen now, isn’t he? When do you plan for him to marry?”

Li Daping smiled, “That depends on him. His mother and I will let him make his own decisions about marriage.” His son was promising, and it seemed he wouldn’t need them to arrange a bride for him.

Li Su thought it was a good opportunity to make his intentions clear—he had no plans for marriage yet. Sixteen was considered the right age for marriage here, but to him, it was barely adulthood.

“For now, I’ll focus on my studies. I’m not considering marriage or children yet. My elder siblings are all married, so my parents need not worry about grandchildren.” Having many siblings was indeed a blessing.

Li Daping agreed, “Right, you should prioritize your studies. It won’t be too late to think about marriage after you’ve earned your title.”

The village chief said no more. If Li Su really became a scholar, his own daughter might not be a suitable match after all. It wasn’t as if his daughter wouldn’t be able to marry elsewhere. He gave up the idea of marrying his daughter to Li Su and secretly thought, with Li Su having failed the exam several times already, it might take years for him to pass, and waiting might delay his daughter’s prospects.

Once their business was settled, Li Su said to Li Daping, “Father, you go find Mother and the others. I’m going to visit my teacher.”

“Alright, go ahead.”

…

Li Su sought out Xi Sheng, showing him the essay he’d written yesterday. Though he had returned home, he hadn’t neglected his tasks. Xi Sheng was inwardly pleased with Li Su’s attitude, though he didn’t show it outwardly. “Master, the New Year is only two days away. Would you and Uncle Lin be willing to return with me today?”

“We still have things to do. We’ll come by ourselves the day before New Year.” Xi Sheng replied as he reviewed Li Su’s essay.

“I…”

Xi Sheng continued, “We have a servant who knows your home. He can guide us, so you needn’t make a special trip.”

Li Su nodded at last, “Alright.”

“In this bitter cold, with the school closed, you don’t need to visit me every day. But don’t slack off—continue studying at home, and I’ll assess you when I come.” Xi Sheng really did have matters to attend to and wouldn’t be at his residence. Even if Li Su came, he wouldn’t see him.

“Very well, I’ll wait at home for your inspection.” After all, learning was learning, wherever it took place. Li Su was quite self-disciplined and didn’t need anyone to supervise him.

After leaving Xi Sheng, Li Su visited three friends, as they’d invited him in advance to come into the city and be their guest. The three had talked him into accepting, saying their families were eager to meet him.

Li Su started with Ren Shuhua’s house, as it was closest.

Ren Shuhua’s grandfather was beaming with joy; he hadn’t expected his grandson to pass the county exam, and moreover, at an average level—a visible improvement. He tried to play it down, since there was still a long way to go before becoming a scholar, but he couldn’t help hoping Ren Shuhua might really achieve that title.

“So you say Li Su will visit today?” Grandfather Ren was genuinely eager to meet this Li Su, who was so often mentioned by his grandson and whose reputation had spread widely. How could he not be curious about such a remarkable person?

He had once wondered whether Li Su had some ulterior motive for befriending his grandson, but by now, he was completely reassured. Li Su hadn’t taken a single coin from their family, and had even helped Ren Shuhua pass the county exam. There was no reason to suspect him.

Ren’s parents hadn’t pressured their son to study, believing his happiness most important, but they were delighted that he had passed the county exam and deeply grateful to Li Su.

When Li Su knocked at the Ren family’s door, Ren Shuhua immediately announced, “It must be Brother Su!” He excitedly ran to open the door, took the gift from Li Su’s hands, and didn’t need to guess—Brother Su’s gifts were almost always books.

“Brother Su!”

Li Su nodded at him. Ren Shuhua whispered in his ear, “Brother Su, don’t be startled by my family. They’re just too excited to meet you, nothing more.”

Li Su: … Hearing that only made him more nervous.

He followed Ren Shuhua inside. The Ren family’s eyes lit up at the sight of Li Su—such poise and bearing, and to think he was their son’s friend!

Ren’s mother greeted him warmly, “You must be Li Su? Oh my, what a fine young man—have you married yet? Should I introduce you to someone?”

Li Su: …

Ren Shuhua quickly pushed his mother aside, “Mother, what are you saying? Brother Su could find any kind of wife he wanted, he doesn’t need your matchmaking!”

After some conversation, Grandfather Ren couldn’t help but ask, “Su, what made you decide to be friends with Shuhua?”

Ren Shuhua: … Wait, Grandpa, what do you mean? Do you think your grandson isn’t worthy?

Truth be told, Ren Shuhua was curious too. Brother Su was friendly with other scholars, but, to be honest, in his heart, true friends were only the three of them!

He was quite proud of that.

Li Su glanced at Ren Shuhua. In truth, friendship had been a mutual choice at the beginning—he found them agreeable, and besides… not very clever.

If the three knew this, they’d probably burst into tears.

Of course, Li Su wouldn’t say that. “Shuhua is a good person. Friendship is about affinity, and they’re all loyal and righteous.”

Ren Shuhua looked at Li Su with gratitude. Brother Su hadn’t lavished them with praise, but affinity meant Brother Su found them pleasant company, and having a genius like him find you agreeable was an achievement in itself!

When Li Su left, the Ren family gave him so many gifts that he could barely carry them all.

Grandfather Ren nodded in satisfaction. Having met Li Su in person, he was even more pleased, and perhaps a little envious of his silly grandson. The boy might not be very clever, but he had a very clever friend to guide him.

If only he’d had such a friend in his youth, he’d have become a scholar long ago!

Ren Shuhua: ??? What’s with Grandpa’s strange look?

Li Su visited all three households in succession, returning with bundles of gifts. All three families were very satisfied, believing their children fortunate to have befriended someone like Li Su.

Soon, the day before New Year arrived. Li Su eagerly anticipated his teacher’s visit, having accumulated plenty of assignments for him to review. Over the last few days, he had also prepared a special gift for his teacher.