Chapter 59: Invitation to the Banquet and Announcement of Results

A few days passed—swift for some, slow for others. Li Su went about his studies as usual. Whenever Lin Ze and his friends had a moment, they would take their little notebook and set out to record names for their blacklist. On the day they all dined together, they brought out their notebook and, brazenly, recited to each person present what had been said about them, right to their face.

It was mortifying.

Li Su had not appeared in public these past days. Whatever rumors circulated outside, Lin Ze and the others relayed them to him. Li Su thought to himself, with all this righteous indignation, one would think he’d committed some grave offense.

As the day of the results drew near, the gossip quieted; everyone grew anxious about their own scores.

Li Su glanced at Lin Ze’s notebook and found that, in truth, only a handful had spoken ill of him—much like the orchestrated provocateurs of modern society.

Those few were closest to Ye Wenshu. Ye Wenshu played the role of the gentleman: he spoke well of Li Su, while his friends voiced the harsh words. Thus, it seemed Ye Wenshu was uninvolved, even admonishing his companions for their conduct.

Li Su admired the cunning—Ye Wenshu had mastered the art of manipulating the crowd.

They had no real grievances with him; some had never even met him. Such unprovoked malice! All because Li Su had expressed his desire to be the top scholar. If he actually claimed that honor, Ye Wenshu would surely wish him harm.

Li Su’s lips curled into a wry smile, imagining Ye Wenshu’s expression when that moment arrived.

…

The day of the announcement came. Early on, a crowd of scholars gathered, waiting anxiously. Li Su and his three friends arrived as well. As soon as Li Su appeared, some scholars pointed and whispered, but his expression remained unchanged. After all, a spectacle requires its main actors to be present.

“Master Ye, the results will soon be posted—why are you not anxious at all?” someone asked.

“For Ye Wenshu, simply being listed is not enough; only the top scholar will satisfy him,” another replied.

Ye Wenshu believed the top spot was his, but before the crowd, he maintained humility. “Brother Li, don’t say that. Most who take this exam are talented—there is always someone better.”

“Master Ye is truly modest. Those with ability are humble, while those without boast loudly,” someone remarked, shaking his head.

Strictly speaking, Li Su had only joked with his friends; there was no fault in that. Everyone teases among friends. But Li Su’s words had been loudly publicized by others—namely Ye Wenshu and his circle.

Ye Wenshu’s friends did the legwork, acting as his sword against Li Su.

Meanwhile, Ye Wenshu appeared spotless to outsiders—not only uninvolved, but even speaking kindly of Li Su.

Those less astute might truly believe Ye Wenshu a good man.

Lin Ze clenched his fist, itching to strike these smug faces! Looking at Ye Wenshu’s face, he was reminded of Lin Xi—just as hypocritical, but Ye Wenshu even more so.

Ye Wenshu saw himself as the player, everyone else his pawns.

To Li Su, Ye Wenshu was himself caught in the game, unaware.

Ye Wenshu’s friends pointed out Li Su’s position to him, and Ye Wenshu glanced over.

Li Su turned to meet his gaze, a sly smile on his lips. Ye Wenshu felt a strange unease.

Suppressing his discomfort, Ye Wenshu approached Li Su with a smile. “Are you Li Su?”

Lin Ze and Qin Ming glared at Ye Wenshu, who responded with a gentle smile that they found provocative.

Li Su nodded slightly. “And you are?”

Ye Wenshu was taken aback. How could Li Su not know him? He must be pretending.

This gave Ye Wenshu an odd sense of disadvantage; he knew Li Su, but Li Su did not know him—even if it was an act.

Indeed, Li Su was feigning ignorance; he recognized Ye Wenshu at first sight.

Ye Wenshu maintained his smile. “I am Ye Wenshu. I have long heard of your reputation, but have never met you in person.”

“I’d like to invite you to a gathering at Fortune Pavilion. Many scholars who took the exam will be there. Would you honor us with your presence?”

“Since you’ve invited me, I will certainly attend, for your sake,” Li Su replied lightly.

Ye Wenshu wondered if Li Su was simply tolerant, or perhaps unaware of the rumors about him.

“Why invite him, Master Ye? Dining with him makes it hard to swallow my food,” someone scoffed.

Li Su asked, puzzled, “Is that so?”

“Yes!”

“That’s wonderful, then. I’ve never seen someone unable to eat—I look forward to witnessing it.”

“…”

“And since Master Ye invited me, it must be with the intention of befriending me. Please don’t spoil our mood, right, Master Ye?”

“…”

Ye Wenshu was at a loss—was Li Su truly simple, or just pretending?

Ye Wenshu laughed it off. “I invited both of you personally. Naturally, I hope you both will attend.”

The other man’s expression soured, but he snorted, “For Master Ye’s sake, I’ll let it go!”

Ye Wenshu had tested Li Su, now convinced he was either naive or highly calculating and adept at disguise.

The sound of drums signaled the announcement. The crowd erupted.

Ye Wenshu appeared calm, but his heart was already at the list. He did not rush forward, instead standing to the side.

Li Su saw the throng and abandoned any attempt to squeeze in.

Qin Ming, seasoned from previous experience, slipped through the crowd with only a slightly dirty hem and found his way to the center.

Lin Ze and Ren Shuhua struggled on the outskirts, eventually giving up and deciding to rely on Qin Ming—they simply couldn’t get through.

Why was Qin Ming so nimble? It made the other two seem clumsy.

Ye Wenshu noticed Li Su hadn’t moved, thinking he was imitating him. “Will you not check the results, Master Li?”

“The list is there; sooner or later, I’ll see it. Besides, my friend has already gone,” Li Su replied patiently.

Ye Wenshu scoffed inwardly—was Li Su merely pretending to be calm, trying to emulate him?

Li Su was relieved that once the results were revealed, he could finally go home. From arrival to departure, it had been about a month. He’d barely be home before he’d have to leave again for the academy exam.

He sighed inwardly; the ancient imperial examinations truly tormented scholars, forcing them to travel from place to place.

There were dangers along the way. In remote areas, a round trip could take a month or two, and it was costly. No wonder it was so difficult.

A commotion rose from the announcement area; many glanced at Li Su and Ye Wenshu with complex expressions.

Ye Wenshu lifted his chin, interpreting those looks as envy and admiration for his achievements.