Chapter 65: Yun Qin Pays a Visit

Old Qin greeted Li Daping warmly, “Old Li, what brings you here? Third, hurry and fetch a stool for your Uncle Li.”

Qin’s third son quickly stood up to make room for Li Daping. “Uncle Li, please have a seat.”

“Thank you. Old Qin, I’ve come with good news today,” Li Daping announced.

Old Qin looked at him in surprise. “Good news?”

“My family opened a shop in the county, as you know. My fourth child thinks his mother and second brother are working too hard and wants to hire someone to help. When I heard this, I remembered your third son had worked as a server at a restaurant before, so I came to ask if he’d be willing to help out at our shop.”

“It pays thirty copper coins a day. It’s not a huge sum, but it’s a steady income for the family, isn’t it?”

The Qin family’s faces lit up with delight. “Really?”

Li Daping nodded. “Yes. I just don’t know if your third would be willing.”

“He’s willing! He’s definitely willing!” Old Qin hurried to reply, afraid that if he hesitated, this rare opportunity would slip through his fingers.

Qin’s third son, having fetched a stool, had overheard the conversation. At first, he was overjoyed, but then his expression grew calm. As he brought the stool out, Old Qin explained the matter to him again in a rush.

Qin’s third son looked at Li Daping. “Uncle Li, but I…”

Li Daping waved his hand dismissively. “We know what kind of person you are, even if others don’t. You’d never do anything dishonorable.”

Qin’s third son was deeply moved. This burly man’s eyes reddened quietly. “Thank you… Uncle Li, thank you…”

“If you’re willing, that’s all that matters. The shop truly needs help. Come to my house tomorrow and you’ll go to the county with your aunt and the others,” said Li Daping.

Qin’s third nodded firmly, silently vowing to work hard and never disappoint Uncle Li’s family.

Li Daping stayed a while longer, chatting with Old Qin before taking his leave.

…

The next day, Li Su went to find Xi Sheng as planned, joined by Lin Ze and the others for their studies.

Whenever they faced Xi Sheng, they felt like mice before a cat. In their eyes, Su was the only one capable of enduring such a formidable teacher.

After assessing their abilities, Xi Sheng decided not to offer advice; he feared he might be infuriated to death if he tried.

Once Xi Sheng left, the three felt as if they could breathe freely again. “Su, aren’t you afraid when you see your master?”

Li Su shook his head lightly. “Don’t worry, he won’t criticize you.”

The three exchanged silent glances. He wouldn’t say anything, perhaps, but that look in his eyes made them doubt the worth of their own writing.

“He’s not targeting you specifically, just that his standards are a bit higher,” Li Su added.

That only made them feel worse.

“My father practically wants to put me on a pedestal now. Ever since I came back and he heard I passed the prefecture exam, he gives me whatever I want,” Qin Ming sighed. He hadn’t realized that studying well could bring such privileges.

“My family was overjoyed at first, but after the excitement wore off, my grandfather wants nothing more than for me to study constantly,” said Ren Shuhua, who clearly didn’t have it as good as Qin Ming. Now that he’d passed the prefecture exam, his grandfather was hoping he’d go straight for the scholar’s degree.

Previously, there hadn’t been much hope, but after his success, their expectations soared.

“My mother was delighted, but that old man and Lin Xi both said I just got lucky,” Lin Ze said, rolling his eyes. He was determined to become a scholar and prove them wrong.

In truth, it was a stroke of luck—because he’d met Su.

Without Su, he would never have gotten this far.

Qin Ming’s temper flared. “That Lin Xi—when he passes, it’s all down to his talent, like the God of Literature descended to earth, but when you pass, it’s all dismissed as luck?”

“Exactly. His scholar-master cast him out, and yet your father still indulges him?” Qin Ming continued indignantly.

Lin Ze replied sourly, “That old man isn’t really my father. Who knows what Lin Xi said to him? Maybe he truly loves Lin Xi as his own. As for me, I have no expectations left for that man.”

“My mother said if I manage to pass the scholar’s exam, she’ll divorce him, and neither he nor Lin Xi will get a thing. Most of the shops are in her name, part of her dowry, after all.”

So Lin Ze kept a fire in his heart. He wanted to succeed, to make his mother’s separation easier.

Though she’d assured him she’d find a way even if he failed, he knew that if he became a scholar, her path would be much smoother.

“No more talk. I need to hit the books!” Lin Ze buried himself in study.

The others exchanged knowing looks and, understanding his determination, quietly returned to their own work.

They hadn’t been home long before it was time to journey to the provincial capital.

The river route was quicker—about ten days’ journey.

After packing, they prepared to depart. Before leaving, Xi Sheng gave Su one last reminder not to get careless this time.

Li Su nodded solemnly. “Understood, Master. You have my word.”

“Go, then,” Xi Sheng said coolly.

The four boarded the boat. Thankfully, none of them suffered from seasickness, or the days on the river would have been unbearable.

Even so, ten days on a boat left them weary in body and mind.

Yet even afloat, they did not neglect their studies. Upon reaching the capital, they rented lodgings as before. The house next door had also been let to students.

No sooner had they settled in than their temporary neighbors paid them a visit.

The group that arrived was splendidly dressed, their jade pendants and hairpins clearly expensive and tasteful.

At their head was a young man whose bearing exuded innate nobility—every gesture elegant and composed, as if he were a rare orchid standing in the wind.

Qin Ming’s eyes flashed with surprise. This person gave him a feeling similar to Su’s, though in his opinion, Su still outshone him.

“I am Yun Qin. I heard those living here are also here for the provincial exam. Forgive my presumption in calling without invitation; I hope I’m not intruding,” Yun Qin said courteously.

Lin Ze and Qin Ming took an immediate liking to him. They introduced themselves in return, forming the beginnings of an acquaintance.

“Not at all, Young Master Yun. Please, have a seat,” Qin Ming invited, gesturing for Yun Qin’s group to join them.

Yun Qin was eager to exchange ideas with students from other places—after all, ‘Among three people, there must be one who can teach me.’ With Qin Ming’s invitation, he smiled, “Then I shall accept your hospitality.”

“Forgive our intrusion,” the others with Yun Qin echoed politely.

Once seated, Lin Ze served them tea. As conversation flowed, Lin Ze and Qin Ming realized Yun Qin’s learning far surpassed their own.

Yet Yun Qin showed no trace of condescension at their more modest abilities.

At that moment, Lin Ze remarked, “Young Master Yun, I think you and our Su would have much to discuss.” Indeed, among their group, only Su’s scholarship could match Yun Qin’s.

Yun Qin was taken aback at first, then his interest was piqued. “May I ask, who is this gentleman you speak of?”