Chapter 91: Why do you not kneel when you see us?

There is only coarse tea and plain rice at home. Please do not look down on us, young sir. The old man was somewhat reserved when speaking with Li Su.

Li Su smiled at him. “My surname is Li. May I ask your surname, honored elder?”

“It is Xu. My surname is Xu.” Old Man Xu answered hurriedly.

“You are about my grandfather’s age, honored elder. May I call you Grandfather Xu?” Li Su asked gently.

Old Man Xu was a little overwhelmed, and his feelings toward Li Su grew even better. A scholar was willing to address a mere farmer as Grandfather Xu.

“If you do not mind, of course you may!”

Old Man Xu invited Li Su to sit, and once Li Su had done so, he spoke slowly. “Grandfather Xu, there is no need to be nervous. I came from a farming family as well; I simply studied for a few years.”

Old Man Xu was even more astonished. Li Su was a child of a farming family? It truly did not show at all. If he had not said so himself, Old Man Xu would have taken him for the son of some wealthy household.

After learning that Li Su too came from a farming family, Old Man Xu relaxed considerably. Li Su knew many things and could talk with anyone.

As the two chatted, Old Man Xu grew more and more pleased, and his way of addressing Li Su gradually changed from young sir to Little Li.

Old Man Xu asked, “Little Li, did you take part in this year’s civil examination? I hear it is terribly difficult.” They had an old degree candidate in their area who was already fifty and had spent his whole life trying to pass.

“I did this year.”

When the coachman came in, he happened to hear this exchange and proudly said, “Scholar Li not only took it, he swept the three highest honors, meaning he ranked first in every round. When the news of his success was announced, even the county magistrate went.”

He had been among the onlookers at the time, never imagining that one day he would meet Scholar Li in person, much less serve as his coachman.

“He also received a decree from His Majesty and was granted a great many taels of gold. He used some to help his family, built a private school in the village, and helped the villagers of his own village as well as those in several nearby villages. People from other villages are so envious that their village produced a scholar like Scholar Li!”

Li Su: “?”

The fact that he had passed the examination for scholar was one thing; the joyous announcement had indeed caused quite a stir. But how did the coachman know about everything that came after? Had it spread this quickly?

Old Man Xu’s eyes widened. Little Li was actually a scholar! He had received an imperial decree! A scholar had been chatting with him? And calling him Grandfather Xu? Good heavens!

Still, after hearing the coachman’s words, Old Man Xu understood that this scholar was truly different. He had no airs at all, was filial, and even helped the other villagers.

Only then did Li Su realize that the news of the schoolhouse and the tavern hiring had already spread.

When the villagers of Xinghua Village spoke with others, they felt it was a matter of great pride that their village had produced a scholar.

They mentioned it casually, only to be mocked for the notion that even if Li Su was a scholar, he had nothing to do with Xinghua Village.

The villagers of Xinghua Village could not help but bring up the schoolhouse and the tavern hiring, and everyone present was shocked and envious.

Who would have thought that Li Su was not only capable in his studies, but also someone who held his family and fellow villagers in his heart? At once, people grew envious of the folk in Xinghua Village.

After the matter spread, it was embellished more and more fantastically. In any case, Li Su was praised to the heavens, and his reputation outside became exceptionally fine.

Li Su thought to himself that the facts were true enough, but hearing them from others made them sound a bit exaggerated. He was not quite so selfless; he had his own private motives as well.

Still, this was a good thing. For a scholar, having a fine reputation could never be wrong.

His good name had thus arrived, as expected, though earlier than expected.

Li Su and the coachman shared a meal at Old Man Xu’s home that evening. Supper was flatbread, and after one bite Li Su began to praise it. “Madam Xu, the crust on your flatbread is crisp and flaky, and the flavor is excellent. It even has a bit of the taste of home.”

“Is that so?” Madam Xu beamed with delight, her face lighting up with simple, honest joy.

“It is just ordinary flatbread. If you like it, I will make more tomorrow for you to take on the road.”

“Thank you, Madam Xu.” Li Su coaxed both Grandfather Xu and Grandmother Xu into smiling from ear to ear.

He took out some copper coins and offered them to Grandfather Xu. “Grandfather Xu, this is for tonight’s lodging and the flatbread.”

Old Man Xu was a little surprised that Li Su would pay.

“No, no, it is nothing worth mentioning.” He tried to refuse.

Li Su firmly pressed the coins into his hand. “Please keep them, Grandfather Xu.” He could not bring himself to freeload off an elderly couple.

In the end, Old Man Xu accepted the coins, and the two of them grew even fonder of Li Su.

One wondered which fortunate family had such a child.

Old Man Xu made up a room for Li Su and the coachman; it had once been his son’s room.

At that moment, Li Su asked, “Grandfather Xu, is it only you and Grandmother Xu at home?”

Old Man Xu let out a soft sigh. “My two daughters are married. My eldest son went off to join the army. He sends silver back every so often, but he does not often return home.”

Li Su nodded. “I see.”

That night, around midnight, clamorous sounds rose from outside and woke Li Su.

He rose, threw on his clothes, and went outside, only to see several constables shove Old Man Xu to the ground. Li Su’s brows knotted tightly, and he hurried over to help him up.

The constables looked Li Su up and down, their gazes rude and intrusive.

Old Man Xu hastily said, “Several officers…”

“Shut up. Did we ask you to speak?” The leader cut him off, then looked at Li Su. “Why are you not kneeling when you see us?”

Li Su nearly laughed in anger. Calling them officers had merely been polite; did they really think themselves such important figures?

It was still pouring outside, and each of them wore a blade at his waist. Fearing they might act out of turn and do something that cost lives, Li Su said, “I hold the rank of scholar, and scholars do not kneel before officials.” Besides, you do not even count as officials.

The constable at the head of the group frowned. “You are a scholar?” Wasn’t this the old man’s son?

Old Man Xu seized the chance to speak at once. “Several officers, this young gentleman is indeed a scholar. He happened to be passing through today and sought shelter here because of the rain, so there truly are no empty rooms in my home. I ask you to forgive us.”

Seeing Li Su’s bearing, the leader thought that he did not look like an ordinary farmer at all, but rather like a proper scholar. And he believed this old man did not have the胆 to lie to him.

Their attitude toward Li Su changed at once. “We did not know you were a scholar, young sir. We have offended you.”

Li Su gave a slight nod. “It is raining heavily outside, so I trouble you to find another place to rest.”

“No trouble at all, no trouble at all.” The men then left.

Li Su shut the gate and supported Old Man Xu. “Grandfather Xu, let us go inside first.”

“Are they always like this?” Li Su asked, referring to the constables.

Old Man Xu nodded and briefly explained.

These constables were escorting exiled prisoners. They would come into villages to mooch lodging, food, and drink. Everyone was just ordinary farmers and dared not say anything, so they could only swallow the grievance.

Families with many people were somewhat better off. For a household like his, with only two elderly people living here, the constables’ attitudes were even worse.