Free Web NovelChapter 25: Chapter 23: Participating in the Military Examination
In the courtyard, Shan Fang’s face darkened the moment she stepped out of the living quarters. As if to vent her fury, she viciously kicked a snowdrift piled against the wall with her embroidered slipper and loudly berated the maid who was clearing the snow.
Her words were sharp and cruel, and Shan Fang knew that Shan Wuju and his wife, still inside, could certainly hear her.
Then, Shan Fang took her son, Shan Yiwu, by the hand and turned to leave, not even sparing a glance at the hem of her dress, which had been soiled by the slushy snow.
The large man in brocade robes followed behind her.
From the moment they arrived to the moment they left, this husband of Shan Fang’s hadn’t uttered a single word, save for a few auspicious phrases while kowtowing in greeting.
...
"Such misfortune for our family." With Shan Fang’s departure, a rare look of desolation appeared on Shan Wuju’s face.
He stared blankly at the entrance. Decades had passed, and the mansion, once newly built, had now become yellowed and dilapidated.
On the courtyard walls, seldom touched by the sun, moss and green vines stretched up from the base, with a few yellowed weeds tangled in the withered creepers...
Shan Wuju’s gaze shifted slightly, landing on several sections of the corridor railing where the paint was peeling. The fir wood beneath had turned black, rotten beyond recognition.
This old mansion should have been a testament to nearly a hundred years of the family’s prosperity, something he could boast about to his ancestors after death, an object of envy for all the local families...
But at this moment, Shan Wuju felt not a single trace of joy welling up inside him.
"Master, I’ll take my leave now." Witnessing this scene, Wei Tu knew he shouldn’t linger. He bowed to say his farewells.
Shan Wuju nodded in acknowledgment.
It was the first day of the new year, a time for family reunions. As an outsider, it truly wasn’t appropriate for Wei Tu to stay long.
A disciple treated like a son was, after all, not a true son.
...
Stepping out of the living quarters, Wei Tu took several deep breaths of the cold air. The chill seeping from his nostrils into his chest cleared his head.
Just now, when he had spoken those words of refusal, he had been conflicted. ’After all, I’m living under his roof right now. It’s never good to refuse him outright.’
But deep down, he truly didn’t want to be anyone’s Servant again. On the day he’d bought his freedom, he had considered two paths: besides taking the Military Examination, there was also the path of a Blademan.
He and Xinghua had already scraped together enough silver coins to buy back his deed of servitude from the Li Family.
Here, with the Shan Family, he didn’t want to sign another, invisible deed of servitude that would chain him to this place.
’A little over a month left.’ Wei Tu looked up at the snowflakes dancing in the wind and started toward his own side room.
Today’s events were just a minor interruption; he wouldn’t let them jeopardize his future.
The Health Cultivation Technique.
The Tiger Crane Double Form Fist.
He would continue to practice them.
...
「A dozen or so days later.」
Shan Fang found an excuse and left the Shan Family, taking her son Shan Yiwu and her husband with her.
As per their previous agreement, she took a fine horse from the Shan Mansion’s stable when she departed.
「Several more days passed.」
Shan Yanguo and Mrs. Min of the Shan Family also left the Shan Mansion. Unlike Shan Fang, however, Shan Yanguo said goodbye to Wei Tu before he left. He told Wei Tu that when he went to the Prefecture City for the Prefecture Examination, he should stay at his home and not stand on ceremony.
Wei Tu agreed to this.
He disliked Shan Fang, but that dislike did not extend to Shan Yanguo. If possible, he also wanted to mend his relationship with the Shan Family.
He had never forgotten the debt of gratitude he owed Shan Wuju for his teachings.
...
「Time passed.」
Finally, the time for the Qingshan County Military Examination arrived in the second month of the 24th year of Qing’an.
Wei Tu bid farewell to Shan Wuju, preparing to leave the Shan Family and head off to take the Military Examination.
However, just as Wei Tu, with his luggage on his back, had stepped out of the Shan Family’s courtyard, Shan Wuju rode out on a horse and blocked his path.
"The Military Examination includes Horseback Shooting. How can you expect to get a good score without a horse you’re used to?"
Shan Wuju dismounted and tossed the reins of the Cyan Horse he was holding to Wei Tu.
"I know you don’t want to be greedy for my Shan Family’s possessions. I’m lending you this Cyan Horse. When you’re done with the examination, you can return it."
"But by then, once you’ve earned a title, perhaps you’ll be able to buy this horse."
Shan Wuju said, a smile on his face.
Hearing this, Wei Tu hesitated for a moment before nodding. His right hand tightened around the reins, accepting Shan Wuju’s offer.
It wasn’t that he was being overly formal with the Shan Family; he wouldn’t go out of his way to refuse daily necessities provided by the maids.
It was just... a warhorse was simply too valuable.
His redemption silver had only been eight taels and eight.
In terms of value, this one Cyan Horse was equivalent to more than ten strong, skilled Servants like him.
He naturally wouldn’t dare to accept such a precious thing lightly. However, the Military Examination was too crucial. If his performance was affected by the lack of a familiar horse, it would be a case of penny-wise and pound-foolish, which wouldn’t do at all.
"I know there’s a rift between us, master and disciple, because of what my youngest daughter said." Shan Wuju walked up to Wei Tu and clapped him on the shoulder.
Then, he chided, "But we are Martial Artists! How can we be so petty? It’s disgraceful!"
"When you come back successful, Master will throw you a banquet. We, master and disciple, will drink wine from big bowls and eat meat from big bowls! To hell with the opinions of women and children!"
His words were rough and bold, his voice brimming with energy, resonant as a great bell. It made the eardrums of Wei Tu, who was standing right in front of him, tingle and nearly deafened him for a moment.
"Yes, Master..." Pausing for half a breath, Wei Tu finally came to his senses. He glanced at Shan Wuju and replied with a smile.
More than half a year had passed, and Shan Wuju seemed to have aged a decade. The white at his temples had spread, and though he was still robust, he was a far cry from when Wei Tu had first met him.
After speaking, Wei Tu gave Shan Wuju another deep bow, then vaulted onto the Cyan Horse and rode away from the river valley where the Shan Family Stronghold was located.
After riding for about seven or eight li, Wei Tu gradually slowed his horse. He let out a soft sigh, replaying Shan Wuju’s words in his mind.
He wasn’t purely a Martial Artist; studying martial arts, practicing them, and participating in the Military Examination were all efforts he made to transcend his social class.
However, if a round of hearty drinking with Shan Wuju could truly let him put the past behind him, he was more than willing.
’I wonder if my future children with Xinghua will turn out like Shan Fang...’
’If they do, I’m afraid I’d be just as helpless.’
Wei Tu shook his head, pushing the distracting thoughts to the back of his mind. Then, with a crack of the whip, he galloped away.
...
「Back in Qingmu County Town.」
Wei Tu planned to find an inn, rent a low-class room, and keep the Cyan Horse in the inn’s stables while he waited for the Military Examination to begin in a few days.
Now that he was no longer a Horse Groom for the Li Family, it wouldn’t be appropriate to lodge with them again.
However, the moment Wei Tu walked into an inn, he was taken aback by the innkeeper’s prices.
The rent for every room was several times higher than usual.
Even the price for a woodshed was several times what a high-class room used to cost.
Hearing the innkeeper’s explanation, Wei Tu finally remembered that the Literary Examination’s County Examination had taken place a few days ago. Droves of scholars from the villages around Qingmu County had flocked to the County Town to take the exam.
At this time, it was nearly impossible to find a room at any inn.
"The County Examination is divided into a main test and three supplementary tests."
"Yesterday, the list of successful candidates was posted at the entrance to the County Yamen. In another three days, the supplementary tests for the County Examination will be held, and many of the candidates will be eliminated."
"The prices will come down a bit then..."
"Would you like to rent one for now?" the innkeeper added.
Hearing this, Wei Tu shook his head, walked out of the inn, and turned to lead his horse toward the Li Family’s residence. He decided he would have to brazenly ask to stay with the Li Family for a few nights.
He already owed Li Yaozu a favor; owing another small one wouldn’t make much of a difference.
