Free Web NovelChapter 42: Chapter 40: Different Circumstances
The Prefecture City and the County Town were nearly a hundred li apart.
As dusk fell,
Wei Tu and Weii Fei managed to enter Qingshan County Town half an hour before the city gates were scheduled to close.
The two parted ways at a crossroads,
each heading home.
Wei Tu didn’t linger in the County Town, leading his Cyan Horse to the Li Mansion.
This time, the entrance to the Li Mansion was different from his last visit. It wasn’t thronged with guests and carriages; instead, it seemed rather desolate.
Wei Tu waited at a side entrance for a short while before a maidservant, Chunlan, led him into the Li family’s inner residence.
"Brother Wei, did you... did you place in the Daoist Examination this time?" After they had walked a short distance, Chunlan, who was leading the way, stopped. She turned to glance at Wei Tu and asked in a low voice, her head bowed.
"A rank..." Wei Tu’s gaze followed the sound of her voice to her face. He saw no trace of jealousy or joy there. Her expression was calm, but the hand twisting her handkerchief trembled slightly.
Since becoming proficient in martial arts, he had found it easy to notice such subtle movements and micro-expressions.
"I ranked twelfth in the Daoist Examination, earning the title of Second-Class Martial Scholar."
Wei Tu replied.
’He could guess what was on Chunlan’s mind. She must have seen his meteoric rise and felt a bit conflicted about it.’
’After all, they had all been servants in the Li Mansion before.’
But Wei Tu wasn’t offended by her thoughts; he considered it a perfectly natural human reaction.
’If he were in her shoes, he’d likely feel the same. As long as she bore him no ill will, it was fine.’
"Second-Class Martial Scholar..."
Chunlan’s expression was one of astonishment, but on second thought, it made sense.
Two months ago, she and the other maids close to Xinghua had already heard from Xinghua about Wei Tu’s performance in the Prefecture Examination.
Martial Champion of the County Examination.
Sixth in the Prefecture Examination.
Earning a title in the Daoist Examination wasn’t so hard to believe.
After a moment, Chunlan came to her senses. With an apologetic look, she gave Wei Tu a slight curtsy.
"Master... Wei..."
Chunlan had changed her form of address.
Even if Wei Tu was currently penniless, his title of Martial Scholar made him a lofty Master Scholar. A mere maidservant of the Li family like her could no longer address him so casually.
"Just call me Brother Wei. We’ve known each other since we were children." Wei Tu shook his head, looking rather displeased.
Hearing this, a flicker of joy appeared in Chunlan’s heart. She nodded and didn’t insist on the formal address, reverting to calling him "Brother Wei."
"Brother Wei, the Young Master failed the Daoist Examination this time. He just got back this morning. When you go into the inner residence, be mindful. Try not to bring it up..."
Chunlan offered the advice out of habit, but then she seemed to realize something and gave a self-deprecating smile. "I’m overstepping. You’re different now, Brother Wei. You don’t have to worry so much about what the Master and Mistress are thinking."
Things are different for different people.
If a servant were to touch on a sore subject, they would, at the very least, receive a harsh scolding and punishment from the master.
But it was different for a guest of equal status.
No matter how displeased the master might be, he would have to suppress his annoyance.
’Li Xingye failed?’
Unlike Chunlan, Wei Tu was more focused on the fact that Li Xingye had failed.
’No wonder the Li Mansion is so quiet. It’s because Li Xingye failed...’
It all made sense to Wei Tu.
The Civil and Martial Examination Halls released their results one after the other, only a few days apart. It would have taken these past few days for the results from the Civil Examination Hall to reach Qingshan County Town.
If Li Xingye had passed the Daoist Examination, the Li Mansion would be ten times more bustling than when the County Examination results were announced. After all, the County Examination was just a test, whereas passing the Daoist Examination granted one a tangible, official title.
’Based on Li Xingye’s age, it shouldn’t be hard for him to obtain a Scholar title before he turns thirty. But... people are always quick to flatter the successful and kick those who are down...’
’Failing this year’s examinations would drastically lower his perceived potential in the eyes of the world.’
The thought made Wei Tu sigh inwardly.
’If I had failed this time... ’
’my fate would likely have been far worse than Li Xingye’s...’
’It was impossible to know if the Shan, Li, and Huang families... would have still treated me the same.’
"Thank you for the reminder, Chunlan."
A moment later, Wei Tu composed himself and thanked Chunlan for her reminder.
"I’ll be careful when I see Master Li and his wife in the reception hall,"
he added.
...
Upon entering the reception hall,
Before Wei Tu could open his mouth, Li Yaozu spoke first. "Brother Wei, you’ve returned from the Prefecture City. I suppose you’ll be needing a place to stay at our Li Mansion for a few days? That can be arranged, of course."
As he finished speaking, Wei Tu’s brow furrowed imperceptibly. He felt Li Yaozu’s words were condescending, as if offering him charity.
He hadn’t come to the Li Mansion to ask for lodging. He was here to share the good news with Xinghua and to discuss buying her freedom with Master Li and his wife.
’While in the Prefecture City, besides practicing his martial arts, he had also taken on work writing letters for others with Shan Yanggong’s help, saving up some silver coins.’
’It wasn’t much, just over one tael of silver.’
’Not enough to buy her freedom.’
’But it was certainly enough to pay for a room at an inn.’
The Inner Field Military Strategy portion of the Military Examination also required a certain level of calligraphy from the Martial Artists.
Poor handwriting wouldn’t lead to outright failure, as it might in the Literary Examination, but it would still affect one’s score.
But just as Wei Tu was about to explain, he remembered Chunlan’s earlier warning. He held his tongue and didn’t offer a rebuttal.
’In any case...’
’the Li Family had helped him before.’
’There was no need to provoke Master Li and his wife while they were feeling so dejected.’
’He wasn’t that petty.’
’The matter of buying Xinghua’s freedom could wait for a more appropriate time. He didn’t have to bring it up on such a sensitive day.’
’Besides, being seen as arrogant toward his former benefactors right after earning his title wouldn’t do his reputation any good.’
"Thank you for your generous offer of lodging, Master Li." After a moment of consideration, Wei Tu stood and bowed to Li Yaozu.
"Today, I will not disturb your rest any longer."
Wei Tu said, taking his leave.
Wei Tu turned to leave, but he had only taken a few steps before he came face to face with Li Xingye, who was heading toward the reception hall.
Li Xingye’s hair was a mess and his face was haggard. His scholar’s robes were in disarray, with the lapels and sash left undone.
"You scoundrel! What is the meaning of this appearance?" Seeing this, Li Yaozu’s anger flared. He shot to his feet and berated him.
The foundation of propriety begins with a proper appearance, a composed expression, and orderly speech.
If an outsider were to see Li Xingye in such a state, at best they would say he lacked self-discipline. At worst, they would say the Li family lacked proper decorum and was not a true family of scholars and farmers.
"What’s the big deal..." Li Xingye yawned and flopped down onto one of the straight-backed chairs in the hall.
Seeing this, Li Yaozu could only shake his head helplessly. He assumed his son was still dejected over failing the examination and couldn’t find it in himself to scold him again.
But just then,
A maidservant with her clothes in disarray ran in, sobbing. She fell to her knees before Mrs. Li Tong, her lips pressed tightly together, saying nothing.
