“What?”
Hearing this, Zhao Baozhu’s face flushed red, and he exclaimed, “The young master came last night?”
How could he not remember at all? His lashes trembled in panic. Thinking carefully, it seemed that yesterday, in a haze, he did feel someone holding him and feeding him something, but his memory was fragmented, and he couldn’t say clearly what had happened,
“I… why can’t I remember anything?” he stammered.
A hint of amusement appeared on Steward Li’s face as he teased, “What would you remember? Yesterday your insides were soaked in fine wine! You were dizzy and disoriented, if you could recognize people at all, that would be a miracle!”
Zhao Baozhu was extremely embarrassed, lowering his head with a red face. “Did I make a fool of myself in front of the young master?”
At this, Steward Li’s expression paused slightly. He had witnessed the scene yesterday… Over at the main house, Madam had intended to let the matter cool for now and make plans after the palace examination. Unexpectedly, once news of Zhao Baozhu passing the jinshi spread back, Ye Jinghua immediately insisted on returning home. Madam could not refuse him, and when he entered, he saw Zhao Baozhu lying on the bed like a drunken shrimp.
Ye Jinghua’s face darkened on the spot, and it was said he even scolded Fang Qin.
What’s more, Ye Jinghua personally helped Zhao Baozhu wash himself. Hearing of it made Steward Li’s heart pound with fear. In the past, Ye Jinghua would often hold Zhao Baozhu or coax him to eat fruit, but now the situation was different. Though Ye Jinghua’s temperament was unusual, what young man could completely restrain himself before the one he cared for? Steward Li truly feared he might act improperly and cause trouble between them.
Fortunately, after helping him wash and change into sleeping clothes, Ye Jinghua behaved properly and came out.
Even so, Steward Li was startled by how much he cherished Zhao Baozhu. For such a lofty young master to patiently do the work of a servant, it showed just how deep his feelings were.
When the news spread back, the entire household worried. Madam Ye was so distressed her headaches flared up.
Though Steward Li’s thoughts ran far, he did not stop speaking: “Nothing of the sort, you were simply too drunk to wake. But listen to a word from these old bones: you’re young, your body can’t handle such things. The wines in outside taverns, whatever ‘Monkey Brew’ or ‘Daughter’s Red’ they boast about, sound impressive, but are actually quite rough. Drink them and you’ll feel dizzy and harm your body. If you want to drink in the future, drink at our residence. There are still several jars of fine Quzhou Sangluo wine sealed underground, why waste money outside?”
Zhao Baozhu nodded, deeply embarrassed. “Yes. I won’t dare again.”
Indeed, the ancients were right, drinking truly causes trouble. Not only had he failed to see the young master last night, he had even behaved so disgracefully. He must never drink again.
Steward Li smiled. “No need to go that far. Now that you’ve passed the jinshi exam, you’ll inevitably have to drink in social situations, it’s normal. Just take care of yourself.” After speaking, he waved outside. A group of maids entered gracefully, and within moments a full table of dishes was laid out. Steward Li took a bowl of lotus seed and poria soup and placed it before him.
“Come, drink this. It’s best for dispelling dampness and strengthening the spleen.”
Zhao Baozhu happened to be hungry and began eating. After just two baskets of small buns, a man in a blue-green short jacket carrying a medicine box entered. Zhao Baozhu immediately recognized him as the physician who had treated his sunburn before.
Steward Li quickly called him over and said to Zhao Baozhu, “Quick, take off your shoes and socks for the doctor to see.”
“Huh?” Zhao Baozhu froze. Before he could move, two servants stepped forward and removed the shoe and sock from his right foot. Looking down, Zhao Baozhu saw that the top of his foot was swollen and red.
“Oh my heavens.” Steward Li was startled. “Where did you get this? Doctor, take a look, did it injure the bone?”
Only then did Zhao Baozhu remember kicking that scoundrel surnamed Wang half to death while drunk yesterday. He felt extremely guilty and stammered, “P-perhaps I accidentally knocked it against something.”
Steward Li shook his head. “So careless. Such a large bruise, most likely someone blind stepped on you while the results were being posted! Those fellows are all useless, it’s no wonder the young master sent me back… Tall as they are, yet they couldn’t even protect you properly.”
Seeing the misunderstanding, Zhao Baozhu lowered his head guiltily, silently apologizing to Fang Qin and the others. Fortunately, though the injury looked frightening, it was only superficial and had not damaged the bone. The doctor left some medicine for bruises and departed.
After applying the medicine, Zhao Baozhu suddenly asked, “How did you know I was injured?” Even he himself hadn’t known.
Steward Li replied with mock reproach, “What else? The young master saw it last night, he was heartbroken over it.”
The moment he said this, Steward Li inwardly started, realizing he shouldn’t have said that, and quickly looked at Zhao Baozhu’s expression. The boy froze, then his face flushed red, and he murmured: “The young master… how could he…” How could he have even seen his foot?
A rush of heat surged through Zhao Baozhu’s body, as if he were on fire, a strange sense of shame rising within him. He bit his lower lip, not understanding where this feeling came from. Logically, he was not a woman, what did it matter if someone saw his foot? During farming season he often went barefoot…
But the thought that it was Ye Jinghua who had seen it made him particularly embarrassed. Pressing his lips together, he comforted himself that perhaps a servant had removed his shoes and Ye Jinghua had only seen it by accident. Only then did he feel slightly better.
“Th-then… Steward Li must thank the young master on my behalf.”
Steward Li watched his expression, smiling until his eyes curved. “Of course, of course.”
Only after quite some time did the heat on Zhao Baozhu’s face fade. He finished the entire table of dishes cleanly. Seeing how well he ate, Steward Li’s smile grew deeper. After rinsing his mouth, drinking tea, and wiping his hands, Zhao Baozhu looked up and asked: “Steward Li, will the young master come see me again?”
Steward Li lowered his brows and said softly, “I’m afraid not. The palace examination is only days away. The master wants the young master to prepare properly, even the old master in Quzhou has sent a letter urging him to study.”
Though disappointed, Zhao Baozhu understood and nodded. “Yes. The palace exam is what matters.” Then he added, somewhat dejected, “It’s just that I’m not capable enough, this time I likely won’t have the chance to behold the Son of Heaven.”
By the rules of this dynasty, the spring examination divides successful candidates into first, second, and third classes. Only those in the first class may proceed to the palace examination and have the chance to meet the emperor. The rest do not have this opportunity; after results are announced, they simply wait for appointments from the Ministry of Personnel. Those fortunate among the first and second classes may remain in the capital; third-class candidates are often assigned to posts elsewhere.
Seeing his gloom, Steward Li quickly comforted him. “Even if there’s no chance this time, His Majesty values talent. If you serve well in the future, you’ll have opportunities.”
Zhao Baozhu was only downcast for a moment before rallying himself. “That’s right. I passed the jinshi exam entirely thanks to the young master’s day-and-night teaching. Without him, I would likely have failed. No matter what post the court assigns me, I will simply serve diligently.”
Hearing this, Steward Li was deeply impressed by Zhao Baozhu’s character. In all his years at the Ye residence, he had seen many scholars, those who failed became bitter and deranged, while those who succeeded grew arrogant; many were ungrateful and switched allegiances.
Yet Zhao Baozhu, a poor scholar from humble origins, possessed such a breadth of mind, neither arrogant nor impatient, and mindful of repaying kindness. There were not few jinshi in the world, but to find one of such upright character was rarer than rare.
The more Steward Li looked, the more regretful he felt. If Ye Jinghua had gained such a friend, he would be wholly satisfied; if he could gain such a virtuous wife, he would die content! But fate was capricious, through twists and turns, things had come to this.
No matter what, since the two youths had feelings, it could not be called a mismatched pairing. Grinding his teeth, Steward Li made a decision: today, no matter what, he would persuade Madam again. Such a good match, how could it be cut apart?
***
After Steward Li returned, the courtyard became orderly at once. Deng Yun and the Fang brothers were run ragged with tasks, busy every day. Zhao Baozhu, meanwhile, became the only idle person in the residence. Before, he had little to do; now that he had passed the jinshi exam, everyone treated him as an honored guest.
Suddenly, he no longer needed to study or work, and spent his days wandering idly around the courtyard.
In the west wing, Fang Qin was busy burning incense and paper before a statue of Confucius. Zhao Baozhu trailed behind him like a little tail, looking around curiously and touching things.
When Fang Qin turned around, he saw Zhao Baozhu staring at the oranges on the offering table. The offerings had been specially selected, large, round, bright orange-red, with flawless skins, looking fresh and plump.
“You want to eat oranges?”
After lighting three sticks of incense, Fang Qin turned and said, “If you want some, I’ll have someone send them to your room. There’s still a basket of tribute oranges from the south.”
Zhao Baozhu quickly waved his hands. “I don’t want to eat.”
“Then what do you want?” Fang Qin finished lighting incense and began burning prayer texts one by one. “If you’ve got nothing to do, go play somewhere else, I’ve got a lot to do.”
Zhao Baozhu leaned closer. “Good Gege, just give me some work. I’ve been idle these days, let me help.”
Fang Qin frowned immediately. “How could we let you work? Don’t say that again.” After a pause, he added more seriously, “Also, now that you’ve passed the jinshi exam, you can’t casually call people ‘Gege’ anymore. You’re now a proper jinshi master, you must carry yourself with dignity, or people will look down on you.”
Zhao Baozhu was clearly taken aback, confusion showing on his face. Fang Qin felt a pang seeing this, but Steward Li had already warned everyone to stop treating Zhao Baozhu as before and instead treat him as a proper master.
Thus, Fang Qin steeled himself and said softly, “Go back and rest. If you need anything, just have a maid tell me.”
But Zhao Baozhu did not respond. Instead, he looked at Fang Qin with his cat-like eyes and said, “But I’ve long regarded you all as my own brothers.”
Fang Qin froze, then his lips trembled and his expression softened. Zhao Baozhu continued firmly, “As for dignity and such, let’s talk about that when I actually become an official. If I do become one, I’ll have places to wield authority, but never over you.”
Fang Qin’s heart was warmed by his sincerity, and he couldn’t help but laugh, teasing, “Then where will our Master Zhao go to wield his authority? Have you decided?”
Zhao Baozhu’s face flushed red. “Th-that depends on what post the court assigns. I’ll go wherever.”
Hearing this, Fang Qin grew thoughtful and said quietly, “If you ask me, somewhere closer would be best.”
Third-class jinshi could not enter the Hanlin Academy. Other posts in the capital included positions in the Six Ministries, the Three Courts, and the Censorate; it depended on vacancies. Fang Qin calculated silently: their young master would certainly enter the Hanlin Academy; the eldest young master was in the Ministry of Justice; thus the Dali Temple would be a good option. The Ministry of Rites or Works also had openings and were close by, if Zhao Baozhu worked there, they could even deliver meals to him at noon.
For other jinshi, there was no choosing what official post they would receive. Many even had to wait in line for an opening; if luck was bad, waiting one or two years was perfectly normal. The reason Fang Qin dared to make such plans was because, relying on the Ye family’s power, securing a good position for Zhao Baozhu would be absurdly easy.
Fortunately, there was still plenty of time before official appointments for the new jinshi were assigned. Once young master earned the title of zhuangyuan, they could slowly make plans afterward.
Zhao Baozhu had no idea what he was thinking about and merely smiled.
“How could things line up so perfectly? Maybe I’ll be posted somewhere far away.”
For generations, the rule had always been this: first-rank scholars entered the Hanlin Academy, second-rank remained in the capital, and third-rank were assigned to provincial posts. Though there were exceptions every year, this was generally accurate. Zhao Baozhu thought to himself that if he could be assigned somewhere closer to his hometown, that would be best. He had not seen his father in a very long time.
While the two were each lost in their own thoughts, the incense before the statue of Confucius dwindled to a final wisp of green smoke.
Fang Qin and Zhao Baozhu walked out from the pavilion. After looking around and confirming no one was nearby, Fang Qin suddenly lowered his head and whispered: “Come to my room. Young master left me a message for you that I haven’t told you about yet.”
Zhao Baozhu’s eyes immediately lit up.
“What is it?”
As he spoke, he followed Fang Qin into the room.
The moment Fang Qin entered, he shut the door behind them. He then walked to a cabinet used for storing precious items and took down a long wooden box. Opening it revealed the Western-style picture tube Zhao Baozhu had refused again and again to accept before.
Fang Qin carried it over and sat beside Zhao Baozhu. “Young master specifically instructed me to give this to you.”
As he spoke, he glanced at Zhao Baozhu’s stunned expression and added: “Young master said… this was something the two of you had agreed upon?”
Zhao Baozhu stared at the picture tube crafted from jade and ivory. The reflected gleam of its carved patterns dazzled his eyes, and only then did he snap back to himself.
“Yes.” He reached out and carefully took it into his hands. His expression softened into a smile. “It was something young master promised me.”
Before this, Steward Li and the others had repeatedly told him Ye Jinghua was very happy about him passing the jinshi examination, yet Zhao Baozhu had always retained a trace of doubt in his heart. But now, seeing this object, all his worries finally disappeared.
Back then, Ye Jinghua had told him that once he passed the jinshi exam, he would give him this item. The fact that he still remembered it now showed that he truly was happy for Zhao Baozhu’s success.
Warmth spread through Zhao Baozhu’s chest. For the first time, instead of feeling uneasy over Ye Jinghua giving him something so valuable, he wholeheartedly accepted the gift.
