The man had run off in a flash. Zhao Baozhu stood alone in the courtyard, his chest rising and falling. The little chicks around him seemed to sense his anger and scattered in all directions.
“Shameless!”
Zhao Baozhu stewed in anger for quite a while, cursing bitterly, before turning back to squat under the tree and continue reading. He had finished his own work and would absolutely not be a fool doing someone else’s work.
However, after reading for a while, he couldn’t concentrate at all. Out of the corner of his eye, he kept seeing that wooden bucket standing there, it should contain feed for the horses.
Zhao Baozhu turned a page, lifted his eyelids to glance at the bucket, read a couple of lines, then glanced again.
…If this bucket is left here, won’t the horses go hungry?
Zhao Baozhu had grown up poor and had gone hungry himself as a child, so he knew how uncomfortable that felt. Having grown up around chickens, ducks, and livestock, he had a fondness for animals and couldn’t bear to see such intelligent creatures suffer.
After hesitating for quite a while, Zhao Baozhu sighed helplessly, stood up, picked up the bucket, and walked toward the path leading to the stables.
Zhao Baozhu had rarely seen horses. In their village, they mostly used oxen or donkeys to plow fields and pull carts. He had only seen a horse once when he went to the county town to take the provincial exam, at the magistrate’s residence. That horse had been somewhat old, with a dusty yellow coat, a gaunt belly, and ribs showing through its skin. Zhao Baozhu had assumed that all horses in the world were more or less like that.
So when he saw the three tall, fine horses in the stable, his jaw dropped to the ground.
There were three horses before him, from left to right: chestnut, white, and black. The white horse in the middle was as tall as three people stacked together. Its black eyes were half-lidded, long lashes covering them halfway, carrying a natural air of lofty compassion. Zhao Baozhu stood with his mouth open, watching the hair along its neck float lightly in the air. For a moment, he felt as if he had entered a celestial realm, perhaps even the mounts of the three thousand heavenly soldiers in legends would look no better than this.
“So beautiful…”
Zhao Baozhu murmured. His gaze followed the elegant arch of the white horse’s neck downward, seeing its smooth, powerful forelegs, and only then did he understand what a true fine horse looked like.
He set the bucket filled with hay on the ground and cautiously glanced at the three horses. While admiring them, suddenly faced with such tall animals, he also felt a bit uneasy. He wondered whether these horses would bite if an unfamiliar person came to feed them.
Zhao Baozhu looked at their long, powerful forelegs lined up together and swallowed. If one of them got unhappy and kicked him, his life might end here today!
Gritting his teeth, Zhao Baozhu mustered his courage, lifted the bucket, and slowly approached the trough step by step. He glanced at the chestnut horse on the left and, under its gaze, carefully tilted the bucket, pouring out the hay bit by bit.
He deliberately slowed his movements, trying not to attract the horse’s attention. Fortunately, the chestnut horse seemed uninterested in him. It merely lifted its long lashes to glance at him before lowering its head to eat the hay.
Seeing this, Zhao Baozhu let out a breath of relief, feeling his fear ease somewhat. He turned to the right to fill the next trough. The white horse stood before him, watching as Zhao Baozhu bent down to pour the hay, its eyes blinking slowly.
Zhao Baozhu was focused on pouring when suddenly a warm breath brushed against his ear. He shuddered and turned his head, seeing the horse’s dark, round eyes very close to him.
!!!
Zhao Baozhu’s eyes widened instantly. Seeing the horse’s head slowly approaching, he instinctively thought it was going to bite him: “Don’t, don’t bite me!”
Startled, he stepped back in fear, but accidentally stepped on the wooden bucket that had fallen earlier. In an instant, he lost his balance and fell backward.
“Bang!”
With a dull thud, pain shot through his head. His vision swam, and he collapsed to the ground.
***
At the same time, in the front courtyard, Fang Li passed through the gate, lifted a branch of the parasol tree, and immediately saw a man in a sapphire-blue robe waiting by the vermilion gate.
“Steward Fang.”
Two young maids in goose-yellow dresses stood by the arched courtyard gate and greeted Fang Li with a bow. Fang Li glanced at them, gave a casual “mm,” and strode toward the man by the gate.
“Ge.” Fang Li walked over and called softly. The man in blue turned his face, revealing features seven-tenths similar to Fang Li’s. Seeing him, he frowned slightly: “What are you doing in the front courtyard? The young master will be back soon. Are the kitchen matters arranged?”
The man was named Fang Qin, Fang Li’s elder brother. Since childhood, both had been assigned to serve the Ye family’s second young master. As they grew up, the younger became a steward, while the elder remained by the young master’s side.
Fang Qin’s features were gentler than Fang Li’s, and his temperament more mild. Yet Fang Li had always been somewhat afraid of this ever-smiling older brother. Hearing him, he quickly nodded: “All arranged. The weather is cool now, so I had the kitchen start simmering lily and black chicken soup this morning. It’s very nourishing.”
Only then did Fang Qin’s expression ease slightly. He nodded and asked, “Then why did you come looking for me in such a hurry?”
Fang Li glanced at his brother, organized his words, and said quietly: “I came to ask… that beggar the young master picked up the other day, has anyone handled his belongings?”
“What beggar?” Fang Qin was puzzled for a moment, then realized: “Oh, the one picked up that day when Deng Yun was accompanying him? The one who fled from the south?”
Fang Li nodded. “Yes, him. Yesterday he kept saying he lost something.”
Fang Qin frowned, now understanding. He stared at Fang Li silently for a while. Just as cold sweat began to form on Fang Li’s forehead, he slowly said: “Did you eat something wrong today?”
That was already considered harsh coming from Fang Qin. Fang Li immediately clasped his hands and begged for mercy: “I know no one would touch his ragged bundle. It’s just that the kid kept pestering me, I couldn’t stand it, so I came to trouble Gege.”
Fang Qin looked at him for a moment, then said, “His things were probably picked up by Qi Mama. If something is missing, have him ask her.”
Fang Li understood at once. Thinking that Qi Mama liked Zhao Baozhu so much, she certainly wouldn’t mess with his belongings, so it must be that troublesome little beggar making things up. He ground his teeth in annoyance, thinking he had made this trip for nothing. He resolved to find a chance later to teach Zhao Baozhu a proper lesson so he would never dare lie again. Out loud, he said to Fang Qin: “Thank you. I’ll let him know and won’t let him make trouble again.”
Meanwhile, Fang Qin looked thoughtfully at his younger brother and said faintly, “Rare for you to be so kind, even asking on his behalf.”
Fang Li’s heart trembled. He looked up to see Fang Qin had already withdrawn his gaze, saying nothing further, though his expression had turned slightly cold. Fang Li immediately felt something was wrong. His older brother was meticulous and prone to suspicion. Though he appeared calm now, he likely already had some dissatisfaction toward Zhao Baozhu.
Fang Li opened his mouth, about to explain, when the vermilion gate suddenly opened. He immediately closed his mouth and stood behind Fang Qin with his head lowered.
The tall, wide red gate slowly opened outward, revealing a jade-white face. The man stood outside with lowered eyes. Two young attendants opened the door from either side. Deng Yun, dressed in green beside him, frowned slightly upon seeing the Fang brothers waiting at the entrance.
Fang Qin immediately led Fang Li in bowing: “Young master.”
Ye Jinghua slowly lifted his eyes, his gaze sweeping lightly over them. He gave a soft “mm” in response and stepped inside. The Fang brothers turned to follow, escorting him into the room. As soon as he entered, several beautiful maids in apricot-yellow dresses surrounded him, removing his outer robe. Among them, one with phoenix-shaped eyes, especially striking, frowned delicately, touching the robe damp with dew and chilled, and said softly with reproach: “It’s still cold. Why is young master dressed so lightly? At least wear something to block the wind.”
She thought resentfully that the servants at home were inattentive, not even clever enough to have the young master add a layer.
Ye Jinghua sat by the table, not touching the hot tea offered, but raising a hand to rub his temple: “It’s fine.”
Seeing this, worry appeared on the maid’s beautiful face. She immediately turned and instructed another maid: “Quickly go have the kitchen prepare a bowl of ginger soup.”
The maid responded hurriedly and ran toward the kitchen. Ye Jinghua opened his eyes and stopped her: “Enough, no need to trouble.”
The maid halted and stepped back quietly. Seeing this, the first maid looked somewhat embarrassed, standing there unsure what to do.
Ye Jinghua looked at her and, as if noticing her discomfort, said gently: “Yuqi, bring a hand warmer.”
Hearing this, the embarrassment on Yuqi’s face faded. She bowed gracefully: “Yes.” Then she carried the outer robe away.
Fang Qin watched coldly, his expression indifferent. Yuqi, like them, had grown up serving Ye Jinghua and was the most beautiful among the maids. In recent years, seeing the young master nearing adulthood yet still unmarried and living separately, her thoughts had begun to stir. Among the maids, she already carried herself as if she were a concubine.
It was only outsiders like them, looking on coldly, who could see things clearly. Ye Jinghua was the legitimate son of the current Prime Minister. Even if it were only for the position of concubine, daughters from official families were lining up to compete for it, how could it possibly be her turn?
Fang Qin hid his thoughts and bent down slightly as he said softly, “Young Master, would you like something to eat? The kitchen has stewed black chicken soup. Shall I have someone bring it over?”
Ye Jinghua lowered his eyes. “No need.” After speaking, he looked toward the maids attending nearby. “All of you may leave.”
The maids curtsied in acknowledgment and quietly withdrew from the room with light steps. Seeing a trace of fatigue on Ye Jinghua’s face, Fang Qin immediately shot Fang Li a look. Fang Li understood at once and silently lit a calming incense stick with careful movements.
Deng Yun stood behind Ye Jinghua. Seeing him resting one hand against the table with his eyes half-closed, he exchanged a subtle glance with Fang Qin.
Recently, every ten days or so, the young master would be summoned into the palace, and every time he returned looking unwell. They all knew the reason why. In just over a month, the spring imperial examinations would begin, yet Ye Jinghua still refused to relent. Naturally, both the palace and the main family estate were anxious and furious over it. Fang Qin sighed softly. Three years ago the palace had already been pressing him urgently, and now, with only a year before the young master would come of age, he feared that this time Madam would drag him to the examination hall even if she had to tie him up and haul him there herself.
Deng Yun also sighed. Seeing the weariness on Ye Jinghua’s face, he bent down and said quietly, “Young Master, there is still some time before the evening meal. Why not let me help you into the inner room to rest?”
Hearing this, Ye Jinghua slowly opened his eyes and nodded. “Very well.”
Deng Yun reached out to support him, but Ye Jinghua waved him off. Rising from beside the table, he had just turned when his gaze suddenly caught Fang Li standing in the corner. Seeing him, it was as though he remembered something. His brow shifted slightly, and he paused before turning his head to ask: “Where is that beggar child we picked up that day?”
Can’t wait until next week to see more? Want to show your support? Come to my Patreon where you can get 5 or more chapters of Are Husbands Assigned When Going to the Capital for the Imperial Examination right away ! Or go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! :)
