Chapter 57: Jinling City (26)
Xiao Fu carefully stored away Lin Zikui’s silver drafts for him.
It wasn’t a large sum, but Lin Zikui had given everything he had. Xiao Fu, who had never lacked money since childhood, understood just how rare and precious Lin Zikui’s sincerity was.
After the family finished dinner, Xiao Fu was thinking of playing on the swing with Lin Lang for a bit, reading a while, and then taking a bath and heading to bed.
But just then, someone came in to report, “Young Master, a carriage from Prince Shuo’s residence has arrived to fetch you.”
Xiao Fu: “?”
He turned to look at Lin Zikui and saw that he had already changed into a clean and neatly pressed new outfit. Beside him, the attendant wore a six-panel hat and had a cloth satchel slung over his shoulder.
Xiao Fu instantly sensed something was wrong. “You’re going to Prince Shuo Residence for lessons this late?”
Lin Zikui had still been pondering how to bring it up with Zhao Ling when the carriage arrived.
He had no choice now but to explain: “Teacher… asked me to go to Prince Shuo Residence for lessons.”
Xiao Fu frowned. “It’s already so late. Don’t go! Go tomorrow instead!”
Lin Zikui lowered his head and said softly, “This time… I won’t be coming back for a while.”
“What did you just say?!” Xiao Fu suddenly shot to his feet.
Lin Zikui looked slightly guilty. There was still a whole month left before the exam.
“It’s just for the exam. Once it’s over, I’ll come back. Zhao Ling, please let me go.”
Without thinking, Xiao Fu snapped, “I won’t allow it. Absolutely not.” Then he turned furiously to the servant. “Send that carriage away. Tell them to get lost!”
Lin Zikui didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t disobey his teacher, but he didn’t want his wife upset either. Wanting to soothe him, he picked a lovely peony blossom and offered it. “Zhao Ling, don’t be angry.”
But Xiao Zhaoling wasn’t pacified. “You want to leave me for two months? You’re really willing to be apart from me?” Including the exam, that would be over a month—nearly two.
Suddenly, from outside the door came the teasing voice of an old man: “Xiao Zhaoling, did you just tell me to get lost?”
Xiao Fu’s brows furrowed tightly, and his cold gaze shot toward the entering Elder Xue. “I meant you, alright.”
“You don’t want Huai Fu to leave, but have you considered how he’s supposed to pass the imperial exam?”
“I know what I’m doing. He’ll pass no matter what!”
Elder Xue’s expression turned serious. “The imperial exam isn’t child’s play. Yes, you have influence—but the exam lasts nine consecutive days! Huai Fu is physically weak. If he doesn’t rest and conserve his strength, how is he supposed to get through it?”
Xiao Fu looked at Lin Zikui and indeed noticed that, while his face looked brighter recently, his body remained thin and frail. In his pale green robe, he looked especially delicate. Those eyes of his, glistening like spring water, were fixed on him with a pleading gaze. His lips moved slightly in a silent message: “Zhao Ling, don’t be rude to Teacher.”
Xiao Fu withdrew his gaze and turned to Elder Xue, the corner of his mouth curling coldly.
Elder Xue calmly folded his hands behind his back and stood his ground. “What’s more important—your beloved’s future, or your momentary pleasure?”
“Teacher,” Lin Zikui finally spoke up, “I’ll go with you.”
“Zhao Ling.” Lin Zikui turned his head and gently grabbed his hand. His soft features were filled with determination. “Once I finish the exam, I’ll come back, alright? I’m certain I’ll place well.”
The imperial exam allowed no cheating. Even though Xiao Fu was the Prince Regent, at most he could influence the types of questions asked.
With Lin Zikui’s abilities, there was no need for leaked questions. He was more than capable.
But nine straight days of exams…
It would be utterly draining.
“Then come inside with me.” Xiao Fu reversed his grip, firmly clasping Lin Zikui’s wrist. “I have something to say to you. Let the old man wait.”
Lin Zikui raised a hand and patted his back. He was almost pulled off balance as Xiao Fu dragged him into the room. “How could you speak to Teacher like that?”
Xiao Fu wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him close. “He talks too much. Forget about him. Let’s talk about you. Look at me.”
Lin Zikui’s eyesight had fully recovered. Now, with the delicate Ai Dai lenses, he could read the tiniest script with ease.
The candles in the room had just been lit. A peony lantern, won during the Lantern Festival riddle contest, hung by the window. Outside, the twilight still held a faint glow.
Through the Ai Dai lenses, Lin Zikui could see Zhao Ling’s face clearly—every delicate mole, every long black eyelash, the elegant arc of his eyelid like ink-drawn hooks.
Every time Lin Zikui looked at his face closely, he would find it hard to breathe—and even harder to look away.
He spoke with some difficulty. “Xiao Lang, please let me go. Don’t be upset with Teacher, alright?”
“…I’ll let you go.” After being addressed like that, how could he say no? Xiao Fu added, “Prince Shuo’s son is an idiot. Don’t talk to him too much. The prince himself is a flirt—always bringing mistresses home. If he asks you to go out with him, it won’t be for anything decent. You must refuse.”
“Alright, alright, I get it,” Lin Zikui replied, trying to brush it off for now. Yuwen Can might be a little naive, but he wasn’t exactly a fool—surely he could still hold a conversation, right?
“How did you find out so much about the goings-on at Prince Shuo Residence, anyway?”
“I asked around. Otherwise, how could I feel at ease letting you go over there for lessons?” Xiao Fu wrapped both arms around him. Lin Zikui returned the embrace, his hands resting against Xiao Fu’s broad back, gently smoothing along it like one would stroke fur. Xiao Fu buried his nose in Lin Zikui’s hair, not kissing him, simply holding him close.
Lin Zikui said, “I should go.”
“…You’ve packed already?”
Lin Zikui nodded obediently. “Yes, I packed six or seven sets of robes and inner garments. That should be enough.”
Xiao Fu sighed. “Little Husband leave me a few pairs of underpants, at least.”
Lin Zikui: “……”
His face instantly turned red with irritation. “There you go again…”
“It’s dry weather, and the nights are long. What do you expect me to do without you?” Xiao Fu whispered huskily into his ear, “I’ll come see you at Prince Shuo Residence in a few days, alright? Just don’t let your teacher find out—he talks way too much.”
Lin Zikui thought to himself: he couldn’t allow that. If Xiao Fu came once, he’d surely come a second time. And who knew, Prince Shuo might even ask his “wife” to stay over, and what if he took one look and realized his “wife” was a man? That would only bring more trouble later… No matter how he thought about it, Lin Zikui couldn’t allow him to come.
“Don’t come, alright? Wait until I’ve finished the exam…”
“Just once,” Xiao Fu muttered as he rubbed his chin against Lin Zikui’s shoulder, eyes shut in frustration. “What kind of torture is this—getting married only to be separated immediately, then again and again. It’s all the fault of those damned books!”
After much coaxing, Lin Zikui finally persuaded Xiao Zhaoling. He boarded the carriage with Elder Xue, feeling heavy-hearted, and apologized to his teacher, “What Zhao Ling said earlier was out of line. I scolded him already. He won’t say that again next time.”
“If you truly managed to scold him,” Elder Xue chuckled, “then I should thank you on behalf of everyone. Don’t I know how petty his temper is?”
Out of all the people involved, perhaps only Mo Liu was genuinely happy about this.
Now that Lin Zikui was going to live at Prince Shuo Residence, having such a teacher and befriending Prince Shuo could only mean a bright future ahead. As for Madam Xiao—though beautiful—she was too domineering. Always leaving early and returning late, who knew what shady business she was up to? Best to stay far away!
After Lin Zikui left, Xiao Fu lay alone on the bed scattered with flower petals, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
He had come home earlier and, seeing the petal-covered bed, had actually been thinking about what kind of fun they could have that night—it would’ve been a fitting return for all of Lin Lang’s thoughtful preparations.
He hadn’t expected it would end up being a lonely bed meant to torture him with sleeplessness.
Xiao Fu couldn’t sleep. In the middle of the night, he got up and returned to Duke Chang Residence, startling Duke Chang awake: “At this hour? It’s almost time for morning court—what are you doing back?”
“Didn’t you tell me to come home? I just came back to take a look.”
“You little rascal! You’re gone a whole month, and when you finally come back, it’s the middle of the night? Go to sleep!”
“No need,” Xiao Fu replied as he watched the sun and moon appear together on the horizon. “I’ll tidy up later. I’ll come back tonight to stay. I’m heading into the palace in a bit.”
Even with just a wall separating Prince Shuo Residence from his own, being a little closer seemed to bring some small comfort.
At dawn, the carriage rolled toward the palace.
Inside the palace, Xiao Fu changed into his court robes. Commander Chen came in to pay his respects and immediately noticed how tired and haggard he looked. “Your Highness, did you not sleep last night?”
“I couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t fall asleep. I’m sick.”
Yuanqing asked, “Master Xie has left. Should I summon an imperial physician for you?”
“The imperial physicians are useless. What I have is lovesickness.”
“……”
Xiao Fu stretched out his arms while a young eunuch fastened his belt. Xiao Fu said, “Let’s head to court. Is His Majesty up yet?”
“He’s up. He’s already waiting outside.”
Yuwen Xuan was meticulous and proper in his etiquette. Every morning before court, he would first visit Xiao Fu to pay his respects to Royal Father before heading to Fengtian Hall.
Xiao Fu looked utterly exhausted. After court, he asked Liang Gonggong to summon the Minister of Rites: “Minister Pang, who is the chief examiner for this year’s imperial examination? Present the exam questions—I want to review them.”
The Prince Regent had always taken a special interest in the imperial examinations, so Minister Pang dared not be careless. “This year, I will personally serve as chief examiner. All deputy examiners are grand scholars who entered office through the exams.”
Xiao Fu reviewed the entire exam—covering astronomy to geography. Lin Zikui was knowledgeable in all these areas. He knew how to write the rigid, formulaic eight-legged essays; he just didn’t enjoy writing them.
After some thought, Xiao Fu said, “Add a new rule: the examination essays will not be restricted to the eight-legged format. Examinees may express their genuine thoughts and write from the heart.”
“Ah?” Minister Pang opened his mouth in surprise.
The eight-legged essay had been a longstanding tradition for years. Just like that, it could be changed?
Xiao Fu spoke in a low, stern voice: “I cannot stand reading those eight-legged essays. But, out of consideration for the candidates who’ve practiced them for so long, they are still permitted to write in that style. However, those who don’t wish to use it aren’t required to. You will conduct the first review of the papers, but I will personally oversee the final review. Any corruption or favoritism will not be tolerated! If I find out, heads will roll!”
The new rule for the imperial examination was soon posted outside the examination courtyard. Some rejoiced, others lamented.
“This is great—we’re not restricted to eight-legged essays anymore! The Ministry of Rites finally has a conscience!”
“I’ve spent ten years studying day and night, writing one eight-legged essay a day until I could puke. Now that the format isn’t mandatory, with my sharp wit and eloquence, I can finally stand out!”
Along the Qinhuai River, gambling dens opened for betting on possible exam topics. Some students paid for predictions, others buried themselves in books.
Mo Liu was sitting and operating a wooden fan for his master. The afternoon sun blazed overhead, and he was nearly dozing off.
Lin Zikui was writing an essay.
This time, he was aiming straight for the title of zhuangyuan. First place in the provincial exam made him jieyuan; winning top marks in the metropolitan exam would make him huiyuan; and ranking first in the palace examination would crown him zhuangyuan. That was his goal, so he dared not be careless. Just because he could recite the books backwards didn’t mean he could afford to slack off.
After court, Xiao Fu returned to Duke Chang’s residence but couldn’t resist coming to see him again.
Seeing him studying so diligently, looking a bit tired, parched and wanting tea, Xiao Fu turned to look—his attendant was slumped in a chair, snoring.
Lin Zikui had to get up and make the tea himself, but the teapot was empty.
There was an ice basin on the floor, so at least the heat wasn’t unbearable.
Too embarrassed to ask Prince Shuo’s servants for help, Lin Zikui simply endured it and tilted the cup to drink the last drops of water.
He grew drowsy from studying and eventually fell asleep on the desk.
Xiao Fu came over with the teapot, refilled it, added some ice, and finally carried Lin Zikui over to the bed.
As he slept, Lin Zikui’s face pressed into wet ink, leaving dark marks on his cheek. Xiao Fu tried to wipe them off but only ended up turning his little husband into a blotchy ink-streaked kitten.
Lin Zikui, feeling warm in his sleep, unconsciously tugged open his collar, revealing a clean collarbone and half of his chest.
Xiao Fu couldn’t help but be a little distracted. He gently brushed a finger across it, and Lin Zikui, sensitive to touch, trembled and mumbled “mm…” in a half-asleep haze. His eyes fluttered halfway open. The light was blinding, the mosquito net drifted like smoke, and Lin Zikui saw Xiao Zhaoling—thinking it was a dream—murmured, “Wife, I missed you…”
Then he closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.
Xiao Fu whispered in return, “Do you know I come to see you every single day?” As he spoke, he carefully wiped the ink from Lin Zikui’s face.
Since ancient times, it was said that the scholars of the world studied ten years beneath snow-laden windows, reading countless volumes of books. Yet those who read widely without understanding were still no better off. Few could both read deeply and work hard without tiring, as Lin Zikui did—he was a rare kind indeed.
On July 30, Lin Zikui was dropped off by a Prince Shuo carriage at the gates of the examination courtyard. The exam was tomorrow; he came a day early to check in. Attendants and servants were not allowed inside. Lin Zikui stood outside the examination courtyard with his bookcase strapped to his back, looking up under the blazing sun. His head grew hot from the heat, but still, he didn’t see Xiao Zhaoling.
His heart felt hollow.
Suddenly, he caught sight of a familiar figure—tall and striking, standing out from the crowd. Yuanqing strode toward him and respectfully said, “Young Master, master is waiting for you in the carriage.”
Lin Zikui’s eyes lit up. Among the many scholars present, he happily made his way through the crowd with his bookcase bouncing behind him. Yuanqing quickly followed and reached out to take it from him: “Allow me to carry that for you, Young Master Lin.”
From the upper tower of the examination courtyard, Minister Pang squinted down. “Isn’t that big fellow Commander Chen? What, does he have a relative taking the exam too?”
The Prince Regent had already ordered strict punishment for any cheating or favoritism. Even if the candidate was a relative of the Imperial Guard’s commander, if he didn’t have the knowledge, he would not pass.
Xiao Fu had left the palace, switching carriages several times before finally arriving. The carriage he used now was gray all over, inconspicuous and low-profile. Lin Zikui lifted his robe and climbed inside, pulling open the bamboo curtain—his beloved’s face came into view, and for a moment, he was dazed. He softly called, “Zhao Ling.”
Xiao Zhaoling’s gaze was as gentle as water. Smiling, he called back, “Little husband.”
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