“Have all the dishes been delivered?”
Shu Rui waited for a while as Lu Ling delivered the food. Once he returned, Shu Rui set the dishes on the table and called him to wash up and eat.
“Have you seen Uncle Lu? Has he calmed down?”
Lu Ling said nothing, merely going to wash his hands and face with his head down.
Shu Rui saw his odd behavior and leaned closer to see what was going on—had he been scolded for delivering food?
As he got close, Shu Rui suddenly shouted and grabbed Lu Ling by the chin, thumb and forefinger pinching the sides of his mouth.
The two stared at each other. Shu Rui noticed the residue of food on Lu Ling’s lips and squinted sharply. “You’ve been sneaking bites!”
Lu Ling blinked, thinking this person’s eyes were like fire-forged steel—how could they be so sharp?
Seeing his guilty expression, Shu Rui guessed correctly. Gritting his teeth, he said, “You’d better come clean!”
Lu Ling hesitated, then gave a faint “Mm.”
The boy had secretly kept the two dishes Shu Rui had prepared for Lu’s father outside the Lu household, devouring them himself before returning.
Shu Rui’s anger boiled—his vision went black for a moment as he scolded, “What a troublemaker! You glutton! You could have come back and eaten a few steps away, yet you stole the dishes I sent!”
Lu Ling said, “He doesn’t need to eat them. Mother would have made him his own food anyway.”
“You even have the nerve to justify it? These dishes were for your family—three people, two had theirs, only your father got nothing. And now you come here, taking what you want! Imagine how your father would feel—how can you be so heartless?”
Shu Rui looked at him, wanting to shake him. No wonder as a child, he had made his father so angry. Now he was a grown man, yet his thinking hadn’t matured at all.
Lu Ling straightened his neck. “Who told him not to see you? In the family, two out of three can meet, only he’s too proud. Giving him food separately would just make him gloat.”
Shu Rui, exasperated, realized hitting him would be useless. Instead, he swept the prepared bowls away. “Since you’ve already eaten outside, then don’t eat here either.”
Lu Ling hurried to pick up a bowl. “I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong.”
“You know you were wrong? You were so smug just now!”
“I’ll buy a fresh piece of roasted lamb tomorrow after work and send it again for him,” Lu Ling said continuously.
Shu Rui’s expression softened slightly. He returned the bowls, poking Lu Ling on the forehead. “I don’t know why you’re still so childish.”
Lu Ling pursed his lips, humming, “You should become top scholar in the imperial exams—you’d make such a fair official.”
That evening, Shu Rui had more than one serving of chicken. He steamed some with goji and red dates for Lady Liu and braised the rest. The chicken offal was cleaned and stir-fried with green onions and pickled ginger, tender and flavorful, with a small pot of soup.
Originally, he set aside some braised chicken and offal for Lu’s father, but Lu Ling, with his enormous appetite, ate heartily—two full bowls. At home, they ate the same again.
After the meal, night had fallen. Autumn’s wind was noticeably cooler. Shu Rui scolded Lu Ling lightly, sending him to fetch hot water and wash up, instructing him to clean the dishes.
Lu Ling obeyed, finishing the chores, then cheekily slipped into Shu Rui’s room to grab some praise before returning to his own room.
By the seventh day of the eighth month, it was the day of the county exams in Chaoxi Prefecture.
During this period, Shu Rui had given Lady Liu’s patterns to the embroiderer for bed covers and quilt sewing. Master Tong also came to set up the large shared bed in the west room, and two new sets of tables and chairs were delivered.
That morning, before daylight, Lu Ling took a half-day leave from the martial arts hall to personally escort Lu Yu to the exam hall, ensuring there were no unexpected incidents on the way—a precaution especially important during county exams. The elder brother sending a younger sibling was customary.
Lu’s father and Lady Liu accompanied them as well. The family was in harmony, focusing entirely on Lu Yu.
Shu Rui did not attend but had entrusted Lady Liu with some words of blessing for Lu Yu the day before.
After Lu Ling delivered Lu Yu, he lingered outside to watch the activity at the exam hall.
Outside the provincial exam hall, scholars of all ages swarmed like cattle. Shu Rui, observing, was suddenly called by a familiar voice.
“Shao Ge’er! What are you doing here?”
He turned to see Yu Qiaosheng, whom he hadn’t seen in a long while.
Shu Rui greeted him politely. Not wanting to reveal that he was there to see Lu Yu off, he said, “I was heading to the morning market to buy some vegetables and thought the exam hall would be lively. What a coincidence to meet you, Yu Shizi! I wish you success and may you achieve the highest honors.”
Yu Qiaosheng cupped his hands. “Thank you for your kind words.”
He hesitated, looking at Shu Rui awkwardly. “If I truly succeed, I will come pay my respects.”
Shu Rui felt slightly uneasy, aware now of the implied obligation from Lu Ling’s earlier words. Not wanting to ruin Yu Qiaosheng’s spirits before the exam, he quickly changed the topic:
“Many examinees are already being checked and entering their numbered rooms. You should join them, find your guardian, and get in line. Familiarizing yourself with the room early will help you settle down and concentrate on the exam.”
“Thank you, Shao Ge’er. I’ll take my leave now.”
Lu Yu had already queued for the body check. Lady Liu, watching the crowd, glimpsed Shu Rui standing farther back. She intended to call to him but saw another examinee approaching. They spoke for a while, then the young scholar turned, revealing a handsome, well-dressed face.
“Father, mother, elder brother, I’m ready. You may return home.”
After Lu Yu completed his check and received his number, he reassured his family. Lady Liu said, “Go in with peace of mind. Your father and brother will manage here.”
Lu’s father reminded him twice or thrice to carefully read and answer the questions. Lu Ling stayed silent the whole way.
Once Lu Yu entered the provincial exam hall safely, the family dispersed.
Returning to the inn, Shu Rui arrived slightly after Lu Ling. Qing had already opened the shop.
With the exam over, fewer scholars would come for snacks and drinks, so business was slower.
Shu Rui, seeing it was still early, suggested going to the martial arts hall. Though Lu Ling had only taken a half-day leave, it wouldn’t cause delay. Shu Rui needed to get to work and minimize lost wages, and by going early, he could deliver meals to the shop at noon.
Lu Ling hesitated but was persuaded by Shu Rui to leave.
At the martial arts hall, Wei Jin led a class with his usual strictness.
“I’m afraid he’s using leave to handle his food business. Managing meals at the hall is clever. He brings food for sale here, yet I’m unsure if he’s here to teach or just for business.”
Another instructor, surnamed Pang, chuckled quietly but didn’t agree. Sometimes he accepted deliveries from Lu Ling himself. The food was indeed good and inexpensive, convenient for the hall. Wei Jin’s remarks were partly to undermine him and draw others to agree—a scheme few were happy to support.
However, since his father was a respected official, Instructor Pang still offered a polite smile. Just as he was about to speak, another instructor walked in, exchanging glances with Pang, and said that Lu Ling had arrived.
Hearing this, Wei Jin couldn’t hide his irritation and let out a cold snort. “What’s this supposed to mean? I thought I was going to have him as my assistant for the next class, and he’s taken leave to skip it!”
Instructor Pang, seeing Wei Jin so unreasonable, lowered his voice. “It’s the county exams today. Perhaps he’s escorting a family member to the exam hall. It’s probably not what you’re thinking.”
No sooner had he spoken than Lu Ling walked in. Seeing him, Wei Jin raised his voice. “You think you’re clever, huh? These days, the quieter and colder-faced people seem honest, but who knows what grudges they’re holding inside!”
Lu Ling coldly regarded him, sensing this remark was directed at him.
Before he could respond, Wei Jin continued: “Little Lu, you’re just in time. Tell me, wasn’t what I said earlier reasonable?”
Lu Ling raised his eyelids and glanced at him. “Instructor Wei, you’re so fond of reasoning—perhaps you should take that skill to prison and lecture the criminals. That way your mouth wouldn’t go to waste.”
Wei Jin, expecting Lu Ling to be too timid to reply as usual, was surprised not only that he responded but that his words were so cutting. Clenching his fists slightly, eyes narrowing, he said, “For the next class, you’ll be Pang’s assistant. I told him, but now you’ll swap with my next class assistant and be mine.”
Instructor Pang saw that Wei Jin was trying to make things difficult for Lu Ling but didn’t know how to intervene. Just then, a voice called from the back:
“Wei Jin, come to my office. I have something to instruct you on.”
Hall Director Lin Tian dropped the remark and walked inside with a stern face. Wei Jin was momentarily startled but glanced at Lu Ling and obeyed, heading to Lin Tian’s office.
Seeing the matter resolved, Pang relaxed and said to Lu Ling, “Little Lu, you can go about your work. It seems the director has urgent matters for Wei Jin. You’ll still assist me later.”
Lu Ling nodded.
“Wei Jin, you’ve been with the hall long enough. Don’t pick fights with a newcomer and make the other instructors laugh at you!”
Lin Tian closed the door and immediately scolded Wei Jin. “I don’t want to concern myself with petty matters below, yet rumors keep reaching me. The new hall is about to open, and we need people. If you keep being intolerant, how do you expect me to promote you?”
Wei Jin felt a surge of anger, hearing that Lin Tian had called him about Lu Ling. Though Lin Tian’s words were polite, Wei Jin’s own pride prevented him from easily accepting criticism.
“I’ve been a senior instructor, trying to guide the newcomers. Yet there are people whispering in your ear that I’m being difficult. I hope you can judge fairly!” he said.
Lin Tian’s anger flared. “You know your own mind! There’s endless work at the new hall. If you weren’t here, I’d be too lazy to comment. You provoke others to create conflict, giving you an excuse to get rid of them. Lu Ling is patient, but if he were angered, who would suffer?”
“Do you know the surname of your father’s new superior?”
Wei Jin stiffened at Lin Tian’s bluntness. His father’s temper had been poor lately, partly due to an unexpected superior from the prefectural office—a meticulous, quiet scholar who did his job efficiently but had a harsh tongue. Wei Jin’s father had tried multiple times but couldn’t manage this superior, who had now appeared at the martial arts hall through Lu Ling’s family.
Lin Tian saw Wei Jin fall silent and softened his tone. “Take this to heart and behave. Your father always asks me to look after you. It’s a kindness on his part.”
“I’m advising you—mind your actions and avoid stirring trouble in the hall. It will make my work easier too.”
Though irritated, Wei Jin had no choice but to nod. Lin Tian patted his shoulder, his mind preoccupied with finishing the new hall and dividing responsibilities once it was ready.