But Magistrate Ling San ruled.
He ruled for a divorce.
Liu Youli was stunned. “What?”
Ling San added another instruction: have the scribe draft the divorce document so that it could be signed on the spot.
Of course, Liu Youli refused to sign. He clung stubbornly to household matters and disagreed.
Xie Yan gave a subtle signal to He Qingzao. Standing in the court, He Qingzao dared not lift his head, thinking he might be drawn into another argument. He had no way out—yet unexpectedly, Xie Yan had secured the divorce for him.
The magistrate had already ruled! But Liu Youli wouldn’t allow it.
He Qingzao shouted loudly that he wanted the divorce, insisting he must be free—he would accept a written divorce if necessary.
“Your husband didn’t treat me like a person. How I was treated at home, I won’t even mention. But he slandered my benefactor! The day I was about to jump into the well, it was my benefactor who saved me. For months I worked in their shop, had a place to stay, a bowl of food—but he, he actually…”
The words were too harsh; even He Qingzao could hardly bring himself to speak them aloud.
Ling San’s ruling wasn’t just giving Xie Yan face. For a divorce matter brought to the court, there was a chance it could be reconciled, but for the remainder of grievances, the divorce would stand.
Even if Liu Youli disagreed, the divorce would proceed.
If he refused to write the divorce document, the scribe would draft a formal notice of separation.
“Your husband can no longer live with you—let him formally divorce you.”
At this, He Qingzao reacted instinctively, shouting, “A divorce document, you beast!”
After shouting, he began to tremble. My God, what had he just said in front of the magistrate!
Liu Youli’s eyes flashed with anger, demanding he repeat it.
Xie Yan quickly interjected, “Yes, He Qingzao, dictate your divorce document to the scribe so it can be written down! Can you read? If not, press your handprint! Divorce this man!”
He Qingzao couldn’t write his name, nor draft the document, but he had memorized a divorce notice.
Head lowered, stammering, he recited the text.
Liu Youli could only endure two clauses before he could no longer listen.
He also wanted to write the divorce himself!
Ling San didn’t agree.
“When you first arrived, you didn’t want a divorce, which proves your husband wasn’t at fault. Now that he points out your faults, and you speak against him in anger, that doesn’t count. Either accept the divorce, or accept your husband’s divorce notice.”
Xie Yan felt elated.
This senior, though poor at reading the room, inept at strategy, and useless at fishing, was excellent in official matters!
Together with He Qingzao, they called out, “Thank you, Magistrate Ling!” He Qingzao even used the common folk’s phrase, “Great Sky Lord!”
That day, dawn truly broke for him.
He finally received Liu Youli’s divorce document.
Though He Qingzao didn’t submit his own notice, as they left the court, under the eyes of the clerks and with Xie Yan’s encouragement, he completed reciting the unfinished divorce notice—all of which Liu Youli heard.
Outside the court, Liu Youli cast a cold glance at He Qingzao before turning his attention to Xie Yan.
“A ranking in the exam means nothing. How far you go—that’s the true measure.”
Xie Yan, arrogant, lifted his chin and flared his nostrils.
“To go far, you must first pass the jinshi exam. Rankings mean little, but just enough to surpass you.”
Xie Yan was annoying. Regarding He Qingzao, he had done a good deed. But concerning Ji Mingzhu, there was still reckoning to be had.
“Calling you juren, does that make you a lord? May you fail in all future exams, and if we meet in office someday, may heaven ignore you, and the earth deny you!”
This harsh curse sent Liu Youli away.
In truth, Xie Yan only spoke the words; he hadn’t planned any specific revenge.
Outside the court, a crowd had gathered. Lu Liu quickly came to support the trembling He Qingzao.
A little farther off, Lu Yang stood among Wang Meng and Da Qiang’s guards, observing.
Their local zhuangyuan had truly shown backbone just now.
Before the exams, Lu Yang had sent two pieces of jade to a carver, specifying the design. He collected them on his way out.
The household was lively that day, filled with rebukes toward Liu Youli, encouragement for He Qingzao, and praise for everyone’s kindness.
He Qingzao was moved and excited, repeatedly wanting to kneel in gratitude, but people stopped him.
The small eatery had to continue operations. Lu Liu, fearing Liu Youli would return to cause trouble, stayed at the shop during the day, accompanied by Li Feng.
Lu Yang and Xie Yan went home to pack. They didn’t need to bring much—winter clothing changed infrequently, so a set of rough cotton clothing for travel and two sets of everyday wear sufficed. If they stayed longer in the county, they could buy more as needed.
This was a return in glory. Lu Yang and his husband discussed bringing back gifts for people in the county. Regular correspondence ensured items could be sent via messengers from the stronghold—convenient, though not identical to gifts when returning as a juren. Lu Yang carefully selected what to take; if unavailable, he bought new.
He instructed Xie Yan: “Bringing a gift from afar carries more meaning than buying one locally.”
Xie Yan understood: A feather from afar carries weight in sentiment.
Seeing Xie Yan’s prideful expression, Lu Yang chuckled. “Did you bring something for your master?”
Xie Yan felt embarrassed. He hadn’t known he would visit his master, so he had only remembered to bring some simple home gifts.
“Next time, when we earn more, we’ll get him something proper,” Xie Yan said.
The business had yet to distribute profits; their silver was earmarked for the study. Once in the city, expenses would rise; they had to save.
After Xie Yan passed the juren exam, many came to give gifts. Ordinary ones were accepted; those of high value or inappropriate were politely declined. Lu Yang carefully checked and, finding nothing suitable for elders, bought new items.
After packing and listing items, Xie Yan went out with Wang Meng to shop, returning by dinner time.
Dinner spread over three tables. Lu Liu brought family; both fathers were present. Wang Meng and the others joined, and He Qingzao was called over. The group sat together, voices carrying across the courtyard.
They would leave early the next morning, so all rested early.
The next day at dawn, the couple rose early. Lu Yang helped Xie Yan dress.
Xie Yan protested verbally, “Just a cotton coat, no need to bother.”
But he cooperated, keeping his arms open for Lu Yang to adjust the clothing.
When Lu Yang tightened the belt, he deliberately tugged hard at Xie Yan’s waist. Xie Yan shivered, humming softly. Seeing Lu Yang suppress a smile, he leaned down and pecked Lu Yang’s cheek.
Lu Yang laughed; he looked like a small bird, pouting and pecking, even making a soft “peep-peep” sound.
Xie Yan asked, “Why like a bird?”
Lu Yang replied, “Woodpecker.”
“‘Yang’ is a type of tree; the bird pecks at it.”
This delighted Xie Yan immensely.
“I don’t even want to return to the county! I want to hold you and peck!”
Lu Yang refused. Though the distance was short, and passing the juren exam brought honor to the family, one must return to pay respects to his father.
This trip coincided with Lu Yang being pregnant. It wasn’t suitable for them to go together. His mother decided to stay and accompany him, promising to return the next year.
“If you can bring my brothers here, you can peck me all you want,” Lu Yang casually teased.
Xie Yan happily accepted; he would definitely bring his two elder brothers.
Fully dressed, Lu Yang retrieved a wooden box from a shelf, opening it to reveal two pieces of jade.
One was a small ping’an pendant, delicate and compact, with a smooth curve, carved from leftover jade. The green jade was topped with gold, which wrapped around it in a circle. The gold bore faint carvings of auspicious clouds, tracing the contours of mountains. Overall, it evoked peaks reaching the clouds.
The other was a small “fortune” plaque. Lu Yang chose the jade carefully, limited by his silver, selecting a flawless white jade piece. Crafted into a circular pendant, the edge had a gold rim. Both sides of the jade were smooth, undecorated, while the gold rim was engraved with a thorn pattern. Lu Yang had pondered this design for a long time before deciding.
