Morning.
The guild hall was endlessly noisy, and they could even hear the sound of gongs and drums. When Shi Wuxiang was awakened, he was still somewhat dazed and momentarily unsure where he was.
He sat up blankly and saw Yuan Zhao already curled entirely beneath the blanket, covering his head but not his backside, his rear sticking out toward the outside.
“Master Shi, the imperial edict is about to arrive. Please rise and receive the decree!” Suddenly a strange voice carrying a magnetic tone sounded outside, as though squeezed out from the throat.
This was the distinctive voice of palace eunuchs.
Shi Wuxiang answered loudly and hurried to get up. He had forgotten that today the imperial rankings would be posted and imperial edicts delivered. Soon the top three of the first class would parade through the streets.
He rose first, quickly tidied himself, then fished Yuan Zhao out of bed and washed and dressed him.
“Go brush your teeth yourself.”
“Oh.”
Although everything had already been clearly stated during yesterday’s palace examination, the imperial edict served to announce it to the whole realm.
Over a hundred scholars knelt before the guild hall. Hearing the decree, joy overflowed across their faces. From now on, they all possessed status and could receive salaries from the imperial court!
Only after all the edicts had been read did the scholars stand up in a daze.
“What does ‘attached post’ mean? Does it mean they have official titles and salaries yet don’t need to work in court?”
“If that’s true, then that’s far better than us!”
“What’s so good about it? It’s merely an attached title. Whether they can continue holding those titles in the future or whether there’s any road for promotion remains unknown. How could that compare to us?”
“But… they have separate imperial edicts!”
The official reading the decrees did not immediately leave. Instead, he took out several separate edicts for them alone. The meaning was self-evident.
Even Shi Wuxiang was somewhat surprised. “Such honor—this humble official and the others dare not accept it.”
“You only need to accept His Majesty’s intentions. More rewards will arrive shortly, so please wait awhile.” Only after saying this did the official truly depart.
Before the other newly appointed scholars could crowd around them, the rewards flooded in.
One hundred taels of silver, fine silks and satins, pearls and agates, gold and silver vessels, calligraphy and ancient books, even century-old ginseng and more.
“Why are they treated so specially?”
“You don’t know? That day at the teahouse, His Majesty met with them separately. We were there at the time. Only they weren’t driven away.”
“So His Majesty favored them long ago. But they’re merely from poor rural villages, and only third-class scholars at that. Why would they receive such imperial favor?”
“You dare speculate about His Majesty’s thoughts!”
These rewards truly opened their eyes. Quite a few scholars gathered around to look while speaking flattering words. No matter what, people favored by His Majesty—if one could become closer to them, it would naturally be greatly beneficial in the future.
For a time, the limelight surrounding the four of them even surpassed that of the top scholar, though only briefly, because the top three of the first class were about to begin their horseback parade through the streets.
Shi Wuxiang and the others naturally had no interest in watching the parade. They hurried to move their rewards into the small building. With these things, all the expenses for food and lodging during the trip had instantly been earned back.
Yuan Zhao held those pearls, lightly rubbing them. If he secretly took them away when he left, A-Xiang probably would not report him to the authorities, right?
“If you like the pearls, just take them and play with them. Later we can make bracelets and necklaces.” Shi Wuxiang spoke softly. These treasures truly dazzled people at first glance, but once calm returned, they no longer seemed like much.
Only because they had been bestowed by the emperor did they feel so shocking and joyous.
Yuan Zhao shook his head slightly. “Then forget it. I still have the bracelet Nu gave me!”
As he spoke, he shook his wrist.
Shi Wuxiang smiled without saying anything more. It seemed they would not be able to leave today after all. They should organize things first and depart tomorrow instead.
Yuan Zhao helped lock up all the boxes and stack them in the corner. On the return journey, they would probably need to hire another carriage, otherwise there would be nowhere to store all these things.
The few of them tacitly chose not to go outside. First, they feared the items would be stolen. Second, the moment they stepped out, they would be surrounded and stared at like monkeys by countless people. Naturally, that was no fun at all.
So they simply hid in the guild hall and ate the guild hall’s meals.
They hid for an entire day. Only after night fell did Shi Wuxiang prepare to take Yuan Zhao outside to pass the time. Yet before they could leave, the door was knocked on.
“Master Shi.” A deliberately lowered voice sounded.
It was the distinctive voice of a palace eunuch, and for them to sneak around like this… it was probably that person.
Shi Wuxiang immediately trotted over to open the door and respectfully welcomed the visitor inside. He truly found it strange—what charm did insignificant people like them possess that could make this man secretly come visit again and again?
Emperor Sheng removed the hood of his cloak. He first swept his gaze across the furnishings of the small guild hall room, his eyes moving from Yuan Zhao’s stunned face to the table and chairs before stepping forward and sitting down.
“Greetings to Your Majesty!” Shi Wuxiang hurriedly beckoned Yuan Zhao over to kneel and pay respects. Yuan Zhao had never learned such etiquette, so he could only awkwardly wave his hands around blindly until Shi Wuxiang corrected his posture.
“There is no need for such ceremony. If your voices get any louder, what would be the point of my secretly coming here?” Emperor Sheng shot him a somewhat dissatisfied glance. After noticing the packed bundles in their room, he asked, “Judging by this, you plan to leave the capital tomorrow?”
“Yes. We have been away from home too long, and our family worries for us,” Shi Wuxiang replied softly. “May I ask whether Your Majesty has come here to offer instructions?”
Emperor Sheng found him rather strange. Clearly he was young and spirited, yet occasionally he carried an air of maturity, which also felt somewhat unique.
For ordinary commoners, without an entire family exhausting themselves to cultivate them, it was difficult to rank near the top, much less enter the first class.
If he had not secretly altered Shi Wuxiang’s results, let alone returning to his village, this man probably would not even have been able to leave Shengjing alive in the future.
Emperor Sheng raised his eyes to look at him. “Everyone else believes your rankings were at the very bottom. Yet you yourself do not care in the slightest? Or do you also think your results were not outstanding?”
“This humble official and the others studied with all our strength only so that one day we could obtain scholarly rank, shoulder the responsibilities of our families, and allow our loved ones to fill their stomachs and clothe their bodies.” Shi Wuxiang spoke with complete sincerity. “This humble official does not possess lofty ambitions. I have disappointed Your Majesty.”
Blockhead!
Rotten axle!
Emperor Sheng wanted to throw those words in his face, yet such genuine temperament was truly rare among scholars.
“Your examination results originally belonged among the first class,” Emperor Sheng said softly. “You possess considerable talent, and your husband also carries the heart of an innocent child. I have already heard how, during the drought, your husband led merchants in disaster relief and helping the people. The sons of Great Sheng ought to be like this.”
“Many thanks for Your Majesty’s praise. These are merely things we ought to do.”
“Things we ought to do…” Yuan Zhao echoed along.
As Emperor Sheng grew older, he found himself able to display a measure of kindness toward younger people who were uninvolved with power and profit.
He looked toward Yuan Zhao. “You handled matters well. Is there any reward you desire? Gold, silver, jewels, silks, satins—you may ask for anything.”
Yuan Zhao hurriedly waved both hands. “No need, no need. We already have plenty. Many thanks, Your Majesty.” As he spoke, he also awkwardly attempted a bow.
“I must reward you with something. Speak boldly.” Emperor Sheng was very generous. If Yuan Zhao wanted a residence in the capital, that would be even simpler.
Perhaps he could even keep Shi Wuxiang behind.
Yuan Zhao glanced at Shi Wuxiang, his heart caught in fierce internal struggle. It was His Majesty who said he wanted to reward him, but if he asked for too much, would he seem greedy? Would he implicate A-Xiang? Would they perhaps be directly sentenced to death?
Such an obvious trap—even rabbits would not jump into traps like this back when he used snares to catch them!
Emperor Sheng continued encouraging him. “Just say it. Why are you hemming and hawing like this? My word is law. As long as it is not murder or arson, even if I cannot accomplish it, I will not blame you.”
Yuan Zhao thought for a moment and cautiously raised one finger. “I want silver. If Your Majesty rewards us with jewels, they can’t really be used like silver… I won’t ask for much. Could I have one hundred taels of silver?”
Emperor Sheng: “………………”
He had fully prepared himself for Yuan Zhao to ask for ten thousand acres of fertile land. At the very least, he should have requested an honorary title. Yet in the end he only wanted one hundred taels?
And silver at that?
This truly was fearless ignorance. Shi Wuxiang’s back was already soaked in sweat, and he stood ready to kneel and beg forgiveness at any moment.
Seeing Emperor Sheng’s strange expression, he immediately prepared to pull Yuan Zhao down to kneel, yet Emperor Sheng spoke first.
“Forget it, forget it. I’ll give it to you. There’s no talking with someone as ignorant as you!”
No talking with him!
“Many thanks, Your Majesty.” Yuan Zhao happily accepted it. As long as he got silver, he did not care what was said.
“Hmph!” Emperor Sheng snorted coldly and stood up. “Short-sighted fools. I can’t be bothered speaking with you any further.”
Shi Wuxiang immediately took Yuan Zhao’s hand and rose to see him out. “Respectfully sending off Your Majesty.”
It was not that he failed to understand Emperor Sheng’s intentions. It was simply that their current dispositions truly were not suited for becoming officials. He indeed possessed some scholarly intelligence along with a few clever tricks and bits of wit… but once truly entering officialdom, he perhaps would not adapt.
He possessed clear self-awareness. Their current status and position were already enough for them to enjoy abundant food and clothing in the county for the rest of their lives. People should know contentment.
Not long after Emperor Sheng left, one hundred taels of silver were delivered for Yuan Zhao. They even rather forcefully included an additional luminous pearl, clearly making it impossible for them to pawn it off.
That night, they slept especially soundly.
Early the next morning, Shi Wuxiang rented a carriage and driver. Since they needed transport all the way to town, the price was higher, but still reasonable.
They loaded all the belongings onto the carriage, while Yuan Zhao kept his own items close to his body. After all, he had earned them through his own abilities!
Many of the scholars who had received official appointments planned to remain in the capital several more days. They hoped someone might recruit them, which would also benefit their future careers.
The people in the guild hall all paid close attention to them. Seeing they were about to leave, many gathered around.
“Fellow colleagues, you’re leaving already? Why not stay a few more days so we can share some drinks together?”
“That’s exactly right. We may not meet again in the future, so why not remain two more days and let us host a banquet for you?”
Chengdu smiled upon hearing the sarcastic remarks. “We merely hold honorary posts. How could we compare to all of you? Naturally we should hurry home. Receiving salaries year after year is already enough.”
“You freeload off the imperial salary, yet you can still feel perfectly justified about it?” someone said indignantly. “We all have to become officials and help relieve His Majesty’s burdens, while you people… hmph!”
“If you possess such dissatisfaction, you may as well speak directly before His Majesty. There’s no need to put on such airs in front of us.” Shi Wuxiang replied calmly. “Since you do not dare make trouble before His Majesty, then stop causing trouble for us. His Majesty sees all things. Everyone should be careful.”
At that moment, a figure squeezed through the crowd.
“Senior Brother, so it really was you all! Earlier when hearing the imperial decree, I feared I had heard wrong. Are you leaving already?”
The speaker was Hong Yu. Guilt lingered in his eyes, though his face displayed an open and straightforward appearance, as though he and Shi Wuxiang were extremely familiar.
Originally, they truly could have become close. Though not comparable to the friendship he shared with Chengdu and the others, it would not have become as awkward as it was now. But all of this was Hong Yu’s own fault.
Chengdu glanced at him. “So it’s Brother Hong. This time your name did not appear on the rankings, nor were you appointed an official. Three years from now, you’ll have to work even harder.”
Hong Yu’s smile stiffened upon his face, revealing obvious embarrassment. He had never expected that the presented scholars he had befriended earlier would also fail to pass, making his previous shortsightedness even more glaring.
Today he had shamelessly come here intending to repair relations with them, yet he had not gained anything favorable.
“Brother Cheng, why be like this? Back then we also shared the friendship of drinking cups together.” Hong Yu spoke awkwardly, hoping they would remember their past friendship.
But everything was futile.
The four of them had no intention of forming some little clique, but anyone wishing to befriend them ought at least to do so sincerely. Someone like Hong Yu was naturally better kept far away.
“In the past we could drink together. As for why we no longer can, you know perfectly well.” Shi Wuxiang struck directly at the heart of the matter.
After speaking, he ignored them completely. Exchanging a glance with Chengdu, he lowered the carriage curtain and departed directly.
Following behind them at the very end were the rewards bestowed by the emperor—an entire carriage full of treasures, enough to make those people red-eyed with envy, stomping and scratching in frustration.
Although they comforted themselves by saying their future official careers would be smooth, no matter how much they reassured themselves, they understood deep down that if they wished for promotion and wealth, they could only obtain it through the emperor’s favor—and Shi Wuxiang and the others had been fortunate enough to receive exactly that.
Whatever happened to those people afterward no longer had any relation to them. What they needed to do now was simply hurry home.
The road home was clearly just as long as the road there had been, yet each of them longed for home like an arrow released from the bow. If the horses had not needed rest, they truly wished they could fly straight back.
Hurrying day and night, they finally returned home after half a month.