After Lin Yue and the others left, the area outside the examination hall remained bustling with people. It was already afternoon, yet many candidates from distant parts of the provincial capital were still arriving, weary from their long journeys.

Shen Huaizhi stood with several other candidates who had just passed the Xiucai provincial exam. Those who had succeeded, regardless of age, were all brimming with confidence at that moment. Their conversations and laughter revolved around the recently concluded provincial exam and inquiries about whether they would all attend the prefectural academy in the capital city together.

Official academies existed not only in the prefectural capital but also in county towns, though their sizes varied. In Youjiang County, where the Shen family resided, the county academy had only one retired Juren; the rest of the teaching staff were all Xiucai.

“I wonder if any of you plan to attend the prefectural academy in the capital this year? September is the enrollment period. If you come, we’ll be classmates.”

“Of course I’ll come. Although my ranking was only average this time, my teacher has high hopes for me and believes I have considerable natural talent. If I can find another distinguished teacher, I have a good chance of passing the provincial examination. Naturally, I cannot let my teacher down.”

Most of those who said they would come were those who had ranked highly this time and came from wealthy families. Shen Huaizhi was not among them. While he naturally harbored a longing for the prefectural academy, he had already made up his mind: at least this year, he would not be coming.

Before the crowd could discuss it further, the officials had already arrived to take roll call.

“Please follow me, Xiucais. The Provincial Education Commissioner is already waiting in the main hall of the examination hall.”

The Provincial Education Commissioner was a stern-faced, middle-aged man. Upon seeing them, he said little, offering only a few words of encouragement before having a blue robe with a phoenix crest brought to them.

“Where is the top scholar of this examination?”

Fang Yuze stepped forward and bowed with clasped hands. “This humble scholar, Fang Yuze, pays his respects to the Commissioner of Education.”

Fang Yuze was a dark-skinned middle-aged man who appeared to be about the same age as the Commissioner of Education. Perhaps for this reason, the Commissioner seemed unenthusiastic; he merely nodded in praise, handed over the robe, and dismissed him. The remaining robes were distributed by the officials under the Commissioner’s command.

While Shen Huaizhi waited at the examination hall, Lin Yue, already familiar with the area, led Shen Zhengchu to the Yuelai Inn where they had stayed before.

The innkeeper, Zhao, had a good memory. Seeing Lin Yue walk in with a smile, he waved him over and asked cheerfully, “Young man, it’s good to see you again. Are you staying the night today?”

Lin Yue replied, “Indeed. Are there any vacant rooms in the ‘Earth-class’ wing? I’d like two rooms today. Also, Manager, is there space in the backyard to keep a mule?”

Manager Zhao stroked his beard and replied, “Certainly. Room 3 in the ‘Earth-class’ wing, where you stayed a few days ago, is still vacant, and Room 4 next to it is also available. It’s perfect for a family to split up. As for the mules, young man, please wait a moment. I’ll have an employee lead you through the backyard. However, livestock isn’t cheap. If you pay an extra five wen, we can provide a dedicated attendant to watch over them. Should they go missing, our inn will compensate you for the full value.”

Lin Yue sighed inwardly. Anyone capable of running an inn in the prefectural capital was indeed formidable. “That would be excellent,” he replied, immediately pulling out sixty-five wens and handing them over. Manager Zhao took the money but didn’t rush to put it away. Instead, he asked, “I wonder, young man, has your husband passed the imperial examinations?”

Speaking of which, Lin Yue recalled what Manager Zhao had said when they were staying at the inn. With a touch of modesty, he replied, “I must thank you for your kind words, Manager. You were right—he came in twenty-first.”

Unfortunately, his experience was still a bit lacking. An old hand like Manager Zhao immediately spotted that hint of hidden pride in Lin Yue and was only too happy to play along with the praise: “You’re truly a promising young man. Since that’s the case, the room fee for Room 3, where the two of you are staying tonight, is waived. However, there is a small matter I’d like to discuss with you. Rest assured, I won’t put you in a difficult position, nor will I ask you to speak on my behalf.”

Lin Yue had anticipated that the room fee wouldn’t be waived so easily. “Go ahead, Manager. If it’s not to your liking, we’ll pay the full amount.” Manager Zhao took a step forward, explained the matter in a few words, and asked, “What do you think, young ger?”

Lin Yue: Just as I thought—I still have a lot to learn about the ways of business.

“As long as you don’t mention the name, I’m fine with it.”

At the end of the Shen hour, Shen Huaizhi left the examination hall and headed toward the inn. Just as he reached the alley entrance, a man ran up, shouting, “The guest in Room 3 at the Yuelai Inn has passed the examination! Xiucai Shen is young and promising—our innkeeper has specially waived the room fee to celebrate his success!”

Besides this man, there seemed to be another plant in the crowd. “Wow, the Yuelai Inn is something else! Didn’t a Xiucai stay there during the last provincial exam too? Could there be some secret to passing the exams just by staying at this inn?”

The clerk who had been shouting earlier didn’t respond to that remark, but simply said, “You have a good memory. It’s true that the guest in Room 2 last time did pass the examination to become a Xiucai. And a few years back, the guest in Room 1 was even more remarkable—he came in first place, and I heard he went on to pass the provincial examination as well.”

“Is that so? Then I must tell my distant relative. When he takes the next exam, I’ll have him stay at the Yuelai Inn. If nothing else, it’ll be good to soak up some of that good fortune.”

The two chatted back and forth, and the onlookers grew increasingly excited, chatting animatedly among themselves. One said he’d tell his nephew, another thought of his own son—it was hard to imagine just how booming business would be at the Yuelai Inn next August.

Although Xiucais weren’t exactly a rare sight in the prefectural city, apart from those old Xiucai who’d never held a proper job and were entirely dependent on their wives or fulangs, most Xiucai were held in high regard. This was especially true for those who had just passed the examination—their futures were boundless. 

Who knew? In a couple of years, they might become Jurens, and then they’d be officials. There wasn’t a commoner alive who wouldn’t be envious of that.

As soon as Shen Huaizhi heard this, he knew they were talking about him. He was genuinely relieved they hadn’t mentioned his name, and he suspected they’d likely discussed it with Lin Yue beforehand—otherwise, they wouldn’t have acted so directly.

As soon as he reached the inn’s entrance, Shen Huaizhi saw the innkeeper standing at the door with a beaming smile, chatting idly with the innkeeper from the neighboring establishment. “You’ve heard the news too,

“You bet. That young man seemed so quiet when he first arrived, but now he’s a Xiucai—how rare is that? I heard he’d even stayed at your place before. Why didn’t you keep them? Having a young Xiucai stay at your inn—that would’ve been such a talking point.”

“Haha, I don’t have your keen eye. It’s just a Xiucai—nothing to get excited about.”

Manager Zhao couldn’t stand his attitude. The two inns were right next to each other, and they’d had their share of disagreements. This time, he’d barely managed to come out on top—how could he not brag a little?

“Well, I can’t compare to you. I do hold Xiucai in high regard. Oh, I won’t keep you any longer. You probably don’t know this yet, but someone heard that my inn has produced another Xiucai this year. They want to book a room and stay here for ten days to soak up the Xiucai’s good fortune. I’d better go inside and attend to the guest.”

As soon as Manager Zhao finished speaking, he saw the man’s expression change. He didn’t call him out on it, but turned and went inside, laughing heartily as he went, his voice still ringing out, “Everyone, make sure everything is spotless. We’ve got plenty of guests today—we can’t afford to neglect them.”

Shen Huaizhi stood at the inn’s entrance, hesitating for quite a while before finally lowering his head and stepping inside.

Unfortunately, even with his head down, the sharp-eyed Manager Zhao spotted him immediately. But he said nothing, merely beckoning an attendant to escort Shen Huaizhi upstairs.

Lin Yue and Shen Zhengchu were drinking tea in the room. As soon as Shen Huaizhi entered, Lin Yue handed him a cup of tea. “Have a sip. You must be thirsty after being out there for so long.”

Shen Huaizhi took the cup and drained it in one gulp before telling Lin Yue what had just happened. Lin Yue said, “It was the shopkeeper who discussed it with me—we’re just using a name as a cover, without revealing your real identity.” 

Shen Huaizhi nodded. “I suppose so. Have you two eaten yet?”

Shen Zhengchu replied, “Since you hadn’t come back, Yue was worried and couldn’t eat a bite. It’s getting late—you two should go eat quickly. I’m worried about the mule, so I won’t be joining you.”

Lin Yue and Shen Huazhi couldn’t persuade him, so they could only say, “Then, Father, please wait here for us. We’ll buy some food and come back to eat together.”

By the time the family had finished eating, the sun had already set. Lin Yue didn’t rush to rest but immediately urged Shen Huaizhi to change his clothes. “Is this the Xiucai robe? I’ve never seen one before. Try it on quickly—I even brought a needle and thread. If it doesn’t fit, we can alter it.”

Altering the clothes was just an afterthought; his main goal was to see what Shen Huaizhi looked like in the outfit—after all, it was made of silk. Unable to resist Lin Yue’s persistence and with Shen Zhengchu chiming in on his side, Shen Huaizhi had no choice but to take the robe and change behind the screen.

The indigo-blue outer robe and round-collared tunic, paired with a ceremonial hat featuring a raised center adorned with red tassels and a brass finial shaped like a jujube seed, plus a pair of long boots—he looked absolutely magnificent.

It was the first time Lin Yue had seen Shen Huaizhi dressed like this, and he found himself unable to look away. Was Shen Huaizhi really this handsome? Shen Huaizhi also noticed Lin Yue’s gaze and instantly straightened his back a little more.

It was a long moment before Lin Yue remembered that Father Shen was standing nearby. He cleared his throat to hide his unease and asked with a smile, “Father, what do you think?”

Shen Zhengchu gave him a once-over. “Not bad. He looks sharp and alert.”

He then added, “It’s getting late. You two should get some rest. I’ll be on my way now—Huazhi has a banquet to attend tomorrow, doesn’t he?”

Shen Zhengchu was always quick on his feet; no sooner had he said he was leaving than the door was shut behind him, leaving both Lin Yue and Shen Huaizhi completely caught off guard.

Lin Yue: “……”

Lin Yue turned to Shen Huaizhi. “Then let’s wash up and go to bed. Tomorrow, you’ll attend the banquet, and I’ll take Father out for a stroll.” 

Shen Huaizhi: “You go first. I’ll wash up after you’re done.”

Neither of them was particular about who went first. Since Shen Huaizhi had said so, Lin Yue picked up his change of clothes and went behind the screen. The hot water had only been brought in a moment ago—it was still scalding—so Lin Yue added quite a bit of cold water.

After washing, Lin Yue came out wearing only his undershirt, with his outer robe draped loosely over his shoulders. “You’d better hurry. The water will be cold soon.” A long time passed, and Lin Yue was already starting to doze off when Shen Huaizhi finally emerged.

The moment Lin Yue saw him, his eyes widened in surprise. What was wrong with this man? Just a moment ago, he’d refused to change when told to, and now he wouldn’t take his clothes off. He was still fully dressed even as they were about to sleep.

“You…”

The words died on his lips, for Lin Yue was momentarily unable to speak.

A warm sensation on his lips, starting as a light touch and gradually deepening, grew scorching as it mingled with the sound of breathing.

As night deepened, the moonlight flowed like water. Peering through the window, the moon seemed to blush at the sight of the lovers’ flushed cheeks inside and quietly hid itself behind the clouds.

The night was both long and fleeting. Lin Yue drifted in and out of sleep several times, but finally, unable to bear it any longer, he bit down on Shen Huaizhi’s arm and slept soundly until dawn.

Shen Huaizhi was due to attend the banquet at the end of the Si hour. The three of them had breakfast at a small stall outside the inn, then strolled around the area before returning to the inn.

Lin Yue put away the things they had just bought. When she looked up, she saw Shen Huaizhi, now dressed in a sky-blue robe. Her face flushed instantly, and she lowered her head, urging him, “Hurry along. It wouldn’t do to be late.”

The bite mark on Shen Huaizhi’s shoulder hadn’t faded yet, so he didn’t come any closer. He stopped two paces away from Lin Yue and said, “I’m off then. You and Father shouldn’t wander too far.”

“I know, I know. Go on now.”