Chapter 28: The Martial Arts Practitioner Guards His Integrity and Obtains a Good Reward (2)

  The two of them each had their own thoughts, but the Wen Xuan Pavilion was getting closer and closer. The two of them had just stopped in front of the door when someone with a smiling face came out to greet them: "Are you two looking for someone or staying at an inn? If it's the latter, I'm afraid we're sorry, our small shop has no empty rooms!"

  "We've come to look for someone!"

  The shopkeeper at the entrance smiled and asked again: "I don't know which guest you two are looking for?"

  In this world, if there's anyone who can't afford to offend, it's undoubtedly the literati. Even a poor and destitute literatus may one day rise to prominence and become a high-ranking official. The Imperial Academy of Literature has such a reputation precisely because of the literati, so people have an increasingly reverent attitude towards them. Although the two men from the East were dressed in worn-out clothes, the thin man's half-new cotton robe still gave away his appearance as a literatus. Therefore, that group of accountants spoke with extreme politeness.

  "Upon hearing the sound, he hastily stepped forward and said: 'I'm actually looking for two young masters. Both of them are quite handsome, one appears to be around 18 or 19 years old, and the other is about the same age, but with a slightly pale complexion, as if he's ill!' Apparently feeling that his description was still not detailed enough, he thought for a moment before adding: 'Ah yes, the older of the two young masters wore a stone-blue cloud-patterned brocade robe.'"

  The fellow, hearing the voice, smiled and waved his hand: "I dare say, sir, you are asking about the guests staying in the Emerald Bamboo Garden? Please follow me!" He said, making a gesture with his body, indicating for the two to follow him.

  The two were led to the counter, and the shop assistant pointed to a man in his fifties with a kind round face sitting behind the counter, saying: "Boss, the person that the guest from Cuizhu Garden was talking about has arrived!"

  The shopkeeper heard the sound, and then raised his head. He carefully looked at the two of them, and only then smiled and said: "I don't know which one of you two guests is the person that the guest from Cui Zhu Garden was talking about?"

  He stepped forward and responded loudly: "I am!"

  The shopkeeper nodded and asked: "Sir, have you come to Beijing to take the imperial examination?"

  This remark was strange, and after a pause, Dong Xi nodded and said, "Exactly!"

  The shopkeeper asked again: "May I ask, sir, have you brought any identification documents or other items for the imperial examination?"

  Dong was taken aback, hesitating and unsure of what to say. The thin man beside him overheard the conversation and couldn't help but be moved, hastily taking a step forward and saying: "But I don't know why the shopkeeper asked about this?"

  The shopkeeper smiled and said, "Not to hide from you two gentlemen, the guests at Cui Zhu Garden left at noon today. Before they left, they called over Xiao Lao'er and instructed him with a few words. These words were exactly what the two young masters told Xiao Lao'er. You two don't need to be alarmed, if you are indeed this year's examinees, just bring your identity documents and there will be benefits for you!"

  Qī Dōng, having overheard the four words "having its own benefits", did not hesitate at all. On the spot, he reached into his pocket and took out the identity documents that he had been keeping close to him, handing them over to the shopkeeper. His two brothers-in-law, who rented a thatched hut, dared not casually place important documents anywhere, but kept them close at hand for safekeeping.

  The shopkeeper took the letter and only glanced at it briefly, without reading it carefully. He then smiled at the two men and said: "The guest from Cuizhu Garden has asked me to inform you that if you are a candidate for this year's imperial examination, we will discuss the previous matter after the spring exam. Moreover, the guest also left a message saying that since you are now considered half a family member, you can stay in Cuizhu Garden with peace of mind and prepare for the spring test. Whether you become a servant or a friend depends on yourself!"

  He knew that Dong was a scholar from the east, and his words became more polite, replacing "guest officer" with "young master".

  This conversation was heard by Qidong and the other person, it was truly a windfall. After exchanging a bewildered glance, Qidong couldn't help but ask the thin man in disbelief: "Big brother... am I... dreaming?"

  …………

  Green Ridge Villa. After waking up from a noon nap, Yuande was still feeling tired and lazily leaned against the western kang, silently thinking about something, and only after a long time did she let out a sigh. Wenshuang was smiling as she brought over tea, and upon hearing this sigh, her heart felt a sense of surprise. After serving Yuande in rinsing her mouth, she then smiled and said: "Miss, what are you thinking about? Why did you suddenly let out a sigh?"

  Facing the text screen, Yuandai Da turned over and did not hide it. At this time, he couldn't help but say with a sigh: "I was just thinking that ancient people were indeed deceived by me!"

  Wen Ping listened and was taken aback again, asking in surprise: "Miss sighed, was it just because of this sentence?"

  She smiled and shook her head, and only then did Yuandai get to the point: "As people often say, 'Breaking iron shoes without searching for a place, getting everything without effort.' I used to think that this saying made things too easy and too coincidental. Now I suddenly understand that sometimes things are indeed this simple and easy. Unfortunately, I no longer have the good fortune to enjoy this simplicity."

  The more she spoke, the more confused Wen Ping became. After a bitter smile, Wen Ping said: "Miss, I understand every word and sentence you say, but when put together, somehow, I don't understand it at all!" - The Medical Consort 28

  Yan Dai heard a burst of laughter and explained: "Wenping, I previously wanted to select a son-in-law under the list, you know that!"

  "Miss, aren't you now paying attention and determined to marry Prince Rui?"

  She nodded slightly and said calmly, "Yes! The reason I decided to marry him is that at this time, marrying him was my best choice. Secondly, it's also because I really didn't have the confidence to find someone who meets my expectations among the candidates in this year's imperial examination."

  As soon as the words came out, Wenping finally woke up and suddenly opened her eyes wide. She lost her voice and said: "No wonder Miss called that shopkeeper today, and talked to Xiao Jie about so many things together, it turns out..."

  Yan Dai raised her hand to stop her from speaking further, and smiled faintly: "As it turns out, if everything is indeed as I thought, then that reckless fool isn't a bad person who values loyalty and righteousness. However, although I have the intention of matchmaking, whether it succeeds or not still depends on Sister Xiao. You knowing about this doesn't matter, but you're not allowed to randomly tell others about it. Just keep it between us and be an observer."

  Wen Ping listened with a smile, and after a moment, he said: "Although the young lady's words are reasonable, Miss Xiao comes from a noble family and is talented and beautiful. In my opinion, even becoming an empress would not be inappropriate for her. However, she may not necessarily look favorably upon someone who wields knives and dances with guns."

  With a gentle smile, Yu Xiu slowly said: "In life, who can completely say what their future holds?" She glanced at Wen Ping and continued: "A few months ago, if someone had told you that I would one day marry into the Wang family, would you have believed it?"

  When Wenping heard this, he couldn't help but laugh too.

  Yan Dai, however, was not bothered and simply sat up, stretching her waist slightly before saying: "Besides, if Elder Sister Xiao doesn't approve of me, there's still Yuan Zhen with you. You should know that I'm very particular about the people I take a liking to!" Her words were laced with a hint of teasing.

  Wen Ping was shocked and waved her hand, saying: "Miss, this is a mess! Shuangzhen sister already has a husband, not to mention that I am just a slave by Miss's side, how can I match up with a scholar from a prestigious school?"

  A faint smile, Yan Dai patted the hand of Wen Ping: "Kings, princes, generals and ministers, do they have a special kind? Think about the Empress Dowager, didn't she also feed pigs, raise sheep, plow fields and weave cloth back then?"