Chapter 40: Different Circumstances (Please add to favorites and keep reading)

The distance between the prefectural city and the county seat was nearly a hundred *li*.

As dusk approached, Wei Tu and Wei Fei arrived at Qingshan County just two quarters of an hour before the city gates were to be closed.

The two parted ways at the crossroads, each returning to their own home.

Wei Tu did not linger in the county seat; instead, he led his green-maned horse toward the Li residence.

This time, the entrance to the Li residence was different from his last visit. It was not bustling with crowds or filled with carriages; it appeared somewhat desolate.

After waiting a short while at the side gate, Wei Tu was led into the inner quarters of the Li household by the maid, Chunlan.

"Brother Wei, did you... make the list in the Dao Examination this time?" After walking for a short distance, Chunlan, who was leading the way, paused. She turned her head to glance at Wei Tu and asked in a low voice with her head bowed.

"The list..." Following the sound, Wei Tu's gaze fell upon Chunlan's face. He saw no expression of jealousy or joy; her face was calm, though her hand clutching her handkerchief trembled slightly.

Since achieving success in martial arts, he had become highly adept at observing the minute movements and micro-expressions of others.

"Ranked twelfth in the Dao Examination, a second-class Martial Xiucai," Wei Tu replied.

He could roughly guess Chunlan's thoughts. She likely felt a bit unsettled after seeing him "ascend to heaven in a single step."

—After all, they were all once servants of the Li household.

However, Wei Tu felt no resentment toward Chunlan's thoughts; he considered it merely human nature.

If it were him, he would likely feel the same, as long as Chunlan harbored no ill intentions.

"A second-class Martial Xiucai..."

Upon hearing this, Chunlan looked astonished, but after thinking it through, she felt it was only to be expected.

Two months ago, she and the other maids who were close to Xinghua had already learned of Wei Tu's results in the Prefectural Examination from Xinghua herself.

He was the top martial candidate in the County Examination. He ranked sixth in the Prefectural Examination.

To secure a title in the Dao Examination was not an incomprehensible feat.

After a moment, Chunlan regained her composure. She showed a look of apology and gave a slight bow to Wei Tu.

"Wei... Master..."

Chunlan changed her form of address.

Even though Wei Tu currently possessed not a single cent, having attained the title of Martial Xiucai meant he was now a high-and-mighty Scholar Master. She, a mere maid of the Li family, could no longer address him haphazardly.

"Just call me Brother Wei. We grew up together, after all," Wei Tu shook his head, looking somewhat displeased.

Hearing this, a hint of joy rose in Chunlan's heart. She nodded and did not persist with the issue of his title, continuing to call him "Brother Wei."

"Brother Wei, the Eldest Young Master failed the Dao Examination this time. He just returned this morning. When you go to the inner quarters later, please be mindful and try not to mention this matter..."

Chunlan habitually tried to look out for Wei Tu, but as she spoke, she suddenly realized something and gave a sheepish smile. "I've said too much. You are different now, Brother Wei. You don't need to worry too much about the feelings of the Master and the Eldest Mistress."

People were different.

If a servant offended the masters, they would, at the very least, face a lecture or punishment.

But a guest of equal status was different.

Even if the masters were displeased in their hearts, they would suppress their annoyance.

"Li Xingye failed?"

Unlike Chunlan, Wei Tu was more concerned with the fact that Li Xingye had failed.

"No wonder the Li residence has become so quiet. So it was because Li Xingye failed..."

Wei Tu was suddenly enlightened.

The results for the Civil and Martial Imperial Academies were released only a few days apart. It would only take a few days for the Civil Academy's rankings to reach Qingshan County.

Had Li Xingye been on the Dao Examination list, the Li residence would undoubtedly be ten times more lively than it was when the County Examination results were released. After all, the County Examination was just an exam, but passing the Dao Examination meant having a tangible official title in hand.

"Given Li Xingye's age, obtaining a Xiucai title before thirty should not be difficult, but... people always rise and fall with the tides..."

"If one fails this session, their perceived potential in the eyes of the world will drop significantly."

Thinking of this, Wei Tu felt a sense of melancholy.

If he had failed this session, his end would likely have been far worse than Li Xingye's...

The Shan family, the Li family, the Huang family... whether he could remain as he was before was still an unknown.

"Thank you for the reminder, Sister Chunlan."

After a moment, Wei Tu composed himself and thanked Chunlan for her warning.

"Once I reach the drawing room and see Master Li and his wife, I will be careful," he added.

...

Entering the drawing room.

Before Wei Tu could speak, Li Yaozu took the lead: "Since Brother Wei has returned from the prefectural city, do you wish to stay at my Li residence for a few days? There is certainly no objection to that."

As the words fell, Wei Tu's brow furrowed imperceptibly—he felt Li Yaozu's words were somewhat condescending, as if he were offering charity.

This time, he had not come to the Li residence to seek lodging, but to share his good news with Xinghua and to discuss the matter of Xinghua's redemption with Li Yaozu and his wife.

—While in the prefectural city, besides practicing martial arts, he had taken on work writing letters with the help of Shan Yangong, allowing him to save some money.

This money was different; it was only a bit more than a tael.

It wasn't enough for redemption.

But it was certainly enough for inn accommodations.

The internal military strategy portion of the martial examinations also required calligraphy skills from the martial masters.

If one's handwriting was poor, while it might not lead to immediate disqualification like in the civil examinations, it would certainly impact one's score.

However, just as Wei Tu was about to explain, he suddenly remembered Chunlan's earlier warning. Thus, he suppressed his temper and did not voice a rebuttal.

No matter what, the Li family had helped him.

It was unnecessary to provoke the couple while they were in a state of disappointment.

He was not so petty as to do that.

The matter of Xinghua's redemption could be discussed at a more appropriate time; there was no need to pick such a sensitive day.

Furthermore, if he had just attained a title and immediately acted "arrogant" toward his former benefactors, it would not bring him a good reputation in the outside world.

"Regarding the lodging, I thank Master Li for his generosity." After a moment of thought, Wei Tu rose and bowed to Li Yaozu to express his gratitude.

"Today, I shall not disturb the two of you further," Wei Tu said, taking his leave.

As Wei Tu turned to depart, he unexpectedly bumped into Li Xingye, who was walking toward the drawing room.

At this moment, Li Xingye's hair was disheveled, his face was haggard, and his scholar's robes were loose and messy, with his collar and belt not even properly fastened.

"You scoundrel! What do you think you are doing looking like this?" Seeing this scene, Li Yaozu's anger flared instantly, and he stood up to scold him.

The beginning of propriety lies in correct posture, composed countenance, and orderly speech.

If Li Xingye's appearance were seen by outsiders, at best, it would be seen as a lack of self-discipline; at worst, it would be seen as a sign of the Li family's lack of discipline and a failure to uphold a tradition of scholarly cultivation.

"What's the big deal..." Li Xingye yawned and sat down haphazardly on a straight-backed chair in the drawing room.

Seeing this, Li Yaozu could only shake his head helplessly, assuming his son was merely despondent over failing the exam and not finding the heart to scold him again.

But at that moment.

A maid, her clothes disheveled, came running in crying. She knelt before Lady Li, her lips pressed tightly together, without saying a single word.

(End of Chapter)