Chapter 23: Participating in the Martial Imperial Examination (Please add to favorites and follow for updates)

In the courtyard, Shan Fang’s expression darkened instantly as she stepped out of the living room. As if venting her frustration, she kicked the snowdrifts piled against the wall several times with her embroidered shoes and loudly scolded the maidservant clearing the snow.

Her words were sharp and caustic; Shan Fang knew that the couple, the Martial Candidate Shan and his wife, would certainly hear her from inside the house.

Then, Shan Fang turned and left, leading her son, Shan Yiwu, without even sparing a glance at her skirt, which had been soiled by the melting snow.

A large man in brocade followed behind.

From the moment they entered to the moment they left, Shan Fang's husband had not spoken another word, aside from a few auspicious pleasantries when kowtowing to offer greetings.

...

"A misfortune for the family." As Shan Fang departed, a rare look of desolation appeared on Shan Wu-ju's face.

He stared blankly at the entrance. Decades had passed, and this mansion, which had been newly built back then, had become yellowed and dilapidated.

The courtyard walls, shielded from much sunlight, had moss and green vines creeping up from the base; withered vines were entwined with several stalks of yellowish wild grass...

Shan Wu-ju’s gaze shifted slightly, catching sight of several sections of peeling corridor railings, the wood beneath them turning black and rotting beyond recognition.

This old residence was supposed to be the witness to nearly a century of the family's prosperity—something he could use to claim merit and boast to his ancestors after death, making the family an object of envy in the township...

But at this moment, not a single shred of joy welled up in Shan Wu-ju's heart.

"Master, I shall take my leave first." Seeing this scene, Wei Tu knew he shouldn't linger here, so he bowed in farewell.

Shan Wu-ju nodded in agreement.

—It was New Year's Day, a time for family reunions; as an outsider, it was indeed inappropriate for Wei Tu to stay long.

A disciple, after all, was not a biological son.

...

Stepping out of the living room.

Wei Tu inhaled several breaths of the cold outdoor air. The chill seeping from his nostrils into his chest helped him clear his head.

Just now, when he spoke those words, he had felt conflicted. After all, he was currently living under someone else's roof, and it was never easy to voice a refusal.

But in his heart, he truly did not want to be anyone's servant anymore—on the day he redeemed himself, he had considered two paths: besides taking the martial examinations, there was the path of the swordsman.

The indenture held by the Li family had already been redeemed; he and Xinghua had pooled enough silver to buy it back.

In the Shan household, he did not wish to sign another invisible contract that would lock him here firmly.

"A little over a month left." Wei Tu looked up at the snowflakes dancing in the wind and began walking toward his side chamber.

Today's incident was merely a small interlude; he would not let it derail his future.

The Health Preservation Arts.

The Tiger and Crane Double Form.

He would continue to practice them.

...

More than ten days later.

Shan Fang found an excuse and left the Shan residence, taking her son, Shan Yiwu, and her husband with her.

Upon their departure, in accordance with a prior agreement, they took a fine horse from the Shan estate's stables.

A few days passed.

Shan Yangu and Lady Min also left the Shan residence. However, unlike Shan Fang, Shan Yangu greeted Wei Tu as he left, telling him that when he went to the prefectural city to take the prefectural exam, he was welcome to stay at his house without hesitation.

Wei Tu accepted the offer.

He did not like Shan Fang, but he did not dislike Shan Yangu. If possible, he also wished to "mend old relations" with the Shan family.

He had never forgotten the kindness of Shan Wu-ju's teachings.

...

Time flowed on.

Finally.

It arrived in the second month of the twenty-fourth year of Qing'an, near the time of the Qingshan County martial examinations.

Wei Tu bid farewell to Shan Wu-ju, preparing to leave the Shan residence to attend the martial exams.

However.

Just as Wei Tu had shouldered his luggage and stepped out of the Shan courtyard, Shan Wu-ju rode out on horseback and blocked his path.

"In the martial exams, there is horse archery. Without a familiar horse, how can you achieve good results?"

Shan Wu-ju dismounted and tossed the reins of a blue-gray horse to Wei Tu.

"I know you do not wish to covet the wealth of my Shan family. I am lending you this blue-gray horse; return it once your exams are over."

"But by then, once you have earned your official title, perhaps you will be able to buy this horse for yourself," Shan Wu-ju said with a smile.

Hearing this.

Wei Tu hesitated for a brief moment before nodding. His right hand tightened around the reins, signifying his acceptance of Shan Wu-ju's proposal.

In the Shan house, he wasn't so much an outsider that he would refuse daily necessities provided by the maids.

It was just that... a warhorse was far too precious.

His redemption silver was only eight taels and eight mace.

In terms of value, this single blue-gray horse was equivalent to more than a dozen strong servants like himself who possessed a specialized skill.

He naturally did not dare to accept such a luxury lightly, but the martial exams were too critical. If the lack of a familiar horse affected his performance, losing something great for something small would be unwise.

"I know there is a rift between us, master and disciple, because of my youngest daughter." Shan Wu-ju walked up to Wei Tu and patted him on the shoulder.

Then, he barked, "But we are martial artists; how can we be so petty? It's quite unpleasant."

"When you return successful, I will host a banquet for you. You and I, master and disciple, will drink from large bowls and eat meat from large bowls. To hell with the distinctions between men and women!"

His speech was coarse and vigorous, his voice like a booming bell, vibrating Wei Tu's eardrums so much that he nearly suffered temporary deafness.

"Yes, Master..." After a brief pause, Wei Tu regained his senses. He looked at Shan Wu-ju and replied with a smile.

More than half a year had passed.

Shan Wu-ju seemed ten years older; the white hair at his temples had increased significantly. Though he was still robust, he looked much different from when Wei Tu first met him.

Having finished speaking, Wei Tu gave Shan Wu-ju a deep bow, then mounted the horse and rode the blue-gray horse out of the river valley where the Shan clan resided.

After riding for about seven or eight *li*.

Wei Tu's pace gradually slowed. He let out a soft sigh, reflecting on Shan Wu-ju's words.

He was not a pure martial artist; practicing martial arts, training, and taking the exams were all efforts he made to transcend his social class.

However, if he could forget the past by sharing a heavy drink with Shan Wu-ju, he would be more than willing.

"I wonder if my future child with Xinghua will be like Shan Fang..."

"If so, I suppose I will be helpless as well."

Wei Tu shook his head, suppressed his stray thoughts, and flicked the whip, galloping away.

...

Returning to Qingmu County.

Wei Tu planned to first find an inn to rent a small room, and then leave the blue-gray horse in the inn's stables to wait for the martial exams in a few days.

Now.

He was no longer the Li family's groom; it would not be appropriate to stay at the Li residence again.

However, as soon as Wei Tu entered an inn, he was shocked by the proprietor's quote.

The rental price for each room had increased several times over compared to before.

Even the price for a woodshed was several times higher than the previous price for a premium room.

Hearing the proprietor's explanation.

Wei Tu then remembered that the recent days coincided with the civil service county examinations; many Confucian scholars from the surrounding countryside of Qingmu County had rushed to the county seat to participate.

At this time.

Rooms in the inns were in high demand.

"The county exam is divided into the main exam and three rounds of supplementary exams."

"Yesterday, the results were just posted at the county magistrate's office. In three days, the supplementary exams will begin, and many candidates will be eliminated."

"The prices will be cheaper then..."

"Why don't you try renting for now?" the proprietor continued.

Hearing this.

Wei Tu shook his head, walked out of the inn, and turned to lead his horse toward the Li residence, intending to swallow his pride and ask to stay there for a few nights.

He already owed Li Yaozu a favor; incurring a small favor now would not be a major issue.