Chapter 6

"Engagement token, betrothal gift?" Yu Qing's eyes widened. "You bookworm, did you already have a pre-arranged wife?"

Asheng neither confirmed nor denied, tacitly acknowledging it.

Yu Qing's face showed a mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment, and he instinctively asked the question most young people would care about, "Is she pretty?"

Asheng's eyes also revealed a hint of longing. "I don't know. We were both very young when we were betrothed. They say we've met, but I have no memory of it. What are you thinking?"

Yu Qing's face showed a sly smile. "Well, if I go to your fiancée's house and pretend to be you, would that be appropriate?"

Asheng gave him a cold look. "If I let you pretend, would you really do it?"

"Look at what you're saying." Yu Qing chuckled dryly. He was just asking; he wouldn't really do it, as he still had his principles. He then realized another issue. "You mean you won't tell your fiancée's family about the impersonation?"

Asheng turned his head to look at his injured arm, his eyes filled with sorrow. "Let's not say anything for now, to avoid any unnecessary complications. We need to keep it from the Zhong family and use their influence to get through the exams. We can deal with the romantic matters later. When the time is right, I'll explain to the Zhong family. If they accept it, fine; if not, I won't force it."

Yu Qing could read the sorrow in his eyes. If his arm couldn't be treated and he couldn't pursue a career in the government, the Zhong family might reconsider marrying their daughter to a disabled man with no future. Any parent would think twice about such a match.

Moreover, helping with the imperial exams by cheating was a serious crime!

He quickly comforted him. "Your family has fallen on hard times. If the wealthy merchant from the capital, surnamed Zhong, still recognizes old ties and helps, that's already quite something."

Seeing his well-intentioned advice, Asheng smiled slightly, understanding Yu Qing's guilt.

He knew that Yu Qing had done his best to protect him and had already dealt with the immediate threat. The accident was due to his own stubbornness in front of Yu Qing.

But he wouldn't reveal the truth, knowing that Yu Qing was hard to control. Only by making Yu Qing feel guilty would he ensure that Yu Qing would do his best to carry out his instructions.

Thinking about his injury, he murmured almost to himself, "When will Little Master return?"

Yu Qing knew that Asheng was pinning his hopes on Little Master. "The exact date is uncertain, but he usually returns once a year. He's been gone for half a year now."

"Half a year..." Asheng murmured, lost in thought.

The impression of Little Master from Linglong Temple was from his early years. He was someone who loved to look at himself in the mirror, fussing over every strand of hair, as if he had a face of unparalleled beauty. He was a graceful and vain man, and naturally, a very vain Taoist.

The reason it was an early impression was that he hadn't seen Little Master in nearly ten years. Little Master had gone out to practice and train, and when he occasionally returned, he didn't bother to visit Asheng. Asheng only learned of his return from the people at Linglong Temple...

Two days later, in a simple house near the city gate, Yu Qing stood in the main hall with his backpack.

His hairstyle couldn't be left to chance anymore, so he tied it up neatly. The small beard he had grown was shaved off, and he wore a washed-out coat that belonged to Asheng, as their builds were similar, making it easy to swap clothes.

He also gave Asheng the Taoist robe from his backpack, as Asheng would soon need it at Linglong Temple.

The sword remained at his waist, as it was normal for scholars to carry swords, and it was a refined practice to have a sword and a zither.

In the hall were two capable plainclothes officers, who were responsible for escorting him.

Pu Dianli was pacing in the small courtyard outside, waiting for someone. He had already informed Yu Qing in secret that the people from the Sannan Prefecture were indeed involved in the escort, and they had arrived the day before. Now they were waiting for them.

As the morning mist dissipated, a knock came from outside the courtyard. Pu Dianli quickly went to open the door.

A man and a woman in their thirties entered the courtyard. The man had a dignified appearance, and the woman looked like a refined lady, with a spirited look in her eyes. They were both dressed simply.

As soon as they entered, they scanned the surroundings and didn't pay much attention to Pu Dianli.

Pu Dianli led them inside and introduced them, "Asheng, these two are also part of the escort. They will accompany you on the journey." He didn't mention their names, as they had requested it.

In fact, Yu Qing already knew their names: the man was Xu Juning, and the woman was Tang Bulan.

Yu Qing immediately imitated Asheng's refined manner, bowing and greeting them, "Thank you both for your trouble."

There were already two officers in the hall, and they exchanged puzzled looks. They hadn't been informed about this, and these two clearly weren't from the county office. Moreover, how could an officer be a woman? One of them approached Pu Dianli and whispered, "Pu, who are these two?"

"They were sent from above. I'll take responsibility for everything. Don't ask too many questions," Pu Dianli muttered in response.

The two officers understood and didn't say anything more.

The two visitors from Sannan Prefecture had already identified their escort. Xu Juning's eyes were fixed on Yu Qing's sword, and he slowly approached Yu Qing, asking coldly, "You are Asheng?"

Yu Qing smiled and bowed. "Yes, that's me."

Xu Juning reached out and grasped the hilt of Yu Qing's sword, slowly drawing it out. "A heavy sword?"

This question made Pu Dianli's heart leap, realizing that the people from Sannan Prefecture were very perceptive.

It wasn't unusual for scholars to carry swords, but they were usually not for real combat. They were typically light and short, for decoration, and some weren't even sharpened. Yu Qing's sword, however, was clearly a weapon for combat.

Yu Qing showed no signs of panic, instead responding firmly, "I am not a weak scholar. Do you look down on me?"

Xu Juning returned the sword and asked, "Can you ride a horse?"

Yu Qing: "Yes, I can ride, and I'm pretty good at it."

Xu Juning immediately turned to Pu Dianli. "We don't need the carriage. Three fast horses will do."

Hearing this, Pu Dianli breathed a sigh of relief, realizing he had overthought it. As long as they confirmed that Asheng was the one taking the exam, they wouldn't care about the type of sword or whether he practiced martial arts. These were irrelevant to the exam.

The person substituting for the young master was clearly more composed, worthy of someone who had slain three snake demons.

Before Pu Dianli could respond, Xu Juning pointed at the two officers. "They will only be a burden. Leave them here; they don't need to come."

Pu Dianli was surprised. "How can that be? The county must deliver the person and get the transfer document to complete the task. Otherwise, I can't take the responsibility."

"I say it's fine. I'll sign for it, and the prefecture will send the document later," Xu Juning said, then turned back to Yu Qing, looking him up and down. "Don't dress like a scholar. Change your clothes. The backpack looks like a scholar's, so change that too."

At this point, everyone understood his intentions.

Soon, three fast horses were waiting outside the courtyard, and suitable clothes were brought for Yu Qing to change into.

When they set off, Yu Qing took a bag from his backpack, which contained books and other items, and casually threw the backpack into a corner, having long found it cumbersome.

Pu Dianli's eyes widened. Treating books this way didn't seem like the behavior of a scholar. He quietly observed the reactions of the two from Sannan Prefecture, and indeed, they were both stunned.

Xu Juning asked, puzzled, "Asheng, are you not taking your exam books?"

Yu Qing nonchalantly pointed to his head. "They're all in here."

Since he didn't care, Xu Juning had nothing more to say and nodded. "Let's go, then."

"Wait, the magistrate has some instructions. I need to remind you on behalf of the county," Pu Dianli said, pulling Yu Qing aside. In a corner, he whispered, looking distressed, "This is an exam, not a martial contest. I told you not to bring the sword, but you insisted. Younger brother, don't do things like throwing away books; it's not what a scholar would do. Xu has a keen eye. Be careful on the journey, and think before you act. Can you at least be more cautious?"

Yu Qing looked at him with a strange expression.

This stubborn attitude made Pu Dianli feel exhausted and worried. He stomped his foot. "Younger brother, even if not for yourself, do it for the young master!"

Yu Qing laughed. "Is that all? I told you not to worry. They aren't scholars, and they don't understand the exam. I don't believe they know much about it. Now, I'm the expert in scholar matters, and I can fool them easily. Got it?"

It made some sense... Pu Dianli was speechless, realizing why Yu Qing could be so nonchalant and even answer Xu Juning's questions however he wanted.

"Alright, don't scare yourself. Keep your heart in your stomach," Yu Qing patted his chest and walked away confidently.

Pu Dianli watched him go, understanding that the young master had chosen him for a reason, at least for his boldness.

They set off, and the three of them mounted their horses and rode away from the courtyard.

Pu Dianli watched them go, while the two officers in the house were instructed by Xu Juning to stay for two days and not to contact anyone outside...

As they left the city gate, the three riders sped up, galloping away. Yu Qing never looked back.

During the journey, Xu and Tang didn't say much, not thinking there was much to talk about with a scholar.

Yu Qing was happy to be left alone, hoping they wouldn't remember him. He knew that the key to this trip was to be low-key and go through the motions.