Chapter 73

He had considered selling the fire cricket to the Zhong family, but then thought it was inappropriate. If the price was too low, he would feel aggrieved; if the price was too high, it would be unfair to Old Man Shi Heng. Given his current fake identity, it was indeed improper to sell things to his "father-in-law."

After much deliberation, he decided he still needed to go out and find a buyer. Earning money this way would be more at ease. If he could find someone gullible, he might even sell it for an exorbitant price.

When Li the steward heard that he wanted to go out, he immediately shook his head and said, "No carriage, and even if there was one, I wouldn't give it to you."

Ying Qing was taken aback, "What do you mean?"

Li the steward countered, "Young Master, do I need to remind you of your ranking in the county examination? Do you think you have a good chance of passing? At this critical moment, it's the last push. Even if you don't shine, you can still polish up. Put in some effort! Why did the master spend so much to invite Mr. Ming? This is a once-in-three-years opportunity. You must give it your all. If you succeed, you'll be on the golden list and have a grand wedding. Everyone will be proud."

Ying Qing understood the logic, but he was like a piece of wood, not a gun. No amount of polishing would make him shine; it would only turn him into wood chips.

In short, he was too lazy to do something futile. He clasped his hands and pleaded, "Uncle Li, I just want to take a casual stroll. I'll definitely be back by afternoon, and I'll definitely return before Mr. Ming arrives."

Li the steward flatly refused, "No! This is the master's order. Before the provincial examination, you must focus all your energy on studying. You are not allowed to step out of the Zhong residence. Young Master, there's only a month left. You can go wherever you want after a month, but for this month, you must concentrate. You know the stakes. The Zhong family is taking a huge risk by marrying their daughter to you. Whether you pass or not makes a big difference!"

Ying Qing understood his point. Once the Zhong family married their daughter, people who knew them would certainly inquire about the groom's background. It wouldn't take long for the news about 'Shi Heng's' father to spread in the capital, and no one would know the true identity of the culprit from years ago.

Therefore, the Zhong family was indeed taking a huge risk to honor the marriage agreement.

However, the key was that Ying Qing knew things would develop differently. He wouldn't let the Zhong family's marriage plans go that far. After the provincial examination, he would reveal the truth to the Zhong family and admit that he was an imposter.

So, he waved his hand indifferently and turned to leave, "I understand. I'll know my limits. I just want to take a stroll. You can't study all the time; balance is important. Forget it, I'll find my own way without the Zhong family's carriage."

Li the steward's face darkened, and he quickly caught up, blocking his way, "No, the master said you can't go out. You must stay home and focus on your studies!"

Blocking his path? Ying Qing glared, "Uncle Li, you were sent by my father. Whose side are you on?"

Li the steward said sternly, "We're all on the same side, but I only support what's right! I know a bit about the old master. If he were here, he wouldn't let you run around either. Your casual and indulgent attitude makes me doubt if you were really raised by the old master. The master is doing this for your own good. There's only a month left. If you insist on running around and being disobedient, just try it. See if Du Fei will let you out. If you don't listen and run around, he will really beat you!"

The implication of doubt made Ying Qing tense. Recalling his first encounter with Du Fei, he realized that Du Fei had indeed been ready to attack him. He glanced around, feeling a bit restrained, and said, "What's the difference between this and house arrest?"

With that, he turned and went back inside, conceding in his actions.

Li the steward followed and earnestly advised him, "Just one month, it's a critical time. When will you work hard if not now? It's also not a good time to run around. The capital is a mix of all sorts. If something happens to you here, we won't be able to explain to the old master's spirit. You should know that even your daily meals are personally arranged by the master. You mustn't let them upset your stomach..."

He kept talking, but Ying Qing barely listened, thinking that he could wait until after the provincial examination to sell the fire cricket. It shouldn't make much difference then.

He estimated that Xu Fei wouldn't leave immediately after the examination but would wait for the results to be announced.

With his mind made up, he interrupted Li the steward, "Uncle Li, get me some big bones for dinner."

"Big bones? For what?"

"Oh, I'm used to simmering a pot of bone soup at night. It helps me calm down and focus."

"Bone soup has that effect?"

"It's a habit. Drinking bone soup while studying makes it more effective."

"Alright, when do you want it? I'll have someone prepare it for you."

"No, I prefer to simmer it myself. The smell of cooking while studying is a kind of realm."

"Alright, as you wish, as long as you focus on your studies."

Li the steward sighed and left.

Ying Qing lay down on the mat, thinking about how to get through the next month.

As for the big bones, they were for the fire cricket. On the journey, he had developed a bond with the fire cricket and understood its habits. If he didn't feed it for two days, it would make a loud, annoying sound. If he ignored it, it would bang around in its container.

But if he fed it on time, the fire cricket would settle down and sleep quietly in its jar.

Now that the Zhong family wouldn't let him out, he had to feed the fire cricket within the Zhong residence.

Unfortunately, he had discovered that the fire cricket only ate bones.

In the afternoon, just after noon, the Mr. Ming whom the Zhong family had paid a lot to invite arrived.

Mr. Zhong and Li the steward accompanied him.

The man was neither tall nor short, supposedly in his early forties but looked more like he was in his early fifties. His temples were slightly gray, his clothes a bit loose, and his walk relaxed, indicating he disliked being constrained.

His temples were gray, his beard streaked with white, his nose slightly red, his face muscles slack, and his complexion pale. His eyes lacked vitality.

Judging by his appearance, he should have been a good-looking man, but he had clearly been drained by alcohol and women.

After sizing up the man, Ying Qing quickly descended the steps and greeted him respectfully.

Mr. Zhong introduced the student and the teacher, and Ying Qing performed the ritual of bowing to his new teacher.

Mr. Ming grunted in acknowledgment and then announced his rules to the Zhong family with a haughty air, "I don't like being disturbed or watched. No one is to enter this courtyard without my permission. If you agree, I'll teach. If not, I'll leave."

Ying Qing, who had been bowing, immediately looked up, his eyes flashing with admiration.

He admired people like this who could earn a lot of money and still put on airs.

Mr. Zhong quickly said politely, "We will follow Mr. Ming's rules."

"Alright, please leave," Mr. Ming said without further ado, gesturing for Mr. Zhong and the others to go.

"Uh..." Mr. Zhong was a bit taken aback but still nodded and left.

After they left, Li the steward couldn't help but complain, "What a big ego."

Mr. Zhong waved his hand, "Only the capable can afford to be arrogant."

Li the steward thought about it and nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ming had already asked Ying Qing to lead him to the study.

Once inside, he sniffed the air, glanced at Ying Qing, and asked, "How long have you been here?"

Ying Qing respectfully replied, "Just arrived, about two days."

Mr. Ming immediately stopped talking and went to a low couch, moved a small table to the floor, and then went out and returned with a blanket and a pillow from Ying Qing's bedroom.

He threw the items on the couch, lay down, and covered himself with the blanket, settling in for a comfortable nap.

Ying Qing was a bit stunned and waited for a while before finally asking, "Master, what are you doing..."

He hadn't studied much and wasn't sure if he was missing something, so he didn't dare to question outright.

Mr. Ming, lying on his side, opened one eye and looked at him, "This study has no ink smell. It hasn't been used for at least ten days. I can tell you're not a scholar. I'm surprised you even passed the county examination. I've seen many young men from wealthy families who are forced to study. I won't make it hard for you, and you shouldn't make it hard for me. I didn't sleep well last night, so I'm going to take a nap. Do as you please."

Ying Qing was speechless, amazed not by the man's experience or his ability to smell that he wasn't a scholar, but by the fact that he could make money this way. He had only been here for two days and planned to sleep through the afternoon. This wasn't about making money; it was about picking it up.

It was outrageous, but he didn't mind. He was worried about how to get through his studies, and this teacher was incredibly considerate, knowing exactly what a student like him wanted without any fuss.

He couldn't help but ask, "Master, do you always teach young men this way?"

Mr. Ming, who had closed his eyes again, stretched and said, "It depends. If they want to learn, I teach. If not, it's useless to force them. You're already set in your ways. There's no way to change you in this short time. Wait until the court appoints the examiners, and I'll help you predict the questions. Then you can focus on those areas. How much you can absorb is up to you. Of course, if you want to learn now, you can. Copy the titles of all the books on the shelves this afternoon. When you're done, wake me up, and I'll teach you the next step."

Ying Qing looked at the bookshelves, which had at least a few hundred books. Just flipping through them would be exhausting. He immediately lowered his stance and conceded, "Master, you're right. I'll follow your instructions, but... if my uncle and others ask, I'm afraid I won't be able to explain!"

Mr. Ming closed his eyes and chuckled, as if he had expected this. He turned over, lying on his side, and slowly said, "Don't worry. I'll say you're very diligent and focused. If they ask me, you know what to say, right?"