Chapter 76

His gaze fell upon the exam paper, contemplating whether to use this to threaten Xu Fei.

However, upon second thought, he deemed it unwise. The exam questions were not yet finalized, and even if he claimed this was the exam paper, it would not serve as evidence and could not be used to threaten anyone.

Furthermore, if the matter were true, the person behind Xu Fei's uncle must be someone with considerable influence. If he dared to act rashly, he would not only fail to shake the other party but might not even be able to return to Lieshou alive.

He was well aware of his own limitations. Although he was the esteemed master of Linglong Temple, in the eyes of such a person, he was nothing.

He would still have to find an opportunity to settle the score!

After his thoughts had turned and he had made up his mind, Yu Qing bent down and pulled up the sobbing Chong'er, "Alright, alright, stop crying. I was just joking; I won't report it to the authorities."

After saying that, he walked back to his desk, sat down, propped his feet up on the desk, leaned back in his chair, and fanned himself, not bothering to comfort Chong'er, who was still crying. What was the point of comforting a grown man who was acting like a woman? He would just wait.

Time was the best comfort.

After Chong'er gradually calmed down and stopped sobbing, he wiped his tears repeatedly and began to take his leave, "Young Master Shiheng, the Cao residence is far from here. If I stay too late, I won't be able to return before dark. I need to go."

"Alright." Yu Qing nodded and pointed at the exam paper on the table, "Don't worry, I won't let your young master know about this. I will also pretend I never saw this exam paper and won't use it. So, you can act as if nothing happened and go back with peace of mind."

Chong'er was stunned for a moment and then said anxiously, "Young Master Shiheng, I know you are talented, you're just being low-key. Even without getting the exam paper in advance, the imperial examination wouldn't be a problem for you. However, since my young master could get the exam paper, others might have gotten it too. If those people with ill intentions get an advantage and push you aside, I would be the first to be unwilling!"

This was his honest opinion and one of the reasons he was willing to give the exam paper to Yu Qing. He didn't want the bad people to benefit at the expense of truly talented and good people.

Talented? Yu Qing was taken aback by this. He didn't know where Chong'er saw his talent, and he himself didn't even know he had any.

What Chong'er didn't know was that even if Yu Qing and Xu Fei hadn't said anything, he had already guessed who the real winner of the riddle contest at Wenhua Academy was, which was why he said Yu Qing was being low-key.

Chong'er didn't know how difficult the riddle contest was, but he knew it was a test. Young Master Shiheng had outperformed all the candidates from Lieshou, and it was said that even the top scholar of the local examination was far behind. This was definitely a sign of great talent.

Yu Qing didn't understand and subconsciously took it as just a compliment. He stood up, "Alright, I'll consider it. Let's go; I'll see you off."

"No need, I can go back on my own..." Chong'er's words were cut off as his face turned red. Yu Qing had casually hooked his neck and put his arm around him, and Chong'er silently followed as they walked out of the study.

Yu Qing, fanning himself with his left hand and hooking Chong'er with his right, strolled towards the courtyard gate, "Since you need to return before dark, I won't keep you for dinner. I'll arrange a carriage to send you, but don't get off at the Cao residence. Get off a bit further away to avoid any awkward explanations. Understand?"

To have a carriage arranged just for him? Chong'er felt he didn't deserve it and was flustered, "No, no, I can walk back. It's really not necessary to trouble you."

Smack! Yu Qing's fan hit his head, "Do as I say. No more nonsense, or I'll be unhappy."

For him, it was no trouble at all.

He wanted to get some money from Old Master Shiheng but was too embarrassed to ask directly, so he would take these small advantages. He enjoyed doing favors.

Chong'er wanted to say something but held back, still feeling he was being overpraised.

Yu Qing had already reached the gate, and the servants waiting outside hurried over.

Yu Qing let go of Chong'er and pointed, "This is my friend. Arrange a carriage to send him back immediately. Remember, follow his instructions. If you dare to be negligent, I won't forgive you!"

Friend? Chong'er's eyes sparkled, and he looked at Yu Qing with a burning gaze. Just the word "friend" filled his heart with warmth, making him feel that the trip was worthwhile.

Friend? The servant subconsciously glanced at Chong'er's attire, said nothing, but nodded repeatedly, and then politely invited Chong'er, "Young Master, please follow me."

Chong'er understood the servant's look, felt ashamed, and looked down at his feet, softly acknowledging. He then turned to bow to Yu Qing in farewell.

Yu Qing smiled and nodded, sending him off. Spending too much time in the study could affect one's mindset, and he hadn't yet shaken off the pretentious habit of fanning himself.

Chong'er followed the servant, looking back every few steps, his heart still warm.

He had brought the exam paper not just to repay a favor.

On the journey to the capital, Young Master Shiheng often asked him to do various tasks, using him more casually than even his own young master, but this "casualness" was not the kind between master and servant; it felt equal.

Young Master Shiheng would casually put his arm around him, something his own young master, who maintained a master's dignity, would never do.

Young Master Shiheng would secretly give him delicious food and arrange a comfortable sleeping environment for him, things his own young master would never do. The warmth of those moments was still vivid in his memory.

Today, Young Master Shiheng had personally called him a "friend," an equal relationship.

He had brought the exam paper, not just to repay a favor, but perhaps for other reasons, perhaps the most important reason, the burning heart of a young man that couldn't be expressed in words...

After seeing Chong'er off, Yu Qing put away his fan, slung it over his shoulder, and tucked it into the back of his collar, scratching his back as he returned to the courtyard.

Back in the study, he walked to the desk and picked up the exam paper again, noticing the neat and elegant handwriting.

The exam paper Chong'er had stolen was originally messy, but he had carefully rewritten it.

However, Yu Qing just glanced at it and then sneered, tossing it aside.

What did he need this for? He couldn't pass the exam anyway, and even if he could, he shouldn't.

But then he picked up the exam paper again, tore it, and thought it best to destroy it. If it were the real exam paper and someone saw it before the exam, it could cause trouble if it matched the actual questions.

However, he stopped tearing it and slowly sat down, wondering if this was really the exam paper.

Chong'er, after all, had been with him for a long time, and he believed he wouldn't lie.

The question was, there was no need to deceive him with a fake.

After some thought, he quickly spread the torn pieces on the desk and began to reassemble them.

This action was due to Old Master Shiheng's instructions, which made him quite conflicted.

But Old Master Shiheng was right; he needed to be careful. He could fail the exam, but he couldn't make the examiners suspicious.

However, he really didn't understand how to gauge the right balance.

But if this was the real exam paper, it would be like getting a pillow when you were just about to fall asleep.

He could prepare suitable answers in advance and use them in the exam.

He felt invigorated and quickly put the torn exam paper back together...

The next afternoon, Mr. Ming, looking listless, yawned and arrived late.

Yu Qing had been waiting under the eaves and quickly stepped forward to greet him, "Mr. Ming has arrived."

Mr. Ming casually waved, indicating no need for formalities.

The teacher and student headed straight for the study.

As soon as they entered, Mr. Ming went to a chest, opened it, and took out a blanket and a pillow.

This chest, originally for books, had been temporarily repurposed to avoid frequent trips to the bedroom, which could be easily discovered.

He threw the items on a low couch, sat down, and yawned, waiting for Yu Qing to boil water and make tea.

After a few cups of water, he would sleep, wake up when he needed to urinate, and it would be just the right time to go home.

Over the past half-month, he had become quite experienced in this routine.

Yu Qing, smiling, held a dead insect to boil the water and served Mr. Ming tea.

Mr. Ming, who was no longer surprised by using insects to boil water, blew on the hot tea, sipped it, and seemed quite content.

Yu Qing, reaching up to adjust his ponytail, realized he was in formal attire and stopped, sighing heavily, "Ah!"

Mr. Ming glanced at him and slowly said, "What's wrong? Are you constipated?"

Yu Qing was taken aback by his crude language, "Being constipated is just bad for the body, but I'm heartbroken. I was mocked by a servant today."

Mr. Ming scoffed, "I find the Zhong residence to be quite strict. How could they have such an arrogant servant?"

"Arrogant? Yes, Mr. Ming, you are right. He is arrogant!" Yu Qing slapped his thigh in agreement, poured himself some tea, and sighed, "Mr. Ming, you don't know. He's a new servant, a former scholar who sold himself to the Zhong residence due to a family emergency. It's not a big deal, but he heard that you are teaching me here and made some arrogant remarks..." He shook his head, stopped, and slowly sipped his tea.

Mr. Ming's interest was piqued, but the other person stopped talking. He immediately asked, "What do you mean by speaking in half-sentences? People who speak in half-sentences are no good... From your words, it seems the one being mocked isn't you. Are you trying to say I was the one mocked?"