Chapter 95

In the depths of winter, snowflakes were falling in the capital city. Despite being draped in silver, the Imperial City of Lin'an remained solemn and majestic. Along the way, Ye Yu sat in the carriage, enduring the discomfort of the bumpy ride.

Now entering the capital, seeing the Imperial City adorned with auspicious snow, he couldn't help but feel a desire to tour. For someone with his mobility issues, walking in the snow was far from practical, but it was still nice to get out and breathe the fresh air.

He then got out of the carriage, and at that moment, a cold wind blew, knocking his hat to the ground. The book boy, Akuang, seeing this, quickly put down the book box and hurriedly said, "Young Master, your hat has fallen!"

To his surprise, as soon as he spoke, She Tongcheng, who was pushing the wheelchair, turned cold and scolded, "Nonsense! Shut your mouth! Just as we enter the capital, you say such inauspicious words. If anyone else said such things, I would beat them to death!"

Akuang, though a young boy, was very quick-witted. After being scolded by She Tongcheng, he immediately realized his slip of the tongue and picked up the hat to apologize to Ye Yu, "Young Master, I can't help but speak rudely. What I just said was pure nonsense..."

Ye Yu looked at the two, seeing their tense expressions, and then waved his hand, teasing, "Ah, this is a good omen. It's 'reaching the ground' (passing the exam), not 'falling to the ground' (failing the exam). Akuang, be clear before you speak!"

"Did you hear that? It's 'reaching the ground,' not 'falling to the ground'! No more nonsense!" She Tongcheng, in a bad mood, waved his hand, as if ready to teach Akuang a lesson at any moment.

"Remember, it's 'reaching the ground,' 'reaching the ground'! Come, Young Master, let me put your hat on tightly, so you will never 'fall to the ground' (fail)!"

Slap!

As soon as Akuang finished speaking, She Tongcheng's eyes widened, and he struck Akuang with his large hand, "What, never 'reaching the ground'? Are you asking for a beating!?"

She Tongcheng, angry, chased after Akuang, who dodged while complaining, "You said not to say 'falling to the ground,' but now you say 'reaching the ground.' How is that wrong?" But he slipped and fell, causing Ye Yu to burst into laughter.

"Enough, enough, Tongcheng, why are you quarreling with a child? Akuang just told the truth, the hat did fall!" Ye Yu, seeing the two chasing each other, laughed and scolded.

"But, Big Brother, this boy speaks inauspicious words. I must teach him a lesson today!"

"Enough! If a few words of curse or praise could decide a person's fate, that would be absurd! It's almost dawn, let's hurry on our way..."

After Ye Yu's repeated persuasion, She Tongcheng finally let Akuang off. Akuang, feeling wronged, put the book box back in the carriage and pulled it, following Ye Yu slowly toward the Imperial City.

At this moment, snowflakes were still dancing, but the sky was already clear. In the mist, the rising sun could be seen, casting warm rays of light on the buildings, making them shine with a golden glow, especially dazzling.

For the Imperial City, most people, intimidated by its solemnity and grandeur, would feel intimidated. The Imperial City was heavily guarded, and not only commoners but even the nobles of the capital had few opportunities to enter, making it seem forever mysterious.

After entering the capital, Ye Yu first went to the Ministry of Rites to complete the necessary procedures before preparing to find an inn to stay. However, what moved Ye Yu was that when he went to the Ministry of Rites, he encountered Yang Hui.

Seeing Yang Hui, who had been waiting for a long time at the Ministry of Rites, Ye Yu knew that this kind teacher was worried about him being mistreated by the officials of the Ministry of Rites. After all, with his disability, he was likely to be discriminated against in the imperial examinations.

Yang Hui originally intended for Ye Yu to stay at his residence during the examination period, but Ye Yu politely declined. As a candidate for the metropolitan examination and a controversial disabled person, if he stayed at the residence of the Grand Historian, he would inevitably face criticism even if he passed the exam.

Ye Yu's concerns were deeply understood by Yang Hui, who found his named student increasingly likable. He could not let his student be troubled because of him, so he agreed to Ye Yu's wishes.

The teacher and student parted ways at the Ministry of Rites. Ye Yu learned from Yang Hui that the chief examiner for this metropolitan examination was the Chief Military Commissioner, Yu Yunwen, and the deputy examiner was the Grand Marshal, Zhang Shuo.

Hearing about the unusual lineup for this metropolitan examination, Ye Yu couldn't help but show a bitter smile. The imperial examinations were not only a means for the court to select talent but also a battleground for political factions to expand their influence.

Ye Yu, who was well-versed in Southern Song history, had heard of these two chief examiners. Yu Yunwen was a rare pro-war advocate in the Southern Song, with a commendable career.

As for the deputy examiner, Zhang Shuo, although Ye Yu was not very familiar with him, he had heard many stories from the people. Zhang Shuo was a representative of the pro-peace faction.

Although he had no significant achievements, he was the brother-in-law of the current Empress Dowager. If one were to talk about family ties, the current Emperor Xiaozong would have to call him "uncle."

Regardless of how the political factions competed, Ye Yu still needed to prepare actively for the examination. Therefore, he stopped thinking about it and decided to find an inn to review his studies.

...

"Master, look, there's someone practicing swordsmanship ahead!"

Ye Yu and She Tongcheng followed Akuang's direction and saw a scholar-like figure practicing swordsmanship in the snow in front of an inn. The sword movements, like shooting stars, blended with the falling snow, resembling a silver dragon dancing, and a few people were clapping and cheering.

As the three approached, they saw the handsome scholar slowly and orderly practicing with his right hand while using a charcoal pen to draw on a board with his left hand. His eyebrows were like gathered peaks, and his focused expression was impressive, showing his ability to do two things at once.

Ye Yu watched intently and couldn't help but exclaim, "What a wonderful 'Snow Sword Dance'! The lines are fluid and lifelike!"

This praise made the handsome scholar pause slightly, but he then continued his graceful sword dance and drawing. When the painting was completed, he also sheathed his sword.

However, the scholar stood there, seemingly still not satisfied. Ye Yu seemed to understand his thoughts and signaled Akuang to fetch a bottle of wine from the carriage.

"Brother, if you don't mind the quality of my wine, I'll treat you to a drink!"

Akuang, following Ye Yu's instructions, personally delivered the bottle of wine to the scholar. The scholar's expression changed slightly, and he looked deeply at Ye Yu, "Xiao Mou was just feeling thirsty, as if something was missing. I didn't expect this brother to be so considerate..."

"Three feet of green blade, swift and decisive, the world of wine, how can it be without wine?"

"Ha ha! Brother, you are right, how can it be without wine..." The scholar drank the wine gracefully and then bowed, smiling, "I am Xiao Guoliang from Fuzhou. May I know your name, brother?"

Ye Yu, seeing the scholar's generosity, replied, "I am Ye Yu from Chuzhou, here to take the spring examination."

"Oh, Brother Ye is also a candidate for this examination?" Xiao Guoliang looked at Ye Yu with surprise, his eyes showing a hint of unexpectedness.

"Indeed, I am looking for an inn to stay. I see that Brother Xiao is also a candidate for this examination..."

Xiao Guoliang looked at Ye Yu with delight, "Since we are both candidates for this examination, let's stay at the Yunlai Inn together!"

Ye Yu glanced at the inn beside him, thinking that Xiao Guoliang must also be staying there.

Since he was staying in Lin'an anyway, and given the scholar's warm invitation, Ye Yu didn't want to refuse, so he nodded, "Alright, if I have any questions about the examination, I can ask Brother Xiao for advice..."

"Brother Ye is the top scholar of Chuzhou. Who is so talented that Brother Ye would seek advice from them?" As Ye Yu spoke, a teasing voice came from the inn.

Ye Yu followed the voice and saw two young scholars walking out of the inn, one after the other. He recognized them; the one in front was Meng Tong, and the one behind was the yellow-faced man, Yue Chen.

Xiao Guoliang looked at Ye Yu with surprise and then praised, "So Brother Ye is the top scholar of Chuzhou. You are so young... I must have been shortsighted!"

"Brother Xiao is too kind, I..."

Before Ye Yu could finish his modest words, he was interrupted by Meng Tong, "Brother Ye, asking for advice from a southern barbarian candidate on the street, isn't that a disgrace to your status as a top scholar?"

Hearing this, Ye Yu's brows furrowed slightly, and he was slightly displeased, while Xiao Guoliang laughed, "Brother, my friendship with Brother Ye has nothing to do with you!"

"Brother Xiao is right. If such a dispute arises from our friendship, it would be boring!" Ye Yu, taking up Xiao Guoliang's words, said to Meng Tong, "Brother Meng, learning is endless, and you should understand this!"

"Of course, I understand this!"

"Since you understand, you should know that knowledge has no boundaries of north or south, or of nationality or race! Moreover, Brother Xiao is from Fuzhou, how can he be considered a southern barbarian? If you keep calling people southern barbarians, do you realize that within the current borders of the empire, we are all considered southern barbarians?"

"This..."

Thinking of the current state of the empire, and that scholars like Meng Tong were still dividing the land based on regional culture, Ye Yu felt a surge of anger.

"Scholars have always looked down on each other. I can understand Brother Meng's high-mindedness! But if you are so quick with your words, why don't you wait until you have reclaimed the Central Plains north of the Yangtze River, and then talk about your so-called north and south!"

"Hmph! Confucius said to be benevolent, and Mencius said to be righteous. I read the books of sages and will not argue with you!" Meng Tong, knowing he couldn't argue with Ye Yu, flung his sleeves and turned to go back into the inn.

Yue Chen, who had come out with him, tried to mediate, "Brother Ye, don't be so angry. Brother Meng is a bit stubborn, please understand!"

"Enough! I won't argue with him. I just feel bad for Brother Xiao!"

"Ah, Brother Ye's words are truly enlightening. I am deeply impressed. Let's go have a drink..."

"Alright, drinking and chatting is what I enjoy the most!"

As the three left, the crowd gradually dispersed. An old man in purple clothing watched the three leave and nodded, smiling in satisfaction.

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