Chapter 96

In the wine shop, the three men drank heartily and talked freely, all previous discomforts swept away. Gatherings among literati mostly revolved around discussions of literature and classics, but Ye Yu, Xiao Guoliang, and Yue Chen talked about anything and everything.

During their conversation, Ye Yu learned that this Xiao Guoliang from Fuzhou was also the top scholar of their province. Recalling the sword dance and painting outside the inn earlier, Ye Yu was greatly impressed.

If it came to painting, Ye Yu was now no less skilled than anyone else. However, to do two things at once was still beyond his ability.

This free-flowing conversation revealed Ye Yu's extensive knowledge, which left Xiao Guoliang and Yue Chen in awe. Whether it was the classics, the Three Ancient Texts, the Five Classics, the Six Arts, the Eight Disciplines, or the so-called studies of astronomy, geography, and the hundred schools of thought, there seemed to be nothing Ye Yu had not studied.

What the two did not know was that Ye Yu's way of thinking was not of this era. Moreover, these days spent buried in books had allowed him to catch up on a vast amount of reading. With his exceptional memory, Ye Yu had forced himself to read through a large number of classics.

When the three left the wine shop, Yue Chen pulled Ye Yu aside and suggested, "Brother Ye, why don't you move to my second uncle's place? It would be a quiet place for you to review your studies!"

"Brother Yue, I appreciate your kindness, but Scholar Yue is very busy. I don't want to be a bother!" Ye Yu thought to himself, "Your second uncle, Yue Lei, is a Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy. I'm just a scholar with no connection to him, so it's better to avoid any trouble."

"Brother Ye..."

Seeing that Yue Chen was about to persuade him further, Ye Yu quickly interjected, "Brother Yue, I will remember your kindness. You know I am used to a relaxed lifestyle. Too many rules would only make me feel constrained..."

"Ah! Brother Meng is like this, and so are you. Well, I won't force you. If you need anything during your stay, just let me know! Although I don't live in Lin'an for long, I am more familiar with it than you!"

"Thank you, Brother Yue!"

Yue Chen then hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, "Brother Ye, although Brother Meng's words and actions may be inappropriate, please bear with him! Although he is often proud and stubborn, his character is not bad..."

Ye Yu was slightly taken aback but then understood, "I will remember your words, Brother Yue. Anyone you consider a close friend must not be a narrow-minded person!"

The three parted ways at the Taibai Wine Shop. Ye Yu and Xiao Guoliang chatted and laughed as they walked, enjoying the scenery along the way. Outside the Examination Hall, there was an ancient locust tree, said to be a place where the light of literature shone brightly, hence it was called the "Wen Chang Locust Tree."

Its roots were on the east side of the road, and its trunk bent westward, so the canopy covered the west side. This locust tree, resembling a reclining dragon, had gnarled branches and was said to be related to the literary fortunes of the candidates.

Therefore, candidates taking the imperial exams would come to worship here for good luck, hoping to achieve success. This locust tree was thus known as the famous locust tree of Lin'an. During the exam season, the ancient locust tree was adorned with red and green wish ribbons, fluttering in the wind, creating a unique street scene. Among the worshippers were young women, most likely praying for their loved ones to succeed.

"Miss, you haven't told Xiao Mei who you are praying for yet..." A girl dressed as a maid, carrying a small bamboo basket, was incessantly asking a woman in a green sable cloak.

The woman, hands clasped in prayer, was very quiet, and this silence made Xiao Mei very anxious.

"Miss..."

"Alright, let's go back..."

Seeing Xiao Mei pouting, unwilling to leave, the woman smiled, "You little thing, why don't you come with me?"

"Miss, you haven't answered Xiao Mei's question yet?"

"He?" The woman was slightly taken aback but then smiled faintly, her smile filled with joy, bitterness, and memories...

"Miss, tell me!" Xiao Mei shook the woman's arm, urging her.

Under the green sable cloak, the woman's body trembled slightly. She then pretended to be displeased, "It's so cold, let's go back to the Weihan Residence quickly..."

After saying this, the woman left the crowd without another word. Xiao Mei, who had waited for a long time without an answer, was so angry that her face turned red, and she stomped her foot, reluctantly following her.

At this moment, Ye Yu and Xiao Guoliang were touring the area, chatting and laughing. Ye Yu inadvertently glanced at a corner of the street and saw a familiar figure, but it was gone in an instant, and he didn't get a clear look at the face.

"Brother Ye, why don't we make a wish here, praying for success in the spring examination?" Xiao Guoliang, seemingly unaware of Ye Yu's distraction, pointed to the ancient locust tree where people were gathered.

Xiao Guoliang's words brought Ye Yu back to his senses, "Hmm... hehe, don't tell me Brother Xiao also believes in this wish-making and blessing?"

"Ah, Brother Ye, don't mock me. I just want to join in the fun! Since we're here, why not get some good luck?"

"Brother Xiao makes a good point!"

The two approached the ancient locust tree. Under the tree, there were many men and women making wishes, and several tables with ink and brushes. Each of them wrote their names and had their attendants throw the ribbons onto the tree.

When She Tongcheng, on behalf of Ye Yu, threw the ribbon onto the tree, Ye Yu followed the ribbon's trajectory and suddenly saw a green ribbon hanging there. On this ribbon, he saw his own name in tiny writing. Hmm? Could there be another candidate with the same name as him? Yes, it must be so, Ye Yu firmly believed.

As Ye Yu left the ancient locust tree, a cold wind blew, and the ribbons on the branches fluttered, making a crisp sound. Not just one, but several ribbons had Ye Yu's name on them...

When the two returned to the Yunlai Inn, the innkeeper greeted them with a broad smile, immediately asking Ye Yu for a calligraphy piece and wishing him success in the examination.

Ye Yu was puzzled by this sudden enthusiasm. Xiao Guoliang whispered a few words to him, and he then understood the reason. It was a tradition that during the examination period, inns in the capital would ask their guests, who were candidates, for calligraphy pieces.

If a candidate passed the exam, the inn would not charge for food and lodging and would even give some money as a reward. This was because if a candidate passed, the inn would also gain prestige, which could be used for future promotion and as proof of the inn's quality, thus improving business.

Seeing that the inn staff had already prepared the ink and brush, Ye Yu did not refuse. He asked the innkeeper what he wanted written and, upon learning it was a signboard, he wrote "Guests Like Clouds" in a flowing script!

After obtaining the calligraphy, the innkeeper was overjoyed and personally escorted Ye Yu and Xiao Guoliang upstairs. He had heard that these two were top scholars, and the possibility of them passing the exam was high.

Most of the candidates taking the imperial exams were from humble backgrounds. They had traveled long distances, knowing that their travel expenses were hard-earned, and were very frugal and focused on their studies.

The inn was usually very quiet, with each guest staying in their own room, closed to visitors, creating a good environment for studying. Ye Yu, in his spare time, also discussed literature with Xiao Guoliang, who was staying nearby.

The Zhuangyuan Wine Shop in Lin'an was a well-known old establishment. It was said that a状元 once came here to drink and spontaneously wrote a name for the shop, which brought prosperity that lasted until today.

Before the spring examination, the shop was always crowded with candidates, who came here to drink good wine, eat a good meal, recite a poem, and sing a few lines, all to create a festive atmosphere and seek good luck for the exam.

With the examination approaching, candidates from all over the country flocked to the capital, making the wine shop bustling with activity, and the innkeeper was overjoyed every day.

Today, Yue Chen had reserved a spacious private room at the Zhuangyuan Wine Shop, inviting Meng Tong, Ye Yu, Li Mo, and Xiao Guoliang to drink. However, Li Mo had politely declined and was hiding in an inn in Lin'an, not daring to show his face.

Since Ye Yu's safe arrival in the capital, Li Mo knew something was wrong. Indeed, a few days ago, he received news that his brother, Li Mingzhi, had been crippled by thugs.

His own home had also been burned down, though no one was injured, the news terrified Li Mo in Lin'an. At this moment, he realized how foolish it was to be an enemy of Ye Yu.

"Brother Xiao, did you leave him a note?" Yue Chen asked Xiao Guoliang, seeing that Ye Yu was late.

Xiao Guoliang took a sip of wine and said calmly, "Of course, if Brother Ye returns to the inn, he will see it!"

"With the exam approaching, if he's not reviewing at the inn, where could he be?"

"Who knows, maybe he has a sweetheart in Lin'an..."

"Oh? Brother Xiao, tell me more!" Yue Chen, seeing that Xiao Guoliang seemed to have something to say, eagerly asked.

"What to say, I was just speculating, guessing!"

Yue Chen, not giving up, pushed Xiao Guoliang and laughed, "If this guy really went to a brothel, he would be prioritizing pleasure over friendship..."

Both were rather straightforward, and they talked freely. Meng Tong, who had not spoken for a long time, took a sip of wine and said calmly, "I think Brother Ye has something to do. We shouldn't speculate unnecessarily!"

Meng Tong was right. Ye Yu was not at the inn today because he had something to handle. He was planning to establish a silk and fabric business in Hangzhou and had visited several silk shops to understand the prices and quality of silk and fabric in Hangzhou.

Ye Yu had already entrusted the silk and fabric business to Su Quanzhong, and he was confident in the Wang innkeeper, whom Su Quanzhong had appointed in Hangzhou. After discussing some marketing strategies with the Wang innkeeper, Ye Yu learned some news about Chuzhou from him.

Hearing that Ye Mingzhi's legs had been broken and that Li Mo's home had been burned down, Ye Yu knew that Li Danyin had sent people to do this. Although Li Danyin's actions were to avenge him, Ye Yu was displeased with his擅自行动. He wanted to punish these two, but he preferred to do it himself!