Chapter 49

Yeqing was now looking out the window, where the clouds were being blown by the wind, covering the path lined with thick withered grass. The air was cold and damp, and he sensed that the last spring snow was about to come. He was lost in thought, trying to come up with a poem.

Suddenly, he felt a wave of dizziness. The laughter in the courtyard became blurred for a moment. Yeqing was startled; this feeling was both familiar and strange. After a moment of shock, he regained his composure.

"Who is oppressing me from the shadows?" Yeqing's face darkened as he realized what was happening. He had experienced this kind of spell in his previous life, though not often, it left a deep impression.

A cold and bitter sensation surged up, and Yeqing's face twitched. He returned to the room and, seeing no one around, began to examine himself.

"The green liquid in the golden cup hasn't changed."

"My destiny hasn't changed, but it seems to have undergone some alteration."

"Yes, it's being suppressed." Yeqing was very familiar with this. A cold smile appeared on his face, but his expression soon turned grim. "Damn it, what kind of spell is this? I have a familiar feeling about it, but I can't remember. It must be one of the spells that were erased."

After a moment of contemplation, Yeqing understood the other party's plan. He stopped and muttered, "They want me to fail this exam!"

Yeqing's current destiny was only a faint red, and directly absorbing the green qi wouldn't work. Therefore, the green qi had turned into a golden yellow aura surrounding him, gradually influencing him until it was fully absorbed.

But before the absorption was complete, it was still an external force. Once suppressed, it would revert to its original state.

Originally, with the support of the Dragon Lord's fortune, he could have easily passed the examination. But now, it was different. At this moment, he only had his own destiny, and even the fortune of the Ye clan was isolated. The possibility of passing the examination was now extremely slim.

Yeqing stepped out and suddenly stopped. Driven by some intuition, he immediately thought of Yufan. "Is it him? It must be him."

"I regret that I am only a student now and can only recall one spell. If I could pass the examination, I would be able to recall more spells from the Chuanlin Notes, including the spell for tracing roots."

Yeqing had a moment of clarity, but he was also filled with anger and melancholy. As the sky darkened and the wind blew, he shivered and woke up.

Although he couldn't remember the content of the spell, he was clear about its nature: "To break this spell, either use a counter-spell or increase my fortune. Using a counter-spell is impossible; I don't have the cultivation or spells for it. The only way now is to increase my fortune."

But there were only three days left until the examination!

To plan for fortune, with the help of a seer, it wouldn't be difficult. Yeqing could think of at least three or five methods, but the three-day deadline made him feel a bit panicked.

The night was dark like a rising tide, and the lights were continuous, but it looked eerie.

Even with great abilities, time is needed, especially for planning fortune. What could be done in just three days?

Would he be eliminated because of this? If he failed the examination, he would waste three years, which would be no different from his previous life.

Yeqing thought about this as he walked out of the inn, deep in thought.

He wandered aimlessly for about an hour, gradually leaving the street. After a while, he saw a tavern with a large flag flapping in the wind.

Seeing the sign, Yeqing's heart stirred, and he trembled. A flash of inspiration came to him: "There are only three days left until the examination, and I can't rely on a seer to plan my fortune. But there are other methods."

"I can't increase my fortune, but I can borrow it!"

"Borrowing fortune essentially means combining fortunes, temporarily borrowing from another to get through a crisis. The most common way is to borrow from a superior's fortune."

"But even in normal times, gaining a superior's favor requires careful planning and a lot of time, which I don't have now."

"Similarly, winning people's hearts can also gain fortune, but the fortune of a scholar, though not much, is equivalent to that of a thousand people. How can I win them over in three days?"

"The only option now is to find someone with great potential but currently in a humble and destitute state."

"I remember, there is such a person!"

"Even more fitting, this person is one of the most important talents in the Yu family!"

Yeqing was immediately excited. According to his previous life, there was a person nearby who was full of talent, a true scholar, but had bad luck and was very destitute.

But in the future, during a great crisis, he would handle most of Yufan's affairs, becoming the "Prime Minister of the Yu family" and making significant contributions to the prosperity of the Yu family.

Even though this person was currently destitute, his potential was deep. Yeqing made up his mind and walked toward the nearby tavern without hesitation.

As he approached the tavern, a waiter greeted him, "Sir, please come in. What would you like to eat? What drink would you like? Don't look at the small storefront; we have a wide variety of drinks, including Xishan Daughter Red and Yanfeng Peach Blossom Wine."

Yeqing shook his head. He had drunk too much yesterday and had no intention of drinking more. "I'm looking for someone, bring me some dishes later!"

He tossed a piece of silver over.

The waiter, who had initially lost interest upon hearing that Yeqing was looking for someone, immediately perked up upon seeing the silver. He led Yeqing inside with a smile, "Sir, feel free to look for whoever you want. If you get tired, you can sit down and rest. We have free hot tea inside!"

"Alright, I know. You can go now." Yeqing dismissed the waiter and began to look around the tavern. The place was small, with only two rooms and eight tables. There were only about eight customers, and the person he was looking for was not among them.

He was puzzled. In his previous life, there was a middle-aged scholar named Lü Shangjing who lived in the Ding family's courtyard and often came to the tavern to drink. But he wasn't here today?

After a moment of thought, Yeqing said to the waiter, "Bring three dishes and a pot of white wine."

The cook was quick, and soon the three dishes and a half jar of white wine were placed on the table. The waiter set out the bowls and chopsticks, poured a bowl of wine, and then left.

Yeqing ate while keeping an eye on the door.

Lü Shangjing, as a tutor, was quite poor. The main seat was in the east, and the guest seat was in the west, hence the term "West Seat."

These tutors or advisors were in an awkward position. To the illiterate farmers, they were highly respected, but to scholars, it was almost a disgrace.

As he was thinking, he heard the waiter greet someone. Yeqing looked up and his heart skipped a beat.

The person who entered was wearing a scholar's robe, somewhat worn and patched, indicating a life of poverty. His face was gaunt and hungry.

At first glance, Yeqing knew this was the middle-aged scholar, Lü Shangjing.

Yeqing knew that this person was currently destitute but would be recognized and promoted in a few years, eventually becoming the Prime Minister of the Yu family. During the great crisis, the Yu family would rise to prominence, and this person would play a significant role.

Thinking of this, Yeqing went over and bowed, "I didn't expect to meet a future successful scholar here. This trip is not in vain."

Yeqing instructed the waiter to move his things to the table and spoke to Lü Shangjing.

"Future successful scholar" was just a polite term.

Lü Shangjing turned around and saw Yeqing, also wearing a scholar's robe, indicating he was a student. The difference in age was clear, but the shared status was evident.

In the tavern, apart from the two of them, the other patrons were mostly villagers and townspeople. Yeqing was the only other scholar, and they could converse.

Lü Shangjing said, "Young brother, please sit. I didn't expect to meet a fellow scholar here."

"Indeed, meeting is a form of destiny. Let's not talk about our backgrounds; let's enjoy a drink first." Yeqing bowed and sat down, then instructed the waiter to prepare more food and drinks, paying with silver.

Lü Shangjing's eyes flashed, but he didn't mind.

Soon, steaming dishes and a soup were brought out, the aroma filling the air. Lü Shangjing couldn't help but sneeze.

Yeqing raised his glass and toasted. They began to eat and drink, and after a few rounds, they started to open up. After a while, Yeqing asked, "I wonder if Brother Lü is preparing for the examination or working somewhere?"

A student could work in the government, but without money or family connections, it was hard to get a real position. Yeqing knew this and was deliberately asking.

Lü Shangjing hesitated, his face showing worry and bitterness. He smiled bitterly, "To be honest, I'm just a tutor for the Ding family."

Yeqing nodded and asked, "Is the Ding family the one with the former magistrate?"

Seeing Lü Shangjing nod, Yeqing sighed.

Lü Shangjing asked, "Why are you sighing, young brother?"

Yeqing sighed, "With Brother Lü's talent, being a tutor is a waste of your abilities."

Lü Shangjing remained calm, shaking his head, "My talent is limited. I'm grateful to Magistrate Ding for giving me a place to stay. Don't say such things, young brother."

Yeqing smiled but didn't say more. He showed his literary talent and discussed poetry and literature, gradually building a sense of mutual respect.

Lü Shangjing, after a few drinks, had a rosy complexion. He was a scholar, though destitute, his insight had been honed through years of hardship.

He thought, "This young man has remarkable literary talent. He might pass the examination, but he lacks experience."

After a few more questions, he learned that Yeqing was from a local gentry family. He thought, "His family background is better than mine, but it might not be enough for the examination. Reaching the scholar level might be his limit."

Thinking of this, he smiled bitterly, "At least he's better off than me. Why should I worry so much?"

Lü Shangjing hadn't had a good meal or drink in a while, and his tolerance was low. Soon, he was drunk. Yeqing smiled and instructed, "He can't be exposed to the wind. Arrange a room for him. I admire Brother Lü's writing and will come to learn more tomorrow. Goodbye for now."

With that, Yeqing left the tavern.