Chapter 165 Farewell to the Barbecue Feast...
“…No need to say anything more.” Qi Chengming said slowly, “I’ll find some time to get together with them and tell them that my whole family is moving to the capital with Prince Rui.”
His gaze shifted downwards, landing on the floor tiles.
To be honest, from the perspective of making friends or seeking personal gain, there was nothing he could gain from this group of young men and women. But the relaxed feeling he experienced when he interacted with them as equals after concealing his identity and playing around with them was unique. Once he arrived in the capital, he would find it impossible to do that again.
"Let's keep it a secret for now. We've known each other for two years, and it's given me a break." Qi Chengming sighed, looking at Nanny Liu, whose expression seemed to subtly agree. "As for whether they'll find out in the future, we'll leave it to fate, who knows?"
Not to mention him, when Nurse Liu came, she looked utterly worn out, but now she's recovered completely. Her face is rosy, she's all smiles, and her aura is relaxed. She seems to have a very easygoing personality, like a contented old lady from a wealthy family.
“Your Highness…we need to hurry.” Tian Ya said, mustering her courage, reminding him, “The prefectural examination is coming up soon, and the scholars will need to start preparing in a few days.”
Qi Chengming was taken aback.
He hadn't really paid attention to any of this. Were any of his friends going to take the prefectural examination?
"OK."
A month after Qi Chengming began taking medicine to remove toxins, he still needed to continue taking medicine, but this time he would consume some qi-tonifying pills and medicinal meals. The old imperial physician diligently came to check his pulse every ten days.
In reality, Qi Chengming didn't take any pills at all; he just watched his health bar slowly regenerate on its own. Xiao Dezi and Xiao Chengzi, having gone against their conscience to do such a shameful thing for His Highness, were so worried their faces were practically contorted with worry, but they assumed His Highness had his own plans.
Under these circumstances, Qi Chengming invited everyone to a picnic by the lake, and he carried a faint, lingering smell of medicine on his body.
Zhang Ji had a very sensitive nose. As soon as he got off the horse and stood in front of Qi Chengming, he sniffed him and asked with keen concern, "It's been so long. Have you been sick?"
Hu Hong hadn't seen his friend for a long time, and he happily leaned closer, asking in a low voice before Qi Chengming could answer, "I couldn't find you when I went to Brother Qi's house last time. Auntie said your father sent someone back from Beijing? He's been busy lately—did something happen?"
He looked the much thinner boy up and down a few times, and also smelled the faint smell of medicine, which made him a little worried.
That's not entirely wrong.
Qi Chengming had been looking for a reason to explain, and now he had a good chance to continue the conversation. He sighed reluctantly and explained with genuine regret, "My father... sent someone to pick us up; he plans to return to the capital."
"Brother Qi, don't you want to go?" A soft female voice joined in.
Those who came over one after another were all acquaintances: Huang's younger sister, the round-eyed Miss Zhao, Miss Zhou, and Miss Wen. The girls were all very intelligent and could tell that the young man's appearance this time was quite different from before. He had lost his usual carefree and relaxed demeanor and instead appeared somewhat calm and sickly.
"It's not a matter of whether I want to or not, it's that I have to go." Qi Chengming shrugged. "I invited everyone here this time... to say goodbye."
Hu Hong was momentarily at a loss for words. He had only known the people around him since childhood, and at most had witnessed the deaths of family members, whether premature or due to illness; he had never experienced the pain of losing a friend at such a young age.
"But...but Brother Qi, your elder brother is going to inherit the family business, which is why he went to the capital with your father. Why are you being taken there for no reason now?"
"Brother Hu!" Zhang Ji had been here for quite some time, and although he had gradually become more familiar with other things, he was still most sensitive to the infighting among families. He quickly spoke up to stop Hu Hong from asking such a presumptuous question.
Qi Chengming paused for a moment, avoiding the question, and said frankly and normally, "It's not just me they're going to pick me up, my mother is going too. Our family is moving to the capital together—together with Prince Rui's residence."
When he mentioned this, none of the boys and girls present were particularly surprised.
Although Brother Qi hasn't mentioned it, he hasn't really kept it a secret. Their family has some special connections with the Prince Rui's mansion.
Huang Shi's eyes showed a hint of realization.
No wonder he always felt there was something subtly off about Brother Qi. His doubts were dispelled after the last probing, but something still felt off. Now that he thought about it, perhaps the connection between Brother Qi's family and the Prince Rui's mansion lay with his father. His father… could he be a merchant who had pledged allegiance to the Prince Rui's mansion?
"Then...when will you be able to come back?" Hu Hong already had the answer in his heart, but he still asked unwillingly.
Qi Chengming silently shook his head.
Given his situation, his next step would be to return to the capital to seize the throne. It was a do-or-die situation; even if he failed, his private army would steal him away in the dead of night, leaving him no time to stop in Liuzhou to see his friends. In ancient times, where communication was so difficult over such long distances, unless they made a special effort to contact each other, they would likely never have the chance to meet again in their lifetime.
“However,” Qi Chengming said with a sudden inspiration, “I heard that the prefectural examination is coming up soon, and there will be the spring examination next year—Brother Hu, if you pass the exam and get into the capital, let’s have a drink together again.”
"...Brother Qi, please don't joke. I've only been studying for two years and have only passed the county exam." Hu Hong's expression changed several times, from astonishment to doubt to frustration, before he finally showed a bitter smile.
It's clear that he was tempted for a moment, but he also knew how difficult it would be.
It's important to understand that only those who passed the county, prefectural, and provincial examinations were considered "juzi" (举子) and could then travel to the capital to participate in the metropolitan examination. These three steps alone were enough to make someone one in ten thousand.
"Who knows if we don't try?" Before Qi Chengming could continue speaking, Huang Shi and Huang Lan each put their arms around him, urging him on, "We've noticed you haven't been very motivated lately, Brother Hu. Are you really willing to watch us all leave after the exams? So you'll be the only one left?"
Hu Hong's expression immediately changed.
He had never made any friends who were educated before, and now he couldn't bear being abandoned by them.
His foundation was indeed among the worst in the entire academy, but he couldn't have given up so early without any ambition.
The Huang brothers and Zhang's elder brother all harbored ambitions and eagerly awaited the upcoming autumn and spring imperial examinations, so they were determined to pass this prefectural examination, using it as a stepping stone. Only Hu Hong had passed the county examination in February... so he had no expectations for the prefectural examination and didn't think much about it, simply instinctively believing that he should follow the steps and give it a try...
Now that my friends have pointed it out, it feels like they've uncovered a mystery from the womb, sending chills down my spine.
"Brother Hu, think it over carefully," Zhang Ji advised sincerely. "If you can't see the future and just blindly study, you'll end up like I was before."
"I, I..." Hu Hong's expression changed for a long time before he turned around emphatically, as if he had made up his mind. He looked at Qi Chengming solemnly, "Brother Qi, you wait, I will do my best to pass the exam."
He didn't want to fall too far behind everyone, nor did he want to never see his best friend, Brother Qi, again.
He used to be a bit rough around the edges, lacking ambition and drive; he only knew that studying was a good thing. Now he truly knows what he wants!
Qi Chengming smiled with satisfaction.
"Then I'll be waiting for you in the capital," he said, his words carrying a double meaning.
If Hu Hong—including his group of friends—really passed the imperial examinations in the capital and became newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), then they would indeed become part of his inner circle.
Regardless of their abilities or backgrounds, their shared origins and connections are enough to bind them together—this is his natural power.
He'll have more people in the officialdom then.
Qi Chengming was looking forward to that day.
"Young Master, the meat is ready!" Wu'er, disguised as a servant, had been diligently working by the lake all day and came running back to report, covered in sweat, "We've grilled quite a few skewers in the first batch!"
"Everyone, please have a taste," Qi Chengming quickly urged.
Cumin and pepper are crops from elsewhere, and in their remote southern region, they are more expensive than gold. Fortunately, Qi Chengming quietly completed his personal mission of poisoning this time, and also gave him some cumin seeds.
He had been living in a chaotic state lately, and hadn't even paid close attention to his own tasks. He didn't even notice when he solved them, until he suddenly looked at them before this trip and was overjoyed.
Cumin powder is simply cumin seeds that have undergone some processing and then been ground into powder. Qi Chengming pondered it briefly, but he wasn't sure how it was processed; he just ground the seeds, and it still smelled very fragrant.
Cumin powder, combined with refined pure white fine salt and fine chili powder, isn't this perfect for grilling?
Qi Chengming immediately decided what to serve at the farewell banquet.
When Wu'er came to the lake this time, she was followed by five or six strong young men. They looked like servants, but they were actually from the militia. They carried bows and knives, and in just a short while, they had hunted rabbits in the mountains and forests and roasted them for a meal.
And then there are the ingredients brought from home—roasted potatoes are a must, as are roasted corn, green peppers, and fresh, delicious mushrooms.
Now, Qi Chengming led a group of people to stand in front of the barbecue grill. The juicy pork belly and rabbit meat, which were served as extras, sizzled as the oil dripped into the fire. Sprinkled with cumin and chili powder, the aroma wafted for miles, almost making people dizzy with its fragrance.
“Brother Qi, I have another reason why I don’t want you to leave…” Hu Hong swallowed hard and said longingly.
As the Zhou family girl ate delicately, she covered her lips with a handkerchief and nodded along with effort.
No matter how wealthy these families were, they weren't so extravagant as to eat spices as they pleased. The larger the family, the easier it was to acquire these things, and the more they had to understand hierarchy and social order. The distribution to each person and the amount allocated were predetermined, and they couldn't do as they pleased.
Zhang Ji volunteered: "I also brought a fishing rod, so I'll grill some fish for you guys later."
"Brother, don't rush off! Have something to eat first," Huang's younger sister quickly called out, then added, "...We've only just sat down. If we go fishing now, who knows when we'll be back..."
Although her attempt to make amends didn't sound very convincing.
The Huang brothers' expressions turned hostile again, barely suppressing the fact that they were looking at Zhang Ji with disdain.
Miss Zhao, being the most straightforward, chuckled and casually offered an excuse: "I want to see how difficult it is to grill meat. Sister Huang, come and help me." With that, she pulled Sister Huang aside, and each of them took a skewer of mutton and started grilling it with great enthusiasm.
"...Brother, Sister Huang, how many brothers do you have?" Miss Zhao asked, making faces as she looked around to make sure no one was there.
Huang's younger sister blushed immediately and stammered. It was indeed inappropriate to call someone else "brother" in front of her two own cousins.
Fortunately, Miss Zhao quickly stopped, becoming serious and lowering her voice: "What are you thinking?"
Everyone was of a suitable age. After observing the situation several times, she noticed that Zhang Ji seemed interested. Her two cousins from the Huang family were also aware of the whole affair. What's the next step...?
The youngest sister of the Huang family lost her smile and hesitated: "My family doesn't know yet, and I'm afraid they might... be reluctant."
"Because of the Zhang family...?" Having been taught as the mistress of the house for many years, Miss Zhao understood in the blink of an eye. The waters within a large family like the Zhang family were unfathomable. Zhang Ji, as an unappreciated illegitimate son, came to Liuzhou for Prince Rui, but he had no real achievements and had not earned any official rank.
The Huang family's younger sister was deeply loved within their family. At first glance, how could anyone feel comfortable marrying their daughter into such a place?
"It seems we can only wait until after this scientific expedition to discuss it further." Miss Zhao understood everything.
No wonder Zhang Ji, like the two Huang brothers, was so desperate to pass the exam.
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