"Thank you, young master..."
Shen Zhiming was very nervous. In fact, he still remembered the stunning face he saw when he was rescued.
This young master, who seemed like a god, saved him. Recalling the blurry movements and sensations of that day, Shen Zhiming's cheeks burned. He dared not look at the handsome young man leaning against the door.
He could only stare intently at the door frame of the inn, as if he could see something amazing in it.
“Young Master Xie, I’ve come to thank you for saving my life last time. Although I don’t have much money on me right now, I will definitely give you a lot of money in the future. Also, if you need me to do anything, I will do it.”
Qingyin blinked, looked at Shen Zhiming, whose features were delicate and who carried a hint of melancholy, chuckled, and asked in return, "You'll agree to do anything I ask?"
Shen Zhiming nodded without hesitation.
At the last banquet, in that situation, if it weren't for Young Master Xie's rescue, he wouldn't have survived, or at least wouldn't have been able to live a healthy life. Even with the help of the Prime Minister's physician, his body would never have recovered to its original state.
Therefore, he was saved by Young Master Xie, and he would agree to whatever Young Master Xie asked for.
He would be willing to give his own life for it.
However, I only hope that before doing this, Young Master Xie can help me settle my mother.
Shen Zhiming was raised by his widowed mother. His father died in an accident when he was young, and his mother raised him with great difficulty using the money she earned from selling tofu.
If he were gone, Shen Zhiming didn't know if his mother would be able to survive.
Shen Zhiming looked at Qingyin, hesitated for a moment, and said, "But benefactor, if there is anything that requires me to give my life, please let me take care of my mother."
Seeing Shen Zhiming's earnest expression, Qingyin chuckled, her eyes crinkling as she pushed open the door: "Alright, come in. What would I do with your life?"
Shen Zhiming didn't see the boy's smiling face, but he could tell from his voice and tone that the boy wasn't angry. He boldly and cautiously walked into the room, as if there were demons or monsters in the house where Qingyin lived.
Seeing the young man's timid and reserved appearance, Qingyin smiled slightly and walked to the tea table to pour him a cup of hot tea.
"sit."
Shen Zhiming sat down nervously.
A faint, pleasant fragrance wafted through the room; Shen Zhiming knew it was the scent emanating from Young Master Xie when he was half-conscious.
But now this captivating fragrance fills the entire house.
Shen Zhiming's ears turned red as he realized with a start that he had entered Young Master Xie's bedroom.
Qingyin handed the tea to Shen Zhiming.
Her fair fingers accidentally brushed against Shen Zhiming's fingers for a fleeting moment.
Shen Zhiming's hand trembled, and he almost dropped the teacup he had just received.
He stood up hastily and apologized repeatedly.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry..."
Qingyin raised an eyebrow. "Is Young Master Shen always this polite?"
"Will Young Master Shen remain silent and withdrawn even after he marries?"
Shen Zhiming's ears turned even redder at Qingyin's words, and his thin lips trembled weakly. He didn't know what was wrong with him. He had never acted like this before when he met other people, but he just couldn't stay calm in front of Young Master Xie.
Qingyin noticed the young man's discomfort and changed the subject.
"Has Young Master Shen had his meal today?"
Shen Zhiming looked up blankly and subconsciously stated the truth: "No."
...
Half an hour later.
Shen Zhiming sat awkwardly at the dining table, secretly glancing at the boy who was eating earnestly out of the corner of his eye.
More than half an hour later, Shen Zhiming somehow ended up having a meal with his benefactor on his way to repay the debt of gratitude.
Feeling the envious and jealous gazes cast upon him from the surrounding lobby, Shen Zhiming felt both delighted and nervous. Even the normally bland rice tasted sweet to him.
After the meal, Qingyin and Shen Zhiming's relationship had clearly improved considerably.
Qingyin slowly wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, her movements elegant and concise, and returned to her room.
Qingyin gave Shen Zhiming a few books.
Looking at Shen Zhiming's bewildered expression, he smiled and said, "I've read your articles. They're very insightful and full of ideas, but there's one thing you lack."
Qingyin smiled and pointed with her slender fingers at the several thick books in her arms.
"Experience and knowledge."
"So, take these books back and read them carefully, Young Master Shen. What I want is not something you can give me right now, so Shen Zhiming, catch up with me as fast as you can."
After saying that, Qingyin smiled gently.
His eyes shone like the sun, dazzlingly bright.
As Shen Zhiming received the rare and precious book, his eyes welled up with tears. He knew the shortcomings of his writing, of course, but his family was poor and he couldn't afford to buy books. Moreover, these books by famous figures were usually kept by aristocratic families, so why would they sell them to a potential competitor like him?
Shen Zhiming, with unusually intense eyes, probably would never forget the boy who gave him the book.
Having lived a life of great achievements, he became the First Imperial Censor, and was known by the court as a fearless and impartial madman. Even in his old age, he still tried to recall the handsome young man who had amazed and impressed him in his youth.
—
After giving her the book, Qingyin had the person leave.
In April, the palace examination began.
Qingyin participated in the palace examination as promised.
As Qingyin passed by the examination hall, she also saw Duan Ruyi, whom she hadn't seen for a long time.
She ignored him and walked straight inside.
Duan Ruyi, on the other hand, seemed to want to say something to her with a conflicted expression, but because the imperial examination was imminent, he eventually left.
The palace examination differed from the metropolitan examination; the examination was much more rigorous.
Those tall guards with swords carried a chilling aura; these guards had all killed people.
Qingyin could tell that some candidates in the examination room were subconsciously affected by the serious atmosphere and became nervous. Qingyin saw a middle-aged scholar-looking man tightly gripping several sleeves.
Qingyin sighed. If this person continues to be so nervous, there's no point in taking the exam.
Sure enough, it wasn't long before the examinee finished answering his questions. His brush trembled, and a thick drop of ink fell onto the exam paper. The man exclaimed in surprise, attracting the attention of the guards around him.
The man became increasingly nervous and could no longer see the words on his hand.
A moment later, he knocked over the inkstone in his hand, destroying the entire test paper.
The man was now in utter despair. He tried to escape and call for help, but the next second, the tall guards swiftly gagged him and dragged him away.
This happened too fast.
Qingyin noticed that after the middle-aged man was dragged out, there were a few more heavy breaths in the examination room.
However, those who participated in the palace examination were quite capable, and most of them managed to calm down.
Qingyin didn't pay much attention to the man being dragged away.
Ancient imperial power was already so strict. If you choose this path, you must know the risks. Qingyin is not a living bodhisattva; she can't save all those people.
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