Imprisonment (Part 1)
As summer approaches, the sun gradually becomes more scorching.
Lord Zhao prepared carriages for all the scholars who were expected to pass the imperial examinations to go to the capital for the exams, but the carriages were rather simple, and even the horses were old and thin.
However, something is better than nothing. Even if it is simple, it is still Lord Zhao's good intention. Renting a carriage to go to the capital is not cheap, and there are many people who walk there.
Aunt Tian was worried that the old horse would collapse from exhaustion on the way, so she not only packed enough dry food and water for Li Qingyan, but also prepared some top-quality horse feed and carrots.
It was midday, and the carriage was scorching hot under the blazing sun. Even with the curtains open, the heat couldn't escape.
Li Qingyan secretly rejoiced that she had set off early; if she had been any later, the car would have turned into a steamer, and the carrots would have gone sour and spoiled.
It was a lucky coincidence.
He wiped the fine beads of sweat from his forehead and heard the coachman say, "The city gate is just ahead."
He poked his head out.
The city gates of Shangjing were tall and majestic, and the city walls stretched as far as the eye could see.
The coachman drove the carriage closer and closer, finally stopping at the city gate guarded by soldiers.
The coachman had a good impression of this undemanding scholar who didn't need to be "served." He jumped off the carriage, arranged the footrests for Li Qingyan, and carried his luggage, saying, "I don't have a travel permit. You'll have to walk the rest of the way after we enter the city."
Li Qingyan nodded slightly to the coachman to express her gratitude, then straightened her clothes and stepped onto the scorching bluestone road.
The carriage stopped very close, and looking up, one could see the three gilded characters "Zhuque Gate," each stroke like a spine and beam, all inscribed with the majesty of the imperial family.
Holding the travel permit, Li Qingyan mingled with the endless stream of people, passed through the magnificent city gate with its vermilion lacquer and copper studs, and finally stepped into Bianjing.
Since Aunt Tian started working at the medicinal cuisine restaurant, the couple no longer struggled to make ends meet. Before leaving, Aunt Tian specially bought some cloth to make several nice outfits for her son, fearing that her son, who came from a small town, would be looked down upon in the expensive capital city.
Growing up in a small town and lacking worldly experience, Aunt Tian probably couldn't understand that for a person to gain respect, it depends on whether their character and talent are worthy of their position.
Just like Aunt Tian in the medicinal cuisine restaurant, she is a conscientious and dedicated old backbone, in charge of purchasing and other matters. No young lady in the shop would respectfully call her "Manager Tian".
As a student, if he wants to be highly regarded, he must have exceptional academic abilities.
These things cannot be explained to his mother in a short time, but his mother's good intentions cannot be ignored. If he can really make a name for himself, he will understand when the time comes.
Li Qingyan carried a basket of books to review on his back and two large bundles in each hand. His blue long robe was soaked with sweat, leaving dark patterns. He was spotted by the waiter sent by the innkeeper to the city gate to solicit customers.
The waiter hurried over to him, smiling, and said, "Sir, would you like to have a bite to eat?"
Now is not the time to rest. Mu Chuan and Wang Pan'er asked him to send out the letter ahead of time and even wrote a letter of recommendation for him. It must be a very important matter. He must deliver the letter to Lord Lu Zhan before he can feel at ease.
"I have other important business to attend to. May I ask which direction the Imperial Academy is in?"
The shopkeeper's job wasn't just soliciting customers. He pulled out a stack of rough papers from the cloth bag slung at his waist, and unfolded one of them with a whoosh: "Want a map?"
The paper was about half a meter long and wide, and apart from the palace area, other landmark buildings were marked in great detail.
Buying a map can save you a lot of trouble.
Without hesitation, Li Qingyan took out her wallet and spent the money.
The waiter continued enthusiastically, introducing his inn: "Our inn offers excellent quality at reasonable prices, and is very popular with students taking the imperial examinations. If you stay here, you can even study with other students!"
He pointed to the large inn marker on the map and continued, "There are bookstores and canteens around the inn, which is extremely convenient. Would you like to consider it, young master?"
Li Qingyan looked closely and saw that the huge map only marked their inn, and couldn't help but chuckle.
First, the map "biasedly" only marked his own address. Then, after discovering his identity, he tempted him by offering to study with other students. So clever! The shopkeeper should give the waiter a raise.
He replied to the waiter, "If needed, I will definitely consider it."
"Alright." The waiter was quick-witted; he didn't pester Li Qingyan too much and annoy her. Since Li Qingyan couldn't give him a definite answer, he immediately set his sights on the next target, introducing their inn or his map.
Following the signs, Li Qingyan walked towards the Imperial Academy, taking in the sights of the most prosperous city in the entire country, right under the emperor's nose.
Ordinary people are no different from those in Jinzhou Prefecture. The difference is that the shops and mansions along the street become increasingly extravagant and decadent as you walk into the central area.
He stopped in front of the "Tianchengyuan" money exchange.
The three-story pavilion is adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, and is resplendent in gold and jade.
The Tianchengyuan branch in Jinzhou Prefecture was already luxurious, but the main branch even left the learned scholar Li bewildered, speechless and unsure how to describe it.
Young Master Mu comes from Bianjing, so he is naturally not surprised by such things. I wonder what Master Wang will think when he sees such a magnificent shop.
They probably won't be as shocked as he was. Who knows, maybe one day a pavilion will rise here and hang a sign that says "Shanhe Medicinal Cuisine Restaurant".
He imagined the medicinal cuisine restaurant nestled in this bustling area, and surprisingly, it didn't seem out of place. He didn't know where the confidence came from, but he felt that if the two owners of the Wang family came, they would eventually have a place in these rows of pavilions.
He suppressed his smile and continued walking towards the Imperial Academy. The closer he got, the more uneasy he became.
The person Young Master Mu was to meet was Lord Lu Zhan of the Imperial Academy.
Grand Secretary Lu Zhan was a name that resonated throughout the literati. He was once remonstrated to the death to protect the people and was supported by the people. After serving three emperors, he firmly held the position of Grand Tutor and became a role model for scholars throughout the country.
Li Qingyan was no exception. The thought of meeting this "master" in his mind and stepping into the Imperial Academy he had always dreamed of made his palms sweat. He took several deep breaths and told himself three times to remain calm and composed, but he could not calm his wildly beating heart.
With a pounding heart, he stepped onto the steps of the Imperial Academy, took out the three-layered token and letter from the bottom of his bundle, and handed them to the doorman.
Mu Chuan's keepsake was valuable, which did not match Li Qingyan's attire.
The doorman hesitated, glancing at him twice.
"I have been entrusted by someone to deliver this letter to Lord Lu. This is a very important matter. Please inform Lord Lu of the situation," Li Qingyan explained.
To allay the doorman's doubts, he even produced his customs clearance documents.
The doorman glanced at him, his expression changed, and he straightened up. The young man before him, though simply dressed, was so young that he had passed the imperial examination at the county level and was going to the capital to participate in the autumn imperial examination. In this region, he was one of the very best.
Without further hesitation, he led Li Qingyan to the living room, leaving her with the words "Please wait a moment," before taking the letter and walking deeper into the Imperial Academy.
Two letters and tokens were placed on a tray and presented to Lu Zhan's table.
After reviewing the drafts in his hand, he looked up at the tray that had just been presented and was placed on top of the other drafts.
With just one glance, his pupils dilated.
He quickly put down what he was doing and opened the secret letter sent by his beloved disciple.
This is an ordinary family letter.
Lu Zhan glanced through it and, confirming there were no hidden messages, riddles, or word puzzles, immediately opened the drawer.
He picked up the tinderbox from the drawer, opened the lid, blew on it gently, lit the candle in the upper left corner of the table, and then placed the letter above the wick to warm it carefully.
Soon after, the handwriting on the letter disappeared, revealing a distress signal.
Lu Zhan's heart tightened as he meticulously analyzed the flimsy plea for help, word by word.
The letter didn't give any useful signals and didn't seem like a cry for help. Besides, if his beloved student really needed reinforcements, he wouldn't have come to him.
Lu Zhan breathed a sigh of relief and instructed his student, "Go and fetch a basin of soapberry water."
The student assumed that Lu Zhan had run out of ink while working and said, "Teacher, if you have soiled your clothes, I will bring you a clean one."
"Take it."
The student was a little confused, but still did as the teacher instructed. A short while later, he returned with soapberry water that had been rubbed together and was emitting a cool, bitter, herbal scent.
Lu Zhan ruthlessly chased his students out again. After confirming that no one was around, he immediately soaked the paper in soapberry water.
He stared intently, afraid that he might make a mistake and ruin the message his beloved student had painstakingly conveyed.
After about half an incense stick's time, the paper began to show grayish-white characters with slightly blurred edges.
Lu Zhan breathed a sigh of relief, scooped the paper out of the basin, took out a handkerchief from his pocket, carefully wiped away the water stains, and then began to read it word by word.
The more he read, the more his brows furrowed. Finally, he slammed the letter heavily on the table, making a loud "bang."
The Imperial Academy is a school, and apart from the sound of reading, it is usually very quiet, in order to create a better atmosphere for the students. In addition, Lu Zhan himself has become more and more amiable as he gets older, and he has hardly ever lost his temper in the last ten years. Now, his sudden slamming of the table startled the students waiting outside the door.
Lu Zhan, inside the door, took a few deep breaths, suppressed his anger, and picked up another letter.
This is a letter of recommendation.
In the letter, the beloved student gave a detailed overview of Li Qingyan's life, and mentioned that the two had discussed several topics and tested his studies. The letter was full of affirmation for Li Qingyan, stating that he was quite talented in both temperament and insight, and was a promising talent.
His beloved student, though only of average or above-average academic standing, was of noble birth, of noble character, and of upright character. He was intolerant of the mediocre, arrogant, and looked down on the manners of aristocratic families.
His peers from prominent families also had many complaints about him. But what could he do? He simply had enough wealth and status to make these scions of wealthy families look like they were playing house, envying what others had and laughing at what others didn't.
Whether it's marriage or friendship, he's always been selective, preferring quality over quantity. From childhood to adulthood, he's had very few close friends; you could count them on two hands. To write such a letter of recommendation, praising someone to such an extent, is unprecedented, like a young woman getting married.
Lu Zhan's temper flared up quickly, but it also subsided just as fast. Over the years, he had come to understand that when faced with a problem, one must try to solve it; if it cannot be solved, getting angry is useless. In the imperial court, there were countless petty thieves and despicable acts, and such things were commonplace. If he were truly angry, he would have died of anger long ago, especially since he had written countless remonstrances.
After his outrage subsided, he became curious about the person mentioned in the letter.
I should have reported the matters in the letter to the Emperor as soon as possible, but it would be of no consequence to meet this young scholar first, which would only take a moment.
Lu Zhan finally spoke, asking the disciple outside the door, "Is the messenger still in the courtyard?"
The student replied, "He's still waiting in the living room, saying he doesn't dare leave without receiving a reply from the teacher."
Lu Zhan nodded in satisfaction. He was thorough and capable, and on their first meeting, he showed some understanding and seemed like someone who could get things done.
He pointed towards the door and ordered, "Call him inside to see me."
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