“Brother Yutang, did you see that?” A portly scholar dressed in a brocade robe patted Lin Yutang on the shoulder, gesturing toward Gu Wangchen and Yang Ruilin, who had just entered the private room with their arms around each other’s shoulders.
“That’s the son of the current Prime Minister, Gu Huaizhang—Gu Wangchen, Young Master Gu. And the other one is the son of the Minister of Revenue, Yang Changshuo—Yang Ruilin, Young Master Yang.”
“These two are regulars at Jingfang Pavilion—known to throw money around like it’s nothing!” The fat scholar clicked his tongue.
Lin Yutang followed his gaze. When he confirmed that the tall, elegantly dressed young man was indeed Gu Wangchen, whom he had seen yesterday at the Ba Bridge, he was left speechless.
How could he not recognize this arrogant nobleman? It was because of Gu Wangchen’s blockade of the bridge yesterday that he had experienced firsthand the true meaning of elite power.
To be honest, as the Jieyuan of Ludong Province, he had thought that coming to Sheng’an would earn him countless admirers among his peers. After all, when the results of the provincial examination were announced, the entire village—and even the county—sent people to his house to offer their congratulations.
Proposals flooded in, almost flattening the already worn threshold of his humble home.
Those few days were the proudest he’d ever been in his life.
It was also the first time he truly understood the saying, “Within books, there are houses of gold; within books, beauties as fair as jade.”
He had believed that upon arriving in Sheng’an, if not enjoying the same treatment as at home, he would at least be treated with respect by his fellow examinees attending the Spring Examinations.
Anyone he met would surely greet him with a respectful “Young Master Lin,” or “Lin Jieyuan.”
But to his surprise, though inns and businesses were indeed willing to provide him with free food and lodging upon hearing of his Jieyuan status, the other examinees seemed completely indifferent to him.
It was as if his title meant nothing here.
Except for…
He glanced at the plump scholar beside him, who looked at him with open admiration. Lin Yutang let out a soft sigh and replied,
“Brother Fu, do you really mean to say the Prime Minister’s son can do as he pleases in Sheng’an City, with no one to rein him in?”
“Huh? Brother Yutang, what do you mean by that?” The fat scholar withdrew his gaze and lowered his voice.
“You really don’t know, Brother Fu? Yesterday, Gu Wangchen blocked the Ba Bridge outside the East Gate of Sheng’an for a full hour—he didn’t let anyone cross!”
“If it hadn’t been for a certain lady hero stepping in… who knows, I might not have made it into Sheng’an yesterday.” Lin Yutang’s tone held a trace of anger.
“Hush! Don’t say such things. You’ll get us all kicked out, and then we’ll never get to see Miss Su!” The scholar surnamed Fu quickly made a shushing gesture, glancing about to ensure no one had noticed them before he finally relaxed.
“What? Gu Wangchen did those things, yet we can’t even talk about it?”
“I told you, be careful with your words.” Brother Fu immediately pulled him into a secluded corner, a helpless look on his face.
“Gu Wangchen is a valued patron of Jingfang Pavilion. If the wrong person overheard what you just said and told him, he could have us kicked out with a mere snap of his fingers!”
“What gives him the right?” Lin Yutang’s anger flared, and he clenched his fist. “Does his family own Jingfang Pavilion? We’re just here for a poetry gathering and discussion. What authority does he have to expel us?”
“What gives him the right?” The scholar Fu shook his head and chuckled, pointing to the petals drifting down from above the main hall. “His father is the Prime Minister! If his father so much as waves a brush, the whole Jingfang Pavilion would have to shut down overnight!”
“But—”
“Enough, Brother Yutang.” Scholar Fu calmed himself, patted Lin Yutang on the shoulder, and comforted him. “I know it’s hard for you to accept, but that’s reality. This is Sheng’an!”
“I’ve lived in Sheng’an all my life. Would I steer you wrong?”
Seeing Lin Yutang’s troubled expression, he continued, “Take my advice: let’s not dwell on those two wastrels. With your knowledge and talent, Brother Yutang, becoming a jinshi after the Spring Examination is practically guaranteed! Who knows—you might even place among the top three, or even become the champion scholar!”
“Once you have the title of jinshi, even Young Master Gu will have to listen when you speak.”
Lin Yutang fell silent for a moment and sighed softly. “So, even after becoming a jinshi… all I can do is have a say?”
“What else? You think you’ll be calling each other brothers? Do you have a Prime Minister for a father—or a Minister, or a Vice-Minister?” Fu’s round face was full of disbelief.
“I…”
Lin Yutang clenched his right fist, at a loss for words.
“Enough, Brother Yutang. We may never be born into privilege, but we can become its first generation!” Scholar Fu encouraged him.
“Maybe you’ll be the next Gu Huaizhang—no, the next Lin Huaizhang!”
“The Prime Minister…” Hearing the name Gu Huaizhang, Lin Yutang’s expression turned wistful. “I admire his integrity, respect his talent, and hold his governance in high esteem. But Gu Wangchen… he’s a stain on the Prime Minister’s legacy.”
“Alright, enough of that, Brother Yutang. Here come Brother Fang and the others—let’s join them!” Afraid Lin Yutang was about to begin criticizing court politics again, Scholar Fu quickly tugged his sleeve and steered the topic back to socializing.
“Come, come, fellow scholars! Since fate has brought us together today, why not raise a cup together?”
“Well said, Brother Fu—here’s to us—uh…”
“A great roc soars on the wind in a single day, rising ninety thousand li.” Lin Yutang sighed and raised his cup as well.
“Right, right! Brother Yutang, truly worthy of being Ludong’s Jieyuan!”
The wine cups clinked.
Ding—
Ding—
“Hmm?!”
As she watched the spice jar tumble to the ground, Sikong Yue’s beautiful eyes widened and she sprang up onto the ceiling beam.
After confirming that no one had heard the sound, she quietly climbed down, swallowed the five-nut pastry stuffed in her mouth, wiped the crumbs from her lips, grabbed her ladle, and took a big gulp.
Gulp, gulp…
“Ah~ Refreshing!”
Once she’d eaten and drunk her fill, she stepped out of the pastry kitchen, closed the door, and walked through the back courtyard of Jingfang Pavilion as if nothing had happened.
This place was perfect—not only was the pay generous, but food and lodging were provided, and the work was easy.
After all, at such an upscale establishment, the clientele were all notable figures of Sheng’an. Trouble was rare, and as a security guard, she barely had anything to do.
There was just one thing she was dissatisfied with—they didn’t allow her to eat during her shift!
No matter how she argued, it was useless!
Helpless, she’d resorted to this method.
But she reasoned that by eating first, she’d be able to work better later—after all, how could anyone work on an empty stomach?
Not to mention, her timing had been perfect: Jingfang Pavilion had only hired her yesterday because she’d reached the Fourth Realm, making her strong enough, and today was the day that “Miss Su” was making her debut. The original guard staff was insufficient, giving her the chance to work here as a “temporary hand.”
“Let’s hope everything goes smoothly tonight, and I get to stay on here… at least until I find what I came for.”
The young woman couldn’t help but silently pray, adding another thought in her heart—“at least until I complete my mission.”
“Sikong Yue, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and get to the main hall to maintain order! Miss Su is about to take the stage!”
Just then, a voice snapped her out of her musings. Sikong Yue jolted, quickly waved in acknowledgment, and called out,
“Coming, coming!”
She rubbed her cheeks once more, took out the bronze mirror she’d bought with Gu Wangchen’s money, and carefully checked her reflection.
After making sure all traces of pastry had been wiped from her face, she shook her high wolf-tail ponytail and dashed toward the brilliantly lit main hall.