Husband, Let Me Touch Your Abs - Chapter 118

Chapter 118

 

As the provincial examination approached, Zhao Beidou began to feel a bit nervous.

 

Although he had learned almost everything he needed, he couldn’t help worrying about underperforming in the exam and failing to achieve a good rank—or worse, not passing at all. That would be incredibly humiliating.

 

Seeing his stress, Lu Yao prepared some silver ear lotus seed soup and brought it to him.

 

“Brother-in-law.”

 

“It’s so late, and you’re still studying. Be careful not to strain your eyes.”

 

Xiao Dou moved a chair for Lu Yao to sit on. “I’ll rest after finishing this article.”

 

“The exam is just a few days away. Are you feeling nervous?”

 

“A little.”

 

Lu Yao smiled. “Don’t be. Studying is just one path in life. With your elder brother and me here to back you up, it’s okay if you don’t do well. If worst comes to worst, you can always come back and take over the family business.”

 

“How could I? After studying for so many years, I need to achieve something to live up to your support and my efforts.”

 

Lu Yao looked at him with gratification, feeling a sense of pride that he was growing up.

 

“Then keep a calm mindset and prepare well for the exam. I believe you’ll achieve what you desire.”

 

“Okay!”

 

On April 6th, the provincial examination began.

 

Lu Yao prepared food the day before, as the exam would last three days straight, during which candidates wouldn’t be able to leave. He packed a small pot and a water flask.

 

He fried some fine noodles—essentially a simple version of instant noodles. These could be eaten by pouring boiling water over them. He also prepared a jar of mushroom meat sauce, which could be mixed with the noodles for a delicious meal, much more convenient than carrying buns or pancakes.

 

Early in the morning, around 5 a.m., the roll call began, and the candidates lined up in a long queue to enter the exam hall.

 

Upon entry, they underwent a thorough body search. Aside from brushes, ink, inkstones, and food, no paper was allowed in their baskets.

 

In addition to checking the baskets, their clothes, hair, and shoes were inspected. Anyone caught with contraband was immediately expelled and disqualified from the exam.

 

After the search, candidates followed their examination permits to find their designated cubicles. Once inside, they were not allowed to converse with anyone.

 

Outside the exam hall, the family stood at the entrance, watching Zhao Beidou enter the hall before heading to a nearby teahouse to rest.

 

Much like seven years ago, when Zhao Beidou first took the provincial exam, the weather on the first day turned gloomy, threatening rain.

 

“During Qingming season, the rain falls ceaselessly, and travelers on the road feel their souls torn.”

 

Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan took their younger siblings to the third floor of Tianfeng Teahouse to have tea.

 

This teahouse had opened last year. It used to be a run-down teahouse, but someone bought the property and rebuilt it into a three-story building. The first and second floors were still for selling tea and snacks, while the third floor had private rooms for distinguished guests.

 

The owner of the teahouse was an acquaintance—Lieutenant Liang’s widow, whom Lu Yao preferred to address as Boss Zhang.

 

Since Liang Yong’s passing, Lieutenant Liang’s spirit had been dampened. Last year, he took on an idle position in the military, no longer leading troops into battle, and remained in Pingzhou.

 

Initially, he intended to help his nephew run the business, but the nephew was utterly unfit for it, incurring losses for three months. Zhang Yu couldn’t stand it anymore and took over part of the business herself. Now, she was managing it successfully.

 

When Zhang Yu learned that Lu Yao and the others had come, she personally came upstairs to greet them.

 

“Boss Zhang is here.”

 

“Have a seat. I heard Beidou is taking the exam this year. Has he entered the hall?”

 

“He just went in.”

 

Zhang Yu noticed the concern on his face and realized he was worried the weather might affect his brother-in-law’s performance. “My husband said the prefectural government repaired the exam hall last month. The worn-out tiles have been replaced, so it shouldn’t affect the results.”

 

Lu Yao had also heard this news, as he had donated 1,000 taels of silver for the repairs. “I’m not worried about leaky roofs, just that he might end up assigned to a stinky cubicle.”

 

This sort of thing couldn’t be avoided; every year, someone’s performance suffered because they were assigned near the latrines.

 

Zhang Yu sighed. “There’s nothing to be done about that. Let’s just hope our Beidou is lucky and stays far away from those cubicles.”

 

Perhaps the prayers outside were effective, as Zhao Beidou’s cubicle was far from the latrines, situated in the northwest corner in the first room.

 

Not far from him was Lin Zijian’s cubicle. The two exchanged glances and slightly nodded without speaking.

 

This year, over 1,300 people were taking the provincial examination, but only 40 or 50 would pass and earn the title of scholar. The competition was fierce.

 

By the hour of the dragon (7–9 a.m.), the bailiffs began distributing bedding for overnight use.

 

The bedding had been used countless times, was heavy and hard, and had a moldy smell. Zhao Beidou grimaced as he spread it over the small cot behind him.

 

After the distribution, the proctors read out the exam rules, followed by a speech from the governor. Then, the gong sounded, and the exam papers were distributed.

 

The provincial exam mainly tested excerpts from classical texts, essays, and policy discussions, focusing on memorization, composition, and views on current affairs.

 

These were Zhao Beidou’s strengths. Glancing at the questions, he could answer them almost with his eyes closed. He looked at Lin Zijian not far away, who also seemed calm and confident.

 

Rolling up his sleeves, Zhao Beidou began grinding ink and drafting his answers on the rough paper.

 

A fine drizzle fell, nourishing the freshly sprouted leaves.

 

After returning from the teahouse, Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan visited the distillery. This year’s batch of fermentation starters had already been prepared.

 

The people making the starters were all Lu family retainers. Each year, the task was assigned to a fixed group, excluding other workers, as a way to maintain the recipe’s secrecy.

 

In recent years, others had developed methods to refine alcohol, but Lu Yao knew this technique would eventually spread. He wasn’t concerned.

 

However, others couldn’t replicate the Lu family’s recipe for fermentation starters. While they could produce high-proof alcohol, it lacked the same rich and mellow flavor.

 

When they arrived, workers were sitting under the eaves sorting wheat. Lu Shiliu hurried out of the house. “The two masters are here.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Come inside and rest for a while. Don’t get your shoes wet outside.”

 

Lu Yao followed him inside, and Zhao Beichuan folded his umbrella and walked in as well.

 

Inside, a small stove warmed the room, with a kettle boiling on top. A set of tea utensils and fine tea leaves were laid out on the table.

 

“You know how to enjoy yourself,” Lu Yao said, rubbing his hands as he sat by the stove to warm them.

 

Lu Shiliu scratched his head sheepishly. “This tea was brought back from Zhongzhou by Master Kuan. It’s pretty good. Would you like to try it, Master?”

 

“No need, we still have plenty at home. How’s the fermentation starter coming along?”

 

“Reporting to the master, 3,000 catties have already been stored for fermentation. After this rain passes, we’ll start on the second batch.”

 

“Good. Is your wife about to give birth?”

 

“It should be in the next couple of days.”

 

Lu Shiliu had married last year, taking a local woman as his wife.

 

The woman had a hard life, originally selling herself on the streets to bury her father when Lu Shiliu happened upon her and helped her, leading to their union.

 

Since Lu Shiliu’s slave status hadn’t been lifted, his child would inherit the same status. Lu Yao said, “Come with me to the prefecture office tomorrow to have your slave status lifted.”

 

Shocked, Lu Shiliu knelt with a thud. “Master, why? Did I do something wrong?”

 

“When did I say you did something wrong?”

 

“Then why would you lift my slave status? Are you casting me out?”

 

Lu Yao was exasperated by his response, while Zhao Beichuan’s face darkened further.

 

“Even without the slave status, you’re still part of the Lu family and will continue working for me. But your child can live like any other, with the freedom to choose their path.”

 

Finally understanding, Lu Shiliu burst into tears and knelt at Lu Yao’s feet. “Thank you for your trust, Master. I vow to serve you loyally for life, and if I ever betray you, may heaven strike me down!”

 

“Alright, get up. There’s no need to come to the distillery for the next few days. Let Lu Jia and Yang Tie manage the workers. Stay home and take care of your wife.”

 

Lu Shiliu wiped his tears and got up. He had never imagined that his slave status would one day be lifted. To follow such a good master was a blessing, and his loyalty turned into undying devotion.

 

Leaving the distillery, Zhao Beichuan hesitated and said, “Aren’t you worried that lifting his slave status might lead to betrayal later on?”

 

Lu Yao smiled and tugged at his sleeve. “Watch your step, there’s mud.”

 

After stepping over it, he explained, “Lu Shiliu is extremely clever and meticulous. Previously, I wouldn’t have lifted his slave status, but times have changed. After his marriage, he has attachments—his wife and child. This makes him more trustworthy.” Even with his cunning, Lu Shiliu would never risk betrayal, knowing the consequences for his family.

 

Zhao Beichuan thought for a moment and asked, “Is your reliance on Ma Kuan also because his younger sister is in your hands?”

 

Lu Yao couldn’t help but laugh. “You make it sound like I’m a human trafficker. But yes, that’s part of the reason. The main thing is that Ma Kuan has proven himself. At a young age, he dared to venture out alone and succeeded, showing extraordinary determination.”

 

Recalling a conversation from a few days ago, Zhao Beichuan asked, “What about arranging a marriage for him and Xiaonian?”

 

“We’ll discuss it after Beidou finishes the provincial exam. I’m thinking of visiting our hometown in the near future.”

 

“Why the sudden thought of going back?”

 

“We haven’t been back in five or six years. Mother has been wanting to visit, and Lu Yun and his wife are planning to bring the elders to the prefectural city. We can go together, visit Father and Mother’s graves, and pay our respects.”

 

Zhao Beichuan held his hand tightly and softly agreed.

 

Three days later, the family waited at the exam hall gate to greet Zhao Beidou as he came out.

 

Lin Zijian and Zhao Beidou walked out of the examination hall together. Both of them seemed in good spirits, though their faces were slightly pale, indicating that they probably hadn’t suffered much during the past few days.

 

Zhao Beichuan reached out to take his younger brother’s examination basket. “Finally, you’re out. Any later, and your sister-in-law’s nagging would’ve made my ears grow calluses.”

 

Next to him, one of the Lin family servants helped Lin Zijian carry his examination basket, eagerly asking, “Young Master, how did it go? Were you able to answer all the questions?”

 

Lin Zijian nodded tiredly.

 

Lu Yao said, “Don’t bombard him with questions now. Quickly take him home for a hot bath and let him rest for a day before discussing anything.”

 

Unconvinced, Butler Lin glanced at Lu Yao and pursed his lips, still calmly following behind Lin Zijian. He said, “Master and Madam place great importance on this examination. You must secure a good ranking, and it would be ideal if you could achieve the Small Three Yuan title.”

 

“I understand.” Lin Zijian walked over to Zhao Beidou and began comparing answers to the test questions.

 

Butler Lin glanced at the nearby Zhao Xiaonian, hurriedly catching up to say, “Young Master, let’s return to the He family to pack up and head back to the capital. Master and Madam are waiting for you. Don’t get entangled with irrelevant people.”

 

These words were quite unpleasant. Lin Zijian stopped in his tracks and said, “Who are you calling irrelevant?”

 

“Those low-class merchants…”

 

“Shut up! They are my closest friends, and the person next to them is their family. It’s not your place to criticize!”

 

Butler Lin put on an exaggeratedly remorseful expression and said, “This old servant is only thinking of your best interest.”

 

Seeing his friend upset, Zhao Beidou quickly patted his back to soothe him. “Alright, Zijian, don’t get angry over such a trivial matter. Besides, our relationship isn’t something a few words from him can affect. Go home and rest well.”

 

Lin Zijian’s eyes turned slightly red. “I’m sorry, Beidou. I’ll visit tomorrow to apologize properly.”

 

“There’s no need. If you keep acting like this, I won’t bother with you anymore!”

 

Only then did Lin Zijian sigh, quickly returning to his family’s carriage.

 

Meanwhile, Zhao Beichuan also brought a carriage. It was quite spacious, with a small table in the center holding some snacks and dried fruits.

 

Once the family boarded, they stopped mentioning Lin Zijian. Xiaonian pulled his brother aside, asking, “How did it go? Are you confident?”

 

“It was pretty straightforward. I’m confident I’ll pass, but I’m not sure if I’ll get into the top tier.” In the prefectural examination, fifty candidates are usually chosen. The top ten are classified as Class A, the next twenty as Class B, and the remaining twenty as Class C. The prefectural academy initially assigns classes based on these rankings.

 

“That shouldn’t be an issue. You’ve always been the top student in Class A of the prefectural academy. How could you possibly fall behind the others?”

 

Beidou shook his head. “Not necessarily. There are those who don’t study at the prefectural academy but are still highly knowledgeable. They might do better than me.”

 

Lu Yao said, “It doesn’t matter. The exam is over, so relax for the next few days and prepare for the college examination and the provincial examination in August.”

 

“Alright.”

 

The carriage headed straight to Changrong Street, where servants had already prepared hot water. Zhao Beidou took a bath, changed into fresh clothes, and immediately fell asleep.

 

Xiaonian was still concerned about the shop, and Xiaochun couldn’t stay idle either. The two of them decided to take the carriage back.

 

Lu Yao went to the kitchen to personally cook a pot of black-bone chicken soup for Beidou to nourish him. Though it wasn’t freezing in April, the weather was still a bit chilly.

 

—

 

On the other side, Lin Zijian returned to the side courtyard of the He family, throwing a fit in anger. Butler Lin knelt at the door, visibly uneasy.

 

“Young Master, please don’t be upset. If you truly think I’m in the wrong, hit me or scold me, but don’t harm your health over it.”

 

Lin Zijian trembled with anger. Butler Lin had been serving the Lin family for over thirty years and had watched him grow up, so punishing him was out of the question.

 

He knew Butler Lin meant well, but he simply couldn’t accept the things he had said.

 

“Pack your things and return to the capital tomorrow.”

 

Upon hearing this, Butler Lin quickly kowtowed. “If this old servant goes back, what will happen to you?”

 

“I have two young attendants by my side. That’s enough.”

 

“How could that be…”

 

Lin Zijian let out a cold laugh. “So you don’t listen to me anymore? Then stay here. I’ll leave!” With that, he stormed out on his own.

 

“Young Master! Young Master!”

 

Lin Zijian wandered aimlessly through the streets, unknowingly arriving near the Lu family’s restaurant. Remembering the day’s events, he felt ashamed and didn’t go inside. Instead, he kept walking until he reached a small street-side tavern.

 

He ordered a few dishes and two pots of wine, drinking alone.

 

Butler Lin’s strictness largely stemmed from Lin Zijian’s mother. Ever since her husband had favored a concubine, her nerves had grown increasingly strained.

 

She used to be gentle but strong-willed. After becoming disillusioned with her husband, she shifted her focus to her son.

 

Not only did she worry about his studies, but she also micromanaged his social life, fearing he might be led astray by bad influences.

 

Sometimes, Lin Zijian resented his father. He had once been so good to his mother, but after receiving a woman as a gift from a colleague, his heart strayed.

 

As a Ministry of Rites official with a light workload, his father was supposed to accompany him to this prefectural examination. But he stayed behind because the concubine’s child had caught a cold.

 

Feeling trapped and miserable, Lin Zijian could only shed tears as he drank cup after cup.

 

With his youthful and delicate appearance, dressed in luxurious silk robes, he looked like an easy target.

 

A few petty thugs exchanged glances and approached him as he was about to finish his wine. They helped him up and said, “Young Master, why are you drinking alone?”

 

“Who… who are you? Let… let me go.”

 

“Don’t make a fuss, Young Master. Let’s get you home.” As they spoke, they began dragging him outside while searching his person for his money pouch.

 

Once outside, Lin Zijian’s alcohol-induced haze began to clear. Panicking, he shouted, “What are you doing? Let me go! Help, help!”

 

Startled by his cries, the thugs quickly covered his mouth and dragged him into an alley. They picked up a stone and struck him on the head twice, knocking him unconscious before stripping him of his valuables.

 

They took his hair crown, the pendant around his neck, the jade pendant and sachet on his belt, and even his clothes and shoes.

 

—

 

Butler Lin and the two young attendants had chased after the young master, but he had disappeared in the blink of an eye. They were frantic.

 

In an unfamiliar place like Pingzhou Prefecture, they had no idea where the young master could have gone.

 

If anything happened to him, they wouldn’t be able to atone for it even in death!

 

One attendant suggested, “Let’s report it to the authorities first. It’s so late. What if the young master runs into trouble?”

 

Finally regaining his composure, Butler Lin rushed back to the He family. Accompanied by the dean’s son, he reported the matter to the local yamen.

 

The officials said they would help search for him but couldn’t guarantee results, advising them to send their own people to look as well.

 

Thinking of the Zhao family boy who was close to the young master, Butler Lin ran to the Lu family’s restaurant.

 

By this hour, the restaurant was already closed. He knocked on the back door.

 

Lu Qing got up to answer. “Elder, may I ask what’s the matter?”

 

“Is our young master here with you?”

 

“Who’s your young master?”

 

“The young master of the Lin family, Lin Zijian!”

 

“No, he’s not.” Lu Qing was about to close the door when Ma Kuan came out, stopping him. “Did something happen to your young master?”

 

Normally, Butler Lin looked down on merchants, but in this situation, he couldn’t care less. He anxiously replied, “Our young master ran out earlier. It’s so late, and we don’t know where he went. In this unfamiliar place, we’re worried something might happen.”

 

“Don’t worry. Lu Qing, go to Changrong Street to inform the boss. I’ll gather some people to help search.” Ma Kuan first grabbed a thick cloak to wrap around himself and told his younger sister to sleep early before heading out.

 

He asked for details, such as when the young master had left, which direction he had gone, and how long he had been missing.

 

The two attendants answered one by one. Ma Kuan then said, “Did you check the nearby taverns?”

 

The group shook their heads.

 

“Let’s start by asking around at the taverns. If anyone finds any clues, shout out.”

 

“Alright, alright!”

 

No longer wasting time, the group quickly headed to the taverns.

 

At this hour, most taverns were about to close. Butler Lin entered one and asked, “Excuse me, have you seen a teenage boy drinking here? He’s about half a head taller than me and wearing a green robe.”

 

“No, haven’t seen anyone like that.”

 

“Could you think again?”

 

The shopkeeper waved his hand. “Really haven’t seen him. There’ve only been a few customers tonight. If I had seen him, wouldn’t I have told you?”

 

Dejected, Butler Lin left and continued to another tavern, only to hear the same response. His heart sank to rock bottom.

 

With heavy steps, he exited the tavern, only to hear someone shouting nearby, “We found him!”

 

They had found the tavern where Lin Zijian had been drinking, but he was no longer there. According to the owner, he had been dragged away by a group of people…

 

Terrified, Butler Lin’s legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground.