Husband, Let Me Touch Your Abs - Chapter 128

Chapter 128

The provincial examination passed day by day.

The short five days seemed infinitely prolonged, as if half a month had passed. Lu Yao couldn’t wait for the last day to arrive with a blink of an eye.

Every morning over the past few days, he and Zhao Beichuan would take a walk around the examination site. The area outside the site was heavily guarded, and ordinary people couldn’t get close, only able to observe from a distance.

Occasionally, they could see people leaving the examination midway.

Some were caught cheating. These people would be registered and banned from taking the provincial examination again in the future, essentially cutting off their path in the imperial examination system.

Others left voluntarily, unable to withstand the pressure. Today, they encountered a few such cases.

When the two of them arrived this morning, they saw several people squatting at the gate, crying and wailing. They weren’t sure what had happened, so Zhao Beichuan asked someone nearby who was watching the commotion. He found out that those people had abandoned the examination early due to stress.

Even though they had already endured for four days, and only needed to survive one more day to see the light at the end of the tunnel, they couldn’t hold on at the last moment.

Some regretted it after coming out and tried to beg to be let back in, but rules were rules. No one had the privilege to change them. In the end, these scholars could only leave in tears, preparing for the next provincial examination three years later.

Lu Yao sighed, realizing that anyone who managed to pass and become a juren must have a mentality far superior to ordinary people.

After staying for a while and seeing nothing else happen, the two hurried back to the inn by carriage.

Lu Yao planned to buy another shop. Recently, a spice shop in the east of the city was being sold, but the price was a bit high—7,000 taels of silver. Lu Yao planned to negotiate it down to around 5,000 taels.

The batch of defective liquor from the distillery had already been distilled into alcohol. Although it had a strange smell, it functioned the same as regular alcohol, with a concentration of about seventy percent. Lu Yao sent it to the military camp.

Coincidentally, Ge Changbao encountered the delivery. “Didn’t we already send alcohol over in the spring? Why are we delivering so much again?”

Lu Shiliu replied, “General, our master said that the drought in the north this year might lead to an invasion by the barbarians. It’s better to stockpile more alcohol for the Northern Guard Army just in case.”

Ge Changbao grinned and said, “Go back and thank Third Brother for me.” Having in-laws was great—family always looked out for each other.

He ordered the soldiers to unload the jars of alcohol. In September, they would be heading to the frontier to rotate duties, and they could take the alcohol with them then.

Lu Shiliu delivered the supplies and returned to report at the inn.

Lu Yao said, “The new yeast should arrive in seven or eight days. The autumn sorghum harvest has also begun. Go ahead and buy five thousand catties first. If it’s not enough, we’ll add more later.”

“Yes, boss. Are we brewing rice wine again this year? A few southern merchants came by a few days ago, asking if we needed rice. The price is much cheaper than what the grain shops are offering.”

This year, the south had plenty of rain, and the rice harvest was good. Prices were also much lower than in previous years. It might be worth making some sweet rice wine to sell in the inn.

Since women and young men often came to the inn to dine, they couldn’t handle strong liquors. Yellow wine didn’t taste as good either, so brewing some rice wine or fruit wine might be more suitable.

“Don’t buy too much—just brew a few hundred catties.”

“Yes.”

“Quick, quick, quick! Get to the well and fetch water!” As they were talking, Zhao Beichuan’s urgent shouts suddenly rang out from outside.

Lu Yao quickly got up and ran out. “What happened?”

“Xiaochun burned his hand while frying fish! He accidentally reached into the oil. The back of his hand is red and looks like it’s going to blister.”

Lu Yao sucked in a breath of cold air and immediately scooped water to rinse Xiaochun’s hand. “Does it hurt?”

Xiaochun bit his lip and shook his head. “It’s fine—not too bad.”

“You child, how could you be so careless?”

Zhao Beichuan fetched a bucket of cold water and told Xiaochun to soak his hand in it. He then went to the ice storage, chipped off a few pieces of ice, and tossed them into the bucket, working up a sweat in the process.

“This kid has been distracted ever since he saw that Zhang family boy the other day. Yesterday, he forgot to add salt to the food. This morning, he almost set the pot on fire while cooking. And now he burned his hand with hot oil.”

Lu Yao found it both funny and exasperating. He teased, “You’re not interested in him, are you? Should I go and cancel the arrangement?”

“No, don’t!” Xiaochun panicked and even forgot to keep his hand in the water, quickly reaching out to grab Lu Yao.

“I’m joking. We already agreed—how could we back out? If you’re in a hurry, we can ask your brother to propose to the Zhang family in a few days and hold the wedding at the end of the year.”

Xiaochun lowered his head, kicking the ground with his toe. “I’ll let Sister-in-law decide everything.”

Zhao Beichuan couldn’t resist flicking Xiaochun’s forehead. “Look at you—just one meeting and you’re completely smitten.”

Blushing, Xiaochun didn’t say a word. He quietly touched the smooth jade gourd in his pocket and thought of that person’s smile. His heart couldn’t help but race.

Since they were preparing for a wedding, buying a new house had to be put on the agenda as well.

Their current courtyard was large, but the east and west wings were already occupied. They couldn’t have a bride move in and live with her brother-in-law—it would be too inconvenient.

Besides, it wasn’t like they couldn’t afford it. Lu Yao had plenty of silver. He had even prepared a dowry of 5,000 taels for Xiaochun, just for his marriage.

He had already asked someone to look into properties in Changrong Alley. Whether it was a two-entry or three-entry courtyard, if something suitable was available, they would go and check it out.

For now, these matters were set aside, as the provincial examination finally reached its last day!

Today was the fifth day of the provincial examination. According to past rules, after the si hour, candidates could hand in their papers early and leave the examination site.

Not only the Zhao family came today, but also Lu Lin, Wang Youtian, and Ge Changbao. Since this was the only scholar in their family, everyone took it very seriously.

As si hour approached, the examination hall’s gates opened, and many candidates could already be seen lining up to come out.

Everyone craned their necks, looking for Zhao Beidou’s figure.

Soon, the gong sounded, and the first group of candidates who had submitted their papers walked out.

Some looked haggard and walked unsteadily. Others were energized and laughed out loud, most likely having answered key questions correctly.

Some clung to relatives, crying about the hardships of the past few days, making everyone feel sympathetic.

Lu Yao’s heart pounded nervously—he hadn’t even been this excited during his college entrance exams.

Zhao Beichuan wasn’t much better. His voice trembled. “Why isn’t Douzi out yet?”

“No rush. At the latest, papers must be submitted by the end of wei hour, and then candidates will be forced out.”

Just after midday, Zhao Beidou finally appeared at the gate!

“Beidou!” Xiaonian was the first to spot him and waved excitedly.

Zhao Beidou looked over, smiled, and nodded at them.

Everyone gathered around him and helped him onto the carriage, urging him to go back first, take a bath, and rest. They planned to have a meal together later that evening.

After finishing the provincial exam, Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan finally felt relieved. Regardless of the results, Xiaodou felt that he had put a satisfactory conclusion to his years of hard study. The days ahead would now be spent waiting for the results to be announced.

That evening, Lu Yao hosted a family banquet with two tables set up at home, and all the family members came over.

Those who drank sat at one table, and those who didn’t drink sat at another. While eating, everyone discussed matters related to the imperial examination.

Xiaodou recounted what had happened inside the examination hall. “The day we went in, someone was caught cheating and was expelled from the venue. Guess where he hid the cheat sheet?”

Everyone shook their heads.

“That person rolled the paper into long strips, colored them, and wove them directly into the examination basket!”

Lu Lin said, “Oh wow, with such cleverness, why not use it for studying instead?”

Wang Youtian asked, “What happens if someone gets caught?”

“The officials have a register specifically for such cases. All those caught cheating are recorded and permanently banned from taking the provincial exams. Not only that, the local authorities are also notified, and the person is prohibited from teaching others, as their poor character might lead students astray.”

“Goodness, that’s harsh…” Lu Yao thought that such punishments didn’t just cut off the cheater’s academic path but also socially ostracized them completely.

Even with such severe punishments, people still took the risk because passing the exams could bring immense success and elevate one’s entire family.

After the meal, the children played in the courtyard under the watchful eyes of servants and maids, leaving no need for concern.

The adults chatted and talked late into the night before dispersing. The servants at the gate helped the three families return home by carriage, and the courtyard finally quieted down.

It had been a joyful day, and Zhao Beichuan drank quite a lot that evening. He felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction at his younger brother’s achievements.

After washing up and lying down in bed, he suddenly said without context, “It’s a good thing we didn’t give Xiaodou away back then.”

“Huh?”

Zhao Beichuan chuckled softly. “Back when our parents passed away, Xiaonian was three years old, and Xiaodou was just one and couldn’t even walk yet. Granny Zhao advised me to send Xiaodou away. There was a family in a nearby village without sons who wanted a boy. I heard they were rich enough to afford livestock even a decade ago.”

Lu Yao turned over and lay on his chest, asking, “Then why didn’t you send him away?”

Zhao Beichuan stroked his hair and back, replying, “How could I bear to? He’s the child my mother gave her life to bring into this world. If I had sent him away, I feared my mother would haunt my dreams and punish me for being unfilial.”

Lu Yao kissed the stubble on his chin and said, “Your mother wouldn’t punish you now. She’d be too proud of how well you’ve raised your younger siblings.”

“That’s because you took good care of them. All I’m good for is physical labor.”

Lu Yao recalled the first time he saw Xiaodou and Xiaonian—one was five, and the other was seven. Both were so thin they looked like radishes.

Now, after being raised by him, one had grown into a graceful young woman, and the other into a tall and handsome young man who even took the provincial exams. He felt an immense sense of accomplishment.

“No matter how capable I am, I couldn’t have done it without your support. If you were unreasonable, all my abilities would have gone to waste.”

Zhao Beichuan beamed with joy at his husband’s praise and pulled him closer, kissing his lips.

Their soft tongues intertwined. That night, Lu Yao was unusually proactive, kissing him while loosening his hair.

A small boat swayed on the water’s surface, teetering as it was battered by waves. Suddenly, a wave crashed over it, overturning the boat, which floated on the water, enduring even fiercer waves.

Perhaps it was because of the alcohol, but this time was more intense than usual. Lu Yao tried to escape several times, unable to keep up, but Zhao Beichuan held his waist and pulled him back each time. By the end, Lu Yao couldn’t even remember when he passed out.

The next day, Lin Zijian came by to bid farewell. He chatted with Beidou about the provincial exam questions, and both appeared confident and composed.

After this exam, Lin Zijian seemed much more mature. He no longer fixated on whether his parents loved him more or less, and he looked clear-headed and cheerful.

“Beidou, I’ll be waiting for you in the capital in October.”

Zhao Beidou smiled and said, “I’ll definitely visit you then. I hope you won’t find me annoying.”

“I won’t. Having a lifelong friend is truly a blessing!”

After sending off Lin Zijian, Zhao Beichuan began preparing for a trip to Qingzhou.

The provincial exam results wouldn’t be released for more than a month. During this time, he planned to take his younger brother back to see if they could locate their old home. If they succeeded, they would move their parents’ graves back to Qingzhou.

Previously, Granny Zhao had been staying in a spare room at the back of the inn.

With plenty of food and drink available, and likely better nutrition, Granny Zhao’s health had gradually improved. She even occasionally helped the staff wash and sort vegetables.

She had long been eager to return to Qingzhou, but since Zhao Beichuan hadn’t mentioned it, she didn’t bring it up. Hearing about it today, she immediately asked, “Are we really going back soon?”

“Yes, we’re planning to leave in a few days.”

“Good, good, good! Then I’ll start packing right away!” Granny Zhao was overjoyed. She still had quite a few relatives in Qingzhou. When they fled during the famine, they lost contact, and she didn’t even know if they were still alive.

Zhao Beichuan asked about their family background. “My father mentioned I had an uncle who survived. Besides him, do we have any other relatives?”

Granny Zhao thought for a moment. “Your family doesn’t have many descendants. By your father’s generation, only two brothers remained. But your father’s older brother—your uncle—died of illness years ago, leaving only your father. As for cousins, there were quite a few, but it’s been so long that I can’t remember their names.”

Zhao Beichuan nodded. “What about my mother’s side?”

“Your mother wasn’t from our village. I only heard she had a younger brother—your uncle. Beyond that, I don’t know much.”

After chatting for a bit, Zhao Beichuan went to the kitchen to help.

That night, he mentioned the trip to Lu Yao again. “I’m planning to head to Qingzhou soon.”

“Alright. Autumn is a good time to go. The weather’s pleasant, and if you wait until it gets colder, traveling will be more difficult. Tomorrow, I’ll visit the escort agency and see if there’s an experienced guard familiar with the route to accompany you.”

Zhao Beichuan held his waist and said, “It’s a long journey to Qingzhou. You better not come along.”

Lu Yao truly didn’t have the time. Both Xiaochun and Xiaonian’s weddings had to be planned soon. He needed to prepare Xiaonian’s dowry and Xiaochun’s new home.

The spice shop also needed negotiations, and arrangements had to be made in the capital ahead of time. If Beidou passed the exam, they would need a place to stay there.

There was too much to handle at home, and he couldn’t leave for now. Though he felt reluctant about being apart for over two months, he knew this matter had weighed on his husband’s mind for years. It was best to go now while there was time. Once Beidou got busier with his studies, there would be even fewer opportunities.

The next day, Lu Yao visited the Qu family escort agency to ask about guards experienced with the route to Qingzhou.

Qu Tian learned about Zhao Beichuan’s plan and said, “Yes, we have one. In a few days, we’re escorting goods to Qingzhou. If Zhao can leave in time, he can join us.”

“When are you leaving?”

“The day after tomorrow.”

Lu Yao thought for a moment and said, “Then let’s plan for the day after tomorrow.”