Chapter Seventeen: Wanting to Be Here With You

After drinking with Wang Hong, Liu Ping rubbed his temples, looking at him slumped over the table, fast asleep, and couldn’t help but be speechless. This fellow’s tolerance for alcohol was truly abysmal. Glancing to the side, he saw that his sister was also drunk. Her small, delicate hands clung tightly to his sleeve, which made him burst out laughing.

“It was only a little rice wine, and you’re both so drunk?” Liu Ping helped his sister to her feet and looked at the ever-expressionless Steward Yu. “Take Wang Hong back to his room.”

“Yes, Young Master Liu,” Yu replied, nodding without further comment.

“Brother… hmm…” Liu Yue lay on Liu Ping’s back, mumbling indistinctly, her cheeks flushed, her gaze hazy with intoxication, caught between waking and dreaming.

“Hold on tightly.”

He carried her upstairs and soon reached his own room, where he gently laid her on the bed, arranging her in a comfortable position. Then he went out to fetch a hot towel and placed it on her forehead.

He carefully smoothed the stray strands of hair that had fallen across her brow, his fingertips inevitably brushing her soft, fair skin.

A ripple stirred in Liu Ping’s heart as his gaze lingered on her rosy lips, and a sudden image flashed through his mind—bending down to steal a kiss.

He quickly shook his head, feeling somewhat exasperated. Such a thing would certainly be considered a drunken indiscretion. Though he was no saint, that wasn’t something he could allow himself to do.

But then again, it was only a kiss—was it really such a big deal? To call it a drunken indiscretion seemed a bit exaggerated.

It was as if a little devil in his heart was tempting him.

He hesitated for a moment, just as he turned his head, only to discover that his sister’s eyes were open, staring straight at him.

The shock nearly made him jump—could she have seen through him? Feeling guilty, he asked, his confidence wavering, “Are you feeling better?”

“Mm… That wine is really something. My head’s spinning…” Liu Yue seemed oblivious, complaining softly. Liu Ping let out a sigh of relief.

“That’s what you get. Just a bit of rice wine, and look at you. Will you still want to drink next time?” Although his words sounded reproachful, there was no real blame in his tone.

His sister just giggled.

“You rest for a while. When you wake up, we’ll tidy up and get ready. Tomorrow, we’re heading home,” Liu Ping said.

Liu Yue sounded a little disappointed. “Why are we leaving so soon?”

“So soon?” Liu Ping replied. “We’ve already stayed longer than planned. Don’t you think it’s enough? Or do you really want to live here forever?”

“I do… with you…” Driven by the wine, Liu Yue actually nodded, whispering her true feelings. Who knows what image flashed through her mind, but her little face turned crimson, and she quickly covered her cheeks with the blanket, leaving only her slightly dazed eyes exposed. She mumbled, “It’s nice here, lively, and there are so many interesting places…”

He hadn’t caught the first part, but the rest was clear. Liu Ping laughed. “That’s easy enough. When I become a high official, I’ll buy a big house here, and our whole family will move in.”

Liu Yue narrowed her eyes and muttered, “That’s not it…”

“What did you say?” Liu Ping asked.

“Nothing. You should go. I want to sleep for a bit,” she replied.

“All right. Get some rest.”

He left, closing the door behind him, and returned to his own room. Lying on the bed, he stared at the ceiling, his mind a jumble of thoughts. Before long, sleep overtook him.

Afternoon arrived swiftly. When Liu Ping opened his eyes, he saw a familiar figure moving about his room, packing things away.

“What time is it?” he asked, rubbing his eyes.

“I can’t be sure, but judging by the sun, it should be late afternoon,” Liu Yue replied after a moment’s thought.

“It’s that late already…” Liu Ping pondered, “How much silver do we have left?”

“Thirty-two taels,” Liu Yue replied promptly.

“We brought more than three hundred taels, and now only have a bit over thirty left…” Liu Ping gave a wry smile. “Mother’s going to scold us to death, isn’t she?”

Liu Yue pouted. “Brother, you must be muddled from sleep. You’re a scholar now—the top scholar, even! When we go home, it’ll be all glory and honor. Who could possibly scold you?”

“That’s true. Still, now that I’ve earned the scholar’s title and even took first place, I should pay a visit to my teacher,” Liu Ping said thoughtfully.

Prefect Lü, the Confucian official, worked at the county office. It had been too early in the morning for a visit when the results were posted, but now he had no excuse; any further delay would be discourteous.

Liu Ping stood up, and Liu Yue hurried over to help him dress properly, arranging his clothes with care.

Liu Ping simply stood there, enjoying her attentiveness.

After a while, Liu Ping called for Wang Hong and together they set off to visit the Prefect.

As they descended the stairs, they saw a crowd gathered below, engaged in lively discussion.

“As expected of this year’s top scholar—the calligraphy, the poetry, truly exquisite! It’s a shame it’s only a single line; what a pity,” one scholar exclaimed, waving his fan in admiration.

“I was envious at first—how could a mere thirteen-year-old surpass my twenty years of study and claim first place? But after reading that poem, I see now I wasn’t robbed of my place.”

“Second is nothing to scoff at. I’m tenth—I nearly didn’t make the list at all.”

‘From hardship comes refinement; the plum blossom’s fragrance is born from bitter cold. Truly, it strikes a chord within me,” another commented.

“Indeed. Our years of diligent study, day and night—aren’t they precisely the reason for today’s moment of glory?”

“Haha, marvelous! But who can complete the poem?”

A handsome young man shook his head. “I think the single line is perfect as it stands. To add another would diminish it. As a poem, it’s complete; as a couplet or a maxim, it’s even more profound!”

“Well said, Brother Zhu!” The scholar who’d placed second nodded in agreement. “I think so too—one line is just right!”

Liu Ping, just stepping down the stairs, was struck by their words. Indeed, in his previous life, this line was just a maxim—considered as a couplet or a warning, it was no less meaningful. These scholars were truly remarkable.

His appearance was soon noticed, and someone called out, “The top scholar is here! What perfect timing!”

At once, all the scholars turned to look at Liu Ping.

“I am Liu Ping of Qinxian County, courtesy name Fengchang. Greetings to you all!” Liu Ping, unperturbed, smiled and returned the greeting courteously.

“I am Zhu Yingtai of Baishui County, courtesy name Jie Zhi. Greetings, Brother Liu!” a handsome youth replied. With this, the others, who had been marveling at Liu Ping’s youth, came to their senses and greeted him in turn.

“I am Zhou Yu…”

“I am…”

“Greetings, Brother Zhu, and to all present!” Liu Ping’s gaze fell on Zhu Yingtai, whose handsomeness made even Liu Ping feel a twinge of envy. Though his features were somewhat androgynous, the Adam’s apple and build confirmed he was a man—so it was just a shared name, not a woman in disguise.

Zhou Yu, standing by Zhu Yingtai, quickly asked, “Brother Liu, you came at just the right time. We were discussing your poem—does it have a second line?”

Liu Ping shook his head, answering frankly, “No second line. It’s simply a saying I came up with in my leisure, to remind myself to work hard in my studies.”

Zhou Yu replied, “To come up with such a fine line—no wonder you took first place.”

Liu Ping responded, “I don’t deserve such praise. Compared to all of you, I still have much to learn. The line can also serve as a couplet—one gold, one wood; one hard, one soft; perfectly complementary. Brother Zhu, you have a keen eye to see it at a glance—most impressive.”

Zhu Yingtai quickly replied, “How could I compare to you, Brother Fengchang? I still have a long way to go.”

“Much as I’d like to chat with you all, I must pay my respects to my teacher. It would be a grave discourtesy to delay any further. Please forgive me.”

※※※※※※

The Lü residence was even grander than Wang Hong’s family mansion. More than a dozen armed guards stood straight at the gate. As Liu Ping and his companions approached, one of the guards stepped forward, his tone cold: “Who are you, and what brings you here?”

Had Liu Ping and Wang Hong not been wearing scholars’ robes, he might have rebuked them, telling idlers to keep their distance.

“I am Liu Ping, student of Prefect Lü, here to pay my respects to my teacher,” Liu Ping said, bowing.

Upon hearing this, the guard’s demeanor changed at once. He hurriedly returned the bow. “I beg your pardon, Young Master Liu. I’ve heard much of your reputation, but never had the honor to meet you. Please forgive my earlier rudeness.”

“Not at all. You were just doing your duty. No offense taken.”

“I will report your arrival at once!”

Soon after, Liu Ping and his companions were ushered inside. The maid leading the way stopped outside the study, whispering, “My apologies, but the master will only see Young Master Liu.”

“Of course,” Wang Hong replied hurriedly, a hint of regret in his heart. If only he’d made the honor roll, perhaps the prefect would have received him as well. He sighed softly, feeling a touch of disappointment. He’d been satisfied before, but faced with this, he couldn’t help but sense his own shortcomings.

Led by the maid, Liu Ping entered, passing through two layers of screens before finally meeting Prefect Lü.

Liu Ping bowed deeply. “Your student, Liu Ping, greets you, Teacher.”

Prefect Lü glanced at him, nodded, and said, “So you’ve finally come.”

Liu Ping replied, “I did not dare come before earning the scholar’s title, lest I disappoint you. I beg your forgiveness for my tardiness.”

Prefect Lü shook his head. “That shows backbone—I could never blame you. I have read your exam paper…”

Liu Ping held his breath. Though he had taken first place, in the presence of this former top scholar, he dared not show any trace of pride and waited quietly for his teacher’s judgment.