Chapter 29: A Person of Talent and Virtue

Chapter 29: A Person of Both Talent and Virtue

The imperial examination’s top scorer Li Huaiwu, style name Fanggu, was born into a family of physicians.

A renowned scholar of Shuzhou, he studied under the esteemed Master Yue Ming of the illustrious Guiyun Academy, devouring the classics and histories from childhood with extraordinary aptitude.

By sixteen, he had earned the jinshi degree in the provincial examination; at nineteen, he won acclaim in the county exam; at twenty, he entered the metropolitan elite college in the Prefecture of Jin, and once again secured the highest rank, receiving the imperial favor to be named a meritorious scholar, ranking third in the imperial examination.

Now, serving in his hometown of Shuzhou, he truly makes one envious…"

The murmurs of admiration drifted around them as Chen Yi observed Li Huaiwu, mounted on a white horse, exuding confidence and vigor.

After all, in just four years, he had consecutively achieved top honors and been named a meritorious scholar—none but the most exceptional scholars could replicate such a feat.

Most scholars, like Huang Chao, failed once, failed again, and abandoned their studies, their hearts consumed by the thought, "When autumn’s eighth month arrives, I’ll bloom among all flowers and slay the officials of the Ministry of Rites." They dreamed only of slaying those bureaucrats with a blade.

Yet Li Huaiwu had returned to serve in Shuzhou?

Chen Yi paused, furrowing his brow as he recalled the letter from his aunt, Lady Cui Yu: "My elder brother, Chen Yunfan, has achieved the top rank in the imperial examination and will soon take up his post in Shuzhou."

How peculiar.

As far as he knew, in the Great Wei dynasty, all provincial top scorers were appointed to the Hanlin Academy in the capital, where they were cultivated for at least three years before being dispatched to govern provinces. Even scholars of the Hanlin Academy, when sent to frontier regions, were assigned away from their domains to avoid entangling with local nobility.

"All these scholars have come to Shuzhou, as if the elders in court are plotting a game of Go here?"

Chen Yi could not help but deduce.

His knowledge of the Great Wei’s affairs was limited, based on fragmented memories and common assumptions, some of which defied logic.

After a moment’s reflection, he drew aside the curtain of the carriage, "Fourth Brother, kindly stop the carriage here."

Liu Si Er did not comply as expected but reined in the horse, murmuring, "Young Lord, the estate, there are many people here—do take care."

Chen Yi glanced at him, nodded, and dismounted first, helping Xiao Wu Ge down from the carriage.

Xiao Wu Ge looked up at Li Huaiwu, "Brother, that man is truly imposing."

When the others—Xiao Di, Wang Li Xing, and others—followed, Chen Yi smiled, "In the Great Wei, millions of scholars sit for the imperial exams; to rank third is naturally cause for admiration."

Xiao Wu Ge withdrew his gaze, fixing his gaze on Chen Yi, "Brother, if I took the exam, my results would surely surpass his."

Before Chen Yi could respond, several scholars nearby snorted mockingly.

"Such arrogance! Who dares speak so boldly?"

"Indeed, Huaiwu’s merits are undeniable—had it not been for the current emperor’s partiality, he would have claimed the top spot."

"Those fools…"

The two scholars, their faces reddening with indignation, glanced at the Xiao family’s banner fluttering atop the carriage and fell silent, their complexions shifting like boiled crayfish—from raw to cooked in an instant.

Chen Yi found the spectacle amusing, patting Xiao Wu Ge’s shoulder, "Come, we must hurry—the evening banquet awaits."

Xiao Wu Ge glared at the two scholars, falling into step beside his brother.

Xiao Di pouted, her face flushed with indignation.

Wang Li Xing and others passed them by with disdain, their eyes flashing cold glints from the corner of their vision.

"Next time, speak only after observing carefully."

The icy words froze the two scholars into silence, their breaths held for a long moment.

Nearby, a scholar in a blue robe, his features refined, approached after the others had faded:

"Two gentlemen, perhaps next time, think twice before speaking so freely."

One scholar sighed, "Brother Xu, forgive us—we didn’t realize they were from the Xiao family. I thought them a band of reckless scholars from the countryside."

The other nodded stiffly, "Xu Nian, we didn’t err. With Huaiwu’s talents, how could one overlook his background? It’s hard to trust a man of such humble origins."

Xu Nian shook his head, "Others may not see it, but that man’s fame rivals Huaiwu’s own."

"That man?"

"Don’t you remember the poem he composed for the recent birthday celebration in Shuzhou?"

The two scholars hurriedly glanced toward the crowd, only to see the backs of several towering guards.

Seeing their confusion, Xu Nian sighed, "Chen Yi, Chen Qingzhou, both have gained considerable renown in the Jiangnan Prefecture. If not for marrying into the Xiao family, they might have secured a place in this examination as well."

As he spoke, he walked forward, murmuring softly, "No need to mourn with silver hair—stars are but badges of honor… Excellent verses, excellent verses."

The two scholars, embarrassed, stood frozen for a moment before speaking in unison, "By that poem alone, I concede defeat."

"After all, he’s merely a son-in-law, destined never to rise above his station."

Their eyes met in surprise.

"You’re both wrong!"

"Neither of us is incorrect…"

Meanwhile, Chen Yi paid them no heed.

Yet young Xiao Wu Ge felt a stirring of discomfort, for this was his first time being mocked by outsiders.

"Brother, their words lack the grace of a true scholar."

Chen Yi smiled, leading him forward, "One who studies for only a few years cannot be called a scholar—only someone who knows a few characters."

Xiao Wu Ge blinked, "Then what is a scholar?"

"Certainly, one who possesses both talent and virtue."

Xiao Wu Ge understood, grinning broadly, "Then you must be the scholar."

"I’m not—I’m merely your brother-in-law."

"And when you later go to the patriarch and your sister, dragging me to the military, who will accompany you in fishing?"

"Oh…"

Xiao Di, seeing Chen Yi’s tone, followed suit, leaving those two scholars behind with a laugh.

Yet Liu Si Er’s expression darkened—had the young bird truly no desire to join the military, preferring instead to bide his time in obscurity?

…

Along the road, Li Huaiwu rode his white horse with the breeze at his back, all fortune smiling upon him.

The other scholars marched behind him with dignified bearing, their hearts swelling with pride and excitement.

Some young women, whether prepared in advance or spontaneous, scattered petals on either side, their blushes concealed as they glanced longingly at Li Huaiwu.

Had it not been for the clerks of the local authorities in tow, they might have rushed straight to him.

But this was only the beginning.

After traveling ten li, they had barely completed half a loop around northern Shuzhou when the once-celebratory scholars and beauties grew weary.

Their upright postures faltered, their coyness strained, their breaths faltered, and they nearly forgot their composure, nearly breaking into song of praise for the dismounting Li Huaiwu.

Yet they remembered their station, enduring the strain, forcing smiles as they bowed to the man alighting from his white horse.

Brother Huigu, congratulations.

Top student of the high school, no wonder it's the chief of our Guoyun Academy in Shuzhou.

……

Li Huigu smiled so stiffly his face became rigid, yet he still managed to bow politely.

In the briefest pause between bows, his gaze, intentional or not, drifted toward the willow tree farther off.

There, beneath the branches, a girl dressed simply yet with a tender, affectionate expression stood watching him. Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she did not avert her eyes from their shared glance.

Chen Yi observed all this with his own eyes, instinctively taking a handful of walnuts from the small purseline at his side.

It was clear the girl harboring such feelings for Li Huigu came from a background that would explain why Li's parents were determined to split them apart.

It could only be two reasons: one, their families were ill-suited to be joined; two, Li Huigu's future.

"On one hand, it's their parents' wishes, on the other, it's the white moonlight of childhood sweethearts—I wonder how he will choose."

(Chapter End)