Chapter 2
Seeing Pei Ji approach, Gu Tiao was the first to bow. “Thank you for coming to my aid, Young Master. I am deeply grateful. May I ask your name? I will certainly repay your kindness someday.”
“My name is Pei Ji.”
Thinking about his little scheme, Pei Ji felt somewhat ashamed.
He wasn’t greedy. It would be enough if Gu Tiao recommended him for a minor eighth-rank official position in the future.
Of course, it would be even better if he gave him some gold.
An examinee who recognized Pei Ji pointed out, “That’s the second young master of Official Pei’s family.”
Upon hearing this, Gu Tiao’s body suddenly stiffened. “Thank you, Young Master Pei.”
The faint warmth in his eyes gradually faded. Concealing his complicated emotions, he was surprised to discover that Pei Ji had actually crouched down to help him gather his belongings.
Pei Ji’s body was slender and delicate, making him look particularly small when crouching. His earnest expression resembled that of a little cub gathering supplies, and a hint of strain appeared on his fair face.
“Luckily, the writing brushes aren’t broken.”
There wasn’t much time left. The examinees were gradually gathering at the entrance to the examination compound.
As Pei Ji continued picking things up, he suddenly discovered a fragment of an ink stick. “Brother Gu, this ink stick seems to be broken.”
Gu Tiao’s voice was cool and composed. “I can simply grind it with more water and write with lighter ink.”
“But—” Pei Ji thought for a moment before suddenly brightening with delight. “Brother Gu! Look what I brought!”
He rummaged through his book bag for quite some time before pulling out a box of brand-new ink sticks. The original owner had brought them specifically because he was worried that his legitimate elder brother might run out of ink. Thinking about this, Pei Ji felt increasingly uncomfortable. The original owner had offered nothing but sincere affection, only to have it trampled upon and mocked.
Looking at the luxurious packaging, Gu Tiao replied calmly but firmly, “Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Pei. The broken ink can still be used after adding water and grinding it again.”
“But wouldn’t that waste time?” Pei Ji didn’t notice anything unusual about Gu Tiao’s attitude. He carefreely held out the box. “You should just use mine.”
Back when he was in school, he and his classmates had even taken turns sharing a single eraser.
Gu Tiao raised his hand and gently pushed the offer away without quite touching it. “I appreciate your kindness, Young Master.”
Pei Ji still felt uneasy and kept wanting to give Gu Tiao something.
“Do you need spare writing brushes?”
“Brother Gu, did you bring any water?”
“Take these provisions with you!”
While helping him gather his belongings earlier, he had noticed that almost all of Gu Tiao’s food had been soaked in muddy water. Eating it would probably make him sick. For the sake of his own future, Pei Ji absolutely couldn’t allow anything to happen to his one and only future prime minister.
Gu Tiao lowered his eyes and refused once again. “Young Master Pei has already spoken up for me so righteously. I wouldn’t dare trouble you any further.”
A faint sense of frustration weighed on Pei Ji’s chest.
Could Gu Tiao have seen through his intention to demand repayment for his kindness?
If things really didn’t work out, a ninth-rank official position would be fine too. Even a tenth-rank one would do…
“Farewell.”
Seeing that Gu Tiao was about to leave, Pei Ji anxiously began coughing.
Without realizing it, a faint, sickly flush had spread across his face.
“Brother Gu, could it be that you dislike me?”
After being rejected repeatedly, Pei Ji’s composure had completely crumbled.
Forget it.
He might as well just die.
Gu Tiao paused and gently looked back.
The difference in their social standing was so great, and the young master’s character was so noble. How could Gu Tiao possibly look down on him?
“If I were to accept your kindness, Young Master, I would truly feel uneasy.”
Gu Tiao lowered his eyes and said softly, “Besides, I don’t understand why you are treating me so generously.”
Pei Ji almost blurted out, “Because you’re handsome.”
Gu Tiao frowned, looking even more perplexed.
“I’m teasing you.”
Pei Ji looked at him sincerely. “I woke up very early this morning to make these steamed buns. Brother Gu, could it be that you think I’m unworthy of becoming acquainted with you because I’m an illegitimate son?”
Gu Tiao explained, “Of course not.”
The original owner’s memories were gradually merging with Pei Ji’s own consciousness. It almost felt as though he had steamed these buns himself.
He knitted his brows slightly and pursed his lips. “Brother Gu, please don’t misunderstand. I don’t have any bad intentions.”
Actually, even if Gu Tiao never gave him anything in return, he would still have offered him the food.
He had grown up in an orphanage in the modern world and knew what it meant to be poor.
Hearing this, Gu Tiao was visibly moved.
Seeing him stunned, Pei Ji called out pitifully, “Brother Gu?”
At that moment, the remaining wariness and distance between them seemed to fade.
Gu Tiao lowered his eyes, and even his seemingly unyielding pride appeared to soften a little.
“Young Master Pei is right. I owe you an apology.”
“It’s fine.” Pei Ji waved his hand magnanimously. “I forgive you.”
Accepting the steamed buns, Gu Tiao felt their lingering warmth against his fingers, and his grip tightened slightly.
He could no longer remember how old he had been when someone last went out of their way to prepare warm food for him.
Before leaving, he looked at Pei Ji and bowed deeply.
Pei Ji: “…” What was he doing?!
Gu Tiao looked at him, his voice cool and clear. “The wound on your forehead seems rather serious, Young Master Pei. Remember to apply some medicine when you return home.”
Pei Ji froze for half a second before gently touching his forehead.
Gu Tiao was already starting to care about him.
He really was quite charming.
Feeling rather pleased with himself, Pei Ji patted the dust from his clothes. Suddenly, he remembered the Bodhisattva Young Master who had helped him earlier.
The gentleman’s surname seemed to be Su.
…
Three rounds of wooden clappers sounded. The examinees all turned toward the entrance of the examination compound. The gate supervisor responsible for this year’s examinations, dressed in a crimson official robe, announced loudly, “By imperial decree, the examination compound is now open—”
Soldiers had already assembled on both sides. The heavy vermilion-lacquered gates were slowly pushed open, and the fragrance of incense burned to purify the air drifted out from the compound.
Next came the roll call for admission.
Pei Ji straightened his book bag and gazed at the solemn examination compound, lost in thought for a long time.
If he had the opportunity, he also wanted to take the imperial examinations.
Only by becoming an official himself would he have any chance of making those who wanted to harm him back off.
At this thought, he shuddered.
The nightmare of his final year of high school came rushing back.
Actually… not taking the examinations sounded pretty good too.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to eat well, live comfortably, and become the loyal little follower of powerful ministers?
When Pei Ji found the Bodhisattva Young Master, the gentleman happened to be looking at him curiously.
“Brother Su.”
Pei Ji was naturally friendly with strangers. He raised his hand and waved, hurrying over before the other man entered the examination compound. There didn’t seem to be anything particularly valuable in his book bag, but he couldn’t very well thank someone with empty words.
“Brother Su, did you bring any gloves to keep your hands warm?”
Inside his book bag was a pair of lambskin gloves that the original owner had spent half a month sewing late into the night. Worried that his eldest brother’s hands would freeze while writing, he had made them especially for him. Afraid that Pei Zhao might be too picky, the original owner had even made two pairs. Pei Ji had only remembered them when rummaging through his belongings earlier.
Wouldn’t giving something so nice to Pei Zhao be a complete waste?
The blue-robed gentleman smiled. “I’ve brought plenty of things to keep myself warm, but I didn’t prepare any gloves.”
Since he hadn’t prepared any, wouldn’t Pei Ji’s gift of warmth be arriving at just the right time?
Pei Ji’s voice was soft and gentle, his eyes sparkling. “Brother Su has shown me kindness, so it’s only right that I repay you. The examination compound is terribly cold, and you need warm hands to write properly. I bought the lambskin for these gloves from a hunter a few days ago. They’re soft and warm on the inside, making them excellent for keeping out the cold. If Brother Su doesn’t mind, please accept them.”
The blue-robed gentleman’s expression immediately softened. “Weren’t these gloves originally meant for your elder brother?”
Pei Ji shook his head. “I have two pairs. The gloves I’m giving Brother Su have bamboo embroidered on them.”
“Is that so?” The special gift touched the blue-robed gentleman. “Does the embroidery have any particular meaning?”
“There’s no special meaning.” Pei Ji tried his best to show off what little literary knowledge he possessed. “Brother Su doesn’t use his noble status to bully others. Your character is as noble and upright as green bamboo, so the pattern on these gloves suits you perfectly.”
Even the well-traveled attendant, who had encountered countless people, couldn’t help praising the young master’s sweet tongue after hearing his words.
The blue-robed gentleman’s smile deepened. “Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Pei. Once I’ve finished the examinations, I’ll be sure to send a return gift to your residence.”
After interacting with Pei Ji, he had come to admire him greatly.
Not only was Pei Ji courageous and resourceful, but he also possessed an exceptionally noble character. He even knew when to advance and when to retreat, handling matters with tact and leaving room for compromise. He was a clever and goodhearted young man.
“There’s no need for a return gift. They’re just a pair of gloves, hardly worth mentioning.” Believing himself to be generous and openhearted, Pei Ji casually asked, “May I ask where Brother Su’s residence is?”
The blue-robed gentleman cupped his hands. “The Marquis of Pingchang’s Residence.”
The Marquis of Pingchang’s Residence.
Could this gentleman actually be Su Changgeng, the young marquis?
Wait…
Was it too late to say that he wanted the return gift after all?
Pei Ji anxiously scratched his head. Surely he could take back what he’d said about not needing a return gift.
“Changgeng.”
Their conversation was suddenly interrupted. Pei Ji raised his eyes, his face still carrying a mixture of bewilderment and panic.
“Yuzhou, you’re here.”
Hearing two important names in succession made Pei Ji’s blood surge with excitement. His body trembled slightly, but he carefully concealed the joy bubbling up inside him.
One of these men was the young marquis, while the other was General Xiao’s son!
His luck was pretty good today. He had actually encountered three of the male leads.
“Cousin, why are you only arriving now?” Su Changgeng took the initiative to introduce them. “This is Xiao Yuzhou, my cousin.”
“Yuzhou, this is Pei Ji, the second son of Official Pei.”
Xiao Yuzhou looked at Pei Ji, a hint of interest appearing in his gentle eyes. “Is this a new friend you’ve made, Changgeng?”
Su Changgeng replied, “Mm.”
Xiao Yuzhou had no impression of Pei Ji’s father and guessed that the man’s official rank was probably not very high. His gaze lingered briefly on the crudely made gloves, and he immediately understood the situation. He naturally urged, “Changgeng, it’s time to go inside.”
Su Changgeng nodded and bid Pei Ji farewell.
Pei Ji leaned forward slightly, his face filled with the pure sincerity of youth. “I wish both elder brothers divine inspiration with every stroke of your brushes and success in the examinations on your first attempt.”
Su Changgeng gazed at his cheeks, which had turned rosy from the cold, and reminded him softly, “The weather is cold. Younger Brother Pei, you should hurry home.”
The biting north wind swept over the high walls, sending threads of cold air into the examination cells.
The examinees slowly filed inside in an endless stream.
Gu Tiao tightened his grip on his admission slip and glanced once more at that slender figure before entering. The young man seemed particularly skilled at striking up conversations, chatting with others quite enthusiastically.
The gates were about to close. Pei Zhao hurried into the examination compound, turning to cast one last glance at Pei Ji. The resentment and indignation in his heart grew increasingly intense.
That blue-robed gentleman was actually the young marquis!
He simply couldn’t understand when his foolish, slow-witted younger brother had become so socially adept that he could even curry favor with powerful nobles. The disgust in his eyes deepened, and he couldn’t wait to return home and tell his father everything that had happened today!
“Changgeng, you seem rather interested in that Second Young Master Pei.” Xiao Yuzhou carried an exquisite food container, his brows slightly furrowed. “There are so many examinees here. Why did he choose to give those gloves to you in particular?”
Su Changgeng lowered his eyes and composed himself. “It’s a long story.”
Xiao Yuzhou decided not to press the matter further. Raising his eyes, he smiled faintly. “Judging from Young Master Pei’s clothing, I’m afraid he doesn’t have an easy life at home.”
Su Changgeng seemed to remember something. Before his attendant departed, he instructed, “Prepare a gift when you return to the residence. Once the spring examinations are over, I intend to repay Young Master Pei for the warmth he offered me today.”
…
Having successfully won the favor of two more male leads, Pei Ji was in an excellent mood. Like a little cat that had just caught a fish, he happily carried his small book bag home, feeling thoroughly satisfied.
The winters of Great Sheng were bitterly cold. He rubbed his reddened hands together before putting on the remaining pair of gloves.
Oh, so warm.
He felt the small pieces of silver in his purse and decided to get something to eat first. Only by nourishing himself until he was fair and plump could he enjoy a comfortable life in the years ahead.
The Pei family residence wasn’t particularly grand or luxurious. It was an ordinary official’s residence with only three successive courtyards. When Pei Ji entered, the servants were busy carrying dishes. Upon seeing the second young master, they treated him as though he were invisible and continued with their work.
The rich aroma of food filled the entire courtyard. Following the original owner’s memories, Pei Ji returned to the smallest and most modest courtyard.
This was where he lived, Ximu Pavilion.
The furnishings in his little courtyard consisted entirely of plain wooden furniture. There were hardly any plants or flowers, only a few wild weeds and tangled vines. During this season, the place looked especially shabby. Even the torn window paper had been left unrepaired.
According to the household rules, his monthly allowance was only three hundred copper coins. His father’s principal wife had always been stingy toward him, and he was almost never given seasonal clothing materials or additional spending money.
The original owner had saved for a long time to afford the lambskin.
“Second Young Master, you’re back.”
The young servant attending him was called Xiao Wan. He was two years younger than Pei Ji. His family had sold him to a slave trader when he was little, and Pei Ji’s mother had later bought him and brought him into the Pei residence.
“The master is hosting a banquet today. He specifically instructed that you mustn’t go to the front courtyard.”
Xiao Wan was preparing to light the stove and cook. “We’ll just have to make do with something simple.”
Looking at the chilblains on Xiao Wan’s hands, Pei Ji felt an indescribable ache in his heart. At this age, a child in modern times would probably have just started high school and should still be enjoying his parents’ love and attention.
“There’s no need to cook.”
The soup noodles he’d bought from a street vendor hadn’t tasted particularly good. Adding meat would have cost another five copper coins, and in the end, he hadn’t been willing to spend the money.
He decided to treat himself to something better.
“I’ll go get us some food.”
In the enormous Pei residence, Xiao Wan was the only person who had genuinely cared about the original owner. Pei Ji kept this in mind and decided to take Xiao Wan along with him as he carved out a new future.
For example, they could find powerful backers together.
From the moment Xiao Wan first saw his young master today, he had felt that something was strange. In particular, the way Pei Ji spoke so fluently and seemed to have his own ideas frightened him even more.
“Second Young Master, where are you going?”
“Shh.”
Pei Ji’s almond-shaped eyes sparkled mischievously. “Be good and wait for me.”
The kitchen was in the western courtyard, where everyone was extremely busy.
Almost all the dishes for the banquet had already been prepared. Apart from the servants carrying food, the cooks were gathering in twos and threes, getting ready to rest.
Pei Ji made his footsteps as light as possible, afraid that even the slightest noise might alert someone. Along the way, several female servants carrying dishes noticed him, but they simply assumed he was having another foolish episode and paid him no attention.
With his slender, pale fingers gently holding together the loose front of his robe, Pei Ji arrived at the kitchen entrance. Bending low, he quietly crept forward.
His sickly features were filled with longing for food. He glanced left and right, his eyes shining with the excitement of doing something naughty.
The stove was unattended, with some leftover food still sitting nearby.
He couldn’t identify most of the dishes, so he chose based on their appearance, taking some osmanthus cakes and pan-fried pork intestines. A clay pot contained fragrant fish soup simmering over the heat. Delighted, he quickly ladled himself a bowl and concealed it beneath his sleeve. Before leaving, he also grabbed a chicken drumstick.
As the saying went, the first time was always the hardest. The second time would be easier.
After stealing food eight or nine times, he probably wouldn’t feel nervous anymore.
Back at Ximu Pavilion, Xiao Wan was almost frantic with worry. When he saw Pei Ji return with so much food hidden in his sleeves, he turned pale with fright. “Young Master, where did you get all this?”
With a piece of osmanthus cake between his teeth, Pei Ji stuffed the chicken drumstick into Xiao Wan’s mouth. “Eat first. I’ll tell you afterward.”
Xiao Wan couldn’t even remember the last time he’d eaten a chicken drumstick. His eyes grew moist. “Young Master, do you have a chicken drumstick for yourself?”
“I have fried intestines.” Pei Ji leaned against the slightly chilly wall and shared some fish soup with Xiao Wan, savoring the soft, sweet osmanthus cake.
Xiao Wan stopped asking questions and began wolfing down his food.
A faint, delicious aroma lingered throughout the room. Pei Ji’s eyes unconsciously curved into crescents, and a delicate flush spread across his pale cheeks from the sheer satisfaction of eating.
Officials really did eat the best food.
These were the most delicious pork intestines he’d ever tasted.
Xiao Wan’s cheeks bulged with food. The master and servant exchanged a glance before both breaking into embarrassed smiles.
“Young Master, did the master give you all this food?” After eating and drinking his fill, Xiao Wan continued questioning him.
A satisfied smile lingered in Pei Ji’s eyes. “I stole it.”
Xiao Wan stared at him, dumbfounded. “Second Young Master! Th-this! This! This!”
“There’s no need to be so surprised.” Although Pei Ji was also quite nervous, he wanted to boast a little. Putting on an impressive air, he promised, “From now on, just tell me what you want to eat, and I’ll go get it.”
Xiao Wan wasn’t nearly as bold as Pei Ji. He asked fearfully, “What if the master finds out?”
Pei Ji stretched lazily, dipped his hands into a ceramic basin, and used soap beans to wash away the grease. “Then he finds out.”
“It’s already in our stomachs anyway.”
Xiao Wan: “…”
…
Cold wind slipped through the cracks, making the paper rustle noisily.
Inside the examination compound, not a sound could be heard. The scholars bent over their desks with lowered heads, only taking a bite of food when hunger became unbearable.
Several plump, soft steamed buns sat on the desk before Gu Tiao.
His brush moved smoothly across the paper, his handwriting neat and elegant.
Before long, he suddenly stopped writing and lowered his eyes to examine the words he’d written.
His train of thought had momentarily broken. He picked up a steamed bun and took a bite, easing some of the tension in his mind.
The delicate sweetness of wheat lingered on his tongue, and Pei Ji’s face suddenly appeared in his thoughts.
By this time, Pei Ji had already fallen into a deep sleep.
His small courtyard was remote and bitterly cold. The cotton stuffing inside his quilt was thin and sparse, unable to retain even the slightest warmth. His body was already deficient in vital energy and blood, making him particularly sensitive to the cold. Whenever he woke in the middle of the night, his sleeping clothes were often soaked with sweat. With his body constantly alternating between hot and cold, even an ordinary chill could develop into an illness that lingered for a long time.
As the sky began to brighten, he slowly opened his drowsy eyes.
He had dreamed so much, and every dream had been about things the original owner had experienced.
Sometimes, he even felt dazed, as though those events had happened to him personally.
His weak, delicate body seemed slightly stronger than it had been yesterday, probably because he’d eaten so well.
He raised a hand to his forehead and found it damp and sticky.
“Second Young Master, it’s time for your medicinal bath.”
A medicinal bath?
Pei Ji struggled to sit up. With a gentle tug, he removed his clothes and climbed naked into the wooden bathtub.
It was his first time using a wooden tub, and his posture as he climbed inside wasn’t particularly graceful. Moreover, Xiao Wan had seen him completely naked, leaving him so embarrassed that he lowered his head shyly.
Xiao Wan began adding the medicinal herbs prescribed by the physician into the wooden tub. “Second Young Master, you seem to be lucid more often lately. These medicines must be working.”
He looked at Pei Ji, feeling genuinely happy. In the past, his second young master had only been lucid for one double-hour each day. But ever since returning from the examination compound yesterday, he seemed to have suddenly become a completely different person.
“What medicines are these?” Pei Ji raised his slender, fair arm and began sorting through the basket of herbs. “Put in more of the expensive medicinal ingredients for me.”
“There’s angelica root, astragalus, honey-fried licorice…” Xiao Wan murmured. “They were all prescribed by someone the First Madam hired.”
Prescribed by whom?
Pei Ji leaned against the edge of the wooden tub and silently scooped the medicinal herbs out of the water, tossing them aside.
Xiao Wan was puzzled. “Second Young Master, what are you…”
At the mention of his father’s principal wife, Pei Ji immediately became wary. “Xiao Wan, from now on, don’t prepare any more medicine prescribed by the First Madam for me.”
He still wanted to live a few more years.
Xiao Wan asked, “Why?”
Pei Ji dipped his face into the warm water and splashed around comfortably. “I want to find a physician outside the residence.”
Xiao Wan was too innocent. It was better not to explain things to him for now.
…
With the spring examinations underway, Pei Zige was extremely busy with official duties and had to entertain guests almost every day. Pei Ji, meanwhile, couldn’t resist sneaking food to satisfy his cravings. Before long, not only had he managed to fatten Xiao Wan up considerably, but his own chin had also gained a little softness, and his cheeks had become noticeably rosier.
One day, voices broke the usual silence of the courtyard.
“Second Young Master, the master wants you to come to the front courtyard.”
Chunbo, a maid serving the First Madam, had come to summon him.
Xiao Wan’s heart tightened. “Young Master, the Eldest Young Master has only just finished the spring examinations, and the First Madam is terribly worried about him. Why would the master want to see you?”
Pei Ji could make a fairly good guess. “Probably to call me to account.”
The moment he stepped into the main hall, he sensed the oppressive atmosphere.
Pei Zige sat upright in the seat of honor, his face frighteningly cold.
“Unfilial son! How dare you openly talk back to Young Master Zhou!” Pei Zige slammed his hand heavily against the table and shouted furiously. “If your elder brother hadn’t told me, I would still be completely unaware that you’d done something so outrageous and reckless!”
Throughout his years as an official, Pei Zige had always feared offending others.
Especially those who outranked him.
The entire hall fell silent. Madam Zhang, Pei Ji’s father’s principal wife, looked deeply worried and sighed repeatedly. “Husband, Ji’er doesn’t know any better. It’s not as though you’ve only just discovered that today. Don’t get so angry.”
Pei Ji glanced at the gloating Pei Zhao before respectfully kneeling down.
The floors in ancient times really were cold.
Having to kneel at every little thing was so annoying.
Seeing Pei Ji swaying unsteadily on his knees like a little earthworm, a trace of malicious satisfaction flashed through Madam Zhang’s eyes.
If this little wretch wasn’t beaten half to death today, he’d probably end up bedridden for at least half a month.
The warm winter sunlight fell across Pei Ji’s back, bathing him in a pleasant warmth.
At that very moment, a carriage from the marquis’s residence was slowly making its way toward the Pei residence.
“The gift the young marquis has prepared for Official Pei’s younger son is truly precious.”
“Young Master Pei will certainly like it.”
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