Chapter 21: The Outcome

Madam Ye stayed in the residence for only two nights before hastily returning to her family home, the Ye Mansion, that very evening. Before leaving, she summoned all the servants who had attended to Ye Jinghua, inspecting each one carefully before departing. Fang Li, Fang Qin, and Deng Yun each received a small sum of money, but when it came to Zhao Baozhu, she was given only a brocade pouch filled with small fragments.

Upon seeing the pouch, Zhao Baozhu instinctively assumed it contained silver coins. He frowned nervously, unsure how to decline. At that moment, Ye Jinghua’s voice came from behind: “Mother.”

Madam Ye glanced at him with a hint of reproach. “I know,” she said, then turned to Zhao Baozhu. “Open it and see for yourself.”

Zhao Baozhu obeyed, unfolding the pouch and looking down to find not money, but a handful of translucent, glistening pieces that smelled faintly of citrus.

“Oh!” His eyes brightened as he quickly pinched a piece and popped it into his mouth, savoring it. “It’s candy!”

Madam Ye covered her mouth to laugh softly. “Such a little glutton.”

Seeing that Zhao Baozhu’s delight was sincere and that he cared not for riches, her satisfaction grew. She looked toward Ye Jinghua. “Since he loves it, wait until he finishes before sending for more.”

Ye Jinghua nodded, but his gaze lingered affectionately on Zhao Baozhu’s profile, a smile playing in his eyes.

Madam Ye caught the expression and quietly shook her head, reaching out to stroke Zhao Baozhu’s forehead before turning away, surrounded by a crowd of maids and servants as she left the estate.

Once the gate was closed behind her and Ye Jinghua and Steward Li had departed, Deng Yun pounced on Zhao Baozhu, glaring fiercely. “Baozhu, how come Madam gave you candy?”

Puzzled, Zhao Baozhu looked up to see Deng Yun’s tense, envious expression and asked, “Why do you ask? Madam also gave you money.”

“That’s different!” Deng Yun raised his voice, twisting his face. “Madam gave you candy all by yourself!”

Zhao Baozhu blinked, tilting his head to see that Fang Li’s face also wore a hint of jealousy. Curving his mouth into a sly smile, he pinched another piece of candy and held it to his lips, squinting playfully.

“Madam only dotes on me, so she gives me candy. What can you do about it?”

Deng Yun’s envy grew unbearable; he lunged as if to pinch Zhao Baozhu’s neck. “You little rascal! Give me one or I won’t forgive you!”

Zhao Baozhu ducked behind Fang Qin and Fang Li, sticking out his tongue and making a funny face. “Nope, it’s just for me—Madam gave it only to me.”

Fuming, Deng Yun hissed, “You!”

Fang Qin stepped in front of Zhao Baozhu with a resigned sigh. “Aren’t you old enough to share a piece of candy without fighting?”

Seeing Fang Qin take his side, Zhao Baozhu smiled, pinched out two more sweets, and handed one each to Fang Qin and Fang Li, then darted away amid Deng Yun’s curses.

***

With Madam Ye’s departure, the courtyard fell quiet once more. Zhao Baozhu resumed reading with Ye Jinghua, his resolve hardened; he no longer uttered complaints about studying. Ye Jinghua noticed and grew even fonder of him, a subtle smile lingering at the corners of his eyes these days.

Zhao Baozhu carefully finished writing a piece of calligraphy, holding his breath as he checked for errors before exhaling in relief.

Ye Jinghua approached, picked up the rice paper, and smiled. “Your handwriting is shaping up nicely. With more practice, it’ll be even better.”

Proud, Zhao Baozhu grinned and complimented, “All thanks to your teaching, young master.”

Ye Jinghua glanced at him. “Such sweet talk—are you hoping to write fewer essays later?”

Zhao Baozhu shook his head, grinning. “I’m just hoping you’ll give me extra dumplings at lunch.”

Ye Jinghua’s eyes returned to his face with a smile. Over the past month, Zhao Baozhu had been well cared for in the Ye household, gaining some flesh on his cheeks. The medicine had healed the earlier sunspots, leaving his face as smooth and tender as a freshly peeled lychee in summer. Watching him, Ye Jinghua suddenly narrowed his eyes and took a few steps back, hands behind his back.

“You’ve grown taller, haven’t you?”

Zhao Baozhu paused, looking himself over. “I don’t think so.”

Ye Jinghua surveyed him from head to toe. “You have.”

Then, suddenly, he slipped his hands under Zhao Baozhu’s arms and lifted him up. Startled, Zhao Baozhu’s eyes widened. He had always seen Ye Jinghua as graceful and light, like a drifting cloud, but he hadn’t realized how strong he was.

Ye Jinghua gently bounced him before setting him down. “You’ve put on some weight too. I’ll have new clothes made for you.”

Zhao Baozhu quickly objected, “My clothes are still almost new, only worn for a few days. No need to spend money.”

Ye Jinghua’s gaze swept over him again before he withdrew it softly. “Then we won’t make any.”

Zhao Baozhu looked at him with some helplessness. After spending time together, he understood Ye Jinghua’s nature: a wealthy young master unfamiliar with the value of daily necessities. Whenever Zhao Baozhu refused gifts, Ye Jinghua would pretend to agree, but within days, the items would find their way back to him through various excuses.

Having complained a few times with no effect, Zhao Baozhu stopped resisting. He could always return things when he left.

Just then, faint voices sounded outside the window.

“Young master, young master, at least let me in to deliver the message—”

Zhao Baozhu turned his head, recognizing the voice of the gate servant Yuan Qiao. Then a low, calm male voice followed: “He’s my younger brother. Do you need to announce it?”

The voice was quiet but carried an unyielding authority. Zhao Baozhu heard Yuan Qiao running up, pleading, “Young master, please wait—Hey, young master!”

Footsteps grew closer. Zhao Baozhu looked at Ye Jinghua, who frowned with a cold expression.

“Who’s come, young master?” he asked.

“Him? That’s my elder brother,” Ye Jinghua said, turning his head.

Patting Zhao Baozhu’s shoulder, he added, “Go play in the courtyard for a while.”

Having learned from experience that the elder brother likely came with a stern purpose, Zhao Baozhu nodded and started to leave.

“Don’t go into the woods. Just play outside,” Ye Jinghua called after him.

Zhao Baozhu hesitated, casting a slightly plaintive look back. Since Madam Ye had caught him emerging from the woods last time, Ye Jinghua seemed to treat him more like a child. But Ye Jinghua was only four years older. Feeling a bit rebellious, Zhao Baozhu pouted but quietly replied “Got it” under Ye Jinghua’s gentle gaze, then lifted the curtain to step out.

However, on stepping outside, he nearly collided with a tall man.

Zhao Baozhu barely stopped himself and looked up to see a man dressed in dark robes gazing down at him. His lashes fluttered twice as he caught only a brief glimpse before lowering his head to step aside. “Young master,” Zhao Baozhu greeted.

The man’s eyes lingered only a moment before shifting away to address Ye Jinghua. “Jinghua.”

Seizing the chance, Zhao Baozhu slipped away as the curtain closed behind him, concealing the man’s figure. He looked back once from the courtyard, recalling that fleeting impression—it was true, the man resembled Ye Jinghua somewhat but with sharper features, a stern expression, and dark, intimidating eyes.

No wonder he was an official in the Ministry of Justice.

Zhao Baozhu thought to himself, then turned to find Fang Qin and the others to play.

Yet, when he reached the courtyard, no one was in sight. Fang Qin, Fang Li, and even the usually mischievous Deng Yun were nowhere to be found. Wandering around the front yard, Zhao Baozhu eventually encountered the hurrying Steward Li.

“Steward Li!” he called out. “Where are you headed?”

Li turned, sweat beading his brow, eyes wide when he saw Zhao Baozhu. “My little ancestor! How did you get out here?”

Zhao Baozhu explained, “The young master came to speak with the young master, so the young master told me to go play.”

“Which young master?” Li scoffed. “The elder young master married before the New Year and has a household. You should call him ‘eldest master’ now.”

“Eldest master?” Zhao Baozhu thought of the man’s imposing appearance, which seemed older. “Li, where are Fang brothers and Deng Yun?”

Li sighed heavily. “Everything’s in chaos! They’re all trying to find the young master’s examination permit. Deng Yun’s already gone to the Education Office.”

Zhao Baozhu blinked, suddenly realizing today was the last day the Education Office accepted examination permits. The permits of those who passed the provincial exams came in duplicate: one kept as identification, the other submitted to the Education Office. Zhao Baozhu’s permit had long been sent from the county school to the capital, so he didn’t need to submit it himself.

Madam Ye had mentioned before that Ye Jinghua refused to participate in the imperial exams and hid his permit. Zhao Baozhu hesitated, puzzled. “Why does the young master still have his permit? Shouldn’t it have been sent by someone after the provincial exam?”

Li sighed again. “Young master passed the provincial exam nearly nine years ago but has refused to take the next step. Naturally, the office returned the permit to him.”

Zhao Baozhu’s face paled with shock. “Nine years?!” His lips trembled. “Then… the young master must have passed the provincial exam at the age of twelve?”

Li nodded. “Yes.” He sighed once more. “At twelve, the young master was the top scholar in the province, known throughout the capital as a prodigy. But no matter how his family or the nobles in the palace urged him, he refused to continue. He has deliberately let that—”

He trailed off, noticing Zhao Baozhu standing pale and dazed.

A prodigy at twelve!

Zhao Baozhu felt as if struck by lightning. In the provincial exam, many candidates were old men with white hair or had tried for decades without success. Zhao Baozhu himself caused a stir for passing at fifteen in the county, but a twelve-year-old top scholar in the capital, among such esteemed families—he knew Ye Jinghua was talented but not to this extent.

“A genius… why won’t the young master continue?” Zhao Baozhu murmured. Though Ye Jinghua usually read leisurely books and occasionally wrote whimsical poems to friends, his teaching was always precise and profound. Passing as top scholar at twelve meant he’d be sure to top the metropolitan exam if he tried.

Shaken, Zhao Baozhu quickly turned to Li with urgency.

“The Education Office won’t accept permits after today. Steward Li, you must find where it is!”

He was genuinely anxious. His own path to learning had been difficult, so he could not bear to see talent wasted—especially that of Ye Jinghua, who had helped him so much.

Li’s face darkened. “Little ancestor, do you think we don’t know? The whole estate has been turned upside down. Whatever the young master hides, no one has ever found.”

Zhao Baozhu panicked. “Then… what do we do?”

Li sighed and shook his head. Then his eyes brightened as he looked at Zhao Baozhu. “Baozhu, the young master likes you. Maybe you should try persuading him.”

Zhao Baozhu was taken aback. “Huh?”

Li pressed the point. “He dotes on you. You might succeed better than any of us.”

Embarrassed, Zhao Baozhu smiled. Compared to Deng Yun and Fang Li, Ye Jinghua seemed to favor him more, perhaps because he worked harder. The others couldn’t even catch a bird.

“Me… can I?”

Li wiped sweat from his brow and nudged Zhao Baozhu toward the front study. “You can. Hurry up. The office closes in a couple of hours. Be sweet and smile more. If he refuses, keep pestering him, understand?”

Wide-eyed, Zhao Baozhu was pulled to the study door, where Li patted his shoulder seriously before slipping away. Hearing faint voices arguing inside, Zhao Baozhu felt caught between advancing and retreating.