Chapter 7: Too Familiar to Make a Move
In the twenty-fourth year of the Qian’an era, just after the Lantern Festival, fourteen-year-old Li Yu and Wu Jingcheng, two of the top students at their private school, were called aside by Master Xie immediately after class.
"At thirteen, I took the county exam. By your age, you should have already passed the academy exam and become distinguished scholars. Why not take the exam this year?"
Before they could respond, he added, "I submitted your registration forms to the county office before the New Year. Your exam permits should have already been delivered to your homes today."
Wu Jingcheng replied, "...Yes, Master."
Li Yu echoed, "...Yes, Master."
Since the forms were already submitted, why phrase it as a question? It almost sounded as if they could choose not to participate.
Looking at his two prized students, Xie Huan was confident: "Do well, and don’t embarrass me."
Though passing the preliminary exam would allow them to enter the county school, he could no longer personally instruct them; yet, clearly, their future mattered more than attachment. If both passed and became distinguished scholars, wouldn’t the number of students enrolling next year double?
After class, Wu Jingcheng stopped Li Yu and said he was feeling nervous. "Master’s eagerness to have us take the county exam so early—doesn’t that seem like too much faith in us? I feel unsteady inside..."
Master Xie was a prodigy who passed the exam at fourteen, whereas most took it at sixteen or seventeen.
“Just try. No one’s demanding you pass.”
Li Yu carried two book boxes—one his own, the other for his little third brother who had just turned six and was happily munching a candied hawthorn stick.
After walking a few steps, Li Yu realized, “Hmm? I don’t think our paths home are the same?”
At some unknown time, Wu Jingcheng had started coming over often—not to deliver treats, but to say studying together felt better.
Wu Jingcheng said earnestly, “Since the county exam is soon, I want to discuss it more with you.”
Before Li Yu could reply, Li Lian happily jumped up. “Yay! Brother Jingcheng is coming to our house. Mother will definitely make that brown sugar steamed pork!”
In their county, the highest honor for guests was that dish, also a favorite among children. But it was only made for visitors, so the little third brother was thrilled.
Li Yu shook his head, “...Little glutton.”
When they arrived home, Li Gang had already retrieved the exam permits from the county office.
---
The exam permit was an ancient version of an admission ticket, uniformly made of wood.
It was engraved with the candidate’s name, date of birth, parents’ names, household registration type, and address, finally sealed with the county office’s official stamp.
For example, Li Yu’s permit read: Li Yu, born on the sixteenth day of the third month in the tenth year of Qianyuan, biological father Shen Eryong, stepfather Li Gang, mother Zhang, farmer household, Shen Family Village, Yingshan County, Shunqing Prefecture.
If he passed the highest-level imperial exam, the permit would accompany him to the palace exam to meet the Emperor.
The official list of successful candidates would include these details, revealing their background and lineage for all to see.
If already married, the permit would be re-engraved to reflect that, and displayed above the announcement list.
Therefore, when someone was chosen as a prospective groom beneath the announcement, everyone knew their family situation.
Li Gang passed the academy exam at eighteen, so although he hoped his stepson would pass on the first try, he did not hold high expectations.
“Just do your best. Consider it an opportunity to see the world. You’re still young; the road ahead is long.”
He felt that Master Xie was too eager, as if prodigies like himself were a dime a dozen.
In the Great Yong era, becoming a distinguished scholar required passing three exams.
The first was the county exam in February, organized by the county magistrate, testing literature, history, ethics, and morality.
The second was the prefectural exam in April, similar in content, organized by the prefect.
Passing these two qualified one as a student candidate.
Then came the academy exam in August, organized by provincial education officials.
Passing that earned the title “distinguished scholar,” granting exemption from corvée labor and eligibility for the provincial exam.
That night, Wu Jingcheng stayed until nearly three-quarters past the tenth watch before taking his leave.
The two reviewed all their required texts under mutual supervision.
During this time, Li Ying entered eight times—to bring fruit, snacks, or help stoke the fire.
When Li Yu saw Wu Jingcheng out, she followed behind to see him off.
Li Yu looked at her strangely: “...”
Once Wu Jingcheng was out of sight, he could no longer hold back and grabbed Li Ying’s braid.
“You’re so attentive—have you taken a fancy to him?”
Li Ying was sixteen now, a lovely young lady, and renowned for her beauty and needlework skills.
Marriage proposals flooded the Li household, and many eligible young men had come to call, but she had hidden away in the embroidery room, not taking a liking to any of them.
Her parents were unhurried, letting her choose freely, determined she would only marry someone who met her approval.
Could it be that she had taken a liking to Wu Jingcheng?
Although men being two years younger was not unusual, Li Yu felt it seemed these two had already started courting.
“I’m your elder sister, don’t be so disrespectful.”
Brushing off Li Yu’s hand from her hair, she spoke with exasperation.
---
“Your reaction is too slow. Even though your schoolmate is a guest, he comes to our house regularly.”
“Is that worth Mother making brown sugar steamed pork every time?”
Brown sugar was expensive, and the dish was troublesome to prepare.
“Are you two already an item?” Upon hearing this, Li Yu immediately understood.
“No wonder he visits so often. You two are really inconsiderate.”
He had thought Wu Jingcheng inconsiderate for visiting so frequently and imposing upon their household.
Wasn’t it just causing trouble?
Li Ying curled her lips. “Anyone with eyes can see, except you. Your brain must be stuffed only with books.”
“How will you ever find a wife like that?”
Saying this, she turned to go to bed, but halfway back she looked over her shoulder with a smile.
“Little Yu, I wish you success in becoming our family’s distinguished scholar.”
She lifted her skirts and fluttered back to her room like a butterfly, her face full of the sweet awkwardness of young love, every step accompanied by a hundred expressions and gestures.
Li Yu: “...Are ancient people really so precocious?”
Wu Jingcheng was only fourteen and already starting to court?
Zhang Sanniang felt a bit regretful: “Ying’er is a good girl, and I’ve seen her grow up. If you hadn’t taken the Li surname back then...”
Wouldn’t marrying our son have been a good match?
After so long together, everyone understood each other’s character—it would have been easy.
But since her son changed his surname and entered the Li family genealogy, legally they were no longer considered siblings.
Li Yu looked helpless. “Mother, don’t say that. I truly see Ying Jie as my sister.”
Alright then.
In reality, he treated her like a younger sister, or else he wouldn’t have pulled her braid.
Besides, even without the surname change, being too familiar would make it hard to act otherwise.