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Xu Huating, it's not just you that has a great student, now I have one too, ha!
In the entire country there were more than one hundred and fifty prefectures，the Governor1 governed over one of these Prefectures, the Assistant Prefect was the Governor’s assistant and was a fifth-rank official2, according to reason, Yuan Shu had been promoted from County Magistrate to the Assistant Prefect, which meant that he’d jumped up two ranks, there were many people who were unable to even dream of having such a fortune.
But in reality, Qujing was located in Yunnan province, where many different ethnic groups lived. With the presence of many different ethnic groups meant that governing this place would be very complicated, plus Yuan Shu came from a wealthy background, even if he had followed Dai Gongwang，he had never really suffered any real hardships, this time, going so far, whether he could really adapt to the location was still a large issue.
Zhao Su knew, although this was Yuan Shu’s personal request, being so far from the Capital meant that his future prospects were really unpredictable, so it was inevitable he would be so nervous. “When are you leaving?”
“I’m leaving the day after tomorrow.”
“Why the hurry?”
“It’s so far, it’s better to set off early.”
Zhao Su thought for a while then said in a serious voice: “Little shixiong，you’re not a kid anymore, there’s no need to remain chaste. If you see a girl you like, you should marry her, there’s no good in waiting.”
 | TOC | Character List | 
The blue veins on Yuan Shu’s forehead popped out violently, and his sorrow seemed to have disappeared. He turned sideways slightly and pinched Zhao Su’s cheek with a grin: “You are very experienced. I guess you often visit those Song and Dance Palaces3?”
Zhao Su feigned innocence: “Aren’t I just concerned for you?”
Yuan Shu didn’t let go and even pinched harder, seeing the other was in pain, he felt a bit better: “Even Teacher has been tricked by you，he said that you are very pure of heart，the way I see it you’re like a sesame steamed bun. The little princely heir has been taught by you，in the future, the student will surpass the master and then at this time you will know what it means to bring disaster on yourself.”
The two of them messed about some more, before Zhao Su smiled and lowered his voice: “Little shixiong, you must come back safely.”
Yuan Shu was actually about to hit him and had his hand up in mid-air，he slowly retracted his hand and instead stroked his head and said: “……I’ll try my best.”
“Don’t forget what teacher has taught us, don’t forget about your dream, and also… don’t forget about our promise.”
You are my only shixiong in this lifetime. In the future, we will join hands and be officials in the same imperial court, so please take care.
Zhao Su’s eyes were very bright under this dim moonlight, Yuan Shu’s heart felt moved, and he suddenly felt an impulse to stay.
But he knew that he couldn’t.
The both of them still had a long road ahead of them, they would spend more time apart than together and it was impossible to know when they would be able to meet again, but they would always remember this moment, remember this comforting softness at the bottom of their hearts.
He has been an official for three years and has gradually learned to use official niceties and appropriate manners in front of others but in front of Zhao Su, he felt that he could remove his mask and reveal his original temperament, all this was something that he could never do with outsiders.
“I will.”
Reaching out to hug him, Yuan Shu buried his head in Zhao Su’s neck.
Please allow me to be weak again for one last time.
A good night’s sleep.
When he woke up, Yuan Shu was no longer next to him, Zhao Su rubbed his head. He remembered that he still had another event to attend with Xu Shixing and the others. But before that, he should go over to the Prince of Yu, given that he had earned the title of Tanhua, he should still go and let the Prince of Yu know in person, even if the latter had already been informed.
When he arrived at the Prince of Yu manor, the Prince had indeed already found out the good news, and not only wanted to congratulate him but the Prince had also prepared a gift for him. Zhao Su of course couldn’t accept and continually refuted until the Prince of Yu got upset and bitterly said: “Could it be that Shaoyong believes this Prince’s gift to be unpresentable?”
Zhao Su was sweating: “What is your Highness talking about, before passing the exam, I was still a poor student, at the time your Highness never ignored me, how would I dare reject the Prince!”
Isn’t it because you don’t have much money! I’m trying to save you some money.
After hearing this, the Prince of Yu was pleased: “Since Shaoyong treats this Prince as a friend, then you should accept these, and take it as early payment for your tutelage of the little princely heir.”
He didn’t reply, before the Prince of Yu said again: “Before you took the court examination，I had already discussed with Gao Gong and the others that once you passed the court examination，I would go into the palace to ask the Emperor to bring you into the Manor as an official and formally teach the little princely. We have been familiar with you for a long time and my son is very close to you.”
Zhao Su hesitated and said: “Your Highness, I don’t know much about the imperial system. But I know that the top three jinshi in the court examination, generally speaking, must enter into the Hanlin Academy. Will his Majesty allow me to come to the Prince of Yu Manor?”
He wasn’t sure if it was because of the recent improvement in the relationship with the Emperor. The Prince of Yu seemed to be in a good mood and was not afraid to mention his father: “Ah, then you don’t have to worry about it. Tutor Gao can make a request with the Emperor for you to come over. You come over every now and then to teach, and there are not many things to do in Hanlin Academy anyway.”
Whilst the two of them were chatting, Gao Gong and Chen Yiqin arrived together, but it was actually Zhu Yijun, who he had not seen for a few days, who was walking in front of them.
“Greetings father.” The child’s clear voice resounded, and he first bowed respectfully to the Prince of Yu, then he turned to Zhao Su and bowed: “Greeting teacher.”
Zhao Su was given a mighty fright and he quickly refused the other’s greeting:“What is this for the little princely heir?”
Zhu Yijun smiled and threw himself into Zhao Su’s arms, revealing the truth: “I’m practising in advance, I want Susu to be my teacher, Tutor Gao and the others were talking about it!”
Zhao Su stabled him and then cupped his hands to salute Gao Gong and Chen Yiqin: “Zhao Su greets the two Zhuoshi.”
Gao Gong laughed, he was very cheerful: “There were so many people at the Qionglin Banquet that day, I didn’t have time to say a few words to you. According to Tang Dynasty traditions, Tanhua-lang is usually the youngest and most handsome person among all the jinshi, his Majesty was spot on, you are indeed worthy of this title!”
Chen Yiqin fiddled with his beard and smiled and said, “Shao Yong, there’s no need to be so polite. After you formally become the teacher of the little princely heir, we will be all amongst ourselves!”
These two were talking like it was already a certainty, did they have a spy around the Emperor?
Zhao Su was full of doubts, and still had to say: “The dice has not been cast yet, so I don’t dare to accept yet.”
Gao Gong saw what he was thinking, and smiled: “You don’t have to worry, this is what Xu Jie personally said.” He paused, “Xu Jie said, he has already spoken to the Emperor, recommending Zhang Juzheng to come to the Prince of Yu manor with you. Zhang Juzheng will serve the prince, and you are responsible for teaching the little princely heir. With your talents, you are naturally qualified. It is said that the Emperor has already agreed, the official documents will be issued in a few days. But as with tradition, your main post will still be in the Hanlin Academy, here it is just an extra part-time job.”
Zhao Su: “……”
It turned out he was doing two jobs for the same salary.
His mind was entangled with many thoughts, and it took a long time to react to that name: “…Zhang Juzheng?”
This is the first time he had heard this name mentioned of the most famous person of this era from others.
Gao Gong nodded: “I believe that you should have also heard of this person. He was well versed in the Six Classics at the age of seven, earned the title of Xiucai by the age of twelve, and became jinshi at the age of twenty-three. If it hadn’t been for Gu Lin, the Inspector-General of Hubei and Hunan Province wanting him to train for a little longer, he probably would have achieved jinshi even before your shixiong. With his talent and background, his prospects are limitless in the future.”
Zhao Su understood what he meant. Although Yuan Shu was a jinshi at the age of fourteen, he did not achieve the title of Shu-jishi in the end. Moreover, unlike Zhang Juzheng, the two of them were not backed by a teacher like Xu Jie. It is still unclear how far they can go in the future. But it could be foreseen that Zhang Juzheng’s future was extremely bright, and it was true in the history that Zhao Su knew from his modern day knowledge.
So he said: “I have heard of Zhang Taiyue’s4 name for a long time, but have yet had the opportunity to meet him. If he is to enter the Prince of Yu’s manor to teach, that would indeed be an opportune moment for me to pay my respects.”
Gao Gong fiddled with his beard and said slowly: “This time, Xu Jie has finally chosen a side, so he is willing to let his proud disciple come and tutor the prince. Shao Yong, you have also benefited from this Zhang Taiyue coming here, otherwise with you alone, it would have been impossible for Xu Jie to request this to the Emperor, but as it stands, we now owe him a favour.”
Gao Gong specifically said “we owe him a favour”, not “you owe him a favour”, which was clearly to show to Zhao Su that he fully regarded himself as Zhao Su’s Zhuoshi and taking on this owed favour as his own, was expressing closeness of the relationship between him and Zhao Su.
Zhao Su naturally understood the meaning, and smiled with gratitude and shyness: “Thank you teacher for your instruction. I heard that Zhang Taiyue has a lot of foresight. With him in front of the Prince, we are like a tiger who has sprouted wings5. Moreover, as he is a student of Xu Jie, he will act as an intermediary, if we want to contact Secretary Xu again in the future, it won’t be as difficult as before.” Gao Gong nodded his head, his eyes showed a hint of approval, although he didn’t show it on his face, but he felt elated in his heart.
Xu Huating6, it’s not just you that has a great student, now I also have one, ha!
Coming out of Prince of Yu Manor, Zhao Su looked up at the sky, it was almost time to meet up with Xu Shixing and the others, so he hurried over to Zui Xian Pavilion. Xu Shixing had already booked a private room, and when he arrived, he followed the tea house’s waiter upstairs, only to find that everyone was already there, and he was the only one missing. Seeing him enter the room, they all looked at him, and almost all at the same time they said: “Your punishment is to down a cup of wine!”
Wang Xijue teasingly added: “No, the penalty is too light. This is our youngest jinshi tanhua-lang, we need to make it extra special!” Even the soft-tempered Chen Zhu and Xu Shixing also just watched him smiling, and didn’t try to stop him. Heavily outnumbered, a wise man submits to his circumstances, Zhao Su could only beg for mercy: “Fellow nianxiong7, Is it okay if I just down three cups?”
Wang Xijue ignored him and looked at other people: “What do you think is a relative punishment?” Zhao Su followed his gaze, and then saw the people sitting around the table clearly.
Chen Zhu, Xu Shixing, these were all old acquaintances, and then there was also Yu Youding, Qi Yuanzuo, Pan Yunduan, Zhang Tingchen and some others. They were all jinshi ranked in the first or second rank. In the future, they will probably also enter the Hanlin Academy. Such a gathering of people, those who attended had definitely achieved outstanding merits, otherwise if there was one of them that was ranked in the third rank, they would probably be sitting on pins and needles8.
These people had all been introduced and had conversations following the court examination or had met each other during the Qionglin banquet, so they could all be considered as being familiar with each other. They will all be Officials in the same imperial court in the future, so everyone wanted to support each other and understand how to treat each other with a sense of propriety. Everyone was in the same boat, so they were naturally all in high spirits.
Only Qi Yuanzuo was sitting at the table, his expression was a little indifferent, as if his interest was coming to an end, and Zhao Su couldn’t help but look over at him a bit more.
Until he heard Wang Xijue say with bad intentions: “It’s better to call the songstress9 from the flower boat, let Shao Yong and her share a skin cup, it’ll be a feast on our eyes, and also a worthy punishment!”
The so-called skin cup10 was to have the songstress and the guest face each other, and then feed each other the wine with their mouths, with their lips and tongue intertwined like this, it was naturally an erotic sight to behold.
Author note:
Attention: 1 – Regarding the skin cup there will be a shift in the plot, don’t worry about the appearance of BG, hmmm……
2 – Everyone is probably familiar with Qujing….. yep that’s right, it’s where lao-ba11 goes….pfff