The county was not very large, and any minor disturbance quickly became common knowledge. As Liao Tingyu and Huang Zilan enjoyed the flowers, a group of idle scholars gathered together, expressing their displeasure.

“You’ve surely heard the news from the past few days,” Luo-xiucai, the one leading the conversation, said with a stern expression.

“Indeed, everyone knows. Those youngsters think they are being sly, but if they even lean a bit, I’ll know their intentions.” Wang-xiucai said dismissively.

“To be honest, this outsider is truly insufferable. A strong dragon cannot suppress a local serpent. How can a scholar be so shameless as to mingle with a bunch of children?”

“They used to respect us, but now they don’t even come to seek advice. ”

“It’s absurd! They think they can act disrespectfully to us, just because they have someone backing them.” Tang-xiucai said with an air of indifference. He was quite confident that those young brats couldn’t climb the mountain with their five fingers.

Did they think after getting some information, it would make things different? Well, they still needed a recommendation to go to the examination. Those recommendations were written by scholar who had passed the exam.

They seemed to have forgotten that the recommendation had already been paid and done.

“But we should still teach that man a lesson. He’s young and lacks experience in the world. As his seniors, it’s our duty to educate him properly.”

“You’re right, we don’t have junior this year, so we should do our part.” Wang-xiucai said, smiling slyly.

“Who can write him a letter to show our hospitality as local scholars?” Tang-xiucai asked politely, but his politeness couldn’t mask his devious intentions.

“I’ll write the letter, and I’ll reserve a table at the Taihe Restaurant.” Luo-xiucai, the wealthiest and most senior among them, assumed control of the matter.

The waiter then brought the letter to them, but to their dismay, the boy brought a message to the few who were still enjoying their tea.

“The gentleman, Liao-xiucai, left early this morning and haven’t returned yet. If you leave the letter here, I’ll give it to them when they return.” the boy conveyed the message verbatim to the remaining scholars.

Luo-xiucai was so infuriated that he dropped his teacup to the ground.

“What a young scholar he is! He genuinely lacks manners and education. His reputation should be stripped, and he should return to the fields to reform himself.” Luo-xiucai fumed. The others also looked displeased. They had not anticipated that their well-prepared surprise would be met with this outcome.

“Never mind, don’t be angry. We’ll devise a plan when he returns. We must put an end to his arrogance and make him aware of his place.”

“That’s right, we can’t let this go unaddressed. Even though he’s like a dragon on our turf, he must bow down.” Another scholar concurred.

Perhaps due to his anger, Luo-xiucai couldn’t help but feel that he had overlooked something, but he couldn’t recall it. He was no longer in the mood to convene with the others, so he decided to mull over his options.

The scholars dispersed, while Liao Tingyu continued to enjoy a delightful time with Huang Zilan, oblivious to the storm of anger that had erupted among the scholars in the county.

They were still wrapped up in each other’s love, exchanging affectionate words, sharing warm touches and fragrant scents, lost in each other’s embrace.

Liao Tingyu read the contents of the letter he received, “Thank you, dear waiter. I’ll head up to our room. Please help us feed the cattle.”

“Of course, sir. Feel free to leave your worries to me. May I ask if you’d like us to prepare dinner for you tonight?”

The waiter, delighted to have such pleasant and easygoing guests, asked if they wanted to arrange a meal for the evening.

‘Ha! When you’re hungry, you can eat by yourself. If you don’t have a cook, you can cook it yourself or buy it at a high price. This is a rare hotel in the county.’

“No, thank you, we have already eaten. Just prepare the bathwater.” Liao Tingyu said.

Back in the room, Huang Zilan asked, “Who gave you that letter? What’s written in it? You don’t look well after reading it.”

“It’s nothing. The people who are asking for punishment are here. Clean it up early. There will be a war tomorrow.” Liao Tingyu didn’t take this matter to heart at all. He had expected it for a long time.

After all, based on his experience, no matter how cautious those people were, they would still leak something. People get wiser with age.

“Looking at your expression, I’m not worried anymore. Do you need my help tomorrow?”

“No, I want to invite you to the theater,” Liao Tingyu said with a smile.

.

The next morning, Liao Tingyu got up slowly. It was already quite bright outside. Seeing the two of them getting up, the waiter smiled and said, “The guest got up a little late today. I specially asked the kitchen to prepare some breakfast. Would you like to eat it?”

“Breakfast was actually left for us? I thought I had to go outside to find food this morning! The skills of outsiders are not as good as those of the masters here, especially the steamed buns, which taste terrible. They are first-class.” Liao Tingyu said in surprise.

“That’s right, our master’s skill in making steamed buns is the golden signature of our store. I’ll serve it to you.” the waiter said. Liao Tingyu generously rewarded the waiter, which was pure income for him.

The waiter was delighted to receive such a generous tip and became even more attentive. He didn’t expect such a good deal just by sharing information with the cook. Liao Tingyu was clearly someone with a good income.

Happily going downstairs with the reward in his pocket, there were two bowls of thick rice porridge among the food that was served.

Liao Tingyu thought, “Sure enough, the money was well spent.”

Huang Zilan took a sip and said, “Don’t be so pleased. You spent extra money to enjoy home-like treatment. I don’t know what’s gotten into you!”

“This is different. It’s nice to have such a treat when you’re away from home, and I thought you’d appreciate it too. Don’t you think this guy is quite interesting?”

“He should be a relative of the boss; otherwise, he would have been fired in my store. No matter what, service should be done with good grace and never crossed any line.”

Liao Tingyu smiled and realized that some principles wouldn’t apply to him.

“Didn’t you say you were going to fight? Why haven’t you left yet?”

“Aren’t you in a hurry? Are you full? Do you want me to ask the waiter to bring some more porridge?”

“This big bowl is enough for me. Don’t stuff my mouth with food. I’m looking forward to your performance now.”

“Don’t worry; I will perform well and let you see my literary prowess sweeping the literary world.” Liao Tingyu said enthusiastically.

“But we should have a full meal now. I don’t know if the food in the restaurant they ordered is good. If it’s not, we’ll go hungry.” Liao Tingyu said matter-of-factly.

“Why do you assume they’ve heard the restaurant isn’t good? As a scholar, they must maintain their dignity. They’ll do whatever it takes to host us, and they can’t let their guests eat bad food.”

“That’s not what I think. Think about it, let’s not discuss recommendations. It’s all about relationships. These examination room precautions cost money, and they all claim not to believe it. How could they be willing to book a restaurant for us?”

Liao Tingyu analyzed seriously, “And I’m worried they might expect us to pay the bill.”

Huang Zilan still didn’t quite understand, but he realized Liao Tingyu had his reasons. “Okay, okay, you always have your reasons. Eat quickly; we don’t want to go hungry.”

The two people ate slowly, savoring each bite, while a group of people waited on the other side.

.

“Why hasn’t this person arrived yet? Has the message not been delivered?”

“Is it possible that he doesn’t dare to come?”

“Probably not. After all, he is up against so many of us, even for this minor matter. If he doesn’t show up, he’s truly a useless fool, and I’ll have to write an article about it.”

“But it’s almost noon now, and no one has arrived. I’m afraid he really is a fool. Let’s go.”

Everyone was discussing the situation, and Luo-xiucai, the leader, was becoming increasingly frustrated. If this person didn’t come, how about his status in the county?@@novelbin@@

It was only after everyone had left last night that he realized they had already made their recommendations for those little brats.

The most critical thing now was to prevent those young bastards from becoming scholars, or else the old guard like him might have to step aside.

Liao Tingyu and Huang Zilan, disguised as book boy, arrived after finishing their meal.

Huang Zilan followed behind Liao Tingyu. He noticed that Liao Tingyu wasn’t in a hurry and was taking his time to choose clothes. No matter how he tried, he felt that these men’s clothes didn’t look good and didn’t match Liao Tingyu’s appearance, which delayed them by half an hour.

The scholars who had come from far away were already hungry and urged Luo-xiucai to begin the meal. Since they had chosen a good spot, Liao Tingyu inadvertently looked up and saw the old scholars in cultured attire, sipping drinks and chatting with an air of superiority.

They decided not to disturb the scholars and instead rented a room next door. They listened to the lively conversations and cross talk next door, enjoying snacks and fragrant tea. It was quite comfortable.

“If I had known I shouldn’t have eaten too much today, these interesting discussions would have been enough as our meal.”

“In the end, these people are just dissatisfied and venting their frustrations on the younger generation.” Huang Zilan observed objectively.

An elderly scholar from the neighboring room, perhaps confused, suddenly shouted loudly.

“Why do you think you’re special? Consider how difficult our early studies were. We toiled diligently in the frigid exam halls! And you are so fortunate, you have book boy at your beck and call, and it only costs you, a rich young master, a bit of money. If those juniors wanted to learn something, then they just need to ask for it.”

“We’ve worked so hard, and yet they’re still unsatisfied. They don’t consider whether there was anyone willing to teach us back then about the examination. No one! I took them repeatedly, and it took thirty years for my name to appear on the list. Thirty years! Thirty years!” Another one chimed in.

“It’s indeed peculiar. Are they all children from humble backgrounds? Don’t any wealthy family’s children pass the exams?” Liao Tingyu remarked, puzzled.

Huang Zilan explained, “Why would wealthy people teach when they have money? Look at my brother, he’s only concerned with running his own business and pays no attention to education. Scholars from established families go to the capital or renowned academies for further education. Children of businessmen inherit their fathers’ businesses or attend schools, but they don’t engage in teaching or educating others. They have no need for it.”

Liao Tingyu was encountering this situation for the first time. “But isn’t my teacher’s family wealthy?”

“Teacher Li’s family used to be carpenters. It’s not a problem for them. There’s also Teacher Jiang and the others, only the dean is the second young master of the Zhu family.” Huang Zilan explained.

“How do you know so much?”

“Knowledge is essential for conducting business. Now that the food is on the table, the young master should go and have a look.”

“Xiao Huang, please open the door and let you witness how dashing your young master is. Don’t get too swept away by your young master!” Liao Tingyu joked.