Chapter 22: Truly a Province of Public Officials

With Qi Lian and Zhang Yan accompanying them, Xu Nuo and Wang Shi found the journey far less tedious. Aside from Shangguan occasionally complaining about the two being overly noisy, he held no real resentment. In fact, he felt a hint of gratitude, as their companionship brought joy to Xu Nuo and her mother, allowing him more time to prepare for the upcoming exams.

A man’s appreciation often goes unspoken—a glance, a hug can convey more than words ever could. This bond of brotherhood sometimes made Xu Nuo envious. She thought of her best friend back in modern times, the one who would drag her along to explore new restaurants whenever she was feeling down. When she was happy, her friend would celebrate with her even more enthusiastically. She wondered how her friend was doing now.

They had once promised to move into a nursing home together when they got older, but with the passage of time, that seems impossible. All Xu Nuo could hope for was that her friend would find a loving partner who would cherish her for life.

As these thoughts filled her mind, a sense of melancholy washed over her. She wasn’t sure if she could change the fate laid out in books, but as a steadfast and determined young person, she believed in the principle that “human effort can conquer fate.” Nothing seemed insurmountable, and she was convinced she could carve out her own path in this era.

“Home sweet home! I’m finally back!” Qi Lian couldn’t contain his excitement as the tall city walls came into view, leaping up on the cart to cheer. It had been a whole year since he had been sent away to study! Just thinking of that year filled with hardships—no comforting home-cooked meals, no cozy bed, and eating who-knows-what—brought tears to his eyes. If it weren’t for meeting Shangguan and the others, it would have been a failure of a study tour.

While Qi Lian rejoiced, Zhang Yan’s curiosity grew, while Xu Nuo and Shangguan appraised their surroundings, and Wang Shi was filled with nostalgia. If anyone looked closely, they would see that Wang Shi’s hands trembled under her sleeves.

“It’s been such a long time!” she murmured softly. The last time she had been here was in her childhood. The city walls still stood as they had in her memories, ancient and serene, like a sentinel that had weathered the tempests of countless dynasties, continually nurturing the next generation of talents for the country. Wang Shi gazed at the walls, transported back in time, picturing an elderly man stroking his beard with one hand while holding a little girl’s hand with the other as they walked through the city gate. She imagined the festivities, with people celebrating lively, carrying a bridal palanquin adorned in bright red.

As their cart approached the walls, the name “Quanzhou” caught their eyes, written in elegant, sweeping characters that showcased the city’s grandeur. It was exam season, and the queue to enter the city was primarily filled with students arriving for the tests. Some were young, still exhibiting innocent features, their wide eyes roaming about as if they were on an excursion. Others were middle-aged, desperately clutching books in their hands, mumbling to themselves as they recited passages.

Xu Nuo shook her head at the sight of the overly studious individuals, reminding herself of the sad reality of this era—education was the only way out for commoners, and the imperial examination was the sole path to elevate one’s status. For a moment, she felt a pang of pity for those students yearning for a way to climb the social ladder.

At last, they reached the entrance. Shangguan handed over the travel document, and the guards finally allowed their cart to pass through the gate. The atmosphere upon entering was nothing less than refreshing—people along the streets spoke softly, and even the vendors at their stalls and the attendants in the shops kept their voices down, exuding an air of refinement that took Xu Nuo by surprise. She had been raised with a loud voice, particularly after spending much time with Qi Lian and Zhang Yan, which had only made her more boisterous.

While the inns and entertainment venues flourished in the towns they had passed through earlier, Quanzhou was a different world with bookshops and tea houses dominating the streets. This clearly reflected Shandong’s rich literary heritage. Standing there, Xu Nuo finally grasped the essence of Confucianism that permeated the land—it was ingrained in the very blood of its descendants, passed down through generations.

This atmosphere reminded Xu Nuo of someone she had previously encountered—Wang Shi. Observing her mother’s straight posture, she noticed that her eyes had turned red at some point, and her lips pressed together tightly, her hands gripping the handkerchief tightly. The city held many stories for Wang Shi.

Shangguan had also noticed the changes in his mother’s expression, but everyone had their own secrets. If she chose to share, he would gladly listen and help fulfill her wishes. If not, he would stay by her side silently, providing support whenever necessary.

“Auntie, you, and everyone should come back with me. Let me treat you all properly, and you can catch up with my father,” Qi Lian exclaimed, his voice loud as they entered the city, drawing glances from passersby.

Xu Nuo quickly stepped aside, pretending not to know him, feeling utterly embarrassed by his exuberance.

Before Shangguan could decline the invitation, Wang Shi beat him to it. “We’re tired from the journey and need to rest. You should hurry home to recuperate, and your family will feel more at ease.”

“Our grimy appearance is hardly fitting for a visit, so we better find an inn to rest. Besides, I only met your father when we were children; there’s nothing to reminisce about.”

Wang Shi’s response didn’t deter Qi Lian. “No, you are my cherished companions on this journey! I consider you all like brothers, and now more than ever you should come back with me and get settled!”

“Qi Lian, I appreciate your kind intentions, but we are here for serious business, not pleasure. It would be inconvenient to stay at your house. How about this—we’ll settle in first, and then I’ll make sure to visit you later. When that time comes, you won’t be able to chase us away even if you wanted,” Shangguan firmly stated.

Understanding his mother’s reluctance, he didn’t wish to put her in a difficult position. Moreover, staying at someone else’s home would indeed bring a level of constraint they wouldn’t be comfortable with.

Seeing the determination on their faces, Qi Lian finally relented. Before he left, he reiterated his insistence, emphasizing that once they were settled down, they should send word to him so he’d know where they were staying: in case they couldn’t find their way, they were to come to his family’s estate.

Just as Qi Lian was about to climb onto the cart, Wang Shi couldn’t help but stop him. “Qi Lian, when you go back, please don’t mention your aunt to your family, alright?”

Confused by her request, Qi Lian was about to ask why but held back upon seeing the pleading look in her eyes. With a solemn expression, he replied, “Alright, I promise you, Auntie.”

Shangguan then bowed seriously to Qi Lian, who stepped forward to stop him looking displeased. “What are you doing? Do you think I’m not your good brother anymore?”

“Thank you!” This simple word carried so much weight, and Shangguan patted Qi Lian’s shoulder heavily, sending him off in the cart.