Chapter 32: This Is All Strategy, to Deceive Shen Shilang

Shen Shilang walked towards Manager Yue with a smile.

Madam Wei and Wei Ruyan also heard Manager Yue’s voice and turned to look.

Wei Ruyan said unhappily, “That Manager Yue really dotes on Shen Shilang.”

“It’s just a ploy to curry favor with your father. Don’t pay him any mind; he won’t be staying in the mansion for much longer,” Madam Wei replied coldly.

At this time, Wei Jianming also approached. “Mother, Sister.”

Madam Wei examined Wei Jianming carefully before stroking his slightly pale face. “You’ve lost weight. You must have suffered inside. Let’s go home; mother has prepared some tonics for you to help you recover.”

“Alright.” Wei Jianming nodded happily.

When the three got into the carriage, Wei Ruyan immediately asked, “Second Brother, how did you do on the exam?”

“I did well, don’t worry. Even if I’m not the top scorer, my rank won’t be low,” Wei Jianming said confidently. “Surpassing that useless Shen Shilang’s rank is nothing.”

“Really?” Wei Ruyan was skeptical. “But when Father tested your knowledge before, you didn’t do too well, did you?”

Wei Jianming pursed his lips and said, “That was all a strategy to mislead Shen Shilang.”

He reached for his folding fan but found nothing at his waist. Remembering fans weren’t allowed during the exam, he reluctantly dropped his hand and explained, “Every time Father tests our knowledge, he always calls Shen Shilang to join. If I had shown my true abilities, Shen Shilang would have realized the gap between us and might have secretly worked harder. What if he actually passed the exam?”

“So I pretended to be average, appearing to be on par with him,” Wei Jianming continued smugly. “This way, he thinks we’re about the same, so he won’t work hard. Meanwhile, I concealed my true abilities while secretly working diligently, naturally making myself stronger than him.”

“Otherwise, how could I be so confident that I’ll definitely do better than him?” Wei Jianming boasted, shaking his head. “This is called showing weakness to the enemy. It’s all tactics.”

“I never imagined you’d have such cleverness,” Wei Ruyan exclaimed, surprised.

“What are you saying?!” Wei Jianming angrily smacked Wei Ruyan’s head. “Soon you’ll have to call your second brother ‘Master Juren’! So show some respect.”

Wei Ruyan covered her forehead and complained to Madam Wei, “Mother, look at Second Brother!”

“Alright, alright,” Madam Wei mediated. “It’s good that your second brother can pass the exam. Stop quarreling.”

Meanwhile, Shen Shilang approached Manager Yue. “Manager Yue, I didn’t expect you to come.”

“Of course I had to come pick you up after your exam, young master,” Manager Yue said with a smile. “You must be tired from the exam. Please get in the carriage and rest.”

Shen Shilang got into the carriage and saw that Manager Yue had already prepared tea and snacks.

“Manager Yue, you’re too thoughtful.”

Manager Yue smiled warmly. “I thought the young master might be hungry after not eating well inside, so I prepared some refreshments. There’s also a full meal ready at the mansion. Young master, please eat well and rest to recover your energy.”

“But I must say, you look quite energetic,” Manager Yue observed in surprise.

“I practice martial arts regularly, so my body is better than the average scholar’s,” Shen Shilang explained. He couldn’t mention Su Jinshi’s care inside. “And with the things Manager Yue prepared, especially the cooling mat and the mosquito-repelling oil, which were very effective. I wasn’t bothered by mosquitoes at night at all. Thank you, Manager Yue.”

“Not at all,” Manager Yue said, beaming. “It’s all due to the young master’s good constitution. No wonder I saw other examinees coming out looking exhausted, while the young master was completely different.”

The road back was as crowded as when they came.

Families were there to pick up their examinees, with carriages lined up and people jostling each other.

However, Shen Shilang didn’t really want to walk back either.

Although his spirit was good, after three days of exams, his brain was quite tired. Now he just wanted to close his eyes and rest.

So he allowed the carriage to move slowly.

Su Jinshi didn’t ask Shen Shilang how he did on this exam. After all, Shen Shilang never did poorly.

It was just a matter of seeing what rank he would get.

Wei Jianming returned home, ate something, and fell asleep immediately.

The next day, he slept until late morning before waking up.

“Young Master.” Wei Jianming was assisted by maids in washing up and changing clothes when his attendant Chang Jie approached, handing him a card. “Young Master Liang sent someone with an invitation for you, asking if you’ve rested well. If you have, they’re hosting a banquet at Huizhen restaurant tonight to celebrate for you.”

Stretching lazily, Wei Jianming said, “Alright, tell him I’ll be there tonight.”

“Yes,” Chang Jie responded and went to reply.

That evening, Chong’an City was bustling with activity.

The calls of street vendors filled the air, while people leisurely strolled down the middle of the road.

The aroma of steaming mutton hot pot wafted from the vendors’ pots.

The restaurants on both sides were brightly lit.

The courtesans of Cuiyun Pavilion stood at the entrance, their fragrance of powder and rouge greeting coming and going guests.

As Wei Jianming passed by, a courtesan from Cuiyun Pavilion grabbed him, “Young Master Wei.”

“Get away!” Wei Jianming waved his hand and pulled his arm free.

Though he was a playboy, he didn’t dare to frequent brothels, lest his father and older brother break his legs.

The courtesan tried to grab him again but was blocked by Chang Jie. After Wei Jianming had walked a few steps away, Chang Jie quickly broke free and hurried to catch up.

The two arrived at Huizhen restaurant, and a waiter led Wei Jianming to the private room Liang Shigang had reserved upstairs.

The room was spacious, with a large round table inside and side tables and couches for resting.

The windows were open, offering a view of the many lights in the city.

“Jianming!” Liang Shigang called out to Wei Jianming, “Come, sit down.”

Besides Liang Shigang, there were three others, all sons of officials in Chong’an City.

“How did everyone do on the exam this time?” Liang Shigang asked.

Cheng Jianfeng, sitting nearby, shook his head and said, “If I’m lucky this time, I might pass the exam, but I can’t hope for a good ranking.”

“You’re still better off. I’m afraid I’ll fail again,” Ke Hongbin took a sip of wine, looking very worried. “I’ve already failed twice. If I fail again this time, I’ll definitely get a beating from my old man. He even said that if I fail this time, he’ll send me to the army to earn some merit on the battlefield.”

“But I’m not cut out for that!” Ke Hongbin held his head in his hands, distressed. “What if I lose my life before I earn any merit?”

Cheng Jianfeng shook his head, “Everyone has their own troubles. Even if I pass, my father won’t be satisfied.”

Cheng Jianfeng was the son of Magistrate Cheng and the brother of Cheng Ruoyu.

“If my ranking is low, I’ll still be scolded,” Cheng Jianfeng also took a dejected sip of wine.

“Tianran is the luckiest, not having to take the imperial exams,” Ke Hongbin said enviously.

Zhang Tianran was the youngest in his family, pampered since childhood. In the future, his elder brother would inherit the title, and Zhang Tianran would just be supported by the family.

…

T/N: changed Huizhen Pavilion to Huizhen restaurant.