Chapter Twelve: Baishui County, Zhu Yingtai

A child traveling a thousand miles, and a mother’s worries follow—such is the way of the world. Madame Liu was still uneasy and wanted to go along, but Master Liu stopped her. “Go with your mother? Do you want our son to be laughed at? What would that look like? He’ll come of age next year—he doesn’t need you meddling in everything.”

“I’m just concerned, how is that meddling? You old man, you really have a way with unpleasant words!” Madame Liu shot back. “Aren’t you worried at all? This is the first time our son is venturing so far from home.”

“Of course I’m worried, but this is something he must experience. Why, back in my day—” Master Liu began, ready for a lengthy speech, but Madame Liu cut him off. “You two should get going—take care of yourselves on the road.”

Their quarrel made Liu Yue stifle a laugh. “Don’t worry, Father, Mother, I’ll take good care of Brother,” she said.

“I can look after myself…” Liu Ping said, rubbing his nose.

“Let’s go!” Liu Yue urged, pushing him forward.

The two of them took an ox cart to the county town. Liu Yue grinned, “Brother, should we hire an ox cart to Shanghe Commandery, or should we ride horses?”

Seeing Liu Yue skip along so cheerfully, Liu Ping couldn’t help but smile. “Are you really that happy to be leaving home?”

“Of course I am! I’ve heard the commandery city is bustling and grand. I’ve always wanted to visit, but never had the chance,” Liu Yue replied, eyes sparkling with excitement.

“We’re not going there for fun, you know,” Liu Ping reminded her.

“I know that,” Liu Yue replied with a laugh, looping her arm through his and dragging him forward. “But once you finish the exams, we can have some fun, right? So, how are we getting there?”

“After a tiring journey, you won’t be so excited—you’ll be complaining instead,” Liu Ping said, patting her head with affectionate indulgence. “We’ll travel with the Wang family’s carriage. I’ve made arrangements with Wang Hong; we’ll take their carriage to the exam. It’s not as stable as an ox cart, but it’s much faster.”

“But wouldn’t that trouble them?” Liu Yue said, disappointed. She’d been looking forward to traveling alone with her brother, but now they had to ride with others. “Let’s not impose—let’s just hire our own ox cart.”

In this world, there were oxen bred for pulling carts. They weren’t as fast as horses, but they were steady and had greater endurance—so even well-off families often traveled by ox cart.

“It’s no trouble. If I didn’t go, he’d probably complain,” Liu Ping said. “Come on, he’s waving to us up ahead.”

“Alright then,” Liu Yue said, sticking out her tongue.

“At last, you’re here—I thought you wouldn’t show up,” Wang Hong greeted them with a smile. When Liu Ping approached with Liu Yue, Wang Hong glanced at her and said, “Is this your sister? Truly a beauty.”

Liu Ping also noticed the girl beside Wang Hong, directing servants as they prepared the carriage.

“That’s my cousin,” Wang Hong explained. “She’s pretty enough, but far too clingy.”

“And what’s wrong with being clingy?” the girl retorted, coming over to bow to Liu Ping and Liu Yue. “Greetings, Young Master Liu, Young Lady Liu.”

“Alright, the carriage is ready—let’s set off,” Wang Hong announced with a wave.

“I want to go with you,” the girl pleaded.

“No,” Wang Hong replied, shaking his head.

“Why not? Your friend’s sister can go with him—why can’t I?” she complained.

“I said no, and that’s final,” Wang Hong replied.

The girl huffed, “You must be planning to seek out pleasure houses in Shanghe Commandery—no wonder you won’t let me go.”

“Your tricks won’t work on me. Liu, let’s get going,” Wang Hong said, shaking his head.

They boarded the carriage—a grand vehicle drawn by six spirited horses, more like a moving room than a cart. Once inside, they set down their bundles. Liu Yue gazed around in awe, whispering, “It’s huge.”

Liu Ping, on the other hand, was bemused by the ostentatious display. “It’s big, but with such a large carriage, we’ll travel slower.”

“As long as we can be comfortable, that’s all that matters,” Wang Hong said, waving his hand. “Uncle Yu, let’s be off.”

“Yes, young master.” The driver was a middle-aged man with kind features, but there was something unusual about him—clearly more than just a simple driver, perhaps skilled in martial arts. Liu Ping noticed this, but said nothing.

They traveled into the evening, covering most of the journey. Though they could sleep in the carriage, they didn’t travel through the night—it would have been too dangerous. Instead, they stayed at an inn in a county town.

Even after resting in the carriage, they felt weary and went straight to bed, rising early the next morning to continue their journey. By midday on the second day, they finally reached the commandery city and checked into a fine inn. Because of the triennial autumn examinations, accommodations were scarce. Despite spending a hefty sum, they could only secure two upper rooms. Fortunately, each was spacious, with a bedroom and a study—ample for their needs.

The room’s elegant, antique charm pleased Liu Ping—it reminded him of a presidential suite in his previous life. The price, naturally, was steep—ten taels of silver per day.

Liu Ping soaked a towel in the hot water the servant brought, washed his face, and watched Liu Yue prepare his change of clothes. “I’ll be in the exams for three whole days. You mustn’t wander off in the city on your own. If you want to explore, wait until I’m done, and I’ll take you.”

“I know, I know,” Liu Yue replied. “I already feel bad enough that I can’t help you—I’d never want to be a burden and make you worry.”

“Good. Just remember that…”

“Liu, let’s hurry to register,” Wang Hong called, having settled his baggage and knocked on the door.

“I’m coming,” Liu Ping answered.

After washing up and giving his sister a few more instructions, Liu Ping followed Wang Hong to the registration office for the examination.

Thinking of his brother’s earnest advice, Liu Yue couldn’t help but smile behind her hand. “I used to be the one fussing over that blockhead—who would have thought he’d be lecturing me now…”

On the way, both Liu Ping and Wang Hong were silent—this was, after all, their first time at the autumn examinations. Soon, they arrived at the government office.

Two massive stone lions stood guard at the gate, vividly lifelike as if poised to spring. At the side entrance, three long lines of examinees waited to register.

Liu Ping couldn’t help but sigh, “So many people…”

“Yes, even I couldn’t pull strings to get a token directly…” Wang Hong sighed, then suddenly asked, “You don’t suppose you could get one through the back door?”

“Me? How could I?” Liu Ping shot him a look.

“But you’re the magistrate’s student,” Wang Hong said matter-of-factly. “Don’t you have any connections?”

“I’m just a student, not the magistrate himself!” Liu Ping replied, exasperated.

Their banter drew curious glances from the others—magistrate? Student? Was this the very Liu Ping who wrote ‘A Mountain Journey’?

A few scholars immediately came over, eager to make his acquaintance.

A man in his early twenties stepped forward respectfully. “I am Chen Cangzhi from Ji County. Are you the young prodigy Liu Ping, author of ‘A Mountain Journey’?”

“I am,” Liu Ping replied with proper courtesy. “Prodigy is too generous—writing is a gift of nature, sometimes a fortunate stroke of the hand. Nothing more.”

“‘Writing is a gift of nature, a fortunate stroke of the hand…’” Chen Cangzhi repeated, awed. “I doubted the rumors, thought them exaggerated, but you truly have such talent! No exaggeration at all—no need for modesty!”

This exchange drew even more scholars hoping to introduce themselves. After a while, Liu Ping excused himself. “I must queue for my examination token—the journey’s been long, and I’d like to rest. Another day, perhaps.”

Finally breaking free, Wang Hong teased him, “Tsk tsk, the great Liu Ping—your reputation precedes you. I’m nothing but a foil now.”

“A foil? You’re just the dirt beneath the leaves,” Liu Ping shot back mercilessly.

They waited in line for half an hour before it was finally Liu Ping’s turn.

“Name, place of origin—state your registration. Scholar’s seal and letter of recommendation, hand them over,” the official said briskly, not looking up.

“Liu Ping from Qinxian, Shanghe Commandery. Here are my documents,” Liu Ping replied, handing over his small bundle.

“Liu Ping? Are you really Liu Ping?” The official started, looking up with bright eyes. “A true talent, indeed.”

After inspecting the documents, he handed over a bronze token. “This is your exam pass. You’ll need it to enter the hall—do not lose it.”

“Thank you, sir,” Liu Ping replied, accepting the token and stepping aside.

He waited a little while until Wang Hong received his token as well, and they prepared to leave.

Just then, Liu Ping overheard something peculiar.

“Name, place of origin—state your registration. Scholar’s seal, please,” the official intoned.

A clear, youthful voice with an androgynous quality replied, “Shanghe Commandery, Baishui County, Zhu Yingtai. Here are my documents.”

“Zhu Yingtai?” Liu Ping muttered, his expression odd.

“What is it?” Wang Hong asked, puzzled.

Liu Ping glanced over but couldn’t see the person’s face. Shaking his head, he said, “It can’t be… Never mind, I thought it was someone I knew, but it isn’t.”

“Alright, let’s head back to the inn,” Wang Hong said, thinking nothing of it.