Chapter 249: Triumphant Return
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
It was already evening when Lu Yan Shu returned home. The atmosphere was festive, with the servants bustling about, preparing for a grand feast as instructed by Madam Xu. The house was filled with an air of excitement and anticipation.
“Big Brother, Big Brother… come eat dinner… Chao Chao hungry…” Little Lu Chao Chao tugged insistently at her brother’s sleeve.
Lu Yan Shu chuckled and held Chao Chao’s tiny hand, guiding her towards the dining table. “I’m sorry for making you wait, Chao Chao. That’s my fault,” he said gently, patting her on the head.
“Mother, Third Brother,” Lu Yan Shu greeted warmly, his eyes shining with affection.
“The palace examination is on the first day of March. I have been at our maternal grandparents’ home, learning the protocols to avoid offending His Majesty,” Lu Yan Shu explained. His voice was steady, but there was a hint of anxiety. Having been paralyzed for many years, and with Lu Yuan Ze being rather indifferent, the Xu family was worried he might unknowingly break some taboo, so they had called him over early for instructions.
“No rush,” Madam Xu replied with a comforting smile.
Chao Chao, swinging her little legs back and forth while sitting on a stool, looked curious. “Taboos? What taboos?”
“The king is very kind. Chao Chao has never seen him angry…” Chao Chao’s eyes were fixated on the roasted pigeon on the table, her stomach growling softly.
Madam Xu glanced at her daughter meaningfully. “Maybe he only shows his good side to you?”
Chao Chao’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I paint his nails and braid his hair, and he never gets mad. I even used his jade seal to crack nuts…”
Lu Yuan Xiao, sitting nearby, whispered with a smirk, “Your name must be flashing on the Book of Life and Death.”
Chao Chao puffed out her cheeks. “My name is not in the Book of Life and Death.”
Everyone burst into laughter, the room filling with warmth and camaraderie.
“We must stay sober tonight. Let’s have some light food so we don’t embarrass ourselves in the palace tomorrow,” Madam Xu suggested, having personally prepared the evening meal to avoid any heavy, greasy foods that might leave a lingering smell.
Chao Chao tilted her head, clearly confused about what “embarrassing oneself in the palace” meant. After all, she had peed on the king and even pooped in his lap before.
Madam Xu’s eyes were slightly red as she turned to Lu Yan Shu. “Yuan Shu, don’t burden yourself with expectations. Whether you become the top scholar or not, I am content. As long as you can stand and regain your health, I am already very satisfied.”
[“Mother has always worried so much about me. I must make her proud,”] thought Lu Yan Shu, feeling a wave of determination.
“Mother, Yuan Shu understands,” he replied softly.
The family enjoyed a warm dinner together, their hearts full of hope and anticipation for the days to come.
The next day, before dawn, Madam Xu rose early, handling everything herself to see Lu Yan Shu off. By the time Chao Chao woke up, it was almost noon.
Madam Xu was in the courtyard, holding incense sticks high above her head before placing them in the censer. “Bodhisattva, please bless us, let everything go smoothly…” Deng Zhi stood beside her, hands clasped in prayer, whispering softly.
Madam Xu was so anxious that she hadn’t even had breakfast, pacing back and forth. The servants, equally worried about Lu Yan Shu’s palace examination, were distracted and on edge.
It was late afternoon when Lu Yan Shu finally returned home. Though he looked tired, his eyes were bright and he seemed relaxed.
“You must be exhausted. Go rest,” Madam Xu urged, having already warned everyone not to ask about the results before Yuan Shu came home.
Lu Yan Shu, perceptive as always, could see the worry in his family’s eyes. “Mother, don’t worry. Everything went well,” he reassured her with a smile.
Madam Xu felt a weight lift off her shoulders. “Good, good, I’m relieved,” she said, not pressing for more details. After years of paralysis, seeing her son healthy again was more than she had dared hope for.
With nothing else to do, Lu Yan Shu stayed home, playing with Chao Chao. The next day, Madam Xu, with dark circles under her eyes from sleeplessness, couldn’t wait any longer.
“Mother…” Lu Yan Shu couldn’t help but laugh, seeing her weary expression.
Madam Xu decided to take them to the Suyun Pavilion, an excellent location right across from where the results were posted, and known for its Hundred Duck Feast.
Upon arriving at the bustling Suyun Pavilion, the madam welcomed them warmly. “Princess Sunshine, please come in. We have reserved a private room for you.” She was grateful to Chao Chao, who had unexpectedly boosted the restaurant’s popularity.
Little Chao Chao grinned widely, delighted by the attention. Sitting at the table, Madam Xu tried a bite of the Hundred Duck Feast and was pleased. “Indeed, it lives up to its reputation,” she said, savoring the taste.
“They also sell marinated duck heads, feet, and hearts separately. The gentlemen like to take them home to enjoy with a drink… I heard they sell very well,” Deng Zhi commented.
“We should pack some to take home,” Madam Xu nodded, already planning their next meal.
Downstairs, the hall was filled with discussions about the top scholar of the year. “Who do you think will be the top scholar this year?” someone asked.
“Of course, it will be Young Master Yan Shu. He has consecutively won the county and provincial examinations. Who can compete with him?” another replied confidently.
“That’s not certain. I heard a dark horse has emerged this year,” a third voice chimed in.
“It seems to be Li Zi Xi from Chang Ling. He’s nineteen and highly knowledgeable, rivaling Lu Yan Shu,” someone added, stirring the excitement.
Amidst the chatter, a man with raised eyebrows leaned in, “Oh, you don’t know, do you? My cousin’s sister-in-law’s husband works at Lu Yuan Ze’s house. Lu Jing Huai’s essays were plagiarized!”
The hall fell silent, and everyone turned to the man, urging him to continue. “What are you hinting at? Spill it!” they demanded.
The man chuckled. “Lu Jing Huai is a big cheater! When Lu Yan Shu’s genius was known throughout the capital, who had heard of Lu Jing Huai? Years ago, he was always scolded by Marquis Lu for not memorizing his lessons.”
Another person smacked their forehead. “Hey, now that you mention it, I remember. I lived next door to Lu Jing Huai when he was seven or eight. He was always in trouble. I thought he had a sudden epiphany.”
The man nodded, “Epiphany my foot, he was full of sinister thoughts. When Lu Yan Shu became paralyzed, all his essays ended up with Lu Jing Huai, who used them to pass the scholar exams.”
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“When Lu Yan Shu stood up and re-entered the exams, Lu Jing Huai’s performance plummeted…”
“Haha, serves him right!”
“Plagiarizing Lu Yan Shu’s essays and driving him out, where did he get such nerve?”
“I wonder if Marquis Yuan Ze regrets it now…”
Before the words were finished, there was an exclamation from outside. “Young Master Yan Shu is the top scholar, the champion of all three examinations!”
“Lu Yan Shu has achieved the top honors, securing the title of the top scholar!!”
The entire place erupted in astonishment, and Lu Yan Shu’s name echoed joyously through the Suyun Pavilion.