Chapter 138
Ruili stepped forward casually and took a seat at the desk with ease. Seeing a finely dressed young man suddenly sit before him, Ji Zhexi slightly curled his fingers, set down his brush, and asked in confusion, “Does the young master have something to instruct me?”
From afar, Ruili had already noticed this man’s striking appearance, but now, up close and meeting his gaze face to face, he couldn’t help but inwardly sigh: Tsk, he’s even more handsome up close!
“Is there something on my face?” Ruili coughed dryly, averting his eyes. Was he really so distracted by good looks? He refocused on the matter at hand: “Do you recognize me?”
Ji Zhexi nodded lightly. “The young master of Liufang Bookshop.”
As expected, Ruili thought.
“You seem honest enough, so I won’t beat around the bush either. From now on, you needn’t go to such lengths. A scholar should focus on the imperial exams. Rather than resorting to underhanded methods, wouldn’t it be better to devote all your efforts to your studies? With some luck, you might earn an official rank sooner, surely that’s better than relying on others?”
Ji Zhexi agreed. “The young master speaks wisely. Indeed, self-reliance is far more dependable than depending on others.”
Good-looking people really are more reasonable, Ruili thought, thinking this was the easiest admirer he’d ever dealt with. Just as he was about to speak, the other man continued amiably, “However, I had no idea Young Master Zhang was so warm-hearted as to discuss such matters with me. When you say I needn’t go to such lengths… what exactly do you mean?”
Ruili frowned. Had all that praise just now been wasted? Was he really going to play dumb? “You know exactly what you’ve been doing, don’t pretend otherwise!”
Ji Zhexi replied, “Forgive my bluntness, but I truly don’t know.”
“Hey, what’s wrong with you?!” Ruili took a deep breath. “I’m giving you good advice, and instead of listening, you’re twisting my words?! Fine, don’t blame me for not sparing your dignity!”
“As you wish.”
Ruili shot to his feet, planting his hands on his hips. “You’ve been showing up wherever I go, do you think I’m too stupid to notice your schemes? First at Yinqiu Tower, then at the cloth shop this morning, and now here at the bookstore this afternoon! Yinqiu Tower might’ve been a coincidence, but today, both places are our Zhang family’s businesses! And you still act like some innocent little cabbage!”
With that, he glared and added, “Devious and cunning!”
Ji Zhexi tilted his chin slightly, watching the young master rant. “So, the young master believes I’ve been deliberately appearing to catch your attention and win your favor?”
“Aha! You said it! Finally admitting the truth, eh?”
A few scholars nearby, drawn by the commotion, cast odd looks at Ji Zhexi. “Scholar Ji, how could you? You always seemed so upright and principled, who’d have thought you were just aiming to curry favor with the wealthy?”
“Plenty of poor scholars have such ambitions. And with Ji Zhexi’s looks, no wonder. Even Teacher Bai’s daughter has shown him favor, but he refused, claiming he wanted to focus on the exams and not hold her back. Turns out he was setting his sights even higher!”
“Wishful thinking. If Zhang Ruili were so easy to win over, he wouldn’t still be unmarried.”
Ji Zhexi stood up unhurriedly, instantly towering over the fuming Ruili. Unfazed by the murmurs, he calmly explained, “The Zhang family is the wealthiest in Siyang, second to none. Young Master Zhang’s elder brother is a newly minted jinshi and an influential official. It’s no surprise admirers flock to Young Master Zhang like fish in a river, and it’s understandable to suspect ulterior motives. However…”
“Young Master Zhang has misunderstood. I had no intention of forcing myself into your sight, it’s simply that my family is impoverished.”
“My parents suffered chronic illnesses and were bedridden for years. Though they’ve since passed, their medical debts remain. As a scholar preparing for the exams, I’ve had to take odd jobs during breaks - partly to repay debts, partly to save travel funds for the exams.”
Hearing this tragic tale, Ruili’s face flushed with embarrassment, but he wasn’t so easily swayed. “It’s commendable that you’re working to support yourself, but why only at Zhang family businesses? What a coincidence!”
“The Zhang family owns numerous business, and their trade guild handles most hiring. I had little choice.” Ji Zhexi called for the shopkeeper. “I’ve been working at Liufang Bookshop since last year, copying texts and writing calligraphy.”
The shopkeeper, though reluctant to offend the young master, answered truthfully. “Scholar Ji has been with us for a long time. Initially, he submitted poems. When Young Master Ruijin was still here, he praised Scholar Ji’s calligraphy. Last year, after the young master passed the exams, business boomed, and we were short-handed, that’s when we hired Scholar Ji to copy books.”
Ruili’s frown deepened.
Thanks for the update!!!!!
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