Chapter 134: Extra Ruijin 2
Upon returning home, Ruijin learned that his family had obtained the salt monopoly license from the imperial court. Now, with double blessings, the family was overjoyed.
As soon as he entered the residence, his family eagerly questioned him about his journey to the capital. He learned that Zhang Fangyuan, Xu He, and Ruili had been deeply worried during his absence. Despite the exhaustion from travel, he patiently recounted his experiences of taking the imperial exams.
The capital’s grand streets stretched wide, adorned with luxurious carriages. A mere word like "prosperity" could hardly capture its splendor. He had spent nearly half a year there, with much of the time devoted to living in the capital rather than just traveling.
Now that the exams were settled, he avoided mentioning the hardships of the journey and instead focused on describing the capital’s wealth to his family. Ruili also enjoyed listening to these fresh tales.
Having been apart for so long, the family chatted late into the night, exchanging stories in the house.
Zhang Fangyuan wanted to host a grand banquet to celebrate. Though Ruijin wasn’t particularly fond of such festivities, achieving the highest honors in the exams was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and obtaining the salt monopoly license had also been a struggle. Thus, he supported the family’s arrangements.
With Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He in high spirits, preparations moved swiftly. The townsfolk were equally enthusiastic. Ever since Ruijin's return, the house had been filled with endless toasts and ceaseless activity. Though he disliked social formalities, living in this world made them unavoidable. For now, Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He handled the affairs, but once he left for an official post elsewhere, he would have to manage such matters himself. So, he decided to participate this time.
After days of busyness, the external guests were finally seen off, leaving only close relatives to entertain.
Over the years, Luo Yan had been a strict and devoted mentor to him. Without him, Ruijin would never have achieved this success. Hosting a private banquet for Luo Yan was only fitting.
During the feast, Luo Yan drank heavily. Though he had seldom praised Ruijin openly in the past, now that the results were evident, the old scholar could no longer hold back his pride, pouring out years of withheld compliments.
Yu Mingda, ever the jovial one, jokingly took Ruijin’s hand and proposed marrying his daughter to him. Though it was drunken banter, Ruijin’s gaze subtly flickered toward Luo Yuxing, who was seated at the women’s table.
Whether due to the summer heat dampening his appetite or some hidden worry, the ge'er's jawline was sharper than when Ruijin had left Siyang earlier in the year.
Yu Mingda’s boisterous voice was hard to miss, yet Luo Yuxing seemed to pay no heed. Beside him, Ruili bustled like a spinning top, eagerly piling food onto Luo Yuxing’s plate.
Ruijin withdrew his gaze discreetly. "Master Yu flatters me. How could this humble student be worthy?"
"Come, come, drink! Don’t tease my student," Luo Yan pulled Yu Mingda aside. "You and I rarely meet, let’s share a few more cups. Who knows when we’ll see each other again?"
"You’ve always been so protective of your pupils."
The two elders, in high spirits, drank and laughed until they grew too intoxicated, ending the banquet early. Zhang Fangyuan arranged for Yu Mingda’s escort home, leaving only Luo Yan and Luo Yuxing in the house.
"Grandfather is a bit drunk. I’ll take him back to rest," Luo Yuxing said, glancing briefly at Zhang Ruijin before looking away, his tone cool as he helped Luo Yan up.
Ruijin said, "Then I’ll see the teacher off as well."
"Brother Ruijin has been busy all these days. You should rest early tonight. It’s just a short walk, the servants can manage."
Luo Yuxing’s words were polite yet distant. Before Ruijin could respond, Luo Yan patted his hand. "He’s right. You’ve barely rested since returning and have been entertaining guests endlessly. We’re family, no need for formalities. Stay and rest."
With Luo Yan’s dismissal, Ruijin could say no more. Sensing the tension, Ruili quickly stepped forward to help support Luo Yan. "Brother Yuxing, I’ll walk you and the teacher to the gate."
"Alright."
Ruijin stood still, watching them leave, his thoughts drifting far away.
"Brother, why are you still standing here? Aren’t you tired after all this work?"
Ruili returned after seeing them off and noticed Ruijin’s somber expression. Smirking, he circled Ruijin with hands behind his back. "Oh? Master Zhang has something on his mind?"
Ruijin lightly tapped Ruili’s forehead. "Stop fooling around. Go rest."
Ignoring whether his younger brother left, Ruijin turned and retreated to his room.
The autumn moonlight, pure and bright, spilled across the windowsill, bathing the room in silver.
After changing out of his wine-scented clothes, Ruijin stood by the window, gazing at the moon. The night had deepened, and half the household’s lanterns had dimmed. The distant moon seemed colder than ever.
He clenched the sachet in his hand, then suddenly tucked it away.
"Young Master, it’s late. You should sleep. The summer heat kept you restless, and now that autumn’s coolness has finally come, you ought to rest properly. Your health can’t endure this strain forever."
Luo Yuxing sat by the window, chin propped on his hand, staring absently at the full moon overhead, ignoring the maid’s chiding as she tidied his bed.
"People have sorrows and joys, partings and reunions, just as the moon waxes and wanes."
[人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺 (rén yǒu bēi huān lí hé, yuè yǒu yīn qíng yuán quē): A poetic line from Su Shi’s Prelude to Water Melody, expressing the inevitability of life’s joys and sorrows, just as the moon’s phases are ever-changing]
The moon was full again, yet people remained apart. He slumped over the desk, his eyes shimmering with moonlight.
"Young Master, are you upset? Don’t lean by the window, it's getting windy. You’ll catch a chill."
Luo Yuxing refused to move, resting his head on his arms. After a moment, he glanced at the maid and whispered, "He spoke to me today, but I was petty and refused to let him escort us. Now he must be angry with me."
If he had known it would turn out like this, why had he acted so stubbornly?
Since Ruijin’s return, he had been too busy for even a brief meeting. The one chance they had to talk and he had ruined it.
The maid bent closer. "Are you speaking of Young Master Ruijin?"
Luo Yuxing didn’t answer, burying his face in his arms.
"If you ask me, Young Master Ruijin is truly inconsiderate. He spent half a year in the capital without sending you a single letter, you had to hear news of him from Young Master Ruili. And now that he’s back, he hasn’t even come to see you first. Doesn’t he know how much you’ve missed him?"
"Young Master, your anger is justified."
Luo Yuxing’s shoulders slumped as he exhaled deeply.
"I barely remember my childhood in the capital, but Grandfather always spoke of its bustle and luxury. I wonder if he forgot me after seeing all that splendor."
"Thinking carefully, he never actually promised me anything. Maybe it was all my wishful thinking, perhaps he only paid me attention out of respect for Grandfather."
Hearing the faint tremor in Luo Yuxing’s voice, the maid was about to console him when she suddenly spotted a paper crane drifting down from outside the window. "Young Master, look!"
Luo Yuxing lifted his head, his eyes slightly red, and followed her gaze. Spotting the crane in the corner, his brow furrowed. He quickly rose and hurried outside.
"Young Master! It’s cold, take a cloak!"
The maid chased after him but turned back to fetch the garment.
Luo Yuxing crouched by the wall, picking up the paper crane. He had seen Ruijin fold these for Ruili back when the family school was still open. The memory made his chest tighten.
As he looked up toward the wall where the crane had come from, a clear voice called softly from outside:
"Yuxing, are you asleep?"
Awww, thanks for the update!!!!!
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