Transmigrated As A Scholar Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Fang Yu looked at what Qiao Hezhi had written and couldn't help but smile and shake his head, thinking that Qiao Hezhi could be quite mischievous at times... The phrase 'husband and wife'... were truly words that added a sense of warmth to breakfast. He was much better suited than him at writing about delicious food.

He closed the notebook: "When it's time to print the booklet, this sentence must be included. Cherish food, do not be negligent."

After leaving the breakfast stall, they strolled around the street market. Strictly speaking, this counted as their first proper date.

Fang Yu bought some storybooks for Qiao Hezhi, and even took him to cut in line to try the city's most popular pastries. He had originally wanted to take Qiao Hezhi to browse some clothing and accessory shops, but upon checking his pockets, he realized that after the recent land purchase, he was truly strapped for cash. He could withdraw some silver from the household account, but this month's shop earnings hadn't been collected yet, and there would be expenses for the New Year... 

Truly... poor.

In his past life, he had no one to date. He never expected that now he would find himself in the predicament of having no money for dates. Once he earned money in the future, he would definitely make it up to Qiao Hezhi.

It was still early, and he pondered what else he could do with Qiao Hezhi.

Dates in later times were nothing more than eating, shopping, watching movies, and... booking a luxurious suite or something similar. Nowadays, there were no movies to watch, but one could listen to opera as a substitute. As for the luxurious suite... Fang Yu's gaze swept over a large inn not far away; they certainly did have premium guest rooms... Fang Yu gave a start. What was he thinking!

Qiao Hezhi was only sixteen, the age of a high school student. Although early romance wasn't unheard of at that age, relationships at that stage were mostly pure and innocent. Passing a note, sending a cup of milk tea could bring sweetness for a whole day; just exchanging a few extra glances would make one blush with a heart pounding like a drum. What decent person would think about a luxurious suite?!

It was just because the topic came up that the thought flashed through his mind; it definitely wasn't intentional... 

Fang Yu touched his own lips, frowned, and held his breath: How could I harbor such vulgar thoughts about Xiao Qiao?!

He hadn't had them before...

Looking back, he realized his heart seemed to have been completely filled by Qiao Hezhi.

Whether it was cooking meals for him, sewing his undergarments, or delivering meals to the academy daily... Just mentioning his kindness was one thing, but even when he acted spoiled or threw a little tantrum, Fang Yu thought he was too adorable.

Fang Yu took a deep breath: How many days had it been, really?

Alright, let's continue this pure and innocent romance for another couple of years~ 

He reached out and took Qiao Hezhi's hand, holding it tightly. As long as he held it in his own hand, sooner or later didn't matter.

They had gone out early and returned late, arriving back at the residence as dusk was falling.

This time, the academy had only given a one-day holiday; originally it was a two-day holiday, but since many students were attending the Education Commissioner's excursion three days later, one of the holiday days was shifted to that occasion.

It was currently the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month. After twelve more days of classes, they would break for the New Year holiday at the Minor New Year. During these days, there would also be a minor examination lasting three days, reminiscent of final exams in later times.

[小年 (Xiǎo Nián): lit. minor year; fig. the festival one week before the Lunar New Year, marking the start of preparations and the Kitchen God's report to Heaven].

There wasn't much class time left this year. After returning, Fang Yu plunged headlong into studying, reviewing everything that needed to be memorized and recited twice.

The original owner had studied diligently in his earlier years; texts like the Four Books and Five Classics involved in the imperial examinations were familiar and memorized. This made things easier. He only needed to highlight key points, strengthen his memory, and extend practice questions. He acted both as a candidate answering questions and as an examiner setting them, consolidating his learning from both sides, and his gains were substantial.

Two days later, at noon, Fang Yu went to fetch his meal. Qiao Hezhi brought him a lunchbox and also took out another box for him.

"Uncle sent someone over with this first thing this morning. He said he tried it himself first, it works very well, so Master doesn't need to make another trip to the workshop."

Fang Yu opened the box. Inside were uniformly made pencils, each about two inches long, with shells polished smooth and round, and the tips firmly fixed. There were a full twelve of them.

Not only that, a small knife for sharpening the pencils was also included. Fang Yu was overjoyed, picking up a pencil and stroking it repeatedly: "We must properly thank Uncle."

Seeing his happiness, Qiao Hezhi smiled: "Uncle is satisfied just that the pencils could be made. He doesn't care for empty formalities. He also said he kept some for himself to draw blueprints, as the hardness of the pencil lead is better than charcoal. I thought since Master would surely be eager to see them once he knew they had arrived, I brought them along together."

"You understand my heart best." Fang Yu gently closed the box and tucked it under his arm. Turning back, he saw Qiao Hezhi had come today in the large carriage. He grabbed Qiao Hezhi's arm: "Come, let's go eat in the carriage."

"Well, Brother Fang, your family has delivered lunch? What an impressive display indeed."

Before he could step forward, a sarcastic voice rang in Fang Yu's ears. He didn't even need to think to know who it was. Turning, he saw it was indeed Liang Minxu, accompanied by another fellow student. That classmate, however, politely greeted Fang Yu with a gesture.

"My family's carriage isn't blocking your path, is it, Brother Liang? Is there something you need?"

"The Master often teaches us to travel with simple carriages and practice strict frugality. Brother Fang's grand display seems to show you haven't taken the Master's words to heart." Liang Minxu shook his head: "A shame, given the Master's praise for Brother Fang. But then again, it's understandable. Now that Brother Fang has come into a fortune, it's only right to enjoy it properly. After all, sacrificing the noble purity of a scholar and willingly forming ties with merchants is a sacrifice few are willing to make."

Liang Minxu lowered his voice and sneered: "Truly, one must endure bitterness to become a man above others."

[吃得苦中苦，方为人上人 (chī dé kǔ zhōng kǔ, fāng wéi rén shàng rén): lit. One who can endure the bitterest of hardships can become a person above others; fig. Success comes only after overcoming great difficulties.]

Hearing this, Qiao Hezhi frowned, tightened his grip on the lunchbox, and his eyes dimmed. He couldn't help but lower his head and step back, momentarily wanting to hide himself away... 

That way... he wouldn't embarrass or cause Fang Yu to be mocked.

"I understand Brother Liang wishes for such an opportunity to endure hardship but lacks it. Don't worry, Brother Liang. If a path opens up in the future, I will of course recommend you first."

"Who wants it?!"

Fang Yu said: "If it wasn't something you secretly desired, why would you come up in this windy spot to say so much?"

"I merely came to advise Brother Fang to advocate for frugality. I didn't expect Brother Fang to be so ungrateful."

"Then Brother Liang truly has a kind and virtuous heart. Ahead is the carriage of the County Magistrate's son, both spacious and magnificent. Why don't I see Brother Liang fairly applying the same standard and going to advise him as well?"

"You!"

Fang Yu: "I take my leave. The food is getting cold."

With that, he led Qiao Hezhi away.

Liang Minxu was so angry he wanted to kick the Fang family carriage, but seeing the strong servants, he didn't dare act recklessly: "What's there to be so proud about, forming ties with merchant families?!"

"I think Fang Yu's fulang is quite beautiful and dignified. Perhaps the two are truly fond of each other."

Liang Minxu glared at his companion: "I see you are also one who forgets righteousness for beauty."

Once inside the carriage, Fang Yu noticed Qiao Hezhi looked troubled. He reached out and gently pinched his cheek. "Why let someone like that bother you?"

"When I went out today, I was thinking of picking up the New Year festival gifts I had ordered; the large carriage is better for loading... I didn't expect it would lead to gossip again... In the future, I'll just take the small carriage when going out." Qiao Hezhi paused: "Or... perhaps I should just have Xuezhu bring Master's meals."

"The large carriage is for convenience when needed. Besides, there's nothing wrong with using it now. If we have one at home, use it. I permit it. No matter how perfectly you behave, petty people like that will still gossip. He's had grievances with me before, this matter has nothing to do with you." Fang Yu felt heartache for Qiao Hezhi. Coming from a merchant family, although he lacked for nothing in food and clothing, he must have often been mocked. How many times had he faced such derogatory and disrespectful remarks like today's? "We shouldn't care what outsiders say, and we must not belittle or demean ourselves."

Qiao Hezhi said: "I've heard such words since I was little, and I don't really take them to heart. I'm just afraid Master will feel upset hearing them and that I'll cause Master to lose face."