Transmigrated As A Scholar Chapter 41 Part 1

Chapter 41

The entire journey back, neither of them spoke. As they reached the doorway to their room, Qiao Hezhi, unable to contain his unease any longer, raised his hand, intending to stop Fang Yu.

"Hezhi, it's been a tiring day. Go back to the room and rest early. I'll spend some time in the study."

Fang Yu steadied Qiao Hezhi's back, giving it a light pat.

Qiao Hezhi's eyes widened slightly, his hand freezing in mid-air. The words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back. Watching the retreating figure disappearing down the corridor with a heavy air, he lowered his gaze, his voice trembling slightly. "He must have heard everything."

"And... and it was truly improper of Young Master Yu. Knowing full well the young master is married, yet still acting so discourteously. I don't know what good it does him to tarnish the young master's reputation."

Qiao Hezhi glanced at Siyu, took a deep breath, his eyes slightly red. Judging by the situation earlier, things did not look optimistic. "I saw he was preoccupied when he returned, not in the mood to listen to me explain much. I'll try talking to him again tomorrow."

But what explanation could he offer. Other matters might be fabrications, but their shared history as childhood companions was an undeniable truth, an immutable fact. It was not something he could even attempt to dispute.

Back in the room, lying on the bed staring at the canopy, Qiao Hezhi tossed and turned, his thoughts dwelling on the past.

Yu Lifeng's grandfather had once been the tanhualang (third-place graduate in the imperial examination) in his year. Caught in the political whirlwinds of the court, he was forced to retire early and return to Yuncheng. He brought his young grandson, Yu Lifeng, back with him, and they lived together in the old Yu family residence for seven years.

The Yu family study faced the Qiao residence. In his childhood, Yu Lifeng was diligent and studious. When Qiao Hezhi woke up, he could hear Yu Lifeng reciting lessons. He could hear it while riding his small horse in the courtyard, or while flying kites in the garden... 

His father had always enjoyed making connections. With a family like the Yu family next door, it was natural to send gifts and pay visits. When the Yu family came visiting, Yu Lifeng also came along, and that was how the two of them met.

Afterwards, they naturally grew up like many childhood playmates. Yu Lifeng had climbed over the wall to fight crickets with him, taught him to play with many novelties from the capital... 

It truly was a very beautiful period of time. Old Master Yu, seeing how well the two children got along, had once hinted to Qiao Hezhi's father and mother that when they grew up, the two families could become in-laws.

But the Yu family was a prominent, distinguished lineage, a family of scholars for generations. How could they possibly accept a ger from a merchant family as the principal wife? His father and mother understood this reality all too well. They could never bear to see him become a concubine. A concubine was nothing more than a servant of the main household, a subordinate the principal wife could beat, scold, or sell at will. Even though merchants held a low social status, their own family lived quite comfortably. There was truly no reason for him to endure such indignity.

Because of this, his father and mother frequently admonished him, teaching him to know his place. It was acceptable to interact normally with Yu Lifeng, but not to become overly close, and certainly not to harbor impossible hopes, lest he end up hurting himself in the future.

He had known the difference between the two families since he was little. Although he was somewhat playful by nature, he ultimately kept to his proper bounds. Unfortunately, Yu Lifeng seemed not to share these concerns about social standing. Whenever he went out, if he found something delicious or fun, he would still send it to Qiao Hezhi. Even if his parents forbade him from visiting, he would still climb over the wall corner to deliver things to him.

It was impossible for such things to escape his father and mother's notice. When he was a bit older, his father sought out Yu Lifeng for a talk. At the time, he did not know what exactly the two had discussed. But before his wedding, he learned from his mother that Yu Lifeng had promised his father he would definitely take Qiao Hezhi as his principal wife. He admitted that his family would certainly not accept it then, but he vowed to study diligently. Once he achieved success and gained influence within his family, he would come to propose.

His father was very pleased with this promise and was satisfied with Yu Lifeng. Thus, things proceeded smoothly for about two years. Later, Yu Lifeng passed the provincial examination at a young age. Before the family could even rejoice, they heard that Yu Lifeng's father had been promoted in the capital, becoming a Vice Minister in the Ministry of Personnel, and was to bring Old Master Yu and Yu Lifeng back. 

Naturally, Yu Lifeng subsequently returned to the capital. He was gone for many years without sending a single letter. It was his father who took pains to inquire about news. Yu family servants informed them that Yu Lifeng had passed the jinshi (metropolitan) examination, and later achieved a high rank in the palace examination. The most recent news was from two years ago: he had heard Yu Lifeng was now serving in the Hanlin Academy, and his father had been promoted again to Minister of Personnel. Yu Lifeng's official career was evidently very promising, and with his exceptional talent, countless official families in the capital were eyeing this coveted prize.

Their words carried a tone of looking down on the Qiao family, as if they were clinging to the Yu family in an attempt to elevate their own social standing.

His father would become irritated whenever Yu Lifeng's name was brought up. At home, Qiao Hezhi learned to avoid the subject entirely, and so life continued. Later, his father chose Fang Yu, and the marriage proceeded... Over the years, it was always family members discussing these matters. He probably didn't know the details until before his wedding, when his mother took his hand and earnestly told him that he and Yu Lifeng were impossible, urging him to forget him and live his new life well.

He himself felt rather confused about it all. When Yu Lifeng departed, he was merely twelve. Qiao Hezhi was two or three years younger still. In those childhood years, his mind was primarily occupied with eating and playing. The very concept of "longing" or "attachment" had not yet taken root in his thoughts. How then could anyone speak of him needing to "forget him".

In any case, he didn't know if his parents believed his words or not. Ultimately, the matter passed. He originally thought there would be no more waves. He never could have imagined that Yu Lifeng would actually return.