Chapter 56
Fang Yu lowered his gaze to look at the person leaning in his embrace. The rather thin lips were as red as crabapple blossoms, with two bite marks left on the lower lip from being pressed too hard.
He gently traced his finger over those lips.
The person in his sleep stirred. Fang Yu felt a surge of tenderness and affection. Extending his arm, he hugged Qiao Hezhi tighter, draping one leg over his calves, enclosing even his feet.
Qiao Hezhi’s brows knit together as he slowly opened his eyes. Though his gaze was somewhat unfocused, upon seeing who was beside him, he closed his eyes again in contentment. His throat was slightly dry and hoarse as he whispered, "Don't touch, it hurts a little."
Remembering it was daylight and there were unfamiliar people in the courtyard, yesterday he hadn't dared to make a single sound. Fortunately, the rain later grew heavier, and when the entire city was engulfed in its noise, he finally allowed himself some movement. Unexpectedly, this seemed to delight the other person even more, leading to endless torment. It was only when he cried and begged for mercy that he was finally soothed.
Indeed, much of what the books said wasn't false. Though they were highly improper and made one's face flush and heart race, at least he had learned many things he hadn't known before, suffering a little less because of it.
But experiencing such torment for the first time, he was totally lost. Even though many hours had passed, he kept feeling an unusual sensation in his body, and it still hurt somewhat now. Yesterday was simply beyond words.
Now he understood why customs in Fang Yu’s hometown were different. It turned out it wasn't tradition, but rather a form of care and protection. In the past, not knowing the reason behind it, he had only been taught that consummating the marriage upon marriage was a matter of course, even sanctified.
Back when he wanted Fang Yu to share a bed with him early on, Fang Yu would always coax and dissuade him. He had felt it was an excuse, that Fang Yu didn't truly like him that much. Only now did he learn the reason.
He shifted slightly, letting Fang Yu know he was awake, but didn't speak.
Fang Yu chuckled softly and kissed Qiao Hezhi's ear. "Acting spoiled so early in the morning?"
"Not at all."
"Then what are you thinking about, not saying a word?"
Qiao Hezhi said softly, "Not thinking about anything."
Fang Yu gently stroked the slender back beneath the thin inner robe, conducting a survey. "Did you find pleasure last night?"
Qiao Hezhi’s face flushed, and he said fiercely, "If you tease me like this again, I won't sleep with you in the future."
"I'm wronged. If I don't know what you think, with so many days ahead, wouldn't that make you suffer?"
Qiao Hezhi said, "Then there wasn't any."
Fang Yu laughed helplessly. "Nowadays you dare say anything, leaving me no face at all."
He had been extremely gentle yesterday, precisely because he cherished him, afraid that a bad first impression would make things difficult later. He had exercised immense patience and restraint. Though later he couldn't quite control the pace, he hadn't seen any sign of discomfort from the other. On the contrary, he had even relaxed his bitten lips. Wasn't that an acknowledgment of him?
"You little thing, saying one thing but meaning another."
Qiao Hezhi said aggrievedly, "E-even if, as you say, there was a little, overall it still hurt!" It wasn’t at all like those storybooks and pamphlets said—something soul-stirring, something you couldn’t pull yourself away from… Pure nonsense, really.
The ones who wrote and drew those things… they must have been men.
Otherwise, how could they boast like that?
Fang Yu patted his head, offering comfort and education. "It'll be better once you get used to it. The first time is unfamiliar, the second time you get the hang of it. Everything has an adjustment period. Besides, the first time is often a bit quick. It'll be better when the duration increases later."
Qiao Hezhi’s eyes widened slightly. "Y-you, how long do you still want to torment me?" Yesterday was already over half a shichen; if it goes on any longer, wouldn't that just leave me with no way out?
Fang Yu found it amusing. "As long as you don't find it too quick."
Qiao Hezhi nuzzled against Fang Yu’s chest, signaling him to lift him a bit higher, changing to a more comfortable position. "I have something serious to discuss with you."
Hearing this, Fang Yu also became serious. "Tell me whatever is on your mind. Don't keep it bottled up."
"After you departed for the examinations, Mother-in-law brought home a young ger and a girl from somewhere. She said they appeared to be good prospects for bearing children and intended to keep them for you as concubines."
Qiao Hezhi cautiously watched Fang Yu’s expression. Seeing him frown tightly, his expression also disapproving of the matter, he felt relieved to continue. "After bringing them back, Mother-in-law wanted them to serve me tea. I didn't agree, thinking it was better for you to decide upon your return. Mother-in-law refused to drop the matter. She had the two of them attend to me daily, insisting they were being trained in the proper etiquette for serving you. It made me so upset that, in a moment of anger, I decided to come to Yongjiang Prefecture."
"You did the right thing," Fang Yu said. "Fortunately, you didn't agree. Otherwise, it would have been hard for me to send them away when I returned."
"If I had known you would suffer at home, I should have brought you with me from the start. I thought Mother had been quiet for so long that she wasn't like before, but it seems old habits die hard."
Qiao Hezhi sighed. "I also understand she is concerned about continuing the Fang family line. Me not allowing you to take concubines, in this matter, I also acted willfully."
"It's best if you stay this willful forever. I told you I only want to be with you, and I meant it. You having this awareness saves me a lot of trouble. When I return, I'll drive those two away immediately."
Fang Yu said coldly, "I told her long ago that I am not her son. If she doesn't live peacefully, I won't indulge her. She actually took it all as empty words. Since when does she need to worry about my family line?"
"Mother-in-law isn't disbelieving your words. But seeing you look exactly like that person, even if she senses something amiss, at her age she's unwilling to admit it. She'd rather deceive herself and still acknowledge you as her biological son." Qiao Hezhi said, "As for the unusual aspects, having no one else to blame or vent her anger on, she can only pin it on me, feeling that I've changed her filial son. That's why she repeatedly looks down on me."
"I've made you suffer."
Qiao Hezhi shook his head. He understood clearly in his heart. "Meeting you is already my good fortune. If not for you, I would have endured a lifetime of hardship. A little grievance like this is nothing. I often wake from dreams feeling you are heaven's gift to me."
Fang Yu held the person close, his expression abruptly turning somber. Since Madam Chen showed no trace of deference toward him, then she should not blame him for acting without sentiment—he would send her to the countryside to live out her remaining days in retirement!
Around noon, Fang Yu got up, planning to buy some food. Originally, he intended to go out to eat, but Qiao Hezhi was lounging lazily in bed, unable to get up yet calling out that he was hungry. He really had no way with him.
Outside, the rain was still pattering down, the entire courtyard wet with puddles. He happened to see Sheng Jia also coming out of his room, holding an umbrella as if to go out, so the two went together.
"Why are you alone?"
Fang Yu said directly, "Hezhi is still resting."
Sheng Jia offered no reply, merely curling his lips into a meaningful smile. Fang Yu arched a brow slightly—this man understood the situation all too well.
Considering how easily Qiao Hezhi became embarrassed, and with several days still remaining before the results were announced—days during which they would inevitably have to interact with others—he made an excuse for him. "He's been frail since childhood, raised delicately, and never traveled far from home. The journey here was arduous and turbulent; his body couldn't quite handle it."
Upon hearing this, Sheng Jia stopped smiling and coughed dryly. "Then Brother Fang should find some tonics to help your fulang recuperate. Coming and going like this really makes one prone to illness."
"Thank you for your concern, Brother Sheng."
The results for the provincial examination were scheduled to be announced during the first ten days of the ninth lunar month. The current court policy required examiners to finish grading all papers within half a month. After review and confirmation by the Ministry of Rites officials dispatched from the capital, the results could be announced.
The firsthand news Fang Yu got from Li Yun was that the official posting would be on the second day of the ninth month. Having this information, with about half a month left until the posting, he indulged in taking Qiao Hezhi around the prefectural city for enjoyment.
First, they tasted all the local delicacies in the city. After that, Fang Yu took Qiao Hezhi to nearby scenic spots where they went boating on the lake and hiked through the mountains. Along the way, Fang Yu wrote down plenty of recommendations for good places to eat and tips for travelers. By the end of their trip, he had written so many notes that they could have filled an issue of a publication.
Sheng Jia occasionally joined the couple on their outings. Learning that they actually ran such an interesting teahouse, he worked through the night, writing many notes on things to pay attention to while taking the exams.
As most were based on personal experience, they were much more detailed than what the academy teachers taught. Many of the stories were not only engaging but also offered meaningful insights.
Fang Yu was the first real beneficiary of Sheng Jia's exam advice. Seeing such good material, he collected it all and boldly titled it "Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls in the Provincial Exams." He also promised Sheng Jia that upon returning to Yuncheng, he would compile these articles into a book and split the manuscript fees earned fifty-fifty.
Hearing this, Sheng Jia became even more enthusiastic, pouring out everything he had learned, encountered, and felt over the years into writing articles about the provincial exams. He even pulled Fang Yu into co-authoring, saying the articles needed to be enough for a book.
After all, what scholar could resist the allure of publishing a book? Thus, without delay, they threw themselves into the task. Sheng Jia focused on practical guidance—how to steer clear of ill-intentioned individuals aiming to sabotage one’s exam prospects—while Fang Yu documented the more everyday details: which eateries along the route served the best meals, and which inns were affordable and comfortable. Sheng Jia wrote about how to deal with disasters like bandits, landslides, and floods, while Fang Yu wrote about how much dry food to eat and water to drink in the exam compartment to minimize bathroom breaks and avoid being disturbed by odors...
Qiao Hezhi wasn't idle either, becoming the first reader of the "Guide to the Provincial Exams." He often laughed without restraint, before earnestly pointing out any errors or unsuitable passages to the two writers. Not stopping there, he also dispatched servants to purchase fresh vegetables and meat, then personally prepared nourishing soups and thoughtful dishes to sustain the two hardworking literary masters.
Sheng Jia greatly praised this period as the happiest and most comfortable time he had lived in all his years.
By the time "The Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls in the Provincial Exams" was completed, it covered all aspects of clothing, food, shelter, and transportation. But Sheng Jia felt such a topic couldn't possibly cover all pitfalls with just the two of them. So Fang Yu thoughtfully added the phrase "To Be Continued" at the end of the book, which satisfied everyone.
At the same time, the day for the results posting was approaching. Yongjiang County suddenly became tranquil overnight, entering a state of extreme tension and alarm.
Early on the morning of the second day of the ninth month, Qiao Hezhi got up, dragged Fang Yu into the carriage, and went to wait for the results posting. They set off even earlier than they had for the exam itself. The road was filled with people rushing to see the results, everyone's hearts in their throats.
Looking at the hurried crowds, Fang Yu actually felt a sense of long-lost nervousness. He hadn't even felt this way when his college entrance exam results came out. Mainly it was because he had promised Qiao Hezhi earlier, and having boasted so much, if he didn't make the list this time, it would be truly embarrassing.
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