The Hidden Immortal

Chapter 54 It's good to be confused sometimes.

A year has passed quickly.

The thirty-fourth year of the Jing Kingdom.

Chu Xun was thirty-eight years old, and Huan'er was sixteen.

The prefectural examination was about to begin. The father and son, weary from their journey, traveled by carriage for a bumpy ride to Fenggu City, more than two hundred miles away.

Zhang Sanchun and Lin Qiaoxi didn't come, partly because they had to take care of their business, and partly because they didn't want to put too much pressure on Huan'er.

Besides, with Chu Xun by my side, I feel more at ease than if no one else were here.

If I can pass this year, I can participate in the provincial examination next year and strive for the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations).

Unlike previous dynasties, the imperial examinations in Jing Kingdom did not involve holding the county, prefectural, and provincial examinations in the same year.

There is an exam once a year. Even if you fail the next test, you don't have to start all over again, but it still wastes a lot of time.

Fortunately, Huan'er is intelligent. In Zheng Xiuwen's words, she is exceptionally gifted and may pass the imperial examination even earlier than Li Chang'an, who became a student through donation.

Chu Xun had been to Pingshui Town and Zhangnan County, but this was the first time he had ever been to a city like Fenggu City.

The city wall, two zhang high, is built of large blue bricks, with neatly arranged crenellations on top, and soldiers standing on it holding long spears.

The moat winds around the city wall, its waters shallow and clear, with a few reeds swaying on the banks.

The bridge was bustling with carriages and pedestrians. Several soldiers, armed with long spears and steel swords at their waists, stood by the city gate, their eyes scanning the crowds coming and going.

Compared to such a city, Zhangnan County is incredibly simple.

The carriage was too bumpy, and even with soft cushions, it was still uncomfortable.

Once you go on a long trip, you never want to go again.

After admiring the scenery outside Fenggu City for a while, Chu Xun led Huan'er forward.

At the city gate, a middle-aged man dressed in plain blue robes observed the two for a while before stepping forward to greet them.

"May I ask if you are the distinguished guest Chu Xun from Zhangnan County?"

Chu Xun looked at the middle-aged man who was bowing to him and asked with some doubt, "Do you recognize me, sir?"

The middle-aged man had a gentle expression and smiled, "Lord Tang said that if someone is seen leading students and surveying the city without much awe, then it must be Lord Chu."

Chu Xun then realized that the other party was Tang Shijun's man, and couldn't help but chuckle.

Is this the impression I left on Lord Tang?

"May I ask who this gentleman is...?"

The middle-aged man said, "My name is Wang Huai'an, the postmaster of Fenggu City. I am here to await the arrival of the distinguished guest, Chu, as instructed by Lord Tang."

"Quiet residences have been prepared within the city, specifically for students to study and prepare for exams."

Given Tang Shijun's status, it was naturally inconvenient for him to personally come to greet them.

But asking the postmaster to help prepare a place to stay is a piece of cake.

Although the postmaster was a low-ranking official, he was in charge of postal services and welcoming guests, making him the most suitable candidate for the post at this time.

Knowing Tang Shijun's personality, Chu Xun didn't stand on ceremony and cupped his hands, saying, "Then I'll have to trouble you, sir."

Knowing that he was an acquaintance of the prefect, Wang Huai'an naturally dared not be presumptuous and politely and warmly led the two into the city.

Once you enter the city gate, you'll find yourself on the wide main street.

The bluestone pavement was worn smooth and shiny, and there were houses and shops arranged in a staggered pattern on both sides.

Bookstores, inns, teahouses, and small shops selling writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones—all sorts of colorful signs sway gently in the wind.

With the prefectural examination approaching, there were an unusually large number of scholars dressed in long gowns on the streets.

Some held books in their hands and discussed them in hushed tones, while others stood in groups of three or five in front of the bookstore, arguing over the newly arrived copies of the imperial examinations.

Vendors carrying loads on their shoulders moved among the crowds, their cries of "Sell your wares!" rising and falling.

The sweet aroma of sugar paintings, the fragrance of tea wafting from teahouses, and the oily aroma of street food stalls mingled together, permeating the entire street.

Occasionally, a horse-drawn carriage would pass by, its hooves clattering on the bluestone slabs, causing passersby to scramble to the sides.

This scene is much more lively than that in the county town.

It was the first time Chu Xun and Huan'er had entered such a city, and everything seemed new and exciting.

Wang Huai'an had a keen eye; wherever the father and son looked, he would point it out.

Moreover, he speaks humorously and is never boring, making him an excellent guide.

As Chu Xun passed a steamed bun shop, he saw a man and a woman sitting behind the stall, laughing and feeding each other steamed buns.

The man's mouth and nose were crooked, making him extremely ugly.

The woman had a face full of pockmarks and was not particularly attractive.

Both of them kept grinning foolishly, with drool dripping from the corners of their mouths.

You tear off a piece, I tear off a piece, and we feed each other's mouths.

Even though it was just an ordinary steamed bun, she would say with a grin after each bite, "Husband, have a bite of chicken leg."

"My lady, have a piece of pig's head."

Passersby heard this and some scoffed, while others looked down on it.

"Two idiots."

Seeing Chu Xun look over, Wang Huai'an whispered, "That's the son of Liang Mingzheng, the former prefect, and the only son of the Liang family."

Chu Xun was taken aback. Liang Mingzheng, the former prefect of Fenggu City, had been ordered by the emperor to have his entire family executed for corruption and abuse of power.

However, considering that his father had died protecting the emperor, the emperor allowed one member of the Liang family to be spared.

Those who know about this say that Liang Mingzheng's grandson, Liang Qifeng, is clever and quick-witted, and can compose a poem in seven steps when he is eleven or twelve years old.

If one person's life is to be spared, it should be his.

Chu Xun thought so too; leaving behind a smart person would give the Liang family line a chance to continue.

"Wasn't it Liang Qifeng, the grandson of Prefect Liang, who was spared?" Chu Xun asked.

Wang Huai'an sighed, "That's what we all thought back then, but who could have known that Lord Liang would give his only chance to live to this foolish son?"

"It's just because my son was born mentally challenged and has never been taken seriously by anyone. It would be too pitiful if he were to be beheaded in such a muddle-headed state."

"Although Lord Liang was not a good official, he was a good father."

Huan'er listened with confusion: "Isn't doing this incredibly foolish?"

Wang Huai'an nodded and said, "He does seem confused, but how can outsiders understand whether a father is confused or not?"

It's foolish to keep a stupid son and not want a clever grandson.

If a mother were attacked by a ferocious tiger in the mountains, and sacrificed herself to feed the tiger and lose her life, wouldn't she be wise to ensure her children's safe departure?

With floods raging, are you not foolish enough to risk your life to build dikes and protect your fields?

When a foreign country invades, are the people helping the army to fight to the death not foolish?

Ultimately, there's no such thing as true confusion in this world.

However, some people feel that certain things are important.

Some people think those things are unimportant.

That's it.

Liang Mingzheng had no intention of being an incorruptible official, nor did he want the Liang family to have a chance to rise again.

He just wanted his mentally challenged son to live a few more days.

For him, that's the most important thing.

Wang Huai'an continued, "When Lord Tang first took office, this silly boy was still being hit on the street with stones, his head was bleeding, he was so hungry that he was skin and bones, and all he knew how to do was laugh foolishly."

"Lord Tang is kind-hearted. He not only saved his life, but also found him a woman who was equally foolish to be his wife."

"Now that we have this small steamed bun shop, we won't be rich, but we won't starve either."

Chu Xun listened in silence. When he first heard that the entire Liang family had been executed, he felt that they deserved to die.

But now, seeing that silly couple, pinching steamed buns and feeding each other while laughing and joking, I feel a bit sorry for Liang Mingzheng.

It seems to have some merits.

They did something that others would despise.

He did something that others couldn't do.

However, in the eyes of others, this former prefect was probably even more foolish than his son.