HE With the Cold Male Protagonist C57

Chapter 57: On the Eve of the Prefectural Exam, a Plot

“This matter—I’ve received reliable word. But the official commencement will wait until after the prefectural exams. For now, everyone should think about which member of the household will go.”

“But let me make this clear first: if you can gather the silver, then gather the silver. Use money in place of labor. Digging a water channel is no small task—this is no mere ditch, but a flood-diverting canal. The dangers are unpredictable. One might not return for a year or more.”

At these words, panic spread among the crowd. To return at all would already be considered fortunate—many feared they might never come back!

But scraping together money was no simple matter.

In this dynasty, corvée was already crushing. Beyond these great projects of building walls, canals, and palaces, there were endless petty tasks in the yamen: porters, watchmen, gatekeepers, clerks. These all had no wages, and one even had to provide one’s own meals.

Every year, service was required. To avoid it, each household had to pay one shi of grain, about equal to one tael of silver. For common folk who earned only seven or eight taels in a year, this was already a heavy burden.

Most had already paid earlier this year. Now, suddenly, came this enormous new labor duty. After household expenses, those with even ten taels left were considered well-off.

This, and only because some had earned money working in Baiye’s workshop.

But what little they had hardly warmed in their hands before it must be surrendered again. Everyone’s hearts ached.

For Baiye, paying in silver was no issue—he had recently struck it rich. The problem was the autumn harvest loomed. If Clear Water Village’s laborers were conscripted, his workshop would grind to a halt.

That wasn’t the gravest concern—at worst, production would fall, and Shanyi Hall might seize more trade.

But if these men left, many would never return.

That would strike every family in the village with a heavy blow.

And among those liable were the very workers in his own workshop.

If possible, he wished to avert this misfortune. Luckily, Xiao Sanzi and Liu Gong had returned from outside these past two days.

And the preparations he had laid in advance would soon prove their worth…

While Madam He and Jiang Dazhu both suffered from a kind of “corvée trauma”—Dazhu having barely survived military service himself—Baiye remained outwardly calm, packing Lizhi’s belongings.

The next day, they arrived a day early at an inn near the examination hall. From the outside it looked shabby, but it was quiet and conveniently close. Thanks to Helin, who had booked in advance, they secured the best room.

Upon entering, they saw many examinees in scholar’s robes in the hall, nervously discussing the test, sweating as they gulped water.

Those were the weak-hearted ones.

Others, more composed, avoided talking of the exam and instead spoke excitedly of “Lord Qingyuan.”

“Once the exam’s over, I’m going to Hànmò Pavilion to hear the storytelling of Night Frightened Heaven. They say it’s different from reading it oneself—I must hear it for myself.”

“Hànmò Pavilion? Ha! You won’t get in. My father booked half a month early and still failed. They say reservations now stretch to the tenth month. That Elder Yi—tsk, tsk—he’s famous now! People come from other prefectures. The hall is packed to the rafters, no one even eats meals!”

“I heard some people chase multiple sessions, listening again and again. One rich young master even tried to take Elder Yi home for private performance. Guess what happened?”

“He must have been thrashed! I’d have joined in myself!”

Indeed, the fop was taught a harsh lesson, dragged out, and banned forever.

After all, those who came ranged from commoners to hidden dignitaries. Who knew if the man beside you was a local magnate or an official?

Others had also tried to monopolize Elder Yi, but Hànmò Pavilion set strict rules to prevent offense. Over time, all obeyed willingly.

Who didn’t want to listen in peace? For the illiterate, who could not see the deeper meanings, hearing Elder Yi’s explanations and vivid performance transported them into the very scenes themselves. It was enthralling.

And this was only Night Frightened Heaven. Just memorizing, analyzing, and transforming it into performance had cost Elder Yi much effort.

In recent days, with Lord Qingyuan’s fame and Elder Yi’s skill, Hànmò Pavilion had begun preparing a new teahouse devoted solely to storytelling.

Baiye listened with interest. He had heard similar reports from Helin before. But someone else remained indifferent—even to collecting his share of the silver.

When Baiye turned, he found Lizhi had slipped away, not a hint of curiosity.

Baiye let him be. Few besides his parents, Granny Li, and the workshop masters knew of their relationship. A few gossipy women had guessed, but to others, he kept it hidden—for Lizhi’s sake.

Even so, once he left, a table of Qingsong Academy students began whispering.

“Did you see? Lu Lizhi—yet another new lover!”

“Hah! Who knows who this one is. Maybe he’ll buy him the top rank again. Just wait and see.”

The county exams were not like the larger provincial ones. For those with power, there was always room for manipulation.

“Such unfairness—some sell themselves—”

“Shh! Don’t foul our ears. Even if he passes, even if he wins all three first places, what then? At the provincial exam, his mask will slip. And this time’s examiner is no easy man—who knows what will happen?”

Nearby, Yu Zhijie, also staying at the inn, narrowed his eyes. At once he summoned his servant and whispered instructions.

That very night, the provincial examiner, Prefectural Education Commissioner Tai Song, received an anonymous letter. Suspiciously, its contents echoed other rumors he had already heard.

It accused one “Lu Lizhi,” a mute, of indulging in male love, of indecent private conduct. If admitted, it claimed, he would corrupt the scholarly tradition. If allowed to serve as an official, he would endanger the very state.

Between the lines, this lowly student, county and prefectural top scorer, was painted as some seductive, nation-ruining demon.

Tai Song found it laughable. In his years as examiner, he had seen countless such petty tricks—ugly, vicious rivalries. This letter was mild compared to some. Yet the content still disgusted him.

Clearly, they had struck at his taboo.

For if Tai Song despised anything in life, it was men who loved men.

Whether Lizhi did or not, he did not care. A mere student, uncertain even to pass, was beneath him—a former Triple First champion. He would not stoop.

Yet… a man whom everyone spurned and reviled—surely something was wrong with his character.

Most likely his conduct was indeed dubious. Otherwise, why would all target him alone?

Thus, in his mind, over Lu Lizhi’s name, Tai Song drew a great cross.

An examiner’s whim could decide between admission and ruin.

Unaware of any of this, Lizhi went to bed early, untroubled.

Baiye had advised him to come early, to accustom himself to the food and routine. Any sudden stomach upset could ruin one’s state in the hall.

This made Lizhi think of his earlier exams—alone, with no one to aid him. Granny Li had been ill. He had gone in alone, come out alone.

County and prefectural exams stretched over many days. He had forced himself through, then collapsed ill afterward.

Now, for the prefectural exam, not only Granny Li but Baiye’s whole family, even those who knew Baiye well, sent blessings.

Lizhi felt he had no excuse to falter.

The next dawn, he rose according to the exam schedule. That morning, Ding Lihui and three classmates came to meet him, to ensure no mishaps. The student-holder he had engaged confirmed all arrangements.

After breakfast, the student-holder moved into the room next to his. All was ready—only the east wind awaited.

Ding Lihui and his friends were excited, fists clenched. “Do you think we’ll all pass?”

“Of course! Let’s show them—success isn’t just for flatterers!”

Passing by, Yu Zhijie let out a cold snort. “I only hope none of you get dragged down by certain others…”

His tone feigned pity, his eyes glancing at Lizhi and Ding Lihui.

Lizhi frowned. That air of smug menace hinted at trouble.

But whatever came, he would face it.

Fingering the jade pendant Baiye had returned to him yesterday, he believed—his family’s spirit would protect him.

Throughout the day, more students arrived from all the counties, filling the inn.

Some fell ill at once—fine before, but after lunch, sudden diarrhea struck. Nerves, nothing more—but crippling for the exam.

Others grew irritable, cramming furiously.

Lizhi joined Ding Lihui’s group briefly, then returned to write—not exam essays, but the fourth installment of Ask the Wind of Love. Inspiration had come.

Had others known that the revered Lord Qingyuan could pen such work on the eve of the exam, they would have been astonished.

When exam day dawned, still black outside, Baiye, his parents, Uncle Luo, and even Village Chief Wang came to escort him.

The prefectural exam had main and secondary sessions, held in the academies of the prefectural city, overseen by imperial commissioner-examiners. The format resembled the county and prefectural tests, but far more difficult.

Thus, the strict atmosphere within and without the hall pressed heavily on every heart.

Author’s Note:

Tai Song—you’ll eat your words.