Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 151

Yu Fuling glanced at Yu Jiao’s face and asked, “Are you still worried about your mother and younger brother?”

Yu Jiao didn’t deny it. “Without land, they don’t have any food. I’m afraid they’re going hungry.”

As she sewed clothes, Yu Fuling said, “Do you want to go back to the village to check on them?”

That was indeed what Yu Jiao had in mind. But… she still had concerns. After all, Liu Sanniang and her son were people the original Yujiao had lived closely with. She was afraid she might slip up.

At the Yu household, she could be herself because the original Yu Jiao hadn’t been here long and wasn’t very familiar with anyone. Any small changes in personality would likely go unnoticed.

But with Liu Sanniang, it didn’t matter how indifferent she might have been to her daughter. After more than ten years of living together, she would certainly recognize even small habits or shifts in temperament.

“If you really can’t let it go, then have little brother go back with you tomorrow,” Yu Fuling said indignantly. “That eldest uncle of yours is truly shameless. Who steals land from his deceased brother’s widow? You going back is a good idea. If it comes to it, ask father, eldest uncle, and Zhixing-ge to go with you. We absolutely can’t let your mother and younger brother continue being bullied by your uncle’s family.”

Yu Jiao felt warmth spread through her chest at those words. “When Wu-ge returns, I’ll speak to him.”

After a pause, she added, “The county-level exam is coming soon. Time’s tight, and he needs to focus on studying. I think it’s better if I return with aunt and the others tomorrow.”

Mentioning the exams brought a crease to Yu Fuling’s brow as well. With some concern, she said, “Little brother’s studies were set back by two or three years. I’m not sure if he’ll pass this time. But that’s okay too. Now that his health is better, if not this year, he can always try again.”

The imperial exams were held every three years, unlike the modern age with yearly academic opportunities. Missing one meant waiting another three years, which had wasted the youth and efforts of countless scholars.

It was said that some tested until they were old and gray and still never passed. And Yu Qizhe came from a remote village like Qingyu, however talented he was, he couldn’t match the breadth of knowledge and exposure available to scholars raised near the capital.

Yu Jiao thought, if Yu Qizhe didn’t pass this time, she would have to quietly persuade him not to be so fixated on the civil service path. One couldn’t stake their whole life on the exams alone.

“Junior brother, how confident are you in topping the rankings in this round of the imperial exams?” Lu Jin sat in a pavilion at the foot of the mountain, gazing into the vast, misty hills as he sipped from a wine jug and asked Yu Qizhe.

With Master Huijue’s passing, Fahua Temple no longer felt like home to him. Lu Jin felt that he had lost the one place in the world where he truly belonged.

Yu Qizhe also took a sip from the wine jug. He didn’t usually drink, and the sharp liquor burned down his throat, momentarily dispelling the heaviness and grief lodged in his chest. They had just come down from the pagoda forest after paying respects to Master Huijue. The sorrow still lingered between them.

“We’ll see once I take the test,” Yu Qizhe replied after swallowing the wine. He wasn’t the arrogant type. Even with a brilliant mentor like Master Huijue guiding him, he didn’t dare claim complete confidence in surpassing every scholar in the empire.

Though Master Huijue had been a monk, he was a man of vast knowledge, profound wisdom, and sharp political insight. Though removed from the court, he possessed the talent to govern a nation. Whether discussing civil policies or national affairs, his insights were extraordinary.

Lu Jin turned to him and said, “Don’t sell yourself short. Master said you had the talent to rise in government, that your path would be smooth. I’ll be waiting for you in the capital for the final palace exam.”

He had great faith in Yu Qizhe’s abilities, convinced that he would pass both the provincial and national exams.

Though he himself was not as gifted academically, he had excelled in martial arts. Thanks to Master Huijue’s past friendship with Gao Jian, commander of the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard), Lu Jin had gained entry into the elite corps. He now held the rank of qianhu (company commander).

“You’re far from the capital, news doesn’t travel easily here. Once you arrive in the capital, I’ll fill you in on the current political landscape,” Lu Jin advised. “But there’s one thing you must remember, His Majesty is a devout follower of Daoist rituals. He greatly reveres Daoist priests. If you intend to criticize policies in your exam essays, never target Daoism.”

Yu Qizhe nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

In the distant pavilion, far from court politics, they could speak freely. Lu Jin couldn’t help but say more.

“The court is in chaos these days. The Emperor is obsessed with Daoist practices and neglects state affairs. He blindly trusts the eunuch Cheng Ying, head of the Directorate of Ceremonial. Most memorials are approved by him now. The Directorate has essentially become another cabinet. Even the Grand Secretary Shen Tian seeks his favor in private.”

He sighed, then closed his eyes and sneered bitterly. “Once, I was full of ambition, thinking I could change the world. But now that I’m in the thick of it, I realize I’m just a speck in the ocean. Everything I’ve done has drifted far from what I originally set out to achieve.”

Though Yu Qizhe hadn’t yet stepped into officialdom, hearing all this made him realize his future path would not be easy. Still, he wasn’t afraid.

Standing tall with his hands behind his back, his pale face flushed faintly from the wine. Looking toward the direction of the capital, his deep-set, narrow peach blossom eyes glimmered with fierce determination. He harbored great ambitions and was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

“Though poor, remain steadfast. Never abandon your lofty aspirations,” Yu Qizhe said quietly, turning back to Lu Jin.

Hearing this, Lu Jin raised the wine jug and clinked it against his, laughing as he drained it. He stood up, renewed with a sense of heroism, his earlier melancholy swept away, and slapped the jug back on the stone table.

With the boldness of wine in his veins, he said, “When Master accepted me as his disciple, he once said: A man should set his heart on heaven and earth, bring peace to the people, preserve the teachings of the sages, and open peace for all generations. Master gave everything to teach us in hopes of seeing this world in peace and harmony. I, Zhanjin, will never forget it.”

He smiled freely after speaking, swept his robes dramatically, and patted Yu Qizhe on the shoulder. “Good brother, I’m off.”

Yu Qizhe also set down his wine jug. “There’s one more thing I need your help with.”

Lu Jin smirked and leaned against Yu Qizhe’s shoulder playfully. “What is it? For you to call me ‘senior brother’ on your own accord, it must be something big!”

Yu Qizhe brushed his hand away, stepped aside slightly, and said seriously, “Your Jinyiwei position, would it be useful here? I need you to go to the county office and help me change a household registry.”

“Of course it’s useful,” Lu Jin said proudly. “In a place like the capital, my qianzhong (commander) title may be small, but out here in the sticks, even a minor official from the capital has weight.”

Not to mention that the Jinyiwei’s Zhenfusi (Judicial and Military Office) had the authority to monitor and discipline officials. No matter how small the rank, it commanded fear and respect.

“Whose household registry needs changing?” Lu Jin asked, curiosity piqued.

“Yu Jiao’s,” Yu Qizhe said after a pause, his voice firm. “She is my wife. When grandfather registered us at the county office, she was mistakenly recorded as my younger sister.”

Lu Jin stared at him with a grin. “So that’s why she was sleeping in your room the other day. Turns out she’s your wife after all.”