Chapter 37: Anticipation (Bonus Chapter!)

After a brief two-day rest at home, Wang Mingyuan persisted in waking up early to return to the village school for review.

Upon entering the inner hall of the school, he was surprised to find Master Zhao already sitting behind his worn, polished desk, leafing through a yellowed volume.

"Master," Wang Mingyuan bowed in salute.

Master Zhao looked up at the sound of his voice. Seeing it was him, he said nothing, merely gesturing toward the empty bench opposite the desk.

Understanding, Wang Mingyuan sat down, took out his copy of the *Collected Commentaries on the Mencius*, which was densely filled with his own annotations, and began to read silently.

The only sounds in the room were the rustling of pages and the faint, fragmented chirping of sparrows outside the window.

As the sun climbed higher, the other students arrived. Master Zhao went to the main classroom to teach. Once the day's lessons were concluded, he returned to the inner hall. His gaze finally settled on Wang Mingyuan’s lowered, focused brow, and he spoke:

"You were reviewing the 'Li Lou' chapter yesterday?" The master's voice broke the room's stillness with its habitual steadiness.

"Yes, Master."

Wang Mingyuan hurriedly put down his book and raised the difficult points he had sorted through the previous day. Master Zhao addressed them one by one.

Once the dialogue ended, Master Zhao picked up his coarse ceramic teacup and took a sip of the lukewarm tea. He remained silent for a moment, sighed, and then spoke:

"Mingyuan," Master Zhao’s voice dropped lower, "being the top of the county examination is merely a starting point. The prefectural and provincial examinations are where the true battle of dragons and tigers takes place."

Wang Mingyuan felt a jolt in his heart and straightened his back. "This student understands and dares not slacken in the slightest."

"It is good that you understand." Master Zhao nodded slightly, then abruptly changed the subject. "However, in my view, staying here in Yongle Town, remaining at this village school, will yield you little further progress."

Wang Mingyuan looked up at the master, and seeing that he had more to say, he did not interrupt.

"The prefectural examination is drawing near. The city of Chang'an will gather the brightest talents from the entire prefecture. Renting lodgings, familiarizing yourself with the grounds, seeking out renowned scholars, exchanging insights—which of these does not require time?"

"If you wait until the last minute to arrive, I fear that in the rush, you will struggle even to find a place to stay. It would be better to... set out a step early."

"Set out early?" Wang Mingyuan was slightly startled.

"Yes, set out early," Master Zhao affirmed, his gaze sharp as he looked directly at him. "Do not remain confined to this small corner of the village school. As for me..."

He paused, and across his usually tranquil face, a rare and complex emotion flickered—appearing as a mix of gratification, melancholy, and a faint, hidden trace of loss.

"What I can teach you has reached its end."

Wang Mingyuan felt a profound shock, as if struck by something heavy. These words from his master were tantamount to admitting that he, the student, had already surpassed his teacher; there was nothing left for the master to impart!

An indescribable sourness instantly rushed to the bridge of his nose.

Before he could speak, however, Master Zhao reached into his desk drawer and took out a sealed letter. The envelope was made of ordinary blue-gray paper, with "To be opened personally by Instructor Li of the Chang'an Prefectural Academy" written on it in neat running script.

"Take this." The master handed him the letter, his fingertips conveying a subtle, solemn weight.

"A dear friend and former classmate of mine now serves as an instructor of classical studies at the Chang'an Prefectural Academy, in charge of curriculum. I wrote to him some time ago and only received a reply today. With this letter, you may be granted permission to sit in on their classes."

Wang Mingyuan took the heavy letter with both hands, feeling his palms burning. The Prefectural Academy! That was the highest institution, gathering the top scholars of the entire prefecture!

"Master..." his throat tightened.

Master Zhao waved his hand, his gaze passing over the youth toward the window, his voice carrying a sense of distance and expectation:

"Auditing at the Prefectural Academy is merely a makeshift measure. What I hope for is that you will achieve successive victories in the prefectural and provincial examinations, enter the academy through the front door, and perhaps even... strike at the threshold of becoming a provincial graduate!"

He withdrew his gaze and let it fall back onto Wang Mingyuan’s face, his eyes burning. "Mingyuan, with your aptitude and character, your vision should be set much further. A mere title of 'cultivated talent' should not be your end, nor is it my desire; I do not wish to see you buried here!"

This candid, direct guidance and expectation were like thunder ringing in his ears, exploding in Wang Mingyuan’s heart!

"Thump!"

Wang Mingyuan did not hesitate; he lunged from his seat, his knees hitting the cold blue-brick floor with a heavy thud, and he bowed deeply to his mentor.

His forehead struck the ground with a dull sound.

"The grace of your tutelage is something I will never forget as long as I live!"

He lifted his head; his eyes were red, but his voice was firm and resolute. "This student... will certainly not betray your high hopes! On the road to the Prefectural Academy, no matter how many thousands of dangers and obstacles there may be, I shall forge ahead with all my might! Should I achieve any advancement in the future, it will all be due to your guidance today!"

Master Zhao looked quietly at the youth kneeling before him, who seemed to overlap with the small figure that had first become his student years ago. This figure now bore the dreams he once held himself.

After a long while, he sighed softly, with an indescribable sense of relief and gratification. "Rise. The road ahead must ultimately be walked by yourself."

Wang Mingyuan understood that this was all Master Zhao could do for him. The master had paved his way and pointed him toward his future; how could he not cherish and be grateful for this devotion?

Wang Mingyuan walked with heavy steps to the dormitory and began to pack his few scattered belongings.

"Mingyuan! The master says you are leaving? Are you truly going?" Zhang Wentao’s voice came from outside. He ran in, panting, his face filled with urgency.

"Yes, I am going to the prefectural city to prepare for the exams," Wang Mingyuan nodded, stuffing his last book into his satchel.

Zhang Wentao’s chubby face fell for a moment, then he forced a smile and slapped his chest forcefully. "Pah! It’s not like you aren't coming back! How far is the city from our Yongle Town? When you pass the exams and become a scholar, I’ll treat you to the most expensive banquet at the Zui Xian Lou in the city!"

He leaned in, bumped Wang Mingyuan’s shoulder, and winked. "Besides, I reckon... in a few days, we’ll have plenty of chances to see each other in the city!"

"You are going to the city too?"

Wang Mingyuan was a bit surprised, though he knew Zhang's grandmother had passed away last year and he had attended the funeral. With the old lady gone, there was indeed no reason for Zhang Wentao to stay in Yongle Town. Furthermore, Zhang's father’s business was growing, and they were destined to move to a larger place, yet he hadn't expected Zhang Wentao to move so soon.

"Hehe, heaven's secrets must not be leaked!" Zhang Wentao shook his head triumphantly, lowering his voice mysteriously. "Anyway, you just focus on doing well in your exams! When the time comes, become a scholar for me! Let us have some glory! I’ll be able to tell everyone that I am the brother of a scholar, hehe!"

His carefree, confident demeanor did much to dilute the sorrow of parting.

Wang Mingyuan laughed and punched him lightly. "Fine! I’ll take your word for it!"

As he stepped out of the school gates with his light satchel on his back, Wang Mingyuan could not help but stop and look back. The familiar blue-brick courtyard, the old tree under the eaves, the quiet classrooms... Scenes from the past few years flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern. His heart felt full, heavy, yet strangely empty.

Back home, his mother, Mrs. Zhao, and his second sister-in-law were sitting on small stools at the kitchen door, sorting vegetables. Wang Mingyuan told his mother about the master’s arrangements.

"Why are you leaving again?" Mrs. Zhao’s voice was dry, carrying a trace of an imperceptible tremor. "You’ve only... only... been back for a few days!"

Mrs. Zhao put down the vegetables and stood up, rubbing her mud-stained hands, not knowing where to put them. "Then... I will prepare things for you... it must be prepared early..."

She busied herself with frantic movements, but her murmurs grew quieter and quieter. "The city is so far... isn't there still time before the exams? Can't you... can't you stay at home a bit longer?"

She looked back at her son with pleading eyes, brimming with reluctance and a faint glimmer of hope. "Our family... life is better now, we have enough to eat and wear, your father and brothers can work... do you... do you really have to..."

"Woman’s talk! Long hair and short insight!"

A harsh, rough shout exploded from the courtyard gate!

Wang Jinbao and his son Wang Daniu walked into the courtyard one after another, their trouser legs still stained with fresh, wet mud, carrying empty baskets that had held incense and candles. They had clearly just returned from the ancestral graves on the back hill.

A strange excitement glowed on the sun-tanned faces of Wang Jinbao and Wang Daniu, and their eyes were shockingly bright. Wang Jinbao strode up to Mrs. Zhao, pointing at her as he reprimanded her:

"A good man has his ambitions in the four corners of the world! Do you understand? Our Sanlang is a star of literature descended from heaven! He is meant for great things! Can he be like you, spending a lifetime circling the kitchen stove? That’s called being good-for-nothing! The men of our Wang family are not cowards!"

"That’s right, Sanlang is the star of literature, he will surely achieve great things!" Wang Daniu echoed from the side.

Wang Jinbao became more agitated as he spoke, his spit almost landing on Mrs. Zhao’s face. Mrs. Zhao shrank back, her eyes reddening, but she was bewildered and, upon realizing, became furious. "What kind of madness are you two suffering from? And Wang Jinbao, have you grown some guts, daring to scold me like this?"

Seeing the situation worsening, Wang Mingyuan called out, "Father!"

Wang Jinbao snapped out of it and immediately turned to look at his son. The look of rage vanished instantly, replaced by a nearly devout excitement. He stepped forward and slammed his fan-like hand onto Wang Mingyuan’s thin shoulder, making him stumble.

"Sanlang! Good! Well done! You should go to the city early!" Wang Jinbao’s voice was loud, causing the dust on the rafters to rain down. "You don't know, just now when your brother and I were offering incense to our ancestors..."

He stopped abruptly, exchanging a knowing glance with Wang Daniu. A look of mixed awe, ecstasy, and absolute conviction appeared on both their faces!

Wang Mingyuan was left feeling completely baffled by them.

"Oh, never mind that!" Wang Daniu rubbed his hands, his dark face filled with impatient radiance, as he rushed to say, "Listen to Father, he’s right! Pack up quickly! Brother will help you pack your things!"

He acted as if his backside were on fire, dropping the incense basket, and charged into the inner room, where the sounds of rummaging through boxes and cabinets immediately broke out.

Mrs. Zhao watched the unnatural urgency of the father and son, then looked at her favorite youngest son. She sighed, too tired to argue with her husband—after all, in this family, the men made the major decisions, and her previous protests were just the result of a mother’s doting heart.

She wiped her face with the back of her rough hand, sniffled, and resigned herself to her fate, saying in a hoarse voice:

"Fine, fine, stop standing there! When you are out and about, don't you need to have your food and clothes prepared properly? Expecting you men to do it? Humph!"

She turned and dove into the kitchen, the clashing of pots and pans sounding ten times louder than usual, as if she were venting her stifled frustration.

Wang Mingyuan stood there, watching the fanatical, busy figures of his father and brother, feeling completely at a loss. The sorrow of parting had not even had time to brew before it was inexplicably driven away by this strange, near-forced departure.

Just moments ago, unknown to him, when his father and brother were at the ancestral graves, the family’s ancestral tomb had truly "emitted smoke," and it had risen quite high!

Furthermore, when they were burning the paper money, a whirlwind had swept the ashes into the sky!

His brother had shouted that the ancestors were manifesting their power, and that Mingyuan would surely climb the ladder of success step by step! Because just moments before, he had made a grand wish to the ancestors—that Mingyuan would become the top scholar, and he wanted to be the brother of the top scholar!

Seeing these signs, they were overcome with extreme excitement! He did not know that his father had made the exact same wish. Now, seeing these omens, the two were deeply shaken, and they could not wait for Wang Mingyuan to leave immediately to test the truth of it through the imperial examinations, hence the urgent and devout scene at home.