APSIL -Chapter 80 Telling Mother

When Zhang Shou returned to the Zhao Duke’s Manor, Zhu Ying had not yet returned from visiting her mother.

Instead, what awaited him was an official letter of appointment.

It was now clear that Eunuch Chu Kuan, the Supervising Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial, had not been exaggerating. Ordinarily, the appointment of a mere Imperial Academy Doctor required neither imperial involvement nor an edict drafted by the Grand Secretariat.

Yet somehow, this utterly unprecedented appointment had been approved exactly that way.

After bidding the Dowager Lady farewell, Zhang Shou packed his belongings and quietly left the Zhao Manor with Qi Liang, Deng Xiaodai, and A-Liu.

Having taken a day’s leave and witnessed a grand occasion beyond anything he had ever imagined, Deng Xiaodai returned directly to the Shuntian Prefecture.

After finally passing the examination to become a clerk, he had no intention of giving up the career he had once dreamed of.

Even if his teacher had transformed overnight from a village youth into the soon-to-be Imperial Academy Doctor…

Even if his grand-master was the illustrious Grand Tutor Ge, revered by scholars across the empire.

Qi Liang, who had just placed seventh in the prefectural examination, likewise chose not to remain in the capital.

Instead, he decided to return to Rongshui Village with Zhang Shou.

They had ridden horses into the city.

But now, with night already falling, Zhang Shou had no confidence whatsoever in his pitiful riding skills.

Naturally, he chose the carriage arranged by the Dowager Lady.

Now, curled up inside the swaying vehicle and shaken half to death by the uneven road, he silently cursed A-Liu’s questionable driving while making a solemn resolution.

I have to master horseback riding.

Even if riding rubs your thighs raw… it’s still more comfortable than this torture.

Why didn’t the Founding Emperor invent suspension springs?

Well… actual coil compression springs really require a certain level of industrial development.

Without steam engines, pistons, machine tools, and all the rest… it’d indeed be difficult.

Still… I wonder what books the Founding Emperor supposedly left behind in the Imperial Academy.

I’ve always been good at mathematics.

Advanced Mathematics: A.

University Physics: A.

Circuit Analysis: A.

Though admittedly… what I’ve spent the most time tinkering with are integrated circuits and circuit boards…

“Little Master.”

Qi Liang’s worried voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Ever since we left Moonlight Pavilion, the Dowager Lady hasn’t mentioned anything about the prefectural examination or Prefect Wang.”

“Is everything really all right?”

Coming back to himself, Zhang Shou lazily replied, “If it weren’t all right, the Dowager Lady would’ve warned me.”

“The fact that she hasn’t mentioned it means there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Besides…”

“If Prefect Wang could respond so forcefully when others provoked him, it proves he wasn’t caught off guard.”

“He was prepared.”

“He knew exactly what he was doing.”

“So people like us don’t need to worry about matters beyond our station.”

Qi Liang immediately shook his head.

“Little Master, you’re not some insignificant person.”

“Today I almost couldn’t believe my own eyes.”

“Master Ge and Master Qi are among the greatest scholars in the capital.”

“Even people who’ve attended Moonlight Pavilion’s literary gathering many times may never have gotten as close to Consort Yu and Princess Yongping as you did today.”

“And that Eunuch Chu also seemed extraordinary.”

“But everyone treated you so kindly.”

“Heh.”

Zhang Shou deliberately dragged out the sound.

“That was just coincidence.”

“And it wasn’t because of my abilities.”

“It was because…”

Without warning, he smacked Qi Liang firmly on the head.

“You little rascal.”

“Trying to trick me into revealing things?”

“In any case, remember this.”

“I won’t lose my head just because someone appears kind and friendly.”

“There’s something I want you to understand.”

He paused before speaking calmly.

“Sometimes…”

“…just because others want you to do something…”

“…doesn’t mean you have to.”

“Living in this world, you can’t completely ignore every concern and live in absolute freedom.”

“But neither should you spend your life tying your own hands.”

“Even if you’re dancing on a blade while wearing shackles…”

“…sometimes that’s far more interesting…”

“…than spending your entire life as an obedient prisoner in a cell.”

“Understand?”

Qi Liang’s bewildered expression made it obvious he understood nothing.

Zhang Shou didn’t bother explaining.

It had taken him many years to arrive at that philosophy himself.

He hardly expected a sixteen-year-old country boy to grasp it overnight.

He merely wanted to plant the seed.

Yet another thought quietly surfaced in his own mind.

The current Zhu Ying…

She lives exactly as she pleases.

Radiant.

Fearless.

Brilliant.

That’s only because she’s surrounded by family who cherish and indulge her.

They’ve allowed her to shine like the rising sun.

Bright enough to dazzle everyone around her.

But…

If one day misfortune truly struck…

Could she still remain that dazzling person?

If possible…

…I hope she can.

Forever.

“Young Master… Young Master?”

When Zhang Shou drowsily opened his eyes again, A-Liu’s enormous face was suddenly inches away.

He jerked upright.

“We’re home?”

“We’re home.”

“Madam is talking with Little Qi.”

Zhang Shou slapped his own cheeks to chase away the lingering sleep before climbing out of the carriage.

Although he had managed to nap during the journey, the moment his feet touched solid ground…he fully appreciated just how miserable the ride had been.

After sleeping curled into a ball for so long, the soles of his feet felt as though they were being stabbed by countless needles.

He had to grab A-Liu’s shoulder just to steady himself.

“Madam Wu, then I’ll be going.”

Qi Liang bowed respectfully to Madam Wu.

He then turned toward Zhang Shou and performed a deep formal salute before running off toward home without another word.

Although no one remained in his house now except himself…

Having finally passed the prefectural examination with a ranking his father would never even have dared dream of…he wanted to burn incense for his father’s spirit.

As for dinner…

The kind Dowager Lady had sent them back with enough food for several meals.

Before Zhang Shou could stop him, Qi Liang had already disappeared.

He had originally intended to invite the boy to stay for supper.

Now that was impossible.

Limping over to Madam Wu, he found her staring fixedly at his feet.

He coughed awkwardly.

“Mother.”

“I’m fine.”

“I just curled up sleeping in the carriage.”

“My legs went numb.”

“Really?”

Madam Wu looked suspiciously toward A-Liu.

Only after A-Liu nodded did she finally relax.

She immediately began fussing over him.

“Little Qi already told me.”

“You went to see Master Ge after entering the capital.”

“Then you stayed a night at the Zhao Manor.”

“And today you attended some sort of literary gathering.”

“You must be exhausted.”

“Come.”

“Let’s eat first.”

“Then have a hot bath and get some proper rest.”

As Madam Wu pulled him toward the house, Zhang Shou suddenly asked, “Mother…”

“Aren’t you going to ask why Yingying didn’t come back with me?”

Madam Wu froze.

Her steps halted.

Then she forced out a smile.

“Yingying has been away from home for so long.”

“It’s only natural she should return.”

“Poor child.”

“A young lady from such a distinguished family…”

“She’s already stayed in our little village for so long…”

Before Madam Wu could invent a thousand more perfectly reasonable explanations for Zhu Ying’s absence…

Zhang Shou laughed.

Then he gently took her hand.

It felt icy cold…and damp with nervous sweat.

“Mother.”

“A lot happened during this trip.”

“But the most important thing…”

“…is that because of capturing those rebel soldiers on the night of the fourteenth of the eighth month…”

“…His Majesty rewarded me.”

“He gave me an official position.”

Zhang Shou deliberately omitted everything Consort Yu had told him about his birth.

He also spoke of the imperial appointment as though it were something entirely ordinary.

Yet when Madam Wu turned around…her face overflowed with pure joy.

“Really?”

“Heaven has opened its eyes!”

“Heaven has truly opened its eyes!”

She was so overwhelmed she forgot even to ask what office he had been granted.

Suddenly releasing his hand, she rushed into the courtyard at full speed.

Her excited voice echoed throughout the estate.

“Old Liu!”

“Quick!”

“Prepare incense and candles!”

“I’m going to offer sacrifices to our ancestors!”

“A-Shou has become an official!”

“He’s become an official!”

Zhang Shou sighed quietly.

He made no attempt to stop her voice from carrying across the entire village.

Soon, Aunt Liu efficiently arranged an altar with offerings in the front courtyard.

Old Liu brought out the incense burner and sticks of incense.

Watching Madam Wu kneel before the altar, lighting incense and murmuring prayers exactly as she did every New Year…

Zhang Shou finally understood something.

In the past, he had always found such rituals rather laughable.

Now…

Perhaps……the ancestors she worshipped……had never really been distant ancestors at all.

He slowly walked behind Madam Wu.

Then lowered himself onto one knee.

From behind her, he caught fragments of her whispered prayer.

“…Young Mistress… if your spirit watches from Heaven…”

“…please protect A-Shou…”

“…let him enjoy wealth and peace…”

“…let him become a good official…”

Listening quietly, Zhang Shou smiled.

Then, speaking softly behind her, he said, “Mother.”

“Tell our ancestors…”

“…I’ve become a Imperial Academy Doctor.”

“The place where I’ll serve…”

“…is the Imperial Academy, where the greatest scholars under Heaven gather.”

“From now on…”

“…I’ll be teaching there.”

Madam Wu turned around in stunned disbelief.

Meeting her astonished eyes, Zhang Shou spoke slowly and solemnly.

“I’ll do my best…”

“…to live a wonderful life.”

“I won’t disappoint the flesh and blood she gave me…”

“…nor the life she sacrificed to bring into this world.”

“I won’t waste this life.”