Regarding Song Zhi’s gratitude, Ji Yunshu said, “It should be that you helped us. If not for you, we wouldn’t have had a convenient place to stay.”

Song Zhi: “This is what I should do.”

Subsequently, Jingrong withdrew a heavy pouch of silver from his sleeve and pressed it into Song Zhi’s hand, saying, “Young Master Song, take this silver.”

Eh?

Song Zhi felt his palm burning and quickly withdrew his hand.

He refused, saying, “I cannot, I cannot.”

“Just take it.”

“I cannot accept it. Young Master Jing, you’ve already helped me greatly. I absolutely cannot take this money. Please take it back.”

As he spoke, he retreated several steps.

Afraid that Jingrong would use “force” to make him accept it.

Jingrong said, “To us, this silver is merely money, nothing more. But now with the provincial examination approaching, you need money in many places. Later there will be the palace examination as well—many places require spending money. You probably don’t have much silver left on you. You can’t live tightening your belt, can you? Now is a critical time—you cannot endure hardship. This silver can allow you to be more comfortable financially and take the examination with peace of mind.”

He intended to pass the silver over again.

But Song Zhi was determined not to take it: “Thank you for Young Master Jing’s kind intentions, but I absolutely cannot take this money! Actually, the silver I have on me is truly enough. Young Master Jing need not worry. Moreover, as you travel all the way out of Huyi, you’ll need money in more places than I will. Keep it for yourself. I’ve accepted all of your kind thoughts.”

He repeatedly declined.

Jingrong had no choice. He couldn’t force it on him, so he could only give up.

That evening, Song Zhi went to find Ji Yunshu.

Seeing her room door was still open, he knocked on it.

Ji Yunshu was sitting inside organizing her two sandalwood boxes.

One contained pigments.

One contained various kinds of dissection tools like knives.

Seeing Song Zhi standing at the door, she said, “Come in.”

Song Zhi carried in a serving of warm soup.

He placed it on the table, saying, “I saw the weather tonight is very cold, and you’re rushing to leave the city early tomorrow morning, so I made you a serving of warm soup. Young Master Ji, drink a bowl—you’ll feel more comfortable tomorrow morning.”

Ji Yunshu placed the knife she was holding into the box and wiped her hands.

She picked up that bowl of soup: “I didn’t expect Young Master Song to be so thoughtful.”

“Actually, I’m usually rather crude in my habits.”

Ji Yunshu smiled and took a sip of the soup.

It must be said, Song Zhi’s culinary skills were very good—even better than the chef hired for the residence.

Song Zhi watched her without blinking.

Ever since learning that Ji Yunshu was a woman, whenever he faced her, there was always a palpitation beating in his heart.

It beat until his heart was in chaotic anxiety.

After one more night, Ji Yunshu would be leaving.

His heart was indescribably reluctant.

Ji Yunshu, seeing him continuously staring at her, didn’t find it strange. Rather, she curiously asked, “I wonder if Young Master Song has any young lady you admire in your heart?”

Song Zhi had always been a rather thin-skinned person.

Being asked this, his cheeks immediately flushed red, and he lowered his head: “Young Master Ji jests. I’m constantly dealing with books—where would I have contact with any women?”

“Your qualifications are actually quite good.”

“You jest, you jest.”

Seeing his embarrassment, Ji Yunshu didn’t continue this topic. Suddenly remembering something, she asked, “Actually, there’s something I’m rather curious about.”

“What matter?”

“It concerns you.”

“Me?” Song Zhi was surprised, raising a finger to poke at himself.

What about him could be curious?

He was just a stark naked pauper—clear as day from the front, and the same when flipped over.

Ji Yunshu put down the warm soup in her hand and said, “In Yiwu, everyone said you were a talented scholar. I’ve also read the poetry you wrote. If you claim second place, no one in the current world could claim first. With such talent, why did you give up writing poetry back then and instead switch to writing theatrical scripts?”

She seemed to remember this wasn’t the first time she had asked this question.

Song Zhi let out a sigh: “The past… best not mentioned.”

Regarding the reason, he had never spoken of it.

And over these years, people continuously asked him. Each time he smiled without answering, or else casually deflected with a few words.

Ji Yunshu once again failed to get an answer upon pursuing the question!

Since Song Zhi wouldn’t say, she could only let it be.

Seeing the hour was already late, Song Zhi stopped disturbing her and bid Ji Yunshu farewell with a few words.

Then he went out.

The next day.

Early in the morning, Jingrong and the others boarded the carriage.

Before Song Zhi could come to see them off, they left.

And before leaving, Jingrong left behind that pouch of silver from yesterday.

When Song Zhi discovered it, his heart was deeply moved and also very saddened.

He held the silver and stood at the doorway, his gaze looking toward the direction of Gaoding City’s gate.

“Safe travels.”

…

On winter mornings, the cold wind cut like knives into people’s hearts.

As if it wanted to scrape the skin and flesh from one’s body.

Despite this, the early morning of Gaoding City was still very lively. Before the sky had even brightened, many merchants had already entered the city, filling both sides of the streets with stalls.

All along the way, the fragrance of hot buns permeated the entire street.

Making people’s mouths water.

A plain carriage passed through the marketplace and arrived at the city gate.

But it was stopped by the gate guards.

“Carriages cannot leave the city today.”

Hm?

Lang Bo, riding on horseback, asked, “Why not?”

“Last night there was a strong wind. Several large trees fell consecutively on the official road, and the hillside collapsed. Everywhere is flooded. People on foot can pass, but carriages cannot get through.”

They couldn’t do without a carriage.

Lang Bo didn’t know what to do for the best.

So he asked Jingrong inside the carriage through the curtain, “Young Master, how should we handle this?”

Jingrong lifted the curtain and looked forward.

His two brows furrowed together: “It seems we cannot leave today.”

Lang Bo: “Then should we go back?”

He raised his hand: “No need to disturb Song Zhi again. We’ll just find an inn to stay at. When the official road is cleared, we’ll leave then.”

“Yes.”

So the carriage turned around.

Lang Bo found a nearby inn to stay at.

Everyone got off the carriage and requested several upper rooms.

As Ji Yunshu was climbing the stairs, she collided with a man hurrying down.

Her shoulder hurt from the impact, and her body fell backward. Fortunately, Jingrong stood behind her and caught her shoulder and waist with one hand.

At the same time, an object from the man’s clothing fell out.

“Clang” went the sound.

Very loud.

Looking down, they saw a dagger had fallen right at Ji Yunshu’s feet.

The man quickly bent down to pick it up and hurriedly tucked it into his sleeve.

Then he went downstairs.

Ji Yunshu couldn’t help but furrow her brow.

Somewhat curious.

That man wore scholarly robes and a student’s cap—at a glance, he was a scholar coming to participate in the provincial examination.

But clearly being a scholar, why would he carry a short blade on his person?

Moreover, scholars who normally held writing brushes would have calluses on their fingers, but when that person picked up the blade just now, Ji Yunshu noticed his calluses were all on his palms!

At a glance, they looked like the hands of someone who labored year-round. Yet the jade pendant at the man’s waist was priceless—naturally not someone who labored.