“Young Master Lu!”
Ning Zhiqi and Yi Xiaoqian were both startled to see Lu Zheng.
Ning Zhiqi hurriedly stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting. “Greetings, Young Master Lu!”
Lu Zheng helped him up and nodded toward Yi Xiaoqian. “You two are well, I trust? I never expected to meet again here.”
By now, Liu Qingyan and the other women had alighted from the carriage and walked over.
“Lu Lang, are these the Young Master Ning and Miss Yi you mentioned before?”
Liu Qingyan asked. Du Yueyao and the others also looked at the pair with curiosity.
Sure enough, Ning Zhiqi appeared as a refined and gentle scholar, while Yi Xiaoqian possessed a pure beauty tinged with captivating charm that aroused protective feelings.
Ning Zhiqi and Yi Xiaoqian turned toward the women. The lady at the front had luminous skin, expressive eyes, and an air of gentle grace. A peerless beauty, nothing less.
“Let me make introductions,” Lu Zheng said with a smile, pulling Liu Qingyan forward so everyone could greet one another.
Of course, the main purpose was to let Ning Zhiqi and Yi Xiaoqian meet his side. Apart from Yue Honghai, everyone else had long heard the couple’s famous tale.
“Heehee! Greetings, Young Master Ning and Miss Yi. We have heard so much about you. Meeting today truly lives up to your reputation,” Wang Xiaowan said with a laugh.
“We dare not accept such praise. We never imagined Young Master Lu still remembered us. Zhiqi is deeply honoured and grateful beyond words!” Ning Zhiqi hurriedly waved his hands in thanks.
Du Yueyao and Wang Xiaowan exchanged glances and secretly smiled. Liu Qingquan and Ao Qian stared openly at Yi Xiaoqian without blinking.
In the tale of A Chinese Ghost Story, besides the bold and unrestrained Yan Chixia, the most lovable character was naturally the cool yet gentle Nie Xiaoqian.
After introductions, Lu Zheng said, “Since we’ve met by chance, let us travel together.”
“Excellent!” Ning Zhiqi nodded repeatedly, then asked, “Zhiqi is heading to Tonglin County. May I ask where Young Master Lu and your party…?”
Lu Zheng laughed. “So late at night, we are naturally returning to Tonglin County as well.”
“By the way,” Lu Zheng blinked, “weren’t you going to the capital for the imperial examination? How did you end up in Tonglin County?”
Ning Zhiqi replied, “Zhiqi has come to Tonglin County to take up a post.”
“What? Take up a post?” Lu Zheng and the others stared at him in unison.
“Take up a post.” Ning Zhiqi nodded. “The previous Tonglin County deputy magistrate has retired due to age. The Ministry of Personnel assigned me as the new deputy magistrate of Tonglin County, with a deadline to report.”
Lu Zheng, “…”
Good thing Zhu Yushan already left…
Du Yueyao could not help asking, “Young Master Ning only took the spring metropolitan exam this year, correct?”
Ning Zhiqi nodded. “Precisely.”
“And you placed as the second-ranked scholar?”
Ning Zhiqi cupped his hands toward the north. “Thanks to His Majesty’s grace, Zhiqi was fortunate to place as Bangyan.”
“Hiss—”
Everyone inhaled sharply. Second place in the entire realm. Terrifying.
Du Yueyao recovered slightly but still could not resist asking, “Even if you placed as Bangyan, you would not be sent out to the provinces so quickly, would you?”
Her father was the prefect of Yizhou Prefecture, so she understood officialdom rules. Normally, those who passed the metropolitan exam were core talents of the court. Some stayed in the capital, others were sent to local posts for training.
But in any case, ordinary commoners who had never held office before would study and train in special capital yamen for one to three years after passing before being posted outward.
Ning Zhiqi took the exam in the third month; it was only the eighth month now. Less than half a year. How could he already be sent down to a county as second-in-command?
Hearing Du Yueyao’s question, Yi Xiaoqian lowered her head with guilt. Ning Zhiqi took her hand, shook his head calmly, and said, “Zhiqi encountered some trouble in the capital and could not remain. Thanks to my teacher’s mediation, I was posted to the provinces.”
Lu Zheng’s eyes flashed. Du Yueyao felt embarrassed and said, “Yueyao was presumptuous. Please forgive me, Young Master Ning.”
“Not at all, not at all.” Ning Zhiqi quickly waved his hands. “The matter is indeed unusual. Miss’s question is reasonable. I merely did not expect Miss Du to be so familiar with officialdom.”
Lu Zheng laughed. “Her father is the prefect of Yizhou Prefecture.”
Ning Zhiqi started. “Lord Du?”
Du Yueyao smiled modestly and nodded. “My father.”
Ning Zhiqi cupped his hands. “When I passed through Yizhou Prefecture, I paid respects to Lord Du. As it happens, Lord Du and I are from the same school.”
“Oh?”
“After placing, I was favoured by His Excellency Meng, the Minister of Rites, and became his disciple.”
Du Yueyao understood and explained to the others, “His Excellency Minister Meng is my father’s senior fellow disciple.”
“So that’s how it is!”
Everyone’s doubts cleared, but now Ning Zhiqi had questions.
“Miss Du, Young Master Lu…” He blinked and asked, “Are you not travelling the realm and merely passing through?”
Lu Zheng smiled and cupped his hands. “Tonglin County commoner Lu Zheng. In future, I hope Deputy Magistrate Ning will look after me.”
Ning Zhiqi’s jaw dropped. Behind him, Yi Xiaoqian’s eyes widened. They never imagined Lu Zheng actually lived in Tonglin County.
They had met him in their hometown when he was travelling, so they assumed he was still wandering with his family this time too.
They had no idea someone so capable would settle in a small county town.
After a stunned moment, Ning Zhiqi recovered and frantically waved his hands. “I dare not, I dare not! Young Master Lu jests. Xiaoqian and I owe you our lives. How could I presume… how could I…”
Lu Zheng laughed heartily. “Enough, enough. It’s late. Let us return to the county town first. We can talk more there.”
“Exactly, exactly!” Ning Zhiqi nodded. Yi Xiaoqian curtsied to everyone, then effortlessly lifted the two bandits and tossed them into their own carriage.
Ning Zhiqi was about to climb aboard when Lu Zheng grabbed him. “Your little carriage already has two bandits stuffed inside. Where will you sit? Ride with us.”
“Ah, this…” Ning Zhiqi hesitated, but Yi Xiaoqian nudged him from behind. “Then thank you for your kind hospitality!”
Liu Qingyan smiled and pulled Yi Xiaoqian into the carriage first.
…
Along the way, the understated yet luxurious interior and endless snacks and drinks left Ning Zhiqi and Yi Xiaoqian utterly stunned.
Once inside Tonglin County, they delivered the two bandits to Constable Liu as a merit points. Ning Zhiqi and Yi Xiaoqian were supposed to stay in the official residence prepared for visiting officials in the rear courtyard of the county yamen, but the retiring deputy magistrate could not leave until Ning Zhiqi arrived for the handover.
So they would have to stay at an inn.
“Forget it. Stay at my house,” Lu Zheng said. “It’s only a few days. Home is more comfortable than an inn.”
Thus the couple moved into the Lu residence and were once again shocked by the decor and furnishings. It felt even more refined and cultured than the Minister of Rites’ mansion in the capital.
