Xin Hexue spent a leisurely and carefree time in the lodging house. He raised Zhou Shanheng’s love value to ninety-six. To reach the full value, he would now need some additional opportunities.
But given how small he was now, doing anything significant was out of the question.
So he wasn’t in a hurry. On ordinary days, he simply enjoyed the snow and sipped tea in the guest room of the lodging house, or flipped through Zhou Shanheng’s bamboo scrolls.
Occasionally, he would go out, and he had his own destinations. Using a few minor disguise spells, he managed to avoid drawing attention.
Since the day he helped Hen Zhen change his bandages, the other party hadn’t appeared before him again, perhaps there were things he needed to take care of.
Xin Hexue could sense the increasingly strong scent of blood on Hen Zhen, not just from his own wounds, but more from the blood of other demons and ghosts that had clung to his skin and clothing. Even after being washed, the scent still lingered.
Hen Zhen’s power was growing.
The karmic retribution he carried had already accumulated to a level where a fellow demon like Xin Hexue could perceive it directly.
Hen Zhen didn’t mention it, and neither did Xin Hexue ask.
But based on what he knew of Hen Zhen…if it were something good, the mad dog would probably be wagging his tail and boasting about it in his ear all day long. Given the current reaction, Xin Hexue’s keen instincts told him it couldn’t be anything good.
It felt like the damp chill in the air that only came before a storm.
But for now, Xin Hexue had no way of knowing for sure. He just made a mental note to stay alert.
He had asked the fox demon to bring him a set of GO, with black and white stone pieces.
By the time Zhou Shanheng returned, Xin Hexue had already set up the board.
At this moment, he was sitting on the board, wearing the fur-lined cloak that had been sewn for him the previous night. His slightly slender jaw was warmly embraced by the snowy white collar. Beside him, steam from tea curled and drifted, blurring the face of the beauty.
The carved wooden window of the room was half-ajar, and the northern wind rustled through the bamboo leaves outside, creating a clear, rustling sound. Inside, the charcoal brazier crackled with sparks.
It was extremely quiet, and the room was bathed in a gentle, yellow glow.
Zhou Shanheng stood at the door, shaking off the snow that had clung to his outer robe to avoid bringing the cold air near Xin Hexue even though he knew the young man was a demon, and that the changes of season would not trouble him.
Xin Hexue asked, “Do you know how to play Go?”
Zhou Shanheng nodded. “A little.”
Xin Hexue stood up on the board. “Then come play a game with me.”
At his current size, playing Go was actually rather difficult.
Because he had to stand on the board and push the white pieces forward, just like a little elf from a storybook.
Xin Hexue’s style of play was completely unmatched with his carefree and soft temperament. It bore more resemblance to the powerful and vigorous style of calligraphy.
The flow of the game was like a hidden flying dragon, luring the enemy deep in, then at the right moment, the dragon’s head would swiftly smash the enemy’s vital points. Every move carried a killing aura, and presented a momentum that left no room for retreat, no margin for maneuver…a lone and absolute stance.
It was too extreme and unconventional, which made it hard to defend.
From dusk to deep into the night, Zhou Shanheng’s final black pieces were utterly crushed and scattered.
“Hexue, you’re really amazing.” Zhou Shanheng set down his black stone. The clink of the stone touching the board made a crisp in the air, and he bowed his head in shame. “It’s because my skills are poor.”
He seemed to feel ashamed not that he lost, but that his poor skill made it less enjoyable for Xin Hexue to play.
Xin Hexue shook his head and affirmed, “Not bad.”
But… some special training was still needed.
Zhou Shanheng didn’t understand Xin Hexue’s intention, but for the next two or three nights, he continued to play Go with Xin Hexue until deep into the night.
But as long as he could be with Xin Hexue, quietly spending time together, occasionally chatting a bit, he already felt very satisfied.
His chest seemed to be filled with the soft rain of spring.
Xin Hexue originally thought the pill’s effect would stubbornly last seven days. But for some unknown reason, perhaps because he had stayed beside the target for too long, the aura on Zhou Shanheng, which was like that of a child of destiny, had rubbed off on him.
So, one night while sleeping, Xin Hexue suddenly reverted to his human form.
And Zhou Shanheng noticed even before he did.
At his side was a sensation as warm and smooth as jade. In the chill of the night, and the warm glow of the brazier, they leaned close under the quilt, and the space between them was cozy and snug.
Ever since arriving in the capital, Zhou Shanheng had been troubled by matters concerning his scroll essay, so his sleep was shallow. He also feared that if he fell into a deep sleep, he might accidentally roll over and crush Xin Hexue, so whenever there was any movement beside him, he sensed it immediately.
He opened his eyes and looked to his side.
The young man was sleeping soundly, perhaps tired from staying up late playing Go with him the past few nights. Zhou Shanheng wasn’t at the lodging house much during the day, so he didn’t know if Xin Hexue had managed to make up for his sleep.
The two of them slept close together, their breaths mingling softly.
He could count the thick, distinct eyelashes on the young man’s eyes.
Thump, thump, thump…
Zhou Shanheng pressed a hand to his chest, afraid to wake the person beside him.
But he still couldn’t help himself and gently kissed Xin Hexue on the center of his forehead.
Even such a gesture felt enough to make him unworthy of the name “gentleman”.
He clutched his chest, his heart pounding so fast it nearly leapt from his throat. He lay back down stiffly, staring up at the ceiling beam.
“Ziyue-ge,” Xin Hexue chuckled softly at him. “It is not a gentleman’s behavior to sneak around.”
Zhou Shanheng stammered, “You…you’re awake? Did I wake you up?”
Xin Hexue shook his head and continued, “After dawn, you’re going to call on the Assistant Director of Merits and Assessments, right?”
Zhou Shanheng: “Yes, I’ve already sent the letter.”
Xin Hexue rolled over, propping himself up on an elbow, and spoke slowly, “But the chief examiner probably has many people submitting their scrolls. He might not bother to look carefully.”
It was indeed a concern.
Because one of this year’s candidates was a relative of the Deputy Minister of Rites, the chief examiner had been switched from the Deputy Minister Of Rites to the Assistant Director of Merits and Assessments.
But each year there were over 1,800 candidates in the Imperial Examinations. Very few names could leave an impression on the chief examiner before the exams began.
Zhou Shanheng’s visit was just to try his luck.
Xin Hexue: “If the residence of the Assistant Director of Merits and Assessments is full of visitors, you might as well turn right into Zhongning and visit the old Gui residence. I’ve heard the old master there is very good at Go. Play a few games with him and tell me about it afterward.”
Zhou Shanheng didn’t quite understand, but he always listened to Xin Hexue, so he agreed.
Their eyes met, tangible as if they could touch. Zhou Shanheng’s voice was a little hoarse and dry, “Can I kiss you?”
Perhaps because Xin Hexue had mentioned that sneaky behavior wasn’t gentlemanly, this time Zhou Shanheng tried being bolder and asked directly.
The candle on the table by the window had not been blown out, and the light and shadow swayed, reflecting the outlines of the two people.
Zhou Shanheng saw Xin Hexue nod in agreement.
“Of course. But…” Xin Hexue’s soft voice was like a demon’s unique enchantment. “Where do you want to kiss?”
He guided Zhou Shanheng’s right fingertip and pointed it to the center of his forehead. “Here?”
Then let the fingertip slide down the smooth lines of his cheek to his lips. “Here?”
Zhou Shanheng’s Adam’s apple rolled, and his back tensed until he was sweating a little.
Everywhere his finger touched, the young man’s skin felt like melted soft jade, too captivating to look away from, too hard to pull away.
Guided still, the finger traced from his slightly thin jaw down to his collarbone. “Or here?”
Zhou Shanheng’s head felt hot and he was completely flustered. “I…”
He saw Xin Huexue’s eyes slightly curve up and let his finger slide across the slightly open front of his inner robe, finally resting on a soft, flat spot. “Or… here?”
Zhou Shanheng wasn’t sure if, under the flickering candlelight, he had just seen a light pink blooming on skin white as goat’s milk.
His heart shook.
Just as their lips and tongues touched, a crisp shattering sound rang out in the air.
It sounded like someone had stepped on the roof tiles above the ceiling beam, and they had crushed them in anger.
Zhou Shanheng was still dazed and reacted a beat late. He asked Xin Hexue, “Did you hear something just now?”
Xin Hexue replied leisurely, “Maybe some beast was crawling across the roof in the night.”
Seeing that Zhou Shanheng didn’t understand and looked puzzled by his explanation, Xin Hexue rolled over and said, “I was joking. You must’ve misheard. It was just snow collapsing bamboo branches outside the window.”
“Go to sleep.”
“Mm.”
Zhou Shanheng hugged Xin Hexue from behind, the warmth of his chest spreading to the young man’s thin back.
[Zhou Shanheng love value +1]
………
Xin Hexue made sure to give Zhou Shanheng a crucial hint before the seven-day memory cleanse.
He had read Zhou Shanheng’s scroll and understood his level. If placed in the merit-based civil service exams of later times where anonymity was ensured, there wouldn’t have been any problem. But the current Dachen imperial exam system was still imperfect. Not only was there no name-concealing policy, even pre-exam visits and submission of essays and scrolls had become customary and was an indispensable step.
Such a custom easily encouraged factions and favoritism. Candidates personally chosen by the chief examiner naturally became his disciples, forming bonds of protection and patronage.
But Xin Hexue didn’t need to dwell on the flaws of the system. His goal was simply to give Zhou Shanheng a helping hand.
The fox demon he encountered earlier was a distant relative of the Deputy Minister of Rites and therefore the Deputy Minister of Rites could no longer oversee the imperial examinations.
However, Xin Hexue had seen the Assistant Director of Merits and Assessments before. While outsiders might not notice anything, from a koi demon’s perspective, this Assistant Director of Merits and Assessments was in very poor health and would not live beyond January next year.
During his walks, Xin Hexue roughly figured out the key officials from both the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites.
Among them, the Minister of Rites was already old. In another year or two, he could retire. Because his official rank had little room for further promotion, it was uncertain whether future examiners would still value his influence. After retirement, his sway in court affairs would significantly decline. Therefore, his doors had become desolate in recent years, and no candidates came to submit their essays.
But this man was highly respected. To ensure stability, he was the most likely candidate to be assigned as chief examiner for the Imperial Examinations after the Assistant Director of Merits and Assessments passed away.
This Minister of Rites was precisely the Go master, Master Feng Ya, whom Xin Hexue had heard mentioned by Zuo Buque and Du Zhi during their match.
When Zhou Shanheng returned, his expression was tinged with joy.
Xin Hexue instantly knew that things had gone smoothly.
………
At the end of the first snow season, a few yellow plum blossoms bloomed by the wall.
The watchman patrolled the streets, calling out, “Watch your candles!” as he passed through the bustling alleys.
Tonight was the New Year’s Eve Lantern Festival, and the curfew had been lifted.
The long street and covered bridges were packed with people. Along the road, shops and restaurants were decorated with lanterns and colorful lights. Tall paper lanterns adorned with golden powder sparkled under the candlelight, which was extremely dazzling.
It was festive and bright, and the firelight was as radiant as day.
For the sake of auspiciousness and peace, an exorcism procession stretched along the street, beating gongs and drums, creating a lively and boisterous scene.
Bu Jincheng in the crowd seemed to catch a glimpse of the young man by the riverside.
‘Xin Hexue?’
Ever since they parted back then, he hadn’t seen the other party again for a long time.
When he later returned to the dilapidated temple, it was already deserted.
Seeing that Xin Hexue was alone, Bu Jincheng’s eyes lit up. He was about to push through the crowd and hurry over when another person appeared beside Xin Hexue by the riverside.
Willow branches draped down, and Xin Hexue smiled at the person. The two of them looked very close.
The man even held up a flower lantern with both hands and offered it to Xin Hexue.
Bu Jincheng’s face showed disappointment, and he drifted with the crowd, heading in the opposite direction.
Wait…
In a flash, something sparked in his mind, illuminating the scene he had just witnessed.
He noticed the face of the man standing opposite Xin Hexue.
Why did it seem like this man… wasn’t the same “husband” Xin Hexue had before?!
Bu Jincheng wanted to look again to confirm, fearing he had seen it wrong.
He forced his way back through the crowd against the flow, but then a clear, panicked cry rang out from the end of the street: “Fire!”
