Chapter 3: What Is Your Perspective?

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Yet unwilling to remain any longer in such a heavily perfumed environment, she insisted on leaving the scene, offering a polite smile to the two, “I will take my leave to the guest chambers now.”

“Safe travels,” Qin Jinghao murmured softly after her, his jade-like face still bearing a faint expression of apology toward Luo Yunyao.

This displeased Yue Liuxi, who glanced disdainfully at the surroundings before looking at Qin Jinghao uncertainly. “Qin brother, are you really staying here tonight?”

Due to the matter concerning Luo Yao, Qin Jinghao’s already indifferent feelings toward her turned colder, tinged now with displeasure. After a brief reply, he did not sit down, nor wait for the princess’s response. His sleeve swept lightly as he disappeared around the corner of the staircase, leaving only a faint shadow behind.

In contrast, Cang Shu’s disdain was plainly visible on his face. With Luo Yunyao gone and Qin Jinghao having left, he saw no need to maintain appearances and snorted coldly at the princess. “Princess Yue, with your noble status, this humble inn is hardly worthy of your presence.”

Then, ignoring the angry gaze of Yue Liuxi, he left without looking back.

Instead of returning to his own room, Cang Shu headed to Qin Jinghao’s guest chambers. Qin Jinghao was reading a pigeon-post letter when Cang Shu sat down by the table and poured himself some tea. “Your attitude toward that Luo fellow today felt strange. That’s not like you at all!”

After reading the letter, Qin Jinghao lit the corner of the paper on the candle holder. The flickering flames cast shadows on his handsome profile, deepening its contours. He glanced at his friend’s satisfied expression, flicked the remaining paper into the fire, and watched it burn before slowly answering, somewhat evasively, “What do you think of this Luo fellow?”

“How could I not think well of him? Young, well-read, talented, experienced, and gifted.” Cang Shu sipped his tea and clicked his tongue twice. “The wine here is good, but the tea is disappointing. If I’m not mistaken, the tea leaves are from two years ago—the ‘Green Bamboo Jade’—lacking that fresh fragrance. It’s not pleasant.”

Qin Jinghao moved to the table and poured himself a cup as well. Though the tea lacked its usual crisp aroma, the denser brew of ‘Green Bamboo Jade’ had its own peculiar flavor. The taste on the tongue shifted from light to strong, rich with the scent of dried leaves, leaving a fragrant aftertaste. He smiled, “You’re being superficial.”

His sharp, double-edged remark displeased Cang Shu. “I think you’re the superficial one! So tell me, what do you really think of him?”

“Well, he’s only about seventeen or eighteen this year. His talent, knowledge, and bearing are all extraordinary—and he’s from Bilu Kingdom…”

Qin Jinghao intentionally paused to let Cang Shu ponder, but his friend hadn’t caught on and interrupted, “What about Bilu Kingdom? Before the wars, there was frequent interaction between Western Qin and Bilu, wasn’t there?”

“That depends on the timing. Bilu’s political situation is unstable. Eventually, Tian Sheng will control Bilu’s royal power. Although Western Qin appears calm on the surface, are you really unaware of the court’s internal affairs?”

Qin Jinghao continued speaking, his gaze softening in the candlelight. As he contemplated, his hands instinctively clasped and then relaxed. A faint smile curled his lips. “The court is vast. Let’s wait and see what she intends to do.”

His eyes held an anticipation for the near future, or perhaps a watchfulness regarding Luo Yunyao’s forthcoming moves. Deep down, he sensed her actions would leave an indelible mark on him, thus his unusual attentiveness.

Cang Shu was momentarily stunned by his words, as if there were some hidden agenda surrounding Luo Yao. He smirked. Politics had never been his passion, but he held this Luo fellow in high regard.

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Qin Jinghao set his teacup down and walked slowly to the window. Outside, the full moon hung high in the sky, outshining the surrounding stars. Through the gentle moonlight, the nearby brook shimmered faintly, its ripples casting a subtle glow.

He had always been a steadfast guardian of the nation in times of war, uninterested in political intrigue, but that did not mean he was ignorant. On the contrary, perhaps no one in the court understood the situation better than he.

Because he understood, he was indifferent.

Such was his state of mind.

The next morning, Luo Yunyao bid farewell to the two early. Fortunately, she did not encounter the delicate young lady again, sparing her another affront. After parting ways, she used her scant savings to hire a carriage for a swift journey to the capital since the time left to register for the imperial examinations was running short.

Several days later, she arrived at the registration hall in a dust-covered state, only to find the officials packing up before noon.

The two clerks exchanged knowing smiles and one said to Luo Yunyao, “The registration period for the imperial exams is over. Come back next year.”

Catching her breath, Luo Yunyao was taken aback by their words. She looked at the two sneaky officials with displeasure. “I remember the registration ends this afternoon at the hour of Chen, doesn’t it?”

Upon hearing her specify the exact hour, the officials’ faces darkened. They had assumed her ignorance and planned to extort some money for drinks, but now she was not only aware but arguing with them.

“What’s that?” sneered a lean official, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes upward, occasionally making a dismissive gesture. “Am I the official or are you? When I say registration ends, you don’t get to argue.”

Understanding their meaning, Luo Yunyao forced a smile and emptied the last of her silver coins from her pocket, offering them to the lean official. Her earlier displeasure was replaced by a flattering tone. “Sir, I’m just a stranger from out of town. It’s not easy for me to come all this way to the capital. Please show some mercy and be lenient.”

The official had noticed her fine clothing earlier and had assumed she was wealthy, so only these few coins surprised him. The two officials exchanged glances, sharing a silent understanding.

The lean official jingled the coins in his hand, scrutinizing Luo Yunyao with a mocking tone. “Only this little? You think I’m a beggar?”

“Clink, clink, clink…”

Several coins spilled onto the ground, scattering at her feet. Some rolled away, prompting nearby beggars to rush over, scrambling fiercely for the coins, even fighting violently over them.

Amid the chaos, Luo Yunyao seemed to see the scenes of the city’s fall years ago—commoners fleeing in panic, fighting desperately over scraps of food and coins, even abandoning their own kin in their frenzy.

She clenched her fist silently, lifting her head with eyes blazing, the fire within seeming to burn everything alive.

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Those two officials, used to bullying the weak, were taken aback by Luo Yunyao’s sudden fury. The more robust official, emboldened by the thought that she was just a delicate scholar and could not threaten them, drew half of his large blade. “Pay up if you want to register, or get lost. Don’t block my path, or else—”

“I didn’t know there were people under the Minister of Personnel’s command brazen enough to extort so openly. Their audacity makes bandits seem almost modest! Zhongshu, don’t you agree?”

Suddenly, a clear male voice interrupted the official’s threat. Attracted by the voice, Luo Yunyao looked up to see two approaching figures—a young master and his servant. The young man, about eighteen or nineteen, dressed richly and exuding the scholarly aura of a gentleman, immediately caught Luo Yunyao’s admiration.

Her anger gradually subsided as she realized her earlier outburst had been provoked by their behavior.

“Yes, sir!” the middle-aged man called Zhongshu responded affirmatively.

The two began to converse in tandem. The robust official looked ready to explode but was quickly pulled back by the leaner one, who whispered, “Are you crazy? That’s the son of the Minister of Personnel’s family. Do you dare draw your blade on him?”

“The son of the Minister of Personnel?” The robust official’s eyes widened in shock, and he hastily sheathed his half-open blade, retreating behind his colleague, trembling and mute.

Luo Yunyao, standing nearby, overheard their exchange. The young master before her looked every bit the righteous gentleman, so she composed herself and prepared to observe how the noble family would handle this matter.

Du Runsheng, though the Minister of Personnel’s son, had been well-educated from a young age, learning the path of righteousness. He did not rely on his father’s influence to gain office but sought to succeed through his own efforts in the imperial exams. Yet, merely attempting to register exposed him to official corruption.

As a scion of a prominent family, he could not tolerate officials extorting commoners.

He paced beside the two clerks, frowning. “Was it you who said payment was required for registration?”

The official dared not answer. Faced with this refined young man, he dared not speak recklessly. After weighing his options, he knelt and apologized profusely, bowing his head. “Please forgive me, sir! We were only joking with you before. It was not to be taken seriously!”

Seeing no response from Du Runsheng, he quickly rose and, alongside the leaner official, came before Luo Yunyao to apologize. “Sir, we were only joking earlier. Please do not mind. We will register you immediately.”