After the Pitiful Little One Seduced the Feudal Big Daddy - Chapter 28

“What!” Upon hearing Xie Yunqing’s explanation, Pei Xuan practically screamed. “You want to take the Li-shi exam for the Chancellor’s Manor?!”

It wasn’t surprising that Pei Xuan reacted so strongly. Choosing to take the Li-shi (Internship/Practical Service) exam was shocking enough in itself, let alone setting the Chancellor’s Manor as the target.

The Li-shi exam was a creative reform within the Imperial Academy held every May. Any student, regardless of background, could participate. Candidates first selected a government office as their target, passed a written policy assessment, and then faced a face-to-face interview with the head of that office. High achievers could enter that office for practical service, which provided significant bonuses for future graduations and official selections.

However, despite these benefits, few students ever chose to take it. The reason was simple: it was too difficult. The academic load at the Academy was already staggering, and balancing rigorous study with a year of government service meant sacrificing all rest. Most who tried eventually gave up, their efforts wasted.

Furthermore, while some succeeded in other offices, the Chancellor’s Manor was a legendary dead end. Officials in charge of the exam whispered that while students applied every year, no one had ever passed not even the first written step, let alone an interview with Chancellor Pei himself.

Pei Xuan paced the room, looking distressed as if watching his friend walk into a trap. Finally, dizzy from pacing, he leaned against the wall, his brows drooping. “Why suddenly do this? You never mentioned it before.”

Xie Yunqing had a clear answer. Previously, he spent his free time copying books or writing letters for money to send home. But after his father’s case and seeing Xie Min’s behavior, he realized his family didn’t actually need his financial support. He didn’t know why his father insisted on it, but he was no longer willing to sacrifice his education for those demands.

As Xie Yunqing explained this, Pei Xuan’s expression softened. “You should have done this sooner. That father of yours…” He stopped himself, realizing it was rude to badmouth the man to his son.

“If you were my father’s son… wait, no, my father is long gone,” Pei Xuan corrected himself quickly. “If you were my brother’s son, he would have spoiled you to the heavens! He’d give you the stars and the moon. He’d never let you suffer like this.”

Pei Xuan’s bold words made Xie Yunqing want to cover his ears, but the younger Pei brother was quite proud of his “accurate” analogy. Satisfied, he returned to the main point: “But why the Chancellor’s Manor? No one has ever succeeded. And… aren’t you afraid of my brother? You’d have to see him every day. Do you really not fear him anymore after last time?”

Xie Yunqing’s heart skipped a beat, fearing Pei Xuan knew of their secret meeting. But he soon realized Pei Xuan was referring to the birthday night when he had “looked after” the drunk Chancellor.

He felt a pang of guilt for keeping Pei Xuan in the dark and exploiting his kindness. But he couldn’t tell the truth. Instead, he thought of why he chose the Manor.

Chancellor Pei’s words of encouragement and recognition echoed in his ears—recognition for an ambition Xie Yunqing hadn’t even dared admit to himself. A tiny flame had ignited in his heart. He couldn’t describe his feelings for Pei Yanzhi, but he was acutely aware of one thing:

His heart was racing for Pei Yanzhi.

It beat so fast he could hardly breathe, his body turning hot. He was terrified that at any moment, his heart would leap from his chest and expose all his flustered secrets to the man. But Pei Yanzhi had asked nothing, said nothing, and simply accepted him as he was.

Pei Yanzhi was a truly good person. Xie Yunqing no longer feared him; he wanted to be near him so that the man might see him working hard to fulfill his ambitions. This, as the Chancellor said, was the only repayment he could offer.

Xie Yunqing couldn’t say any of this to Pei Xuan, so he simply stammered. Pei Xuan, misinterpreting the silence, let out a grand, mature sigh. “Fine, I won’t ask. If you really want to go there, I can help. I can’t ask my brother—I’m… ahem, too scared—but some of the uncles in the Manor like me. I can ask them to pull some strings.”

Xie Yunqing was moved but firmly refused. “No… thank you. I want to get in on my own merit.”

Touched by Pei Xuan’s concern, Xie Yunqing reached out and took his friend’s hand, looking into his eyes. “Thank you, Pei Xuan. I know you’re worried, but I will truly work hard.”

The moment Xie Yunqing initiated the touch, Pei Xuan’s heart melted. All he could think was: My Yunqing is finally opening up! He’s not a block of ice anymore! Reason fled, and he believed everything Xie Yunqing said.

From that day on, Pei Xuan stopped pestering him, only dragging him out for fresh air when he became too “obsessed” with his studies.

Soon, the May exam arrived. As soon as it finished, Pei Xuan rushed to his “uncles” at the Manor to check the results. Unsurprisingly, they said Xie Yunqing’s written assessment was “Superior.” They had never seen such an excellent student at such a young age.

Pei Xuan was beaming with pride. He wanted to tell Xie Yunqing immediately, but Cui Ji convinced him to let his friend wait for the official results. When they arrived, Xie Yunqing allowed himself a rare smile.

But the smile faded as he began preparing for the interview in three days. Pei Xuan didn’t think he needed to be nervous—his brother had liked Xie Yunqing’s essays long before they were friends. There was no reason for him to fail.

Cui Ji, however, rolled his eyes at Pei Xuan and muttered that Xie Yunqing wasn’t nervous about the assessment. He wouldn’t explain further, leaving Pei Xuan to wonder: If not the exam, is it the person? Is he nervous about seeing my brother?

But Xie Yunqing had said he wasn’t afraid of the Chancellor anymore. If he wasn’t afraid, why be nervous? Shouldn’t he be happy, the way Pei Xuan was when seeing Cui Ji’s older brother, Cui Xuan?

He thought about it for two days and gave up.

On the day of the interview, Pei Xuan and Cui Ji escorted Xie Yunqing to the Chancellor’s Manor. For some reason, as soon as they arrived, Cui Ji insisted they leave. He wouldn’t let Pei Xuan go inside or even wait outside the gates.

“But if we leave,” Pei Xuan grumbled, “how will Yunqing get back to the Academy later?”