Notes on Longevity

Chapter 22 The Imperial Examination is Approaching, Wenren Recounts Past Events

In the fourteenth year of Wen Shang's reign, on the twenty-fourth day of the spring.

Since Yang Youan and Li Chengru returned to the inn last night, the two of them have stayed in their rooms, either writing calligraphy to prepare for sale or studying diligently in preparation for the imperial examinations.

In another room, Li Chengru, dressed in a gray shirt, stood by the window, fanning himself with an open folding fan in one hand and a celadon teacup in the other, slowly bringing it to his lips. He gazed at the scenery outside the window or at the crowd below, his expression serene. Unlike Yang Youan, he showed no interest in reading.

On the ninth day of the plum month, Yang Youan had been reading in his room for several days. He then decided to take the calligraphy he had written over the past few days out to sell for some money. So he emptied his chest, went out for a walk, found a crowded place, turned the chest over, and placed his calligraphy on top.

However, after shouting all morning, apart from a few people who came to take a look, no one was willing to buy anything.

After a period of disappointment and despair, Yang Youan had no choice but to put away his calligraphy and try selling it in several different places. Fortunately, his hard work paid off, and he managed to sell a few pieces.

It was already evening when he returned to the inn.

Yang Youan entered the inn and happened to meet the waiter who was about to deliver food to the two of them. After a brief greeting, Yang Youan carried his basket back to his room, and then went out to Li Chengru's room.

"Young Master Yang, dinner is already on the table. Please enjoy your meal."

The waiter bowed and smiled as he spoke, and Yang Youan replied, "Thank you."

The waiter chuckled twice and then turned and left.

After watching the waiter go downstairs, Yang Youan also stepped into Li Chengru's room, but apart from the two food boxes on the table and the half-open window, he did not see Li Chengru.

Yang Youan frowned, wondering: Where has Brother Li run off to again?
But then he thought again that if Li Chengru wasn't there, the waiter usually wouldn't enter someone else's room without permission.

Just as Yang Youan was thinking, he heard footsteps coming from one side of Li Chengru's room.

Yang Youan looked over at the sound and saw Li Chengru, shirtless and holding a long handkerchief, walk out from behind the curtain by the bed.

"Hmm, what are you doing here?" Li Chengru was taken aback when he saw Yang Youan after coming out, and then continued to walk to the bedside to get dressed.

Yang Youan did not answer, but stared blankly at Li Chengru's upper body, which was turned away from him.

Although Li Chengru was tall and had a fair complexion, his bare upper body was quite dark and shiny.

What's most striking is the two-finger-wide, palm-length scar on his left shoulder.

After Li Chengru finished dressing, he noticed that Yang Youan did not respond when he spoke, so he turned around to look at Yang Youan, only to find that Yang Youan was staring at him.

Li Chengru looked down at himself with great suspicion, wondering if there was anything on him, but found nothing.

"You'an, what are you looking at?" Yang You'an was brought back to his senses by Li Chengru's words. He stared at Li Chengru, his brows furrowing slightly at first, then he pursed his lips and asked in confusion, "Brother Li, where did these scars on your body come from?"

"Hey!" Li Chengru chuckled upon hearing this, walked to the table where the food boxes were placed, opened the two food boxes, took out the food inside, sat down himself, and then asked Yang Youan to sit down as well.

After Yang Youan sat down, he smiled and slowly said, "Since I was young, I have traveled with my parents, traversing mountains and rivers, and all over the world. I have met many people, seen many things, and of course, offended many people as well."

"I see." Yang Youan watched Li Chengru eat heartily and, no longer wanting to maintain the scholarly air, began to eat as well.

The food was gone, and the chopsticks fell to the ground.

After a satisfying meal, the two slumped in their chairs, gently rubbing their slightly swollen bellies.

The two men were lost in their own thoughts. But Yang You'an suppressed his curiosity, sat up straight, and stared at Li Chengru, asking, "I was curious back at the Drunken Flower Pavilion. You and I are both scholars, so why did the women there call you 'Young Hero'? I never imagined you were a member of the martial arts world. But since you're a member of the martial arts world, and you're going to take the imperial examinations, why not take the martial arts exam?"

“Because martial arts are meaningless.” Li Chengru remained slumped in his chair, not wanting to move an inch, only his eyes welling up with tears as he quietly stared at the closed ceiling.

"You'an doesn't understand." Yang You'an was puzzled upon hearing this. He felt that Li Chengru had been traveling the world with his parents since he was young, so his martial arts skills and abilities would naturally be quite good. But he just couldn't understand why Li Chengru chose to take the civil service exam.

"Want to hear the truth?" Li Chengru suddenly sat up and stared at Yang Youan with a serious expression.

Yang Youan looked at Li Chengru seriously and replied, "Yes."

“Don’t underestimate me just because I’m young. I still have some standing in the martial arts world.” Li Chengru stood up and walked to Yang Youan’s side, continuing, “Even if I go, whether it’s a martial arts family or a chivalrous knight-errant, they will all give me some face and go easy on me. Although I’m not bad, it’s really meaningless to get first place by relying on others’ courtesy, so that’s why I’m participating in the civil service examination.”

"I took the imperial examinations twice. The first time, I was forced to take the civil service exam by my parents, but at that time I was focused on practicing martial arts and had no interest in the exam, so I failed. The second time, there was a change in my family situation, and I originally wanted to take the martial arts exam, but people there generally gave me a wide berth. So I took the civil service exam instead. I passed the palace exam the second time, although I didn't make it into the top three, but I got there on my own merit, so the civil service exam was more interesting than the martial arts exam. So I gave up the martial arts exam and focused on studying."

"Brother Li, are you sure you're telling the truth?" Yang Youan didn't know whether to believe Li Chengru or not after hearing what he said, because he sounded like a martial arts storyteller reciting a tale.

"Of course! What, you don't believe me?" Li Chengru put one hand on Yang Youan's shoulder, looking at Yang Youan with a playful expression.

"I was half-believing at first." Yang Youan glanced at Li Chengru's hand on his shoulder, then at Li Chengru's face, and immediately shook his head: "Now I don't believe it at all."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengru burst into laughter, saying, "Whether it's the civil service exam or the military exam, even if I become the top scholar, I won't take an official position."

"Hmm?" Yang Youan frowned and asked, "Why?"

“I’m used to being carefree and can’t stand those constraints.” Li Chengru straightened up and slowly walked back into the room.

(End of this chapter)