Chapter Thirteen: Damn, This Is Truly a Masterpiece!

“Deal.”

Ye Xiu agreed without hesitation. “But can I withdraw fifty taels as a deposit first?”

“Forget fifty taels, you can even get paid before you start painting,” Manager Xiao said excitedly and immediately had fifty taels of silver brought over and placed before Ye Xiu.

“Manager Xiao, prepare the character sketches first. I’ll go back and brainstorm, then return here to paint in two days.”

“An expert’s touch reveals true talent—Young Master Ye truly is a genius,” Manager Xiao said, feeling like he had struck gold. “The client even handed over a book of flower portraits.”

Ye Xiu took the scroll marked and left. The finely dressed young gentleman emerged from the quiet room.

“Boss, that Spring Outing Couple painting is simply a masterpiece,” Manager Xiao said, bowing slightly. “Who is this gentleman? I’ve never heard of anyone like him in Jinling City!”

“Oh, him?” The gentleman in brocade paused thoughtfully before giving a candid reply, “His father had a fiancée; when their marriage was arranged, my father was the witness. The Yan King’s villa in Jinling City was funded by his grandfather.”

“...” Manager Xiao was stunned. To be connected to the Yan King meant the head of the Ye family was either a high-ranking frontier official or a senior member of the imperial cabinet.

“How’s the matter I asked you to handle?”

“Boss, I inquired. It’s Professor Wang Yuanhui himself who personally struck his name from the Jinling Academy’s roster.”

“Wang Yuanhui? That shouldn’t be. Anyone can step on the Ye family except Wang Yuanhui.”

The brocade-clad gentleman fell into deep thought. After a long while, he suddenly understood.

“That old man is meticulous—he manages social relations flawlessly and truly offends no one.”

Manager Xiao didn’t understand but said nothing and dared not ask further.

Meanwhile, Ye Xiu smelled the fragrance of Lion Peak Longjing tea.

When it came to quality, Ye Xiu, coming from the strongest lineage of officials, could tell at a glance.

Fearing his father might visit Wang Yuanhui with only wine in hand, Ye Xiu didn’t linger and quickly headed home.

Fortunately, Ye Wuji was obedient and redid the exam paper.

Ye Xiu glanced at it; it had just passed with around sixty points.

Passing the provincial exams was certain, but Ye Xiu aimed for the top scholar’s title. Sixty points wouldn’t do.

He swiftly wrote a new question, increasing the difficulty for Ye Wuji.

After lunch, Ye Xiu packed a jar of wine and handed it along with the scroll to Ye Wuji.

He reminded him again, “Father, don’t look at this scroll. Just deliver it. Also, after Professor Wang leaves, watch it alone in your study. Remember that.”

“You have to tell me what’s painted inside,” Ye Wuji was curious and itching to open it.

“Trust me, Father, I would never cheat you.” Ye Xiu firmly pressed down the scroll. “Promise me you won’t look, or I’ll take the painting back.”

“The painting from Yuquan Studio?”

Ye Wuji seemed to understand. He knew Yuquan Studio all too well—on the surface selling Confucian classics, but in reality trading secret paintings and risqué works.

“Yes, it’s what Professor Wang has long sought but never obtained. Does that make sense?”

“That makes me want to see it even more!”

Ye Wuji was quick and opened the scroll, immediately cursing: Damn, this is truly a divine work!

He felt a pang of pity—such a magnificent painting wasted on old Wang Yuanhui.

But thinking of how his son sacrificed everything to support his imperial exams, Ye Wuji carefully rolled the scroll back up and took the wine to the professor’s residence.

This visit was different from the last—Wang Yuanhui had prepared a feast of eight dishes and a soup, warmly welcoming him.

He even served his treasured osmanthus wine.

After several rounds of drinking and tasting the dishes, Ye Wuji finally understood.

No matter what small gift he gave, he would secure Ye Wuji’s enrollment at Jinling Academy.

It wasn’t that Wang Yuanhui demanded bribes, but since Ye Wuji had rejected the university chancellor Xie’s marriage proposal, Wang had to do something to appease the dignitary.

After all, Xie was the chief examiner for this autumn’s imperial exams.

Before leaving, Ye Wuji bowed respectfully to Wang Yuanhui, “I am deeply grateful for your mentorship!”

Wang Yuanhui accepted the bow and then earnestly said, “With your talent, passing the provincial exam is easy. If you drop your pride and conform to the eight-legged essay style, becoming the top scholar is within reach.

“If you achieve that, no one will ask again about your rejected engagement, and your Ye family may regain its former glory.

“Wuji, after this autumn exam, I will head to the capital to report at the National Academy. I look forward to meeting you and your father there again.”

Ye Wuji nodded firmly and took his leave.

Professor Wang entered his study with the scroll.

He had thought it was just an antique calligraphy or painting, but upon opening it, he was utterly amazed.

He stood rigid, unable to calm down for a long time.

This was the elusive Spring Outing War Map he had sought for over a decade!

Regaining composure, Wang Yuanhui seemed to recall something.

He carefully stored the scroll and hurried to the main hall, grabbing the wine Ye Wuji had brought.

He uncorked it and took a gentle sip.

Suddenly, his eyes widened, and he exclaimed loudly, “Excellent! This damn fine wine!”

“Immediately notify Jinling Academy. Have Dean Liu restore Ye Wuji’s exam registration and personally deliver it.”

Wang Yuanhui called for his steward, “Write another invitation for Chancellor Xie, saying I will host a welcome feast at the Jadeite Pavilion.”

The steward hesitated, “Master, you restore Lord Ye’s registration and immediately invite him out. Isn’t this...”

“Who can guarantee Chancellor Xie doesn’t want Ye Wuji to pass?” Wang Yuanhui sat confidently in the grand chair, stroking his graying beard with meaning. “The Ye family suffered great misfortune, but have you seen Old Master Ye imprisoned? Seven days ago, I sent five thousand taels to him in the Censorate. The messenger reported that he is in good health and eating well.”

“Master, does Old Master Ye have a chance to be reinstated?”

“Reinstatement is impossible. The two million taels deficit is huge—anyone else would have had their entire clan executed by now. The more crimes he admits, the safer he is.”

Wang Yuanhui stood and looked toward the capital, “Even if he is demoted to commoner, whether in the Cabinet or the Six Ministries, they will show a sliver of mercy to this master of settling debts...”

Elsewhere, at the Ye residence.

Ye Xiu had already brewed thirty jin of strong liquor.

To avoid exploitation by unscrupulous merchants, he decided to hire a bodyguard.

His first choice naturally was Zhao Yide, a butcher who had served as a soldier.

When Zhao Yide heard they were going out, he immediately changed into clean, tidy clothes, looking very presentable.

These were the clothes he only wore during New Year visits with relatives.

“Quick, change into your usual short-sleeved outfit,” Ye Xiu said.

Zhao Yide went home and changed into his rough cloth clothes.

Ye Xiu deliberately had Zhao Yide open his collar wider.

His solid muscles and varied scars were instantly visible.

The more he looked, the more satisfied Ye Xiu became, rubbing his hands excitedly.

“This is exactly the damn terrifying aura I wanted!”