The scholar’s words stirred nostalgia in the other companions, too. They originally intended to persuade him otherwise, but now words were stuck in their throats. For a moment, no one at the table knew how to begin, and their faces all showed signs of sorrow.

These scholars must have been in the Capital preparing for the exams for a long time. Originally, they should have been solely focused on the bright future ahead, temporarily diluting other thoughts. The few friends who could converse well encouraged each other, studying hard together, which could be considered as having no distractions.

But today, suddenly discussing the hidden meanings behind that popular nursery rhyme caused them to feel surprised, which then led to thoughts on life, death, gathering, and parting. In an instant, the sorrow buried deep in their hearts emerged, spreading rapidly, leaving them feeling pessimistic and despondent.

Sometimes, people are like this: when everyone is wholeheartedly pursuing the same goal, even if they feel tired or have thoughts of retreating, they look around, dismiss those thoughts, harden their resolve, and continue without falling behind.

But once others around them start to waver, or even directly choose to give up, the thoughts suppressed in their hearts instantly revive, growing wildly in their minds, and it becomes difficult to suppress them any longer.

The silence of those scholars at this moment perfectly illustrates this principle.

Zhu Yu was still sneakily observing those people when suddenly Lu Qing tugged at her sleeve.

"I can’t hold my liquor well. How about you accompany me back? Let’s call it a day," Lu Qing said lazily and tiredly, as if he was truly drunk.

Zhu Yu nodded and left with him.

The two naturally wouldn’t go elsewhere. They symbolically turned toward the front door, then slipped into a secret passage only known to them, returning to the small courtyard.

Back in the small courtyard, when Zhu Yu looked at Lu Qing again, it was as she had suspected: this fellow showed no sign of drunken stupor, but was quite sober.

"To be honest," Zhu Yu pulled out the fan that was mockingly tucked at her waist, using the end of the fan’s handle to nudge Lu Qing’s chin, as if it were a short sword, and even her tone carried a mock "menacing" "threat," "Was that scholar tonight your doing?"

Lu Qing didn’t speak, merely smilingly looking at Zhu Yu. Just as Zhu Yu felt her heart race from his gaze, he suddenly stepped back, and before Zhu Yu realized, he swiftly grabbed her wrist. With a turn and pull, he drew her into his embrace.

"If this lady warrior asks nicely, I’ll answer nicely," he said to Zhu Yu with a smile.

Although Lu Qing was pretending to be drunk earlier, he had actually sipped a few cups. Now, with their faces so close, when he spoke, a faint scent of alcohol accompanied his breath.

Zhu Yu used to think the smell of alcohol was unbearably unpleasant, but now she didn’t feel that way at all. Instead, she found the faint scent made her cheeks flush and her heart race.

"Alright, then I’ll ask nicely." Following Lu Qing’s lead, she changed her tone and also twisted her body, changing positions to face Lu Qing, standing on tiptoes, her two arms lightly wrapping around his neck. "Does my husband feel this approach is polite enough?"

Even with the fake skin still on their faces, Zhu Yu’s watery, glistening gaze still threw Lu Qing’s breathing off rhythm, his Adam’s apple moving slightly, as he smiled and discreetly removed Zhu Yu’s arms from his neck, leading her inside and pouring two cups of tea for them.

Zhu Yu found his pretended composure amusing.

Since understanding Lu Qing’s feelings for her, the tactics he once used to tease her, she now used to playfully manipulate Lu Qing. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Having lost all family members since childhood, Lu Qing was more cautious about many things compared to others.

Currently, the world was facing an upheaval that no one knew when it would start or when it would settle. To avoid any mistakes, he constantly restrained the desires in his heart.

Zhu Yu, confident in this, found it particularly interesting to tease him.

"Why do you think that person was arranged by me?" Once Zhu Yu seemed unlikely to continue "provoking" him, Lu Qing took her hand, asking while calming his previously accelerated breathing.

"Just seems a bit too coincidental." Zhu Yu shrugged. She couldn’t point to a specific reason since nothing had been exposed but having dealt with Lu Qing for so long, she understood her husband’s ways more and more. "Though in and out of the Capital, whether on the estates or in the alleys, more and more children are singing that nursery rhyme. But, after all, no one has the courage to sing outside the homes of the Capital’s high officials.

The palace walls are neither too high nor too low, just enough to block outside sounds, ensuring that those inside the Imperial Palace hear nothing.

But if the scholars preparing for the exams also hear this nursery rhyme and comprehend its meaning, then out of fear, they might choose to give up the exams and return home to avoid trouble, unwilling to get involved. Naturally, this matter would reach the court officials.

After the uproar on Duchess Yan’s birthday, the court officials had already split into two factions. Some distanced themselves from Duke Yan, either to avoid trouble or because they inherently disliked him.

At this time, if external worries cause the exam candidates to choose to return home to avoid conflict, it’s likely someone would report this to the Emperor.

At that time, it might just coincide with the long-awaited opportunity.

The big fish he’s been luring for so long is quite fat now, isn’t it?"

Lu Qing laughed: "No matter what things were like back then, and regardless of how things have been over the years, whether he’s been good or bad to me...

Just him accidentally commanding your father to choose a daughter to marry me is a deed I truly should be grateful for.

That scholar today and the Big Beard at the next table are actually our people.

Originally, that scholar was deployed by Lu Chao and me to understand how Zhao Bi was forming factions and engaging in corrupt dealings.

Unexpectedly, changes occurred in the process, and last year a gifted scholar emerged, known for his extraordinary talent but coming from humble origins. Yet Zhao Bi replaced his name on the preliminary exam list with a child from his own faction.

Upon learning of this, the scholar, possessing an extremely fiery temperament, ran himself headfirst into the door of the Ministry of Rites South Courtyard and died.

After that, Zhao Bi avoided suspicion by no longer caring about any scholars who hadn’t yet achieved success.

Originally, I intended to withdraw that scholar, but coincidentally, this situation arose, which unwittingly turned out to be useful."