The Li Family... Eldest Son?
Zhai Yiming furrowed his brows, rapidly reviewing in his mind all the classmates at the State School with the surname Li.
Who? Who possessed the qualifications to make so many important figures condescend to visit? They hadn't even sent their servants but had personally come, carrying invitation cards, to find someone at the State School.
Zhai Yiming thought of several names but was still at a loss. He stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting to the Rice Shop Association President, whom he had met at a family banquet just a few days prior. "Zheng Huisou," he began, "you're here for..."
"Oh, it's Yiming." Zheng Huisou, the Rice Shop Association President, also recognized Zhai Yiming of the Zhai Family. He nodded and said casually, "Is the Li Family's eldest son from your class in the State School right now? Please inform him for us."
"I'm afraid I'm a bit slow," Zhai Yiming said. "There are over a dozen classmates with the surname Li in the State School. May I ask, Zheng Huisou, which one are you looking for?"
"Li Ang! Doctor Li from the Security Hall on the west bank of Yishui Bridge. The one who cured the Pasture Supervisory Office's military horses at the beginning of the month."
Zheng Huisou slapped his thigh and said, "Yiming, you don't know? The Governor Mansion just posted this year's Academic Palace Patrol recommendation list! For the whole of Yizhou, there are only two individuals. One is the governor's daughter, and the other is your classmate, Doctor Li."
"Wha-what?" Zhai Yiming's eyes widened suddenly. "That's impossible! I know Li Ang. He hardly ever speaks, and whether it's poetry, scriptures, or strategies, he's only considered above average in the State School..."
"How can you call him by his given name directly, Yiming?" Zheng Huisou frowned. "It's normal that you don't know. Every year, the Academic Palace Patrol travels incognito to State Mansions searching for potential candidates. They deliberately hide their identities, so even the local Governor Mansions don't know who they are. This is to prevent powerful families and wealthy merchants from rushing to curry favor and causing trouble. Disciples recommended by the Academic Palace Patrol have more than a fifty percent higher chance of officially entering the Academic Palace compared to ordinary students. The last Academic Palace Disciple from Yizhou recommended to go to Chang'an was five or six years ago. We came this time hoping to forge a good relationship in advance... Yiming? Yiming?"
Zheng Huisou waved his hand to rouse the stupefied Zhai Yiming. "Please go in and pass on the message. We don't expect Doctor Li to attend our Rice Shop's banquet tonight; just knowing we made the effort is enough."
"This... this..." Zhai Yiming was still reeling from the immense shock, his handsome face slightly contorted.
How could it be that inconspicuous Li Ang, Li Risheng? In terms of literary talent, family background, eloquence, disposition, poetic fame, and refinement—in what aspect was I not superior to Li Risheng? Why? Why would the Academic Palace Patrol recommend him and not me? Are the Academic Palace Patrol blind?
Zhai Yiming's face turned pale. He felt a heavy pressure in his chest and wanted to shout about the Academic Palace's injustice. He was confident he could pass the State School's provincial examination and go to Chang'an to take the entrance exam again. But students who advanced through the provincial examination and those directly recommended by the Patrol were practically worlds apart.
"I understand, Deng Huishou." Zhai Yiming took a deep breath, forcibly calming himself. Still appearing suave, he clasped his hands, accepted the invitation with an air of nonchalance, and turned to enter the State School gate.
TAP TAP TAP.
Zhai Yiming passed his curious classmates who were peering outside. He silently quickened his pace to reach the courtyard first. Upon seeing the equally curious Li Ang also looking out, he walked up with a smile, "Risheng!"
"Brother Yiming." Li Ang clasped his hands in return, a bit startled. Zhai Yiming wasn't a bad person, just a bit too... opportunistic. He hardly ever mingled with classmates who lacked literary talent or a good family background.
"Risheng, why didn't you tell me the good news about getting the Academic Palace Patrol's recommendation letter?" Zhai Yiming warmly grabbed Li Ang's hand and forcibly stuffed the invitation into his palm. "You should have told us about such good news sooner!"
"What?"
"An Academic Palace recommendation letter?!"
"How is that possible?!"
The courtyard burst into an uproar. The classmates sitting on stone benches all shot to their feet, looking incredulously at Zhai Yiming and Li Ang. Song Shaoyuan also stood up in surprise.
"Ahem, my apologies." Li Ang pulled his hand from Zhai Yiming's grip and said awkwardly, "I did receive the recommendation letter. However, the Academic Palace has rules. Before the official announcement, I couldn't tell anyone, to avoid exposing the identities of the Academic Palace Patrol and causing unnecessary trouble locally."
"Understandable, understandable." Zhai Yiming nodded incessantly, his demeanor warmer and more enthusiastic than ever. "Risheng, there must be a good reason you caught the eye of the Academic Palace Patrol."
"Risheng, you got the recommendation letter? That's great!" Song Shaoyuan, ignoring the mixed expressions of incredulity, jealousy, and envy from the others, stepped forward. He clapped Li Ang happily on the shoulder and said earnestly, "No wonder you said you were withdrawing from the exam! So this was why. You had me worried! Now your parents can finally rest easy. Fellow classmates, everyone come to my house for drinks tonight! It's on me!"
"I'm sorry, Brother Song." Li Ang clasped his hands, his expression sincere yet awkward. Under the circumstances, he couldn't very well confess that he was, in fact, one of those 'accursed' students who received a special admission, could he?
TAP TAP TAP.
At that moment, a dozen or so young servants responsible for delivering messages rushed into the courtyard with invitations, loudly calling out, "Which one is Doctor Li? Which one is he?"
One of them scanned the courtyard, his eyes instantly lighting up. He pointed at Li Ang and shouted, "Doctor Li is over there!"
A group of servants immediately hurried over with their invitations. Li Ang quickly excused himself, shook off Song Shaoyuan's hand, and dashed towards the State School Mountain Master's courtyard to handle the procedures for withdrawing from the State School's provincial examination.