Western Prefecture of Provincial Capital

  This kindness was urgent, and he first went home to see his mother He Shi. He handed over the documents and made his mother extremely happy. He also left 300 taels of silver for his mother. After asking about the origin, He Shi accepted it and said that it was just in time for the betrothal gift. After staying for a few days, on the fifteenth day of the first month, Fang Xin boarded the boat and took the Grand Canal directly to the east gate of the West Wenfu in the provincial capital.

  It was already early February when they arrived at the provincial capital, and the examination was scheduled for March 1st. As soon as they disembarked, they felt the biting cold wind, but on the shore and in the streets, the crowds of people surged forward incessantly.

  Xifeng Prefecture is a provincial capital, with both water and land transportation hubs, making it an important thoroughfare. Naturally, there are countless people coming and going. Fang Xin entered the city and searched for half a day without finding a suitable inn. He endured for a while longer and finally found a small inn that was acceptable to stay in.

  Inside, there was indeed a single room. After paying the money, the shop owner and several apprentices carried the luggage together. This small inn didn't have many good dishes, so Fang Xin just ate casually. Fortunately, there wasn't much time before an apprentice brought over a bucket of hot water. After washing up, he felt somewhat more comfortable, then took out a book to read.

  Just then, voices were heard at the edge of the courtyard, sometimes loud and clear.

  Fang Xin was somewhat impatient, and he called out to his servant, who responded and came over to attend to him. Upon hearing the question, he let out a sigh and said: "He's a scholar who came to the city last year for the exams but didn't pass. He didn't go back home either. Later, someone cheated him out of his travel expenses. The landlord thought that since he was a scholar and had an exam coming up soon, he would be able to pay the rent. But he still needs to eat, so he went out and borrowed some silver. Now someone has come to collect the debt, and it's only right that he should repay what he owes. We can't say anything about it."

  Fang Xinye had no choice but to look around, only to see that the inn was very low and short, with small rooms crowded together. If you didn't pay extra, there wouldn't even be candles. Each room had a lamp lit with vegetable oil, some people were gambling, others drinking, and one room was particularly noisy.

  This matter, Fang Xin also can't manage, go back to bed, spend money to buy a bundle of candles. There are ten branches, although thin, but one branch can be lit for an hour, and it's enough to read books in turns.

  Lying down, I replaced two candles and fell asleep. The next morning, I heard the voice again. Someone shouted: "Old Zhang, he is a scholar, at least a Xiucai. If he dies here, you can't get rid of the relationship."

  Fang Xian furrowed his brow. He put on his clothes and went over to take a look, and indeed, there was a crowd of people surrounding the room. He took another glance inside and saw a disheveled middle-aged man lying there with his teeth clenched and his face deathly pale.

  He felt his forehead and found it burning hot. He knew that if this high fever wasn't treated, it could turn serious in this weather, even damaging the brain. So he immediately said: "Quickly call a doctor!"

  "But he still doesn't have money!"

  "I'll take care of the money, Xiaozai is a scholar after all, I can't just stand by and do nothing!" Fang Xin said, patting his pocket, but found he didn't have any money: "Go call for help first, I'll bring it to you later!"

  With these words, Mr. Zhang immediately sent a shop assistant to call for a doctor.

  Money talks, and this inn is in a busy area. There's always someone coming or going with some kind of ailment. Who doesn't have an acquaintance who's a doctor? So it didn't take long for one to arrive, probably around fifty years old.

  After feeling the pulse of this poor scholar, the old man quickly let go of his hand and said slowly, "It's nothing serious. I'll prescribe a medicine that will make you sweat it out, and you'll be fine. However, if you delay treatment, it will become severe."

  "Fang Xin said at this time: 'You just drive on, I'll take care of the money!'"

  The young man couldn't help but smile, and as it happened, there were writing instruments on the table. After grinding the ink a bit, he picked up the brush and wrote a prescription: "Take this away, catch it with this, eat two pieces, if it's not good, come back to me!"

  There was no need for Fang Xin to take action, a hundred taels of silver were spent, the doctor was sent away, and according to the prescription, the medicine was fetched, half an hour later, this person was fed the medicine.

  Fang Xian saw him drink and instructed: "When he wakes up, give him some porridge to eat, the money is on me."

  After finishing speaking, he went back.

  Fang Xinye continued reading and didn't eat lunch until the afternoon, when a servant came to inform him: "That person has woken up. If you want to see Master, now is the time!"

  Fang Xinye then went over, realizing that he had indeed woken up, but was still visibly weak. There was still a lingering smell of sweat on the kang. Fang Xinye approached him and asked, "Brother, are you feeling better?"

  "It turned out to be a fellow husband, and it was really thanks to you, I, Ning Boqiu, am grateful beyond words." The man said weakly, trying to get up, but struggled and was pressed down by Fang Xin, who said: "Don't, your body is weak, lie down and talk, and what's this, a small matter, brother doesn't need to put it in his heart. However, brother, how did you end up in this situation?"

  Ning Boqiu looked at Fang Xin with gratitude, saying: "I also understand some medical skills superficially. This illness of mine came on suddenly, although it's not severe, but if no one had saved me, I would have gone to the gates of hell. You are truly my lifesaver..."

  Fang Xinlian was humble and modest, and ordered the shopkeeper to bring porridge for them to drink. The two of them soon became close, and Ning Boqiu began to tell his story. It turned out that although he had passed the imperial examination as a xiucai, he didn't know how to manage his finances, and every year he would spend all his money. Last year, when he took the huishi exam, he even mortgaged his house and borrowed money from his relatives, but unfortunately failed to pass.

  Ning Boqiu, who had no face to return home with, originally wanted to stay in the city and make a living by doing some writing work, relying on the remaining silver he had. However, he was cheated out of his silver again, and under duress, he borrowed more high-interest loan silver, only to be pressed for debt repayment.

  Fang Xin said: "Ning brother, this matter is nothing, how much silver did you owe in total?"

  "He borrowed fifteen taels and after the interest had been added on several times, he now has twenty-eight taels."

  Fang Xin didn't say a word, and returned to his room. Not much time had passed before he brought over half an ounce of silver: "I only have 150 ounces in total, this is 50 ounces, you should pay off your debt first, and use the rest to take good care of yourself. The imperial examination is next month, how can you do well if you don't take care of your body? Don't decline, who hasn't had a difficult time?"

  When Ning Boqiu saw the silver, he couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart and tears came down. He declined several times, but Fang Xin was somewhat unhappy, so he said a few words and gave him the silver. Seeing that he looked tired, he also took his leave.

  The man left, Ning Boqiu lay on the bed, unable to sleep for a while, with thoughts surging.

  Time passed quickly, and on the second day, Fang Xin ordered some wine and snacks again. He was bored reading a book while drinking when he suddenly heard a knock at the door.

  "Come on in, it's actually Brother Ning. You look like you're in better spirits. Come on, old chap, bring up a few more light dishes and some warm wine too. Don't decline, I'm not saying this is good for real."

  The two sat down, and Fang Xin carefully observed that the other person suddenly had more spirit, and their clothes were clean. Only then did he realize that the other person was actually only around thirty years old, but looked worn out yesterday, so he thought they were over forty.

  "How's that? Is everything all right now?"

  "It's all done, and I still have to thank my younger brother for the silver. After all, I'm still a scholar, and they've taken the silver, so that's it. If they want to cheat me, they're far from it, otherwise, the law is made for them." He said with a sly smile.

  A few words, and he knew Ning Boqiu's temperament. Fang Xin slightly furrowed his brow, but didn't put on a pretentious face. As they conversed, although Ning Boqiu was somewhat ruthless, he still knew how to show gratitude. Fang Xin was extremely polite, and the two of them discussed some scriptures. However, after some time had passed, he was astonished to discover that this young master actually possessed genuine talent and learning.

  For a moment, I don't know what's in my heart. After drinking some wine, he sighed: "...Now that I think about it, I was reckless back then. If only I had been more diligent in reading books earlier on, but this matter can no longer be remedied. Now, all I can do is work hard and hope to pass the imperial examination as a jinshi this time, and next year go to the capital to take the imperial examination again. With your talent, younger brother, it's truly impressive. We should go to the capital together!"

  Fang Xian saw him say this and smiled: "Of course, I hope so!"

  Just then, a fellow came in from outside and said: "Mr. Li, someone is looking for you!"

  Fang Xin was slightly surprised and went out, but saw a person. Although this person was wearing casual clothes, he looked extraordinary. He sized him up and said, "You're Li Rui?"

  "Exactly, I don't know what you've come to see?"

  "I have come to invite you to the Front Creek Garden, as ordered by Master Feng Yan." This person was clearly an official or a military officer, and his tone of voice gave him away.

  "Mr. Yan? Could it be Mr. Yan Min?" Where was Qianyuan Garden located? Fang Xin had no idea.

  "That's right."

  Fang Xin thought for a moment and said: "Alright then, I'll be right there."

  He returned to his room, only to find Ning Boqiu looking somewhat unusual. He didn't think much of it and said, "Ning brother, please keep eating, I'll change my clothes and be right back."

  As he spoke, he changed into a new green shirt. This green shirt was also made of silk, but it was simple and elegant, and wearing it on his body was truly stylish and handsome.

  Ning Bo's expression changed unpredictably as he asked, "Younger brother, are you familiar with the Qianyuan Garden? If not, I'll take you there."

  "No need, the person will bring their own way." Fang Xin paused for a moment, saying this, at this time he had some regrets, he decided to end this matter here. This Ning Boqiu was not a friend, earlier his intuition, keenly felt his jealousy, and even because of rejection, there was some resentment.

  What more can be said about someone who treats their lifesaver this way?