Chapter Five: Arrival in the Southern Borderlands

“Alone by the dim lamp in the rainy night, pondering the virtuous one? Alone by the dim lamp in the rainy night, pondering the virtuous one? Brilliant, simply brilliant.” Among the crowd, a scholar let out a long howl.

“I have studied the sages’ texts for decades, yet I am no match for a mere child. Enough, enough—it seems fate will never grant me success in the imperial examinations.” After speaking, the scholar turned on his heel and began to walk back.

Many aspiring candidates rushing to the capital were stunned by Fang Han’s couplet, feeling ashamed and inferior. One after another, they abandoned their pursuit of official rank.

Fang Han had never dreamed that this act would make his name resound across the land, and that the future Southern Frontier would draw scholars from all corners of the world, all thanks to this eternal masterpiece.

Liu Wanquan, watching the departing students below, broke out in a cold sweat.

Stopping candidates on their way to the capital was a grave offense. At best, it meant losing one’s head; at worst, implicating one’s entire clan.

Lin Qingwei’s crimson lips parted slightly as she softly repeated Fang Han’s couplet, again and again.

“He is truly talented, not in the slightest inferior to Fang Li. Of course, he is Fang Li’s elder brother.”

Earlier, the sunlight had been too harsh, so Lin Qingwei had hidden inside the carriage. Now, her cheeks flushed faintly as she unconsciously reached out to lift the curtain, eager to catch a glimpse of Fang Han’s demeanor.

But the moment she lifted the curtain, a ray of sunlight struck her arm, startling her into quickly dropping it back down.

“What might he be like now? Having composed a timeless couplet, he must be brimming with pride. I wonder if any wealthy ladies watching have fallen for him.”

Lin Qingwei’s mind wandered, drifting further and further until she finally let out a displeased sigh.

Hearing the stir inside the carriage, Fang Han thought perhaps his couplet had not been well received. He slipped inside to find the young princess sulking. Deciding to leave her be for the moment, he returned to his previous spot, lifted his head, and smiled lightly.

“Master Fang, how did I do? Shall I present another timeless couplet?”

Liu Wanquan wiped the sweat from his forehead with his fan, trembling in shock.

He wanted to cheat and say no, but who could deny that the couplet had caused the students present to abandon their exams? How could it be poor?

Moreover, Liu himself was a man of talent. Were it not for the emperor’s direct orders, he would gladly treat Fang Han as an honored guest.

“L-let them pass,” Liu Wanquan stammered.

“Sir, but the emperor said—” an official beside him whispered.

Liu Wanquan’s eyes flashed coldly. “The emperor said? Do I no longer have authority to speak? Should I ask the emperor to have you castrated and sent to the palace?”

“I—dare not,” the official replied hurriedly.

“The imperial examinations are imminent, and my Mingyue City has blocked the scholars of three prefectures. How many have had their resolve shattered today and given up their pursuits? Can you bear the weight of such a crime?” Liu Wanquan narrowed his eyes, fixing the official with a glare.

The official staggered back, falling to the ground.

“S-sir, what are we to do now?”

Liu Wanquan had been an official for many years and knew well how to protect himself. He shook his fan lightly.

“Remember, Fang Han has never been to Mingyue City. Where he came from, I do not know—and neither do you.”

The official still harbored doubts. “But the princess’s carriage passed through here. The city guards all saw it.”

A gleam of menace flickered in Liu Wanquan’s eyes as he spoke darkly, “Do I need to teach you how to handle such trivial matters?”

The official’s body bristled with goosebumps, bowing deeply before retreating.

Below, Fang Han waited for Liu Wanquan’s response. Now, Liu wore a different expression, a smile that did not reach his eyes.

“This young friend is truly a prodigy. I admire you. By my order, you may proceed.”

Fang Han was utterly confused. What game was Liu Wanquan playing? Just moments ago, he had been a tormentor; now, he feigned ignorance.

Soon, Fang Han understood—it was fear.

“Lord Liu, you mentioned your hundred elite soldiers?” Fang Han asked with a smile.

“My word is my bond. Please depart swiftly,” Liu said, eager to send this jinx away.

Leaving Mingyue City, the road ahead was smooth. Fang Han had been puzzled until he overheard news along the way and finally understood what had transpired.

In the imperial palace, Lin Qingxue and Fang Li indulged in their passion day and night, neglecting state affairs. Even the reduction in candidates traveling to the capital went unnoticed.

“Qingxue, no news has come from Mingyue City. I suspect Fang Han feared taking the main roads—or perhaps he died on the journey,” Lin Qingxue said, her eyebrows arching with disdain.

“And that Lin Qingwei—I have long wished her gone. Now my wish is fulfilled. No one shall disturb our peace henceforth,” she murmured with satisfaction.

At the Southern Frontier.

Along the way, Fang Han witnessed the chaos of the region but was grateful for Liu Wanquan’s brash claim of a hundred elite soldiers. Without them, his prospects would have been bleak.

As Fang Han lifted the carriage curtain, a fierce ray of sunlight streamed in.

“Ah!” Lin Qingwei cried out, her expression instantly turning mournful. “The weather here in the Southern Frontier is so harsh… Even without Lin Qingxue sending someone, I might have perished.”

Having traveled alongside Fang Han, Lin Qingwei had grown accustomed to his presence, no longer resisting their occasional physical contact.

Suddenly, she recalled what Fang Han had said earlier and asked eagerly, eyes bright with hope, “Is what you said true?”

Fang Han saw her shielding herself from the sun and immediately understood her meaning.

It was just sunscreen. With the Southern Frontier’s abundant resources, producing it was no problem. But he wanted to tease the young princess, so he feigned ignorance.

“What do you mean? That it makes the Southern Frontier prosperous, strong in arms? Of course it’s true. Do you still doubt my words?”

Lin Qingwei did not hear the answer she wanted. She turned away, refusing to engage further.

Seeing her sulking again, Fang Han suddenly felt sorry for her. This was likely her way of expressing displeasure.

He opened his arms and gently pulled her into an embrace.

Lin Qingwei resisted at first but gradually relaxed, ceasing her struggles.

“Don’t worry, my lord husband will surely cure your illness. Three months, maybe even half a month, and we’ll find a solution.”

“Really?” Lin Qingwei’s eyes shone, filled with hope.

After some time, the carriage slowly came to a halt. The driver spoke respectfully, “Princess, we have arrived.”

At the gate of the Southern Frontier Protectorate, Fang Han stepped down from the carriage while Lin Qingwei remained inside, unable to bear the scorching sunlight.

The protectorate’s gate was in disrepair; its massive iron lock rusted and pocked with corrosion, overgrown with weeds. Even the stone lions guarding the entrance had been weatherworn beyond recognition.

The steward, having received prior notice, had hurried here and now peeked through a crack in the door at the sounds outside.

Seeing the young man accompanied by a carriage and a large retinue of soldiers exactly as described in the intelligence, he knew without doubt that this was the newly appointed Protectorate Lord.

With a creak, the door was pushed open from within. The elderly steward led several servants as they knelt in unison.

“Your humble servant Liu San pays respects, my lord.”

Startled by the sudden scene, Fang Han recognized the steward and motioned for them to rise.

The party entered the protectorate. Inside, the conditions were even worse than outside.