Chapter 36: That Courtesy Name Really Won't Do!

"Yes." The middle-aged man nodded and immediately handed over the intelligence he had gathered.

"An orphan, adopted and then mistreated by a jealous wife? He probably hasn't had much to eat or wear in daily life. My sect should rescue such people from their suffering. If we take him in and train him, he'll perform far better!"

"Add him to the list!"

"Yes."

After the man finished, the woman beside him produced another list: "Protector, the Weaving Workshop and the Heavenly Craft Workshop also have two newly promoted Grade-A workers — 'Lin Baiwei' and 'Han Bi.'"

The Falcon Protector glanced at it, but this time did not agree. "Let's observe for now. The East Lake Army and the County Martial Bureau are both investigating tightly."

"However, we can wait at ease and need not rush. They can't keep up such strict inspections forever — there'll come a day when they let their guard down, and that will be our time to reap the harvest!"

"I gained something at the Start of Autumn examination. Next month I can become a tribute student and receive five taels of stipend each month."

"Lord Chen, the chief official of the Agricultural Administration, thinks highly of me and has decided to sponsor my cultivation resources every month."

"So, Father, you needn't give me silver anymore."

When Zhao Xing returned home, he heard Zhao Ruide calling him over, intending to secretly slip him some silver for cultivation.

At this moment Zhao Ruide still didn't know Zhao Xing had once again earned a top-grade mark. He only understood after Zhao Xing explained.

"You've become a tribute student? And Lord Chen Shijie is sponsoring you?" Zhao Ruide was stunned at first, then a look of delight spread across his face.

But hearing Zhao Xing refuse his money, he suddenly felt a hollow ache in his heart.

"The imperial court and Lord Chen's sponsorship are earmarked funds, meant solely for your cultivation."

"But when you socialize with colleagues, build friendships, treat people to meals — surely they can't sponsor that too?"

"I don't have that many drinking-and-meat friends to spend money on," Zhao Xing said.

"You don't have them now, but once your reputation grows, you won't have a choice. Spend your own money and live freely — no one can say a word. Otherwise, what will Lord Chen and others think?" Zhao Ruide pressed the banknotes in his hand into Zhao Xing's. "I've already exchanged it. Take it… or is your adoptive father's money too hot to handle?"

With things said to this point, Zhao Xing could only accept — but the amount was rather large: a full hundred taels!

"Father, so much — if Madam Cai finds out…"

Zhao Ruide snorted. "You really think she's the one who calls the shots in this household?"

Zhao Xing hurriedly shook his head, indicating that his father was the one who ran the household.

But Zhao Ruide then lowered his voice: "You just don't tell her, and that's that. I've always had a secret cut from the main family's escort agency — settled every few years. She doesn't know about it…"

Good grief — so you still haven't dared tell Madam Cai. This is your secret stash.

But this secret stash was rather large. Zhao Xing hadn't known Zhao Ruide had hidden it so tightly.

No wonder whenever Madam Cai complained, Zhao Ruide didn't take it to heart at all — even with extra meat dishes every day, the household couldn't be bankrupted by one more mouth!

Thinking about it, it was only human nature.

Madam Cai was born a singing girl, and she wasn't yet past thirty. Even after bearing Zhao Zheng, she still had considerable beauty — but Zhao Ruide was nearly sixty.

With such an old husband and young wife, if he laid everything bare, Zhao Ruide feared Madam Cai would make off with the money.

If his adopted son hadn't shown promise of a future, Zhao Ruide had planned to take this secret to his grave.

"Keep it safe yourself, and don't let Madam Cai find out. If she does, I won't acknowledge a thing, and you can forget about ever getting money again," Zhao Ruide instructed.

"Thank you, Father."

"A doting mother spoils the son. Zheng'er, you can manage him. As the elder brother, pay more attention from now on. After I'm gone…"

"Father is in the prime of life — such words are premature. Zheng'er is my brother; why would Father need to give extra instructions?"

Zhao Ruide also felt it was too early to say such things. He didn't know why he'd gotten sentimental today. Was he really getting old?

"Go about your business. Madam Cai will be back from the market soon. Remember — hide the banknotes well."

"Understood."

Zhao Xing turned to take his leave.

"Wait!" Unexpectedly, Zhao Ruide called him back again.

Zhao Xing turned his head, somewhat puzzled.

Zhao Ruide said: "Next year you'll undergo the capping ceremony. It's time we chose a courtesy name for you."

When a man turns twenty he undergoes the capping ceremony; when a woman turns fifteen, the hairpin ceremony. After that, one cannot be addressed by given name directly, so another name related in meaning to the original is chosen — called a courtesy name — to express one's virtue.

This is a fairly important part of the coming-of-age ritual. Without one, people would laugh at you.

After the start of spring, Zhao Xing would be twenty. Zhao Ruide thinking ahead wasn't early at all.

"I asked around and feel 'Lichun' suits you quite well. It just so happens you want to be an Agricultural official too — it's the first of the twenty-four solar terms. What do you think?" Zhao Ruide asked.

"Lichun? That's not bad… wait — Zhao Lichun?" Zhao Xing's expression immediately turned odd.

"What, you don't like it?" Zhao Ruide was rather puzzled. Why such a strong reaction?

"Uh… Father, the two characters Lichun are fine in themselves, but they're a bit too common. In our Agricultural Administration alone, those with Lichun or Lidong as courtesy names — there aren't a hundred, there are eighty. I think you'd better think again," Zhao Xing refused.

"Fine, there's still half a year. I'll ask around some more." Zhao Ruide was a rough, martial-arts sort of man; he knew he wasn't cultured. He'd need to consult more people on this matter and gather more opinions.

"What should I choose? I still think Lichun's pretty good…" Zhao Ruide muttered as he walked away.

Zhao Xing couldn't help but laugh and cry at once. Father, that courtesy name really won't do.

On the second day after the Start of Autumn examination, Chen Shijie sent someone with a box.

The box contained two dawn-colored fruits. The moment it was opened, fragrance rushed forth.

The vital energy in the room grew three times denser.

【Heavenly Origin Pear (Third-rank, Superior)】

【Category: Consumable Treasure】

【Effect: Rich in vital energy; protects the heart and builds muscle; calms and clears heat; reduces the bodily wear caused by qi and blood circulation.】

"Heavenly Origin Pear, third-rank superior — its effects will be no small help to me right now."

Zhao Xing took a bite, and rich fragrance instantly filled his lips and teeth.

The Heavenly Origin Pear had thin skin and fine flesh, crisp and refreshing, with plenty of juice and little pulp. After eating it, the weather didn't feel quite so hot anymore.

Many martial artists who have entered the ranks like to eat Tian Yuan Pears, because cultivating Wu Ji causes qi and blood to surge, and over the years it easily accumulates hidden injuries, but eating Tian Yuan Pears over a long period can greatly reduce organ damage.

However, the Agricultural Official has little need for this effect; what he values is its primordial energy growth effect.

"Chen Shijie sends me 15 every month, so my primordial gathering speed is at least double what it would be without eating them." At the current stage of Gathering Primordial Tier 2, the improvement is still quite significant.

The moment Zhao Xing took a bite, the panel immediately reacted.

A record refreshed.

【You consumed a third-tier superior-grade Tian Yuan Pear, primordial energy increased by 25 points.】

【Gathering Primordial Tier 2: 785/1000】

A single increase of 25 points!

The effect was practically instantaneous!

Logically speaking, the increase effect couldn't possibly be this great; it's really because Zhao Xing's body has never eaten any primordial-boosting treasures before, and after being remolded by the Dao Embryo Pill, his body's absorption efficiency for such treasures has also greatly increased.

"Primordial energy has the risk of dissipating, can't waste it, have to finish eating quickly!" Zhao Xing immediately took big bite after big bite.