Transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty’s Imperial Examination Ch. 114

Chapter 114

Their lips collided with such solidity that it was almost jarring.

A sharp pain shot through their lips and a burning sensation spread, leaving them uncertain if they had accidentally cut themselves. However, the delightful sensation of their lips melding together was so intoxicating that neither cared to check for any injury, remaining awkwardly intertwined in mid-air.

Throughout their long friendship, Xie Ying had never seen Cui Xie with such a fierce expression. Yet, even twisted in this manner, Cui Xie’s face did not lose its charm. The pursed lips that had crashed down were, in Xie Ying’s heart, unexpectedly handsome—no less impressive than the composed, life-and-death indifference Cui Xie had first shown in Tongzhou.

Gradually, the hands resting on Xie Ying’s shoulders began to tremble slightly and the pressure shifted subtly, pulling Cui Xie’s torso closer…Xie Ying glanced sideways and saw the oblivious horse beginning to walk away from the two. With Cui Xie perched on the horse, leaning over to kiss Xie Ying, his body naturally lowered further.

Grasping Cui Xie’s underarm, Xie Ying ended the somewhat tortuous kiss, murmuring, “Come down, I will catch you.”

Cui Xie, without a moment’s hesitation, withdrew his feet from the stirrups, pressing his hands firmly on Xie Ying’s shoulders, and with a forceful twist, launched himself from the horse onto Xie Ying below.

Xie Ying, with his waist braced and arms slightly lifted, had intended to help Cui Xie dismount gracefully. However, as Cui Xie leaped down, Xie Ying bent his knees ever so slightly, leading them to both fall backward into the soft embrace of the grassy land below.

Cui Xie’s supple body landed in Xie Ying’ arms and even through their robes, he could feel the length of Cui Xie’s legs, the firmness of his waist pressed tightly against his own chest and abdomen. Their body heat seemed to penetrate the thin fabric of their autumn robes, searing into the marrow of their bones.

A light sweat broke out on Xie Ying’s forehead as he lay with his eyes closed for a moment.

Cui Xie, lying atop him, pressed down firmly. Fearing that he might have hurt Xie Ying, he quickly tried to get up. But, Xie Ying held onto his shoulders, one hand gently caressing his cheek and spoke slowly, “Don’t move. Let’s just rest like this for a while. Once we go back, I will not be able to touch you like this again.”

Indeed, the reality that they were both public servants, with Cui Xie being a state-sponsored civil service candidate, meant they could not openly engage in a same-sex relationship.

In the midst of his joy at having his confession accepted, Cui Xie also felt a tinge of melancholy. But lying atop, Xie Ying, inhaling the faint scent of jasmine emanating from him, and thinking of how this man would now be his, to be in a long-lasting relationship, his spirits lifted once again.

At least for now, their feelings for each other were clear. Perhaps in the future, when his father was no longer around, Cui Xie would not need to hide his sexual orientation. Even if it meant giving up a career in government, retiring to live as a respected figure in his hometown was an option. And if Xie Ying could also retire, they could live as neighbors in their hometown. They could spend their days at the residence, or go out as they pleased, without anyone to answer to.

Furthermore, considering the reputation of the Chenghua and Zhengde eras, being involved in a same-sex relationship wasn’t seen as a significant issue.

 Being in a relationship with a Jinyiwei officer, was this stain really as bad as writing pornographic/suggestive articles for the Emperor and giving the Senior Grand Secretary erectile dysfunction medicine? Wan An, the Senior Grand Secretary who had washed the Emperor’s “”, was still safely serving in the cabinet. Liu Mainhua, also known as Liu Ji, would likely rise to the position of Senior Grand Secretary in a few years, but how useful could a reputation truly be? Besides, Cui Xie was not genuinely concerned with maintaining a pristine image in the orthodox Confucian circles of the Ming Dynasty. Why worry about the legacy left in history books after death?

Besides, in his previous life, Cui Xie had never heard of a famous gay man from the Ming Dynasty who shared his name and surname!

Cui Xie had thought this through thoroughly. He leaned down and gently kissed Xie Ying between the eyebrows, speaking with a lightness in his tone, “We just need to be careful and avoid being seen by others. Even if someone finds out, it will not be a big deal. At this point in the Imperial Examinations, the papers are evaluated anonymously, and there are designated people for transcribing them. The examiners judge the writing quality, not the person. As long as my essays are top-notch, I will be able to pass. Reputation is not everything.”

What a bold assertion.

Which literati did not want to have a spotless reputation and have a name that will be written down in the history annals? In order to reassure him, Cui Xie had even said such words.

A tart feeling flooded Xie Ying’s heart, but he could not help but feel happy hearing his staunch attitude. He put his right hand on the ground, intending to sit up and talk to Cui Xie.

Initially, for convenience, Cui Xie had positioned himself astride Xie Ying’s waist. When Xie Ying moved, it caused Cui Xie to sit up first. In doing so, Xie Ying’s concealed arousal brushed against Cui Xie from behind, inadvertently grazing him.

Xie Ying sharply inhaled a breath of cool air, his mind momentarily clearing of all thoughts. Cui Xie experienced a brief moment of blankness, as if seeing the hard drive from his previous life open before his eyes, with countless files jumping around in folders. Instinctively, he reached back to feel, but Xie Ying quickly caught his arm, pulling him back down into his embrace. His voice husky as he uttered, “Do not move, don’t touch…it’ll pass in a moment.”

“Actually, I, uh, I understand…” Although it was sudden, it was not entirely unexpected for Cui Xie, as it was not nearly as shocking as when the vivid dreams of that man had suddenly started happening.

Xie Ying grabbed Cui Xie’s hands and reversed their positions, pushing Cui Xie against the ground. His gaze shone brightly with an oppressive look, as if he wanted to eat Cui Xie. But, he slowly stood up himself, shaking his head as he looked at Cui Xie, “No, you are still young and have yet to establish your foundation, it is not an easy thing to do. People say, ‘one drop of essence equals ten drops of blood’.  In this moment, indulging in fleeting pleasure at the expense of one’s own health could lead to ailments in old age. Besides, as a scholar, you should prioritize your studies and not let your thoughts wander. Only after you have completed your studies at the Imperial College should we discuss such matters…”

When did Xie-xiong learn such medical theories? Waiting to finish studies at the Imperial College before considering doing it? If Cui Xie was lucky enough to pass the examinations in the next two years and then achieve the title of jinshi the year after, that would still mean a three-year wait. And if luck was not on his side, failing either the provincial or metropolitan examinations…

This would indeed result in a six-year period of academic preparation alone.

Was Xie-xiong planning to implement a policy of late marriage and childbearing in their relationship? Cui Xie, psychologically already twenty-four, would be thirty after six years, becoming a prime example of an older, unmarried young man–a potential source of social instability!

Moreover, Colonel Xie was already in his early twenties. Six years later, he would be firmly on the path to thirty!

Cui Xie felt like this plan was almost against nature, sitting up indignantly, crossing his legs and exclaiming, “That is too long! By thirty, other people will have become grandparents whereas we would have just started…from whom did Xie-xiong learn such excessive health preservation measures? Besides, my studies are not that demanding. I get two days off every month, and there is a longer New Year holiday as well…”

Xie Ying crouched down to adjust Cui Xie’s cap, smiling as he spoke, “As a martial artist, I naturally prioritize health and well-being more than scholars do. Your comment reminds me, have you been practicing the swordsmanship I taught you? Show me when we get back to the residence. If you could practice for an hour or even half an hour daily, you would not have so many distracting thoughts.”

…

Cui Xie silently observed Xie Ying’s clothing. Noticing his gaze, Xie Ying shook his head, “You were trembling and short of breath from just a kiss on the horse earlier, and now you’re daring enough to provoke me?”

Earlier…

Earlier, Cui Xie had almost ended up sprawled on the horse’s neck, without stirrups to support him. If he had not exerted strength in his waist and legs, he would have fallen! With such tremendous effort to remain balanced, was it not natural to tremble? Even if his core strength was commendable, how long could others have lasted in his place?

Looking up at Xie Ying, Cui Xie exclaimed defiantly, “That was because I was sitting in an uncomfortable position. Let’s try again and see who trembles first this time?”

Raising his hand, Cui Xie wrapped it around Xie Ying’s neck, gently pressing the other’s head down, tilting his own face up in anticipation of a kiss. Xie Ying, with a soft smile, let his hand slide down from Cui Xie’s cap, his thumb teasingly tracing Cui Xie’s lips before he suddenly leaned in for a deep kiss.

The kiss was not a mere graze like before, but a fierce, almost ravaging one, as if trying to draw out every last breath from Cui Xie’s lungs.

Initially, Cui Xie had wanted to match Xie Ying’s intensity, to make the other experience his own technique. But gradually, he found himself lost in a daze, unsure of time and place, with only one thought in his mind—he had let down his contemporaries. A modern man, equipped with a 2 TB hard drive of such knowledge, yet outmatched by an ancient who practiced health preservation.

When he fully regained his senses, he was already seated on the horse. Xie Ying sat behind him, allowing Cui Xie to lean against his chest, and flashed him a leisurely smile, “Now do you understand that your body cannot handle it? You may be young and passionate, but you should take care of yourself. Such activities should wait until you are a bit older.”

Cui Xie, lowering his head in contemplation, let out a light cough. “Maybe we should go home and practice swordsmanship first.”

Cui Xie envisioned practicing until he too possessed such stature, physique and strength…And with his technique, he was confident he could eventually conquer Xie Ying!

“Let’s discuss that later, “Xie Ying replied, handing the reins to Cui Xie and retrieving a bow and a quiver of arrows from behind. He quickly surveyed the surroundings, “We should bring back some game. Usually, I return with quite a bounty from my hunts. If we return empty-handed after half a day, what would the servants think?”

While speaking in a casual manner, Xie Ying’s nocked arrow was already aimed at a subtly rustling bush in the forest. With a swift release, the sound of a heavy thud soon followed.

Cui Xie, who had rarely visited zoos before and seen such live animals, found himself gaining a different kind of insight on this day. This era did not emphasize wildlife conservation: the animals of this forest were simply considered as game, hunted for sustenance. In just one morning, they had caught more than ten animals. They were mostly small creatures like wild rabbits, badgers, bobtail cats, along with wild ducks, doves and pheasants. They also bagged a larger roe deer–after all, it was just the two of them and Cui Xie’s horse was on the smaller side, making it impractical to carry too much game.

Xie Ying efficiently packed the smaller game into a cloth bag tied to the back of the horse, binding the larger roe deer with hemp rope and placing it atop Cui Xie’s smaller mount. This arrangement provided a convenient cover for them to ride back together on the same steed.

Once they arrived at the estate, Xie Ying urged the kitchen to roast the doves and rabbits, complementing the meal with pre-prepared dishes and fine wine from the estate. After lunch and brief rest, Xie Ying had Cui Xie change into a training robe to demonstrate his swordsmanship.

Cui Xie, with foundational skills, handled the sword with grace and poise. His movements stretched the fabric of his robe taught against his body, outlining his slender and flexible physique.

Initially, Xie Ying had intended to genuinely help improve Cui Xie’s skills, but having personally felt the contours of his body, found his thoughts wandering elsewhere during the training. He could not focus on finding faults in Cui Xie’s technique, captivated instead by every elegant movement and the beauty of Cui Xie’s physique. Xie Ying even found himself wanting to embrace Cui Xie, to touch and feel him once more.

If he continued to teach like this, nothing would be taught.

Realizing the futility of continuing this way, Xie Ying chuckled wryly and shook his head, standing up to say, “Enough, I will practice instead. You can watch and learn from behind. If there is anything you do not understand, just ask me.”

Now, it was Cui Xie’s turn to struggle with concentration. However, knowing he had to return home before dinner and would not have another chance to see the other until the following month, he rekindled his focus. He committed every movement of Xie Ying’s to memory, intending to savor them in the coming weeks.

Before he could fully indulge in this, Xie Ying shared disheartening news, “Next month, there is a grand banquet at the palace for the Mid-Autumn festival, and the Jinyiwei will be on duty. The day’s drills will likely be longer than usual, so I may not be able to come back in time. If you still want to continue, come to my residence. I can arrange for a material arts instructor to teach you in my stead.”

Cui Xie’s spirit visibly wilted at the thought of Xie Ying’s absence. “What is the point of visiting your residence if you are not there?” He shook his head, a touch of resignation in his voice, “I better just focus on my studies at home. A few days ago, Gao Su, Gao gonggong’s nephew, visited my residence, hinting that I should take good care of my stepbrother. It might be an indication of the Imperial palace’s interest in me. I really need to buckle down on my studies.”

Xie Ying’s brows creased slightly at the mention of Gao Su, “Gao Su visited? What did he say? Why did you not mention such an important matter to me earlier?” Pulling Cui Xie back into the main hall, he instructed the servants to stand guard outside and asked in a low voice, “Gao gonggong is one of the Chief Eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial, he is unlikely to bother with such trivial matters, nor would he let his nephew interact with someone of your status without significant reason. Can you guess his intentions?”

Cui Xie speculated, “Could it be because County Magistrate Jiang from Daxing County reported something favorable about me and the Emperor plans to summon me again?”

Though Xie Ying worked in the Jinyiwei, even he was not privy to such information. Shaking his head, he said, “I cannot inquire about that. How did he come to your residence and what exactly did he tell you?”

Cui Xie detailed the events of that day, but Xie Ying could not quite decipher the intricate intentions of the Emperor’s mind. He advised Cui Xie, “Gao Su’s words are surely a reflection of Gao gonggong’s intentions. Though he may not be as influential as Chief Eunuch Tan, his recent offering of your ‘Banquet to Celebrate Peace in Heaven’, has won the Emperor’s favor. His advice to you is likely an interpretation of the Emperor’s wishes. You should follow his guidance.”

After a moment of thought, he added, “Your brother may not be the most virtuous person and he seems rather weak-willed. Take good care of him for now. If conventional methods fail to discipline him, inform me. I can arrange for someone to teach him a lesson, ensuring he stays obediently at home henceforth.”

Cui Xie looked deeply at him, smiling and shaking his head, “I know you are capable, but this matter is under the Emperor’s scrutiny and the Eastern Depot may be watching as well in the shadows. Do not worry, I have read books on child rearing. Without resorting to beating or scolding, I can still discipline him effectively.”

Regarding rebellious, juvenile behavior, this would be manageable using modern methods like extra tutoring classes. Although the Ming Dynasty lacked such classes, there was the strict educator, Teacher Lu and a complete collection of Imperial examination materials at Cui Xie’s disposal. He planned to create a ‘study’ for Cui Heng upon his return, subjecting his brother to rigorous mock exams. Within a few months, Cui Xie was confident he could thoroughly reform his brother’s behavior.

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TN: Hope you all are doing well! I’m graduating from university on Monday! I just wrapped up everything in terms of finals, my research and my honors thesis. I will be going on hiatus for summer (May-August) so I can focus on relaxing and hanging out with my friend and family before moving to my grad school! I will be of course translating in the meantime so I am all prepared for you guys in the future 🙂 LOVE YOU ALL

Huge Announcement: We have set up a kofi and patreon account! If you would like to support us or get early access to advance chapters for Blood-Sucking Empress OR TMD, those options are available for you (in support us page)! I have just added a patreon tier for Transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty’s Imperial Examinations in which patreons can have access to a google document with ALL of my advanced translated chapters for the novel. Since I am a college student, there should usually be at least 10 advance chapters in the document at a time, but depending on my schedules, there may be fewer or more. I’m currently extremely busy, but I have translated out some new chapters for you all! But, I will still post each week with the same schedule. Thanks!

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