The following day after her meeting with Si Yifeng, Ming Shu went out once again. Taking Luyu with her she went to the alley that gave her brother's nightmares until today.
The alley known for be the home of the failed scholars was probably the best place to find the wasted talents of this nation.
Entering one of the restaurants close by, she easily spotted a few children hanging close to the restaurant she was in. They were probably waiting for the scraps that the customers left.
A middle age man with a pot belly and a greasy face came to attend them. Taking by his clothes and figure, he was probably the owner of this small restaurant.
"Hello Misses, What would you like to order? If I may suggest something, I think the two ladies would enjoy the roasted duck"
"I will take you on that. Also, I want some information. I will pay for it of course"
Ming Shu passed two silver coins to the man, who quickly picked up the coin.
"What does Miss wants to know?"
"I heard that many of the people in the alley are in there for unfortunate circumstances. Is that true?"
"It is. Just the other day, this lad came to live there because he was cheated out of his money by his childhood sweetheart. Apparently they came here from the countryside dreaming of making big. Not one year passed and the girl run away with his money. They say she fell in love with one of those damn actors and went with him do a play in the villages. The poor guy couldn't pay his rent anymore and didn't have a job, so now he lives there. Sometimes he comes here to fix something or wash the dishes"
Although Ming Shu thought it was a bit silly how the man got himself in this situation, she knew she was the last person that can judge some love fool. Either way, it was better to judge the guy after meeting him.
"Oh? That's rather interest. Can you call him here for me? I would like to pay him a meal so I can hear more about"
"This..."
The owner made a difficult face. He already had few customers and didn't want to push away them with the presence of the scholar, who undoubtedly would be dirty and smelly. On the other hand he also didn't want to offend the little Miss.
Ming Shu understood why the owner had a difficult face. Without battling an eye lid, she gave him a little pouch.
Once the owner opened he stopped breathing. The pouch has 10 gold coins! This was months of revenue worth! He put inside his cloths quickly lest Ming Shu regretted it.
"He will be here in a moment Miss! If you excuse me"
The owner almost ran outside to accomplish her request. Not long after, the pot-belly owner was entered the restaurant once again accompanied by a a tall and frail looking man. By his clothes and smell one could easily deduce the guy was having a hard time in his life.
"Here is the guy I told you about Young Miss. His name is Fu Xichen, Xichen this is the little Miss I told you about. You should be grateful to her. Because of her your sorry ass will be able to eat a warm meal today"
"That's enough Mister. Thank you for being him here, please order another roasted duck"
After seeing the owner leave, the young man turned to the girl in front of him. He was a bit skeptical about the reason she called him here, but after passing weeks without a a proper meal, the prospects of having a warm one were too enticing for him. Plus, according to the owner she only wanted to hear his story. Although it was not something he liked to share he had bigger priorities now.
"Miss thank you for paying for my meal. How may I be of help?"
"Please sit down. Could you please tell us your story?"
"Y-yes. As the boss told you my name is Fu Xichen. I was born and raised in a small village far from the capital. There I was fortunate to meet my Master. He was a scholar here but due to certain circumstances that he never told me he left here and went to live in my village. Because of my Master I was able to learn the four arts and promised him that I would come to the capital to try my luck. My parents gave me most of their savings so that I wouldn't suffer much in my path. I left the village with my childhood friend. I was in love with her since we were younger and I was really happy that she accepted to come here. Once we arrive here, I focus on my studies. I wanted to prove myself in the Imperial Exams. Maybe because I didn't give her much attention or she never loved me in the first place, the girl who came with me ran away with some wannabe actor. With them all the savings my parents gave also disappeared"
Ming Shu shook her head to the poor man's story. This type of betrayal was actually not that unusual. People that came here from the countryside are often tagged by scammers looking for an easy money. She could bet that once the girl's run out of money she would be either dumbed or treat worse than now by the actor.
"Don't be too sad. My Grandfather always say that all things happens to us for a reason. We should always learn from everything and everyone. There's always something to learn in each of our experiences and I hope that instead of it being your doom can be a step to you reach greater heights"
Fu Xichen's filled with tears. Many people said to him not care about his childhood friend, or that he would find someone better. But no one ever said to him that he still could be a scholar. He knew it would be hard to go back again from this step, but he promise his Master to never give up from his original path because of others.
"Now, now, don't cry Xichen. How about that, I have this paper with some questions I came up with here with me, why don't you answer it? Depending on your answers I may even sponsor you"
Fu Xichen stupidly looked at the girl in front of him and the paper she put in front of him. The Young Miss not only help him out if his depression, she was even willing to give him a chance out of this dark place.
He took the brush and the paper and started to answer the questions. At first he thought the questions wouldn't be that difficult but once he saw the questions his eyes shone. They at first looked rather shallow but after one thought about it, they were subjective and profound. They addressed many subjects that were in the Imperial Exams. He became totally engrossed in the questions and forgot his surroundings.
After two hours passed he once again looked at the Young Miss. The difference now is that he not only had gratitude but he also had a new found respect.