Chapter 65

Zhong Yuwai's gaze conveyed this meaning: with dozens of prefectures in Jin State, each sending at least two or three hundred people to the capital, how could the metropolitan examination not have over ten thousand participants? With such a foundation, the results of the metropolitan examination would likely place him far behind, perhaps in the thousands.

This ranking in the provincial examination was already embarrassing, and he couldn't help but sigh, "106th place. Logically, the old master is a man of principle; those he has tutored shouldn't have such a poor foundation. The chances of passing are slim, yet he still came to take the exam. And now he doesn't even visit the Zhong residence. What is he up to?"

Du Fei was also puzzled and couldn't answer.

Zhong Yuwai looked at the letter, "Liezhou Liangtao County, this is probably where the old master is in seclusion. The old master's hometown isn't in Liezhou, so why did he go there?"

Du Fei asked, "It seems he doesn't want to reveal himself and doesn't want us to know he's here. What should we do?"

Zhong Yuwai countered, "Can we let him? My daughter is almost twenty. How many daughters are still unmarried at twenty? People are pointing fingers behind our backs. My wife and I are under increasing pressure, feeling stifled. Even if the old master comes in person, he must give us an explanation. It's unacceptable for him to hide after coming."

Du Fei wiped a bead of sweat, "That's true."

Zhong Yuwai continued, "I feel that young man is acting suspiciously. I don't want him to cause any trouble. You go and see him personally."

"Alright." Du Fei agreed, straightening the fallen stool before leaving.

Zhong Yuwai sat down again, but he couldn't bring the teacup to his lips, sighing repeatedly as he looked at the letter, "How could it be 106th place? This score won't allow him to stay in the capital to fill a position..."

At that moment, Wen Ruowei bounced in from the door, "Father, hurry up, it's time to leave."

Zhong's wife followed, "We should hurry. We should at least make it to Lingci Mountain for lunch, right?"

Zhong Yuwai looked at his two daughters at the door, "Your mother and I have something to discuss. You two go back and wait."

"Then hurry up," Wen Ruowei said, somewhat discontent, but was dragged away by her sister, Zhong Ruochen.

Zhong's wife sat opposite her husband, "You look troubled. What's wrong?"

Zhong Yuwai replied, "Forget about Lingci Mountain. We won't go."

Zhong's wife was taken aback, instinctively adjusting the golden hairpin in her hair. She had finally dressed to her satisfaction, and now this sudden change made her unhappy, "Lingci Mountain only opens to the public once a year. This is the only chance. Your two daughters are ready, and the steward has made all the preparations. It's just waiting for you. What could be so important to make everyone unhappy?"

Zhong Yuwai handed her the letter, letting her read it herself.

Zhong's wife took the letter with suspicion, her expression gradually freezing as she read. She slowly stood up and asked cautiously, "Is that person's son here?"

"Yes." Zhong Yuwai nodded, lifting his chin, "Can't you read what's written? He came to the capital to take the exam."

Zhong's wife asked, "Why didn't we hear any news beforehand?"

Zhong Yuwai replied, "He didn't make a fuss. He circled around the Zhong residence, but we don't know what he's up to."

With this sudden development, Zhong's wife lost interest in going to Lingci Mountain. She read the letter again, then asked suspiciously, "How could he rank so low in the provincial examination? Can he even pass the imperial examination? Or is it that the old master used his connections to help his son?"

"I don't know. We'll find out when we meet him."

...

In the garden, Wen Ruowei, who was being dragged by her sister, suddenly said, "Sister, don't you think Father's expression is a bit off?"

Zhong Ruochen noticed and nodded.

Wen Ruowei continued, "Sister, I have a bad feeling. We might not be going to Lingci Mountain, right?"

Zhong Ruochen paused, "If we can't go, we won't. Father's matters are more important."

"But that's the only chance in a year," Wen Ruowei protested, pulling her hand away from her sister and running off, "I'll eavesdrop."

"Ruowei!" Zhong Ruochen called out, but Wen Ruowei was already gone.

Wen Ruowei ran to her parents' courtyard, then stealthily approached the main house, crouching by the wall to eavesdrop.

Suddenly, she covered her mouth, her eyes wide with shock.

After listening for a while, her arm suddenly ached. She turned to see a guard on the wall, pointing at her warningly.

Wen Ruowei stuck out her tongue and carefully left.

Once out of the courtyard, she ran quickly to the garden.

Zhong Ruochen was about to scold her, but Wen Ruowei leaned on her shoulder and whispered, "Sister, we definitely won't go to Lingci Mountain. Even if they let us, I won't go. I want to stay and see."

Zhong Ruochen was surprised, "Stay and see what?"

She couldn't understand what could be more interesting than the flower sea at Lingci Mountain on this day.

Wen Ruowei blinked, "To see my future brother-in-law!"

"..." Zhong Ruochen was taken aback, pushing her sister away and turning to leave, thinking her sister was joking again.

"Hey!" Wen Ruowei stomped her foot, running to her sister and whispering in her ear, "Sister, I finally understand why the family isn't in a hurry to get you married. It turns out you were already engaged. Your fiancé is the son of a high official, a Yu Department Secretary. He's already in the capital, staying at a guild hall, and Du Steward has already gone to pick him up."

"..." Zhong Ruochen instinctively thought her sister was lying, as she often joked and deceived people. But the more she listened, the more she felt something was off. Words like "Yu Department Secretary" weren't something her sister would normally use, and it didn't seem like a joke.

Every girl dreams of love, and she herself had often wondered why her family wasn't in a hurry to get her married, even though she was past the age.

Now, hearing this, her heart was thrown into turmoil. She pushed her sister away again, "Nonsense. If such a thing were true, how could it be kept secret?"

This time, she fled.

"Sister, it's true. Du Steward has already gone to pick him up. We'll see him soon..."

At the Liezhou Guild Hall.

After registering, Yu Qing strolled out, stretching lazily at the guild hall gate.

A carriage waiting on the side immediately pulled up, and the driver jumped down, smiling, "Is this Young Master? I'm Li Gui from Shengji Carriage Service. Old Sun was hit by a falling ladder and can't lift his arm, so the carriage service sent me to replace him. Please get in."

Yu Qing was cautious, pulling back the curtain to see his chair from yesterday inside before getting in.

Driver Li Gui sat on the carriage, asking, "Young Master, where do you want to go today?"

Yu Qing replied, "To the palace area."

It was his first time in the capital, and he wanted to see the palace.

"Alright, sit tight." Li Gui shouted, cracking the whip, and the carriage moved steadily forward.

Yu Qing pulled back the curtains, enjoying the view. Yesterday, it was dark, and he only saw the night scenery. Today, he could enjoy the daytime view of the capital.

He had no intention of studying for the exam, as it wasn't necessary. He just needed to finish his business and leave.

He had no plans to visit the Zhong family. After careful consideration last night, he made his final decision: not to visit the Zhong family.

There was no point in meeting the fiancée of his friend Shiheng.

It wasn't an easy decision, as the Zhong family was wealthy, a big piece of meat. Just touching it would leave his hands greasy!

After making the decision, he felt relieved. He decided to enjoy the capital and gather the information he needed. Selling the fire cricket at a high price would be his legitimate income.

He wasn't sure when Xu Fei would pay the four thousand taels of silver.

Today, he had specifically obtained Xu Fei's address from the guild hall and planned to verify the location to prevent Xu Fei from defaulting.

As he was lost in thought, he suddenly became alert, noticing the carriage had left the main street and entered a quiet alley.

Feeling something was wrong, he immediately asked, "Li Gui, where are we going?"

Li Gui turned back, smiling, "Taking a shortcut to the palace."

Just as he finished speaking, a figure darted out from a house and leaped into the carriage.

Yu Qing was startled, drawing his sword.

The intruder struck with a palm, and Yu Qing felt a powerful force. The sword, halfway out, was forced back by the air pressure, and his chair shattered. He was thrown back, and the intruder locked his throat, sitting him down on the back seat.

"Wow, you're quite alert and quick to react," the intruder teased, surprised by Yu Qing's martial prowess. Seeing his stance to draw the sword, he added, "You're both scholarly and martial. Interesting."

This was a misjudgment.

Most scholars who passed the examination at his age had spent most of their time studying, so he assumed Yu Qing's sword was just for show. Now, he was glad he came himself, as he might have let him escape otherwise.

He was none other than Du Fei, the head guard of the Zhong residence.

The moment he struck, Yu Qing recognized his strength: a Xuan-level expert!

He cursed inwardly, wondering what bad luck he had to encounter so many Xuan-level experts. Even a simple carriage ride could lead to being kidnapped by one. It was truly a nightmare.

The carriage left the alley and returned to the bustling street, the curtains lowered.

Yu Qing's tense nerves relaxed slightly. It didn't seem like they were going to kill him, but rather kidnap him.

But he couldn't understand why a Xuan-level expert would kidnap him. He hadn't offended anyone since arriving in the capital. Could it be because he showed off his wealth?

He regretted renting such an expensive carriage and carrying all his money with him instead of leaving it at the guild hall.

Of course, he also suspected Xu Fei might have sent them.