Chapter 30: The Provincial Capital
◎ He wanted revenge on everyone. ◎
Early the next morning, A Liu, carrying simple luggage and examination supplies, set off with his master.
Mu Jiaojiao had gotten up early to see him off, but Zhan Qiyu didn’t even spare her a glance.
He feared distraction, even a fleeting look might cause trouble. The provincial capital held too many unknowns; if someone recognized her, it would create problems.
He couldn’t constantly use the leprosy ruse; too many cases would cause unrest.
“Go back. I’ll take care of Master.”
A Liu whipped the horse, heading towards the alley entrance, leaving the three women at home.
Zhan’s mother planned to stay home, awaiting news to avoid trouble for her son.
They had enough food and plenty to do. Zhan Li Shi enjoyed embroidery and weaving and hadn’t used her loom since moving.
Mu Jiaojiao knew needlework but had never seen real embroidery. Seeing the wooden frame and threads creating fabric, she found it fascinating.
Zhan Li Shi made plain cotton cloth and small items, inferior to store-bought ones.
Dyeing was impossible, but the fabric was soft and comfortable.
“Big Mother, let me try.”
She and Shan Cha were curious and tried, but it wasn’t easy. The shuttle seemed simple but wasn’t. Shan Cha tried but lacked dexterity, as did Mu Jiaojiao.
“Practice makes perfect.”
Zhan Li Shi smiled, feeling content watching the girls.
On this day, the Mu family clinic officially opened. Villagers, including Nangong Xuan, came to celebrate.
He had investigated Mu Jiaojiao, with little progress, but the Mu family had invited him.
Nangong Xuan inquired about Mu Jiaojiao, but the three men were reluctant to discuss it; it was too painful.
However, Mu Huan provided a clue: she had a benefactor whom she was repaying.
Mu’s mother kept it secret.
Nangong Xuan surmised her benefactor had taken her but hadn’t seen Mu Zhou Shi.
The once powerful woman was confined to the courtyard to repent, her managerial duties replaced by a housekeeper. She was shunned.
Mu Ming hadn’t divorced her, wanting her to learn a lesson, lest she harm the family further.
Initially, Mu Zhou Shi raged, then grew weary, pleading, but Mu Ming never forgave her, and she grew despondent.
She only cared for wealth and status; family meant nothing to her.
Mu Huan patted Nangong Xuan’s shoulder, “It’s my mother’s greed. She wanted my sister to become a court lady. The palace has no good people!”
This was a veiled attack on the Crown Prince, but his expression remained calm. “Indeed, the palace has no good people.”
Including him.
He held his wine cup, eyes narrowed, finding the situation intriguing. He’d been reborn too late; someone had already made a move.
He wasn’t worried; once he found the person, everything would be under his control.
Mu Ming offered chicken to the mysterious guest, realizing he wasn’t ordinary, but the other man didn’t reveal his identity.
As long as he wasn’t hostile towards the Mus, he wouldn’t expose him.
The clinic offered free treatment but required some payment for herbs; needy families could delay payments.
Poor people from neighboring towns arrived, seeking treatment for their ailments.
Three doctors were on duty: one hired by Mu Yun, one who had received a favor from Mu Ming, and one brought by Nangong Xuan.
This doctor, a retired imperial physician, was sent by the Crown Prince and was a gynecology expert.
He was unremarkable, fat and short, but arrogant. He treated patients rudely but his prescriptions were precise and detailed.
The villagers didn’t understand, but the other two doctors recognized his skill. They eagerly sought his advice, making him the central figure.
“Young Master Xuan, you’re amazing.”
Mu Yun thanked him; such skilled doctors rarely offered free treatment.
But Nangong Xuan shrugged, “It was convenient.”
His son was in the palace; he hoped for protection. Who could be entirely selfless?
He hoped the physician would treat more poor people; if discovered, it would benefit him.
That evening, after Nangong Xuan left, the physician reported to him.
He inquired about the leprosy patients’ symptoms. Their descriptions suggested poisoning rather than leprosy.
After the Prince left, Nangong Xuan smiled. He’d met a worthy opponent; it was a clever ruse.
Recruiting him as a strategist would be beneficial.
The Prince had many strategists, but Nangong Xuan liked bold and unrestrained individuals; some sacrifices were necessary.
Great things require disregarding minor details.
Nangong Xuan felt a strange interest in his opponent. It was simply preference.
He closed his eyes, seeing dark eyes in the night; perhaps his opponent knew he existed.
The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
In the provincial capital, near the examination hall, the inn was full. Guan Zeyang had reserved a room for Zhan Qiyu and A Liu.
They had to enter the examination hall before noon, for three days of confinement.
“A Liu, explore the area and buy gifts for women.”
It was a long journey; they should bring gifts.
A Liu grinned, “I know. I have the money.”
Since he could occasionally find money at home, A Liu realized the source was Mu Jiaojiao.
He secretly noted it, intending to repay her later.
The constant need for her financial support made Zhan Qiyu feel inadequate, hindering his confession. He would repay her tenfold.
He prepared for bed. He was ready for success.
A Liu slept on a couch at the door and quickly fell asleep.
He knew his master was capable and would succeed.
Their room was the first to go dark; others studied late.
One person frowned upon seeing a room go dark. “Clearly, they know they have no chance.”
Others, though confident, felt anxious and stayed up studying.
Zhan Qiyu was refreshed the next morning, unlike others.
They reached the examination hall; some had already entered.
“I’ll leave you here.”
He carried his examination supplies, letting A Liu go.
The examiners thoroughly searched him before letting him enter. Zhan Qiyu sat, awaiting the examination questions.
He closed his eyes, calmer than anyone.
Supervisors outnumbered examinees. Everyone was nervous except for the calm scholar.
Zhan Qiyu felt this was his stage, ready to prove himself.
Outside, A Liu explored the bustling city streets.
He felt like a country bumpkin, amazed by the lively atmosphere.
But halfway through, he saw a beggar and recognized him.
It was the flower thief.
He disdained him and walked past; he deserved his fate.
Cheng Xing Yao, seeing him, didn’t dare speak, only glared with resentment before continuing to beg.
He would have his revenge.
He needed help to punish these people.
A copper coin landed in his bowl. A woman told her son, “See? Not studying hard means ending up like this beggar!”
The child, understanding, pinched his nose, “Mother, I’ll study hard.”
Cheng Xing Yao, covered in dirt, smiled, “Thank you, kind people.”
But his eyes held malice, vowing revenge on the world.
He would have his revenge.
Meanwhile, Chen Xing’er in Yan Hua Town suddenly felt nauseous and vomited.
“My daughter is blessed; she’s pregnant with a Qin heir. This marriage is secured!”
But Chen Xing’er felt uneasy; she wasn’t sure who the father was.
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