Chapter 1704 – The Conclusion of Hua Yuan (Thirteen)
“Is the Lord guessing that Hua Yuan went to Ningzhou?”
Wei Ci was summoned in secret by Jiang Pengji to discuss Hua Yuan’s situation.
Jiang Pengji said, “That’s my guess. If I remember correctly, you mentioned that Hua Yuan also passed away in Ningzhou in his previous life?”
“Indeed, that’s the case. It’s just that in this life… I didn’t expect Hua Yuan to meet the same fate again.”
If it weren’t for his childhood experiences, Hua Yuan wouldn’t have gone mad and lived his life this way.
Had he remained clear-headed, it wouldn’t have been difficult for him to achieve a stable and fulfilling life.
“What does the Lord plan to do about him? Send someone to capture him or eliminate him on the spot?”
Wei Ci felt pity for Hua Yuan but would not sympathize, as no matter how tragic Hua Yuan’s situation was, his past wrongdoings could not be forgiven.
Jiang Pengji rested her chin on her interlaced fingers, looking up at Wei Ci.
“I plan to go see him myself and settle this. Zixiao, do you want to come along?”
Even if the persona Hua Yuan conjured was imaginary, she felt uneasy not dealing with it personally.
After two or three years of war, both she and Zixiao hadn’t had much time alone together; this was a chance to spend some time side by side.
Wei Ci chuckled, “If you leave Zizhi and the others behind at such a critical moment without a reason, they might complain again.”
Especially with Wei Ci tagging along, he was genuinely worried that Feng Zhen and the others might misunderstand their Lord for playing favorites.
Jiang Pengji shrugged nonchalantly. “The war in Nansheng has paused, but there are still various minor uprisings that need time to settle. As the Lord, how can I sit idly by? To ensure the Common People’s stability, these pests must be eradicated without delay!”
Was she someone who played favorites?
She was merely acting for the greater good and for the Common People, addressing the hidden threat of Hua Yuan while bringing peace to those along the way.
Regardless of how many times he heard it, Wei Ci couldn’t help but marvel at his Lord’s ability to spout nonsense with a straight face; truly unparalleled.
“Please convey these words to Zizhi and the others. I won’t overstep my bounds.”
Jiang Pengji rested her chin in her hand. “Oh, Zixiao has learned to be cheeky; who corrupted him?”
Zixiao used to be so considerate, not this mischievous.
Wei Ci winked playfully, teasingly asking, “What do you think?”
Jiang Pengji replied, “I think… that’s called couple’s resemblance.”
Over time, two people might grow more alike in certain ways, becoming more in sync; that’s what’s meant by couple’s resemblance.
Wei Ci couldn’t help but blush.
When it came to the art of flirtation, ten Wei Zixiaos couldn’t compete with one Jiang Pengji; her level of flirtation had reached its peak.
Indeed, Jiang Pengji’s suggestion earned eye-rolls from Feng Zhen and the others.
They laughed on the surface while cursing under their breath.
Just stick to the business at hand; what’s with dragging Zixiao along?
Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow and smiled, “No hidden agendas here. I alone can’t provide what you all fantasize about in a young master.”
Feng Zhen shot her a knowing look, brushing off her hand resting on his shoulder.
Feigning seriousness while suppressing a smirk, he stated, “What the Lord says is correct; pacifying the uprisings and ensuring the Common People’s safety is indeed urgent. Zixiao acts with caution and diligence; having him assist the Lord makes me feel at ease…”
In the grand scheme of things, nothing was more important than the young master.
Once the young master grew up, he wouldn’t have to endure the trials of a temperamental Lord anymore; that thought brought him joy.
Just moments ago, they were rolling their eyes, and now they longed for Jiang Pengji to whisk Wei Ci away at once.
Heh, men!
Ningzhou wasn’t too far from Jiang Pengji’s current location, but it wasn’t close either; even with a fast horse, it would take several days to reach.
Just as they were preparing to leave, an unexpected entry popped up.
“What are you doing here?”
Jiang Pengji glared at Lü Zheng, annoyed at his interference.
Lü Zheng replied, “I heard that Lan Ting intends to seek Hua Yuan, and I have some grievances with him, so I’d like to settle that.”
Just as Jiang Pengji was about to refuse, she noticed Wei Ci giving Lü Zheng a look of plea…
“So frustrating! Do I really have to bring along two big light bulbs?!”
Despite her reluctance, she still took Lü Zheng and his adoptive daughter Kang Xintong with her.
Two days before their departure, the first batch of recruitment notices was freshly released, and topping the list was Mi Hua.
Mi Hua—just the name alone indicated that she was undoubtedly a woman.
The scholars behind her fumed.
Even though they were internally roaring about the unfairness and bias, they still maintained decorum, congratulating each other in a façade of harmony.
The recruitment papers were delivered to the temporary lodgings of various scholars, and as the celebratory drums echoed from the street, Mi Hua stood in her courtyard gazing at the distant clouds.
Beside her, the concubine holding an umbrella for her shaded her from the sun, puzzled, “Why is it so noisy outside?”
“I don’t find it noisy; in fact, it sounds delightful,” Mi Hua replied meaningfully. “Inform the kitchen to prepare.”
“My Lady, we just had lunch a quarter-hour ago.”
Mi Hua said, “We’re making bamboo slip fried table; it’s for the Lord.”
The concubine paused for a moment, then realized and gleefully congratulated Mi Hua.
This day, the most despairing one was likely Mi Hua’s husband.
When the news of the recruitment reached him, it rang like a death knell in his ears, echoing the words “My life is over!” in his mind.
“I won’t eat! I refuse to eat even if it kills me!”
He would rather kneel to death than eat.
After all, they had been married for several years; he knew Mi Hua was serious. If she said she’d make him eat bamboo slip fried table, she would definitely force it down his throat.
“My Lord, while your Lady hasn’t thought of it yet, shall we sneak away?” the servant suggested earnestly, his face a picture of distress. “After a while, perhaps the Lady will forget about it. If we stick around now, the Lady will definitely come for us!!!”
The best strategy is to leave!
The man hurriedly rolled up his belongings, took his guards, and made a discreet getaway, avoiding Mi Hua for a long while.
Holding a plate of stir-fried bamboo shoots and wood ears, Mi Hua coldly watched the chaotic room, sneering in silence.
“Truly hopeless; let him be. After this incident, he’ll quiet down for a while.”
The concubine, watching nearby, was in cold sweat, once again marveling at her Lady’s prowess.
A bit of common sense would tell anyone that it wasn’t possible to really eat a bamboo slip table, but her husband took her seriously—so seriously, in fact, he ran away.
The news of Mi Hua ranking first spread like wildfire.
“How could a woman hold a position above me? It’s a tremendous shame!”
Who is Mi Hua?
A lady of the inner courtyard!
After laboring through twenty-plus years of study, how could he fall short of a mere woman?
There must be foul play involved!
The scholar ranked twenty-first was disgruntled; he had pride and was adamant about not giving in, rejecting recruitment altogether. The onlookers watched in confusion as he stomped about, equally perplexed when the courier stuffed the recruitment papers into his bosom and turned to leave.
Scholar: “…”
Is that it?
Not even going to try to keep me?
“Isn’t Lan Ting also a woman?” mumbled a bystander.
The scholar wasn’t unaware that Jiang Pengji was a woman, so how could he bear the thought of being below a woman? Why bother with the examinations at all?
What a waste of time!
