Chapter 113 What have I, Du Heng, done to deserve your favor?

"Let me think about where to begin."

Du Heng patted Su Ying's hand gently to comfort her. If he hadn't just finished his cup of ginger tea, he would probably still feel a chill at the mention of the Inspectorate.

"They didn't care about the rumor from the beginning."

Du Heng narrowed his eyes slightly and recounted what he had seen and heard.

"As soon as I entered the Inspectorate, the two officers took me to see a censor named Zhou Cheng. I assumed that since someone had posted a letter accusing me of immoral behavior, it must be related to the rumors spread by Jinniang. However, the censor's questioning made me feel that he didn't care whether the rumors were true or not, but was using them to learn more about other things."

Censor Zhou was thin, and his official uniform made him look empty. But his expression was stern, and his piercing eyes made anyone dare not underestimate him; he exuded authority.

At first, he simply asked me my name and where I lived, as usual, and then asked me to tell him the whole story of the rumor. I told him the truth, but after a few words, he suddenly interrupted and asked, "How did you know Xu Chongnian, the Minister of Rites?"

Although I was stunned, I answered truthfully and said that my father was the Minister of Rites when he was alive and was a subordinate of Lord Xu, so my family had some dealings with the Xu family.

His expression remained unchanged after hearing this, as if the abrupt question was just a casual question and insignificant.

I continued to talk, but after just a few sentences, he interrupted me again and asked questions still related to Xu Chongnian.

After a few rounds of this, I finally understood. This inquiry was just a cover for "revealing the truth"; in reality, it was to find out if I knew anything about Minister Xu.

I felt I had nothing to fear, so I went straight to the point and said, "Master Zhou, that rumor was nothing more than a momentary misunderstanding on the part of my cousin. If you wish to investigate, I will present witnesses and evidence tomorrow to prove my innocence. As for the Xu Mansion, my family, the Du family, has no close ties with them. We only had occasional contact when my father was alive. This time, I'm here to attend Madam Xu's invitation, following my mother's invitation after my mourning period."

"I have been in mourning for three years, staying indoors. My peers can all testify to this. Your Excellency will know the truth once you investigate."

But Censor Zhou sneered, as if he had heard a huge joke.

"Du Jieyuan, are you smart or not?"

He threw the brush on the table and raised his eyes, saying, "Since you have already seen that I came here for Xu Chongnian, how can you be so naive as to think that with the few witnesses and evidence you have, you can easily resolve this matter and clear your name?"

"Let me put it this way. No matter which class you were ranked first in, if Xu Chongnian's case can't be investigated, there's no way you can get away with it. I can only say that you're unlucky to have been involved with him, Xu Chongnian!"

After hearing this, Su Ying also felt a chill run down her spine and whispered, "So, the person behind this is trying to use you to plot against Xu Chongnian."

She frowned slightly, and after a moment, she whispered, "Hearing that Censor Zhou speak so brazenly, it's clear he's not afraid of you spreading this matter. He doesn't mind Xu Chongnian knowing, but I'm afraid he's relying on someone's support."

Su Ying's heart trembled at the thought, vaguely realizing that this might involve the court. Her voice trembled unconsciously, "The Censor is responsible for regulating court rituals and supervising officials. You were merely accused by someone, and yet he came forward to question you. The person behind this is likely very powerful."

Su Ying took a deep breath and said, "So, my cousin has determined that I am doomed to miss this Spring Examination."

After Su Ying finished speaking, Du Heng was stunned for a moment.

He had long known that Ying'er was extremely talented. Now, seeing that she could analyze the whole story from his narration in a clear and logical manner, and thus deduce the same conclusion as he had thought, he couldn't help but feel moved.

He could see the uneasiness and worry in her eyes. She was not sorry that he could not get out of this situation, but she was worried that he would be passively involved in the court struggle.

He couldn't help but offer words of comfort: "The worst-case scenario is that I'll never have a chance to pursue a career in government. Even if Xu Chongnian loses power, the court disputes won't affect me."

He spoke lightly, but Su Ying couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat.

She said that there were more meaningful things in life than just a career, and she also told him that she was willing to accompany him in practicing medicine and be a kind-hearted doctor.

However, she also knew that after more than ten years of hard study, a student with no power, no influence and no support had lost his future because of court struggles. Who could she express the helplessness in her heart?

I couldn't help but burst out with tears, and I couldn't stop them even if I wanted to.

Du Heng felt heartbroken. In all his time knowing Ying'er, he had never seen her cry. Even when faced with her mother's harassment and her maid's false accusations, she had never shed a tear. But today, she had cried for him twice.

"Ying'er!"

He brushed Su Ying's cheeks with both hands, and said in a low, dry voice, "What virtue and ability have I, Du Heng, possessed to deserve your favor?"

As he spoke, he wiped the tears from Ying'er's face with trembling fingers. But the tears, like the rain that had just fallen, could not be wiped away. He didn't dare continue, fearing that his hands, calloused from years of holding a pen, would leave marks on her fair skin.

But, what else can wipe away the tears softly and seamlessly?

In a hurry, he leaned over and kissed her.

His soft lips first touched her eyelashes, where the tears came from. Her long eyelashes trembled, and tears fell one by one. He wondered if he could stop the trembling, and the tears would stop.

Su Ying was stunned by Du Heng's sudden kiss. His palms supported her cheeks, and the warmth from his palms slowly dispelled the uneasiness and worry in her heart.

His kiss was also warm, like a gentle and caring caress, caressing her eyelashes and giving her tenderness.

It seemed that his kiss worked. Du Heng felt that Ying'er's eyes were no longer filled with tears, so he continued to move down and gently touch the remaining tears on her face with his lips.

First the tip of her nose, then her cheek. His kiss was light and soft, as if he was protecting the softest treasure in his heart, and he kissed away the tears on her face.

After a moment, his kiss finally landed on her lips.

"Ying'er," he murmured, "regardless of career or hardships, having you is enough."