Chapter 98 Caiwei: She was born because of you, and she died because of you. ...

One month later.

Candidates who registered for the county examinations traveled from four counties to Anneung County and took the exams on time.

This exam is crucial to the future of Jinzhou, and many people are paying attention to it. He Qinglan and Cheng Hui take it very seriously.

The city guards patrolled closely outside the examination hall.

The examiners stood expressionless on the platform, their sharp eyes scanning all the candidates. Sometimes, upon receiving instructions from the goddess, they would immediately drag cheating candidates out of the examination room.

The test takers were working on the questions with different expressions: some were concentrating intently, some were writing rapidly, some were deep in thought, some were scratching their heads, and some were making mental calculations.

Meanwhile, in Jinzhou, Hu Dazhu led his troops to break through the city gate and enter the city.

Not long after, they captured Governor Hu Lin alive.

Under Hu Lin's resentful gaze, Xiang Yuesheng picked up the official seal of the Governor of Jinzhou and said to Hu Dazhu, "I wonder if the Goddess will like it?"

Hu Dazhu laughed loudly, "If you don't like it, then carve another one."

Hu Lin was furious, but no one cared about his opinion.

Xiang Yuesheng put away his official seal and said in a relaxed tone, "The county examination interviews can be held in the prefectural city now."

Hu Dazhu asked in confusion, "That's too much trouble?"

If we wait until the goddess arrives in the capital before holding the interviews... that would take several months, wouldn't it? Can the candidates afford to wait that long?

Xiang Yuesheng smiled and said, "I think it would be more meaningful to do it in the state capital."

Hu Dazhu said, "Let the goddess decide."

Xiang Yuesheng nodded, "I will immediately write to the goddess to report that we have entered the city."

Hu Lin was imprisoned in the governor's mansion under strict guard, awaiting the arrival of the goddess in the city to deal with him personally.

While waiting for Ning Huai'an to arrive, Hu Dazhu and Xiang Yuesheng dealt with the local thugs and hooligans, and also called on the local people to clean up and repair the roads.

The people couldn't understand, but they dared not disobey and worked diligently.

They never expected that these soldiers and bandits who defeated Hu Lin would be able to provide them with three meals a day, five dishes and a soup!

The people of the city were deeply moved: Heavens, where are you gods from? Why have you only come now?

You believe in your goddess? Don't worry, we definitely will! We'll offer her incense three times a day!

When Ning Huai'an's army entered the city, the local people had already cleaned up the entire city: the garbage was cleared, the ditches were dredged, and the wells were cleaned.

At the same time, roads within the city were repaired and public toilets were built.

Ning Huai'an was quite surprised, "You guys are pretty quick?"

Xiang Yuesheng shook his head, "No, no, no, we dare not take credit for this. It is all thanks to the people of the city!"

Ning Huai'an: "?"

Mo Jingchun, who had come to the city, understood perfectly: "Are they expressing their gratitude to the goddess?" Or rather, their loyalty?

Xiang Yuesheng said, "Yes." Who could refuse food offered by a goddess? Who wouldn't want to enjoy it forever?

Zhu Youchuan unfolded his folding fan and pretended to fan himself. Then he asked Hu Dazhu and Xiang Yuesheng, "When will the Goddess and Elder Cheng arrive in the prefecture city?"

Hu Dazhu had already received He Qinglan's reply, and said, "The goddess said to wait until after the recruitment exam."

"That works too," Zhu Youchuan said. "We need to recruit 500 people this time, but it still doesn't feel like enough."

Mo Jingchun laughed, "The Jinzhou Administrative Office, the city administrative office, the administrative offices of each prefecture, the city administrative offices of each prefecture, plus the administrative offices of each county—we need far too many people. How can a mere 500 people be enough?"

Xiang Yuesheng said, "We will continue to recruit a special group of people in the newly acquired areas."

Hu Dazhu poured himself a cup of tea. "Let's talk about it when the Goddess and Elder Cheng arrive." The Jinzhou Administrative Office hasn't been established yet.

"So, what should we do before the goddess and the others arrive?" Ning Huai'an crossed his arms. "We can't just sit here and wait."

Zhu Youchuan thought for a moment, "Build roads, build houses, build city walls, and farm."

Hu Dazhu said, "Recruit new soldiers and train them."

Mo Jingchun couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this, "So, our night school can also be opened to help the local people learn to read and write."

Xiang Yuesheng pressed his temples. "Suppress the bandits."

There's no way they can be idle.

Xiang Yuesheng suddenly remembered something and asked Mo Jingchun, "Didn't Minister Yun come along?"

Mo Jingchun replied, "You Ning went to Yanjing County."

Faced with the questioning looks of the crowd, she explained, "Yanjing County is different from other counties because of its abundant salt resources. Song Li is currently in a coastal city and cannot return, so You Ning went to do ideological work with the salt workers."

In short, the goal was to get them to obey the goddess, stop causing trouble, and continue their previous work.

The capital city.

It was relatively easy for Mei Leshu to meet Xue Rang.

Despite Xue Rang's high position and great power, he personally wished to see Mei Leshu. Therefore, as soon as Mei Leshu gave her name to the guard at the door, she was led to Xue Rang's study.

The reunion of two people who were not familiar with each other in the first place after many years should have been very awkward.

But Mei Leshu displayed strong hostility as soon as she entered the room.

"Where did you bury my junior sister? I want to take her back to her hometown and bury her next to my senior uncle and aunt!" The young female doctor's eyes burned with anger.

But Xue Rang was no longer the orphan Mei Leshu knew back then. He scrutinized Mei Leshu and asked with a smile, "Senior Sister Mei, three years ago I asked Zhao Jiashu, the governor of Qingzhou, to send you a message inviting you to the capital, but you did not come. Instead, you stayed in Anling County, Jinzhou for three years. May I ask you why?"

Mei Leshu stared at Xue Rang, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "My reason? I'm afraid you'll kill Junior Sister for wealth and glory. I was summoned to the capital to eliminate the only two people in this world who would seek justice for Junior Sister!"

Xue Rang's gaze deepened, and he asked, "You've come to see me now because He Qinglan from Anling told you that I didn't harm Caiwei?"

He said this in a casual tone, yet with a hint of sarcasm.

Clearly, he believed that He Qinglan was trying to please him by saying nice things to reassure Mei Leshu.

Mei Leshu understood what he meant, and she scoffed, "The goddess told me that Caiwei committed suicide by jumping into the river because of you."

Xue Rang's expression changed.

The two faced off. Xue Rang moved his lips slightly, "Yes, it was indeed because of me. She was afraid I would mind, but actually I don't..."

“No,” Mei Leshu interrupted him, staring at Xue Rang with a sorrowful and indignant tone, “You’ve misunderstood! Junior Sister was bullied and suffered all kinds of injustices, but she didn’t despair because of it. She had hope for you; you were the closest person to her in this world! So she went back to you, and it was you who completely disappointed her! That’s why she ran to the river to commit suicide!”

Xue Rang couldn't understand; his face was filled with disbelief.

But he quickly regained his composure and calmly gazed at Mei Leshu. "Senior Sister Mei, what did He Qinglan say to you?"

Mei Leshu retorted angrily, "You don't believe me? You really don't believe me!"

Xue Rang closed his eyes briefly. "Senior Sister Mei, I won't mind if you blame me or hate me. I'm the one who wronged Caiwei. But I was a witness to what happened back then, and He Qinglan can't possibly know it better than me."

Mei Leshu sneered, "The goddess told me that my junior sister was bullied in the market in the southeast, but she threw herself into the river in the northeast, is that right?"

Xue Rang was taken aback.

Mei Leshu asked, "Why did she walk around half the city and then jump into the river to commit suicide?"

Xue Rang replied, "Because there is no river near the market..."

Mei Leshu's gaze was icy. "Because your house is in the north! She went back to find you and discovered that you were entangled with the Lu family's daughter. She was traumatized and, in despair, went to the river closest to your house!"

Xue Rang froze.

Over the years, he had thought countless times that he hadn't given Xue Caiwei enough security, which was why she didn't come to him after the incident, but instead chose to jump into the river and commit suicide.

But he never imagined that Xue Caiwei had actually already come looking for him...

No! This may not be the truth; it must be He Qinglan's conspiracy!

She investigated the events of that year, learned about the market, the river, and the location of their residence, and devised a conspiracy to sow discord between him and the Lu family.

“Senior Sister Mei, He Qinglan’s words are not credible. She did not witness what happened back then; it’s just her speculation.” Xue Rang looked at Mei Leshu and tried to explain, “He Qinglan is trying to scheme against me. You can’t become her tool.”

Mei Leshu repeated, "You really don't believe me."

She asked, "Are you questioning the goddess, or are you unwilling to believe that you and your wife forced your junior sister to her death?"

The young, beautiful healer looked disdainful. "That's right. Now you're the prime minister's son-in-law, high in rank and power, with a beautiful wife in your arms. What is my junior sister compared to that? You're just using this 'deeply devoted' persona as a tool for your emotional entanglements with your wife..."

Mei Leshu was taken aback, then laughed coldly, "What, did I hit the nail on the head?"

“Senior Sister Mei,” Xue Rang said, word by word, “I respect you as Master’s junior sister and Caiwei’s junior sister, but you cannot be too presumptuous.”

Mei Leshu chuckled, "The goddess was right after all. You won't believe me. You want to protect everything you have. After a few years of ups and downs, you and your wife will be loving and affectionate. Go to your junior sister's grave and ask her to bless you!"

Under Xue Rang's gaze, which looked at her as if she were crazy, she spat and said, "Don't even think about it! I won't let you two, you two scoundrels, go to Junior Sister's grave and disgust her!"

Just as Xue Rang was about to say something, he saw Mei Leshu extend her left hand and silently utter something.

A pink light appeared out of thin air in her palm.

Outside the window.

Lu Yingfang, who had come upon hearing the news, listened quietly to the conversation between Mei Leshu and Xue Rang. When she heard Mei Leshu mention that Xue Caiwei did not immediately commit suicide after being insulted, but instead went back to the home she and Xue Rang had shared, saw Xue Rang with Lu Yingfang, and then attempted suicide, Lu Yingfang's heart trembled.

That's right, she was indeed with Xue Rang that day.

She did indeed see Xue Caiwei return.

But she didn't call out to her, nor did she tell Xue Rang. She pretended not to know, watched the girl who had just been humiliated, and then turned and ran away.

Half a day later, Xue Rang came to ask her for help, and she sent people to find Xue Caiwei.

The girl's body was pulled from the river to the northeast.

Her brother cleaned up the mess, so Xue Rang would never know that Xue Caiwei had ever returned.

With the Lu family as his backing, Xue Rang successfully found the group of people who had bullied Xue Caiwei and killed them with his own hands.

Afterwards, Xue Rang was inspired to improve himself, married her, and rose through the ranks with the help of her father.

Lu Yingfang tolerated Xue Caiwei's presence in Xue Rang's heart, but Xue Caiwei was, after all, just a corpse, and she was confident that one day Xue Rang would be able to accept her.

But! How could anyone know the truth about that day...?

Xue asked him if he would...

Fortunately, Xue Rang didn't believe it.

Lu Yingfang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, given the current situation, Xue Rang would most likely believe that a speculation made by someone who wasn't a direct witness to what happened back then was an attempt to sow discord between him and her father, and wouldn't act rashly…

Just then, a pink light suddenly shone from the room. Lu Yingfang heard Xue Rang, who was usually calm and composed, call out "Caiwei" in a voice, filled with indescribable shock, joy, and longing!

Lu Yingfang was suddenly stunned, and she looked through the crack in the window.

She gasped in surprise.

Neither of the two people inside the house noticed her at that moment.

They stared blankly at the girl kneeling before them. She looked about sixteen or seventeen years old, her clothes were tattered, her face was swollen and red from being beaten, and there was blood at the corner of her mouth.

Her breathing was clearly audible, and each of her eyelashes could be counted.

Xue Caiwei, who had passed away many years ago, appeared vividly in this study, as if she were still alive!

Xue Rang couldn't help but reach out to hug Xue Caiwei, but he missed.

He looked at the girl in front of him, and subconsciously glanced at Mei Leshu, "Senior Sister Mei..."

Mei Leshu's eyes were red, "This is a 3D image of something that happened in the past..."

Xue Caiwei stood up, and her eyes, which had been filled with pain, suddenly lit up. She staggered forward.

As she walked, she suddenly started running.

Along the way, many passersby saw her. Some pointed at her, some cast sympathetic glances, and some laughed at her.

Xue Caiwei bit her lip and continued running forward.

As Xue Rang watched her run, his face turned deathly pale.

Xue Caiwei's destination was indeed not the river, but the wooden house where she and he used to live!

But she stood at the door, startled and hesitant, and stopped in her tracks, not going in.

In the courtyard, Xue Rang and Lu Yingfang sat across from each other at a table, seemingly having a pleasant conversation.

Lu Yingfang stood up, but suddenly slipped. Xue Rang reached out and helped her.

At this moment, Lu Yingfang looked over Xue Rang's shoulder and saw Xue Caiwei standing at the door.

Almost instinctively, Lu Yingfang let out a soft "ouch" and rested her head on Xue Rang's shoulder.

As Xue Caiwei watched this scene, no one knew what she was thinking at that moment. All they saw was her taking a step back, and then another step back.

Then she turned around and ran without hesitation down the river that ended her life.

No matter how many times Xue Rang called out to her or tried to stop her, she ran to the riverbank without stopping and resolutely jumped into the river.

Water splashed up from the riverbank and rushed towards Xue Rang and Mei Leshu, but since it was just a stereoscopic image, they were not splashed.

When the light faded, the river disappeared.

Xue Rang knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, overwhelmed with grief.

Mei Leshu wanted to mock Xue Rang, but as soon as she opened her mouth, large tears streamed down her cheeks.

She choked up as she said, "I want to take my junior sister back; she won't want to stay in the capital."

Xue Rang knelt upright.

After a long silence, he spoke in a hoarse voice, "Senior Sister Mei, please tell He Qinglan that I want Caiwei's 3D image. I can promise her anything."

Mei Leshu refused, saying, "The goddess said she can't give it to you; it's a disposable item she borrowed from someone else."

Xue Rang's Adam's apple bobbed up and down; he wanted to say something, but didn't know what to say.

Mei Leshu didn't finish her sentence. She looked down at Xue Rang and said, "The goddess asked me to give you a message: Xue Caiwei was born because of you and will die because of you. Her birth and death were both for the sake of fulfilling your great cause and your happy love."

Xue Rang trembled violently, as if struck on the head by a bolt of lightning.

He saw the truth of the world.

You are the chosen one of this world.

You will experience excruciating pain, you will lose the person you care about most, and then grow into someone no one can match you.

You will possess the world, and you will have the most beautiful lover.

Are you willing?

Chu Xi was unwilling, and Cen Ying was unwilling.

Xue Rang was also unwilling.

However, after everything was over, Chu Xi and Cen Ying saw the truth clearly, and for this, they did not hesitate to destroy the world, threatening the Heavenly Dao.

So they got their chance: they signed a contract with the Quick Traveler Company to go to other worlds to do missions, and if they could get enough points, they could return to the beginning and save the people they wanted to save.

Xue Rang was just an ordinary human being; he couldn't see the truth.

In the distant Anling County, He Qinglan rested her head on one hand, calmly gazing at the white clouds and birds in the sky.

Chu Xi: [Tsk tsk tsk, how can you be so sure that the chosen one of Heaven would defy the destiny ordained by Heaven for the sake of his deceased white moonlight? Isn't the throne more appealing?]

He Qinglan was speechless. She replied, "I'm not sure, and I don't care. I just did it on a whim."

If Xue Rang is going to defy fate, that's fine.

He was unwilling, and it didn't matter to her; it wouldn't affect her grand plan at all.

She simply told Mei Leshu and Xue Rang some of the facts that had been concealed from them back then.

Chu Xi: [Aren't you afraid he might harm you?]

He Qinglan was puzzled: "[A disadvantage against me?] Who? Xue Rang?"

Chu Xi: [Have you forgotten how Si Chen caused Lin Xi's soul to be scattered, thereby seizing his system and becoming a quick transmigrator?]

He Qinglan's eyes flickered.

She replied expressionlessly: "A saintly father like Lin Xi is hard to find in the entire world."

He Qinglan: [Besides, I am a god, and Xue Rang is a man.]

Si Chen was able to kill Lin Xi because Lin Xi was a human, while Si Chen was a cultivator. It's not surprising that Lin Xi, whose power was limited, couldn't defeat Si Chen.

However, Xue Rang had no chance of defeating He Qinglan, whose divine power was suppressed by nine-tenths.

Chu Xi: [Hehe.]

Chu Xi: [You'd better not give us a chance to laugh at you.]

He Qinglan was speechless. If you care about someone, just say it nicely. Why do you have to use such a rude attitude? You're so old, why are you still so arrogant?

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Author's Note: It's just a clichéd ancient romance novel setting [poor face]