Chu Jinjin was taken aback: "Qingxiao has already left Manyuanchun?"
She just mentioned it casually and had almost forgotten about the bet because she was 100% sure she would win.
Jie Du's identity is mysterious, and he has goals that people dare not think too much about. For him, romantic love is just an add-on.
Chu Jinjin even suspected that if Jie Du had to choose between her and the hot air balloon, the answer would likely be the latter.
Therefore, it was perfectly normal for Qingxiao to return to Black Eagle Mountain Stronghold.
Chu Jinjin was genuinely happy for Qingxiao. No one knew how it would end, but being together gave them a chance.
Chu Jinjin smiled and waved her hand: "Okay, let's call it even."
Zhan Qin breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't that he couldn't accept defeat, but barking like a dog in front of a woman was too embarrassing.
The two spoke in low voices, which led the elder monks to misunderstand something. Their eyes burned with desire, and they occasionally covered their mouths to chuckle.
Chu Jinjin quickly explained, "Please don't misunderstand, Mr. Zhan was just helping out, there's nothing between us."
Mrs. Liu said meaningfully, "Well, you two have nothing—Mr. Zhan, are you free now?"
Knowing a person's character is one thing, but knowing their heart is another. She was afraid that he might be another Xu Wenda, so she had to conduct a preliminary investigation.
Chu Jinjin: "......."
Some things cannot be explained; the more you explain, the deeper the misunderstanding becomes.
The others wisely left, leaving the two of them alone.
Chu Jinjin could only awkwardly ask, "How is my third brother's academic progress? Has he made any progress?"
“The Third Young Master has a good foundation, but lacks a bit of talent.” When talking about his field, Zhan Qin had a particularly strong aura. “As long as he performs normally this year, he should be able to pass the prefectural examination smoothly.”
Chu Jinjin was genuinely shocked: "Really?"
Only those who pass the prefectural examination are qualified for the provincial examination, which is equivalent to being half a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination). Chu Liang has probably been stuck at the prefectural examination stage for ten years.
Zhan Qin smiled and said, "Miss Jinjin should have faith in the Third Young Master."
He paused for a moment, then said, "How about we make a bet? If the Third Young Master passes the prefectural examination this year, how about Miss Jinjin washes my clothes for a month?"
Chu Jinjin nodded without hesitation: "Okay!"
Don't even mention washing it for a month, you can wash it for a year.
However, Zhan Qin is really naive, is he a child? He wants to win back what he lost.
As Chu Jinjin walked, she chatted casually: "Mr. Zhan, please feel free to tell me if you need anything."
Zhan Qin followed up: "Thank you for your concern, Miss Xie Jinjin. The Chu family has been very kind to me."
Just then, the sun suddenly burst forth, turning the world a fiery red. Chu Jinjin hadn't gotten up this early in a long time since she transmigrated, and instinctively jumped to Zhan Qin's left.
The sun rising means danger is coming.
She wanted to hide in the shadows.
Zhan Qin caught the fleeting panic in her eyes, her words trailing off, as if she were afraid of something.
Under the rosy sunlight, Chu Jinjin's face was as delicate as water, her long eyelashes casting shadows, and a few strands of hair fell on her lips as the morning breeze blew gently, making her look like an enticing cherry.
Zhan Qin suddenly couldn't help but swallow.
Chu Jinjin realized she had overreacted and wanted to say something, but when she turned her head, she saw Zhang Qingjun's face.
The bright red sunlight looked like it had a filter applied.
Zhan Qin was lost in thought when a crazy idea popped into his head: he wanted to kiss her.
Chu Jinjin smiled: "Mr. Zhan, is it beautiful?"
Zhan Qin's face turned bright red: "Good, beautiful."
"It's nothing. Everyone loves beauty. I'll take a second look when I see a handsome man." Chu Jinjin was very understanding and pointed to the guards who were practicing martial arts. "For example, they are always pleasing to the eye."
Exercising shirtless has become an unspoken rule among the nurses; who knows if the ladies might suddenly feel the urge again someday?
One hundred taels of silver per time.
Seeing Chu Jinjin looking in their direction, they immediately perked up and straightened their backs.
Chu Jinjin sighed, it's a pity Zhan Qin was there, otherwise she really wanted to stay longer.
Zhan Qin blurted out, "You like men with good physiques?"
He had overheard the gossipy maid mentioning that Chu Jinjin had touched the guard's chest muscles.
The maid spoke with a smug air, as if Chu Jinjin had brought great glory to women. She even added at the end: "Mr. Zhan, don't be afraid, you are safe."
Zhan Qin subconsciously looked down at his chest—actually, he did have pectoral muscles, just not as exaggerated as they seemed.
Chu Jinjin had no idea what Zhan Qin was thinking, so she readily changed the subject and talked about the eunuch's probing last night.
After returning home, she thought about it repeatedly and came up with a possibility, but she wasn't sure.
"It can only be said that His Majesty may really be out of options." Zhan Qin stopped worrying about the size of his pectoral muscles and said seriously, "If the drought in the north cannot be resolved for a long time, it may really shake the foundation of the Great Chu."
Throughout history, natural disasters and man-made calamities have often led to rebellions.
The supplies repeatedly transported by the imperial court had little effect, and the reasons for this are self-evident.
Chu Jinjin nodded gently.
There was nothing that could be done; that's just how transportation was in those days. Even the fastest horse would take more than ten days to travel from the capital to the north because news was so slow.
The emperor is far away and the sky is high.
Zhan Qin said in a low voice, "Most high-ranking officials in the court form cliques. It's not just difficult to find someone who is completely innocent, it's almost impossible."
His analysis was similar to Chu Jinjin's.
It's impossible for the Emperor to have his personal eunuch test Chu Jinjin out of curiosity, especially under such circumstances.
Chu Jinjin's skills are undoubtedly excellent, but more importantly, she is daring and fearless, with almost no one to be afraid of. Moreover, she is a merchant's daughter who has no connection with any power. Sending her to the disaster area will definitely allow her to obtain first-hand information.
Chu Jinjin was eager to try: "After I've done my job, I don't want any reward. I only have one request—let me slap that vile Consort a few times to vent my anger."
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