In her past life, Zhou Wenshu was a capable strategist by Shen Qianxue's side. Su Jinxia didn't know much about him, but there was one thing about him that left a deep impression on her.
Upon hearing Lin Maoye's name, Zhou Wenshu's expression turned sorrowful.
"Old Lin was my mentor. I wonder how he is doing now?"
Shen Qianxue replied, "Everything is fine, it's just that I'm getting old and my health isn't what it used to be."
Zhou Wenshu looked up, his eyes already moist. "I'm ashamed. I haven't been able to visit him all these years."
“It’s not too late to go now.” Shen Qianxue spoke softly, explaining her purpose: “I have come here to invite you to come out of retirement, take over Elder Lin’s position, and plan for the stability of the world.”
Old Master Lin is an advisor to the Seventh Prince in Lin'nan. The fact that he was able to let Zhou Wenshu take over this position is enough to show how much Old Master Lin values Zhou Wenshu.
Zhou Wenshu shook his head sadly.
“Young master, you have the wrong person. I have already decided to spend the rest of my life in this thatched hut and will not go with you. Please leave.”
"Sir, you are well-read and talented. Are you really willing to live a mediocre life and achieve nothing?" Shen Qianxue tried to persuade him.
Zhou Wenshu remained unmoved by Shen Qianxue's words. He turned away dejectedly, shook his hand, and slowly walked back to his room, even closing the window behind him.
Shen Qianxue knew this trip would not be easy, otherwise Elder Lin would not have sent him in person, but she did not expect that she could not even get through the door.
Shen Xi, feeling indignant on behalf of his master, said angrily, "What's wrong with this person? Elder Lin is highly respected and should feel honored to be able to take his position."
Shen Qianxue shook her head and said in a deep voice, "When I came here, Elder Lin told me that he had a knot in his heart, and if the knot in his heart could not be untied, the matter could not be accomplished. But I did not expect him to be so resolute, not giving me any chance at all."
Su Jin asked curiously, "What kind of inner conflict made him willing to live in seclusion in the mountains?"
Su Jinxia was unaware of these past events.
Shen Qianxue walked down the mountain a bit, and spoke more simply when she was a little further away.
Eight years ago, Zhou Wenshu passed the imperial examination and ranked first in the provincial examination, with a bright future ahead of him. However, his wife passed away soon after, and he then went into seclusion, even giving up the opportunity to take the imperial examination in the capital.
Su Jin was a little puzzled. Did his wife's death really have such a big impact on Zhou Wenshu? There seemed to be more to the story.
As expected, Shen Qianxue's gaze turned somber, and she sighed, saying, "Hanging oneself results in the death of both mother and child!"
this……
What happened that made a mother willing to die with her child?
Shen Qianxue was also unaware of the specifics.
Because the county government had inspected the area and confirmed it was indeed a suicide, and no one had reported it to the police, the case was not investigated further and was left unresolved.
To resolve Zhou Wenshu's inner conflict, we must understand the whole story.
Speculation is pointless; we need to go to the scene of the incident.
So the three of them set off again.
Zhou Wenshu's hometown is Yunxi Town.
When the three arrived, it was already late. They found an inn to stay in and chatted while eating.
Shen Xi said, "Young Master's leg injury is serious and he should not walk too much. Leave the investigation into Zhou Wenshu's wife's suicide to me."
Su Jin's eyes darted around for a moment, then she leaned closer to Shen Qianxue and asked, "Do you believe me?"
Shen Qianxue glanced at her sideways. "What's wrong?"
Su Jin raised her chin confidently, "If you trust me, I'll help you investigate."
Shen Xi was immediately displeased; how could someone be rushing to finish the work?
"Overestimating yourself!"
Su Jin glanced at Shen Xi with disdain, "Arrogant!"
Shen Qianxue raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Alright, then you two go investigate together. Be quick, don't delay too long."
Su Jin immediately said, "I want to investigate myself, I'm not going with him."
Shen Xi laughed angrily, "I think you're the one who's holding me back!"
Shen Qianxue reluctantly put down her chopsticks. "Then let's each check our own cases and see who can check the fastest."
Shen Xi: "Perfect!"
Su Jin gritted her teeth. This guy has been at odds with me since my past life. Let's see how I deal with him this time.
As night fell, Su Jin rubbed her stiff neck, unable to fall asleep.
Seeing the streets brightly lit and bustling with activity, I went outside and bumped into Chen Xi.
Shen Xi was the top expert of Phoenix Pavilion. He held a sword in his arms and exuded a murderous aura. This feeling only weakened when Shen Qianxue was around.
He was good-looking, and his figure was even better, but girls on the street would avoid him and not dare to look at him for long.
"Going to investigate a case this late at night, be careful you don't lose your life," Shen Xi said coolly.
Su Jin stuck out her tongue. "I just wanted to get a late-night snack. You're overthinking it."
Shen Xi narrowed his eyes. Why wasn't this woman afraid of him at all? He approached Su Jin, his eyes full of warning.
"You'd better behave yourself and not have any improper thoughts about my young master!"
Su Jin tilted her head. "So what if I'm pregnant? What can you do about it?"
provocative!
Shen Xi gritted her teeth. It had been a long time since anyone had dared to provoke her like this!
"Stop daydreaming. My young master is worlds apart from you; he's not someone you can even dream of."
"Whether or not you can have your way is not up to you." Su Jin raised her chin and met his gaze, showing no weakness whatsoever.
What kind of hero dares to challenge me? If you're so capable, go talk to your master and see if he'll teach you a lesson.
After a flash, nothing happened.
Su Jin happily found a wonton stall and sat down to have a late-night snack.
It was late, and the proprietress didn't have much business, so she chatted warmly with Su Jin.
"Where are you from, young lady? I've never seen you before."
Su Jin smiled and chatted, "I'm from out of town, just passing through. But I've heard that Yunxi Town is a nice place. Didn't it produce a talented scholar named Zhou Wenshu?"
Upon hearing this, the proprietress chimed in, "Yes, yes, he came in first place in the provincial examination. But it's a pity, after his wife died, he became despondent and hid in the mountains. No one knows whether he's alive or dead."
"How could someone die so suddenly?" Su Jin asked while eating.
The proprietress clicked her tongue twice, walked over to Su Jin's table and sat down, whispering, "You have no idea, that woman was no good. She was promiscuous and pregnant with an illegitimate child. I don't know if Zhou Wenshu found out, but in shame and anger, she hanged herself."
"Oh? Is that so? Then why did Zhou Wenshu hide in the mountains?"
The proprietress was also a little confused. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Scholars are probably too proud to show their faces. They're too ashamed to face anyone after such a disgraceful incident at home."
Su Jinxia disagreed and asked a few more questions.
Actually, the landlady didn't know Zhou Wenshu. What she said was just hearsay, and the rumors actually came from a madwoman named Cuihua.
It is said that Cuihua saw Fangling cheating on her husband, and then mumbled a lot of shady things in a rambling and incoherent way.
A madwoman's words are not to be trusted, but it is precisely because she is a madwoman that she would not fabricate lies or falsely accuse unrelated people.
Therefore, everyone believed it without a doubt, and the story gradually spread.
The proprietress was very talkative. She chatted with Su Jin for a while before saying, "Oh, look at me, why am I talking to a young lady like you about these things? I'm going to get busy."
Su Jin smiled politely and nodded. But her eyes darkened; Fang Ling's matter was not simple!
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