Xiao Zhixing suddenly realized that the Great Sheng Dynasty had thirteen states: four in the north, four in the central region, and five in the south, making a total of thirteen states.
Is it related to the fact that they ultimately selected thirteen people?
If so—
Could she have made plans earlier?
The next day, Xiao Zhixing asked Luo Ercai to collect the gambling winnings she had won, while she met with Jiang Tan at home.
Jiang Tan received permission and soon arrived at the door with gifts that morning; he was also a student participating in the imperial examination.
Xiao Zhixing received him in the main hall.
Jiang Tan and Ning Jin are seven parts similar, especially their upright yet elegant demeanor, which clearly indicates that they come from the same family.
"Greetings, Prince Yuansheng."
"Young Master Jiang, please have a seat." Xiao Zhixing nodded, indicating that there was no need for such formalities.
She was too lazy to probe further and asked directly, "May I ask what brings Young Master Jiang to our door?"
It doesn't matter that both sides know they are not familiar with each other yet.
Jiang Tan rose slightly, took a letter from his bosom, and handed it to him with both hands. "I am here on orders to deliver this letter. You will understand once you read it."
Bai Mei took it, smelled it to check, and only gave it to Xiao Zhixing after confirming there were no problems.
Xiao Zhixing unfolded the book; the familiar words and the familiar feeling—was this written by Xiao Yan herself?
"Seeing this letter is like seeing you in person, my son:..."
Xiao Zhixing raised an eyebrow. The letter contained many caring words, even recounting the days in the small village of Xiaoyan. It was all like a normal mother talking about her daughter, which seemed a bit nonsensical. There was no need to be so careful as to have Jiang Tan deliver it.
She frowned, a thought flashing through her mind, and combined the contents with the cipher—
Jiang Tan held her teacup while glancing at her out of the corner of her eye, her expression subtly inquisitive.
Xiao Zhixing folded the letter and tucked it into his pocket, then tapped the table lightly. "Where's the list?"
This is the true meaning that this letter is trying to convey.
Jiang Tan's shoulders seemed to relax slightly, and with a smile in her eyes, she took out a folded document from her bosom. "It's all in this folded document."
Xiao Zhixing took the book and quickly flipped through it. Inside were tiny, handwritten entries detailing daily expenses—a perfectly normal family expense ledger.
It's another coded book.
She had already translated the contents in her mind by referring to the classic texts; this list was very useful.
Xiao Zhixing carefully put away the booklet, then bowed to Jiang Tan, "Thank you very much, Young Master Jiang, for bringing such an important item. Do the four of you have a place to stay?"
Jiang Tan smiled and said, "The Jiang family still has one or two houses in Shengjing City. From now on, the four of us will close the doors and go to school to prepare for next year's spring imperial examination."
"Alright, if there's no need, staying home is the best course of action."
Jiang Tan understood what she meant: it was best to keep a low profile before the imperial examinations.
Xiao Zhixing thought for a moment and said to Bai Mei, "Send two people over to await Young Master Jiang's orders."
Being able to notify them immediately if anything happens is also a sign of acceptance.
Of course, there's no need for either side to explicitly state the surveillance; they both understand.
After seeing Jiang Tan off, Xiao Zhixing memorized the names, current locations, and life stories of the people on the register, and then burned the register.
She had to seriously consider what Xiao Yan meant by letting the Jiang family meet with her after so many years and even sending her this list.
That's so strange.
Xiao Yan's people should know best about her changes, and they also know what kind of person and what kind of abilities the original owner used to be.
They were not surprised at all by Xiao Qingluan's completely different appearance; in fact, they accepted it quite well.
It's as if they've been waiting for this day?
Suppressing his doubts, Xiao Zhixing asked Bai Mei about An Wuxi's movements.
"Are you sick?"
"Yes, he was invited to watch the competition at the Gentlemen's Academy yesterday. After returning home, he claimed to be ill. His Majesty sent the imperial physician to check on him early this morning, and it is true. The imperial physician is still on duty at the Court of Colonial Affairs."
Xiao Zhixing thought to himself, "Could it be that he got sick from being scared by me?"
"Let's go, come with me to visit the Imperial Preceptor An."
You have to see it with your own eyes to know if it's true or false.
Xiao Zhixing specifically called Yang Jueming and led his men to the reception annex of the Court of Colonial Affairs.
After greeting the officials on duty, they went directly into the courtyard where the Northern Barbarian delegation was staying.
"National Preceptor An, I heard that you were ill, so I came to check on you. If you are missing any medicinal herbs, please let me know, and I will send them to you immediately."
The sound could be heard even before the person entered the house.
The imperial physician, the medicine boy, Xiao Xin, the head of the Court of Colonial Affairs, and a large group of people from the Northern Barbarian delegation who were inside turned around and subconsciously made way for them.
Xiao Zhixing strode in, and Bai Mei had already moved an official chair and placed it behind her.
"Oh, the old man is really sick?" Xiao Zhixing looked at An Wuxi, whose face was pale and bluish, lifted his robe and sat down, his broadsword and golden horse just like his own.
The Northern Barbarian delegation dared not speak out in anger, but An Wuxi silenced them with a look.
"I am sorry for not being able to greet Your Highness properly. Ahem, I am not feeling well. I hope Your Highness will not take offense."
Xiao Zhixing looked at him carefully and said with a smile, "I respect the elderly and love the young, so I won't blame you. That's why I specially brought the divine physician by my side, hoping to help National Preceptor An and help you recover as soon as possible."
Yang Jueming put down his medicine box, cupped his hands in greeting to An Wuxi, and took his pulse without his permission.
Everyone was looking at him.
Yang Jueming withdrew his hand, "The shock and anger damaged his internal organs, and he also caught a chill. The old man is getting on in years, and his body naturally can't withstand it."
They didn't even mention prescribing a medicine, and anyway, no one would use it.
Xiao Zhixing smiled and said, "I wonder what startled the Grand Preceptor An? If it's some clueless fool, I'll teach him a lesson for you."
"Cough, cough, cough, cough." An Wuxi coughed violently, his face turning extremely red. "No need for Your Highness to worry, it was just a nightmare."
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