Chapter 41 Childhood Sweetheart
The person who came was none other than Xiao Linyuan's deputy general, Shen Zhuo.
He had a high ponytail with two strands of hair on his forehead and was dressed in a red casual suit. He did not look like a military general, but more like a dandy young man from some wealthy family.
Wang Ge quickly walked to the door and closed it, saying excitedly: "General Shen is here so soon!"
They have a very close relationship and often act without respect when there are no outsiders around.
"It's been a long time since we last met. I missed you so much!"
After saying that, he leaned in closer to look at Xiao Linyuan carefully, and said seriously: "The prince has lost weight."
"As long as you're still alive, that's good." Xiao Linyuan pushed his head away in disdain. "If you missed us, why did you go to the red-light district before coming here?"
After saying this, he took a step back, as if wanting to distance himself from this prodigal son.
Chen Zhuo looked hurt and held his mouth, "Your Highness wronged me! I was tracking a spy and had to follow him into Yichun Tower."
"oh?"
"This man tried to steal your seal of command and sneaked into the palace for several months. He was discovered by Jiang Feng when he was about to make his move. I happened to be in the capital, so I decided to help Jiang Feng."
"Did they catch him?" Wang Ge was very excited.
Chen Zhuo shook his head. "That man was very cunning. He entered Yichunyuan just to get rid of me. When I came out, I saw him running south. He was held back by a woman and didn't catch up."
South?
Not far in that direction is the Xiao Mansion.
"Go to the Xiao Mansion to look for it." Xiao Linyuan said in a deep voice.
Chen Zhuo's eyes lit up, and he wanted to catch this man and pry open his mouth to ask him something useful.
"However, the Xiao Mansion is heavily guarded, so we must bring more people." Xiao Linyuan instructed.
This spy is crucial to this game.
Xiao Jin is the emperor's new right-hand man, but his foundation is unstable. If something happens that threatens the emperor, he will be the first person to be abandoned by the emperor.
——
Only after arranging the woman to rest in the small compartment did Song Zijin feel relieved.
I strolled into the lobby of the clinic and found a young man in a crescent-colored robe standing at the door.
He was facing the wall, carefully reading the daily health tips posted on it.
These were all written by Song Zijin yesterday when she had nothing to do. Luo Qingtang liked to study these things and taught her everything.
"Sir, would you like to get some medicine or see a doctor?" she asked with a smile.
The young man in white stiffened for a moment before he slowly turned around.
Song Zijin froze in place, her almond-shaped eyes wide open in disbelief.
"Zijin, it's really you!"
Song Zijin came to his senses, looked around quickly, and confirmed that Qian Bo was the only one there, so he hurriedly pulled everyone to the backyard.
She didn't dare let her guard down until the door was closed.
Even though there was warmth in my eyes, I didn't dare to let myself cry.
She didn't want Wen Yan to worry, nor did she want Wen Yan to look down on her current self.
"Brother Yan, when did you return to Beijing? I, I was dressed like this, and you actually recognized me..."
When he first met his old friend, Song Zijin was so excited that he was at a loss as to what to do.
But the excitement was mixed with a lot of embarrassment.
Wen Yan is the eldest son of Wen Kaiqing, the Minister of Rites. He has been famous for his virtue since childhood and is known as the incarnation of Wenquxing.
The year the two families became neighbors, Song Zijin was seven years old and Wen Yan was ten years old.
The seven-year-old girl was at the age of being naughty and mischievous, and she dragged the equally rebellious Wen Yan into doing many wrong things.
At the beginning, Mrs. Wen liked Song Zijin very much, but as Wen Yan became more and more famous, Mrs. Wen's attitude gradually became cold.
Song Zijin understood that in the eyes of the Wen family, the Song family was not worthy of the rising future top scholar.
Three years ago, when he was only seventeen, he took the imperial examination for the first time and won first place. After that, he asked to be transferred to a remote county as a magistrate. The two never met again.
If you think about it carefully, it wasn't just during the three years that Wen Yan was exiled, but also in the two years before he took the imperial examination, they had long lost their closeness.
Every time they met, Wen Yan always behaved like a modest gentleman, dignified and self-respecting, even more self-disciplined and polite than Xiao Linyuan.
But at this moment, Wen Yan was not as well-behaved and polite as before. Instead, he stood one step away from her with a sad face and a look of pity on his face.
"I recognize your handwriting. Besides, even if you put something on your face, I can still recognize it!"
I haven't seen her for three years and she has lost a lot of weight.
"When did you return to Beijing?"
"The day before yesterday, I made some achievements as a county magistrate, and His Majesty ordered me to be recalled and promoted to the position of Langzhong of the Ministry of Personnel."
In fact, ever since he heard about the Song family's troubles last year, he had written to his father, requesting to be transferred back to the capital. His father had not relented, so it was delayed until this year.
Song Zijin's eyebrows twitched fiercely. "You want to work under Xiao Jin? He's a very vicious man. Brother Yan must be careful!"
Wen Yan took a half step forward, his peach blossom eyes filled with pain, "So, how have you been this past year?"
On the eve of returning to Beijing, he accidentally learned that she was forced to marry Xiao Jin.
His father had kept it a secret from him, knowing full well that he...
So he made a prompt decision, gave up the Hanlin Academy and chose the Ministry of Personnel.
Song Zijin didn't want to make others worry, so he nodded reluctantly and forced a smile.
"Xiao Jin is a very sinister person! But he has no interest in me and left me in the backyard to fend for myself. I can still sneak out to treat people and have enough food and drink."
Wen Yan clenched his fists in his sleeves and laughed at himself, "Zi Jin has become distant from me and doesn't even want to tell the truth."
"Brother Yan, don't let your imagination run wild!" Song Zijin waved his hands quickly. "Look at this clinic. Even though it's newly opened, I can do what I want here. It's not really hardship!"
As for the cooperation between her and Xiao Linyuan, she didn't want to talk about it.
She also wants to save face.
"If Zijin says so, I believe it. I will investigate Uncle Song's case and clear his name as soon as possible!"
As for saving her from the dire situation, he didn't have the ability at the moment and didn't dare to promise easily. It would be too cruel to give someone hope and then shatter it.
Zijin, please wait for me a moment.
Song Zijin disagreed, "My parents are doing well now. Your foundation is unstable, so you should not offend Xiao Jin for the time being!"
Is this caring about him?
The bitterness in Wen Yan's heart faded away, and he reached out to touch her head, but considering their current ages, he withdrew his hand in time.
"I'm not afraid. Entering officialdom means doing things for the country and the people. If I'm timid from the start, won't the essays I write in the exam become a laughing stock? The Song family is also a people. I've seen it, so there's no reason to just sit back and do nothing. The sachet you gave me that year had the four characters embroidered on it. Have you forgotten?"
Song Zijin blushed.
In order to encourage him, she made a green sachet with her own hands, and embroidered four words crookedly inside - Be a good official.
"If you need me in any way, just ask. I can help you with some things in the Xiao Mansion."
"Okay." Wen Yan nodded.
But he wouldn't do that.
In his heart, Zijin's pair of deer-like almond-shaped eyes were so innocent and clear that they should definitely not be mixed up in the quagmire.
Wen Yan took off the purse from his waist and said, "There's quite a bit of silver here. Take it first. I'll bring you some later so you don't have to bother treating patients here."
Song Zijin didn't answer, but looked at him with a smile, "Brother Yan, I didn't come to the clinic to make money, but to grow into a qualified doctor."
"It's always been difficult for women to practice medicine. Regardless of whether your medical skills are recognized, do you really want to have skin-to-skin contact with men? This will ruin your reputation!"
Wen Yan's voice was a little anxious. Zi Jin should be like an orchid in a valley, pure and elegant, and should not see patients for those stinky men all day long!
Song Zijin's eyes were firm. "Someone told me that women can also make a difference. I want to give it a try."
"But you have always been weak. If your identity as a woman is revealed one day, I'm afraid you won't be able to bear it!"
"Brother Yan, I'm not young anymore. After so much experience, I understand that people can't just stay in a hotbed and not grow. If I had any other choice, I wouldn't have married Xiao Jin... From now on, I have to learn to rely on myself! Even if I can't become a famous doctor, I can still accumulate experience. At least if I don't have food to eat in the future, I can still have a way to make a living, right?"
The air was silent for a moment, and then Wen Yan shook his head and laughed, "I am narrow-minded."
The naughty and naive little girl has grown up.
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