Chapter 172 Rumors Spread
"Wow! This boy is very handsome! Like a grown-up girl!" Wang Ruixuan didn't recognize Jiang Xue because she was dressed in men's clothes, so he approached her with a lustful look. Mo Tian was quick to stand in front of her.
Wang Ruixuan immediately put on airs and was about to kick Mo Tian away: "Get away! You're getting in my way!"
With a "click", Wang Ruixuan's ankles were locked tightly by Mo Tian. No matter how he struggled, he could not move.
"You little brat, are you tired of living? I am the distinguished young master of the Zongzheng Mansion! How dare you disrespect me? The last lesson wasn't enough, was it? Let go now, or I will have you beaten to a pulp this time!"
While shouting, Wang Ruixuan signaled his men to rush forward, hoping to repeat the victory from last time.
As a result, in the blink of an eye, the ground was filled with the screams of Wang family followers, and even Wang Ruixuan himself was lying on the ground groaning.
Mo Tian stood aside with his hands behind his back, watching calmly. Jiang Xue had already taken advantage of the chaos to sneak into the depths of Wanbao Tower. After some twists and turns in her search, she found a hidden small compartment.
As soon as I closed the door, a man's voice sounded behind me: "Who are you?"
Turning around, she saw a scholar holding a pen and looking at her in confusion. Jiang Xue glanced at the full paper in front of him, and the first page had three big characters written on it: "General's Strategy".
"Mr. Jiang Chen, please have some tea." The scholar moved the books on the table to make room for Jiang Xue to place the cup. Jiang Xue was not comfortable revealing her true identity, so she used her brother Jiang Chen's name to respond.
She picked up the teacup and took a sip: "May I ask your name, sir?"
"My name is Lin Wenxing." The scholar bowed in return.
"Lin Wenxing, what a good name." Jiang Xue praised, and glanced at "General's Strategy": "The handwriting is neat and powerful, and the calligraphy is excellent. Brother Lin has a brilliant literary talent and unique insights. Is this book written by you?"
"This..." Lin Wenxing hesitated for a moment and smiled bitterly: "Yes and no."
"Oh? If it's yes, it's yes. If it's no, it's no. Brother Lin's answer is really confusing."
The complex emotions on his face, as if he had some unspeakable secret and difficulties, aroused Jiang Xue's strong curiosity.
"If you say yes, this General's Strategy is indeed my handwriting." Lin Wenxing stared at the title, sighed and put down the pen, "If you say no, it's because this is not what I wanted to write."
"He was forced to do it." Jiang Xue hit the nail on the head. "Then, who was the one who made Brother Lin go against his will?"
"That person is in a high position and has great influence. It is better for Brother Jiang not to ask, so as to avoid innocent people being implicated."
Lin Wenxing shook his head, obviously not wanting to involve others.
"A powerful person..." Jiang Xue repeated silently in her heart, looking up and down at Lin Wenxing. The scholar in front of her was dressed in coarse cloth. Apart from the bookish air, he had nothing valuable. He was a typical poor boy.
How could a common person from a poor family offend a big shot in the clouds?
"Since Brother Lin is unwilling to reveal it, I will not force him. I am just very curious about the purpose of the mastermind behind Brother Lin's painting."
Jiang Xue took out the book "General's Strategy" that Xiao Zhan gave her and waved it in front of Lin Wenxing: "I've read this book, it records the great achievements of the generals of Beiling, nothing special.
But what is strange is that although it is clearly a gathering of many heroes, the deeds of Marquis Zhenbei are so numerous that they are about to burst the spine of the book, and the last sentence of praise is simply to praise him to the sky.
Once this book spreads in Yujing City, if it falls into the ears of the emperor, the Marquis of Zhenbei will be in great danger. "
Jiang Xue's words were like a sharp dagger that cut through Lin Wenxing's heart. How could he not know the importance of this book? But the lives of the whole family were in the hands of others. If he didn't do as he was told, his elderly parents and weak sister would have no way to survive.
"Brother Jiang, please don't mention it again. I have no choice but to write this book against my conscience."
After such long-term oppression, Lin Wenxing was close to his limit. If it weren't for his family, he would have killed himself long ago! From the day he accepted the mission, he was imprisoned here, without seeing the sun. Even meals were handed in through a small window, and occasionally mixed with notes of instructions.
I met Jiang Xue today and finally had the chance to talk to her.
"Tell me your frustration, maybe I can help."
Lin Wenxing was exhausted both physically and mentally. Seeing this, Jiang Xue stopped pressuring him and instead used gentle words to inquire.
Seeing Jiang Xue's extraordinary bearing and good conversation, Lin Wenxing felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps, this person could really help him.
"I am from a poor family and can only read. I wanted to take the imperial examination, but failed. To make a living, I teach. Three months ago, I wrote an article that was noticed by a nobleman, who invited me to Beijing to write a book.
The pay was generous, several times what I earned as a teacher, and my sister was getting married and needed money for her dowry, so I took the job. But as soon as I arrived in Beijing, I was put in a bag and brought here. Apart from the three meals a day and the notes with instructions, I was never seen again.
They forced me to write "General's Strategy" and threatened to kill my family members, so I had no choice but to obey.
After Lin Wenxing finished telling her everything, Jiang Xue realized that "General's Strategy" was born under such pressure. The whole thing was carefully planned and obviously premeditated. Lin Wenxing came to Beijing three months ago, just in time for the return of Zhenbei Hou. Rumors were spreading everywhere.
"Do you still remember what that noble man looked like?" Jiang Xue leaned forward slightly, her tone full of concern.
"He is tall and thin, with long and thin eyebrows and a very deep groove under his nose. As for his height, I estimate him to be around five feet seven inches, and he is rather thin." Lin Wenxing tried hard to recall and described the man's characteristics one by one.
Jiang Xue frowned. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack. It would be extremely difficult to lock onto the target based on just this vague description of the appearance.
"Brother Lin, is there any special mark? What about his accent, how others call him, or does he have any special marks, scars or something like that?" Jiang Xue pressed on.
"This... I..." Lin Wenxing was in a dilemma: "He speaks too standard Mandarin, and I can't tell where he is from. The people around him are also very quiet, and he is the one giving the orders. As for the last point Brother Jiang mentioned..."
He closed his eyes and pondered for a long time. Finally, an idea flashed in his mind and he opened his eyes suddenly: "One time when I was submitting an article, I accidentally saw a dark scar on his right wrist."
The scar had a strange shape, like a twisted centipede, so Lin Wenxing was deeply impressed by it.
Centipede-shaped scar on the right wrist...
Jiang Xue searched her mind for a long time but couldn't find a matching person.
Perhaps, His Royal Highness Prince Gong knows?
Xiao Zhan's handsome smile came to mind.
Jiang Xue was stunned. Why did she think of him first?
"Brother Jiang?" Seeing that she was distracted, Lin Wenxing called out softly.
"Oh, Brother Lin." Jiang Xue came back to her senses and said, "I've made a note of this feature. I'll have someone check it out. As for you..."
She met Lin Wenxing's expectant eyes and said, "Don't worry, Feng will keep her word and will definitely help you get out of this situation. But before that, Brother Lin, please cooperate with me."
"As long as we can get out, I will cooperate with you to the fullest!" Lin Wenxing promised.
After leaving Lin Wenxing's cubicle, Jiang Xue returned to the lobby of Wanbaolou.
The lobby was in chaos and no one noticed Jiang Xue's whereabouts.
Mo Tianzheng looked coldly at Wang Ruixuan and his men who were knocked down by him again.
Wang Ruixuan's face was blue and purple, it was a horrible sight.
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