Chapter 72 Had she recognized other transmigrated women? ...
Lang Mingxuan followed the guards in and immediately saw Zhao Xian.
He raised his hands in a scholar's salute, "This humble student, Lang Mingxuan, greets Madam Jiang."
"Young Master Lang, there's no need for such formalities. Please have a seat." Zhao Xian was taking a close look at Lang Mingxuan for the first time.
I still remember the first time I went to observe them. Lang Mingxuan was just a poor scholar with only two or three sets of clothes, which Lang Qingwan washed very clean and ironed very neatly.
In just two or three months, he exuded an air of confidence and wealth, and his clothes were made of luxurious silks and satins.
Zhao Xian didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "Your sister said she was kind to my son. Is Young Master Lang aware of this?"
Upon hearing her say this, Lang Mingxuan glanced at Lang Zhizhi, a warning hidden in his eyes.
Although she threatened to see Jiang Wei, he was the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, not someone they could just see whenever they wanted.
He had been trying to appease Lang Zhizhi, but he never expected that the news would reach Madam Jiang's ears.
He shook his head and said, "To be honest, Madam Jiang, I didn't know at first. After returning home from the academy, my sister's injuries had mostly healed. I admire Lord Jiang and his comrades for their bravery in helping the people during the flood in Changzhou."
What a load of nonsense, not a single word of it is useful.
Zhao Xian: "Your younger sister was invited to a banquet, and during the banquet, she told others that my son was ungrateful. Young Master Lang is a scholar and should have also read the law. Falsely accusing an official of the court will result in punishment ranging from beating to exile."
Lang Zhizhi immediately retorted, "I didn't say he was ungrateful."
"Shut up." Lang Mingxuan scolded Lang Zhizhi, then stood up and bowed again. "It is my fault for not disciplining my sister properly, which has caused trouble for Madam and the Jiang family."
Another useless statement.
Zhao Xian realized for the first time that communicating with people was a bit difficult, and laughed out loud speechlessly, "Young Master Lang, I'll arrange for guards to escort you back to Jin'an. While you're at it, I'll go to the Jin'an Prefectural Governor's office and find out the truth of this matter."
Zhao Xian's tone was no longer as gentle as before, "You don't care about your sister's reputation, but I care about my son's reputation. I don't want people in Jin'an to talk about my son in the future and say that he is ungrateful and treacherous."
If you're offered a way out but can't accept it, then don't bother.
Sensing the seriousness in Zhao Xian's words, Lang Mingxuan bowed and became more sincere than before. "Madam Jiang, please calm down. Although I do not know the whole story, I have heard my mother mention that my sister was accidentally injured. At that time, all the medical expenses and medicine costs for the people who were implicated and injured were paid by Young Master Jiang."
To be honest, my sister never mentioned Young Master Jiang when we were in Changzhou, so I didn't know about him either. It was only after we arrived in Jin'an that my sister suddenly brought it up.
By the way, after my younger sister arrived in Jin'an, she suffered some trauma and lost some of her memory. Perhaps she has confused things. I was busy with the imperial examination and had no time to take care of her, which led to this big mistake.
"It is my fault. I did not discipline my younger sister properly, which has caused trouble for Young Master Jiang. I will clarify the matter when I return."
His speech was delivered with intonation and was logical and well-founded.
And they completely absolved themselves of any responsibility.
Zhao Xian glanced at Lang Zhizhi, who was still fiddling with the hem of his clothes; he was no match for her at all.
Moreover, she exposed everything first, so she will only be used and exploited.
Zhao Xian picked up her teacup and said calmly, "Miss Liu has already told Miss Lang about what I clarified in front of all the ladies in the palace. Rumors stop with the wise. You two are both smart people, so don't be taken advantage of without realizing it."
According to the information Lou Bai presented, Lang Zhizhi did not suddenly appear at the banquet. There were always two or three people there, and one of them happened to be the daughter of Princess Rongyang, Lin Nianzang, the sixth daughter of the Lin family.
Coincidence? She didn't believe it.
But such minor irritations, though not serious, are like being bitten by an insect; if you don't scratch, it itches, but if you do, it turns into a large red patch.
There were no wounds, and the bites disappeared quickly, but the bugs were still alive and would bite every now and then, which was extremely annoying.
When Lang Mingxuan heard about the Liu family's daughter, he frowned slightly, his eyes full of thought.
In addition, Zhao Xian said that she had already clarified in front of all the ladies that if Lang Zhizhi went out and mentioned any favors, it would be because they were spreading rumors.
What would those ministers think of him if they heard this?
This will hinder his future career.
Almost instantly, Lang Mingxuan understood: "Madam Jiang, rest assured, I will keep my sister in check and this will never happen again. I apologize for disturbing you today. This is my newly published collection of poems, which I present to you as an apology. I hope you will not find it offensive."
As he spoke, he took out a copy of "Mingxuan Poetry Collection 2" from his sleeve.
Peony gestured and stepped forward to take it.
Lang Mingxuan took the opportunity to leave, and Zhao Xian did not stop him.
She had the guards summon Lang Mingxuan, not to question him or do anything to him.
Lang Mingxuan is a registered scholar who passed the imperial examinations; if anything happens to him, the imperial court will investigate thoroughly.
Zhao Xian was just curious. After all, she had only seen them from a distance or heard about them before, and had never spoken to the two siblings up close.
From this conversation, Zhao Xian discovered that Lang Mingxuan was a person who didn't take responsibility for his words; he wouldn't say anything useful unless he made a threat.
Moreover, he is a person with little sense of morality. He is very skilled at using other people's poems and has no psychological burden.
As for Lang Zhizhi, she is just like a student who has not yet left school, has not experienced the harsh realities of society, and is still innocent.
Opening "Mingxuan Poetry Collection 2", the first poem is "Prelude to Water Melody: When Will the Moon Be Bright?" Looking at the words, Zhao Xian subconsciously began to hum the tune.
After the Lang siblings left, the wet nurse took Xiu'er to sleep. Zhao Xian stared blankly for a long time, her mind empty and she couldn't think of anything, but she felt an indescribable restlessness.
Because she discovered that Lang Qingwan hadn't appeared even once in all this time.
Did it disappear, or is it being suppressed and unable to come out?
Leaning against the couch, he unknowingly fell asleep.
"Ah Xian, look at the Sun Wukong I made for Weiwei. What do you think? My skills are alright, aren't they? I haven't gotten any worse."
The woman's voice was gentle and intellectual, making her instantly pleasing to the ear.
"Amazing! How can there be such a big difference between hands? If we met in modern times, others would have figurines, while I would have a figurine girl. I'm so lucky!"
"No wonder he's in the entertainment industry, he's got a silver tongue. I'll buy all the figurines my godson will make in the future."
"Then I'd better get Jiang Wei to kowtow to you right away."
"Ha ha……"
The joyful sounds seemed contagious, making one unable to resist curving their lips into a smile.
The images flashed by like a film reel, filled with laughter and joy, making everyone excited.
Suddenly, the image froze.
The fiery red maple leaves swayed and undulated in the wind, and the woman's pure white dress danced in the wind, like a pure white elf who had wandered into a sea of fire.
Blood gushed from her abdomen, like a blooming red peony, staining her plain white dress.
Her voice was still gentle and intellectual, but it carried an overwhelming despair. "Ah Xian, I'm sorry, I scared you. I can't take it anymore. I'm sorry."
"don't want."
Zhao Xian suddenly woke up and looked around before realizing she had been dreaming. She felt a chill on her cheeks and touched them, only to find her face covered in tears.
She tried to recall the face of the person in her dream, but all she could feel was a blur. Yet, the piercing pain remained tightly bound to her heart.
With each extension and contraction, it resembled countless knives carving and slicing.
The sound from earlier drew Peony's hand, and she pushed open the door and came in. "Madam?"
Seeing Zhao Xian's face covered in tears, Shaoyao quickly turned around and personally fetched water to help Zhao Xian wash her face.
As Shaoyao helped Zhao Xian put on her shoes, Zhao Xian looked at the back of her head as she lowered it, wanting to ask a question, but her lips opened and closed repeatedly, and she didn't know how to ask.
After a long while, he vaguely grasped something from the dream he had just had and asked, "Peony, which of my friends can play Sun Wukong?"
Peony asked, puzzled, "Madam, what is that?"
Zhao Xian hadn't noticed before, but now she realized that Shaoyao and Yingchun came to serve her after Granny He.
What happened to the people who used to serve her?
Zhao Xian couldn't remember anyone at all, since she hadn't seen them.
And who is the woman in my dream whose abdomen is covered in stab wounds and bloodstains?
Why does her heart ache so much, why does it hurt so much?
"Madam, your heart palpitations have flared up again."
Seeing Zhao Xian's pale face and her hand clutching her chest, Shaoyao panicked. Fortunately, she had brought medicine for palpitations with her when she went out, and after feeding it to her, she felt a little better.
Peony had no idea why her mistress had suddenly suffered another heart attack. "Madam, please lie down and rest some more."
Cui Tingyue returned after noon, accompanied only by her maid and guards.
Zhao Xian thought for a long time at noon, but still couldn't remember who the woman in her dream was.
I remember mentioning Jiang Wei, but who was Jiang Wei's godmother?
She asked the peony and the forsythia, but they didn't know.
Upon closer reflection, there were no clues to be found. I had never prepared a gift for this person during holidays, nor had I ever received a gift from them.
However, there is one thing: the other person is likely a time traveler, just like her.
Did she know the time-traveling woman before?
Zhao Xian thought of the letter she had torn up. Jiang Liangxu had told her not to easily acknowledge anyone or expose herself.
She had recognized someone before? But what about that fellow villager who was also a time traveler?
Thinking of the scene in her dream, Zhao Xian's eyes became a little sore.
"mother."
Cui Tingyue's voice interrupted Zhao Xian's thoughts. When she looked up, she only saw Cui Tingyue and not Han Mu.
After Cui Tingyue sat down, Zhao Xian put aside the matter that was puzzling her and asked, "How was it? How did things go?"
Cui Tingyue nodded and then shook her head.
Zhao Xian raised her hand, and the maids serving her withdrew one after another. "Are you satisfied or not?"
Whether she was satisfied or not, Zhao Xian still had to go to the palace to report to the Empress, so she needed to know the reason.
Cui Tingyue twisted her handkerchief, "My daughter remembers who he is."
Zhao Xian was completely confused by what was being said, and then she listened to Cui Tingyue recount the events of the Lantern Festival on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
After hearing about their meeting, Zhao Xian nodded: "No wonder the Empress said you two were destined to meet. So that's what happened. It sounds like a serendipitous encounter. It can be considered fate."
Cui Tingyue frowned slightly and said, "But I feel that he has no intention or even thought of getting married. I'm afraid this is just wishful thinking on the part of the Empress and the Sixth Prince."
After recognizing Han Mu's identity, Cui Tingyue questioned him.
Thus, it was learned that what he wanted to return to was the token in the sachet he received as a reward to the snow lion.
It was given to him by his grandmother, and the sixth prince put it inside, calling it a gift to someone with a destined connection.
Because the Sixth Prince deliberately concealed the truth, they have not been able to find her and retrieve the token.
The reasoning was reasonable, but Cui Tingyue couldn't believe it.
If the Sixth Prince truly says nothing, then he is deliberately making fun of his cousin.
Han Mu's position with the Empress and the Sixth Prince remains to be seen.
Another point is that, after spending time together, he mentioned it no less than five times: he felt she was like his younger sister.
Cui Tingyue wasn't stupid; how could she not understand such obvious words?
After carefully listening to her analysis, Zhao Xian replied without hesitation, "Then I will report this matter to Her Majesty the Empress."
The Han family's ancestral home is not in Jin'an; it's quite far away.
Moreover, this is ancient times, and due to environmental influences, men can get married late.
Han Mu is twenty-two and still unmarried. Either he has a hidden illness or there is a secret reason. If the Empress hadn't spoken up, Zhao Xian might not have agreed to let them meet.
Since neither side is interested, that's for the best.
Cui Tingyue shook her head and said, "Mother, don't rush. He said he has a keepsake of Grandmother with me. I'll go home, find it, return it to him, and then go and report back to Her Majesty the Empress."
"OK."
I hadn't planned to stay at Guluo Temple for very long on this trip.
Furthermore, knowing that Li Lianniang might be pregnant before they left, no one was in the mood for sightseeing.
He instructed his servants to pack his things and hurriedly returned to the Jiang family home.
Cui Tingyue was looking for the keepsake that had been placed in the sachet. However, on the first day of the lunar new year, she went out with her maid to see the lantern festival and brought back a lot of sachets and pouches.
During the Lunar New Year, when giving gifts or visiting people to offer New Year's greetings, a sachet would be included with the gift. She received and gave away countless sachets, making it very troublesome to find them.
Judging from Han Mu's tone, the token given to him by his grandmother was very important; it was for his future wife and he had to take it back.
Just searching for a sachet almost led to the demolition of Cui Tingyue's courtyard.
Several days passed like this.
Cui Tingyue said wearily, "Mother, I've found it."
After several days, we finally managed to find the items.
She couldn't help but resent the Sixth Prince and Han Mu. Knowing that the items were valuable, why did they leave them lying around? And why did they stuff them into the sachet? It was so irresponsible.
In the end, they made things difficult for her, an outsider; it was simply bullying.
"Mother, should we return this gold-inlaid jade ring to Young Master Han or give it to Her Majesty the Empress?"
Zhao Xian glanced at Cui Tingyue and saw a ring lying in her outstretched palm. It looked very old and valuable. The workmanship was exquisite, and the jade inlaid on the ring looked like it had been polished for many years, smooth and lustrous.
Zhao Xian thought for a moment and said, "Since this item hasn't passed through Her Majesty the Empress's hands, let's just give it to Young Master Han directly."
Since there was no formal engagement, returning this token, which was essentially a symbol of marriage, to the Empress would only lead to misunderstandings.
"Okay." Cui Tingyue didn't really want to see Han Mu.
I've been so annoyed looking for this for her these past few days, going through countless sachets and opening so many new ones.
Although she didn't make every sachet herself, the sachets she opened included some containing medicinal herbs, some containing spices, and some that were disguised as leaves. She felt that all of them tainted her Bamboo Garden, which annoyed her for a long time.
The day Cui Tingyue took the gold-inlaid jade ring and went out to return it to Han Mu was also the day the results of the imperial examinations were announced.
The day when a candidate is promoted from a provincial graduate to a metropolitan graduate is an important day.
At that moment, the entrance to the examination hall was crowded with people.
"I won! I won! Hahaha... I've won after nine years..."
"How could my name not be there? It's impossible, there must be a mistake. Look again, there's no way my name isn't there."
"Found it, there it is, there it is..."
Some are happy, while others are dejected.
Inside the private room of the teahouse we had arranged to meet.
Cui Tingyue placed the items on the table. "Young Master Han, please remember to keep these things safe. Don't try to pass them on to anyone else. If you're worried, you can make a few more fakes to play with. Otherwise, no one will know what they got, and they'll be asked to return it. If they accidentally lose it, who will be to blame?"
She was incredibly unlucky. From now on, she would never criticize Snow Lion again, nor would she give money to anyone who was pitiful and no one was giving her any.
Even a single copper coin is money; you should save it whenever possible.
Sensing the impatience in Cui Tingyue's words, Han Mu knew he was in the wrong and said, "I'm sorry."
Cui Tingyue had no intention of hearing his apology. As she came out of the teahouse's private room, she happened to run into the servant who was returning from looking at the list. "Young master, you've won! You're in 32nd place!"
Upon hearing the ranking, Cui Tingyue was somewhat surprised that this person, as the Empress's nephew, had also participated in the imperial examination and even made the list.
I just came down from the teahouse. Because it's located not far from the examination hall, it was quite crowded with people coming and going.
Especially today, with the results announced, joy and sorrow coexist.
Some people went crazy on the spot after discovering that their names were not on the list.
Someone was pushed down and lost their balance, which caused a series of people behind them to be knocked down.
The maid, Dong'er, was also violently bumped by the crazed man, and the two fell backward.
"careful."
Han Mu helped Cui Tingyue up, and the servant also helped Dong'er steady herself.
The sudden turn of events startled Cui Tingyue for a moment. "Th-thank you."
"There are a lot of people here, I'll give you a ride."
--
Only after the list of successful candidates in the imperial examinations was posted were the examiners responsible for reviewing the papers released from the palace.
One of the ministers from the Ministry of Rites had just arrived home and hadn't even had a moment to rest when his steward came to report in a low voice, "My lord, there are people at the villa making a scene, demanding to see you. They're all those who failed the exams this year."
The minister's chest heaved, a pent-up frustration that had been building up inside the palace was now even more unbearable. This year's system of reviewing examination papers under a sealed name had truly caught him off guard.
He sighed heavily. "First, we need to calm them down. We absolutely cannot let anything happen."
"yes."
--
The palace examination was held a month after the results of the spring examination were announced. After the palace examination, the emperor would grant official positions to the successful candidates from the spring examination.
After the results were announced, Jiang Wei was able to return home, only to learn that Li Lianniang was pregnant.
A rare smile appeared on his tired face.
Jiang Shuxiu clung tightly to Zhao Xian's arm. How terrifying, her father was actually laughing.
"Since His Majesty has granted you permission to rest at home for a few days, then spend some quality time with Lian Niang. She is not fit to work hard right now, so you can take care of the household affairs for her and help share the burden."
Jiang Wei glanced at Zhao Xian.
Zhao Xian didn't think there was anything wrong with letting her son handle the household affairs. The capable should do more, so that he could understand Li Lianniang's hard work and the couple could have more common topics to talk about.
Once she relinquished her administrative duties, she wouldn't take them back; she would inevitably exploit others.
Jiang Heng hadn't married yet and couldn't share the burden, so Jiang Wei had to do it all himself.
"Okay." Jiang Wei didn't ask any further questions and agreed.
However, Jiang Wei stayed at home for only two days before he was summoned away by the Dali Temple. A murder occurred, and the deceased was a failed candidate in the imperial examination.
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Author's note: The male lead will be back in the next chapter.
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