Chapter 107: Various Tricks Various Tricks
Just as Su Fengzhang said, the Autumn Examination ended in August, and these newly promoted tribute students did not have much free time. They had to prepare to go to the capital immediately. If they could not get there before winter, it would be difficult to go there when the canal froze.
For the tribute students from the south, although traveling by boat was a little slower, it was stable and much safer than traveling by land.
This time, Mr. Wen replaced Su Zhaoshi, busily helping with the cleanup. He said with a touch of emotion, "I once went to the capital to take the imperial examination, but unfortunately, I returned empty-handed twice. As I got older, I had to give up the idea."
Wenzhu bumped into the person next to him and said with a smile, "Dad, just wait and see. Fengzhang will definitely pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi."
Mr. Wen was as warm and gentle as a spring breeze to his disciples, but he was as harsh and stern to his son as an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves: "I believe in Fengzhang's ability. Why don't you study hard and bring honor to your father?"
Wen Zhu touched her nose and refused to speak, secretly making faces at Su Fengzhang.
Mr. Wen explained the things that needed attention one by one. Seeing that Su Fengzhang was alone with Su Arong, he became worried and even suggested, "Fengzhang, why don't you come with me to the capital?"
Su Fengzhang quickly refused: "Sir, how can I trouble you with this matter?"
"I have Su Arong with me, and this time I'm setting off with Meng Ting, Xu Zifeng, and the others, so we can have someone to look after each other."
Mr. Wen felt a little relieved after hearing this. "That's true. Xu Zifeng is from the capital, and Meng Ting was born into a prominent family in Qingzhou. It would be safe for you to go with them."
Speaking of this, Wen Zhu asked curiously, "Xu Zifeng is fine, but I heard Meng Ting is arrogant and stubborn. How did you end up with him?"
Su Fengzhang explained: "The rumors are not exaggerated. Although Brother Meng is not very approachable, he is not difficult to get along with."
Wen Zhu raised an eyebrow and said with a hint of jealousy, "Hey, when did you become so popular? I used to be your best friend, but now I don't know where I rank."
Su Fengzhang hooked his shoulder and said with a smile: "Don't worry, you will always be number one."
Mr. Wen couldn't stand seeing them joking around like this, so he shook his head helplessly: "They're so frivolous all day long, they're not serious at all."
Wenzhu had been scolded so many times that she was not afraid at all. She just pretended not to hear what he said and continued to mutter, "Hey, if you leave now, we don't know how many years it will take before we see each other again."
Su Fengzhang smiled and said, "You have so much confidence in me. If I fail the exam, I will come back tomorrow in disgrace. It will be difficult to see you then."
"Ah, bah, bah, bah, children should speak without restraint." Wen Zhu was even more nervous than him. "How could you possibly fail the exam? If you ask anyone outside Qingzhou Prefecture now, everyone will know the reputation of our great scholar Su."
Su Fengzhang rolled his eyes and asked him, "Have you hidden the painting that the great scholar Su gave you? If you lose it, don't ask me for it again."
Wen Zhu chuckled and said, "It's already been put away. When the time comes, I'll frame it and hang it up in the lobby, so that those who can't get a painting can see what a truly priceless masterpiece is."
This means that Su Fengzhang became famous in one battle. If the fame brought by "Suihuayin" before was still false, then now Su Caizi's reputation is solid, and some people even come to him with money to ask for paintings.
Su Fengzhang had no shortage of money now, so he naturally rejected them all. Who knew that this would make his reputation even better? Someone was even willing to spend 1,000 taels of silver to buy the painting from Linjiang Tower. Although it didn't work out in the end, his reputation of being hard to come by spread.
As the two were chatting and laughing, Su Arong walked in with a letter: "Erlang, a servant just brought a letter over."
Wen Zhu jokingly said, "Whose invitation is this again?"
Su Fengzhang took it and opened it, then raised his eyebrows slightly.
Wenzhu leaned over and took a look, subconsciously wanting to scream, but stopped when she noticed her father was still beside her.
The next moment he saw Su Fengzhang fold the letter and put it back into the envelope as if nothing had happened, and continued to pack his things calmly.
When Su Fengzhang stood up and entered the study, Wenzhu quickly followed him in, furtively locked the door, and asked, "Fengzhang, which young lady wrote this love letter to you?"
Su Fengzhang glanced at him and said calmly, "There's no signature on it, how would I know."
"Let me take a closer look for you." Wenzhu snatched the letter and began to read, "Shangxie! I wish to know you, and live long and without end. Even if the mountains are gone, the rivers dry up, the winter thunders roar, the summer snows, and the heaven and earth merge, I will never part with you!"
"I admire Mr. Su's talent and would like to be with him."
"If you are interested, please wait for your good news under the willow tree this evening under the moon."
Wen Zhu's cheeks flushed red as she finished reading. She hesitantly said, "This young lady is too bold. She actually asked you to meet her privately."
Looking up, she saw Su Fengzhang was completely composed, his cheeks not even red. Wen Zhu couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Feng'er, are you going? Although your style is a bit bold, I'm afraid this young lady admires you very much, so she dares to do so."
Su Fengzhang said calmly: "Of course not."
Although this was expected, Wen Zhu still said regretfully: "Are you really not going? I still want to see if this young lady is pretty. If she is pretty, then it's not..."
Su Fengzhang hit him with the book and snorted coldly, "Don't even think about it. If the teacher finds out, he will definitely punish you severely."
"But it's normal that you don't like her." Wen Zhu changed the subject, "With your looks and talent, there will definitely be many young ladies who admire you in the future. It won't be a pity to miss any of them."
"Hey, what do you think of this love letter?" Wenzhu asked curiously.
"The handwriting is superficial, the content is perfunctory and lacks much sincerity." Su Fengzhang commented.
Wen Zhu was stunned for a moment and felt a little strange. Su Fengzhang was not the kind of sarcastic person. Now that a young lady came to propose to him, he should not slander her even if he didn't like her.
Although this letter is not very literary, it doesn't need to be so. Wen Zhu glanced at him with full of doubts.
Su Fengzhang ignored him. After a while, he called Su Arong in from outside and gave him a few instructions without paying attention to Wenzhu.
Su Arong went out in a hurry. Wen Zhu looked at him and became even more confused. Could it be that Su Fengzhang thought over and over again and decided that he couldn't let the young lady wait in vain, so he sent Su Arong to chase him away?
Su Arong went out and headed to the place mentioned by Su Fengzhang, but he did not show up. Instead, he went into a restaurant opposite.
As the sun was setting in the west, Su Arong stared at a big willow tree over there, looking left and right, and sure enough, he saw a woman in a light yellow long dress walking towards him. Her face was covered with a veil, but a pair of bright eyes could be vaguely seen.
The woman waited under the tree for a long time but no one came. She left angrily until late at night.
Su Arong immediately turned around and followed, following behind from a distance.
He had learned some skills from the hunters in the village, so tracking a weak woman was no problem for him. The woman was not on guard at all and just kept moving forward. Finally, she entered a big house through the back door.
Su Arong waited for a while but she didn't come out, so he went around to the main entrance to check. After finding out who the owner of the house was, he went back.
When he returned to the Wen family, Su Fengzhang was still waiting in the study room. When he saw him come in, he asked, "How is it?"
Su Arong immediately said: "Erlang, you guessed right, that young lady really did enter the Qian family in the end."
"I asked around and confirmed that it was Qian Tongzhi's house. However, she sneaked in through the back door. Someone was guarding there and didn't alert anyone else. I was afraid of being discovered, so I followed too far and couldn't hear what they said."
"Erlang, how do you know that young lady is from the Qian family? Could she be the daughter of the Qian family?"
Su Fengzhang smiled slightly, but there was a hint of coldness in his eyes: "How could she be the daughter of the Qian family?"
Su Arong was confused: "Who could it be? Could it be a maid? But how could a maid dare to write a letter to you? Even if she wanted to write, shouldn't she be able to read?"
Su Fengzhang did not answer this. When the letter was delivered today, he felt something was wrong. It had only been a short time since his reputation spread, how could a young lady come to propose to him? You know, although the Great Zhou was not harsh on women, this was a very bold act.
He couldn't help but think of the woman he met yesterday who sold herself to bury his father. If it was a coincidence, now thinking back, her eyes were on him from beginning to end, which was really weird.
After all, in terms of appearance, Meng Ting is more handsome and elegant, and in terms of clothing, Xu Zifeng is the most luxurious one. Why did that woman set her eyes on him?
Today he was more cautious and asked Su Arong to follow and take a look. Sure enough, the man was exposed.
Xiao Hanlin, Qian Tongzhi, Chen Pingting, a clear clue appeared in front of Su Fengzhang. Lu Mingchuan's words were still vivid in his mind. Combined with the events of the past two days, he finally caught the person behind the scenes.
Su Fengzhang drummed his fingers on the table, feeling that something was wrong. He was not familiar with Qian Tongzhi, but judging from his invisible presence in Qingzhou Prefecture in recent years, he could tell what kind of person he was.
Would such a person be so bold as to bribe the examiner sent by the court and take action during the provincial examination just for a concubine, even if it was a concubine he loved very much?
After all, the Chen family is trying to curry favor with the powerful, but Qian Tongzhi himself has no grudges against the Su family. However, it is not easy to get Xiao Hanlin to take action, at least it cannot be solved with money.
Thinking about the woman who appeared in the past two days, her various actions were full of the petty-mindedness of a woman in the inner house, and both things were inseparable from the temptation of women. Suddenly, a bold idea came to his mind.
He had never held a grudge against the Chen family, nor had he ever thought of seeking revenge, but since they came to him fearlessly, wouldn't it be unfair to his lost relatives if he didn't return these things? He would have to let them suffer the consequences of their own actions.
Su Fengzhang narrowed his eyes, then looked up and said, "Arong, help me do one more thing."
"Erlang, just give your orders." Su Arong said quickly.
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Author's words: Update completed
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