Chapter 1548 Extra: Correct Question, Correct Answer (Part 2)
Qiao Zi said that she is just young, not stupid.
As night fell, students were urged to return to their dormitories to sleep.
Qiao Zi fooled the inspector and quietly got up.
He also took the hoe from the kitchen and headed to the playground with it.
Just as he was about to bring the hoe down, his martial arts friend's voice came from the tree above him: "Digging a grave in the middle of the night?"
Qiao Zi froze.
In the distance, Qi Cang rushed over in a great hurry.
He cursed, "Ancestor, you are my ancestor!"
What's wrong with you in the middle of the night?
It was one thing for a young child to incite older students to go exploring at night, but now he's even digging up graves in the middle of the night. Does he think he's a tomb raider? Qiao Zi was lifted up by Qi Cang. The child stared at him expressionlessly with his dark eyes wide open.
"Qiao Zi!"
Qiao Zi struggled and kicked her legs: "Who is buried down there?"
A thick, dark shadow swam down from the tree and transformed into a human form: "Zheng Qiao probably never expected that he would face another calamity many years after his death."
Qi Cang: "..."
Qiao Zi exclaimed in surprise: "Zheng Qiao?"
Is the person buried in this unmarked grave Zheng Qiao?
During the devastating war in Ganzhou, the flames of war spread throughout the region, causing immense suffering to the common people. Most of the elderly still remember that man-made calamity, and even children like Qiaozi, born in peaceful times, have heard of it. Some elderly people like to use Zheng Qiao to frighten children.
Qi Cang: "...Hmm."
Qiao Zi struggled to land, still clutching the hoe in her hand.
Why was he buried here?
Qi Cang: "...He died here back then."
He wasn't actually sure if Qiao Zi was Zheng Qiao's reincarnation; he just felt a pang of pity for the mother and son, given their similar appearance and aura, and offered them help. Over the past six months, Qiao Zi's learning progress had been astonishing, and his displayed talent and comprehension deepened Qi Cang's suspicions. The difference was that Qiao Zi looked like a clever and mischievous ordinary child, while Zheng Qiao was a madwoman.
Qiao Zi guessed something: "So, he's my maternal grandfather?"
Judging from the timeline, this is highly likely.
Everything he didn't understand was explained.
Qi Cang: "..."
Gong Xichou: "..."
Qiao Zi asked again, "But doesn't he like men?"
Popular rumors say that Zheng Qiao was licentious and immoral, and had no regard for men or women.
Qi Cang closed his eyes in despair: "Don't spread rumors."
Qiao Zi suddenly realized: "Oh, you're his male concubine?"
Gong Xichou: "..."
Qi Cang suddenly opened his eyes, his expression extremely ferocious: "Qiao Zi, you really think I won't hit you, huh? I'm almost a hundred years old, and you still dare to spread such a ridiculous rumor that will be struck by lightning?"
Qiao Zi's eyes darted around, and she turned and ran towards the stone tablet.
He cried out, "Grandpa, save me!"
He was frail and sickly from childhood and couldn't withstand a slap from a martial arts master.
Gong Xichou: "..."
It's true that in a big forest, you'll find all kinds of birds.
He stood on Zheng Qiao's grave, watching Zheng Qiao's former subordinates slap the backside of Zheng Qiao's reincarnation, who cried out for his parents as he was beaten.
“Qiaozi, you and Zheng Qiao have a connection, but it’s not what you think. Zheng Qiao had no way out from birth because of that blood, but you are different.” Watching the stubborn boy sob and remain defiant, Qi Cang stroked his head. “Your life is still long, and there are many new areas you can try. If you enter officialdom, love the people, understand what ‘political harmony and social stability’ means, share their joys and sorrows, be praised, loved, and chosen, your subordinates may be able to trust you wholeheartedly. You and these students from the academy are from the same school, and you can have brotherly feelings and kinship… These are his regrets, but they won’t be yours.”
Qiao Zi asked quietly, "Are you really not his male concubine?"
Qi Cang sneered: "Do you think I'd want to sleep with you?"
Qiao Zi was no match for the shrewd old man, and her affectionate eyes widened in shock: "...I'm only six years old!"
He really will report it to the authorities!
Qi Cang said, "I'll collect 100 jin of pebbles after school tomorrow."
Qiao Zi felt like the sky had fallen and the earth had caved in: "...One hundred jin?"
"Two hundred pounds, go to sleep."
Qiaozi grabbed his hoe and ran off, seething with anger.
Qi Cang watched the boy's retreating figure and scoffed, "I bet this kid has already guessed something..."
Gong Xichou: "You guessed it? Aren't you going to nip it in the bud?"
Qi Cang sneered: "Is it necessary? As long as he is reincarnated and still falls into this world, what's the point of killing him? This world is no longer the era when we could eat people and even devour them in various ways. If you kill him now, maybe he can be reincarnated into a better family and have a healthier body. Wouldn't you be furious?"
"Why not someone from a worse family, with a worse health?"
Qi Cang rolled his eyes and sneered, "With Zheng Qiao's temperament, he would love to be reborn into a family that is poor, with few relatives, and where everyone in the family is suffering. He would prefer to be put into a pottery jar and steamed and served as a meal as soon as he is born."
Gong Xichou frowned: "Is he sick?"
Qi Cang laughed loudly: "When is he not sick? If we really grant his wish and let him be reincarnated to experience all the suffering in the world, he'll laugh until he cries when he drinks the Meng Po soup. What does that show? It shows that Shen Youli is just so-so, and the world she governs is just as hellish."
The harder life gets, the happier Zheng Qiao can laugh.
This proves that although he lost to Shen Youli, he didn't lose too badly.
The two are roughly equal.
Gong Xichou: "You seem to know him quite well."
Qi Cang looked at the nameless tombstone: "After all, they were fellow patients."
Gong Xichou: "..."
It's also rare to see someone admit to having a medical condition.
Gong Xichou smuggled himself aboard the imperial ship as it left Ganzhou, but before he could even get his footing, a wooden staff was pressed against his throat. Seeing the similar face opposite him, he was instantly enraged: "Hmph!"
Ji Moqiu: "Ganzhou invites you to the competition and awards ceremony."
Gongxi Chou was heartbroken and wished he had never had this brother.
"If you keep doing this, I'm going to run away from home again!"
His brother has been so generous with his money that he's lost all sense of reason!
Ji Moqiu sighed and said, "Don't threaten to run away from home all the time. Why bring up something you can't do?"
Gong Xichou was so angry that his braid almost stood on end.
It's better not to mention it, because it only makes him angrier.
He ran away from home, and neither his brother nor his mother chased after him. In contrast, he had searched for his older brother for years, fighting countless battles for his mother without expecting anything in return. Those two are heartless!
"Are you determined to be this pathetic?"
"As a servant of the gods, how much more can I strive to prove myself?"
Gong Xichou choked, his mind almost going blank: "At least I can't lose in the struggle against that extra Xun Yong'an!"
What do you want?
Gong Xichou puffed out his chest: "You can be the extra one."
He should never be treated as an extra promotional gift from a merchant; if he should be treated as one, he should be treated as part of the sales process, not as a promotional item.
Ji Moqiu: "...As long as you're happy."
Perhaps my brother-in-law Xun Ding's guess is true.
Ah Nian's emotional ties, once stripped away, still carried his mind.
The emotional ties are gone, and so is the mind.
The twelfth year of Yanhuang, the summer solstice.
He led his officials on an inspection tour of the northern and desert prefectures.
"Phew—summer really does have to head north." Shen Tang sat in the teahouse, gently fanning herself with a palm-leaf fan. She couldn't help but think of the last time summer came to inspect the southwest. The sun was so bright it was blinding, distorting the ground and the air. She took a couple of sips of tea and looked at Shen De's family letter.
Before we knew it, this girl was already twelve.
They're about to enter their rebellious teenage years.
No, it's already entered.
The letters home were all complaints about why she couldn't go out with her mother, who always had to stay behind to oversee the capital.
Shen Tang folded the letter and put it away carefully: "The child has grown up."
No one likes the job of regent.
Shen Tang was even less likely to like him.
But who can blame her when she's the boss of Kangguo?
Whoever is appointed as regent must obediently serve as regent for her.
This teahouse is in a great location, and merchants passing by will often stop to rest and let their animals replenish their food and water.
"Father, what are you and your family doing here?"
A dashing blond boy entered the teahouse.
Calling her a teenager isn't quite accurate; she's more like a young adult.
She was nearly the size of an adult female martial artist, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and legs longer than a human's. She had blonde hair, a style common in the Northern Desert, and lake-blue eyes and skin as white as snow. However, her clothing was not in the Northern Desert style, and her accent suggested she was from out of town.
She went to the corner as soon as she arrived.
The group of people in the corner also attracted attention.
Putting aside the handsome men and beautiful women among them, the pink skull alone was enough to draw attention. The pink skull looked up, and the two flames in its pupils visibly softened: "Sit down, Queen."
Notice the other tea drinkers in the corner: "???"
No, what's the name of this young lady who came?
Yes, you heard right, her name is Queen.
Queen Gongshu, formerly known as Imamsong.
Because the royal court planned to inspect the northern and northern states, Gongshu Wu, who usually lived a secluded life, also came out to take his adopted daughter, Gongshu Queen, back to her ancestral home to pay respects. In the early years of the Kang Kingdom, many meritorious officials were promoted or rewarded, and Gongshu Wu was the only military general to be granted the title of Pillar of State and further honored as Duke of Wen for his merits. Many people were puzzled as to why Gongshu Wu's title was "Wen" (文).
Shouldn't this title be given to civil officials?
I've never heard of Duke Wen being good at civil administration.
Shen Tang said, "Let's take a break."
Gong Shuwu pushed the water cup in front of his daughter.
Queen Gongshu finished her drink in one gulp: "Father, there's something strange. I went to pay my respects at Mother's grave—"
Before he could finish speaking, a series of hurried footsteps approached.
A woman said with a beaming smile, "Madam Shen, your younger brother and sister-in-law are doing great! The list of successful candidates has been posted at the Central Court, and they have both been accepted!"
Tea drinker: "The owner isn't here."
"Oh dear, I'll go get someone."
The Northern State and the Desert State are vast in area, but their small populations and limited financial resources result in relatively underdeveloped education systems, making it extremely difficult to gain admission to the local top three hospitals. However, once admitted, it can be a life-changing experience for a family.
The tea shop owner's adopted brother and sister-in-law were both on the list.
This is truly a joyous occasion.
Before long, the two boys also rushed back to share the good news.
The teahouse owner, Madam Shen, was pushed back by the congratulatory crowd.
Upon learning what the joyous occasion was, her face, covered with fine lines, filled with excitement. She waved her hand generously and waived the tea for the day.
The tea drinkers congratulated the owner, saying he was very kind.
Outside the crowd, only a group of people in the corner remained still.
When the two boys appeared, Gong Shuwu sat up straight, his eyes blazing with a strange, uncontrollable fire as he stared in disbelief at one of the boys. The boy wore a clean, though not extravagant, round-necked robe, with a brightly colored cloth rope tied around his waist and a knife tucked into it. His broad, clear eyes were full of smiles as he addressed the teahouse owner as "Sister."
The young man was beginning to develop the physique of an adult, his body enveloped in a cool, clear martial aura, sometimes as swift as the wind, sometimes as fiery as flames. Most importantly, his appearance was strikingly similar to his nephew who had been imprisoned years ago. No, they were practically the same person! Gong Shuwu was stunned, and immediately understood why his lord had suddenly changed course and come here. Resting and drinking tea was a pretense; his real purpose was to observe the man.
Madam Shen clasped her hands together in gratitude to Heaven and Earth.
Huanhuanxi said happily, "This good news must be reported to our ancestors."
She didn't just focus on her adopted brother.
Then he asked his younger sister, "What does A-Guan like?"
Upon seeing this, the slightly gloomy-looking young man relaxed his furrowed brows, took Madam Shen's hand in return, and remained silent.
Madam Shen said, "Alright, I'll have both."
The teahouse was bustling, and the two boys lent a hand as well.
Before Madam Shen's smile could fade, she noticed Shen Tang sitting in the corner. Her lips stiffened slightly, and she made an excuse to send the two boys to the kitchen to help boil water. She approached nervously, only to see Shen Tang point to an empty seat: "Your Majesty, please sit."
Madam Shen's tense nerves finally relaxed.
But he did not refuse.
Opportunities to sit at the same table as the monarch are few and far between in this world.
What she cared about was Shen Tang's attitude towards his two younger siblings.
"My lord, what about A-Guan and the others..."
Shen Tang: "I didn't come here for them."
She was really just passing by.
Madam Shen breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, a monarch has no reason to deceive himself.
Shen Tang looked towards the kitchen.
"How did you end up adopting them?" To be honest, Madam Shen herself was just an ordinary person. Even though the world is at peace now, it's still not easy for ordinary people to make a living, let alone with two burdens.
Madam Shen: "Perhaps it's fate."
It can only be explained by fate.
She adopted Acheng first. It was a snowy winter day. Acheng's family was poor, and he had a hard life as a child who was not valued by his parents. In the dead of winter, he didn't even have a piece of warm clothing. Hungry, he could only steal offerings from the graves.
When Madam Shen was paying respects at Gong Cheng's grave, she found a nearly frozen child lying in front of her deceased friend's grave. Out of kindness, she took the child home and, after tending to him, noticed a striking resemblance to her deceased friend. Upon learning of the child's plight, she felt a pang of compassion and asked the child's parents for the child's life.
The parents couldn't be happier to get rid of this burden.
After spring arrived, Ah Cheng caught an orphan girl stealing steamed buns at her breakfast stall. The orphan girl had initially been taken in by a charitable organization, but the organization had many children and limited resources. They could only ensure the children wouldn't starve, not that everyone would be well-fed. Coupled with bullying among the children, the orphan girl couldn't bear the abuse and ran away in the middle of the night. Driven to desperation by hunger, she resorted to theft and was subsequently taken in by Madam Shen.
"I know they might be the two I'm thinking of." Madam Shen's smile was softened by the passage of time. "But, if there is reincarnation, there is still a chance to repent and start anew. Do you agree, my lord?"
Shen Tang nodded: "Indeed."
Madam Shen's eyes were brimming with tears: "Your Excellency is very kind."
Shen Tang looked towards the kitchen and chuckled: "As the mother of all people under heaven, above all people and under the rule of heaven, there are no people in this world that I cannot love, and naturally there are no children that I cannot forgive."
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The 15th is getting closer and closer, and I still haven't finished organizing the beginning!
(End of this chapter)
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