"He Yi is still in the prison! We can't just do nothing!"
"That's stupid!"
Zheng Yu let out a low roar, his voice filled with unprecedented ferocity, which made Sha Pingwei's heart tremble.
He abruptly shook off his best friend's hand, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Sha Pingwei's face.
"The imperial examination is the day after tomorrow!"
"This is our only chance! It's her only chance!"
"If you were to act rashly in a fit of rage and force your way into the Jingzhao Prefecture, do you know the consequences?"
Zheng Yu took a step closer, and the chill emanating from him made Sha Pingwei unconsciously retreat.
"You will be killed on the spot, ruining the reputation of your Sha family for generations!"
"And He Yi will be immediately confirmed as an 'accomplice,' without even a chance for interrogation!"
You'll get her killed!
The last four words were practically squeezed out from between his teeth by Zheng Yu, each word carrying a bloody stench.
Sha Pingwei froze completely.
Zheng Yu's words were like a bucket of ice-cold water poured over his head, instantly cooling his head, which was burning hot with alcohol and anger.
yes.
Forcing your way in is tantamount to treason.
Not only will it fail to save people, it will also drag everyone into the abyss.
He slumped down on the stone bench, raised his hand, and slapped himself hard across the face, the sound crisp and loud.
"Then...then we can only watch her..."
His voice choked with emotion; this seven-foot-tall man was now trembling with sobs.
"I can't do it, Brother Zheng..."
Seeing his close friend's pained expression, Zheng Yu felt as if his heart was being torn apart.
He didn't say anything, but simply picked up the jar of Shaoxing wine again, tilted his head back, and took another big gulp.
Spicy liquor trickled down his lips; in the cold moonlight, it was impossible to tell if it was liquor, tears, or blood.
I can't do that either.
He thought to himself.
After a long while, he put down the wine jar and slowly spoke.
The voice was soft and hoarse, yet it carried a madness that seemed to burn everything to ashes.
"Therefore, we need to take the test even more."
Shaping-Wei looked up abruptly, staring at him in bewilderment.
In Zheng Yu's eyes burned two clusters of karmic fire from hell, eerily calm.
"What I want is no longer fame and fortune."
"What I want is not the meteoric rise to power described in the classics."
"What I want is the power to overthrow his Jingzhao Prefecture!"
"What I want is the power to make corrupt officials like Qin Wuyu lose their heads!"
He slowly stood up, hands behind his back, gazing at the pale light of dawn on the horizon. His words were like knives, etched into the night.
"What I want is this world that can protect her for the rest of her life!"
His words were powerful and resounding!
Sha Pingwei was completely awestruck by this overwhelming spirit!
All the despair, anger, and helplessness in my heart were ignited at this moment and transformed into boundless pride!
"good!"
He suddenly stood up and slammed his fist on the stone table, making the wine jar vibrate loudly!
"Brother Zheng! From this day forward, my life, Sha Pingwei's life, is in your hands!"
"If I pass the imperial examination, I will definitely enter the Censorate. I swear I will not be a human being if I do not skin Qin Wuyu, that corrupt official, alive!"
“If I fail the exam…” A resolute ruthlessness flashed in Sha Pingwei’s eyes, “I will give away all my wealth and raise three hundred assassins! The day Qin Wuyu walks out of the government office will be the day I, Sha Pingwei, take his head!”
Zheng Yu looked at his close friend and nodded emphatically.
The two brothers exchanged a glance under the moon before dawn, a glance that spoke volumes.
That night, there was no more wine, and no more words.
The candlelight in the study burned until dawn.
The sky was just beginning to lighten.
Zheng Yu changed into a faded scholar's robe and pushed open the door.
Sha Pingwei was already waiting outside the door. The two looked at each other, their eyes bloodshot from not having slept all night, yet both exuding an unprecedented sharpness.
In the courtyard, a figure caught their attention and startled them both.
Minister Zheng, who should have been resting in bed, was instead supported by Gong Shu, forcing himself to stand in the cold morning wind despite his illness.
His face was as pale as paper, but his eyes, which were always somewhat cloudy, were frighteningly clear at this moment.
"Yu'er".
Zheng Yu stepped forward quickly, without the slightest hesitation, knelt down on both knees, and kowtowed heavily.
"Father."
Minister Zheng did not help him up. Instead, he stretched out his withered, trembling hand and straightened his collar, brushing away non-existent dust from his shoulders.
"I am not going here to bring glory to my family."
His voice was soft, weak, like that of someone who is ill.
"As your father, I will no longer ask you to achieve any great success in the imperial examinations."
He paused, his throat bobbed, and his voice choked instantly.
"I only ask of you, Father..."
"Save your sister."
"She's still in that cannibalistic place, waiting for you."
Zheng Yu suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot, but his voice was incredibly firm, each word ringing out!
"Don't worry, Father."
"My son is going to a place that may be a den of dragons and tigers, but he will make a hole in it!"
"We must ensure that those demons and monsters have nowhere to hide under this bright and clear sky!"
After saying this, he kowtowed again, then resolutely stood up, turned around and walked towards the gate of the mansion.
Without the slightest hesitation.
There was not a trace of lingering attachment.
The carriage slowly started moving.
Zheng Yu sat upright in the carriage with his eyes closed, but he could clearly feel his father's heavy gaze, which carried the hopes and despair of the entire Ministry of Rites, following him.
Like a mountain, like an abyss.
Until the carriage turned the corner, completely cutting off that gaze.
"Alright! You must do your best!"
"Yes, Father."
When Zheng Yu arrived at the examination hall, it was already crowded with people and filled with noise.
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