Xie Shu's fingertips curled up subconsciously at his side. When he raised his hand, he finally realized why he wanted to do such a frivolous thing to his lover.
At this moment, his eyes met with that of the man, and the man was staring at him intently, as if he was completely unaware of his intentions, as if he was letting others do whatever they wanted.
This moment seemed to last only a moment.
Xie Shu collected his thoughts and calmed down. Then, a solemn smile appeared on his face. He whispered, "My dear, just wait for me to come back."
Seeing Yu Chuxi nod, Xie Shu finally took a step forward, walked out of the Yu family's gate, and got on the carriage at the door. However, when getting on the carriage, Xie Shu couldn't help but turn around and saw her lover looking at her from afar.
When Xie Shu got on the carriage, the clerk who came to deliver the message couldn't help but glance at Xie Shu more.
He was Wan Linming's confidant, so he naturally knew Lord Wan's intentions, and he had been observing Xie Shu just now.
It turns out that this person is even more outstanding than the rumors say. Not only is his demeanor impeccable, but the way he said goodbye to his husband reluctantly, it didn't look like there was anyone else interfering.
When the clerk thought of this, he understood what was going on.
At this time, Xie Shu also noticed the clerk. Although he was young, he was dressed very smartly and neatly. It was unknown who had sent him here.
Xie Shu tried to strike up a conversation with him: "My name is Xie Shu, may I know what this young man's name is?"
The clerk didn't expect Xie Shu to be so polite. You have to know that they are of low position and are really not worth mentioning in the eyes of people of status.
He smiled and said, "Thank you, sir, there is no need to be polite. Just call me Li Ming. As for the rest, I have your order, so please forgive me for not being able to tell you."
After Li Ming finished speaking, he added, "Don't worry, Mr. Xie, just answer truthfully later."
Xie Shu nodded when he heard this, knowing that this was the limit of what the other party could reveal, and it seemed to be related to the case.
However, Xie Shu could tell from Li Ming's attitude that he was not summoned this time because of Yu Wanchun's bribery. In this case, Xie Shu was certain that on the way there, he would close his eyes and rest while recalling the whole thing from beginning to end to make sure that there was nothing missed.
As soon as the carriage stopped, Li Ming led him down, and Xie Shu discovered that the place they had arrived at was the government office of Yingtian Prefecture.
There was a row of railings around it, and the beast-mouthed gate was wide open. Next to it was a big drum with red paint and white leather, which was what was called "tang drum" in ancient times. Except for a few officials standing at the door, there were almost no common people approaching.
After Xie Shu followed Li Ming into the yamen, they soon arrived at a reception hall, where Li Ming asked him to wait for a while.
Xie Shu naturally had no objection, but he felt a little strange. He thought the other party would take him to the place where the case was examined, but he didn't expect it to be a hall.
However, Xie Shu did not take it lightly. Not long after, a man in ordinary clothes came over. He looked to be about 40 years old, with a serious appearance and a beard. He looked him up and down.
Xie Shu didn't know who he was, but he thought that this person was the "sir" that Li Ming mentioned.
Xie Shu greeted him in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "I am Xie Shu, your Excellency."
Wan Linming's expression was unclear: "Are you Xie Shu? I have heard a lot about you these days."
After Wan Linming sat down, without waiting for Xie Shu to speak, he narrowed his eyes and observed the clues on Xie Shu's face, then spoke in a more serious tone: "Xie Shu, you passed the examination and became a scholar at the age of fourteen. You made a sensation in Jinling at that time. Why haven't you made any progress in the past six years?"
Xie Shu did not expect this adult to speak so bluntly. In fact, it was indeed very rare for someone to pass the examination to become a scholar at the age of fourteen. It could be said that he had outstanding talent. As for why his original incarnation did not pass the examination, it was probably due to his fame, his bad mentality or his neglect of his studies.
Of course, Xie Shu had no shame on his face. He just calmly replied, "I am a young man with limited talent and learning. It was just luck. The more I learn, the more I feel my own shortcomings."
Seeing him so humble, Wan Linming's eyes flashed with a strange look, but Wan Linming's tone became more and more unhappy, "According to what you said, you should concentrate on your studies. Why did you drop out of Jinling Academy three years ago? Is studying in the academy not as good as studying at home?"
Xie Shu felt helpless, as he didn't know the reason why the original body dropped out of school, but now he needed to explain it well, otherwise it would seem like he was deliberately deceiving.
Xie Shu thought for a moment and replied, "That's not the case. I was just busy with other things at the time. I have also worked harder in the past three years and tried not to delay my studies."
Wan Linming could not deny this. After all, Xie Shu's fame at the Xiyuan Poetry Festival a few days ago had proved this point.
Thinking of something at this moment, Wan Linming casually said, "Something else? Could it be that I was misled by the beautiful lady?"
Wan Linming did not mention the word "marrying into the wife's family" out of consideration for Xie Shu's face, but he actually felt a little regretful in his heart.
He had just tested Xie Shu, and seeing that Xie Shu was able to act appropriately and behave in a measured manner under his provocation, and that he had extraordinary talent, he couldn't help but admire him very much.
You should know that there is always a lack of geniuses in this world, but if a genius relies on his talent and is arrogant and conceited, he often cannot last long.
However, there are very few people who have both talent and ability to deal with things, so most geniuses are often like a short-lived meteor. Even if they appear in the sky, it is only a matter of a moment.
Wan Linming saw that although Xie Shu had been silent for six years, he was able to maintain his attitude and continue to concentrate on his studies. Now he has become famous again, which shows his excellence.
At the same time, Wan Linming felt very sorry that Xie Shu chose to marry into the Yu family three years ago, which meant that his future career might be overshadowed. After all, no matter how wealthy the Yu family was, they were just merchants, which did not meet the requirement that officials in the court should have a clean background, so it would be difficult for Xie Shu to have a chance to rise to prominence in the future.
But thinking of this, Wan Linming couldn't help but smile bitterly. How could anyone in this world reach the top in one step? Wasn't he also sent down?
Hearing the other party's words, Xie Shu frowned slightly. Although this person said it as a joke and Xie Shu could just laugh it off, Xie Shu was unwilling to do so.
In his opinion, whether he acquiesced or refused at this moment, it would be a kind of disrespect to Langjun. It was his own business for him to withdraw from the academy. What did it have to do with Langjun?
Therefore, Xie Shu said in a serious tone: "Sir, it is not like that. If it were not for my husband, I would not have the opportunity to concentrate on my studies. It is not easy for my husband to support me now, and I also want to repay my husband's kindness as soon as possible."
As soon as these words were spoken, even Wan Linming showed a hint of surprise on his face.
He just heard Li Ming say that Xie Shu and Yu Chuxi had a deep friendship. Although he heard it, he did not feel it so deeply. After all, Xie Shu was a son-in-law, and the circumstances of this case made Wan Linming a little hesitant. But now, Wan Linming no longer had any doubts.
As for the details of the case, there was no need for Wan Linming to ask any more questions. Xie Shu was just as he had judged before. He was an all-rounder.
As expected, I can’t trust my own son.
Wan Linming was somewhat shocked that Xie Shu was actually a rare person who knew how to repay kindness!
Such people are even rarer. Wan Linming thought for a moment and slowly stroked his beard and said, "Xie Shu, I checked the files yesterday and found a case related to you, so I wanted to ask you to come over for an investigation. I see that you have really not slacked off in the past few years, but in the special examination, poetry, classics, essays, and strategies can be based on the Four Books and Five Classics for the first two, but how do you study the latter two?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Shu understood the man's identity. It turned out that he was Wan Linming, the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture.
Seeing Wan Linming looking at him meaningfully with a smile on his face, Xie Shu understood that Wan Linming was trying to give him some advice, and his words just touched Xie Shu's heart.
Xie Shu greeted again and asked respectfully, "Please enlighten me, Master Wan."
Seeing that Xie Shu had seen through his identity but was still able to remain calm, Wan Linming felt more satisfied, but he did not reveal anything. "Go back first, and I will let you know when I have any news."
Wan Linming actually only found out a few days ago that Jiang Hong, a great scholar in Beijing, was retiring to his hometown in Jinling. Jiang Hong was once the chief priest of the Imperial Academy and had a good reputation in the world. There were countless students who wanted to learn from him, but Jiang Hong was a straight-forward person who only valued talent and gifts, so Wan Linming gave up the idea of sending his son to him.
Wan Linming planned to introduce Xie Shu to Jiang Hong. As for whether Jiang Hong would take a liking to Xie Shu, he would not interfere, so it was just a piece of cake for Wan Linming.
However, there is no news of Jiang Hong's return yet, so Wan Linming did not say anything.
Although Wan Linming kept it a secret, Xie Shu still performed his duties politely and thanked Wan Linming before leaving.
On the way back, Li Ming still sent him off. This time, Li Ming's attitude was much more friendly. After all, how could he not see that the adults now had a fondness for Xie Shu?
As soon as the carriage stopped, Xie Shu got off, and someone soon informed Yu Chuxi of his return to the Yu family.
Before Xie Shu arrived at Tingyu Garden, he saw Yu Chuxi walking towards him.
"Xie Shu!"
A brilliant smile appeared on Yu Chuxi's face, and she stared at him with her long eyelashes blinking, as if observing whether there was anything wrong with him.
Xie Shu deliberately stopped, coughed lightly, and covered the corners of his lips with his clenched fist.
Until the man's sleeves were flying and he was about to walk up to him, Xie Shu couldn't help but put down his hand. He couldn't hide the deep smile in his eyes: "My dear, don't worry, I'm fine..."
Seeing this scene, Yu Chuxi knew that Xie Shu had just teased him. He was so embarrassed and angry that he wanted to bite him, but he couldn't bear to do it.
On the second day, the trial of Yu Wanchun's case officially began.
Yu Wanchun was dragged to the lobby by two jailers, where he saw a lifelike painting of a tiger descending a mountain on the front of the yamen. The tiger looked as if it was about to pounce on him. The surrounding yamen runners stood on both sides, each holding a killing stick in their hands, and the sound they made was deafening.
Even though he had made sufficient preparations, Yu Wanchun still felt somewhat uneasy. Upon hearing that the prefect Wan Linming had arrived, several jailers pushed him down, and Yu Wanchun knelt down in embarrassment.
Yu Wanchun had to listen to the entire process of the case in this posture. During this period, Yu Wanchun tried to find an opportunity to refute countless times, but it was not his turn to speak, so he could only listen with resentment.
Finally, it was the defendant's turn to speak. Yu Wanchun could not wait to speak to Wan Linming in the court: "Sir, I have a grievance to make public!"
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