Chapter 74: Worry
Hearing Zhang Zhong's sudden request, Xu Wangzhi was a little confused and asked, "What's the matter? Apart from treating illnesses, I don't know how to do anything else."
"I want to invite you to my house for a consultation."
Xu Wangzhi was a little surprised and hurriedly asked, "Is the old lady ill?" Seeing that Zhang Zhong didn't look worried, she suddenly understood and said, "Your wife is pregnant! This is great news! I'll go take her pulse, and you have to wrap it in a big red envelope for me!"
Zhang Zhong did not refute this and said, "Of course."
Seeing Xu Wangzhi waiting to receive his wedding silver, Shi Jing cleared his throat and said, "Actually, I have something to tell you two..." Seeing that both of them were looking at him, Shi Jing continued, "I'm going to take part in the martial arts examination."
Upon hearing the news suddenly, Xu Wangzhi, who was drinking tea, choked and started coughing.
Seeing Xu Wangzhi like this, Zhang Zhong quickly took the handkerchief from the servant beside him and handed it to her. He said helplessly, "Isn't it just a martial arts exam? Why are you so surprised?"
Xu Wangzhi wiped his mouth, looked at Shi Jing in front of him, and said, "You...how did you get selected for the martial arts examination?"
Shi Jing twitched his lips upon hearing this and said, "Is it that surprising?"
"How could I not be surprised? I heard her talk about the military exam." Xu Wangzhi said quietly, "Aren't those only for the sons of nobles and nobles? How could a scoundrel like you get the chance?"
Zhang Zhong said somewhat helplessly, "Jing'er's father was a deputy captain of the Jinyiwei and once taught martial arts to the children next door. Jing'er also has martial arts skills. If the young army hadn't been gradually abandoned and no longer recruited, he would have joined the army long ago. Now that there is such a good opportunity as the martial arts examination, Jing'er will certainly not give it up."
Shi Jing also explained: "This time, the martial arts examination selected the most people from the two capitals, especially the northern Zhili. Ordinary people have even fewer opportunities to practice martial arts. What's so strange about me being selected?"
"That's true..." Xu Wangzhi muttered, then sighed and asked, "Then why didn't you tell the princess? If she knew, she would definitely say a few good words for you."
At this point, she felt a little regretful and said, "If Luchuan was safe, she wouldn't have to go into battle herself. Maybe you could see her during the martial arts exam."
Shi Jing had long known that Princess Shunde was not in the capital, and he felt both relieved and disappointed.
However, his biological father Shi Lin felt particularly sorry. If the eldest princess was in the capital, he would definitely watch the martial arts examination and let the girl see his good-for-nothing son.
Shi Jing spoke awkwardly, "The martial arts exam is about your own martial arts skills. Even if the eldest princess wants to take the exam, she has to have real talent. It's not like she's trying to be better than her father. Besides, I was able to take the exam because of my father's influence..."
Thinking of Xu Yun's respectful and obedient manner in front of Zhu Yuhuan, Xu Wangzhi couldn't help but sigh, "It's you who's still so naive after all these years..."
Connections are needed everywhere. Even for her, if she hadn't met Princess Shunde, how could she be where she is today? If Shi Jing's martial arts skills were excellent, but he was squeezed out by others because he had no connections, it would be a pity.
For a moment, it was hard to tell whether her words were a compliment or a mockery. Zhang Zhong said helplessly, "Is that what you meant?"
"I'm not against him taking the military exam. I'm just worried that his efforts will be in vain. Besides, if he passes the exam, he'll be given an official position by the emperor. I heard he can also go to the Imperial College to study military tactics and formations. After he's learned enough, he'll be assigned to guard the border. This is all what the princess has planned in advance." Xu Wangzhi saw that both of them were looking at him, but neither of them said a word. He was slightly stunned, quite confused, and asked, "Why are you looking at me?"
Zhang Zhong said earnestly, "Of course I envy you."
Is there another person in the entire northern Zhili who can make Princess Shunde so devoted to him and even reveal government affairs to her?
Even if they could be called "familiar" with the eldest princess, they were far less familiar than Xu Wangzhi.
Xu Wangzhi was confused and asked, "You envy me? What do you envy? The endless patients I see every day, the endless medical books I can write?"
Seeing her innocent look, Shi Jing and Zhang Zhong looked at each other. Shi Jing patted Zhang Zhong's shoulder comfortingly and said, "It's good to treat everyone equally."
Xu Wangzhi just said that Shi Jing was naive, but in the end she was the simplest. She never thought deeply about anything she did, nor would she reveal things to others casually, which made people feel more at ease.
Shi Jing stood up and said, "Anyway, just wait for my good news. I'm leaving now."
Watching Shi Jing's back gradually disappear into the distance, Xu Wangzhi and Zhang Zhong exchanged a glance before speaking: "I've been wondering for a while. This guy seems to have not met the princess for a while. Why does he always seem shy? He never shows up when we usually meet the princess..."
Zhang Zhong looked at her oblivious expression and shook his head helplessly, saying, "He and the princess had some interactions before, and even took her to his family's martial arts gym to train. It would be strange if he didn't avoid her after he learned of her identity."
"That's true... I heard the princess say that she was beaten a lot when she was practicing martial arts. I guess this guy didn't know her identity, so he treated her so carelessly..." Xu Wangzhi scratched his cheek and said, "But I always feel something is strange. Shi Jing's thoughts should be easy to guess, why can't I guess it this time..."
Zhang Zhong couldn't help but laugh. "What's so good about that? But what you just said does make some sense. Someone like Jing'er, who comes from a poor family, might be bullied..."
Xu Wangzhi nodded seriously and said, "That's right. Ever since the princess left the capital, Wang Zhen has been making trouble. If the Luchuan battle wasn't related to the southwestern border, I think he would have gotten involved."
Compared with Wang Zhen, Zhu Qizhen was the one that the Duke of Ying's family was really worried about.
Xu Wangzhi held his chin with one hand and said worriedly, "I wonder where the princess and Toghto Boluo are now... Could they have already started a fight with those elephants in Luchuan?"
Zhang Zhong was amused by her words and said, "Sending 120,000 troops is not something that can be done overnight. At this moment, His Highness might still be on his way to Yunnan."
"I see..."
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