Chapter 643: Chapter 644: Shrinking Turtle_1 Chapter 643: Chapter 644: Shrinking Turtle_1 Chapter 9:
Assistant Minister Feng approached Zhao Jiangshui and said in a low voice, “If I were you, I would know when to advance and retreat. How capable do you think you are? A re commoner, could you possibly compete with ? This ti you’ve lost your chance, just wait for three more years for the next examination. But if you still don’t know any better and continue causing trouble…”
With a sinister look, Assistant Minister Feng glanced at him: “It won’t just be a matter of waiting three years. I can guarantee you’ll never pass the civil service examination in your lifeti. Do you believe that?”
Zhao Jiangshui’s entire body stiffened, his anger too intense for words, trembling with fury, “You! You are absolutely…”
Assistant Minister Feng, having seen plenty of such presumptuous people, with a single glance ordered the servants to throw the man out.
Zhao Jiangshui felt as though his chest was bleeding with hatred, and he resentfully said, “How could there be such a tyrant!”
Tianniu had searched for a long ti before she found Zhao Jiangshui, only to see him drowning his sorrows in liquor at a tavern. Confused by her anger, she imdiately snatched the wine bottle from his hand, “What are you doing? Is now the ti to wallow in despair? Weren’t you going to seek out Feng Rui? What did he say?”
Zhao Jiangshui bitterly responded, “What else could he say? I’m a re civilian from a remote hotown, without any connections in the Capital; who will seek justice for ? Now all I can do is sit and wait for death here! I deserve to admit my bad luck.”
Tianniu angrily said, “How can this be allowed? Is there no law left under the feet of the Emperor? Should your hard-earned reputation be trampled on like this?”
Zhao Jiangshui gave a bitter smile and shook his head, “Forget it, Tianniu. We’re strangers in the Capital, where the Feng family is a noble powerhouse that we can’t afford to provoke. I have to accept this loss no matter what.”
Tianniu stood up with a start, “How can you accept it? I won’t allow it even if you do! I’m going to find Mu!”
Zhao Jiangshui quickly held her back, “Why look for her? She’s just a rchant, how could she contend with the elite in the Capital? Her influence in Qinghua City might be great, but it’s incomparable to the Capital. Don’t drag her down; it could end up harming her for nothing.”
However, Tianniu said, “Don’t worry. Mu is no ordinary person, and she won’t act rashly. No matter what, I must go to her myself. She’ll definitely have a way. Just wait for in the yard, and don’t wander off. I’ll be back soon to tell you.”
Without heeding Zhao Jiangshui’s attempts to stop her, Tianniu hurried off, he wanted to follow, but Tianniu was much faster, and he was no match for her speed.
Muniang was conveniently at ho that day. She had already inford the servants to let in a girl nad Qiao Tianniu without hindrance. Hence, naturally, the servants did not obstruct Tianniu, letting her through as soon as she gave her na.
Rushing into Muniang’s courtyard, Tianniu saw her look of surprise, “Why have you co? Aren’t you with Zhao Jiangshui?”
Especially upon seeing Tianniu’s red-rimd eyes, Muniang’s heart tightened with the premonition that sothing was wrong, she hurriedly pulled Tianniu to her and asked, “What happened? Why are you crying? Don’t tell Zhao Jiangshui failed the examination and took it out on you, if that’s the case, I won’t let him off easily.”
But Tianniu burst into tears, “It’s not him. Jiangshui didn’t fail at all. He placed first, but his achievent has been stolen by soone else.”
Muniang felt a sudden jolt in her heart, and a cold expression flickered in her eyes. She signaled Qingya with a look, and Qingya hurriedly ordered all the maids in the room to leave before carefully shutting the door. Only then did she rush out.
Only after the door was closed did Muniang ask, “Now tell the truth, what exactly happened?”
Tianniu, amidst sobs and sniffles, told Muniang everything, prompting Muniang to imdiately darken her expression, “Feng Rui? I knew that rascal couldn’t possibly be the top scorer!”
“Mu, this is the result of Jiangshui’s many years of hard study to achieve this academic honor. If he just gives it up without a fight, how could he willingly wait another three years for the next exam? Don’t you have a way…”
With a look of grievance, Tianniu gazed at Muniang, and before she could finish speaking, Muniang said, “Don’t worry. Now that he’s my brother, I can’t stand idly by while the Feng Family takes advantage of us. Go back and explain everything to Zhao Jiangshui. I have my own plans for this matter. Tell him not to lose heart and to wait patiently in the Capital City for news.”
Tianniu had always trusted Muniang and now was even more convinced, nodding emphatically before saying, “All right, I’ll go tell him imdiately.”
Having said this, she hurriedly left.
Qingya then said, “Lady, the Feng Family has gone too far, even resorting to such despicable acts. But now that the examination papers have been finalized, and according to Miss Qiao’s words, the handwriting on the papers is all Feng Rui’s, with not a trace of Mr. Zhao’s. How then can we argue his case?”
Muniang snorted coldly, “The handwriting may be his, but I bet he still can’t digest that knowledge, can he? A simpleton will always be a simpleton, even if he claims the top spot. How could he dare show his true capability if we take him out for a walk?”
“But he won’t co out for a walk. He knows his own limitations, which is why he didn’t attend the banquet hosted by Master Ning. On the surface, it seed he was posturing, but in reality, he was avoiding trouble. He’s dead set on being a shrinking turtle. How can people find out if he truly has the knowledge?”
Muniang raised an eyebrow, “Is that difficult? The Feng Family dares to treat Zhao Jiangshui like this only because they see him as a commoner, unable to make waves. But they’ve been careless in their investigation and haven’t realized the current ties between his family and mine. A commoner naturally can’t stir up much trouble, but when it cos to …”
Qingya laughed, “Well, that’s a good thing, isn’t it? Lady, you’ve long had a distaste for Mrs. Feng, but due to the good relations between our Marquis Chen Mansion and the Feng Family, you’ve been unable to act. Now, on the contrary, a reason to stir things up has presented itself.”
Muniang snorted coldly, “They brought this upon themselves!”
Early the next morning, Muniang personally wrote invitations and had Qingya deliver them to various households. Since arriving in the Capital City, she had frequented gatherings among high society ladies—whether it was a small wine gathering at one ho today or another gathering the next day, the real reason was always secondary to who was hosting the event. Muniang now being a notable figure in the Capital City, and this being her first ti hosting a banquet since arriving, naturally attracted a sizable attendance.
The Feng Family, of course, could not be absent; they would be the main characters of this banquet.
The feast was set in the Clearwater Pavilion, adjacent to a pond in the West Garden of Marquis Chen Mansion, with elegant and intriguing arrangents inside.
When the Feng Family’s party arrived, Muniang specially went out to greet them, unsurprisingly discovering that only Lady Feng had co. As for Feng Rui, he was still nowhere to be seen.
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