Chapter 20: The One Who Is Involved Cannot See Clearly

The next morning, Xie Yu went to tell Tu Yao, who was quite surprised upon hearing it.

Liangzhou was a strategically important location on the northwestern frontier, a rare oasis amidst vast desolate lands, bordering several small countries and nomadic tribes. It had long suffered from frequent warfare, only gradually stabilizing before the passing of the previous emperor.

Though officially named a “zhou” (prefecture), its territory was vast, and due to its strategic location, it was directly administered by the central government as a military stronghold at the “fu” (provincial) level. Its bureaucracy was complex, and personnel transfers were more frequent than in other regions.

At first glance, overlapping career paths were not unusual.

“That’s not all,” Xie Yu added. “From the twentieth to the twenty-sixth year of the Tianwu era, Fan Shixi served consecutively as county magistrate in one of Liangzhou’s subordinate counties, while Xu Maochai served as county clerk there in the twenty-first and twenty-second years of Tianwu. In the twenty-third year, he was transferred to a neighboring county as deputy magistrate. Then in the twenty-fourth year, when the local magistrate was killed by bandits, he was promoted to magistrate.

In other words, not only did these two men know each other, but they also worked together for two years in a superior-subordinate relationship.”

He was exceptionally intelligent, almost possessing a photographic memory. Last night, he had merely skimmed through several official records and memorized them all, reciting them effortlessly.

Tianwu was the reign title of the late emperor, spanning from the first to the twenty-eighth year of Tianwu. It was now the eleventh year of the Taihe era.

Tu Yao held his teacup for a long time without taking a sip. “Fan Shixi is already dead, and his descendants are not capable, so they haven’t entered deeply into officialdom. If we want to investigate old grudges, perhaps we should start with Xu Maochai.”

Serving in frontier regions was no ordinary matter, as life and death could change at any moment. Bonds between colleagues were often deeper than elsewhere, and it was likely that they had remained in contact over the years.

Finally, Tu Yao took a sip of tea, only to find it had gone cold, its fragrance mostly dissipated. He reluctantly placed it back on the table.

“Also, go through his other colleagues.”

Seeing Xie Yu sitting still, Tu Yao guessed his thoughts after a moment’s thought and couldn’t help smiling. “What’s wrong? Still suspecting Miss Ma? But I heard you’ve been working with her on this case recently. It’s rare for you to show such appreciation.”

These words were like a small stone tossed into water, taking a long time before finally creating a ripple in Xie Yu’s deep, calm pond.

He lowered his eyes, looking at the back of his hand. “Precisely because I appreciate her, I hope she has nothing to do with this.”

When Ma Bing entered the Kaifeng Prefecture, he had taken the opportunity to check her travel permit and household registration documents. Her ancestral home was not in Liangzhou, but in a town neighboring Liangzhou.

Moreover, she had traveled extensively over the past few years. Although she had never visited Fan Shixi’s hometown, she had stayed in a town not far from it for over a month.

Were all these mere coincidences?

Additionally, according to the household registration documents, Ma Bing’s parents were indeed ordinary civilian physicians and hunters, as she claimed. Yet, so far, her conduct and demeanor were completely unlike what one would expect from someone raised in an ordinary, modest family.

She could read and write, and her handwriting was excellent. Occasionally, in conversation, she would quote classical references, always responding appropriately to whatever he said.

This proved she had received an education—an extensive, high-quality one.

Her hometown had frequently suffered from warfare. In a border town where most people were preoccupied solely with survival and basic sustenance, how could an ordinary family composed merely of a civilian physician and a hunter possibly have the means to cultivate their daughter so thoroughly?

Leaving aside other considerations, even books themselves would be a luxury in such a place.

Undoubtedly, Ma Bing was an exceptional talent, but there were too many contradictions surrounding her. The more he interacted with her and the more he learned, the more complex Xie Yu’s feelings became.

It was as if he had plunged headfirst into a thick fog—eagerly awaiting the wind to rise, yet simultaneously fearing that when the fog finally cleared, the revealed truth might not be what he wanted to see.

Tu Yao lightly tapped the armrest of his chair and summoned his attendant.

“The lady has been feeling unwell these past couple of days. Go to the herbal garden and invite Miss Ma to come by when she has time.”

Xie Yu’s eyelashes fluttered slightly.

That was fine. His aunt was perceptive and intuitive, and since they were both women, they would naturally feel closer. Perhaps she could notice something.

“Oh, by the way, have you sent Fan Shixi’s documents to Magistrate Song?” Tu Yao asked.

“Just now, Yuanpei returned, and I’ve already had him deliver them.”

Xie Yu replied calmly.

Tu Yao: “…”

You really don’t feel any pity for him.

Well, anyway, it’s not like he hasn’t been scolded to tears multiple times already.

Just get used to it.

Xie Yu lowered his gaze and gently blew away the tea leaves, calm as if nothing had happened.

That’s right—subordinates were meant to be used like this.

They resumed discussing the case of Mu Sheng’s alleged cheating. Tu Yao sighed, saying, “The hardships endured over a decade of study cannot be fully expressed in words. Since there are so many doubts, you must work a bit harder. Don’t let those who cheated escape punishment, nor should you let the hearts of scholars across the land grow cold.”

Though born into a prestigious family, he had also climbed the ranks through successive examinations and had personally witnessed the difficulties faced by poor students—it was truly arduous.

To have finally reached the palace examination stage, only to see all their efforts come to naught due to false accusations—how unjust that would be.

“Sir,” someone called from outside the door, “a jinshi named Li Qinghe has come to see you. He says he’s from the same hometown as Mu Sheng.”

Yesterday, after the palace examination ended, the emperor immediately announced the rankings of the zhuangyuan (top scorer), bangyan (second place), and tanhua (third place). The lists for the second and third divisions were also published in the evening.

Mu Sheng had not participated in the palace examination and thus was not on the list. The other students from Taizhou, having been frightened by the incident, performed poorly and all dropped out of the second division, barely making it onto the third division list as “tong jinshi” (equivalent degree holders), a very pitiful sight.

Li Qinghe knew it was over even before leaving the examination hall.

One couldn’t withdraw from the palace examination. He even regretted participating in the spring examination this time—it had been such bad luck to get caught up in this mess.

He managed to keep his composure, though the other fellow from Mu Sheng’s hometown who had served as a guarantor was shaking like a sieve throughout the exam, his clothes soaked with cold sweat, completely losing all decorum. Every passing examiner could only shake their heads.

After leaving the examination hall, the student crouched on the ground, hugging his head and crying, “It’s over, all over!”

He had committed a breach of etiquette before the emperor. Even if he barely made the list, his official career was likely ruined.

Many out-of-town examinees who knew them were present. Seeing this, they felt a mixture of emotions—partly guilty for their own good fortune, yet unable to suppress a surge of joy at having one fewer strong competitor.

Li Qinghe returned to his inn in a daze after viewing the posted results, feeling as if everyone was laughing at him. Upon entering, he discovered the Huang family father and daughter were already waiting in the private room.

Huang Youtian had originally intended to offer some comfort, but upon seeing Li Qinghe’s condition firsthand, he realized that this was not something that could be easily resolved with a few kind words.

After hesitating for a while, he finally said, “It’s said that misfortune may turn into blessing. Since you survived this great calamity, surely blessings will follow. Just try to keep an open mind.”

Li Qinghe managed a bitter smile. Looking at Miss Huang, he saw concern in her beautiful eyes, which stirred a complex mix of gratitude, comfort, and guilt within him.

He collected his thoughts, sighed deeply, and bowed to the father and daughter. “Now that things are still uncertain, and my future path is unclear and I can barely take care of myself… perhaps we should cancel the engagement.”

Although the cheating allegations were suspicious, to outsiders it seemed like a clear-cut case of being caught red-handed. If the authorities were unwilling to investigate thoroughly, they might conclude the matter as it stood.

In that case, not only would Mu Sheng be stripped of his status and exiled three thousand miles, but Li Qinghe and the other guarantor who had come for the examination together would also be implicated. Their current rankings would be invalidated, and they would have to wait two more examination cycles before being eligible again.

With each examination cycle occurring every three years, a two-cycle delay meant six years!

How many years of a girl’s youth could afford such a wait?

Huang Youtian had originally come to talk about this very matter. However, since Li Qinghe himself had already shown signs of wanting to withdraw after encountering trouble, it would inevitably seem like taking advantage of his misfortune.

Now seeing Li Qinghe voluntarily bringing it up, Huang Youtian was greatly relieved and about to speak when his daughter said, “Please hear me out, Li Lang.”

“Dou Niang!” Huang Youtian’s heart sank, sensing trouble.

Li Qinghe hurriedly replied, “Please, by all means.”

Though delicate and frail, Dou Niang had a strong will of her own. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have insisted on divorcing her previous husband.

Without even glancing at her father, she looked straight into Li Qinghe’s eyes and said, “You and I are no longer naive children. We both understand the implications and consequences involved. Although I have feelings for you, I must also consider the interests of our families and cannot act recklessly.”

If she insisted on bringing a husband under accusation into the family, it would drag down the efforts of generations of her family.

Li Qinghe listened carefully, his heart filled with bitterness. “Indeed, Lady Huang speaks wisely.”

Dou Niang continued, “Even in our family’s business, there are ups and downs—sometimes profitable, sometimes at a loss. That’s just normal. Now that you’ve encountered this misfortune, how do we know it’s not a test before great fortune? I say, there’s no need to accept fate so quickly. Since things have already reached this point, why not give it your all? Go to the authorities and plead your case—you might yet find a glimmer of hope.”

Li Qinghe never expected such words from a young woman. It was like hearing a great bell ring, stirring his heart profoundly.

Then Dou Niang added, “As for whether to cancel the engagement, there’s no rush. I see you as a man of feeling and righteousness. Why not wait a little longer? If your friend is indeed innocent, then all will be well. If he is guilty, then we can annul the engagement at that time.”

After she finished speaking, the private room fell into a silence so profound that even a pin dropping could be heard.

After a long while, Li Qinghe suddenly stood up and deeply bowed to Dou Niang.

“Your words are worth more than ten years of study! Lady, your words are truly wise!”

Suddenly, he felt a surge of courage. He immediately took his leave and hurriedly headed toward the Kaifeng Prefecture.

Yes, yes! The outcome was still uncertain. What good would come from wallowing in self-pity here?

To save others is to save oneself. I might as well go all out and give it my best shot!

After Li Qinghe’s figure had completely disappeared around the corner, Huang Youtian grabbed his daughter’s hand, stamping his foot in frustration. “Why must you do this? In this vast world, there are countless talented young men. Why must you hang yourself on this crooked tree?”

Dou Niang gently waved her fan, disagreeing. “Father, why deceive yourself? If there were truly so many talented young men, why would I have wasted my youth like this?”

The Huang family was wealthy, but their background was humble. Talented scholars with promising futures would never look favorably upon a merchant’s family. And those they found acceptable rarely possessed such outstanding talent and good looks, and were also of suitable age.

Huang Youtian was at a loss for words.

Dou Niang lazily leaned against the window, watching the carriages and pedestrians passing on the street below. “The gap between officials and merchants is like a vast chasm. How can I give up easily because of a little setback? Today, I spoke my mind, and he must now respect me deeply. That is the foundation upon which I will build my future.”

“But what if his fellow townsman really did cheat?” Huang Youtian pressed.

Dou Niang chuckled lightly. “Father, you’re being foolish. Even if he loses his jinshi status, he’s still a proper provincial graduate. If he has ambition, he can just wait six years and take the exams again. Do you think we can’t afford to support him? If he doesn’t want to take the exams, that’s fine too. We can just arrange some funds and secure him an official post. Far away from the capital, he could be a local tyrant, enjoying life as a petty lord.”

Huang Youtian was stunned, then clapped his hands and laughed heartily. “Exactly! Indeed! My clever daughter!”

He had many children, but Dou Niang was by far the most outstanding. In the future, the family business would surely be entrusted to her.

Dou Niang giggled a few times. “Nowadays, the emperor values righteousness, and officials follow suit. If Li Qinghe can truly go all out to fight for his friend, his reputation for integrity will spread across the land. When the time comes for him to reenter officialdom, he will find success wherever he goes…”

It’s easy to add flowers to a brocade, but hard to offer charcoal in the snow. This time, she would place her bet.

Moreover, this could also serve as a test. If Li Qinghe turned out to be an incapable loser, she would abandon him completely.