Chapter 18: Xingzhi Temple (18)
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On the night after treating Lin Zikui, when Xie Laosan fell asleep, the jar in his basket suddenly moved.
The commotion was not small.
He jolted awake and quickly pulled out the jar: “Damn it, why did the mother worm suddenly wake up? Could it be…”
“Xiao Fu! Xiao Fu, wake up!” Xie Laosan, wearing only a thin inner garment, kicked open Xiao Fu’s bedroom door and yanked off his bed curtain.
“You’re so noisy…” Xiao Fu half-opened his eyes, very annoyed at being woken up: “What’s wrong with you?”
Xie Laosan widened his eyes and shook the jar in his hand: “The mother worm woke up!”
“Oh, I thought it was something serious,” Xiao Fu said lazily, still sounding tired, “If the mother worm woke up, it means the emperor found some folk experts and used special methods to track it here. What’s there to fear? They’ll come here, and we’ll just kill them…” As he said this, his drowsiness vanished abruptly. He sat up straight, “No, we can’t let them find Xingzhi Temple.”
This mother worm controlled the poison inside Emperor Emperor Wen Tai. If the mother worm died, Emperor Wen Tai would die too. Eating the mother worm was the only way to detoxify him.
Given Emperor Wen Tai’s nature, if he tracked them here and someone escaped back, he would return and kill everyone at Xingzhi Temple, implicating all nine generations.
That wouldn’t do, Lin Zikui lived here, and it was too late to move overnight.
So Xiao Fu quickly got up and dressed, squatting down to put on his shoes: “Yuanqing, you’re good at light skills, take this jar to… Jishui County in Jiangxi. Lead them there, then kill them.”
Xie Laosan: “No, the mother worm is too dangerous. If it accidentally gets loose, it would bring disaster to the world. I have to go with you!”
“Third Brother, you don’t know martial arts. You’re too slow and could easily be caught. The emperor wouldn’t send just a few people; there must be a large group of Brocade Uniform Guard accompanying them. The commander of the Brocade Uniform Guard is a master. Yuanqing can fight him, but if you go too, he’ll have to protect you and fight those masters, which makes it more difficult.” Xiao Fu decisively called for Jin Zun as well, “You go with your brother to Jiangxi. I’m afraid he can’t handle it alone.”
“Yes, Marquis.” Jin Zun obeyed him completely.
Xie Laosan: “Then what about me?”
“You, you… come with me to the palace tomorrow morning.”
“Huh?!”
“Let my nephew see the poison, ease his pain a bit.” Xiao Fu finished dressing and suddenly smiled, “If he wants to be pain-free, he’ll have to kneel and kowtow to me.”
Xie Laosan understood. If they went to the palace now, with the emperor watching, they naturally wouldn’t be suspected of being involved in the poisoning. After all, they didn’t poison him; Third Brother only provided the insect powder.
He asked, “Why Jishui County in Jiangxi? Why have Yuanqing lead the Brocade Uniform Guard there?”
Xiao Fu replied, “Jiangxi has many talented people. Grand Secretary Xu is from Jishui County.”
Yuanqing and Jin Zun set off that night.
The next morning, Xiao Fu got up early to say goodbye to Lin Zikui.
“Lin Lang, I have to return to the capital for a few days for some important matters. I’ll be back at Xingzhi Temple in a few days. I’ve left charcoal, clothes, and snacks for you in the yard. Also, keep this signal arrow. If I’m within range and you launch it, I’ll come back.”
Xingzhi Temple was seventy to eighty miles from the capital, and Xiao Fu wasn’t sure he could see it.
He gave many instructions: “If your skin itches, use the warm bottle; don’t scratch.”
The itching caused by the worm was excruciating, and even the best anti-itch ointment couldn’t relieve it.
Lin Zikui could endure it and saw him off outside Xingzhi Temple, watching Xiao Fu ride his horse down the mountain and looking back at him.
Lin Zikui kept watching until his blurry figure finally disappeared, still standing there in disappointment.
“Young Master,” Mo Liu said softly, “Let’s go back. Second Young Miss has gone far.”
“Okay…”
Just after parting, he already missed him.
Meanwhile, in Jinling, at the house of Minister of Revenue, Minister Xiao.
Not long ago, the vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue was stripped of his position and property. The vacant position was filled by a lower-ranking official from the capital, so Xiao Huang, the chief of the Ministry of Revenue, was promoted.
He was now a fifth-rank official!
Still wearing his green robe, he had replaced his belt with an engraved silver one, adorned his official robe with a white pheasant insignia, and wore a cap with three strings. He was in high spirits.
However, his daughter Xiao Ting suddenly felt unwell and vomited while eating.
Lord Xiao immediately called for the family doctor, who felt her pulse and delivered shocking news.
The doctor, trembling, said, “Lord, the… Second Young Miss is… pregnant.”
“What…? Pregnant…” Lord Xiao stepped back, then suddenly rushed forward, ready to slap her but stopped mid-air.
Xiao Ting covered her face, crying.
After sending the servants away, Lord Xiao gritted his teeth and asked her, “Tell me, which beast did this!”
Xiao Ting was initially afraid to speak. Under her father’s glare, she hesitated, “It… it was Lord Wen.”
“Which Lord Wen?!”
“The one from the Imperial College…”
“Wen Shengli, the Deputy of the Imperial College? Good! Wen Shengli, you beast!”
“Father… don’t scold him. It was all my choice. Just let me marry him! Otherwise, I can’t face anyone!”
Lord Xiao was utterly exasperated: “Qiaoqiao, do you remember you’re already engaged? This is a breach of decorum!”
“I know, but Father, you weren’t satisfied with this engagement either. Call Graduate Lin here, give him some silver, and tear up the engagement letter. He wouldn’t dare say anything!”
“Ah…” Lord Xiao hadn’t annulled the engagement because, back when he was a county magistrate, he had seen Lin Zikui at fourteen. Despite being a child, he was exceptionally talented! Lin Zikui had once respectfully called him teacher, and later, when Lin Zikui became the provincial top scorer, the engagement was set.
Lord Xiao had always believed in his judgment, but one day, Tang Mengyang, an official who had roomed with Lin Zikui at the Nanjing Academy, got drunk and inadvertently revealed that Lin Zikui had some physical problem, something about being only the size of a thumb.
He couldn’t let his daughter marry him! How could she suffer in the future?
“Since you’re already… Ah, you and Wen Shengli… Forget it.” Lord Xiao, too ashamed, turned away, calling a servant: “Go immediately to the Nanjing Academy and find Lin Zikui, Graduate Lin. Tell him I need to discuss something urgent. Hurry, as fast as you can.”
Lord Xiao felt somewhat guilty towards Lin Zikui and wanted to invite him to the mansion, treat him to a meal, and then gently ask him to tear up the engagement letter.
Lin Zikui received the message two days later.
The servant had gone to the Nanjing Academy but didn’t find him there. Learning he was at Xingzhi Temple, he rode swiftly and nonstop.
When Lin Zikui heard the servant from Xiao’s residence had come to fetch him for an urgent matter, he happily packed his bags and tidied himself up: “Brother, please wait, I’ll be right back.”
Mo Liu was also delighted: “Young Master! Second Young Miss just returned to the capital, and now the Xiao residence has sent for you. Perhaps she spoke well of you in front of Lord Xiao? This is good, you’ll finally meet your future father-in-law!”
Chapter 19: Jinling City (1)
The servant seemed to know the situation, looking at Lin Zikui with a mix of disdain and pity.
Seeing Lin Zikui with his luggage and attendant, he said, “I came riding fast and can’t take your attendant. Let him walk to Jinling.”
Lin Zikui saw he had only one horse and it wasn’t convenient to bring Mo Liu along. But he couldn’t possibly let Mo Liu walk all the way.
The servant shouted, “Hurry up, or you’ll miss the city gates!”
Mo Liu stood silently at the temple’s threshold: “Young Master, I can walk. You go first! Lord Xiao must be discussing the engagement. Don’t delay.”
Lin Zikui turned to him: “No need, it would take two or three days to walk. Mo Liu, stay at Xingzhi Temple. I’ll be back in a few days.”
Mo Liu nodded: “Yes, Young Master.”
Lin Zikui got on the servant’s horse, and they rode together.
He didn’t carry much, just a signal arrow from Xiao Fu, some calligraphy, a bit of silver, planning to buy gifts for his future father-in-law in Jinling.
But what could he buy with so little money?
He sighed, feeling too poor even to give a decent gift, vowing to honor his father-in-law well in the future.
As night fell, they reached Jinling city just before the gates closed.
Lin Zikui, still on horseback, said, “Brother, can you take me to Grand Academician Tang’s house? It’s late, and I’m not well-prepared. Perhaps it’s better to visit Lord Xiao tomorrow morning.”
The servant shook his head: “No, my master said to bring you to the Xiao residence immediately.”
“This… alright then.”
They arrived at the Xiao residence, and just as the servant was about to lead Lin Zikui inside, a young servant quickly came out, whispered to the servant: “We can’t let Young Master Lin in now. Tell him to come tomorrow. Send him away quickly!”
The servant turned to Lin Zikui: “Uh, my master has finished his meal and is resting. He said for you to come tomorrow.”
Lin Zikui sighed in relief: “Very well, very well.”
The servant added, “I won’t see you off. Safe travels, Young Master Lin.”
Lin Zikui nodded, carrying his bag as he left.
At the Xiao residence, Lord Xiao was dealing with Wen Shengli, who was kneeling and begging.
“Lord Xiao, I sincerely wish to marry Miss Xiao. Please let her marry me!”
“Lord Wen, we are colleagues. If you cherished my daughter, why did you treat her this way…”
“It’s all my fault. I let my feelings get out of control. Once she marries me, I’ll treat her well!”
“Ah… this…. Sigh.” Lord Xiao repeatedly sighed, there was no other choice. “You go back first. I need to speak with Lin Zikui tomorrow. He’s already in Jinling. If he doesn’t agree to annul the engagement, we’ll have to find another way.”
After leaving the Xiao residence, Lin Zikui tried to find his way.
He wasn’t very familiar with Jinling, hadn’t been to Tang’s house more than twice, and now it was dark, making it hard to see. Wandering around, he couldn’t find the way, and there were few people on the streets.
He passed by an imposing mansion where a luxurious carriage had just stopped.
From the carriage stepped a young man, richly dressed and handsome.
Lin Zikui quickly approached and asked the man holding the horse, “Excuse me, sir. Where is this place? Do you know how to get to the residence of Grand Academician Tang Mengyang?”
“This is Duke Chang residence.”
The stable lad replied, “Which street is this Lord Tang you’re looking for?”
Lin Zikui thought for a moment, “It should be on Taiping Street.”
“Then go that way.” The stable lad kindly pointed the direction. The young master who had just alighted from the carriage happened to notice Lin Zikui’s attire.
He couldn’t help but scrutinize him and said, “What kind of person is this, wearing a mink coat like mine?”
The servant beside him remarked, “Young Master, this… seems better than yours!”
“Really?”
However, Lin Zikui did not hear this. He had already thanked them and left.
The young master kept staring at his back and muttered, “Who is he, so arrogant?”
Inside the mansion, a noblewoman with an imposing air came forward to greet him, “Sui’er, your cousin is about to come out of the palace. Today is a rare family dinner. The last time you saw him was seven years ago. Ah, Sui’er, why do you look so unhappy?”
Yan Sui: “Oh, Aunt, it’s nothing. I just saw a scholar wearing the same mink coat as mine, and I was puzzled.”
The noblewoman laughed, “You must be mistaken. There are only two such coats, one for you and one for your cousin.”
Yan Sui:” But, wasn’t my cousin staying at some Taoist temple? When did he return, and why was he in the palace…”
“The Emperor summoned him. Stop asking questions. It’s cold outside; come in quickly.”
As Yan Sui stepped into the hall and saw the dining table, he asked, “Why is there so much meat…”
“Your cousin said he’s been hungry and has lost weight recently. Poor him, he doesn’t even enjoy eating, has no sense of taste, so we made more dishes for him.”
Lin Zikui found the Tang residence and, after identifying himself, was quickly allowed in.
Tang Mengyang seemed to be busy and hurried out in his inner garments, “Brother, why did you suddenly return to the capital without a word? I would have prepared something. Have you eaten? I’ll have the kitchen heat something for you!”
Lin Zikui, indeed hungry, embarrassedly covered his stomach, “Brother Tang, I returned urgently because Lord Xiao suddenly sent a servant to fetch me from Xingzhi Temple.”
“Lord Xiao sent for you? Oh… Lord Xiao was looking for you.” Tang Mengyang understood the situation immediately.
The affair between Lord Wen and Xiao Ting had been exposed!
To host Lin Zikui, Tang Mengyang hastily prepared a room for him.
His male favorite, hearing about this Young Master Lin, already knew who it was.
Whenever Young Master Lin, came, Tang Mengyang would temporarily restrain himself and intensely admonish him, “Don’t speak. When you talk, it sounds vulgar.”
The male favorite would retort, “What’s considered not vulgar? Like your preciousBrother Lin? Just because he can compose a couplet or two…”
“You know nothing. It’s not just poetry! His writings are unparalleled, profound!” Tang Mengyang’s voice was fervent. “Only someone like him is worthy of me.”
Whenever Lin Zikui came, Tang Mengyang would hide his favorite away.
The male favorite could no longer bear it. Late at night, after Lin Zikui had gone to sleep, he sneaked out, carrying a lantern, intending to take a closer look at this Young Master Lin who had captivated Tang Mengyang.
As he sneaked in, lantern in hand, approaching Lin Zikui’s bed to peek at his face, a hand suddenly clamped over his mouth from behind!
“Ah!” He screamed silently, struggling desperately. In the chaos, something seemed to break, making a sharp sound.
The person behind him pressed hard and whispered, “Don’t make a sound, it’s me!”
“Master? Master… why, why is it you?” The male favorite was so scared he almost fainted.
Despite the commotion, Lin Zikui remained fast asleep, clearly having been drugged.
Why did Tang Mengyang appear in Lin Zikui’s room in the middle of the night?
It wasn’t just because he was emotionally drawn to him but also due to a small incident a few days ago.
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