Chapter 114 Why Her (3000-word chapter)

Chapter 114 Why Her (3000-word chapter)

Qiao Hui ran away.

No one knew how he managed to escape from the heavily guarded mountain courtyard alone, nor where he had gone, or whether he had taken any important items with him.

Yes.

Escape.

This word was now attached to Qiao Hui.

Xianjin stood rooted at the base of Jing County’s city wall, staring blankly at the portrait plastered on it.

That always arrogant and carefree young man, that supremely intelligent and sunny young man, that always upright young man with perfect family, appearance, and future, that young man who seemed to accomplish everything effortlessly...

was now labeled as an "escapee."

Like a panicked rat, like a stray dog everyone chased away...

Xianjin clenched her fists tightly.

Passersby, some grateful for the Qingcheng Mountain Courtyard’s kindness, others who had heard of Qiao Shanchang’s reputation, or those who respected scholars, sighed softly as they walked by. Xianjin looked at them with a kind and grateful gaze.

Suor sobbed quietly, while Aunt Zhang comforted her, sighing, "How did things change so suddenly?"

Just a few days ago, he came to our house for a fragrant roasted pork elbow, and now his picture is up on the wall.

Xianjin pressed her lips tightly together.

One thought from the upper echelons could cost dozens of lives and ruin hundreds of futures.

A thousand miles away, the wheels of power roll recklessly, crushing whoever they may.

If she could hold the whip of power, could she control the direction of those wheels...

Xianjin was startled by this thought, shook her head lightly, and turned to leave.

She didn’t go to the shop but returned to the old residence.

Before turning the corner, she heard commotion inside.

Suor leaned closer to Xianjin, slightly afraid.

Several soldiers in silver-gray armor stood brazenly at the gate, Chen Jianfang stood calmly on the steps of the second door with his hands behind his back, while Chen Fu tried to stand tall and act mature.

Chen Jianfang caught sight of Xianjin and made a gesture with his hand towards her.

Xianjin lowered her eyes and whispered to Suor, "Go quickly and tell Aunt Du that the soldiers surrounding the mountain courtyard are here at the old residence."

Suor turned and ran, her short legs moving swiftly, disappearing in no time.

Xianjin turned around and when she looked up again, she wore a shy and timid smile, her voice strained, "Sir—"

Xianjin wanted to vomit.

She suppressed the urge to gag.

Being a concubine’s daughter wasn’t easy; to disgust others, she had to disgust herself first.

The leading soldier saw Xianjin and his demeanor softened slightly, nodding briefly before turning to face Chen Jianfang coldly, "Has Qiao Hui come here?"

Chen Jianfang feigned surprise, frowning, "Him? Isn’t he still at the mountain courtyard?"

The leading soldier, with a square face, snorted, "He escaped! Last night! With a sword on his back, over the wall!"

He glared at Chen Jianfang, "You’re not being honest, a scholar and a student of Qiao Fangzhi, yet you didn’t say a word yesterday!"

His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it, "And your Chen family has close ties with the Qiao family... I hear there’s a manager who is quite favored by Qiao Fangzhi, frequently visiting and interacting closely—how could you not know if Qiao Hui was planning to escape?"

Xianjin moved to Chen Jianfang’s side.

Chen Jianfang laughed, "Which scholar in Jing County doesn’t have close ties with the Qiao family? If they aren’t close, why would they study or take exams in Jing County? What future would they seek?"

He folded his arms in front of him, leaning back slightly, speaking clearly, "Yesterday, I already explained to you, sir, that I am a candidate from two years ago. My late father served as the Prefect of Chengdu in Sichuan, and I returned home to study due to mourning."

The square-faced soldier’s demeanor softened further.

Reaching the fifth rank as a local official was no small feat.

Chen Jianfang continued calmly, "In less than two years, I can participate in the imperial examinations—a bright future lies ahead. Even if Qiao Hui came here, sir, do you think I would pay attention?"

The square-faced soldier’s eyes darted around.

"You don’t have a brother studying at the mountain courtyard..." The soldier hesitated, "Why did you go there yesterday?"

He was finally catching on.

Xianjin was about to speak when Aunt Du stumbled over, falling to her knees on the steps, her eyes red and swollen, "Officer! Officer! When can my son come home!"

Aunt Du, still wearing clothes with “Chen’s” printed on them, looked frantic.

Xianjin turned away, her face showing a clear yet stubborn jawline.

"... The brother we mentioned is this auntie’s only son."

Xianjin spoke softly, "This auntie works in our workshop. She is a pitiful widow, living with her son. Her son happens to be studying at the Qingcheng Mountain Courtyard. With no news for two days, she begged us to check on him."

Xianjin choked up, "Her son is named Du Junning, now eight years old, preparing to take the examination next year. If you don’t believe me, feel free to verify—otherwise, come and arrest me!"

The square-faced officer's gaze shifted from Xianjin's face to Aunt Du's face, moving back and forth a few times before his hand relaxed from the scabbard. He had already lifted his foot to leave but suddenly stopped.

"Something's not right."

"Is a servant's son worth spending a hundred taels on an academy?"

Xianjin paused.

A hundred taels—this amount was indeed quite significant.

It also didn't make much sense.

Xianjin pursed her lips, her eyes darkening. Just as she was about to speak, Aunt Du's eyes widened, and her cries became sharp and loud.

"Do you mean my son isn't worth a hundred taels!?"

Xianjin was slightly taken aback.

"My son started learning at three, entered Qingcheng Mountain Courtyard by seven, and is preparing for the scholar exams at eight!"

"A scholar at eight! Even Qiao Hui only entered a year earlier than him!"

"The Chens are wealthy!"

"But, sir, ask around—besides this Chen Erlang, who else in the Chen family is studying!?"

"No one!"

"The rest are all like Mr. Chen, unable to tell east from west!"

"Who will support Chen Erlang in the future? Who will help him!?"

"You, a louse, will come to help!?"

"Spending a hundred taels to secure a promising child, a loyal servant who will work tirelessly for this shop—calculate it yourself, is it worth it? Is it worth it!?"

Chen Fu frowned, feeling a twinge of pain in his knee.

Calling him a misfit was fine.

But saying he couldn't tell directions was insulting—who was he? The Mahjong God of the Chen family! Not just directions, even numbers and suits, he could handle them all!

The square-faced officer was stunned.

Indeed... merchants usually have fewer scholars, so investing early to secure loyalty isn't uncommon.

Some rich merchants even arrange marriages with scholars—would they hesitate to spend a hundred or two hundred taels?

Chen Jianfang frowned and rebuked, "Aunt Du! Do not be disrespectful to the officer!"

Chen Jianfang stepped forward and pulled the square-faced officer aside, whispering, "That child is indeed someone we carefully selected and nurtured... sending him to Qingcheng Mountain Courtyard, what's another hundred or two hundred taels?"

As he spoke, he slipped a banknote into the officer's sleeve, "Money? Merchants never lack it! I may be a scholar, but deep down, I'm still a businessman. Calculate it yourself—"

"Three or four generations of our Chen family worked hard; would we jeopardize everything for the Qiaos?"

The square-faced officer hesitated but eventually accepted the banknote.

Chen Jianfang whispered, "If you're still not convinced, search our residence. If you find anything related to the Qiaos, I'll turn myself in to the governor of Yingtian Prefecture."

Xianjin's grip tightened.

The square-faced officer pondered for a moment, then waved his hand, "I apologize for the inconvenience."

His subordinates filed in and out after half an hour.

The lead officer shook his head lightly at the square-faced officer.

The square-faced officer sighed in relief—he didn't want the Chens to get into trouble.

If the Chens couldn't clear their name, he would lose more than just these banknotes; he might even face punishment for accepting bribes...

Xianjin slowly released her grip.

The square-faced officer led his men out, his expression relaxed.

Xianjin faintly heard him say, "Let's go to the Wang family on Shuidong Street."

Dr. Wang.

It seemed they had identified families closely linked to the Qiaos in Jing County.

After they left, Chen Fu's eyes welled up, "Such a good child, why must he suffer so much?"

Chen Jianfang looked at the departing officers, then turned to his sensitive and emotional Third Uncle.

Life perhaps has its predetermined paths—first bitter then sweet, or vice versa. Baoyuan had enjoyed a smooth life for nearly twenty years, with his mother's early death being his only setback. Now, faced with disaster, where would he go?

What motivated Qiao Hui to run away?

Was it fear that made him flee?

Or was it an attempt to rise from the ashes?

Chen Jianfang closed his eyes, a complex mix of emotions churning within him, taking a long time to settle.

"After the mountain courtyard lifts the ban, I want to bring Baozhu back."

Xianjin stood shoulder to shoulder with Chen Jianfang.

When a family falls, the only ones likely to survive are women and children.

Chen Fu wiped the corner of his eye and nodded. "That's how it should be. The headmaster has always treated you well."

Xianjin looked at Chen Jianfang.

Chen Jianfang gave a slight nod.

For some reason, Xianjin let out a soft sigh, just as she had when Qiao Hui handed her the package yesterday.

"The mountain academy will likely lift its restrictions soon."

Chen Jianfang's voice was strained. "Continuing to surround it is pointless. If the people have fled, would the items stay put?"

Where are the items?

Xianjin forced herself to remain calm as she entered the second gate. Once inside the house, she quickly shut the door, moved the table aside, pulled out the loosened stone brick from last night, and looked down to see the package safely hidden inside. Only then did she feel relieved.

Qiao Hui's escape was within her expectations.

If he didn't run, he would be like fish on a chopping block, at the mercy of others.

By running, he might still carve out a path to survival.

If it were her, she would also ensure her younger sister was settled before fleeing to fight for a chance.

But, she didn't understand.

Why did Qiao Hui give the item to her?

And not to Chen Jianfang?