Chapter 254: Blessing Brings Enlightenment

Chapter 254: Blessing Brings Enlightenment

As Xianjin finished her sentence, Assistant Prefect Wen’s expression turned sour. He turned to Prefectural Magistrate Xiong and said with a forced smile, “Old Xiong, don’t forget that Xuancheng Prefecture is still under the jurisdiction of Southern Zhili, and Yingtian Prefecture still oversees the region.”

The entire Xuancheng Prefecture, from top to bottom, from the city leaders to the young maids, were all united in giving him a hard time.

They weren’t giving him any face at all.

Prefectural Magistrate Xiong remained calm and composed. “Wen, go ahead and take charge. No one is stopping you from taking charge. If you really want Old Qiao to go to Yingtian Prefecture, here’s an idea—”

Prefectural Magistrate Xiong paused, then said with a grin, “Have Yingtian Prefecture submit a memorial to make Old Qiao the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture. A third-rank official is not beneath him. He would definitely go!”

Assistant Prefect Wen felt a lump in his throat. *Isn’t the reason why he’s humbling himself to get close to Principal Qiao for the position of prefect? If the position is given away, what’s left for him to be excited about?*

Assistant Prefect Wen narrowed his eyes and let out a cold laugh. “Good, good, good! Xuancheng Prefecture is just wonderful!”

*So wonderful that they’re all in cahoots!*

Assistant Prefect Wen laughed again and clasped his hands behind his back, looking at Prefectural Magistrate Xiong. After a moment, he reached out and patted Xiong’s shoulder, lowered his head, and said nothing, as if he was about to leave. But he took a deep breath and turned to Qiao Fangzhi, forcing a smile and bowing respectfully. “Master Qiao, please take your time to think it over. If you come up with an answer, please let your junior brother know.”

Oh boy, besides tucking his tail between his legs, Assistant Prefect Wen sure knows how to bend and stretch!

Even though he was being pushed aside, he still had the nerve to fawn over Qiao Fangzhi.

*Why fight over Principal Qiao? Yingtian Prefecture already had issues with him. Even though the then-prefect was dismissed and exiled, Yingtian Prefecture officials should know better than to imprison and torture a top scholar! If someone had spoken up, Principal Qiao wouldn’t have ended up unable to stand on his own legs today!*

There was already bad blood. It would be better to part ways for good. Assistant Prefect Wen seemed like a traditional and upright scholar who played the verbal games of civil officials.

Given his personality, he shouldn’t be so persistent in seeking forgiveness, praise, and approval!

Xianjin’s doubts lingered until the arrival of the Qiao father and son at the Chen family.

It was late evening, with rain in the night air and fog setting in. The eaves and dark tiles of the buildings appeared and disappeared in the mist.

Madam Qu, along with members of the Chen family, were waiting. The widow of the eldest branch, Madam Duan, stood at the front, while Chen Cai and his wife from the second branch stood alongside Chen Fu. Chen Fu held his head high like a rooster in a cage—if he ever fell from grace, he would write a book: *Raising an Outstanding Daughter like Xianjin of Qingcheng—How I Did It*.

*Master Qiao!*

*Qiao Fangzhi!*

*The signboard on the city gate of Jing County was written by him!*

*And yet, the first thing he did upon returning was to come to the Chen family!*

*Why?!*

*Because Xianjin was loyal and righteous! Risking the confiscation of her family’s property, she earned money to support Qiao’s daughter!*

*Of course, his daughter was so excellent, partly because of Ainiang’s legacy, and partly because of his own teachings and example.*

Chen Fu quietly stepped forward, standing in front of his second brother Chen Cai and his wife—*this family would fall apart without me. What’s wrong with standing a bit more forward?*

Madam Qu leaned on her cane, standing on her tiptoes, a barely containable smile on her thin, narrow face.

Aunt Qu was beaming with joy. “...Our Erlang is truly blessed with good fortune! He just finished the mourning period, and we thought we’d have to wait another two years, but next year there will be an imperial examination! Right away, an exam, and his mentor has returned, not just returning but returning in glory from the capital! With Master Qiao’s guidance, our Erlang will be able to become a top scholar with his eyes closed next year!”

Chen Fu rolled his eyes. *Yes, who can tell if Chen Erlang is a Chen descendant or a wealth-bringing child deity under Bodhisattva’s seat!*

Madam Qu pressed her lips together. “Don’t talk nonsense! Becoming a top scholar is not that easy! Such words must not leave our family—people would laugh at us for not knowing our place!”

Madam Qu pressed her palms together. “Amita Buddha, it’s a blessing that the Qiao family is safe, that the Marquis of Dingyuan has triumphed over the Japanese pirates, and that Principal Qiao’s son has returned safely. Principal Qiao has finally seen the light after much suffering. It’s also thanks to how sincerely we treated Baozhu.”

Chen Fu’s eyelids twitched, silently reminding himself: *This is your mother. Your own mother. Many things can be expressed with an eye roll.*

Aunt Qu cheerfully agreed.

As the night deepened with the birth of stars, the sky seemed to lower, almost touching the edges of the earth.

Madam Qu waited patiently and pleasantly at the alley entrance, occasionally turning to ask anxiously, “Has the quilt in the Qiushou Pavilion been beaten loose?” “Has the outer hall been fumigated with pear-scented incense?” “The books? Have the rare copies from the family collection been organized and placed in the outer courtyard?”

To ease Madam Qu’s anxiety, Aunt Qu ran back and forth several times.

Finally, the sedan chair and the chestnut horse arrived.

Madam Qu stepped forward, and Chen Cai personally lifted the curtain and helped Qiao Fangzhi out.

Madam Qu gestured, and the hunched-over Chen Silang pushed the wheelchair, bowing his head respectfully to invite Qiao Fangzhi to sit.

Along the way, Madam Qu’s voice was full of eagerness, and Qiao Fangzhi nodded appropriately, giving Madam Qu plenty of face.

“...You’ve had a long and tiring journey. We heard that you’re graciously staying at the Chen family, so we quickly prepared the north-facing Qiushou Pavilion in the outer courtyard and some light meals, as well as four sets of early summer clothing and hats...”

Madam Qu looked at the tall and angular Qiao Hui, her expression filled with sorrow. “Young Baoyuan used to come to our home and drink with our Erlang. He was full of youthful spirit, but after the great difficulties, he has grown into a young man who can shoulder responsibilities and handle matters with firmness.”

Qiao Hui lowered his eyes, his voice hoarse and deep. “You flatter me, Madam. I’ve just grown old.”

Since arriving in Xuancheng, Qiao Hui had avoided speaking. Now that he did, it startled everyone.

Madam Duan, the widowed mother of Chen Jianfang, trembled. “Young Baoyuan, your voice...”

Qiao Hui gently lowered his eyes. “My voice has become rough. It requires effort for others to discern.”

Madam Qu couldn’t bear to look. “Next year… will you still take the imperial examination?”

*With that voice, how can he respond to the emperor during the palace examination?*

*The imperial examination, in the end, tests one’s spirit, appearance, body, and voice... How can a scholar with a voice like cracking stones be chosen?*

“I won’t take it,” Qiao Hui said hoarsely. “After three years without holding a brush or reading, I can’t write as well as Erlang.”

Madam Qu sighed softly in the depths of her heart: If Qiao Hui were to also take the exam, who would Qiao Fangzhi spend his energy coaching? A disciple, how could they ever compete with a son?!

As soon as Qiao Hui finished speaking, Xianjin, who was following behind him, lifted her eyes and gazed intently at this youth who had been forced to grow up rapidly.

The last time they met, Xianjin had naturally overlooked his changes because Qiao Hui's temperament had remained as infuriating as ever.

Indeed, two years—two years where life had been thrown into disarray.

A young man who should have been arrogant and carefree had set aside a stable life, voluntarily facing an unpredictable future, taking on the heavy responsibility of restoring the honor of the Qiao family and his ancestors. He had put away his writing brush and picked up a sword, fighting for a way to survive... How could there be no change? How could there possibly be no change? Even if his life had been corrected, how could it return to the right path without a trace?

Now, hearing Qiao Hui speak with sincerity and a hoarse voice, a belated and dull sense of regret quietly crept into Xianjin's heart.

Silent and calm, Chen Jianfang, who was closely following behind, had a sudden epiphany and looked at Xianjin.

He happened to meet the soft and compassionate gaze that the girl was casting towards someone else.