Chapter 113: What About You, Pulling the Wool Over Everyone’s Eyes?

Chapter 113: What About You, Pulling the Wool Over Everyone's Eyes?

Knowing that today was the martial arts examination, He An would surely be busy until late. Ruan Qinghuan, having nothing to do, first went to the shops in the east of the city.

The pawnshop manager was busy with his abacus when he saw Ruan Qinghuan and immediately came out to greet her: "Good day, Madam."

"Manager Tong, no need for formalities. How's business been lately?"

"Madam, the shop is just starting to pick up. Though we're not raking in the dough every day, with good management, it will surely get better and better."

Manager Tong spoke earnestly, and Ruan Qinghuan nodded in agreement.

While they talked, they walked into the private storeroom. The previously empty shelves were now stocked with various items: gold and silverware, fine ornaments, antiques, and paintings, all neatly categorized and labeled.

It was evident that Manager Tong had put in considerable effort.

After looking around, Ruan Qinghuan was about to leave when, at a corner of a shelf, she caught a glimpse of a familiar object.

The east side of the storeroom housed large items. Ruan Xiaoyue turned and headed over, her eyes landing on a gold-threaded, cloud-embroidered screen.

Though the screen was a fine piece, for Ruan Qinghuan, who had seen many exquisite items, it wasn't particularly remarkable. What caught her eye was that among the dowry screens Ruan Xiaoyue received when she married, there was one just like this.

Manager Tong explained: "This screen was acquired the day before yesterday. The seller was desperate for cash, so the bargaining wasn't too difficult. We agreed on five hundred taels."

Five hundred taels?

This screen was worth at least a thousand taels, easy. Besides the entire screen being hand-embroidered on both sides, which was time-consuming and labor-intensive, the entire frame was made of high-quality sandalwood.

Ruan Xiaoyue went around the screen and spotted the Ruan family's unique mark on the right foot of the frame. It wasn't a character but rather a flower-like pattern, which was why Manager Tong hadn't noticed it when he received the goods.

Noticing Ruan Qinghuan inspecting it closely, Manager Tong thought there might be an issue with the goods: "Madam, is there something wrong with this piece?"

"No, I just thought it was quite beautiful and wanted a closer look."

Manager Tong then felt relieved.

**

Back at the Ruan residence, her mother was chatting with her grandmother in her room. Seeing Ruan Qinghuan return, both smiled.

Zhou Yunzhi knew that the old lady missed Qinghuan and gave up her seat beside her: "You're back at last. These past few days, your grandmother hasn't stopped talking about you."

Ruan Qinghuan sat beside her grandmother: "My bad. I should visit more often to see mom and grandma."

Hearing this, the old lady immediately stopped smiling and said seriously: "That won't do. You're now the lady of the Prime Minister's household. Everything should come second to your husband's family. You must not do anything that could be criticized."

"Grandmother, my mother-in-law is very understanding. She's not one to nitpick."

The old lady nodded. Over the past half year, she had come to understand the He family well.

Qinghuan's mother-in-law was broad-minded and amiable, which had gradually eased the old lady's initial worries about her granddaughter's marriage.

"Mother, where is Miss Xu?" Not seeing Qingzhou upon her return, Ruan Qinghuan asked. Last time, due to Pei Zhan's matter, she hadn't had the chance to ask about her brother and Miss Xu.

Zhou Yunzhi shook her head: "Don't mention it. Miss Xu's temperament is just like Qingzhou's. I used to never be able to catch Qingzhou, and now it's the same with Miss Xu."

"These days, when I call her for breakfast in the morning, she's not there. In the evening, she sneaks into the kitchen to find food. Once, the kitchen's fat sister-in-law went to prepare your grandmother's sleeping medicine in the middle of the night and almost got scared to death when she entered."

Hearing this, the old lady also smiled and shook her head gently. This maid was truly the daughter of Qingzhou's master. The two had many similarities.

At first, everyone was a bit uncomfortable, but after a couple of days, they found that having such a girl around made the residence much livelier.

"Did Qingzhou say anything about what's going on between them?"

Ruan's grandmother shook her head: "Didn't you hear your mother? We can't even catch a glimpse of them, let alone ask questions. Qingzhou really should settle down. Otherwise, he always acts so immature. When will it ever end?"

Ruan Qinghuan had come today specifically for their matter, but unexpectedly, she found herself at a loss.

**

The martial examination had reached its final round, and the situation was becoming increasingly intense.

Among the six groups of competitors, only three could remain. Qingzhou stood in the last group, his eyes darting around, deliberately avoiding looking in He An's direction.

Participating in this martial examination was a decision he had pondered for a long time. Knowing his parents would not agree, he had taken the initiative to sign up on his own.

Now, entering the final round, as long as he could last until the end, even if he ranked third, he could enter the Ministry of War.

The Emperor's gaze swept over the competitors on the stage. After layers of selection, they had finally reached the final round, and the outcome would soon be clear.

The Emperor valued talent, especially in military matters.

He stood up and walked to the edge of the high platform, his bright yellow dragon robe exuding an aura of supreme and unassailable authority. The officials immediately rose, waiting for the Emperor to speak.

After a moment, the Emperor spoke: "Today's martial examination has been very exciting. You have fought your way through to the final round. I hope that in this final round, you can perform at your best and strive to make it into the top three."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live, long live."

The Emperor sat back down, and the final round of the competition officially began.

Ji Lingchuan whispered: "It seems your brother-in-law's participation in the martial examination can't be hidden anymore. If he makes it into the top three, he will be assigned to the Ministry of War. How are you going to explain this to your sister-in-law?"

He An sighed. At this point, what's the use of thinking about it now?

Qingzhou's skills were evident, and his chances of making it into the top three were high. He An couldn't help but feel regretful. Recently, he had been so busy with government affairs that he had neglected the martial examination.

He had neglected it because the martial examination was not his main duty, but Ji Lingchuan...

Feeling He An's cold gaze, Ji Lingchuan cleared his throat: "Ah, you see, how bold this child is, daring to make decisions without consulting his family, really... really lawless."

"He is lawless, and you, covering up for him?"

"What are you saying? Yes, Qingzhou has been frequenting the military camp lately, just to spar with me in his free time. I didn't expect this child to have such great ambitions, wanting to enter officialdom." He chuckled unnaturally: "But then again, this child really has some talent."

"Is that so? General Ji, don't you review the list of martial examination participants?"

"I did. It's pretty much the same every year. I just glanced over it, skimmed through the rest, so I didn't notice he had signed up. If I had seen it, of course, I would have told you right away, wouldn't I?"

This explanation sounded flawless, but it couldn't fool He An. Ji Lingchuan usually seemed unreliable, but he was never careless in important matters.

The competition below the stage entered a tense phase, with competitors being eliminated from each group. Just as everyone was watching with fervor, suddenly, a woman in a water-blue long dress, holding a soft whip, leaped up, her whip lashing out, heading straight for the stage...