Chapter 174 Inquiry

Chapter 174 Inquiry

The manuscript of "Elementary Mathematics: Geometry," planned by Qiu Huanian and authored by Yuan Jia, was finally completed, having taken over half a year from start to finish.

The delay was due to Qiu Huanian's desire to include more practical examples in the book, guiding learners in applying theoretical knowledge to practical situations.

Mathematics is the foundation of engineering and science. In this current dynasty, rather than focusing exclusively on theoretical research, Qiu Huanian hoped that the basic mathematical knowledge in the book could positively impact the development of productivity.

For instance, after Bing Qi and Bing Ba learned about equations and geometry, they became more skilled at creating ingenious tools; government clerks and private accountants found that using related knowledge sped up their calculations and allowed them to quickly verify and identify errors.

The "Elementary Mathematics" series serves as a guiding light, leading talented individuals of this era to find their own paths, allowing them to shine in various fields and promote the progress of the age.

The publication of the "Equations" volume two years ago has already yielded initial results, with a number of high-quality research books appearing on the market. Qiu Huanian is eager to see the impact the "Geometry" volume will have.

He hopes to plant a seed named science and rationality, which will draw strength from this land and slowly grow, nurtured by countless capable and ambitious individuals, eventually becoming a towering tree that will alter the course of history in a distant future.

Qiu Huanian wrote a serious letter to Su Xinbai, asking him to arrange the publication of "Elementary Mathematics: Geometry" as soon as possible. Qimin Bookstore, after more than two years of development, has gained some recognition nationwide. With full-scale distribution, the new book could reach every prefecture of the Yu Dynasty within two months.

Qiu Huanian took out the letter Su Xinbai had sent a while ago and read it again. The journey from Xiangping Prefecture to the capital is long, and without urgent matters, the two correspond about once a month. The letter mainly congratulated the birth of Gu Gu and Yang Yang.

The Zhu family, being extremely wealthy, gave a grand gift for the two children out of personal friendship and their support for Du Yunse and Qiu Huanian.

From delicate and expensive toys, luxurious and soft clothes, to jewelry, jade, famous paintings, calligraphy, and antique ornaments, everything was included. Although Qiu Huanian is now considered wealthy, he was still amazed by the several boxes of gifts.

In the letter, Su Xinbai mentioned that Little Raccoon, now one year old, had become quite mischievous, rolling over and walking easily. The nanny and family members would often find him sneaking away unnoticed.

Moreover, Little Raccoon had begun to speak in fragmented words, babbling to express his thoughts. Zhu Jingcheng gave him a brush, and he began doodling on rice paper. Su Xinbai said the drawings resembled scribbles, but Zhu Jingcheng believed it was a sign that Little Raccoon had inherited Su Xinbai's love for books and literature, and was overjoyed.

Su Xinbai attached a "masterpiece" by Little Raccoon in the letter—a sheet of rice paper filled with uneven circles and scattered ink dots. To Qiu Huanian, it had a somewhat avant-garde artistic style.

After finishing the serious matter about "Elementary Mathematics: Geometry," Qiu Huanian added some casual comments with a smile.

"I have seen Little Raccoon's masterpiece, and I agree with Jingcheng. This child has indeed inherited your talent. I am sending a set of sturdy stationery and a stack of the latest fashionable flower-patterned paper from the capital for Little Raccoon to practice. Next time, send me a portrait he creates of you."

"I think you say Little Raccoon's drawings are scribbles, but you included his work in the letter, which means you must think it's good and want me to praise it."

"Am I right?"

Qiu Huanian imagined Su Xinbai's reaction upon reading these lines, and his smile deepened.

Unfortunately, the distance was too vast, and he couldn't witness it firsthand, which was somewhat regrettable.

In ancient times, transportation was underdeveloped, and escort agencies often faced delays and losses. It was rare to find acquaintances returning home who could take things along. Qiu Huanian decided to send gifts to all his friends.

Due to his poor health and recent childbirth, Qiu Huanian had accumulated a large amount of precious medicinal materials—some he collected himself, some given by others, and some bestowed by the royal family.

Qiu Huanian sent a box of rare medicines and several bottles of prepared ginseng and spleen-tonifying pills to the clan leader. He also brought two boxes of rare medicines for Old Physician Gu in Xiangping Prefecture, thanking him for his past medical care.

In addition to gifts for friends, Qiu Huanian purchased a batch of silk and entrusted Bao Yi to take it back to Du Village for the clan school, adding to the school's rewards.

Finally, Qiu Huanian provided a carriage and a driver, loaded all the items, and followed Bao Yi's family on their journey back to Liaozhou.

When Bao Yi and Ye Taohong left, they took Cun Lan and Yun Ying with them. With four fewer people at home, it suddenly felt a bit lonely, making Qiu Huanian somewhat uncomfortable.

By February, the grass and trees sprouted green buds, many early spring flowers bloomed, and the temperature quietly became less cold. Wearing a padded cloak was enough to go outside.

Today was the tenth day of the agreed period between Min Leyi and Wu Shen. Min Leyi had been anticipating and anxious since last night. He got up in the morning, found an excuse to go out alone in disguise, and then realized he had no idea where to find Wu Shen.

Before Min Leyi could feel regret, a small, light pebble suddenly fell in front of him. He looked up and saw Wu Shen leaning against the wall at the end of the alley, arms crossed, with a tall horse standing beside him.

He tossed the horsewhip in his hand and grinned, "Wanna take a spin?"

Min Leyi ran over, his clothes fluttering in the wind, "Where are we going?"

"You were pretty curious about what went down at the City God Temple last time, huh? I’ll take you to see what happened afterward."

Upon hearing this, Min Leyi was first delighted, but then hesitated.

"This case is probably a big deal, isn’t it? Is it cool for me to tag along?"

"Relax, if I say you’re good, you’re good. I know Young Master Min won’t blab."

Min Leyi’s mind was racing, but ultimately, curiosity won out.

"Alright, let’s go."

Before Min Leyi knew it, Wu Shen had already mounted the steed and pulled Min Leyi up to sit behind him.

Min Leyi let out a yelp, but he wasn’t scared. Once seated, he even patted the horse’s rump.

"What a beauty! I’ve never seen a horse this strong and good-looking."

Wu Shen chuckled, "This is the king of the grasslands’ horses. No horse from the Central Plains can hold a candle to it. Only running wild across the open plains can breed a horse like this. If you’re into it, I’ll hook you up with one when we hit the border."

Hearing this, Min Leyi finally remembered the matter of marriage, "Young General, did you find me a match like you promised?"

Wu Shen tightened his grip on the reins, and the steed immediately began to gallop forward. Min Leyi clutched his hat with one hand and Wu Shen’s belt with the other, thankful he’d disguised himself.

"I’ve made some headway on finding you a match," Wu Shen’s voice came through the rushing wind as the steed sped along.

"I think he’s the perfect fit, but since he’s tied up with important stuff, I can’t tell you who it is yet."

"Once he’s done with his business, I’ll fill you in. If you’re cool with it, he’ll come ask for your hand."

The streets were deserted in the early morning, and the steed ran swiftly, the wind whistling past their ears. Min Leyi leaned in to catch Wu Shen’s words, feeling that something was off.

"Does he know who I am? Is he into me?" Min Leyi didn’t want a forced match, worried the other person might agree just out of respect for Wu Shen.

Wu Shen laughed, "Don’t worry, he likes you very much. If it weren’t for his unfinished business, he would have already been impatient."

Min Leyi’s face flushed red, but thankfully, sitting behind Wu Shen, no one could see. He lowered his head and remained silent, his mind filled with tangled thoughts he couldn’t grasp.

Wu Shen led Min Leyi out of the city and arrived at the royal estate. Min Leyi looked around, "Isn’t that Brother Hua’s estate over there?"

"Yes, we’ll go there to play later."

"To throw off any spies?" Min Leyi had a sudden realization, "So that anyone watching will think we’re just here to have fun."

"Exactly," Wu Shen laughed, joining Min Leyi in this game of investigation and counter-surveillance.

He brought Min Leyi to a row of inconspicuous houses within the royal estate and entered the courtyard of an ordinary tenant farmer.

From the outside appearance to the interior furnishings, there was nothing special about this courtyard. A few rows of dried corn hung outside the window, and half a cured ham dangled from the beam.

But upon seeing Wu Shen, the honest and simple tenant farmer immediately led them to the kitchen, lifted a large pot beside the stove, revealing a descending staircase leading to the cellar.

"It’s a secret prison!" Min Leyi’s eyes widened.

Wu Shen suppressed a laugh and the urge to pinch Min Leyi’s cheek, nodding solemnly, "Be careful, the one held down here is a ruthless bandit who’s killed countless people."

"Ah? Really?" Min Leyi got the creeps.

Wu Shen chuckled and descended first, his voice echoing in the narrow staircase, "Of course, it's fake."

"Sss—" Min Leyi clenched his teeth and quickly followed.

The cellar beneath the stairs was spacious, divided into several isolated, back-to-back cells. After adjusting to the dim firelight, Min Leyi focused and saw that a pair of adults, a young girl, and a boy were imprisoned here, clearly not the notorious outlaws they had expected.

The adult man looked the oldest, wearing clothes of good material but unwashed for days, now tattered and dirty. The adult woman was younger, equally disheveled but still somewhat attractive.

The young girl and boy bore some resemblance to the adult woman, and it was clear the three were likely a mother and her children.

Hearing someone enter, the adult woman rushed to the front of the cell, crying out, "I really don't know, I really don't know anything about Bai Yanwen, please let me go."

Wu Shen pulled Min Leyi behind him, "Du Zirong, I just want to ask you some questions. You're here for your own protection. You'd better focus on recalling useful information."

Du Zirong shivered, recalling how her family had been dragged from their beds in the middle of the night, gagged, knocked unconscious, and transported to this sunless place.

Although they had not yet been tortured, the dark, damp cell environment and the terrifying instruments on the walls had already broken the spirit of this woman who had betrayed her family for gain.

Min Leyi whispered, "Who are they?"

Wu Shen said succinctly, "Du Zirong was once the cherished concubine of a merchant named Bai Yanwen, who revealed the truth about the real and fake Miss Zhao to Madam Zhao and tried to kill her to keep her quiet."

"This man is Du Zirong's subsequent husband, and the other two are her children with Bai Yanwen."

"Have they committed any crimes?"

Wu Shen understood Min Leyi's concern, "Don't worry, they are confirmed as wicked individuals, lacking benevolence, righteousness, and filial piety. Suffering here is their retribution."

After the incident at the City God Temple, the forces behind Bai Yanwen, the Second Prince, had pulled back their influence, covering up recent events and possibly even silencing Bai Yanwen if necessary.

While a frontal breakthrough was impossible, it could at least be inferred that Bai Yanwen had a high level of involvement in the Second Prince's schemes and must have handled other matters for him before.

From the once cherished concubine and illegitimate children who had been abandoned and forgotten by Bai Yanwen, a lot of useful information could probably be gathered.

Wu Shen's gaze swept over this cobbled-together 'family of four,' and thinking of the vile information about these individuals, he couldn't help but frown.

"I want to know what Bai Yanwen has done in the past besides legitimate business. If the information you provide is useful, I can release you and promise you one thing," Wu Shen said with a meaningful tone, "If you become useful, the others won't be needed."

As his words fell, the girl named Yuchuan, huddled in the corner of another cell, suddenly looked up.

"I, I know something."