Chapter 65

Chapter 65

The next day.

Knowing that they were going back to Taoxi Village today, Fu Ziyi came over early in the morning to see them off.

He also brought the latest news from outside.

"I don't know what's gotten into that bastard Luo again. Early this morning, he had soldiers search everywhere. I heard that now everyone entering or leaving the city has to be searched and inspected."

Speaking of Luo Minghui, Fu Ziyi's face twisted in disgust, and he took a vicious bite out of his steamed bun, as if the bun were Luo Minghui himself.

Lu Wanxiao ladled a bowl of porridge for Song Zhangqi. "What happened?"

Her tone and expression were as if she knew nothing at all.

If Song Changting hadn't seen the stuff piled up in her space, he would have been fooled by her act.

Song Zhangqi took the porridge and murmured, "Thanks, sister-in-law." Then he sipped it while perking up his ears to listen to Fu Ziyi's news.

"Who knows?" Fu Ziyi wolfed down a bun in two or three bites, then took a gulp of porridge. "Word is that the Luo residence was burgled last night, lost quite a few things. They're searching for the thief and the stolen goods."

"The Luo residence lost a lot of stuff last night?" Qing Zhou, who was drinking porridge, was speechless. "They lost it last night and only now think to search? What, they need to be well-rested to catch thieves?"

In all his years roaming the martial world, this was the first time he'd heard of waiting until daylight to catch a thief!

What a joke!

"Who knows." Fu Ziyi snorted coldly. "Probably didn't even lose anything—just an excuse to fleece the common people."

"With all those housekeepers and guards, plus the government soldiers, if they really had a thief last night who stole a lot, wouldn't someone have noticed?"

If they really did lose something, serves them right—it was all squeezed from the people anyway.

He wanted to applaud the hero who robbed the Luo residence.

"Officials should serve the people, work for their welfare. But that bastard Luo keeps harassing the common folk every other day, and no one does anything about it!"

Fu Ziyi got more worked up, then glanced at Song Changting, who was eating slowly and deliberately. After a moment's hesitation, he said:

"Brother Changting, how about once your leg is healed, you retake the civil exam? Then when you become a high official, you can take down that bastard Luo!"

Hearing this, Song Changting paused mid-bite, his long eyelashes lowered, veiling the myriad thoughts in his eyes.

He was silent for a long time.

Fu Ziyi thought it was because of the last incident that Song Changting felt averse to the exams, and quickly added:

"Brother Changting, I was just joking. If you don't want to, then don't. We can go into business together and carve out a world of our own..."

Before Fu Ziyi could finish, Song Changting's lips moved, and he said softly just one word, "Alright."

"Huh? Brother Changting, do you mean you want to take the exams or..." Fu Ziyi was momentarily stunned.

"The exams." Song Changting's voice was firm and determined.

The exams were the only way he could use the identity of Song Changting to approach those people and enter the center of power.

Entering the bureaucracy, gaining power—that was how he could stand up to them, protect himself and his family.

And settle old scores, avenge past wrongs.

"Brother Changting, you..."

Fu Ziyi started to say more, but Song Changting raised a hand to stop him. "No need to say more. On your end, while your father is mostly occupied tormenting Madam Liang and her lover, make sure you get everything that rightfully belongs to you."

Fu Ziyi nodded. "Don't worry, Brother Changting. I've already secured most of my mother's dowry and what she left for me. I won't let the rest go either."

Madam Liang would soon drop dead from a sudden illness. His blind father's health had been wrecked by Madam Liang over the years, and this latest blow would leave him too weak to meddle in much.

He was the legitimate eldest son of the Fu family. With his father incapacitated, it was only natural for him to take charge of the family business!

After all, more than half of the Fu family's wealth was earned by his mother.

He wouldn't give it to anyone—not a single copper coin!

"Just make sure you know what you're doing. If you need help, just send word to Taoxi Village to us anytime."

"Alright."

****

After breakfast and a quick pack-up, they set off for Taoxi Village.

Leaving Birenxi, the city was in lockdown—far fewer people on the streets, no street vendors.

The usually busy streets felt eerily empty.

Now and then, a few people hurried by.

They traveled by carriage. In the short stretch from Birenxi to the city gate—barely a quarter of an hour—they were searched and interrogated three times.

At the city gate, everyone was ordered to get out. Not only was the carriage searched, but they were also pat down.

The soldiers, seeing Lu Wanxiao—a woman—driving the carriage, were extremely hostile to her.

And there was a malicious glint in their eyes.