Chapter 791 - 407: A Blessing or a Curse? (Part 2)

Chapter 791: Chapter 407: A Blessing or a Curse? (Part 2)

He shook his head as he listened. After a brief discussion with Qingmu and Liu Sanshun, he headed to Qinghui Restaurant to find the shopkeeper.

He had only taken a few steps when he saw Yun Ying and Zhao Qing hurrying toward him. Upon asking, he learned they had also heard the rumors. They had been asking around and were about to head back to Qingnan Village to deliver the news.

"My senior brother said he’s afraid the rumors are mistaken..." Yun Ying recounted what she and Qin Feng had found out, which was all more or less the same. She added, "My senior brother has already entrusted someone to inquire about this matter in Huzhou Prefecture. We should have news back in four or five days at the earliest. Tell aunty and the others not to worry."

Huai Zi and the others quickly thanked her. He noticed Zhao Qing standing to the side, gripping Yun Ying’s hand tightly. Her little face was tense, her dark eyes darting about as she listened to them speak, her expression fraught with anxiety. He said, "Qing’er, your brother is fine, and so are your parents. Don’t listen to those people’s nonsense. The rumors have gotten completely out of hand."

Yun Ying glanced down at her and said with a pained expression, "I’ve been trying to console her. The people who come to the medical hall love to gossip. They just wouldn’t stop talking, and she grew anxious. I had no choice but to bring her out and prepare to head back to the village to check on things."

Qingmu said, "We need to find some people and ask them more carefully. Who did this merchant do business with in Xiatang Market? We need to find that person, and we also need to go to the restaurant where he ate. We’ll likely be back very late, so you two shouldn’t head back to the village. Once we have news, we’ll come to Jishi Hall to let you know. It’ll save you a trip."

Yun Ying quickly nodded and whispered a few words to Zhao Qing. Zhao Qing then forced a smile. "Brother Huai Zi, Brother Qingmu, Brother Sanshun, go find out what you can. I won’t go home. You have to come tell me what you learn later!"

Qingmu and the others quickly agreed. Then, they parted ways and went about their business.

They arrived at the Chen Family’s Qinghui Restaurant and found Manager Jin.

Manager Jin was also concerned about the matter and had even made a point to ask about it that day. In fact, his own young master, Chen Yu, had also passed the exam to become a Scholar. However, because Qingnan Village had suddenly produced three Scholars at once, on top of a scholar the year before last, all the attention had been stolen from him, and his reputation wasn’t very prominent.

So, when that merchant came to the restaurant for a meal that morning, the moment he brought up the three Scholars from Qingnan Village, everyone in the restaurant pricked up their ears and craned their necks to listen.

According to the merchant, he’d only heard it from someone else. The person who told him claimed to have personally seen a troop of soldiers escorting the three men away. None of the onlookers knew why. Some nosy people asked students from the Prefecture School, but they were all tight-lipped. That was why the man had concluded that the three Scholars had been arrested. Even Ding Xuezheng’s residence was completely silent. ’Doesn’t that just prove they’ve committed a crime?’

"Younger Mr. Zhang, I feel this whole affair is very strange. It might not be a bad thing. I asked specifically—no one said they were bound, and no one mentioned a prisoner cart. The man telling the story was quite muddled himself. After all, he didn’t see it with his own eyes, just heard it as a rumor. I think he mentioned a carriage... Have you ever heard of someone being arrested and taken away in a carriage? So, I’m afraid there must be some other reason for all this."

Manager Jin carefully recounted the situation to them and shared his own thoughts. The Chen Family already had business dealings with the Zheng Family. Now, with these new Scholars in the mix, it was even more important to foster a good relationship with them. The young master had given him specific instructions on the matter.

Zhang Huai and the others exchanged a look. Though they couldn’t be certain, they agreed with Manager Jin’s thinking. This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Yangzi and the others would surely have someone deliver a message back home. Even if they really had been arrested, Ding Xuezheng would have sent someone to inform their families.

With that in mind, they prepared to head home. There was nothing more to be learned by asking around anyway.

Just as they were about to take their leave, a Xiao Er came with a message. He said that Manager Song of the Fang family was in the adjacent private room and invited them to come over for a word.

Huai Zi and the others went over to pay their respects.

After a round of pleasantries and being seated, Manager Song chuckled. "Younger Mr. Zhang, don’t be alarmed. Your younger brother will be quite all right. This is nothing more than ignorant commoners spreading wild rumors."

Zhang Huai asked in delighted surprise, "Could it be that you know the inside story, Manager?"

Manager Song smiled and motioned for his attendant to leave. After the attendant had closed the door and was standing guard outside the private room, he lowered his voice. "My family’s old master just received reliable confirmation. Mr. Zhou, who lived in seclusion and taught in Qingnan Village a few years ago... he is a senior court minister, a great master of classics in the Jing Country. He has seen many ups and downs, once even held the position of Prime Minister, and before his retirement, he was the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer. The new emperor is his former student. Upon his recent return to the court, he was immediately entrusted with great responsibility, placing him at the head of all officials. Your younger brother and his friends have likely been taken by the old master to the Capital City to study at the Imperial College."

He looked at the stunned expressions on Zhang Huai’s group, his heart filled with envy. ’This village’s luck is simply off the charts. A random teacher who shows up turns out to be a towering figure. No wonder they produced three Scholars all at once.’

Zhang Huai was stunned for a moment before bowing deeply to Manager Song in gratitude. "In that case, I’m sure Yangzi and the others will send word back soon. We just need to go home and wait. Thank you for your guidance, Manager. You’ve saved us a great deal of fear and worry."

Manager Song quickly waved his hands, telling them not to be so formal. He then instructed them not to spread the news. He explained that Mr. Zhou likely didn’t want anyone to know he had been living in seclusion there for so many years. Otherwise, he would have made a grand announcement before taking Zhang Yang and the others, which would have prevented all these wild rumors from spreading.

The three of them, including Zhang Huai, nodded eagerly, promising they would not say a word.

Therefore, what they were now telling Zhang Dashuan and the others was that Yangzi and his friends had likely been chosen to study at the Imperial College. Since they hadn’t received official confirmation, they told everyone not to spread the news, to avoid any other nasty rumors from starting. All that mattered was knowing the boys were safe.

At this, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. A cheerful and festive atmosphere inevitably took over as they started asking questions like, "What kind of place is the Imperial College?" and "How were they selected?" The boisterous chatter continued for a good while before the crowd finally dispersed.