Chen He knocked on Zhao Dahe’s room door.
"Young Master Zhao, I’m also a candidate this year. My name is Chen He, from Yuquan Town, and I studied with Wen Shu." Chen He plastered a friendly smile on his face, having planned on the way back to show courtesy before confrontation.
Building a good relationship with that woman’s son might yield unexpected benefits!
Zhao Dahe didn’t know anything about Chen He, so he treated him politely.
"Does Young Master Chen need something?" Zhao Dahe asked.
"I noticed that since Young Master Zhao arrived, he hasn’t gone out. I happen to be familiar with the county and wanted to invite Young Master Zhao for a walk. Songzhu Pavilion has a rich collection of books; it’s a must-visit for scholars coming to the county," Chen He spoke earnestly.
Had his mother not had that dream earlier, Zhao Dahe would surely have accepted Chen He’s invitation.
But since his mother had dreamed such a dream, Chen He inviting him out at this time had motives that were hard not to suspect.
After all, they weren’t familiar with each other.
"Thank you for your kind invitation, Young Master Chen, but I’m not planning to go out," Zhao Dahe said.
"Before exams, relaxing is particularly important. It’s not good for Young Master Zhao to lock himself indoors all the time. My invitation is sincere and has no other intention; I just feel Madam has taken good care of Wen Shu and wanted to thank her on behalf of Wen Shu," Chen He added.
"Are you close with Wen Shu?" Zhao Dahe inquired.
"Like brothers," Chen He replied.
Zhao Dahe laughed, "Okay, tell me, what’s your purpose for coming to see me?"
Like brothers indeed! If that were truly the case, how would he not know Wen Nuan is Wen Shu’s sister? How would he not accompany them together? Even assuming all could be explained, Wen Shu is currently injured. Why doesn’t he take care of him? And how come he doesn’t know why Wen Nuan is by his mother’s side?
Clearly, in the Wen siblings’ eyes, Chen He isn’t someone who shares his difficulties.
It’s true that Chen He knows Wen Shu, they might even be familiar, but definitely not like brothers.
"What does Young Master Zhao mean by this?" Chen He was puzzled.
He noticed the sudden change in Zhao Dahe’s expression, full of sarcasm.
"What I mean is, no matter what your goal is, I have no patience to discuss it with you," Zhao Dahe said as he prepared to close the door.
Chen He was a bit annoyed; these people lack manners, they change faces abruptly.
"I initially thought of befriending Young Master Zhao, but since Young Master Zhao is , I won’t hold back," Chen He scoffed, "Young Master Zhao, hiding indoors, probably doesn’t know what Madam has done, does he?"
Zhao Dahe hesitated in closing the door, raising his eyebrows slightly, "Oh? You mean my mother has done something that you’ve caught on to? So, if I befriend you, it wouldn’t count for anything. If I don’t, you’d publicize it?"
Although Chen He didn’t directly respond, his expression gave Zhao Dahe an answer.
Feeling so confident, Zhao Dahe was somewhat uneasy, could it be that his mother really did something that this fellow witnessed?
But his intuition told him if his mother did anything, she wouldn’t leave any trace.
It concerns his mother; he must not be careless.
"Alright, come in then." Zhao Dahe stepped to the side.
Chen He entered triumphantly and sat by the window, "I honestly want to befriend Young Master Zhao. We both come from humble beginnings; it isn’t easy to study, wouldn’t you say, Young Master Zhao?"
"It’s true we come from humble beginnings, but I’ve never felt that studying is difficult," Zhao Dahe said with a smile, "Oh, I forgot, not everyone is as naturally gifted as me, able to remember and learn anything at once."
Chen He was stunned; how could someone be so shameless?
How is he supposed to continue from here?
"Young Master Chen, with the exam imminent, still has time to mind this or that, it should mean he is quite confident in what he has learned, right? Otherwise, how would he have the time for idle matters? Wouldn’t he seize every moment to study? After all, as the saying goes, sharpening one’s skills at the last moment won’t make them sharp, but it will polish them." Zhao Dahe said, full of implications.
At first glance, it sounded like praise.
Upon closer inspection, the sarcasm was very thick.
Chen He took a deep breath, "Young Master Zhao isn’t interested in a proper conversation anymore?"
"I do want to, of course, but Young Master Chen hasn’t told me what leverage you have on my mother." Zhao Dahe asked.
"Is your father still alive?" Chen He asked Zhao Dahe.
Though he previously thought he was dead, when he saw him that one time, he firmly believed his father was still alive.
Though unsure why Chen He asked this question, Zhao Dahe replied, "Nonsense."
He didn’t say it bluntly, but to Chen He, the meaning was that Zhao Dahe’s father was still alive.
Chen He smiled deeply, "Is your father really at ease with Madam? After all, Madam still has her charms."
Zhao Dahe’s face darkened, "Chen He, what do you mean?"
Earlier, Zhao Dahe was somewhat curious about what Chen He said, but now it was outright humiliation.
Slandering his mother’s reputation.
Seeing Zhao Dahe’s angry expression, Chen He was very satisfied.
"Your father must be quite a coward," Chen He continued provoking Zhao Dahe, "Otherwise, why would your mother be so restless?"
Zhao Dahe grabbed Chen He by his collar, "Dare you say that again."
"Go ahead and hit me, if you do, this matter won’t just vanish easily. By then, everyone can go to the Government Office, how nice," Chen He said smugly.
Zhao Dahe’s grip gradually loosened; indeed, with the exam imminent, he couldn’t afford any troubles.
Chen He adjusted his collar, "Actually, with Young Master Zhao’s intelligence, it’s unlikely he knows nothing, right?"
Zhao Dahe didn’t reply; he truly didn’t know what Chen He was talking about.
"Also, when concerned about your future, you’d probably turn a blind eye to some matters, wouldn’t you?" Chen He continued.
Zhao Dahe’s face remained pale.
"In the future, when you and I enter officialdom, perhaps a seventh-rank County Magistrate won’t mean much. But now, we are just stepping onto the path of examinations, small scholars, and a seventh-rank County Magistrate is a very significant support." Chen He’s tone carried excitement.
Zhao Dahe somewhat understood; Chen He misunderstood some kind of relationship between his mother and the County Magistrate.
Originally, he had also misunderstood.
But it was due to the existence of Zi’an that he misunderstood.
But Chen He? What caused his misunderstanding?
After all, they’ve been here, barely a day and night.
Previously, they hadn’t known Chen He. How did Chen He know there was any kind of relationship between their family and the County Magistrate?
"This is a good thing! Brother Zhao!" Chen He stood up, "Following the County Magistrate, no matter what, has to be better than following your father, doesn’t it?"
"Rest assured, since I came to find Brother Zhao, this matter will certainly not be spread widely." Chen He assured with his hand on his chest, "Of course, this requires the cooperation of Madam and Brother Zhao. As I said before, in the future, Brother Zhao will surely need mutual support in officialdom. Although I’m not talented, I’m willing to guard and assist Brother Zhao."