Chapter 96: No Worry
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
It was noted in the book that one morning before the Cultivated Talent examination, a prominent courtesan from the brothel arrived at West Mountain College in a wagon, presenting a copy of the Analects to the gatekeeper.
She claimed that she had been entrusted by her sister to return the book to its rightful owner and promptly left the college premises.
Upon examining the book, it was discovered that Su Bin’s signature adorned the second page. He had purchased the book a year prior, but it had been stolen a few days ago.
Unexpectedly, it had ended up in the possession of a woman from the brothel.
Word spread quickly once the book’s signing and handwriting were confirmed.
West Mountain College upheld stringent regulations, strictly forbidding students from engaging with establishments such as brothels. Violation of this rule would result in immediate expulsion.
To make matters worse, the “good sister��� of Honglian, the courtesan, had recently taken her own life. Rumors circulated that she had saved a significant sum of money, only to be deceived by her lover, leading to her tragic demise from poison consumption.
Honglian returned the book to Su Bin, openly declaring him as the fortunate lover of the deceased courtesan.
Soon, the entire county became aware of this scandalous revelation.
This presented a grave predicament. The County Magistrate received complaints and contemplated disqualifying Su Bin from the examination in an attempt to rectify the situation.
At West Mountain College, despite Su Bin’s attempts to explain himself, the teachers and some students demanded his disqualification.
Su Bin proceeded to the county office, seeking to confront Honglian. However, he was informed that she had taken leave two days prior and had been taken away by an unknown visitor.
As a result, Su Bin’s examination spot was nullified.
Two days later, news surfaced of Honglian’s tragic demise, allegedly due to drowning in the water.
In this manner, Su Bin’s hopes of qualifying for the examination seemed to be dashed.
This had been the plan of the Madame of the Marquis’ Mansion.
However, what the Madame of the Marquis’ Mansion had not anticipated was Su Bin’s unwavering determination to pursue the imperial examination. He was willing to go to great lengths, even risking his life, to remove the obstacle obstructing his path.
Over the course of nearly a year, with the assistance of a loyal friend, Su Bin expended substantial resources and effort to prove that he had been framed.
The blame was ultimately placed on a jealous fellow student who had envied Su Bin’s talent.
To safeguard Su Bin from further misfortune, Qin Zhenzhen and the others needed to locate Honglian and prevent her from taking any action the following day.
Qin Silong disguised himself and entered the Yihong Courtyard, pretending to be a guest and inquiring about Honglian. However, he was informed that Honglian had been reserved by another guest and was not receiving any visitors.
Furthermore, Honglian was not present at the Yihong Courtyard.
Qin Silong relayed this information to Qin Zhenzhen.
“What should we do now? Without finding Honglian, we cannot find the book, nor can we inform Su Bin about the conspiracy involving the Madame of the Marquis’ Mansion.”
Qin Zhenzhen assured, “Do not worry.”
“One way or another, Honglian will undoubtedly appear at the gates of West Mountain College tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow morning, you will keep watch at the entrance of Yihong Courtyard, and I will do the same at the entrance of West Mountain College.”
“I do not believe that both of us combined cannot prevent her from causing any trouble.”
“Unless absolutely necessary, we must not provoke the Madame of the
Marquis’ Mansion, as that may endanger all of us.”
Qin Silong nodded, expressing his agreement with his sister’s plan.
Later in the evening, upon returning to their Elder Uncle’s home, they encountered their youngest uncle, Yang Gan, who had just arrived from the government office.
Yang Gan looked tall and fierce, and he was wearing a murderous look on his face.
Qin Zhenzhen thought to herself that her Fourth Brother looked a bit like this uncle of hers, and her nephew looked a lot like her uncle.
“Uncle, greetings!”
“Hi, Uncle.”
Qin Zhenzhen followed her Fourth Brother and addressed this man..