Chapter 432 - 167: Odds and Ends
Chapter 432: Chapter 167: Odds and Ends
By the time they finished their business and headed back, it was almost noon.
On their way home from the government office, they saw many commoners walking in groups toward the Vegetable Market.
The people were cursing and swearing. "Those bastards who deserve death by a thousand cuts are finally getting beheaded."
"It’s a pity for the people they harmed. Who knows how many families were ruined and lives lost."
"I heard a lot of people came all the way from Guyuan County just to see them get their heads chopped off..."
Chen Wanqing and Zhao Jing keenly picked up on something familiar in the crowd’s words. They quickly went forward, intending to stop a few people and ask.
But unexpectedly, at that very moment, a man walked out of the Wang Family’s teahouse.
Who could it be but Zhang Lanshan?
Zhang Lanshan was no longer just a Scholar; he had also become a respected scholar. The essay he wrote during the autumn examinations was highly regarded by the Lord Prefect and placed at the top of the list in the collection published by Xinghuai Prefecture.
The two saw Zhang Lanshan, and Zhang Lanshan saw them as well.
The three of them walked toward one another, exchanging greetings as they met.
Zhang Lanshan glanced behind the pair, seemingly looking for Chen Song. But of course, Chen Song had not come. He was in Qingshui County, too busy to get away.
Zhang Lanshan evidently realized this as well and couldn’t help but smile. "How silly of me. Before your esteemed father left the Prefecture, he made a special point to bid me farewell. He said it would likely be two or three years before he returned. He’s swamped with official duties; how could he possibly come here so easily?"
"If my father knew you had become a scholar, he would certainly come to congratulate you. Unfortunately, he’s so busy he can’t be in two places at once, and he truly dislikes reading examination essays. I fear that unless you specifically reminded him, he wouldn’t even know of your success."
Zhang Lanshan laughed heartily. "The burden on my heart is lifted, so how could I not continue with the examinations? If I can become an official somewhere, that’s one less inactive official causing harm to a region. Even if it’s just to accumulate merit for my wife and daughter, I must take this official post."
This wasn’t the place to talk, so Zhang Lanshan invited them to sit in the teahouse.
But even as he said this, his eyes were fixed on the departing crowd, and his feet were pointed outward, a clear sign that he wanted to chase after them.
Zhao Jing and Chen Wanqing were not ones to be tactless. How could they possibly hold someone back when they knew something unusual was afoot?
However, they were also genuinely curious about what was happening, so they asked Zhang Lanshan a few questions.
Zhang Lanshan laughed with delight. "Isn’t it a major event? It’s a wonderful event! That father and son, Cui Wei, allowed their servants to commit atrocities, treated human life as worthless, plotted sedition, lined their own pockets, manipulated the imperial examinations, and deceived the nation while tormenting the people... Their crimes are too numerous to count. After a strict investigation by the Lord Prefect, they were sentenced to execution after autumn. Today is the day that father and son, those dog-thieves, will be beheaded."
As he spoke, a sob entered Zhang Lanshan’s voice and his eyes reddened, but the look on his aged face was one of genuine, heartfelt joy.
"The heavens have eyes! Those scoundrels die today."
Caught up in his excitement, Zhang Lanshan paid no more mind to Zhao Jing and Chen Wanqing. He walked off, laughing loudly. "Mr. Cui dies today! His house will be seized and his clan exterminated! Evil is repaid with evil! It’s not that retribution is lacking, it’s just a matter of time! And the time has come! HA HA HA..."
Chen Wanqing nudged Zhao Jing’s arm with her finger. "Jing, should we go take a look?"
"Do you want to go, Wanqing?"
"I’m not going, but I think you should."
Zhao Jing understood her unspoken meaning and let out a huff of laughter. "Do I look like some sort of treacherous minister? Why would you think, Wanqing, that I need to go to the execution grounds for a baptism?"
Chen Wanqing turned her head aside, adamantly refusing to look at Zhao Jing.
Jing’s faint, unreadable smile was somewhat intimidating.
"You’re the one who said it, not me."
"You didn’t say it with your mouth, but your heart said it all. Wanqing, I just can’t figure it out. Where on earth did you get the idea that I’ll be a man who brings calamity to the nation one day? Is it written in my bones?"
"Oh, look, Jing! Look who’s coming out of the alley—it’s De’an and Xiang’er. They must have gotten worried since we were taking so long and came out to find us."
Zhao Jing looked at De’an and Xiang’er in the alley, then at the maids and old women standing nervously a short distance behind them, and ultimately chose not to press the issue with her right now.
A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years; questioning her thoroughly tonight would be soon enough.
That night, Chen Wanqing was overwhelmed by waves of tingling anticipation, her whole body burning with unbearable heat.
But that wicked man just watched her by the dim, yellow candlelight, refusing to satisfy her.
He mischievously blew a puff of air beside her ear and, with a light chuckle, pressed his question. "What exactly did you mean this morning, Wanqing? Can you enlighten me?"
Chen Wanqing didn’t want to enlighten him. She could only wrap her arms around his neck, murmuring noncommittally as she snuggled against him.