Chapter 2

Under the tranquil night sky, the bright moonlight spilled over the earth.

In Miao Prefecture, at the Tongbao Money Shop,

in a secluded alleyway,

two figures dressed in night-traveling clothes were moving forward with extreme caution.

"Cousin, this is too dangerous. Why don't we just forget it!"

Trying to stop Zhang Cheng, Situ Yaozu’s face was filled with worry at this moment.

Because robbing a money shop was a grave crime.

Once caught, it would be all over; never mind the imperial examinations, even having one's face tattooed and being exiled three thousand miles would be getting off lightly!

"Cousin, you have to trust me. There is nothing that makes money faster than robbing a money shop!"

Looking earnestly at Situ Yaozu, Zhang Cheng’s eyes were filled with excitement.

Because the career he hadn't finished in Florida was now about to set sail again in the Northern Song!

Just as Zhang Cheng and Situ Yaozu arrived at their predetermined position, waiting for the patrolling soldiers to leave, a quarrel suddenly broke out not far away.

"Mother, why must you do this? You know clearly that I am willing to marry Li Lang, yet now you have torn up the marriage contract!"

"I am your mother, and you must listen to me. The Li family is already ruined; I will never allow you to marry Li Zhaoting."

Under the night sky, the intense arguing sounded extremely jarring.

Stopping in their tracks, Zhang Cheng and Situ Yaozu behind him exchanged a glance, both of them stunned on the spot.

Because compared to the money shop, they seemed more interested in going back to listen to this family's gossip!

"Cousin? Should we go take a look?"

Asking Zhang Cheng, Situ Yaozu pointed toward the wall not far away.

"I think we can!"

Looking earnestly at Situ Yaozu, Zhang Cheng hurriedly turned back as well.

It must be said, when it comes to listening to gossip, the persistence of Far Easterners is absolutely carved into their bones!

Arriving at the wall of the Feng residence,

Zhang Cheng and Situ Yaozu climbed up carefully and then began to observe closely.

In the courtyard, a mother and daughter were arguing.

"Wow, Cousin, that woman is so beautiful!"

Speaking in surprise, Situ Yaozu was almost stunned on the spot.

However, upon hearing Situ Yaozu’s words, Zhang Cheng widened his eyes and said, "Feng... Feng Suzhen?"

[The Female Imperial Son-in-Law?]

"Cousin, do you know her?"

Looking curiously at Zhang Cheng, Situ Yaozu asked.

"Of course! This is a rare female top scholar! Much smarter than us!"

Gazing at Feng Suzhen, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but get excited.

Because he hadn't expected that just by casually watching the fun, he would actually encounter the legendary female top scholar, Feng Suzhen!

Feng Suzhen and Li Zhaoting had betrothed themselves while studying together.

Not long after, the Li family suffered a disaster and was left penniless.

One day, Li Zhaoting came to the Feng family to borrow money.

Feng Suzhen’s stepmother, despising the poor and fawning over the rich, actually forced him to break off the engagement. Feng Suzhen remained steadfast and unyielding, deeply in love with Li Zhaoting.

She secretly arranged to meet Li Zhaoting in the back garden and privately gifted him 100 taels of silver to help him go to the capital for the imperial examinations.

Unexpectedly, Feng Suzhen’s stepmother heard the news, rushed over, framed Li Zhaoting as a thief, sent him to the authorities for investigation, and arranged for Feng Suzhen to marry someone else.

Feng Suzhen swore she would rather die than comply and escaped in the crisis. Disguised as a man, she went to the capital to find her brother, Feng Shaoying. She searched the entire capital but could not find any trace of her brother.

By chance, she saw the imperial notice for the examinations and had a flash of inspiration. She took the examination under Li Zhaoting’s name, hoping to gain a title to save Zhaoting, never expecting to actually place first as the top scholar.

And this is the famous Huangmei Opera, The Female Imperial Son-in-Law!

"Cousin, what do you think this young lady will do next?"

Looking curiously at the scene, Situ Yaozu couldn't help but ask.

"What she does is her business; we should just watch the show!"

Dragging his chin, Zhang Cheng suddenly felt something was missing and couldn't help but reach out his hand, saying, "Cousin, give me a tael of silver!"

"What? A tael of silver?"

Staring in astonishment at Zhang Cheng, Situ Yaozu was almost stunned on the spot.

Because a tael of silver is a whole string of cash, which is one thousand copper coins!

If they used that to buy steamed buns, it would be enough for them to get to Bianliang!

"Don't be so stingy about this little bit of silver; trust your cousin!"

Looking earnestly at Situ Yaozu, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but become serious.

"Alright then, but Cousin, don't spend it recklessly; this money is my entire fortune..."

Reaching out cautiously, Situ Yaozu fumbled for a long time before finally taking out the tael of silver.

And just as he got the silver, Zhang Cheng exchanged it directly.

After all, he still had a temporary exchange system, and he didn't know what good things were in the daily necessities!

However, just as Zhang Cheng was searching, his eyes suddenly lit up and he said, "Aha, found it!"

Before long, Zhang Cheng took a bag of peanuts and melon seeds out of his pocket and handed them to Situ Yaozu, saying, "Here, Cousin, eat this!"

"What is this, Cousin?"

Looking curiously at the peanuts and melon seeds, Situ Yaozu’s face showed a look of confusion.

"Come, just learn from me!"

Cracking peanuts and melon seeds, Zhang Cheng spat out the shells casually.

Watching Zhang Cheng’s actions, Situ Yaozu immediately understood and followed suit.

"Hey, Cousin, this stuff is pretty good! Really fragrant..."

Looking happily at Zhang Cheng, Situ Yaozu’s eyes couldn't help but shine.

And just as the two heads poked out from the wall, eating snacks and watching the drama, the argument in the courtyard became increasingly intense.

Wang Shi looked at Feng Suzhen, who wouldn't listen to her reprimands, and immediately shouted angrily, "I am your mother, so you must listen to me! The words of parents and the orders of matchmakers—you had better behave yourself!"

After saying this, Wang Shi flicked her sleeves and turned to leave.

Watching her mother leave, supported by a maid, Feng Suzhen felt her whole body go weak.

"Wow, her mother is too fierce! They are clearly in love, why can't they be together!"

"Pah!"

Spitting out a melon seed shell, Situ Yaozu couldn't help but complain.

And hearing Situ Yaozu’s words, Zhang Cheng also crushed a peanut and tossed it into his mouth, saying, "I actually think love and romance aren't important. After all, women only affect the frequency at which I go to the brothels to listen to music!"

"Hmm?"

Looking suspiciously at Zhang Cheng, Situ Yaozu couldn't help but be stunned.

And just then, Feng Suzhen was seen letting her maid call Li Zhaoting over.

Taking one hundred taels from her private savings and handing them to Li Zhaoting, Feng Suzhen only wanted him to go take the imperial examinations as soon as possible so he could make the golden list.

However, all of this was already known to Wang Shi.

Just as Wang Shi had someone call for the bailiffs, Li Zhaoting was "caught red-handed" on the spot.

Facing a scene where he couldn't defend himself, even if Li Zhaoting wanted to explain, there was no way to make it clear.

"Cousin, I think what they are doing is wrong!"

Looking earnestly at Zhang Cheng, the flame of justice in Situ Yaozu’s heart began to bloom.

But looking at Situ Yaozu beside him, Zhang Cheng was dumbfounded.

Because they were wearing night-traveling clothes right now; even if you wanted to help, you couldn't just go out!

"Calm down, Cousin. Have you forgotten what we are doing tonight?"

Pulling Situ Yaozu back, Zhang Cheng was terrified that this silly boy would rush out.

After all, if you go out to explain, you have to first explain clearly why you are squatting on someone's wall in the middle of the night wearing night-traveling clothes!

Situ Yaozu: I'm here eating snacks and watching the show. Do you believe me?

Bailiff: You guess!

Zhang Cheng: ...

The subsequent events unfolded just as Wang Shi had calculated: Li Zhaoting was arrested and thrown into the jail.

Facing her lover being arrested, Feng Suzhen cried with tears streaming down her face, but it was of no use.

"Cousin, this is too unfair. What do you think?"

Looking at Feng Suzhen, who was like a tear-stained person in the courtyard, Situ Yaozu became serious.

"What do I think? I'm obviously squatting here watching!"

Turning his head to look at Situ Yaozu, Zhang Cheng spat out melon seed shells in annoyance.

This cousin of his was indeed still too young. After all, in this world, where is there anything that always goes according to one's wishes?

Thinking of this, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but want to cry, because his AK and rifle hadn't even been used yet!