Chapter 283

Upon hearing He Jinglan's question, Gu Xixi casually replied, "Jiang Mingyuan; his mother is a daughter of the local Gu Clan. He just became a Provincial Graduate this year, and reportedly has already won the top rank in two successive examinations."

Recently recommended by the prefect, he was appointed acting county magistrate of Qing Tian County before the metropolitan exam.

He Jinglan exclaimed, "You mean he came first in both the prefectural and provincial exams?"

She looked at Jiang Mingyuan, "I never expected to meet another person whose studies are this impressive."

"Again?" Gu Xixi asked, "Have you ever seen someone as talented as him?"

He Jinglan turned doubtfully, "You don't know? Getting first in the initial prefectural exam isn't that hard, but Mu Nan Zhao back then actually took first place in the provincial, metropolitan, and palace exams—truly a triple champion."

"My brother was just shy of that; he got first in the prefectural exam but only third in the provincial, and Mu Nan Zhao mocked him for a long time."

Gu Xixi paused, "I thought his background would let him enter office directly through imperial favor."

He Jinglan laughed, "Speaking of this makes me want to laugh—he and my brother could certainly enter office via imperial favor or recommendation, but he refuses, insisting on entering through the exams to shut up those old fogies in court beforehand."

"My brother naturally wouldn't admit defeat to him, so the two of them have been competing fiercely."

"I still recall everyone saying that during the palace exam, the former emperor greatly favored Mu Nan Zhao, the prospective top scholar, and also appreciated my brother, the prospective second place, even neglecting the other palace examinees."

"Thus, only after the examiners reminded him did the former emperor ask two questions of the third, fourth, and fifth place candidates, then hastily named the third-place finisher."

Gu Xixi couldn't help but break into a cold sweat, "That third-place finisher is rather pitiable."

He Jinglan said, "Indeed, back then there were rumors in the capital that the former emperor only favored the top scholar and second place, never intending to select a third-place finisher, but since that violated regulations, he casually picked one from the last three."

Gu Xixi showed a look of longing, "Having you say that, I really wonder how magnificent their horseback parade through the streets must have been back then."

Passing the metropolitan exam already makes one a true official; soon they will be assigned to posts across the land.

Furthermore, making the list of successful candidates, entering the palace to meet the emperor and pay respects to the teacher of the Son of Heaven—even if one fails to place in the top three, one can still be called an outstanding talent among men.

Yet the former emperor only favored the top two.

This shows how extraordinarily talented and outstanding these two were in their cohort, far surpassing their peers.

He Jinglan sighed, "Obviously, after painstaking study he came in third, first becoming the town's gossip and laughingstock, and then, coincidentally, all three became capital officials; he quickly realized his talent, capability, and even promotion could not compare."

It seems likely that resentment gradually grew in his heart, built up over the years, and finally led him to commit such a wicked deed.

Gu Xixi had been listening to the story, engrossed.

Upon hearing those last words, her heart jolted for no reason, and she asked uncertainly, "Could it be that the one who poisoned him was...?"

He Jinglan's expression confirmed Gu Xixi's suspicion.

Gu Xixi asked, "Did he and that third-place finisher once have a very good relationship?"

He Jinglan frowned, thought, and said, "Not exactly great, but there was trust."

"'Few people earn someone's recognition; the third-place finisher is probably one of them.'"

He Jinglan, worried that Gu Xixi might overthink, deliberately explained, "Regarding past events, he probably didn't intentionally conceal them from you."

"'Maybe those memories are too painful.'"

Gu Xixi's gaze was calm: "Being schemed against by someone he trusted, how could someone with such a proud nature be willing to recall it over and over? I understand."

She thought of Mu Nan Zhao secretly bearing those hardships, yet never showing a trace in front of others, and her heart still inevitably rippled.

When the moon was high overhead, the Government Office's troops had already searched the manor thoroughly, confirming there were no hidden bandits, and they also brought the captive tied at Houmen to the front.

Jiang Mingyuan personally counted the heads and ordered the troops to immediately escort everyone back to the County Office.

An Qinghe appeared from nowhere, suddenly came up to Gu Xixi and He Jinglan, and asked, "Who is this person?"

Gu Xixi glanced at him and said, "Where did you just go? I haven't seen you."

An Qinghe picked up the jeweled saber and said proudly, "Of course I went to help at Houmen."

"'Then I worried there might still be villains hiding in the manor, so I looked around inside and outside your two rooms.'"

"'When I came out, I ran into these officials also searching.'"

He Jinglan intentionally teased him, pursing her lips, and said, "Did you see the man in the green robe? His name is Jiang Mingyuan, a relative of Xixi in the Gu Clan. He just passed the provincial exam this year, is young and promising, and hasn't married yet."

"'He and Xixi met at the previous clan gathering, and they hit it off immediately.'"

Gu Xixi knew He Jinglan was mischievous, glanced sideways, and said, "I never told you about his marital status, so how do you know he's unmarried?"

He Jinglan was full of confidence, "No need to say; it's obvious at a glance."

Moreover, isn't it you who came back from the clan gathering and told me you met an interesting peer you could talk with? That must be him, right?

Seeing Gu Xixi not deny it, An Qinghe was shocked.

Just then Jiang Mingyuan walked over, about to bid farewell to Gu Xixi.

An Qinghe suddenly turned his head and glared at Jiang Mingyuan.

Jiang Mingyuan noticed this curly-haired, blue-eyed foreigner baring his teeth and glaring at him, and was momentarily startled.

He looked puzzled at Gu Xixi and said, "I don't know who this sir is..."

Jiang Mingyuan recalled he had never seen this person before, so he likely hadn't offended him anywhere.

Gu Xixi laughed embarrassedly, while giving An Qinghe and He Jinglan a look to tell them to stop.

"'This is An Qinghe of the Yunling Seedling Merchants Association, Boss An.'"

"'Brother An, this is Jiang Mingyuan, Magistrate Jiang, also a brother among my relatives.'"

"'Oh, just a brother then.' An Qinghe showed no restraint in his hostility toward Jiang Mingyuan."

"'What sort of person is Jiang Mingyuan? He has the courtesy of a scholar, and also the unyielding backbone of a scholar who refuses to lose.'"

He sensed An Qinghe's attitude, sized him up for a moment, and said with a smile, "So you're Boss An."

"'The pomegranate trees planted by Sister Xixi come from the Western Regions; surely they couldn't thrive without Boss An's care.'"

"'Jiang here thanks you on her behalf.'"

An Qinghe was fuming, having only met once, yet Gu Xixi told all this to that Jiang surname?

He sneered, "I and Xixi are close friends; if we talk about care, Xixi has cared for me more."

"'Brother Mingyuan really doesn't need to thank her.'"

The two stood facing each other, one with a gentle smile, the other with an arrogant sneer.

Gu Xixi sighed helplessly; she really didn't understand these men—why over a little thing they would argue and confront each other?

She looked at He Jinglan questioningly, gesturing for her to say something quickly.

He Jinglan's eyes lit up; she looked as if she were about to clap and urge them to start fighting right away.

Gu Xixi had no choice but to speak herself: "It's probably past midnight now; I should have invited Brother Zi Chu in for a cup of hot tea, but since you have official duties, I won't keep..."

She had originally wanted to say, "I won't delay your return to the city."

Jiang Mingyuan, however, looked at An Qinghe and smiled, saying, "It's fine; take the prisoner back tonight, register him in the jail, and only after reporting to the county magistrate at dawn can the interrogation begin."

"Good, I also don't feel at ease; I'll go in for a cup of tea and leave tomorrow morning."