Scheming (Seeking Follow-ups)

Details decided everything.

After marrying, a woman should dress as a married woman ought to.

Zhao Yunniang was now dressed discreetly and simply, showing respect for him, her "dead husband."

If she had come dressed as flamboyantly as last time...

That would mean she could not even be bothered to keep up appearances...

"Yunniang..."

"Once I am pardoned and released from prison, I will take good care of you and the child in your womb."

Tenderness filled Xu Xing's eyes. He reached his right hand through the iron bars, gently stroked the hair at Zhao Yunniang's temple, and tucked it behind her ear.

Seven parts of his words were sincere, three parts false.

If Zhao Yunniang truly cared for him, he would not become some heartless man.

But the crux of the matter was that Zhao Yunniang's identity was questionable. She might not simply be a courtesan from Moonwatch Tower; she might also be a spy working under Han Sui.

One had to keep a few more tricks up one's sleeve. Otherwise, after being sold off, one might still help count the money—now that would be tragic.

Scholars had dirty hearts.

Scholar-officials had even dirtier hearts.

By nightfall.

The prison cell was once again draped in red curtains.

Another night of passion passed.

The next day, upon waking in the morning.

After getting dressed, Zhao Yunniang tenderly stroked Xu Xing's sleeping cheek.

He had taken Musk Dragon Powder again.

Her husband's complexion was dark and wan, his vital energy utterly depleted. Clearly, he did not have much time left.

Who would have thought—

The moment her hand left Xu Xing's cheek, he seized it tightly.

This time.

Xu Xing had awakened before Zhao Yunniang.

He glanced at the astonished Zhao Yunniang, coughed heavily, and said:

"I served as Director of the Imperial Stables for two years."

"During that time, I saved a little silver. Not much—just over two hundred taels."

"I did not keep the money at the rented house... Come closer."

The two spoke at close quarters, their temples brushing.

A rosy glow rose over Zhao Yunniang's lovely face, making her beautiful as a flower.

"My body has been drained too severely."

"Take one hundred taels of these two hundred for yourself. Send the rest to the Celestial Prison at intervals, so I can eat a little better. Meat would be best..."

After revealing where the treasure was hidden, Xu Xing came straight to the point.

Princess Anren, the Chongming Emperor's favorite daughter, was getting married. That dog emperor had granted a general amnesty to accumulate blessings. Yet the cases of convicted officials were too serious for the court to grant pardons lightly; still, this had temporarily spared him from the calamity of death.

The conflict between Han Sui and him now lay in the fact that Han Sui wanted him dead sooner, so he could take the blame for the Imperial Stud Directorate's massive corruption case and establish that the shortage of warhorses was his doing.

As for Zhao Yunniang's claim yesterday that Han Sui was doing his utmost to get him out...

The more he thought about it, the less likely it seemed.

The money, favors, and connections needed to grease the bureaucratic machinery of the Ministry of Justice and even the Three Judicial Offices were simply beyond what a mere eighth-rank Director of the Imperial Stables like him could ever repay. And as far as he knew, Han Sui was not the sort to pay a thousand gold for a horse's bones.

So those words had most likely been meant to fob him off and put his mind at ease.

That was also why he remained wary of Zhao Yunniang.

Take too much Musk Dragon Powder, and sooner or later one would die a sudden violent death...

The wine and dishes Zhao Yunniang had brought this time were proof enough.

Had he truly been some greenhorn in officialdom, Han Sui might actually have fooled him.

"Yes, Husband..."

"I understand."

Zhao Yunniang hesitated briefly, then nodded her lovely head and agreed.

The deficits in his body could not be replenished just because one wished them to be.

Eating some meat alone, without any great medicine, was merely a drop in the bucket for Xu Xing's body.

Take too much Musk Dragon Powder, and not even immortals could save you.

After saying this.

Zhao Yunniang gathered her skirts and left the Celestial Prison.

"Academician Su."

"This humble official has an unwarranted request. I wonder whether Academician Su might agree to it."

After Zhao Yunniang left, Xu Xing walked over to the neighboring cell. He gave Academician Su a deep bow, then spoke.

Academician Su had been dozing with his eyes closed. The commotion next door last night had kept him from falling asleep for a long while.

He opened his eyes. Seeing this scene, he secretly groaned, and his heart immediately filled with difficulty.

Though Xu Xing held a low-ranking post and little authority, the case he had committed was a grave crime rarely seen in the three hundred years since the dynasty's founding. Even if he knew Xu Xing had been wronged, speaking up for justice and losing his own life was not frightening. What was frightening was that it might bring death upon the entire Su clan...

A single hair was tugged, and the whole body moved.

"Why did I have to eat his food..."

"A favor of a meal cannot go unrepaid. Sooner or later, this mouth of mine will get me killed."

Academician Su cursed himself inwardly.

Yet at this moment, he could no longer pretend to be asleep. Rising, he asked, "What unwarranted request does Lord Xu have?"

He changed the way he addressed Xu Xing from "boy Xu" to "Lord Xu."

The intention was to draw a clear line between himself and Xu Xing.

Implicitly, he was also telling Xu Xing to face reality and not make things difficult for him.

"This humble official will soon be bound for the Yellow Springs."

"As the saying goes, establishing merit, establishing words, and establishing virtue are the three forms of immortality. This humble official... is skilled in mathematics, and before dying, I wish to compile into a book all that I have learned in my life, so it may be passed down to later generations. But Academician Su also knows that the Celestial Prison does not permit us to carry paper or brushes..."

"Yet Academician Su is different."

"Academician Su's literary reputation is known throughout the realm. If you could..."

Xu Xing bowed deeply.

At those words.

Academician Su could not help but be moved.

First, he admired Xu Xing's righteous purpose.

Second, he felt ashamed of his own petty thoughts.

Xu Xing had passed the provincial examination in the mathematics division.

It could be said that, in terms of attainments in mathematics, there were scarcely any in the Phoenix Creek Kingdom who could surpass Xu Xing. And Xu Xing said that he had studied mathematics for many years and wished to compile what he had learned into a volume to pass down to future generations.

Such a matter could not be faked.

No scholar was indifferent to fame and profit.

Establishing words, one of the three forms of immortality, was even more an aspiration that stirred the hearts of all scholars.

Though mathematics was but a minor path, it still counted as establishing words.

"This official shall at once submit a memorial to His Majesty, requesting that Lord Xu be graciously permitted to compile a mathematical treatise in the Celestial Prison."

Academician Su returned the bow and said.

Though the Celestial Prison did not allow paper and brushes, they were criminal officials, and their status was different.

They had the right to submit memorials to the Emperor.

However, those memorials were not delivered directly to the Emperor.

They had to go through the Night Patrol Directorate's procedures.

They were first handed to the Night Patrol Directorate's commander. After reviewing them, the commander would personally present them to the Emperor.

Otherwise, if everyone in the Celestial Prison with a grievance could submit a memorial, and the Emperor had to read each one, would he not be worked to death?

Xu Xing's brow twitched. He hurriedly stopped Academician Su. "His Majesty is already troubled over Princess Anren's marriage and must also attend to state affairs. It would be difficult for him to spare his attention. There is no need to trouble His Majesty over such a small matter."

The Night Patrol Directorate was full of noble scions, all wine sacks and rice bags. How could they understand the importance of mathematics? By the time they presented the memorial to the Emperor, who knew what year or month it would be...

"Lord Xu means..."

Academician Su heard the hidden meaning in Xu Xing's words.

"To be frank with Academician Su, I have heard that you and Chief Minister Ouyang are close friends."

"I beg Academician Su to help this humble official with this small favor. This humble official will be moved to tears in gratitude, and when I write the preface, I will surely recount Academician Su's contribution."

Xu Xing bowed again and spoke frankly.

"Brother Ouyang..."

Hearing this, Academician Su felt that Xu Xing was currying favor with the powerful and did not resemble a gentleman.

But when he thought of how Xu Xing was doing this so that all he had learned might be passed down to later generations, this small dissatisfaction drifted away on the wind. Besides, one's hand grew short after taking from others, and one's mouth grew soft after eating their food. Over the past few days, he had taken quite a bit of Xu Xing's meat for free. It would be improper not to help with this small favor.