County School Enrollment

In front of the Lin mansion.

Wang Mochuan had brought a calling card, intending to present it.

But he couldn't find anyone to accept it.

The area in front of the gate was a complete mess. Servants were running around haphazardly, visiting guests had no proper guidance, and Taoist priests performing rituals didn't know where to set up the mourning hall. Some servants even seemed to be shoving a Taoist acolyte over something.

As they talked, they started arguing right on the street.

Even close family and friends who came to offer condolences were mostly blocked at the entrance.

Just as Wang Mochuan was about to send his coachman to inquire, a familiar scholar walked over and said, "Brother Wang, you might not know, but Brother Lin Yuan disappeared at some point.

Something strange is hiding in the coffin in the mourning hall. Whenever someone goes forward to offer condolences, it asks, 'Did you kill Lin Qi?'

Pfft, it scared everyone to death at the time.

Then, a young Taoist priest leading a donkey came from who-knows-where, saying there was a demon inside. He ignored everyone's attempts to stop him and went to lift the coffin lid.

As a result, a red fox really did leap out of the coffin and darted in front of Uncle Lin, scaring him unconscious on the spot. The demon then vanished without a trace.

The young Taoist priest leading the donkey slapped a talisman onto the donkey, then hugged it and vanished with a whoosh.

Sigh, it was a morning full of bizarre events. This mansion has fallen into chaos, hasn't it?"

Wang Mochuan listened, stunned. They had only arrived a little later than others, and they had already missed such major events in the mansion.

Of course, Wang Mochuan had no intention of watching others' misfortunes or gloating.

With Lin Qi's recent death, the Lin family was already shrouded in gloom. With these events happening, and Lin Yuan inexplicably missing, Wang Mochuan worried for the elder Mr. and Mrs. Lin.

"How is Uncle Lin now?" Wang Mochuan sighed and asked first.

The warm-hearted scholar, named Meng Hui, stepped forward and lowered his voice, saying, "People from the Lin family's clan in the countryside have arrived and say they will help the Lin family manage the situation.

The Lin family's two elder sons are dead or missing, but they still have a seven or eight-year-old illegitimate son.

They are currently deliberating. If Uncle Lin doesn't wake up, it will depend on Auntie's capabilities."

This meant that the Lin father had not yet woken up.

Xu Wenyuan, who was listening nearby, was worried and anxious. He quickly asked, "Then what should we do now? Are we still going to send Brother Lin Qi... on his final journey?

Should we go in and help Uncle Lin?"

"Help with what?" A slightly hoarse but authoritative voice was heard.

Everyone quickly turned their heads and saw a middle-aged scholar in plain blue clothing walking down the steps of the Lin mansion. It was the County School Instructor Wu Zhengze, whom everyone knew well.

Everyone quickly bowed and paid their respects, calling him "Master" or "Teacher."

Even the Taoist acolytes who were crowding the street and arguing with the Lin servants quieted down.

Wu Zhengze walked slowly, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and said calmly, "This is a family matter. In what capacity and with what reason should you interfere?"

All the scholars lowered their heads, murmuring.

"All this trouble arises from overstepping. You are young and inexperienced. Aren't you afraid that your well-intentioned actions will lead to bad deeds?"

After reprimanding the scholars, Wu Zhengze finally said, "Go. Go in to offer condolences to Lin Qi and see him on his final journey. Afterward, return to your study dormitories.

I recall today is not a holiday."

With these few words, he arranged everything for them. Although the area in front of the Lin mansion was still chaotic, this chaos seemed to be separate from the scholars of the County School.

The scholars who hadn't had a chance to offer condolences to Lin Qi quickly went up the steps and entered the Lin mansion. Without waiting for anyone to announce them, they went directly to the mourning hall to offer incense and condolences to Lin Qi.

The mourning hall was also a mess. At first glance, it looked like several groups of people were in a standoff.

The scholars couldn't bother with these matters. They just focused on completing what they had to do and then hastily took their leave from Madam You.

Chen Xu blended in with the crowd, rushing through the process like attending multiple events, and then followed the crowd out of the Lin mansion.

Everyone remained silent during this time. It wasn't until they walked out of the Lin mansion's main gate again that someone suddenly let out a long sigh and said, "In just two or three days, the changes within a family and a clan can be so immense. Truly, life is unpredictable."

Yes, life is truly unpredictable.

Everyone sighed with emotion, feeling a sense of shared understanding.

Chen Xu also felt it was quite unpredictable. He had come to the Lin mansion to offer condolences today, expecting to go through more twists and turns. Little did he know, the twists and turns did occur, but they seemed to have nothing to do with him.

He had become an observer. The Fox Demon had already fled before he arrived, and Lin Yuan was "missing." Suddenly, the grudges between him and the Lin brothers seemed like a fleeting dream.

Chen Xu felt a sense of clarity, as if waking from a dream.

He felt that at this moment, he probably understood the phrase "life is unpredictable" more profoundly than all his classmates.

The matter of the Lin family came to an end. The scholars from the County School, as expected, returned to the County School in groups. Only Chen Xu was stopped by Wu Zhengze.

Chen Xu got into Wu Zhengze's carriage. The usually stern teacher's expression softened slightly inside the carriage, and he tried his best to ease his tone as he asked Chen Xu, "How is your leg injury? Will it be healed before the Prefectural Examination?"

"Replying to Master, my leg injury is more than half healed. It will surely be healed before the Prefectural Examination," Chen Xu quickly replied.

Wu Zhengze nodded and said, "This year, I've discussed with the other teachers. It's best to go to the Prefectural City half a month in advance. The Prefectural Examination begins in one month, and in five days, we will gather our personnel and depart.

If you decide to participate in this year's Prefectural Examination, you can come with me to the County School to register now.

You don't need to worry about the guarantor system for five people. After registration, the school will arrange it for you."

Wu Zhengze was meticulous and thoughtful. Chen Xu's spirits lifted as he listened, and he quickly said, "Thank you, Master."

After saying this, seeing that the atmosphere in the carriage seemed a bit too somber and serious, Chen Xu added, "I'll take the opportunity to ride in your carriage to the County School. I've recently made some coarse tea myself, and I'll bring a package back for you as a gift. I hope you won't dislike it."

Wu Zhengze heard this and glanced indifferently at Chen Xu.

The meaning behind that glance was quite complex, clearly expressing disdain.

Sigh, Instructor Wu's personality was like this.

He disliked most things, including the students at the County School with their varied personalities and numerous flaws; he disliked them all.

But despite his dislike, it didn't affect Wu Zhengze's serious and responsible attitude towards his work.

Therefore, Chen Xu never feared him. Seeing the Master's glance, Chen Xu smiled again and said, "Master, this tea tastes excellent. I'm not giving it to anyone else, only to you."

Wu Zhengze sighed and said, "Fine. You still have the leisure to make tea, which shows that repeated setbacks over the years haven't dampened your spirit.

This is excellent. With such a mindset, your future will undoubtedly be bright, regardless of whether you succeed in the Imperial Examination.

Since you intend to give me the tea, bring it over later."

Chen Xu's eyes immediately lit up, and his face showed joy.

The one accepting the gift was merely reluctantly expressing willingness to "receive a gift," but the one giving the gift became exceptionally happy.

Chen Xu had a small ulterior motive; he planned to give the "Worry-Dispelling Tea" to Master Wu and hear him praise it.

He also wanted to probe Wu Zhengze's daily "like" limit.

Chen Xu planned ahead. While still in Jichuan, he was already thinking about his future sources of "likes" once he went to the Prefectural City.