Auntie and Miss Wang's Long-distance Duel

In the dark passage, outside the fence, stood the older brother dressed as Nightwatchers, squinting and scrutinizing him.

Xu Erlang's eyes lit up immediately. He stood up from the straw mat, the shackles rattling as he moved.

"How did you get in? Did Minister Sun allow you to come in?" Xu Xinnian was both surprised and delighted.

Seeing this, Xu Qi'an withdrew his scrutinizing gaze with relief and breathed a sigh of relief, "It seems to be just a superficial injury."

Then, he glanced at the jailer and said coldly, "Step back."

The jailer wisely left.

Xu Xinnian spat and said, "These bastards, the whip really hurt."

"Is Erlang complaining to me?" Xu Qi'an nodded. "Don't worry, your older brother will find a way to get you out of here."

He had barely finished speaking when Xu Xinnian waved his hand, interrupting him and emphasizing, "Brother, you may not be aware that this matter is not about cheating in the imperial examinations, but rather a conflict between the Imperial Academy and Cloud Deer Academy."

"No, I know perfectly well," Xu Qi'an said with peace of mind.

But Xu Erlang didn't give him a chance to speak, continuing to ramble on and on, his voice full of energy, indicating that he had indeed only suffered some superficial injuries.

"Actually, I had a premonition long ago that it wouldn't be so easy for the Cloud Deer Academy's students to achieve the top rank in the imperial examinations. But I'm not afraid. If the academy wants to return to the imperial court and expand its influence, it needs someone to take the lead and someone to pave the way for those who follow," Xu Xinnian said in a deep voice.

"And I am the one who cleared the tunnel."

Erlang, people don't admire the one who first opened up the tunnel; they truly admire the one who expanded it. Xu Qi'an hummed in agreement.

"Go on."

"Actually, I've already come up with a solution while I'm in prison. After all, when it comes to court intrigue, I'm still most skilled at things like family matters."

Xu Xinnian proudly raised his chin and continued, "The great Confucian scholars of the academy cannot enter the court as commoners. But Wei Yuan can. Go and ask Wei Yuan for help. I don't want him to help me get off the hook immediately, that would be too difficult and would definitely cause serious damage, because it would be equivalent to going to war with all the civil officials."

"My demands are: to strip me of my official title, but to retain the right to take the imperial examination; or to confine me to the palace examination and let me take the metropolitan examination again three years later."

"The civil officials from the Imperial Academy are primarily targeting Cloud Deer Academy, not me."

After saying this, seeing his elder brother staring blankly into thought, Xu Erlang sighed and said, "Yes, these things are indeed a bit difficult for you to understand, but you just need to do as I say."

"Even though I'm in prison, I can still strategize and plan."

Erlang, you think you're on the eighteenth floor, but actually you're on the Earth's surface. Xu Qi'an coughed and said, "Big Brother has a different perspective."

Xu Xinnian was taken aback, then nodded modestly. "Go on."

At that moment, Xu Qi'an told Xu Erlang about Wei Yuan's analysis of "killing three birds with one stone," and then the prison fell into a long silence.

"So that's how it is. So there's such a complicated story behind this case. I... I'm finished?" Xu Erlang looked utterly devastated.

Whether it was because there was no hope of escaping, or because his analysis was too superficial, it didn't match his self-perceived level of expertise.

"Don't worry, your brother will do his best to get you out," Xu Qi'an comforted him.

This is the Ministry of Justice's dungeon; it's not appropriate to say too much here.

Xu Xinnian gave a bitter laugh.

After bidding farewell to Xu Xinnian, Xu Qi'an left the Ministry of Ministry of Justice, intending to go home to comfort his sister and aunt. Most of the day had passed, and he had been running around outside. The two women at home must have been worried sick.

From afar, one could hear the aunt's sobbing from inside the hall. "Why hasn't Dalang returned yet? Erlang has been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice; who knows how much suffering he'll endure. At least give us some definite news."

Xu Lingyue comforted her, "Mother, my eldest brother is definitely running around trying to smooth things over. Don't worry, he'll tell you when he gets back after his shift ends at dusk."

"How much longer do we have to wait? Every quarter of an hour is torture for me." The aunt began to sob.

"Didn't you hear what your father said? Dalang went to the Ministry of Justice to beg for help, but not only did he not get to see Erlang, he was also humiliated."

Then came Xu Pingzhi's sigh.

Although his aunt was petty and thought she was cute despite her age, she didn't insult his second uncle for being incompetent and unable to save his son. This was probably why his second uncle doted on his aunt so much. Xu Qi'an suddenly noticed this detail that he hadn't noticed before.

"Cough cough!"

As Xu Qi'an entered the inner court, he coughed to attract his family's attention.

Xu Lingyue, who had been calm just moments before, suddenly filled her eyes with tears, staring at Xu Qi'an, speechless with emotion.

Seeing this, Xu Qi'an could only comfort her first, patting her shoulder. "Don't worry."

Xu Lingyue called softly, "Big Brother."

Then she was drowned out by her aunt's loud voice. Her eyes suddenly lit up, and she grabbed Xu Qi'an's sleeve, looking at him with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. She cried out:

"Ningyan, Erlang, how is he? You must find a way to save him, only you in the family can do it."

Xu Pingzhi sighed, "The Minister of Ministry of Justice is determined to take revenge. What is Dalang supposed to do? Let him humiliate him again?"

The light in her aunt's eyes dimmed instantly, and tears welled up in her eyes. Xu Qi'an patted his aunt's small hand, then his sister's small hand, and comforted her, "I saw Erlang. He's fine and wasn't hurt."

The aunt didn't believe her. Her bright eyes fixed on her nephew, and she sniffed, "Dalang, you're not lying to me."

Xu Lingyue looked at her older brother with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. It was the hope that a younger sister held for her adoring older brother.

Xu Qi'an glanced at his family and said, "I've asked Duke Wei and the princess to put pressure on Minister Sun. He wouldn't dare to torture Erlang, so don't worry."

If it were Duke Wei and the princess who intervened, then Erlang wouldn't have suffered much torture in prison. It's not surprising that Dalang is Duke Wei's confidant, but it's astonishing that the princess could get involved in this case. Xu Pingzhi was amazed that Dalang had such a deep relationship with the eldest princess. He couldn't believe that his nephew's network of connections had grown so vast that he could only look up to him in awe.

It's so good to have Ningyan around; he always puts my mind at ease, and the weight on my heart is slowly being lifted.

Xu Lingyue pursed her lips, her eyes sparkling. Her older brother had never let her down.

Actually, I kidnapped Minister Sun's son, but he had no evidence and couldn't do anything to me. I only told him not to use torture. For Minister Sun, this was a trivial matter that he could easily accomplish. Compared to a fight to the death, he cared more about the life of his legitimate son.

Although it breaks the rules, if the degree of discretion is well-managed, the impact of the matter can be minimized.

Besides, Minister Sun really had no evidence, and Xu Qi'an wasn't the one who arrested the person. The Bureau of Astronomy's Qi-Watching Technique was also not to be feared.

In the case of Princess Pingyang, Prince Yu had no evidence; his daughter disappeared without a trace, and he didn't even know who his enemy was.

Of course, after the incident, the Liang faction paid the price with the execution of their entire family.

If it works, even rules written in the laws of Great Feng will be taken risks by some people, let alone unspoken rules!

With this thought in mind, Xu Qi'an looked at Lina and Xu Lingyin, who were sitting carefree eating pastries to the side, and said, "Neither of you should go out today. Lina, the safety of the women in the manor depends on you during the day."

"Okay!" Lina readily agreed.

Although this little dark-skinned girl isn't very bright, she's a good fighter. Xu Qi'an trusts her quite a bit.

As for being isolated in officialdom, let alone whether Minister Sun would spread the word, even if he did, he wouldn't be afraid. As Wei Yuan's confidant, he already had too many enemies.

Are you still afraid of being isolated?

Xu Qi'an was not a scholar aiming for an official career; he was Nightwatchers, and the two were different in nature. The former needed a reputation and recognition from the officialdom.

The Nightwatchers, however, did not need to. As long as Wei Yuan was alive, he was there; when Wei Yuan fell, he fell.

Xu Pingzhi opened his mouth but didn't express his opinion. He felt a mix of melancholy and relief. He was relieved that his nephew had grown up and was no longer the boy he used to pat on the back of the head.

Disappointingly, he could no longer capture the back of the kid's head in a photograph.

Overjoyed, the aunt wept, holding Xu Qi'an's hand tightly. "Dalang, you're the most promising one in the family. All my hard work in raising you has paid off."

"No, Auntie, don't you feel any guilt saying that?" Xu Qi'an asked doubtfully.

The aunt, whose mood had suddenly brightened, had the leisure to vent her anger on Xu Lingyin's forehead hard with her slender fingers and said angrily, "All you know is eating! What's the use of giving birth to you? I might as well have given birth to a rat."

"Mom, I'm hungry," Xu Lingyin said, looking up at her with a pitiful expression.

"When have you ever been full?" Auntie said, exasperated. "Your own brother is in grave danger, and you're still eating here. You heartless wretch!"

Xu Lingyin glanced at Xu Qi'an: "The big pot is perfectly fine, isn't it? Mom just doesn't want to give me anything to eat, so she hides it and eats it all by herself."

The aunt swayed with anger.

Xu Qi'an, Xu Lingyue, and Xu Pingzhi felt somewhat awkward.

Lina nudged her dining companion's waist and whispered, "You have an older brother too."

Xu Lingyin thought for a moment and realized that she did indeed have an older brother. She immediately burst into tears, and the pastries in her mouth fell to the ground.

As she picked up the pastries that had fallen onto her clothes and legs and stuffed them back into her mouth, she cried, "Is Second Brother dead too? I don't want Second Brother to die, waaaaaah!"

Just then, Old Zhang, the gatekeeper, came in and said, "There's a young lady outside who wants to see Miss Lingyue."

The whole family immediately looked at Xu Lingyue.

The latter frowned slightly, "Whose daughter is this? What business do you have with me?"

Old Zhang, the gatekeeper, shook his head.

"Please let her in," Xu Lingyue said.

A moment later, the gatekeeper, Old Zhang, led in a pretty young woman in a pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress). She had her hair styled in a maid's bun, and the fabric of her clothes was even better than that of ordinary rich young ladies.

"It's you?" Xu Lingyue recognized her, her expression one of astonishment.

"My name is Lan'er. Miss wishes to visit Miss Lingyue today. Does Miss Lingyue have any free time today?" The pretty maid who called herself Lan'er bowed.

"This is the maidservant of Miss Wang Simu, the daughter of the Grand Secretary," Xu Lingyue explained.

She believed that with her elder brother's wisdom, he would surely be able to discern the underlying meaning.

Wang Zhenwen's daughter's maid? What was she doing sending someone to the mansion to make sarcastic remarks? Influenced by Erlang, Xu Qi'an also felt that Wang Simu was gloating and kicking someone when they were down.

I was immediately annoyed.

"How dare this mere woman be so arrogant! I am a modern human being who firmly upholds the idea of gender equality, and I won't hesitate to tear apart a green tea bitch. "Xu Qi'an sneered inwardly.

"I have something to attend to today, but I'll definitely pay you a visit another day," Xu Lingyue said calmly, her gaze suddenly sharpening. "Please tell Sister Wang that I like her very much and I'll definitely want to have a chat with her then."

But in the next moment, the sharpness in her eyes softened, replaced by the gentle helplessness of a younger sister, who said with tears in her eyes, "Big brother, you have other things to attend to, so please go ahead and do them. I'm entrusting my second brother's affairs to you."

Just as Xu Qi'an was about to nod, he heard Lan'er look anxious and ask, "What's wrong with Xu Huiyuan?"

Neither the brother nor sister paid her any attention, their faces cold. Suddenly, their aunt spoke up:

"Your young lady is the daughter of Chief Minister Wang? That's wonderful! My Erlang has been falsely accused of cheating in the imperial examinations by some damned scoundrel and has been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's jail."

"Young lady, could you please beg your mistress to help Erlang?"

Xu Qi'an and Xu Lingyue stared at their aunt with stiff expressions.

Is this woman (aunt) really so brainless?

Even in desperation, you shouldn't try anything in front of the enemy. Do you want to die even faster, only to be finished off?

Xu Qi'an, his face dark, said coldly, "Miss Lan'er, I won't see you out."

Miss Lan'er, filled with doubt and looking anxious, took her leave.

Wang Simu sat on the soft couch of the spacious carriage, occasionally lifting the curtain of the window to glance outside, and sometimes paying attention to the teapot licking at the bottom of the orange-red charcoal fire.

This fully reflects Ms. Wang's inner anxiety.

More than half an hour passed, and that brat Lan'er still hadn't returned. The one waiting was the most anxious.

If Xu Household refuses her visit, it would most likely represent the Xu Household's wishes, and also Xu Xinnian's wishes.

Should I continue to visit them, or should I give up?

The latter made her somewhat unwilling, but as for the former, she was, after all, an unmarried woman, the daughter of the Grand Secretary, and she still had to consider her reputation and face; she was too embarrassed to continue visiting.

In a flash of thought, she lifted the curtain and was pleasantly surprised to find Lan'er's little carriage.

The small carriage slowly came to a stop, and the maid Lan'er nimbly jumped down, ran over, climbed onto the tall carriage, and pushed open the door to get in.

"You brat, why are you so late? What time is it?" Wang Simu said angrily, her mood flustered.

She took a deep breath and asked, "What did Miss Xu Household say?"

Lan'er shook her head.

Wang Simu's face immediately fell, and the light in her eyes dimmed instantly.

Just then, she saw Lan'er swallow hard, catch her breath, and say, "Miss, something terrible has happened! Xu Huiyuan has been arrested by the Ministry of Justice for cheating in the imperial examinations."

"What?"

Upon hearing this news, Wang Simu felt a mix of emotions. The first thing that came to mind was astonishment and worry, worrying about Xu Xinnian's future and safety.

Then came a sliver of joy.

It turns out that his failure to keep the appointment wasn't because he had no interest in me, but because he was being pursued by the Ministry of Justice and couldn't escape.

I misunderstood him.

At that moment, Lan'er recounted everything she had seen and heard at the Xu Residence to Miss Wang, including Xu Qi'an's cold attitude and Xu Lingyue's aloof demeanor.

Minister Sun of the Ministry of Justice is an accomplice of my father. They believe that my father is the mastermind behind this? If it really was my father secretly pushing things along, then... then wouldn't I be...? A bitter feeling welled up in Wang Simu's heart.

Lan'er said angrily, "Hmph, with such a terrible attitude, they still want you to save Xu Huiyuan? The Xu Household is shameless."

Wang Simu frowned. "Speak properly." She paused, her expression turning serious, and said, "Is it Xu Qi'an's request?"

That doesn't make sense. I've only met Xu Huiyuan once and exchanged a few words. Xu Qi'an is a smart man; why would he ask me, the daughter of the Grand Secretary, for help?

He couldn't possibly know what I'm thinking; not even my father knows.

The astute Miss Wang immediately noticed something amiss.

Lan'er shook her head. "It was the matriarch of the Xu Household who said it; she was the rather beautiful woman we saw that day."

The request of the matriarch of the Xu Household.

Wang Simu's expression turned serious once again. He actively put his mind to work, pondering and analyzing.

She's Xu Huiyuan's mother. Given this situation, her impression of me and the Wang family must be extremely negative. So why is she asking for my help?

A woman who can raise a shrewd daughter, a magnanimous nephew, and a talented son is no ordinary woman.

I need to think this over carefully, I can't be careless.

"Lan'er, did that mistress... did she scold me or my father? What was her attitude?" Wang Simu asked.

"She was the kindest in the whole family; she was especially sincere when she made her request," Lan'er said.

Wang Simu's eyes widened suddenly, and she had a corresponding guess in her mind.

There was nothing wrong with me inviting Xu Huiyuan to the literary gathering for the first time in my father's name. However, I then invited him to go boating on the lake in a very short time. A careless man might not think much of such a thing, but as a woman, and a woman of exceptional intelligence at that, she couldn't possibly be completely oblivious.

Even if I'm not sure of my feelings, I can at least guess. So, is this a test and an opportunity?

She didn't dislike me; she wasn't hostile or disdainful of me just because I was the daughter of the Wang family.

She was showing me her stance.

Then, the matriarch of the Xu Household made this request through Lan'er.

It was a hint to me.

Sure enough, the matriarch of the Xu Household was a woman of great wisdom. She was the only one in the family who saw through my intentions. Wang Simu clenched her delicate fists, her body trembling slightly.

At the same time, there is also the exhilaration of meeting a worthy opponent.

"Lan'er, go to the capital. I need to go to the government office to find my father," Wang Simu said, enunciating each word clearly.

P. S.: This plot point is actually quite important; it's one of the foreshadowing elements for the ending. I won't spoil it.

I wrote 13,000 words today, perfectly achieving my goal. Please vote for me, guys!

Thank you to the leader of "Youyouqi Liuli", the leader of "L Byte", the leader of "Ridiculous 9", the leader of "Sleep Well Tonight", and the leader of "Nian Qing An Wushang".

Thank you, everyone.