Chapter 284: Chapter 284: Zhao Yue’s Opportunity
284 Zhao Yue’s Opportunity
Zhao Zhitong pouted, puzzled. "Why? Helping clear someone’s grievance is a good thing, right?"
Sun Youli, however, became anxious, slapping his thigh and spinning in circles. "You silly girl! Since ancient times, those who deal with corpses have been of the lowest class. How could a decent person want to touch such ominous things?"
"Dealing with corpses like this is very inauspicious! If people find out that you often touch corpses, well, what good family would want to marry you then?"
It was no wonder her grandfather and uncle were worried. They doted on their niece and naturally hoped she would live a safe and happy life. Once she got involved with corpses, no good family would want her. So, how could they not worry?
However, Zhao Zhitong apparently had no concept of marriage, muttering to herself, "If no one wants to marry me, then so be it. I don’t want to get married anyway." Seeing her grandfather and uncle so anxious, she didn’t say this out loud. In the end, she grinned, gently patting her grandfather’s and uncle’s shoulders, comforting them, "Don’t worry, don’t worry, I understand."
Seeing the young girl relent, Sun Kang and Sun Youli finally gave up.
At this time, Ding Chenguang was chatting with Qiao Muchen and Zhao Yue, complimenting their recent performance. Seeing Zhao Zhitong approach, he smiled. "Miss Zhao, you are the most unique young lady I have ever met." His words were full of admiration.
Zhao Zhitong laughed shyly. "You flatter me. I’m not that special, just like any other girl."
Qiao Muchen’s lips curled into a smile. "Well, you are different. Tongtong is indeed unique..."
Before he could finish, Zhao Yue impishly interrupted, "Uniquely unladylike!"
Zhao Zhitong’s eyes widened in anger as she shouted, "Zhao Yue!"
Facing Zhao Zhitong’s furious glare, Zhao Yue even made a face at her. Zhao Zhitong grew even more infuriated, and the two began to chase each other playfully.
"Brother..." At this moment, Ding Xiang came over and glanced at the extraordinary Qiao Muchen, her cheeks flushing slightly. Ding Chenguang immediately introduced his sister to Qiao Muchen.
Qiao Muchen understood at once that this was the sister from the pair of siblings Zhao Zhitong had mentioned saving. He merely nodded politely and turned his attention back to watching Zhao Zhitong and Zhao Yue’s playful antics.
Ding Xiang feigned concern. "What’s wrong with Miss Zhao and that young master? Shouldn’t we stop them?"
Qiao Muchen casually replied, "It’s fine. We all grew up together, and those two have been like this since they were children, always roughhousing. It’s nothing serious."
"Oh, I see. Childhood sweethearts, that’s so nice." Ding Xiang couldn’t help but feel a little envious.
...
Meanwhile, after hearing the report from Bamboo, Lord Zhang, who had come to investigate, had already witnessed the entire case unfold from the crowd. He had now returned to his horse carriage and was talking with Yuan Wenkang.
Yuan Wenkang stroked his beard and praised, "HAHAHA! That was fascinating! These three young talents, each with their own strengths, are undoubtedly scholars personally guided by Old Man Song!"
"Ah, by the way, Jianzhi," he continued, "didn’t you come here specifically to choose disciples this time? Which one have you taken a liking to?"
Lord Zhang pondered for a moment before saying, "Zhao Yue. That kid isn’t bad."
Yuan Wenkang grinned and began to goad him, "Oh? Why not take all of them?"
Lord Zhang glanced at Yuan Wenkang and chuckled. "You old fellow, you think I don’t know what you’re up to. Those two youngsters already made an impression on Old Man Song three years ago, and he personally mentioned them to His Majesty the Emperor. That shows how proud he is of those two disciples. If I tried to steal them from him, that Old Man Song would eat me alive!" He laughed after saying this.
Just then, Zhao Yue, dodging Zhao Zhitong, ran right next to their horse carriage. Yuan Wenkang lifted the carriage curtain, and their eyes met. Zhao Yue immediately dropped his playful demeanor, stood straight, and bowed. "Student greets you, Teacher."
"HAHA! Speak of the devil, and here you are." Yuan Wenkang laughed and gestured. "Come, come up. Teacher has a few words for you."
Zhao Yue, startled at first, quickly recovered and replied, "Yes, Teacher." He then climbed into the horse carriage. Inside, he saw both Headmaster Yuan and the mysterious Elder Zhang. After paying his respects again, Lord Zhang gestured for him to sit.
Suddenly finding himself before two such eminent figures, Zhao Yue felt rather nervous and awkward.
Lord Zhang noted Zhao Yue’s tense posture and smiled. "Zhao Yue, is it?"
"Yes, sir." Zhao Yue answered and subconsciously tried to stand up. He then discovered he couldn’t stand upright in the carriage and even hit his head on the roof.
Lord Zhang laughed and waved his hand. "Don’t be nervous, don’t be nervous. Sit, sit." After Zhao Yue sat down, he continued, "I just want to ask you a few questions."
How can I not be nervous? Zhao Yue thought. But he respectfully replied, "Yes, sir. Please ask."
Lord Zhang stroked his beard. "I saw everything you all did in the medical clinic earlier. Why were you so certain back then that the deceased’s eldest son was the problem, and why did you choose to bluff him?"
Zhao Yue had never imagined that their process of solving the case in the medical clinic had been witnessed by Elder Zhang, much less that he would ask this question. Nevertheless, he answered honestly, "To answer the Minister of State, when I deliberately described the deceased’s agonizing suffering before her death, the reactions of both her husband and her younger son were of unbearable pain. Only the eldest son’s reaction was strange. He wasn’t pained; rather, he was instinctively resistant. Logically, since the deceased was his own mother, his reaction shouldn’t have been like that. Therefore, I deduced that he must be the one with the problem."
Lord Zhang nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad, not bad. Your observation is meticulous, and you have a keen grasp of human emotions. Very good."
"Minister of State, you overpraise me; this student is humbled." After giving his explanation, Zhao Yue was no longer as nervous.
Lord Zhang then asked, "Well then, what are your views on the relationship between ’deceit,’ ’slyness,’ and ’loyalty’ in the art of officialdom?"
Lord Zhang’s question was quite a leap, and Zhao Yue was momentarily stunned. He didn’t react immediately but began to ponder after a brief pause. After a while, he cautiously began, "Teacher, Minister of State, this is merely my own shallow understanding. If there is anything improper, I hope both Teacher and Minister of State will be magnanimous."
Once the two elders nodded, Zhao Yue continued, "In this student’s humble opinion, the way of a minister should be rooted in one word: ’loyalty.’ Loyalty to the imperial court, loyalty to His Majesty, and loyalty to the common people. However, the way of a minister should also incorporate ’deceit.’ This ’deceit’ is an offensive tool, used to deal with those who commit evil and break the law. The ultimate aim of such ’deceit’ must still be ’loyalty.’ As for the so-called ’slyness,’ forgive my ignorance, I don’t quite understand it."
Hearing this, Yuan Wenkang and Lord Zhang exchanged glances, satisfaction mirrored in each other’s eyes. Then, they both let out a HAHA.
Lord Zhang said, "Your understanding of ’loyalty’ and ’deceit’ is quite sound." Pausing here, Lord Zhang suddenly smiled. "As for ’slyness,’ this old man can also teach it to you. I wonder, are you willing to learn from me?"