Chapter 30: Meeting the Instructor at the Provincial Education Office

Lu Jin refused to continue bantering with him, having only feigned casualness to cover his own embarrassment. He went straight to the point, asking, "Bu Yan, do you know anyone from my hometown?"

"You mean the people from Shangqing County? They already went back..." the young Jiang replied, though his mind was still muddled by Lu Jin's earlier enigmatic remarks.

"Then, here in Jianglin, have you met any acquaintances of mine?" Lu Jin pressed on.

"I doubt it." Back then, Lu Jin had an air of superiority—where would he have any friends? It was only Jiang himself who cheekily struck up a conversation.

If it weren’t for the fact that Lu Jin was the top scorer, Jiang wouldn’t have bothered. Who would’ve guessed he’d become a son-in-law? Yet, this time Lu Jin seemed less difficult to speak to. Still, luck was certainly on his side; how did he catch the eye of the Shen family?

Lu Jin felt uneasy under Jiang’s gaze and raised his teacup to hide his discomfort. Did this chubby fellow have any peculiar interests?

"By the way, Nanqing," Jiang suddenly smiled, "try not to go out alone in the future—bring more people with you..."

"Is it because the times are unsettled?" Lu Jin asked curiously.

"Not exactly. Mainly, as the Shen family’s son-in-law, you’re bound to attract resentment. I’m afraid you’ll get beaten up," Jiang laughed, becoming more wanton.

Lu Jin froze with his teacup in hand. Why? Was the Shen family so hated?

Seeing Lu Jin’s confusion, Jiang coughed and explained, "No offense, Nanqing, but your wife was famous throughout the land before marriage. If not for the em—if not for the Shen family’s high threshold, every talented man would have fought to enter the Shen family..."

Before Jiang could finish, Lu Jin understood. He felt somewhat aggrieved—he’d done nothing, yet bore all the consequences.

And from Jiang’s words, it seemed the emperor coveted Shen Yanxi, and it was widely known?

Lu Jin waved his hand, signaling the two attendants to leave.

"From what you said, you also know about the emperor’s designs on my wife?" Lu Jin inquired.

"You know?" Jiang didn’t answer but was instead shocked. You know and still went through with it? Are you out of your mind?

"The emperor has already passed..." Lu Jin replied awkwardly. He couldn’t share the details—how could he admit he’d been abducted by a female bandit?

Jiang’s expression faltered. Good heavens, you really know how to exploit loopholes. No wonder you became the top scorer.

Yet Jiang was still amazed—even if the emperor was dead, she was a woman chosen by the imperial family. Where did you get such courage? If you were from a great clan, it would be understandable, but you don’t seem to be.

"You haven’t answered me yet—how did you find out? Surely not everyone knows?" Jiang’s interruption almost made Lu Jin forget his own question.

"Not everyone, but quite a few families are aware. I only heard by chance. Matters between the imperial family and the Shen family aren’t for common people to gossip about."

So there were rumors. Lu Jin gazed at Jiang.

"Ah, Nanqing, it’s only because I met you now that I thought of it. Normally, I wouldn’t dare speak so freely," Jiang said anxiously.

This man was not to be provoked—as a vengeful type, he could make trouble for Jiang’s family. He cursed himself for being too loose-tongued.

"It’s fine, I was merely asking," Lu Jin replied.

They chatted idly for a while before parting ways. Lu Jin was still unfamiliar with his current situation and didn’t know much about Jiang either; better to avoid deep conversation with shallow acquaintance.

Leaving Tiantianju, night had already fallen—it was time to return.

Taking Yuanfang and Xiaobai with him, Lu Jin walked on, and before he knew it, found himself at the entrance of the Academic Administration Office. He glanced at the list posted on the wall and felt a wave of nostalgia.

Days of wind, sun, and rain had faded the red list, but its characters were still legible. It was a separate list, posted on the far right.

"First place, Lu Jin, Shangqing County, Jiangzhou Prefecture." Reading those words, Lu Jin suddenly felt a pang of sorrow. The old have gone; the new wander, uncertain.

No matter our respective fates, there’s no turning back in life. Yet where does the road ahead lie?

"Hey! Aren’t you that fellow?"

Just as he turned to head back to the Shen mansion, a voice called from behind.

Lu Jin turned and saw a thin, elderly man of fifty or sixty.

"You know me?" Lu Jin asked in confusion, for he presently recognized no one.

"Hmph!" Gao Da was furious.

He’d been thinking about this student for days, even asking around. Yet this fellow, having arrived here, didn’t bother to visit his mentor and pretended not to recognize him.

Lu Jin sensed trouble from the old man’s snort. Judging by his appearance, he seemed to have come from the Academic Administration Office, so Lu Jin hurried over.

"To let you know, sir, I suffered a severe illness recently and have forgotten many people and things. If you know me, please do tell me," Lu Jin said earnestly.

He did so because he understood the importance of reputation among scholars in ancient times. If they spoke ill of him, it could ruin him.

"Is that so?" Gao Da’s eyes widened like copper bells.

"Absolutely true!"

"How could that happen?" Gao Da’s eyes grew even wider.

"I don’t know either. So please, do tell," Lu Jin replied helplessly. Hurry and get to the point—if we’re not connected, I’ll stop wasting time with you.

"I hadn’t expected you to have such an ordeal. Just a few days ago, I spoke to the academic director about you. I am Gao Da, instructor at the Academic Administration Office—you may call me Instructor Gao," Gao Da explained.

"Instructor Gao, so the academic director also knows me?" Lu Jin wanted to pinch Gao Da’s shoulder to see if he was a machine.

"What are you saying? You are this year’s Jiangzhou top scorer. How could the academic director not know you? Where have you been lately, and why haven’t you visited your mentor? That’s rather impolite."

"Thank you for your concern, Instructor Gao. I am truly ashamed. I am now the Shen family’s son-in-law and only happened to pass by here, never expected to meet you," Lu Jin replied.

"The Shen family’s son-in-law? Which Shen family? How did you end up as a son-in-law?" Gao Da was incensed. A top scorer, poised for a promising future, now wasted as a mere son-in-law.

"The noble Shen family in the west of the city. I fainted, and their young lady saved me. She had some difficulties, so I became their son-in-law," Lu Jin explained, leaving room for interpretation.

"You mean the second young lady of the Shen family?" Gao Da asked in surprise.

"Exactly as you said, Instructor Gao."

"My goodness, you really have the courage of a leopard! Do you know that second young lady..." Gao Da exclaimed.

"I know, but what’s done is done," Lu Jin quickly replied.

"Well said. You truly are bold. But becoming the Shen family’s son-in-law may aid your future career—it’s not a waste of your talents!"

What? Lu Jin was stunned. Shouldn’t he be lamented for failing to live up to his promise?

"No need to worry—you can still pursue the imperial examinations even as a son-in-law. It’s easier under a big tree. Nowadays, more and more students take the exams, but ultimately, the prospects depend on the noble families..."

Thanks to Gao Da’s explanation, Lu Jin gained further insight into the influence of noble families in Great Liang.

"Sorry to disappoint you, Instructor Gao. Due to my severe illness, I have forgotten all I learned, and can no longer pursue the examinations," Lu Jin said awkwardly.

"Ah... this... this..." Gao Da was dumbfounded; he hadn’t considered such a possibility.

"But, since you’ve entered the Shen family, as long as they treat you well, your future may not be worse than through the examinations. It may be a blessing in disguise," Gao Da comforted after thinking it through.

"You are right, Instructor Gao. For now, that’s all I can hope for. May I ask who my mentor is? Could you introduce me?" Lu Jin asked.

"Your mentor is Director Deng Yu. Unfortunately, he recently returned to Weizhou due to family matters..."

Lu Jin and Gao Da chatted a bit more, agreeing to visit another day. After bidding farewell, Lu Jin led Yuanfang and Xiaobai toward the Shen residence.

"Master, next time we go out, you’d better take the carriage," Xiaobai said weakly as he followed behind.

Yuanfang remained serene, carrying his blade and following with unhurried steps.

"Alright, next time we’ll take the carriage," Lu Jin conceded.

At last, they reached Baishi Bridge, where several elegant carriages passed by.

"Xiaobai, do you know who’s in those carriages?" Lu Jin asked casually.

Xiaobai opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a word.

"Do you know or not? Why are you speechless?" Lu Jin wondered—was the question so difficult?

"Master, those should be the Yang family’s carriages, here to propose marriage," Xiaobai replied helplessly.

"Propose marriage? Who in the mansion is getting married? Could it be Shen Yanyun?"

"...", Xiaobai didn’t know how to respond. They’re here to propose to your wife; who do you think is getting married?

"Master and the young lady married so hastily, many distant acquaintances aren’t aware. They still think the young lady is unmarried..." Xiaobai replied, bracing himself.

Lu Jin stood on the bridge, bewildered. So, his own house was about to collapse!