Chapter 62: Deadly Peril in the Dark of Night

Government Office of Educational Administration.

“Master of Educational Administration, look who has arrived!” Gao Da began calling out even before entering the room.

A man in his fifties quickly stepped out from inside. When he saw Lu Jin, his surprise was evident. “Nanqing, you’ve returned safely from the water bandits?”

“Nanqing, this is your mentor, Master Deng, the Administrator!” Gao Da, who knew the whole story, hurriedly introduced them.

“Student greets the teacher! Thank you for your concern.” Lu Jin raised both hands in salute.

“Good, good, it’s wonderful you’ve returned. Come inside and sit!” Deng Yuqian gestured for them to enter.

Lu Jin was genuinely moved. Deng Yu and Gao Da weren’t his actual instructors, merely mentors in name. Yet in their eyes, he saw sincere concern.

“Master Gao has already told me about your ordeal. I never expected you’d go through such hardship.” Once they were seated, Deng Yu sighed.

“There are many things I no longer remember. My wife told me I fainted while checking the examination results. I don’t even know what happened.” Lu Jin replied.

He always thought his health was quite decent; perhaps it was simply Shen Yanxi’s provocation that made him collapse. But to faint just from reading the results? If it was the civil exams of later dynasties, it might be understandable. But from what he’d learned these days, the imperial exam was merely a threshold—its importance far less than in later times. So Lu Jin doubted the explanation that he fainted simply from checking the results.

It wasn’t that he suspected Shen Yanxi of lying; at this stage, there was no reason to hide the truth. But the real cause would likely remain a mystery forever.

“Surviving is what matters. Now that you’ve married into the Shen family, perhaps it’s a path forward. Though I’ve never met Second Miss Shen, her reputation is widespread; she must be a suitable match. It is a pity, though—you were this year’s top scholar.”

“I let you down, teacher!”

“There’s no disappointment; it wasn’t your fault. Life is bound to be full of hardship…” Deng Yu looked at Lu Jin’s expression and assumed he cared deeply, so he comforted him.

“I’ve accepted my fate. From now on, I’ll try to do more practical things.”

“Don’t lose heart. Even if you don’t take the exams, don’t forget to keep reading.”

“You’re right, teacher. I’ll remember.”

“How did you end up being kidnapped by water bandits again?” Deng Yu asked, still moved by his student’s experiences.

Lu Jin recounted the story for Deng Yu and Gao Da, especially emphasizing how he remained composed in the bandits’ den and managed to escape through persuasion and education.

“Excellent! I never expected you’d possess such composure and eloquence. As long as you got away, that’s what matters,” Deng Yu said with relief.

“Nanqing, aren’t you suffering from amnesia? Where did those arguments come from?” Gao Da asked, puzzled.

“Master Gao, I only forgot things from before—knowledge and studies. For example, if you asked me to take the exam again, I definitely couldn’t pass. But I still understand the principles of dealing with people and some practical skills. As for why, I’m not sure myself.”

“How strange and fascinating!” Deng Yu and Gao Da found it intriguing. They’d heard of people knowing nothing at all, but this was different.

…

After chatting for a while, Lu Jin politely took his leave. Bidding farewell to the two teachers, he strolled through the city, observing the scenery, and even spotted a few wanted posters with his own face.

“Nanqing, Nanqing!” Just as Lu Jin rounded a corner with Yuan Fang and Xiaobai, a voice called from behind.

Was he now acquainted with half the city? Turning around, Lu Jin saw Young Jiang, his body shaking with fat, rolling toward him like a whirlwind.

“Jiang… Buyan, what are you doing here?”

“Oh, Nanqing, you’re alive? I heard you were captured by water bandits—I was just about to head to the Shen residence to ask about you…” Jiang Buyan started chattering as soon as he reached Lu Jin.

“Why didn’t you go then?” Lu Jin asked, curious.

“Ah… well, I was planning to go tomorrow,” Jiang Buyan replied, embarrassed.

“Haha, thanks for your concern, Buyan. I’m back now. What have you been up to lately?” Lu Jin asked.

“What else? My father insists I keep studying, but I’m just not cut out for it. Besides, I told my father you were right—that I want to follow the sage’s path through practice. Guess what happened?”

“What happened?”

“My father beat me! Can you believe it? I’m already grown, but every few days he gives me a thrashing—he’s bruised me all over…” Jiang Buyan wailed.

Lu Jin’s lips twitched. Not enough beatings, in his opinion.

“So what are you going to do?”

“Nanqing, you’re full of ideas—help me out.”

“Buyan, is the Shen family really influential in Jiangzhou?”

“Of course, if the Shen family’s word doesn’t count, whose does? Nanqing, you’re not thinking of asking your father-in-law to talk to mine, are you? That won’t work—my father is timid…”

“Then tell him the Shen family’s son-in-law wants to partner with you in a big venture—to make lots of money.” Lu Jin thought it was time to start something, and among his acquaintances, Jiang Buyan was a perfect partner.

“Are you serious?” Jiang Buyan was startled.

“Well, it depends on whether you want to do it. If you do, we’ll start together.”

“I’m in!” Jiang Buyan said excitedly.

Whether or not they made money, what mattered was that this would connect him with the Shen family—something money couldn’t buy. Plus, his study problem would be solved too.

“All right, since we’re out today, let’s find a place to discuss it.”

“How about the Natural Residence? Their tea master is quite pretty…” Jiang Buyan’s eyebrows danced.

“Buyan, you haven’t missed many visits, have you?”

Having set aside his worries, Lu Jin quickly became friendly with the ever-eager Jiang Buyan. Arm in arm, they headed to the Natural Residence.

“Master Shen, you’re alive?” The tea master, whom they’d met last time, was delighted.

“Thanks to you, I’ll live a few days longer,” Lu Jin smiled.

“Haha, Nanqing, I never realized you were so amusing,” Jiang Buyan laughed without restraint.

“It’s my fault for being careless—please forgive me, Master Shen,” the tea master blushed and apologized. With wanted posters all over the city, those who’d met him assumed he was unlikely to survive.

“Just a joke, miss.”

“What kind of business do you want to start, Nanqing? Tavern? Teahouse? Restaurant? Or something else?” Jiang Buyan asked with curiosity.

He wasn’t surprised at Lu Jin wanting to do business, since Lu Jin had already said he wouldn’t take the imperial exam. Without that, what else could he do? Likely help the Shen family with their business.

“I fancy running a restaurant. To be honest, Buyan, I know a method of cooking unknown in Da Liang. As long as we pick the right location, it’ll be a hit!”

“You mean you know a cooking method?” Jiang Buyan was shocked. Was this what a scholar ought to do? What books did he read?

“I said we’ll do something big and make money—did you think I was joking?”

“Wait, if Da Liang doesn’t have it, how do you know it?”

“Never mind how I know. You find a good location, get a blacksmith to make some iron pots, and stock up on rapeseed oil and various spices. You know I don’t have much time, so mainly you’ll handle things. We’ll consult whenever needed…”

“Why don’t you have time?” Jiang Buyan was puzzled. How could a son-in-law have no time? Was he worked like a horse at the Shen residence?

“Do you know the cooking method unknown in Da Liang? If you did, you could have no time too.”

“…” Jiang Buyan nearly spat blood. Being exploited so openly—and with such elegance.

After some bickering, mostly Lu Jin outlining the plan while Jiang Buyan teased the tea master, it was decided Jiang Buyan would look for a suitable location. Lu Jin soon took his leave.

By the time he left the Natural Residence, the moon was high in the sky and the streets nearly empty. They had indeed talked for quite a while.

Lu Jin, accompanied by his two guards, made his way back toward the Shen residence.

Whether in love or in business, it seemed he had found a promising beginning. So Lu Jin’s mood was light, and he hummed a random little tune as he walked.

“Master, watch out!”

Just as Lu Jin stepped onto the middle of a stone bridge, Yuan Fang shouted from behind and rushed forward. In Lu Jin’s line of sight, a sharp dagger flew at him from the side, glinting ominously in the moonlight.

“Master!” Xiaobai reacted instantly, shielding Lu Jin.

Startled by the sudden attack, Lu Jin didn’t hesitate—he yanked Xiaobai aside, just as the flying dagger reached them.

With a clang, the dagger, which was about to strike Lu Jin’s face, was knocked aside by Yuan Fang and embedded itself in a nearby tree. The trembling handle left Lu Jin shaken.

Before he could process what had happened, four or five masked men emerged from the shadows, wielding long blades, their murderous intent palpable.

“Xiaobai, protect the master!” Yuan Fang, already clashing with the assailants, called back urgently.

Though bewildered, Lu Jin quickly pulled Xiaobai and ran toward the base of the bridge, shouting as he went.

It was no use—he only managed to exhaust himself, but at least they reached the wall.

Breathing heavily, Lu Jin looked back at the bridge—and froze.

“Where’s Yuan Fang?”

“Master, Yuan Fang went after them…” Xiaobai replied, panting.

Damn, is Yuan Fang an idiot?

Lu Jin was in dire straits. He didn’t even have time to wonder why he was being targeted—his immediate concern was survival.

If he’d run to the wall because Yuan Fang was holding off the attackers, it was a good spot to observe. But now it was clearly a diversion, and the wall had become a trap.

“Run!” Lu Jin grabbed Xiaobai and fled once more.

But as soon as they reached the middle of the road, more than ten men emerged from the shadows, surrounding them completely.

This was a death trap.