Zhao Ger took the key and unlocked the door. Fang Zichen came out of the room, and Guaizai rushed over, saying his bottom hurt and asking him to blow on it twice.
Fang Zichen had witnessed the whole process and felt terribly sorry for his son. He also blamed his own big mouth. If he hadn't shouted, his son might not have suffered this.
Dammit, it's all that damn Niang's fault.
Elsewhere, in the inn.
Lianniang waited for a long time before Zhang Huaiwen arrived belatedly.
Lianniang wore a light veil over her face: "Young Master Zhang, you really are a busy man!"
"What do you want?" Zhang Huaiwen sat down directly opposite her: "Keep it short, and don't waste my time with your sarcastic remarks."
Lianniang's hands, hidden under the table, clenched involuntarily: "Fang Zichen escaped. We don't know if he's dead or alive now. I just wanted to ask you, what should we do?"
"He's probably already back." Zhang Huaiwen's eyes darkened slightly.
If Fang Zichen hadn't been found yet, Zhao Ger wouldn't have had the presence of mind to come sell chili sauce.
He had set up his stall today, which likely meant Fang Zichen was back and, moreover, safe and sound.
That fellow must have nine lives.
He still wouldn't die even after all that.
Lianniang's eyes lit up, her tone slightly excited: "He's back? He's alright?"
"What, are you that worried about him?" Zhang Huaiwen spun his teacup. The more infatuated Lianniang was with Fang Zichen, the more displeased he felt. It wasn't because he liked her, but simply jealousy seeing Fang Zichen so popular. He sneered: "Pity, the feeling is one-sided. Even drugged, he'd rather climb a wall and escape than touch you."
Humiliated once more, Lianniang felt her teeth might crack from how hard she was clenching them. She stared at Zhang Huaiwen for a long moment before finally snapping, "And that Zhao Ger would rather work himself to the bone in the streets, eating husks and wild vegetables, than enjoy a life of luxury with you. Tell me, Young Master Zhang, how exactly does that make you any better than me?"
"You..."
"Young Master Zhang, why are we fighting amongst ourselves!" Lianniang said: "You want Zhao Ger, I want to get Fang Zichen. We are grasshoppers on the same string. We should help each other, not be angry with each other here!"
Zhang Huaiwen gulped down some tea and said coldly: "So, why did you call me here today? And, if I remember correctly, our cooperation should be over. We can't be considered grasshoppers on the same string."
Lianniang pursed her lips, barely containing herself: "I'm just worried."
"Worried about what?" Zhang Huaiwen glanced at her and asked.
"Since Fang Zichen has returned, will he report this to the authorities?" Lianniang said.
Fang Zichen had slapped her that day, kicked her in the shoulder blade, and her head had hit the ground. The redness and swelling on her face hadn't subsided yet, and her shoulder blade and the back of her head still hurt.
After the incident at the Yang residence, Yang Mutao summoned a physician. When she regained consciousness, he questioned her about what had happened—why she had fainted in the rear courtyard and how she had sustained her injuries.
Lianniang didn't dare tell the truth, made up a random excuse, and had the maid support her back.
These past few days, lying in bed, she had been tossing and turning, unable to rest peacefully.
As the day of the results announcement approached, her anxiety and dread intensified to an almost unbearable level.
Before her visit to the Yang residence, she had genuinely hoped Fang Zichen would pass the examination. But now...
If Fang Zichen succeeded, he would become a Tongsheng—just one step away from true power and influence.
Had he remained missing and Zhao Ger filed a report with the authorities... their actions hadn't been particularly discreet, making it highly likely the truth would be uncovered.
The crime of harming a scholar whose name was already recorded in the official registers was not something a young woman like her could bear.
Now that Fang Zichen was back safe and sound, she was both happy and worried.
"Report to the authorities? So what if he does?" Zhang Huaiwen didn't care in the slightest and said nonchalantly: "A mere country bumpkin. Crushing him is as easy as crushing an ant for me."
He hadn't acted completely without thought. Before moving against Fang Zichen, he had naturally sent people to investigate.
Fang Zichen was an outsider, alone, registered in Xiaohe Village, without power or influence. Zhang Huaiwen didn't take him seriously at all.
"He's not as simple as a regular village man." Lianniang looked at him and said: "If nothing unexpected happened, his name is definitely on the list for the prefectural exam."
Zhang Huaiwen leaned back, looking lazy, his emotions still unmoved.
"I know, a Tongsheng. But that's still not enough for me to take him seriously. Even if he accuses us, my brother-in-law will get me out."
Hearing this, Lianniang was about to sigh in relief when Zhang Huaiwen narrowed his eyes: "But you... might not be so lucky."
Lianniang immediately couldn't sit still. She stood up, placing both hands on the tea table: "What do you mean?"
Zhang Huaiwen smiled: "What do you think I mean, Miss Jia?"
Lianniang said hatefully: "Are you planning to cross the river and tear down the bridge?"
[过河拆桥 (guò hé chāi qiáo): lit. Cross the river and demolish the bridge; fig. To abandon or betray those who helped one after achieving one's goal.]
"Those words are unpleasant to hear," Zhang Huaiwen said with a laugh, leaning closer and pinching Lianniang's chin with two fingers: "And, this can hardly be called bridge-tearing. If I must put a name to it, let's just say a wise man knows how to preserve himself."
[明哲保身 (míng zhé bǎo shēn): lit. A wise man preserves himself; fig. To be worldly wise and play it safe, avoiding involvement to protect one's own interests.]
Lianniang swatted his hand away: "Aren't you afraid I'll expose you? In this matter, you aren't clean either!"
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