In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 1003 The Aftermath of the World's Top Scholar

Night had fallen, and moonlight bathed the courtyard of the Lu residence.
The old locust tree cast a long shadow on the bluestone slab, its indistinct form revealing a somewhat menacing look.

The study window was still lit, and the candlelight flickered gently in the wind.

Lu Yunyi stared blankly at the pile of files on the table, his brows furrowed, as if pondering the key details.

Just then, soft footsteps sounded outside the door.
Gong Xianzhi poked his head in and whispered:

"Sir, Manager Shen has arrived."

Lu Yunyi raised his head, slightly taken aback:

"Let him in."

A short while later, the door was pushed open, and Shen Zhengxin bowed and walked in quietly, holding a neatly folded scroll of documents in his hands, the hem of his clothes still damp from the night:

"Sir, we've made a discovery."

A hint of surprise flashed in Lu Yunyi's eyes.
It's only been four days and there are already results; the action is quick.

He took the document, but instead of immediately flipping through it, he gestured to Shen Zhengxin:
"Sit down, have some hot tea, and tell me slowly."

Shen Zhengxin quickly bowed in thanks and sat down on a chair to the side.

The door opened again, and Mu Jinghe walked in carrying two cups of hot tea.

Upon seeing Shen Zhengxin, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
When Shen Zhengxin saw her, he was shocked, instinctively gasped, and his heart pounded wildly.

The rumors were true!

This renowned shopkeeper, surnamed Mu, is actually the master's mistress!
The thought that all his efforts to make the women on the Qinhuai River famous were merely to gain their admiration...
Shen Zhengxin suddenly felt a little self-deprecating when the adults casually kept such a person by their side.

Mu Jinghe gently placed the teacup on the table, making a soft sound.

Shen Zhengxin snapped back to his senses, quickly stood up, and bowed deeply:
"I've met Manager Mu."

Mu Jinghe's expression remained calm, and she nodded slightly.

A manager from a gang is not worth her time or effort.

Lu Yunyi waved his hand, and Mu Jinghe slowly stepped back.

He gestured to Shen Zhengxin to invite him, then opened the document and carefully read it word by word.

The document meticulously recorded every word and action of Su Wan and Xu Guan, even their expressions and gestures.

The more he looked, the more Lu Yunyi frowned, his expression growing increasingly somber, yet he showed no surprise whatsoever.
More than anything, it confirms the heavy-heartedness that follows the speculation.

In the scholar circles of the Ming Dynasty today, one can never avoid the Hanlin Academy, and even more so, those few Grand Secretaries.

Especially his own master, who was the foremost scholar in the land,

His hands weren't exactly clean; there would be precedents of cheating in the imperial examinations later on.

"My lord?" Shen Zhengxin asked cautiously when he saw that he had been silent for a long time.
Is there something wrong with this?

Lu Yunyi raised his head, his eyes still showing a hint of contemplation, before regaining his composure:

“You did a great job, these messages are crucial.”

He placed the document on the table and pointed to the three characters "He Zicheng" with his fingertip:

"Have you found any records of Xu Guan's interactions with him before the imperial examinations?"

Shen Zhengxin nodded quickly:
"Reporting to your Excellency, we have found it."

Before taking the provincial and metropolitan examinations, Xu Guan had studied at Mingdao Academy, where Grand Secretary He did indeed personally instruct him in his studies.

Lu Yunyi nodded. If he remembered correctly, the examiner for the imperial examination was He Zicheng.

As for the examiners of the palace examination, He Zicheng was one of them.

With such interconnected layers, how could there be any coincidence?

"You did a good job. This matter ends here. There's no need to investigate further."

Lu Yunyi changed the subject,
"Make sure Su Wan leaves Beijing as soon as possible, so no one notices anything amiss."
You also need to do a good job of finishing up; leave no trace.

Seeing his praise, Shen Zhengxin straightened his back even more and quickly added:
"Rest assured, sir, Su Wan will have her leave the capital early tomorrow morning and return to Suzhou and Hangzhou by waterway."
My subordinates have already arranged for someone to accompany us; there won't be any problems on the way.

Lu Yunyi picked up another scroll of documents from the corner of the table; it had just been delivered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
The record contained details of Xu Guan's recent words and actions, which were more detailed than Shen Zhengxin's investigation.

"Take a look at this. The Embroidered Uniform Guard has also been investigating Xu Guan these past few days. Let's compare and see if there are any oversights."

Shen Zhengxin took the document and quickly flipped through it. The more he read, the more alarmed he became, as there were many details he had not found.

A moment later, he handed the document back:
"My lord, there is no oversight. The records of the Embroidered Uniform Guard are more detailed than mine."

Lu Yunyi rubbed his temples, feeling a tightness in his temples.

I originally thought it was just a simple rebellion by the anti-government faction.

Now, however, civil officials, military generals, nobles, and even scholars and those who took the imperial examinations are involved, making the situation increasingly complicated.

"It's getting late, you should go back now." Lu Yunyi waved his hand.

Shen Zhengxin quickly stood up and bowed:
"My lord, I shall take my leave."

"By the way, how's the elevator going?" Lu Yunyi suddenly asked.

Shen Zhengxin's eyes lit up immediately, and he nodded repeatedly:
"My lord, I never imagined that such a divine object existed in the world!"

Yingtian Trading Company is five stories high, and you can go up without climbing stairs. That's unheard of!

Once the little man's teahouse has an elevator, those adults will surely become regular customers.

Lu Yunyi smiled and said, "If it works well, that's good."

"I'll take my leave, villain."

After Shen Zhengxin left the study, Mu Jinghe came in and casually closed the open window a little.

The night wind carried the chill of late autumn, causing the candlelight to flicker incessantly.

She picked up the cold teacup on the table and said softly:

"It's getting late, sir, why aren't you resting?"

Lu Yunyi raised his eyes, tossed the document in his hand onto the table, leaned back in his chair, and pushed it back.
Mu Jinghe sat down and put her arms around his neck.

"Sir, is this Manager Shen one of your men?"

"Yes, I helped him once two years ago. He's quite capable."

A strange smile appeared on Mu Jinghe's lips:
"Sir, most people in the capital know a thing or two about this Manager Shen."

He had a peculiar habit: he loved to exaggerate the status of the most beautiful courtesans on the Qinhuai River.

Lu Yunyi kneaded her soft arm and asked:
"What do you mean?"

"It's about putting all your effort into elevating those women to a position that everyone envies, and then making them obediently depend on you."

Mu Jinghe felt an itch on her arm, so she snuggled closer to him, lowering her voice even further.
"Last year, there was a woman named Liu Yingying on the Qinhuai River. She was originally from a small opera troupe, and he took a liking to her."

He hired renowned teachers to instruct her in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and displayed her poems and paintings in major teahouses and restaurants. Within six months, she became the top courtesan on the Qinhuai River, and countless merchants and scholars found it difficult to even catch a glimpse of her.

She paused, a hint of understanding creeping into her eyes:

"But Liu Yingying is his person to begin with. Her so-called aloofness and self-restraint are just for show."

Last year, a student from out of town who was taking the imperial examinations fell in love with Liu Yingying and frequently visited her at the teahouse.
Shen Zhengxin deliberately made his move with Liu Yingying inside the room, and even let the sounds carry out.

The student was so heartbroken that he almost jumped into the Qinhuai River.

"Oh?"

Lu Yunyi froze on the spot. He had originally thought Shen Zhengxin was a decent person.

Back when the Sanxian Gang was in dire straits, they were still able to take good care of their brothers and families. I never expected there to be such a past.

"What's wrong with him? Why would he do that?"

Mu Jinghe raised an eyebrow and said softly:
"Rumor has it that before Shen Zhengxin became wealthy, he married a woman who had shared hardship with him, and the two of them endured several years of poverty together."

Later, he made a name for himself in the capital and wanted to live a good life.

As a result, his wife ran off with a poor scholar who had neither money nor power.
He abducted someone simply because he could write a couple of lines of poetry.

This incident probably spurred him on; from then on,
He specifically targeted women who were somewhat talented and seemed aloof.
First, make them unable to leave the prosperity of the capital, then make them obedient.

Lu Yunyi looked surprised; there were so many twists and turns involved.

Seeing his expression, Mu Jinghe raised an eyebrow, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she murmured:

"My lord, when I serve you, do you ever feel this way?"

"what?"

Mu Jinghe rolled her eyes at him, her tone carrying a hint of coquettishness:

"Liu Yingying, Su Wanna, and the others are merely objects of desire for frivolous scholars."
I am, after all, the manager of Miaoyinfang, with immense wealth. Which high-ranking official wouldn't covet my possession?
But I only love you, my lord; no one else can compare to even a hair on your head.
"As long as you're willing, I'll serve you comfortably."

Her voice grew softer and softer, a blush creeping from her chest to her neck, and then to her earlobes.

Her originally cool and aloof gaze gradually filled with tenderness.

Her tongue rolled lightly around her lips, an incredibly alluring sight. Lu Yunyi's heart stirred; thinking about it, it did indeed offer a unique kind of stimulation.

He glanced at the night view outside the window.

Without saying anything more, he reached out and picked up Mu Jinghe, placing her on the table.
A hint of surprise flashed in Mu Jinghe's eyes, her lips curled into a more alluring smile, and her cheeks grew increasingly hot.

As dawn broke, the morning light shone through the cracks in the window, casting long, thin patches of light on the floor.

Lu Yunyi had already gotten up, changed into a black long robe, and looked refreshed.

Mu Jinghe was still leaning against the headboard, her black hair spread out on the pillow, her eyes showing some fatigue.

Seeing him straighten his clothes, she said softly:
"Sir, why don't you rest a little longer? It's still early."

Lu Yunyi turned around, reached out to tuck the blanket around her, and lowered his voice:

"You rest first, I have something to do."

Mu Jinghe nodded, asked no more questions, and watched him turn and walk out of the room.

Outside the mansion gate, the morning light was tinged with the chill of late autumn.

There were only a few early-rising peddlers on the street, carrying their loads to the market on Fudong Street.

Lu Yunyi and his group did not ride horses.

Instead, he circled through several alleys in the city, making sure he had shaken off all pursuers.

They boarded a carriage belonging to the Xinma Trading Company and headed north of the city.

Two quarters of an hour later, the carriage stopped on Zeyang Street in the north of the city.

This street is mostly lined with ordinary houses, with low walls and black tiles.

Many households had strings of corn and dried chili peppers hanging outside their doors, exuding a warm, homey atmosphere.

Lu Yunyi walked to Gate No. 12. There was no plaque on the gate, only a faded "Fu" character pasted on it.

He raised his hand and knocked on the door, his rhythm consisting of three short knocks and two long knocks.

The door opened quickly, and a young man of about eighteen or nineteen years old poked his head out.

He wore a coarse cloth shirt, and his eyes and brows showed a youthful innocence, yet also a cleverness.

Upon seeing Lu Yunyi, his eyes lit up immediately, and he quickly stepped aside to make way.

"My lord! Please come in!"

This young man is Lü Chen, the son of Lü Mingxin, a former subordinate of Lu Yunyi.
I came to Beijing last year and studied at Mingdao Academy.

Lu Yunyi walked into the courtyard. The courtyard was not large. In the corner, there was a pile of chopped firewood, and against the wall was a stone table with untidy writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones on it.

Lu Chen closed the door, turned to face Lu Yunyi, clenched his right fist tightly, and raised it diagonally to his chest, the fist pressing against his shoulder.

Lu Yunyi did the same thing, his movements swift and precise, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.

Upon seeing his response, Lü Chen immediately knelt on one knee, her voice filled with excitement:
"Lü Chen greets Your Excellency!"

Lu Yunyi reached out and helped him up:
"No need for formalities. I'm here today on personal business."

Lu Chen stood up, his expression still revealing his excitement. Lu Yunyi asked:
"How is your father's leg?" The question was tinged with concern.

When his father was mentioned, Lü Chen's eyes softened:

"Thank you for your concern, sir. The doctor said the recovery is going well."

Now he can slowly walk around the yard a few times with the help of crutches.

But my leg ailment flares up whenever it's cloudy or rainy, and the pain is awful.

Lu Yunyi nodded and got down to business:

"I've come today to ask you about Mingdao Academy."

While you were studying there, did you notice anything unusual?

Lu Chen then realized what was happening and quickly turned around to go inside.
A short while later, he came out carrying a scroll of hemp paper documents and handed it to Lu Yunyi:
"My lord, these are the major events that have occurred at Mingdao Academy over the past year, and I have recorded them all here."

The most recent issue is the controversy surrounding the imperial court's relocation of the capital.

The students and teachers at the academy were all discussing it.

Lu Yunyi took the document, sat down on the stone bench, and unfolded it to read.

The handwriting is somewhat messy, but the record is very detailed.
It even included a story about two students who got into a fight over a girl.

He pointed to the record and asked:
"Is this really a big deal?"

Lu Chen glanced at it and explained:
"Your Excellency, both of their fathers are officials in the imperial court."

One was a secretary in the Ministry of War, and the other was a clerk in the Ministry of Revenue's Records Office.

The subordinates thought that their fathers' official positions were not low.
"Maybe it will lead to some clues, so I'll write it down."

Lu Yunyi looked at Lü Chen, his eyes full of approval:
"Well done, I'll take this document first."

During this time, pay close attention to the activities of the scholars in the academy and record their interactions.
Don't overlook even their everyday speech and behavior.
Some people's true intentions are often hidden in their casual remarks.

Lu Chen nodded solemnly in response:
"Yes, sir! I will take care of it!"

Lu Yunyi took out a hundred-tael silver note from his pocket and handed it over:
"Take this silver. You're all alone in the capital, so don't skimp on food and drink."
Your father is frugal and doesn't like to spend money; don't be like him.

Lu Chen's eyes lit up, but he still declined:
"Sir, no need. You have already helped our family enough."

"One yard owned by a yard."

Lu Yunyi stuffed the silver note into his hand.
"You have to pay a driver to take you around, let alone do this kind of thing."

Here you go. From now on, I will have someone send you one hundred taels of silver every month for your expenses.

But you should be careful not to stand out too much.
"You're a student from Yangzhou now; suddenly having a large sum of money would easily arouse suspicion."

"Yes, sir! I understand!"

Lu Yunyi patted him on the shoulder:

"I'm leaving, don't see me off, lest it attract attention."

Lü Chen nodded and escorted Lu Yunyi to the door.

She watched his figure disappear into the alley before gently closing the door.

After leaving Zeyang Street, Lu Yunyi took several detours to make sure no one was following him before boarding a carriage from Xinma Trading Company and returning to the waiting area for the carriage at the Lu residence.

After boarding the carriage, Gong Xianzhi, who was rushing to catch it, asked in a low voice:

"Sir, where to next?"

Lu Yunyi lowered his head and pondered for a moment, a resolute glint flashing in his eyes:
"Go to Liu's residence on Beishi Street."

Gong Xian was taken aback, then nodded:

"Yes, my lord."

The carriage swayed and rattled as it passed through the bustling Fudong Street and the Grand Workshop.

Once those who had been secretly following them caught up again,

The carriage slowly headed north of the city, towards the Imperial College.

Before long, the carriage stopped on North Market Street.

This place is much more lively than Zeyang Street. It is adjacent to the Imperial College and is home to many students and scholars who come to the capital to visit friends.

The carriage stopped in front of Gate No. 15. Lu Yunyi jumped off the carriage and looked up at the plaque above the gate.

The two characters "Liu Fu" are written with vigorous and powerful strokes.
It was written by Liu Sanwu himself, and his brushstrokes are incredibly powerful.

He stepped forward and knocked on the brass ring on the door.

A short while later, a steward dressed in a blue cloth robe opened the door.
Seeing that Lu Yunyi was simply dressed but possessed an extraordinary aura, he quickly and politely asked:
"Young master, who are you looking for?"

"I, Lu Yunyi, have come to see my teacher, Lord Liu. Please inform him of my presence."

Upon hearing this, the butler was visibly taken aback.
He immediately put on a kind smile, with a hint of humility:

"So it's Lord Lu! Please come in!"
The master had instructed that you didn't need to announce your arrival; just come straight in!

Lu Yunyi paused, his expression somewhat subtle, then smiled and nodded:

"Thank you."

The Liu residence was simply furnished, even somewhat monotonously, with a few osmanthus trees planted in the courtyard.
Although the flowering season has passed, the branches and leaves are still lush and green.
Several pots of chrysanthemums were placed along the corridor, blooming brightly and exuding a touch of elegance.

Not long after Lu Yunyi sat down in the main hall, he heard slow footsteps coming from outside.

An elderly man dressed in dark blue casual clothes walked in slowly; his hair was completely white.
But his hair was combed meticulously, and his face was deeply lined with wrinkles.

His eyes were dotted with age spots, but they remained clear and bright.

It was none other than Liu Sanwu, a Hanlin scholar and the foremost scholar in the land.

(End of this chapter)