The Marquis doesn't support his beloved wife's ambitions, so I'll take the imperial e

Today's situation is that Manager Chen has walked headlong into the inescapable trap set by his sister.

Jiang Zhenxue gave Shen Yu an approving look; the boy was quick-witted and understood things immediately. She turned to Kang Mingyan, who was still somewhat puzzled, and explained, "Mingyan, although Pu County is good, it's also small. It's enough for us to establish ourselves here and earn enough money to make a living. If we take on all the businesses and cut off other people's livelihoods, we'll only make countless enemies and attract unnecessary trouble."

She paused, her voice carrying a hint of warning: "The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled. Today, we're making an example of them to let everyone know that those who pass the imperial examinations are not easy targets. Once our goal is achieved, it's time to stop."

Kang Mingyan was so bookish that he was not good at the intricacies of the business world, but he still understood what Jiang Zhenxue was saying.

He nodded, seemingly understanding, "I get it, it means... if we win, we don't have to fight anymore?"

"That's roughly the idea." Jiang Zhenxue smiled, then said to Shen Yu, "Xiao Yu, go find a doctor you know well and tell him that an old man on the street has accidentally fainted, and ask him to come and take a look. We'll secretly pay for the consultation and medicine."

"Huh?" Not only Kang Mingyan, but even Shen Yu was a little surprised.

"Sister Jiang, what about Manager Chen..." Shen Yu hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

"I'm after his money, not his life." Jiang Zhenxue patiently explained to the two boys, who looked puzzled. "He's already lost. His shop can't stay open, and half a lifetime's worth of effort has gone down the drain. This punishment is enough. We don't need to push him to the brink. Killing him would only make us look heartless."

Her thoughts ran deeper. Manager Chen had been operating in Pu County for twenty years; while not extremely wealthy, he had a network of connections. If he lost today, it was simply due to inferior skills, and people would only laugh at him. But if he were to die because of it, the situation would change. People would gossip that he was ruthless, a successor who had driven a competitor to his death. Such a reputation was certainly not good for a shop that wanted to operate long-term.

"Leave a way out, so that we can meet again in the future. It's also a way for us to accumulate some good karma," Jiang Zhenxue concluded.

Kang Mingyan was completely confused, feeling that Xue'er's thoughts were harder to understand than the classics, but he always trusted her, so he didn't ask any more questions.

After a brief moment of surprise, Shen Yu instantly understood Sister Jiang's deeper meaning. He nodded emphatically, his eyes filled with admiration: "Yes, I'll take care of it right away."

Watching Shen Yu's hurried departure, Jiang Zhenxue finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She walked to the window and watched the crowds gradually disperse and the lights come on outside. The night scene in Puxian was peaceful and serene.

Kang Mingyan leaned closer and asked curiously, "Xue'er, business is so good right now, shouldn't we consider taking over the shop next door and expanding a bit more?"

"No." Jiang Zhenxue shook her head, gazing at the distant night sky. "Here, this is enough."

"Enough?" Kang Mingyan asked, puzzled. "Why? We can make even more money if we strike while the iron is hot!"

Jiang Zhenxue didn't answer, but silently thought to herself: "I only need enough money from Puxian to support myself." What she wanted was never to be a wealthy man living in seclusion in a remote corner of the country.

All she did was to accumulate capital, to obtain that ticket that would allow her to one day stand proudly before the gates of the Ningguo Marquis's mansion in the capital and speak to that man on equal terms.

By then, she would let him know that the canary he kept in captivity was not broken and unable to leave him, but rather that its wings had grown strong enough to soar high in the sky.

"It's getting late, you should go back and study too." Jiang Zhenxue said to Kang Mingyan, pulling herself out of her thoughts. "I've reserved the best spot for you in the mock provincial examination, don't disappoint me."

"Don't worry!" The mention of the exam immediately energized Kang Mingyan, who patted his chest and assured him, "I definitely won't let you down!"

After Kang Mingyan left, the study room finally became completely quiet.

When Shen Yu returned after finishing his business, he saw Jiang Zhenxue still standing by the window, so he silently stayed with her without saying a word.

After a long while, Jiang Zhenxue finally spoke softly, as if asking him, or perhaps asking herself.

"Xiao Yu, tell me, when someone's strength is enough to contend with a mountain, should they choose to move the mountain and fill the sea, or take a detour?"

Looking at her profile, which appeared somewhat lonely in the candlelight, Shen Yu thought carefully for a moment and replied, "If that mountain is blocking the way, then we'll move it. If that mountain is just scenery, then we can go around it. It all depends on... where Sister Jiang wants to go."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhenxue smiled slowly.

Yes, it all depends on where she wants to go.

Her path led to the capital. But the mountain named Xiao Qingyan stood squarely in the middle of her road.

That day, Shen Yu came to report on the situation.

"Sister Jiang, the seating chart for the examination hall has been arranged according to the provincial examination standards. There are fifty seats, each with a number. We used number plates borrowed from the county school to ensure everything goes smoothly." Shen Yu handed a finely drawn chart to Jiang Zhenxue, his expression focused and serious.

These past few days, he has practically lived in his study, personally handling everything, big or small.

Jiang Zhenxue took the blueprints and nodded in satisfaction: "Thank you for your hard work. Where are the exam papers? Make sure to keep those three questions that Scholar Zhang asked to set confidential. I've asked the printing house to pay extra, and once they're printed, they should be sealed immediately. Our people must be present during the handover."

"It's all taken care of," Shen Yu replied, then a hint of worry appeared on his face. "But... I'm worried that this scholar might just be going through the motions, taking the money and not doing anything. What if we..."

"He wouldn't dare." Jiang Zhenxue's tone was firm, her eyes gleaming with insightful wisdom. "He's a newly appointed scholar, his foundation isn't yet solid, and now is the time when he should be most careful about his reputation. I invited him to come out of seclusion, gave him plenty of money, and more importantly, I gave him plenty of face, elevating him to be the leader of the scholars in Puxian. If he wants to establish himself in Puxian, this time, he'll be even more dedicated than we are."

Just then, Kang Mingyan rushed in like a gust of wind, his face beaming with undisguised excitement.

"Xue'er! Xiaoyu! You haven't seen what's going on outside! All the scholars in Pu County are watching our mock provincial examination! When I went to school today, several classmates who hadn't registered grabbed me, regretting it so much they were green with envy!"

Jiang Zhenxue was amused by his appearance and scolded him, "The more he acts like this, the less we can afford to make any mistakes. Mingyan, make sure to tell all your classmates to strictly abide by the exam rules. If anyone dares to cheat or do anything wrong, I won't show any mercy."

"Don't worry!" Kang Mingyan patted his chest to assure him, "They're even more nervous than I am! They all say this is a preview of the heavenly might, who would dare to act recklessly? By the way, Xue'er," he lowered his voice and asked mysteriously, "how much reward did you prepare for Scholar Zhang? My father said that in this kind of matter, the etiquette must not be lacking, and we must never offend the God of Literature."