Chapter 78

  Governor of Jingzhao

  "So that's how it is." Feng Jishu nodded expressionlessly, but his heart was filled with surprise and uncertainty. Most of the students at Guozijian were outstanding scholars who had been recommended from all over the country, while the rest were young masters from various aristocratic families.

  The Imperial Academy was not a place where any noble son could attend. Students had to be recommended and take an exam. If they were unlearned and untalented, they wouldn't last even if they got in. Therefore, the students of the Imperial Academy were mostly commoner scholars who were slightly older, while the noble scholars were actually younger, but no matter how young, they had to be at least fifteen or sixteen years old.

  But the two in front are only thirteen or fourteen years old. Even if they were placed in the Imperial Academy, they would still be considered young. But look at that child behind him, who is not even ten years old, and yet he's being sent to the Imperial Academy - is this some kind of joke on the part of the Governor of the Capital?

  Feng Jishu sneered inwardly, but his face didn't show it. He wasn't someone like Sun Er who lacked insight; on the contrary, he was very clear in his mind that these two young men, one big and one small, probably wouldn't have low social status.

  In this way, the two young men, no matter what their purpose was, he didn't want to know, he was most afraid of trouble, and even less did he want to get entangled with such a child.

  "Those people under the hall, why don't you confess the truth?" Feng Jishu slapped the alarm wood.

  Yin Ruofei slightly furrowed her brow, this Feng Jishu was simply too slick.

  I thought he would continue asking questions, but unexpectedly he had already sensed something and nodded decisively, no longer inquiring, and instead began to try the case.

  This made Yin Ruofei feel unexpected, what kind of person is this?

  But thinking again, this kind of person is also good. If he can be won over, he should be a good helper. Let's see if he is clean or corrupt.

  Perhaps guessing the meaning of Yin Ruofei and others, Feng Jixu started the interrogation with a single knife, and as he threw out one question after another, Yin Ruofei's eyes began to shine.

  This guy, he must be pulled over!

  Thoughts are quick, logic is clear, and almost as soon as one question is answered, the next one is thrown out. Let alone Sun Er and others who kneel below, they can't even think about it, and they have to answer in a hurry. Often, after several questions, they realize that there was a trap in the first question, and they fell into the trap, but they can't argue back.

  It's not just Yin Ruofei who thinks so, Xiling Hao beside her is also listening with relish.

  "Fei Di, this Governor of the Imperial Capital is not a pushover!" Xiling Hao's words seemed soft, but were actually quite loud. Yin Ruofei didn't make a sound, Xiling Hao was always like this, and at this time he needed to use this to take a look at the Governor of the Imperial Capital's reaction.

  Feng Jishu's face showed a hint of annoyance, but it disappeared in an instant. He continued to interrogate Sun Er and the others until they were all sweating profusely and almost collapsed to the ground. Only then did he smile in satisfaction. "Liu Heng, you several go bring the owner of Tianxiang Building who was confessed by Sun Er and the others just now."

  "Yes."

  Liu Boqi and others left, Feng Jishu closed his eyes slightly, and began to rest in the main hall.

  Yin Ruofei nodded slightly, this person, had just heard Xi Linghao's words, was angry and furious, but did not erupt. He had self-control and knew what was important, what made him most satisfied was that if this person really didn't show any emotions, he would instead want to keep a distance from him.

  Before long, the big boss of Tianxiang Building, Sun Er's brother-in-law, was taken away by Liu and others. Yin Ruofei glanced at this seemingly powerful boss beside Xi Linghao, only to see that he had a big belly, was tall and fat, and looked like a rough man, but was dressed in fine clothes, with small eyes shining with clever light. If you're not careful, you'll think he's careless.

  The shopkeeper immediately knelt down and paid his respects to the Prefect of Beijing. Next to him, Sun Er held a pig's head and shouted "Brother-in-law", but the shopkeeper didn't even give him a glance.

  "Zhao Pu, Sun Er has confessed that you are his brother-in-law. He has been acting tyrannically in the city, robbing and killing guests, all of which were instructed by you. Do you admit it?"

  "In response to Master's words, I dare not acknowledge this. Sun Erniang is only a concubine of the younger generation, how can she claim to be my aunt? It's just that I took pity on her and let her find something to do in Tianxianglou, everything else is her own doing and has nothing to do with me."

  "What kind of person is he without your instruction, daring to do such a thing?"

  "In response to Master's words, this Sun Er is originally a greedy and lazy scoundrel. I, as his wife, didn't bother to argue with him, but the other day he actually stole money from the cabinet. I scolded him a few times, but unexpectedly today he framed me like this! Master is a just ruler, you must do justice for me!"

  Feng Jishu let out a snort of laughter, "So to speak, if the officials today were to find you guilty, wouldn't that mean I'm the one who's in the wrong?"

  "I dare not, I dare not. I have been managing this Tianxiang Building for my master, and I have always been diligent and never dared to be careless. The guests who come and go are all people with status and position, and I have always treated them with respect. If the master does not believe me, he can ask around, and I have always been a good citizen." Zhao Pu kowtowed on the ground. Although his attitude was respectful, both Yin Ruifei and Xiling Hao could see that this shopkeeper was not nervous at all, and was very confident. Especially with that last sentence, it was clear that he was telling Feng Jishu that he had someone backing him up.

  "In that case, I'll have to look for more evidence. You're a suspect, so you'll have to stay in the big prison cell at the back for a few days. As for Sun Er and the others... " Feng Jixu smiled, "Robbery on the street, speaking out of turn, one strike with the wooden board, locked up in the big prison."

  "Big Master?" Zhao Pu was stunned. Did this Metropolitan Governor not understand or what? Or was his hint too obscure?

  Next to him, the catcher didn't care what he thought and directly came over to pull him away. Sun Er shouted hoarsely, these ten slaps were not light, I'm afraid he's already regretting why he wanted to come out and provoke a jinx today, and is now regretful all the way back to his grandma's house.

  Yin Ruofei and Xiling Hao came down from the hall, only to see Meng Chao's eyes excited, "This old man is really a clear sky."

  Yin Ruofei and Gong Jiu exchanged a glance, understanding each other's meaning.

  "Alright, today's matter is settled. Tomorrow..." Tomorrow he will add more pressure, looking at Feng Jishu, not a fool, probably today he will find out his origin.

  "What's next?" Xiling Hao thought of something fun, "Kites, I just sent someone to ask, there are still some, but none are particularly impressive. I ordered a few, let's go again the day after tomorrow."

  "Alright." Today's matter has passed the time, if we go out of the city now, it will probably be late when we return. "Let's send Meng Ke back home first." And take a look at the situation while we're at it.

  "Master, Meng Ke can just go back by himself."

  "It doesn't matter, I'll go take a look anyway." Yin Ruofei waved his hand, and although he was young, he had learned three parts of the Ze King's demeanor. At this moment, his gestures were quite majestic.

  Meng Ke was still following a servant on horseback, while the others were all on foot. The group headed in the direction Meng Ke had pointed out.

  "Master, we've arrived." Meng Ke said, jumping off his horse first and walking towards the only black lacquered gate that looked somewhat decent.

  Yin Ruofei looked around on horseback and saw that the people here lived a very hard life. The Meng family's mansion was not bad, but it was unknown how it ended up like this today.

  The gate was not closed, Meng Chui pushed the door open and several big dots of children ran out, seeing Meng Chui very happy, "Meng Chui you're back."

  "Uh-huh. I've also brought back someone who owes me a favor."

  Several big kids hurriedly helped push open the door and let Yin Ruofei and others in.

  This house is still passable in this area, but it can't be compared with the Guo Gong Fu or Hou Yue Fu, let alone the Ze Wang Fu.

  Yin Ruofei and several others went in, instructing the crowd to wait outside because the space inside was not spacious enough. With more than 20 people and horses, it would be difficult to turn around.

  Yin Ruofei hadn't even stood firm when several children came over and kowtowed, "Young Master, if you weren't here today, we probably wouldn't have made it back."

  Yin Ruofei hastily helped him up, "It's nothing, don't mention it."

  As they were talking, a young man walked out of the main house, gentle as jade. Seeing Xin Ruofei's face lit up with joy, "Little Shidi?"

  "Senior Gao?" Yin Ruofei was also stunned, this Gao Jin and he shared the same master Sun, both were inner disciples. In his past life, he had been renowned for his exceptional talent, and in this lifetime, he had the good fortune to become sworn brothers with him.

  Apart from being the youngest, Gao Jin was also one of Mr. Sun's most favored disciples. Gao Jin had a gentle personality and was even more humble as a person, Yin Ruo Fei liked to discuss academic questions with this senior brother, and Mr. Sun naturally delighted in seeing his two disciples get along well.

  At this time, seeing Gao Jin here was extremely unexpected for Yin Ruofei. The day of the big exam is approaching, how come Brother Gao is not at home reviewing books, but instead ran to this place?

  "I..." Gao Jin hadn't finished speaking when Meng Ke had already arrived beside him.

  "Master, this is the gentleman I mentioned earlier who often comes to teach us how to read. It's just that we are struggling to make a living and it's hard for us to have him instruct us in peace." Meng Kei's tone conveyed his respect for Gao Jin.

  Xiling Hao had been listening on the side all along. At this moment, he clapped his hands a few times and said, "This is great, extremely convenient."

  Yin Ruofei and Gao Jin, Meng Ke all looked at him, unsure of his meaning.

  Seeing the puzzled eyes of the crowd, Xiling Hao couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and superiority, for the first time feeling that his intelligence and wisdom far surpassed those around him. After all, neither Yin Ruifei nor Gao Jin were ordinary people, they were both highly praised by their teachers.

  "Fei Di, aren't you planning to open a school for these orphans? It just so happens that Gao Shixiong is also acquainted with them and is willing to teach them. Why don't we let Shixiong be the teacher, and then find a few more teachers to assist him? Wouldn't that be extremely convenient?"

  "Junior brother, must you really be like this?" Gao Jin's eyes were fervent, his hands involuntarily grasping Yin Ruofei's.

  Yin Ruofei was startled by the other's enthusiasm, this senior high school brother has always been a thin person, never contending for fame and fortune, how come he is so interested in teaching and educating people.

  "It's indeed the case. West Tomb Brother's suggestion is good, but Brother Master, you're about to take the imperial exam soon, and with your literary talent, getting first place will be as easy as reaching into your pocket, I'm afraid you'll have to take the official path then..."

  Gao Jin shook his head, "Let's take it one step at a time, no need to be an official yet."

  "Why don't I settle them down first, and when you're free, Brother Master, you can take a look at them and give them some guidance. It's also a kind intention of yours."

  Gao Jin's eyes lit up, "This is great. However, there are over a dozen children here, and I'm afraid there are still many more poor and orphaned children in the surrounding area..."

  Yin Ruofei chuckled and smiled slyly, "Don't worry, Brother." Isn't it just about worrying about money? "With Ze Wang and this young master here, silver is not a problem at all."