Chapter 136: Chapter 75 Hill Seedlings and Ravine Pines_3
Du Changqing actually thought that Wu Youcai had taken the initiative to seek poison from her.
Indeed, in Du Changqing’s eyes, there was no reason, she had no reason at all to encourage Wu Youcai to take his own life.
"Scholar Wu as well!" Du Changqing licked her lips, chastising with vexation, "Why think of taking poison in his dwelling, it’s confusing! Even if he felt utterly disillusioned, there’s no need to disregard his own life to such an extent."
Lu Tong’s gaze shifted slightly, she said calmly, "To the poor who have nothing, facing death is to shed the word ’detest.’ To the rich who have everything, facing death comes with the word ’reluctance.’ To shed ’detest’ feels like a weight has been lifted; to carry ’reluctance’ is like bearing shackles."
Du Changqing replied irritably, "Don’t be so literary, I don’t understand."
She fell silent for a moment, then said, "Poor people have nothing but their cheap lives. Since living fairly is out of reach, then it’s worth trading their lives to take a few people down with them. For Wu Youcai, dying this way is a form of liberation."
"Is that so?" Du Changqing questioned, "Did Scholar Wu really think this way?"
Lu Tong just smiled.
Of course, Wu Youcai thought this way.
Because, she thought the same way.
Du Changqing waved her hand dismissively, "All I know is that it’s better to live poorly than to die well, forget it, no point in talking about this, he’s gone, and words are useless. The situation has escalated, what if the investigation leads to you, what then?"
He pressed his forehead, "Although you only provided the poison, such a scandal arising from the imperial examinations means the aggrieved parties will inevitably look for a scapegoat. Scholar Wu is dead, but if it traces back to you, your troubles will be significant. We now share the business, I was counting on prospering with you, but if you end up in prison halfway through, to whom shall I cry?"
"Doctor Lu," he slammed the table, his tone turned serious, as if about to propose a substantial business deal, "We need a contingency plan in advance."
Lu Tong was startled.
She did not expect that at this point, Du Changqing still considered them as partners, and was devising strategies for her future. For a moment, she did not speak.
While they were silent, the felt curtain was lifted by someone, and Yin Zheng’s face peered out from behind it, eyeing the two of them, "I have an idea, do you want to hear it?"
Du Changqing’s eyes widened, and Yin Zheng hastily explained, "I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, I just happened to hear it from here."
Du Changqing involuntarily glanced at Lu Tong, seeing no reaction from her, she snorted, "Let’s hear it, what’s your bad idea?"
Yin Zheng walked in, moving closer to the pair, from a distance, the three looked inseparable as a tangled ball of thread. Yin Zheng said, "Right now, the government officers and scholars have stirred up trouble. It’s either the east wind overpowers the west wind, or the west wind overpowers the east wind. If they get a hold of the narrative, and actually hold Scholar Wu accountable, it could very well implicate the lady. It’s best to strike first."
"Strike first?"
Yin Zheng stroked her hair, her bright eyes twinkling cunningly, "Those officials act with such impunity simply because they have their official status. Strip them of that status, and they have nothing to be feared."
Du Changqing snorted with laughter, "You think it’s as easy as peeling shrimp shells."
Yin Zheng ignored him, continuing, "Old Master Xun said that Scholar Wu chose death because he was disillusioned with the proxy examination issue, right? And he left a poem on his exam paper before his death. In Shengjing, among the many scholars, not all are from wealthy families, right? The students from ordinary families will inevitably sympathize, as everyone’s hearts are made of flesh. The government officers are afraid of their guilt being exposed, so we should make a big deal of this. It would serve as retribution for Scholar Wu!"
As she spoke, her tone was resolute, completely lacking her usual caution, and upon closer observation, there seemed to be a hint of eager anticipation hidden within.
Lu Tong thought, perhaps it’s because she has spent too much time with her? Now Yin Zheng, despite often verbally expressing fear, seemed to quite enjoy the unexpected thrill that comes from arranging schemes in secret.
Du Changqing stroked his chin, pondering, then humbly asked for advice, "How can we make this a big deal?"
"Isn’t it simple," Yin Zheng glanced at him, "They say there are four types of people you can’t provoke, wandering monks and nuns, beggars, idlers, and matchmakers. Shopkeeper Du has so many leisurely friends, just summon them, and they can give others a hard time. Right?"
Whether it was praise or criticism, it left Du Changqing choking, unable to respond immediately, he just stood there, staring at Yin Zheng.
Lu Tong, hearing this, could not help but laugh softly to herself, and when she lifted her head, she rarely showed a teasing look to Du Changqing.
"I think this idea isn’t bad."
She said, "Shopkeeper Du, we are entirely relying on you for help this time."