Wang Qinglin was placed under house arrest for a month by Wang Da. It seemed like a severe punishment, but in reality, it was a mere formality.
Due to the rampant "rumors" circulating outside, even without Wang Da's punishment, she would have been ashamed to go out. It wasn't just her; Madam Bai and the Old Madam had also canceled numerous banquets and social engagements because of the matter. Wang Da, whether going to court or to the Ministry of Revenue, acted with utmost discretion and kept a low profile.
The Tian family was in a similar situation.
Wang Qingyao, as the victim, was free to move about. However, after returning from Sangjia Wazi, she had been completely engrossed in novel writing, with no inclination to go out. Her calligraphy had improved significantly, and the "crawling dog" traces were no longer visible.
Concerned about Fang Yuan and Huang Xuanming, she wrote a letter and sent it via Lightning to the Prince of Ding'an's mansion. Xiao Yun replied, stating that Fang Zheng had found a way to examine Huang Xuanming's body. As she had suspected, the man's reproductive organ was severely damaged, rendering him useless. He also praised her progress in calligraphy.
Wang Qingyao inquired about the method. Xiao Yun explained that Fang Zheng, harboring deep resentment towards the Huang family due to Zuo Yun's affair, had no patience for gentlemanly conduct. He had directly sent men to ambush Huang Xuanming, incapacitate him, and then examine him. However, despite the examination, it was difficult to directly inform Fang Yuan of the findings. Fang Zheng was troubled.
Wang Qingyao suggested, "It's simple. Find a male infant and frame Huang Xuanming, claiming it's a child he fathered during his debauchery. Since Huang Xuanming is hopeless in having offspring, it would be best to go along with the deception."
Xiao Yun asked, "What if he refuses to acknowledge it?"
Wang Qingyao replied, "Make it convincing. He'll have no other recourse but to strip and present evidence to deny it."
Xiao Yun chided her for being too direct and advised her to speak more elegantly, like a lady. He also instructed her to burn the notes to avoid any future repercussions.
Wang Qingyao sent back a string of ellipses. Just as she was about to place it into the bamboo tube on Lightning's leg, Lightning cast a mournful glance at her, as if to say, "Are you two ever going to finish? How many trips have I made already?"
Wang Qingyao gave it a dried fish and thought that ellipses held no substantial meaning in this context, unlike in instant messaging, so she abandoned the idea.
A few days later, she completed the first ten chapters of her creation and sent a note to Xiao Yun, inviting him to Sangjia Wazi when he had time.
Xiao Yun apologized, citing his unavailability. He had to accompany the Emperor on his visit to Jinming Pool in early March and had been extremely busy.
Wang Qingyao had no choice but to go alone.
It was already late February, and the weather was growing warmer. She had worn light winter clothing on her last outing, but today she changed into spring attire. The owner of the storytelling house remembered her. After receiving the manuscript and a brief perusal, he seemed hesitant to speak.
"What is it? Does something need to be changed?"
The owner hastily waved his hands, "No, no, it's very good, very good."
The payment was prompt, and Wang Qingyao didn't think much of it.
That evening, she sent a note to Xiao Yun: "The new manuscript has been submitted to the owner. Remember to come and support it when you're free."
Xiao Yun replied that he would.
March arrived, and the main event was the Spring Imperial Examination. The Spring Examination began on the ninth of March and concluded on the seventeenth, spanning three sessions over twelve days. Candidates had to bring their own food and oil lamps, making it a grueling ordeal.
Families with candidates taking the exam were on high alert. Tea houses and taverns throughout the city and alleys were discussing the Spring Examination. Even gambling houses had set up odds for people to bet on who would be the top scholar this year.
Reportedly, the three most popular choices on the betting boards were Tian Yu, Wang Zijing, and Zeng Huai.
Although the incident of Wang Qinglin trying to snatch her cousin's fiancé had faded after more than half a month, it resurfaced due to the Spring Examination. Wang Zijing, being Wang Qinglin's elder brother, was also discussed extensively.
Everyone commented that while Wang Qinglin's character was questionable, her elder brother and fiancé were both exceptionally scholarly.
Wang Qingyao took the jade pendant that Xiao Yun had given her to the Liyuan Money House and withdrew a hundred taels of silver. She then went to Changle Square and placed it all on Zeng Huai.
Yin Zhu asked, "Miss, who is Zeng Huai?"
Wang Qingyao replied, "I don't know him. I just won't bet on the other two."
Yin Zhu nodded in agreement.
From the first of March, the Wang family was burning incense daily in the ancestral hall, praying for their ancestors to bless Wang Zijing with success in the imperial examinations and a soaring career.
Xiao Yun became free and invited Wang Qingyao to Sangjia Wazi to listen to novels. While in the carriage, Wang Qingyao asked Xiao Yun, "Who is Zeng Huai?"
"A scholar from a humble background, but a student of Duke Zhongyong."
"I bet on him to be the top scholar."
Xiao Yun was not surprised and asked, "How much did you bet?"
Wang Qingyao held up one finger, "One hundred taels."
Xiao Yun chuckled, "Then I can't let you lose money."
Wang Qingyao laughed heartily, "What does it matter if you say so?" She added, "It's fine if I lose; it's your money anyway."
They chatted and laughed all the way, and soon arrived at Sangjia Wazi.
Regardless of what was happening outside, Sangjia Wazi was as boisterous and lively as ever. The urgency of the Spring Examination did not seem to have reached the people here.
Xiao Yun instructed Yuan Bao to find a program leaflet. As his narrow eyes scanned it, his dark brows immediately furrowed. Wang Qingyao leaned over to take a look and also frowned. "The Secret History of Palace Love-Hate" was not listed.
She and Xiao Yun exchanged glances for a moment, then she asked with some bewilderment, "Was it not scheduled for today?"
Xiao Yun shook his head. "Generally, a popular novel like this should have a daily schedule, as the last few chapters did." He then asked Yuan Bao to find the program leaflets from yesterday and the day before. Indeed, neither of them listed her novel.
Xiao Yun had only given "The Secret History of Palace Love-Hate" to one storytelling house. If this one didn't mention it, other novel houses wouldn't either.
Xiao Yun pondered for a moment and asked, "What did the owner say when you submitted the new novel last time?"
Wang Qingyao replied, "He didn't say much, just that it was good. But..." She hesitated for a moment, recalling the scene carefully, "The owner's expression seemed a bit off. He appeared flustered..."
"Flustered?"
"Yes, his eyes darted around, and he avoided my gaze."
This was rather strange.
"Yuan Bao, go and invite the owner over."
When Xiao Yun said "invite," it wasn't a polite invitation. Wang Qingyao recalled that the first time she met Xiao Yun, it was Yuan Bao who "invited" her.
Coincidentally, there was a snack stall nearby. Xiao Yun and Wang Qingyao occupied a table and ordered several dishes.
Wang Qingyao hadn't noticed when she first sat down. It was only when the stall owner served the food that she realized the snack stall had a rather interesting name: "Spring on the Tip of the Tongue." All the food was made with flowers.
For the few dishes they ordered, such as rose sugar buns, peach blossom cakes, fried magnolia slices, and rose tea, one could smell a delicate fragrance even before tasting them. Wang Qingyao found it novel and tried each item, feeling as if even her exhaled carbon dioxide carried a floral scent.
A little girl approached with a flower basket, promoting her wares: "Brother, buy a basket of flowers for this sister. She's so beautiful that the flowers pale in comparison."
Her words were so sweet. Even on modern Valentine's Day, people sold roses like this. It seemed that sales tactics were indeed consistent across time and space. Moreover, ancient people were more generous, calculating by the basket.
Xiao Yun said with a straight face, "If they pale in comparison, what's the point of buying them?"
The little girl: "..."
Oh, that backfired. Wang Qingyao laughed until her stomach hurt.
Xiao Yun reached out and took the flower basket. "Remember, next time, say that the person is more radiant than the flowers."
He handed the flower basket to Wang Qingyao. She brought it to her nose and took a deep sniff. Mmm, it smelled wonderful! There were peonies, peach blossoms,芍药, calamus, and magnolias. The petals still carried dew, full of the scent of spring.