Qin Zheng was well aware of Bailu Academy.
The academy’s teachers were renowned scholars who preferred not to serve in the court, and their students were spread all over the world.
Both Qin Jian and Shen Yanzhi had studied at Bailu Academy.
What was Qin Jian doing taking a detour to Bailu Academy?
Chu Chengji saw her confusion and explained, “In the sixteenth year of Emperor Jingshun’s reign, the top scorer in the imperial examinations was Cen Daoxi.
After serving as an official for three years, he resolutely resigned and traveled the world for two years before settling at Bailu Academy as a teacher.
It is said that during his travels, there was a drought in the Southern Prefecture, and the government’s disaster relief was ineffective.
The local people were on the verge of rebellion. With his eloquence, he persuaded the leader to stand down and assisted the government in providing disaster relief, averting a conflict.”
Speaking of this person, Chu Chengji’s tone carried a hint of admiration.
“After gaining fame in the Southern Prefecture, many princes and nobles wanted to recruit him as an advisor, but he refused them all.
When Bianjing changed rulers, Prince Huaiyang also extended an olive branch to him, which he equally declined.”
Chu Chengji looked at Qin Zheng and said, “It’s not easy for your brother to persuade him to come out of seclusion.”
Hearing this, Qin Zheng finally understood what he meant earlier about the Lu family being well-informed.
Qin Jian had managed to secure an influential strategist for Chu Chengji.
When the Qin family arrived in Qingzhou, Chu Chengji might take the opportunity to heavily utilize Qin Jian.
Since arriving in Qingzhou, the Lu family from the capital had been largely ignored by Chu Chengji.
Now seeing the Qin family bringing valuable resources, they couldn’t sit still and decided to contribute those supplies.
Qin Zheng asked, “What are your plans for the Lu family from the capital?”
Chu Chengji replied, “There are indeed a few useful people in the Lu family from the capital. When your brother arrives in Qingzhou, I will distribute tasks accordingly.”
Qin Zheng understood the underlying message in his words.
Such an arrangement was meant to show that neither side was being treated unfairly.
However, having arrived in Qingzhou long before, Qin Zheng felt that there was more to Chu Chengji’s reluctance to use the Lu family from the capital.
She pondered for a moment and then said, “Did you keep the Lu family from the capital at a distance initially to keep them in check?”
Chu Chengji lightly smiled. “Not entirely. I’ve been using the Lu family from Yingzhou for a while now, and they are starting to climb the ranks.
If I suddenly start using people from the Lu family in the capital, what would Yingzhou think?”
Qin Zheng’s eyes widened.
He had calculated this outcome from the very beginning.
The Lu family in Yingzhou had not only placed their bet on him but also on Prince Huaiyang.
Although Prince Huaiyang was currently powerful, Yingzhou’s support was more cautious and observational.
Their sending of Lu Jinxin directly to Qingzhou had already tested his limits.
By using the Lu family from the capital now, he was giving the Lu family from Yingzhou a warning and instilling a sense of urgency.
Despite the Lu family’s official assets in the capital being seized, they still had considerable hidden reserves.
If the Lu family in Yingzhou continued to be stingy, their previous efforts would merely benefit the Lu family in the capital.
Meanwhile, the Lu family in the capital, having been sidelined for so long, would have had their sharpness dulled.
Although they were related to the Lu family in Yingzhou, they were also in competition.
To firmly establish themselves by Chu Chengji’s side, they would undoubtedly assist him wholeheartedly.
Understanding all of this, Qin Zheng couldn’t help but gasp.
With this move, relying on Qin Jian, Chu Chengji could secure the Lu family in the capital.
In turn, the capital Lu family could influence the Lu family in Yingzhou, instantly revitalizing the entire situation.
Qin Zheng looked at Chu Chengji and asked, “Is there anything in this world that you haven’t calculated?”
Chu Chengji lifted his gaze to her.
His long hair was secured with a jade hairpin, and the delicate cloud patterns embroidered on his dark robe revealed a sliver of his white inner clothing, accentuating his cold and composed face.
This sight made her want to leave a mark of lipstick on his pristine collar.
“You,” he said, uttering a single word, his eyes darkening intensely in the candlelight.
Qin Zheng was momentarily stunned.
A breeze blew through the gap in the door, causing the candle flame on the table to flicker violently.
A slow smile crept across her lips. “That’s strange.”
“What is?”
“You claim not to have schemed against me, yet how did I fall into your trap?”
This time, it was Chu Chengji’s turn to be taken aback.
Unable to continue reading the documents in his hands, he swept aside the bamboo scrolls and official papers on his desk, then lifted her onto the desk by the waist.
Qin Zheng’s hands were forced to support herself on the desk to keep her balance.
He was very close, his hand cupping her chin, his face almost touching hers, their breaths mingling. “You did it on purpose, didn’t you?”
The way he said “didn’t you” had a teasing, almost playful lilt.
Qin Zheng leaned closer to his ear, her breath warm and fragrant. “Weren’t you the one who started it?”
Chu Chengji knew she was likely trying to tease him, but the veins on the back of his hand still involuntarily bulged as he supported himself on the desk.
He lowered his gaze to study her near-perfect features.
Her raven-black eyelashes cast shadows in the candlelight, making his eyes appear dark and bottomless.
Rarely did such a predatory and aggressive look appear in his eyes.
Qin Zheng instinctively shrank back, but this only made Chu Chengji tighten his grip around her waist.
She habitually didn’t style her hair after bathing, and now her smooth black hair cascaded over her shoulders.
Because her hands were supporting herself behind her, her lavender outer garment fell open slightly, revealing a white underdress.
Her shoulders were delicate, her waist slender, and amidst the expanse of pale skin, the red mole on her collarbone was like the final straw that broke his restraint.
Before Qin Zheng could pull her clothes together, he grabbed her by the nape and kissed her.
In the ensuing chaos, the inkstone and brush holder clattered to the ground.
Qin Zheng’s heart raced at the sound, fearing the servants might be alerted.
She pushed against Chu Chengji’s shoulders, but to no avail.
He buried his head in her bosom, his breath hot against her skin.
Qin Zheng hadn’t expected him to be so easily provoked.
Now, finding herself in a difficult position, she could only try to placate him softly. “Let me help you...”
Chu Chengji was burning up.
Unable to push him away with her hands, she had to use her feet.
Having bathed, she wasn’t wearing silk socks, and in her seated position on the desk, she managed to lift her leg and press her foot against his chest.
Chu Chengji had calmed down somewhat while holding her, but seeing her bare foot peeking out from under her dress, he couldn’t resist grabbing it and biting it lightly in frustration.
The bite wasn’t hard, but it made Qin Zheng tremble.
Her voice shook as she protested, “How could you... it’s dirty!”
To be fair, her feet, shielded from the sun and usually transported by carriage, were even fairer and softer than her hands, like a piece of milk tofu, tempting to hold and impossible to release.
“When have I ever found you dirty?” Chu Chengji, seeing her strong reaction, mischievously rubbed her foot.
She trembled again, her eyes filling with a layer of unshed tears. “I won’t tease you anymore. We’re even...”
Chu Chengji had never seen her like this before.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he bent down to plant wet kisses from her snow-white instep up her leg.
Until today, Qin Zheng had never imagined she could be so embarrassed.
She was brought to tears.
When Chu Chengji wiped the moisture from his lips with a handkerchief, he asked, “Was it really that uncomfortable?”
Qin Zheng didn’t want to respond to this upright yet mischievous man.
Her face was flushed, and she smoothed out her wrinkled skirt before heading to the washroom.
By the time she returned to her room, Chu Chengji was still seated at the desk.
The previously chaotic desk had been tidied up, and he now had an official document in front of him.
He looked every bit the composed and noble figure.
Who would have thought that not long ago, he had been doing such things to her?
Qin Zheng almost couldn’t bear to look at the spot on the desk directly in front of him.
But someone wasn’t willing to let her be. Chu Chengji asked, “Are you feeling better?”
How was Qin Zheng supposed to answer that? She could only glare at him.
Chu Chengji seemed to be in an unusually good mood that night.
Before bed, he even pulled Qin Zheng into a couple of kisses.
Qin Zheng pushed his face away, “Did you rinse your mouth?”
Chu Chengji chuckled, squeezing her soft waist. “I don’t mind, and yet you do?”
Qin Zheng, feeling like a steamed shrimp, turned red again under the covers.
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Chu Chengji held her, sighing softly behind her, “Is it really that embarrassing?”
Qin Zheng, unsure how to respond, simply nuzzled his shoulder with her head.
Chu Chengji kissed her temple. “If you don’t like it, I won’t do such things to you anymore.”
Whether he could keep that promise was uncertain.
She didn’t realize it, but the way her eyes filled with tears made him want to make her cry even more.
He had indeed done just that...
Certain thoughts couldn’t be entertained; once they started, they led to desire.
He planted small kisses along her ear and neck. “I’ll be leaving Qingzhou once the rain stops. If you’re ever uncertain about anything, consult Song Heqing, or you can write to me. I’ve assigned a messenger specifically for you, so don’t let him remain idle.”
In the darkness, Qin Zheng opened her eyes.
So, after this heavy rain, he would launch his attack on Mengjun and Huzhou?
That night, Qin Zheng resorted to using her hand several times before finally falling into a stable sleep.
The heavy rains continued for several days, causing the Yuan River to swell and flood many villages along its banks.
Fortunately, the villagers had been evacuated to shelters in advance, so aside from some damaged fields and crops, there were no significant casualties.
Though it wasn’t a major flood, with experienced officials like Song Heqing overseeing the relief efforts, everything from comforting the victims to rebuilding the villages proceeded in an orderly fashion.
Qin Zheng knew that the greatest threat after a flood was the outbreak of disease.
There weren’t many victims, and the medicinal herbs gathered by Doctor Zhao and the villagers from Liangyanshan were sufficient for treatment.
To be safe, she ordered the burning of any drowned livestock to prevent the spread of disease.
When the rain finally ceased, Chu Chengji personally led an army of ten thousand to Mengjun.
Lin Yao remained in Qingzhou, Wang Biao led forces from Xuzhou to attack Huzhou, and Zhao Kui and Lu Ze stayed behind in Xuzhou.
The imperial court’s army of seventy thousand was about to converge on Jianghuai, and provisions had been dispatched from Mengjun well in advance.
However, the transportation of provisions was halted by the rain, and more soldiers were falling ill with colds.
This was the perfect time to undermine the enemy’s morale.
Chu Chengji planned to ambush the supply convoy.
Seizing the provisions was secondary; his primary goal was to don the enemy’s uniforms and banners, posing as the defeated supply convoy returning to Mengjun, thus capturing the city in one swift move.
Delayed by the rain, Qin Jian and Madam Qin arrived in Qingzhou a few days later than expected.
Qin Zheng personally went to the city gate to welcome the visitors.
Seeing Madam Qin, she finally understood why she had such extraordinary looks.
Madam Qin was in late thirty, but there were only a few fine lines at the corners of her eyes.
She had a special temperament that far surpassed the stunning appearance she bestowed upon Qin Zheng.
Her gentleness, tolerance, and intelligence made people unable to help but feel close to and trust her.
“Mother.” Qin Zheng supported Madam Qin as she approached the carriage.
“My daughter Zheng...” Madam Qin’s eyes reddened the moment she saw Qin Zheng.
She tightly held her hand and scrutinized her from head to toe.
Generally, maternal love is the most empathetic emotion.
Qin Zheng, moved by Madam Qin’s emotions, thought of her own mother who was thousands of years away and couldn’t help but tear up.
“You’ve lost weight.” Madam Qin said, patting her hand with concern.
“Zheng.” Someone called her from behind.
Qin Zheng guessed it was her original brother, Qin Jian.
But when she turned around and saw two slender, handsome men walking together from the back of the carriage, she was still puzzled.
Madam Qin was recognizable, but these two men... which one was Qin Jian?
Previously, she heard from Chu Chengji that Cen Daoxi was the newly crowned top scholar of the 16th year of Jing Shun.
That meant he should be five or six years older than Qin Jian.
Qin Zheng quickly assessed the two men. One of them had a refined and gentle temperament, elegant demeanor, while the other was extremely thin, with protruding cheekbones.
The thin man looked a bit older than the refined one.
Qin Zheng thought he must be Cen Daoxi. Just as she was about to call out to the refined young man next to him as her brother, she suddenly saw the thin man also tearing up while looking at her.
Uh... he was Qin Jian?
The words “brother” almost slipped out of Qin Zheng’s mouth, but she quickly changed her mind and called out, ” Elder Brother.”
Seventy-Ninth Day of the Fallen Kingdom
Having experienced the country’s downfall and calamity, when Qin Jian saw his younger sister again, his heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Hearing this long-lost “Elder brother”, he almost shed tears, nodding repeatedly in response.