Joy of Life: Starting from Teacher Fan Xian

Chapter 45 Disaster is coming
The spacious carriage drove into Wenyuan Pavilion, and Shu Wu got off the carriage using the small ladder installed by the servants.

Wenyuan Pavilion is also a government office, but it is a bright and beautiful one. There are no sword-wielding warriors or runners coming and going here, only scholars in official uniforms holding books.

"Sir, there are officials from the Ministry of Rites waiting in the hall," said a scholar.

Shu Wu frowned: "What can I say?"

"It's about the Spring Examination." The scholar said eagerly.

Shu Wu nodded and walked slowly into Wenyuan Pavilion. When he was near the main hall, the official from the Ministry of Rites came towards him.

It was Zhang Linyi, the fifty-year-old Minister of Rites.

"Master Shu, you are here." Zhang Linyi complained angrily, "I received the imperial edict this morning and came here. I have been waiting for you for several hours. My old waist is almost unable to sit still."

"Thank you, Your Excellency the Minister. Please take a seat and have some tea." Shu Wu smiled calmly and walked into the hall.

"It's also my fault. I came in such a hurry that I didn't find out the good news." Zhang Linyi, with slightly gray hair, smiled as he sipped his tea.

Shu Wu held the tea in his hand, took a sip, and said calmly: "Sir, just speak frankly."

"The chief and deputy examiners for this spring exam are Scholar Lin Ruofu and Minister of Rites Wei An. As the Minister of Rites, I will naturally serve as the inner curtain official. However, after much consideration, I still need an outer curtain official to patrol the examination hall, so I would like to consider the opinion of Scholar Shu."

Zhang Linyi's voice was a little weak, and he could hardly hide his fatigue.

Shu Wu was silent for a moment, then replied calmly, "Since His Majesty has issued the decree, it would be unnecessary for the Minister to ask for his opinion."

Zhang Linyi's eyebrows twitched, and he smiled apologetically, "This job was requested by Scholar Lin Ruofu, and I have no objection after discussing it with the Ministry of Rites. However, His Majesty said that we still have to ask for the opinion of Scholar Shu."

Shu Wu nodded without hesitation and said, "It is my duty to share your majesty's worries and do my part for the students taking the Spring Examination. It is only natural."

"It is a blessing for our country that Mr. Shu has this heart."

Zhang Linyi nodded and tapped the table with his dry hands. The accompanying official from the Ministry of Rites immediately handed over a sealed test bag.

"This is the examination paper for this spring's imperial examination. Grand Secretary Shu may have a look first." Zhang Linyi said, his eyes sweeping lightly, "However, for the next month, I will have to ask Grand Secretary Shu to stay in the palace temporarily. After I return, I will have to reflect on myself behind closed doors."

Shu Wu understood and nodded: "Don't worry, my Lord, I will abide by the rules."

"That's good. Zhang will take his leave."

"Someone, come and see the Minister off."

After seeing off the Minister of Rites, Shu Wu felt a little sleepy, so he took a short nap. After finishing his meal, he sat back in the study, staring at the examination bag in deep thought.

At this time, the book boy came into the study room with a letter in his hand, "Sir, Mr. Lin's letter has been delivered."

Shu Wu was startled and almost forgot the important matter. He waved his hand and said, "Send it back immediately and tell Master Lin that I will visit him in person after the Spring Examination."

"Yes, sir." The servant boy rushed out of the Wenyuan Pavilion courtyard without stopping.

Shu Wu breathed a sigh of relief, and after sitting for a long time, he slowly opened the exam bag and checked the test paper inside...

……

In Kyoto in spring, the grass is green and the birds are singing.

Nearly a month has passed, and there is only one day left before the Spring Examination on the ninth day of February. During these days, Lin Ruo has been staying in Fan's mansion, preparing for the exam.

In the compartment on the table was the returned letter. Lin Ruo frowned, but didn't think much about it since he couldn't figure it out.

The sound of wine jars breaking was heard from the backyard of the Fan Mansion.

Lin Ruo took a look and then lowered his head. Wang Qinian was covered in mud and dust. He tidied up his appearance and sneaked into the room through the small window in a panic. He bumped into the corner of the table and his forehead was red.

"It's been a long time since we last met. Lord Wang doesn't look well." Lin Ruo chuckled.

"..." Wang Qinian was speechless, thinking, is the master really a serious person? There are many ways to make fun of people, and even the wise dean can make mistakes sometimes.

“It seems that the master has already discovered Wang.” Wang Qi chuckled, not forgetting to touch his head and groan.

"Why don't you go through the main gate?" Lin Ruo asked.

"Lord Si Nanbo...it's more convenient to climb the wall." Wang Qinian paused and smiled indifferently.

"Is there anything I can do for you, sir?" Lin Ruo asked again.

"Originally I was following you, sir. But three months ago, the dean suddenly transferred me back to another place to resume my clerical work, and warned me not to get close to you again. I had no choice but to give up, with tears in my eyes...but I couldn't help missing you." Wang Qinian sighed, and first cried to save his image, then changed the subject and said in a deep voice, "Actually, something big happened in the hospital, and I had to look for you, sir."

"Is this matter related to Lin?" Lin Ruo pointed out the key point directly.

Wang Qinian said with a serious face: "Mr. Liao died this morning."

Lin Ruo slowly closed the book in his hand.

Although Mr. Liao was demoted, he was still an official of the imperial court. The death of Liao Yu might involve factional struggles, so the Supervisory Yuan would naturally intervene, so it was not surprising that it received the latest news.

But when it comes to the unnecessary partisan struggle, it is undoubtedly easier to identify the murderer as another person.

Lin Ruo raised his head and frowned: "Do you think I'm the murderer?"

"The case was led by the Ministry of Justice, assisted by the Kyoto Prefecture. The Supervisory Council received the news and visited the scene, but did not intervene." Wang Qi shook his head and said with a heavy face, "But I heard from my colleagues in the case that the Ministry of Justice has already identified you as the number one suspect."

Lin Ruo shook his head: "I have never left the Fan Mansion in the past month, and I have sufficient proof of my alibi."

Wang Qinian nodded and said helplessly: "Wang also believes in you, sir, but the problem is that the Ministry of Justice found direct evidence of threats against you at the scene!"

In response to the doubts, Wang Qinian continued, "Last time, there was a murder outside the academy, and the master was in danger. The academy took action to investigate quickly, which shows that the dean attaches great importance to the master. This case involves human life, which is obviously more dangerous, but the academy did nothing except take a look. This is a very strange thing. Wang thought that it was necessary to inform the master and take precautions early. This case seems too complicated at the moment."

"Because of this so-called direct evidence, the hospital also believes that I am the murderer and is unwilling to pay attention to me just now. Is that right?" Lin Ruo reasoned according to Wang Qinian's words.

Wang Qinian rejected it: "The hospital will not be so arbitrary."

"That means the Supervisory Commission simply doesn't want to intervene." Lin Ruo said.

Wang Qinian did not comment.

"There is another suspicious point." Lin Ruo rubbed his brows and suddenly stood up. Following Wang Qinian's words, he had been speculating on the unusual points. The Supervisory Council was one, and the second was, "Why is the Ministry of Justice in charge of this case?"

The defense of Kyoto has always been the responsibility of the Kyoto Prefecture. Logically, the Kyoto Prefecture should be fully responsible for this case.

"Because this case involves another case being investigated by the Ministry of Justice." Wang Qinian replied.

Lin Ruo gave him a reproachful look and said, "Why didn't you say it earlier...you're wasting your brain cells."

Wang Qinian thought for a moment and said solemnly, "Sir, don't you think the timing of the incident is very clever?"

"It's really clever. Tomorrow is the Spring Examination. This case happened suddenly. As a suspect, I can't take part in the Spring Examination..."

Lin Ruo's face was more solemn than ever. Someone tried to stop him from taking part in the Spring Examination. In one night, there was no possibility of solving the case.

Early tomorrow morning, he will not be in the Imperial Examination Hall of the Ministry of Rites, but in the prison of the Ministry of Justice.

(End of this chapter)