I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 66 Martial Law

Chapter 66 Martial Law
Old Yan explained that he used to be a bookseller in the south and knew about the society that studied Tian Shu Ge, and he also had their mailing address.

That same day, Xue Xiang sent a letter to that address.

Before we knew it, it was April 23rd, and the weather was getting warmer.

The Xue family's courtyard was so well-managed by Liu Mei that it was almost like a garden, with red and white flowers blooming all over the eaves, passageways, walls, and flower beds.

A gentle breeze carries the fragrance of flowers throughout the garden.

It was nearly noon when Xue Xiang was half-lying on a rattan chair in the yard, with a melon trellis above his head. To his left was Xiao Shi doing her homework, and to his right was Liu Mei, who was concentrating on memorizing her lessons. From next door came a rustling sound, as Xiao Wan was fiddling with an abacus.

The Xue family seems to have a knack for learning. Although Xiao Shi and Xiao Wan can't remember everything they see, they can memorize most of an article after it's been taught two or three times.

Compared to the two's exceptional learning abilities, Liu Mei's learning ability was truly terrifying.

Her terrifying learning ability lies not in her abnormal memory, but in her powerful logical and associative abilities.

She could quickly systematize what she had learned and extend and develop it on its own within the framework of that system. After Xue Xiang discovered this ability in her, he stopped teaching her articles and instead gave her a copy of the "Imperial Dictionary of the National Language".

Liu Mei spent her days using dictionaries as reference books, reading Confucian classics such as "Zhengyan," "Fengya," and "Shi."

At first, her questions were relatively naive, but after a few days, she was actually able to try to explain sentences like "not only loving one's own parents, not only cherishing one's own children."

"What kind of monsters are they?"

Xue Xiang listened to the clear and melodious sound of students reciting their lessons and sighed inwardly.

His mood wasn't exactly good, nor was it terrible; he was mainly agitated.

First, without the blessing of the holy image, the speed of cultivation has slowed down.

Second, the letter sent to Tian Shu Ge has not received a reply to this day.

Third, his classmates who were also in the top twenty have already received their positions one after another, but he is still waiting. When he asked Xie Haiya, Xie Haiya told him to wait.

If I had to say something, there would be a fourth point.

Lately, he hasn't been sleeping well and keeps dreaming about the old man Han Gu.

In short, he found it increasingly difficult to stay idle for too long.

Although he still has literary energy to cultivate, he has made considerable progress recently, having already refined over a hundred characters.

Even a single volume of the "Imperial Dictionary of the National Language" only lists 2,800 commonly used characters.

However, as his cultivation continued, his Qi Refining Level 3 cultivation level became an obstacle hindering his literary Qi cultivation.

Because many powerful texts require even greater spiritual energy to support them.

Left with no other choice, Xue Xiang had to stop cultivating his literary energy.

“My lord, test me by having me recite a passage. I refuse to believe I can't outdo Xiao Shi.”

Liu Mei handed over a copy of "Zhengyan" filled with annotations by Xue Xiang, asking him to check it.

Xue Xiangxian grabbed the ruler and said, "Since ancient times, strict teachers have produced outstanding students. If you make a mistake, you must be punished."

"It's just a slap on the palm, right? Just accept the punishment."

“It’s better to slap Xiao Shi’s palm than to slap you. Slapping your palm won’t work.”

Where do you want to hit?

Her willow-leaf eyebrows and bare face made all the vibrant colors in the courtyard pale in comparison.

"I know."

Xiao Shi, who was reciting from memory, raised her hand.

"You are the only one who is smart."

Xue Xiang tapped the ruler.

Xiao Shi stuck out her tongue. "Of course, it's spanking! Sister Mei's bottom is so round and perky, I want to spank her too. It would be strange if you didn't want to, Big Brother."

"Oh dear, you little brat..."

With her face as red as a cloth, Liu Mei grabbed Xiao Shi and slipped back into her room.

Xue Xiang glanced at her and thought Xiao Shi was right, but not entirely right. It wasn't just round and perky, it was also big.

Just then, Fan Youyi's voice came from the other side of the wall, "Brother, the charcoal is glowing red, and the meat is marinated. Come and eat!"

Xue Xiang agreed and went to the hall entrance to call Liu Mei. The little one made two whimpering sounds, clearly her mouth had been covered.

"Aren't you leaving yet? I'm going first."

As he spoke, he strolled next door and ate about half a pound of roasted meat before Xiao Wan pulled the two of them back. "Should we go call your mother-in-law?"

Fan Youyi deftly operated the baking tray, distributing the meat to everyone.

"No way, there's nothing more unpleasant than breaking up a card game."

Xue Xiang stuffed a skewer of sizzling, oily lamb kidneys into his mouth.

Since the younger generation of the Xue family has all entered study mode, the Xue family's mahjong has naturally been left idle.

But Mahjong, this incredibly charming form of entertainment, is spreading in Yunmeng at an alarming rate.

The main medium of communication was Zhang, Xue Xiang's maternal aunt.

Ever since he was introduced to mahjong at the Xue family's house, he has become a key player in the mahjong world without hesitation.

She conscripted all the younger generation members of the Xue family, but later, as they all entered a learning phase, Xue Xiang also exerted pressure on them, intentionally or unintentionally.

The Xue family's card game had just ended, but Zhang's card addiction was like a thunderbolt stirring up a raging fire.

She quickly developed a network of contacts around her home, and Xue's mother was often pulled over by her for teaching and guidance.

Finally, Xue's mother no longer had to spend her days with needle and thread. The younger generation of the Xue family genuinely supported her in finding solace at the mahjong table and had no objection to her going to her uncle's house to play mahjong.

Fan Youyi was even more considerate, dropping them off early and picking them up late, so that the Xue family's scholars wouldn't have to worry.

As the group was eating, a carriage suddenly sped past the door, then turned around and stopped in front of Xiao Wan's house.

Song Zijie was the first to jump out of the car, and then he helped Xue's mother out of the car.

Everyone rushed forward to greet them.

"It's over already?"

"Brother, martial law has been imposed in the west of the city. I was worried that Aunt might be trapped at my house, so I rushed to send her back first. I also have to go back immediately. Please be careful."

With that, Song Zijie hurriedly got into the car.

Sure enough, after a short while, a large number of soldiers appeared on the street, driving away pedestrians and issuing a martial law order.

"Don't worry, Director Xue, we'll guard this area and there won't be any problems."

The officer speaking was Huang Yang, the successor to Xun Sizhou. As soon as he received the news, he led his team here first.

"What exactly happened?"

Xue asked through the gate.

"A major case has occurred, but I don't know the specifics."

Huang Yang lowered his voice and said, "The city magistrate personally issued the martial law order. I heard that he has already sent people to inform all the seal masters. The seal master temple will definitely hold a meeting tonight."

Xue Xiang tossed a bag of yellow peaches to Huang Yang, saw him off, and went home to tell everyone that they should not go out for the time being and just wait for things to calm down.

Ultimately, everyone was worried and lost interest in enjoying the gathering, so the barbecue feast came to a hasty end.

Xue Xiang and his family returned home through the newly opened small door in the wall between their two houses, washed up, and prepared to rest early.

Suddenly, another carriage arrived outside the door. Hearing the noise, Xue Xiang went out of the main room.

The carriage curtain opened, revealing Xie Haiya's face.

"Master... Your Excellency."

Xue Xiang called out and quickly stepped forward.

Liu Mei, worried about the danger, followed them out.

Seeing Xue Xiang about to board the carriage, Liu Mei followed him all the way to the carriage.

"Sister Mei, this is our Dean. We're just discussing some official business. There's no need to worry."

Xue Xiang comforted him.

Liu Mei blushed and bowed slightly to Xie Haiya.

"What a beautiful woman, like a jade tree in full bloom, she is..."

Xie Haiya had seen many beautiful women, but he was still taken aback.

"This is my elder sister."