Martial Arts Secret Realm: Only I Can Know the Plot?

Sun Fan accepted the tea and smiled slightly: "Brother Shen, you flatter me. It was just a casual remark based on a sudden inspiration; please don't take it seriously."

"Brother Sun, you are too modest!" Shen Zhaoyuan shook his head repeatedly. "Such poetic talent, let alone in Jingzhou, would be first-rate even in the capital. May I ask—Brother Sun, who is your teacher?"

Those who could obtain such model essays were certainly not from ordinary families.

Sun Fan took a sip of tea and said slowly, "My father studied at an academy for a few years in his early years, and later returned to his hometown to teach. All my knowledge comes from my father."

Well, in some ways, Baidu should be considered the mother.

"I see." Shen Zhaoyuan nodded, then tentatively asked, "So, Brother Sun, what brings you to Jingzhou this time...?"

"Study abroad," Sun Fan put down his teacup, "and experience the local customs and culture. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles."

Shen Zhaoyuan's eyes lit up: "Then how long does Brother Sun plan to stay in Jingzhou?"

"I originally planned to stay for a few days and then leave." Sun Fan paused, "but after exploring these past few days, I've discovered that Jingzhou is indeed a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery, and I'm now a little reluctant to leave."

"Then stay a few more days!" Shen Zhaoyuan said warmly. "There are many fun places in Jingzhou. In a few days, the autumn leaves in Xishan will be in full bloom, and I'll accompany Brother Sun to admire them. In another half month, there will be dragon boat races on the Yangtze River, which will be very exciting. If Brother Sun doesn't mind, you can stay at my house, and we can discuss poetry and literature every day. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

The true intentions of Shen Zhaoyuan were revealed when the map was unrolled.

Once they've gotten to know each other well, he can ask the other person for advice later, and they certainly won't refuse.

With the help of such a wise person, he will surely pass the imperial examination this year!

Sun Fan naturally nodded with a smile: "Then I'll have to trouble Brother Shen."

The two chatted for a while longer, and Shen Zhaoyuan's interest grew. He pulled Sun Fan aside to look at his collection of books and then took out his own poems and essays for Sun Fan to critique. Sun Fan gave a few words of commentary, neither praising excessively nor deliberately belittling, perfectly demonstrating the level expected of an "experienced traveling scholar."

Around noon, Shen Zhaoyuan invited him to stay for lunch, but Sun Fan declined.

"Another day," he said. "This is my first visit, so I dare not linger. I will come again in a few days after I have settled in to seek your advice."

Shen Zhaoyuan reluctantly saw him to the door, repeatedly urging him to come again.

As Sun Fan walked out of the Shen residence, the smile on his face slowly faded.

Shen Zhaoyuan is, to put it nicely, warm and hospitable; to put it bluntly, he's a bit dim-witted. His probing questions are as shallow as a child's—things like "who your teacher is" or "how long you plan to stay"—anyone else could answer them flawlessly.

But Sun Fan doesn't plan to change.

What he needed was precisely someone as simple-minded as Shen Zhaoyuan.

Because people who are simple-minded don't keep their mouths shut.

In the following days, Sun Fan indeed moved into the Shen family's house.

Shen Huaishan treated the young scholar who had suddenly appeared very politely, specially preparing a quiet courtyard for him to stay in, and instructing the servants to take good care of him.

He didn't know Sun Fan's background, but it didn't matter.

The model essays in Sun Fan's hands were his best source of knowledge.

I just wonder which renowned scholar of the current dynasty is playing this game of life.

He won't ask if the other party doesn't tell him.

Having served as an official for so many years, he knows what propriety is.

Some people are easier to get along with if you don't ask about their background; once you do, the relationship becomes complicated.

Sun Fan spent his days reading and writing with Shen Zhaoyuan, and occasionally playing chess and enjoying tea with Shen Huaishan. He lived a very comfortable life.

But he didn't forget the important matter.

Every day when he was with Shen Zhaoyuan, he would subtly try to get information out of him.

"Brother Shen, how is the security in your Jingzhou city?" One day, the two were drinking tea in the study when Sun Fan casually asked.

Shen Zhaoyuan sighed: "Don't even mention it. Things were alright a few years ago, but they've gotten increasingly out of control these last two years. A while ago, a scholar from Jiangnan passed through Jingzhou and, I don't know what he did wrong, was arrested by Ling Tuisi and thrown into jail. He hasn't been released yet."

Sun Fan's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm: "Oh? Is that so? What crime did that scholar commit?"

"Who knows?" Shen Zhaoyuan curled his lip. "Ling Tuisi never consults anyone before doing things. He said that scholar was a notorious bandit, but the scholar has delicate skin and doesn't look like one at all. I heard that the scholar's family has some connections and hired people, but Ling Tuisi wouldn't even let him in the door."

Sun Fan picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip: "So... what was that scholar's name?"

"It seems like his surname is..." Shen Zhaoyuan thought for a moment, "Chu? Yes, Chu. What was his given name again...right, Chu Qiu."

Sun Fan's hand paused slightly.

"Is that scholar surnamed Chu imprisoned alone, or...?" Sun Fan asked casually.

Shen Zhaoyuan shook his head: "I don't know about that. Ling Tuisi guards the prison more tightly than anything else. Not to mention outsiders, even his own men can't get in without his token."

Sun Fan nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

But he already had a plan in mind.

It was expected that Ling Tuisi would keep a tight watch on the prison. But tight security doesn't mean there are no loopholes.

Especially when this gap belongs to the Shen family—Ling Tuisi and the Shen family are at odds, and if the Shen family wants to get someone out of prison, Ling Tuisi will definitely not agree. But conversely, if the Shen family wants to know who is locked up in prison, Ling Tuisi can't stop them.

Because in Jingzhou, the Shen family had just as many informants as Ling Tuisi.

"Brother Shen," Sun Fan put down his teacup, then suddenly changed the subject, "I've heard that there's a Qingxu Temple in your Jingzhou city?"

Shen Zhaoyuan was taken aback: "Yes, there is. It's a fairly large Taoist temple in the west of the city. Would Brother Sun like to take a look?"

"Yes." Sun Fan nodded. "I like to visit Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries wherever I go. It's peaceful."

"Then I'll accompany Brother Sun another day," Shen Zhaoyuan said with a smile. "But there's not much to see at Qingxu Temple, although there is a bamboo grove on the mountain behind the temple, which has a nice view."

Sun Fan smiled but didn't reply.

Two days later, Sun Fan finally got the opportunity he wanted.

That evening, Shen Zhaoyuan got drunk and kept talking to Sun Fan for half the night. As the alcohol took effect, he became more talkative, spilling out everything he should and shouldn't have said.

"Brother Sun, do you know why I hate Ling Tuisi so much?" Shen Zhaoyuan blushed, his tongue lolling out.

Why?

"Because he looks down on me!" Shen Zhaoyuan slammed his fist on the table. "Last year in the prefectural examination, my essay was universally considered the best. And what was the result? He gave me third place! Third place!"

"In terms of writing, I am the best; in terms of family background, my Shen family is one of the best in Jingzhou City."

He became increasingly agitated as he spoke: "Do you know what he said in his approval? He said—'The article is indeed good, but it still needs a bit more polishing. Let it be refined for another two years.' Polishing? What polishing? Isn't it just because my dad and he don't get along?!"

Sun Fan poured him a cup of tea: "And then what?"

"And then?" Shen Zhaoyuan sneered. "Later I found out that the one who came in first place was Ling Tuisi's nominal student. The one who came in second gave Ling Tuisi a painting or calligraphy. As for me, I didn't give anything, I didn't ask for anything—so I came in third!"

Sun Fan smiled and said, "It's alright. After the provincial examination, he'll understand that no one can suppress your talent, Young Master Shen."