Women dressed as men: powerful officials

Cheng Zhicheng's apprenticeship caught Xu Yuan off guard.

When she went back to find Zhang Yue, she thought carefully about whether she had heard of a person named Guo Chengzhi in her previous life.

And then, nothing.

Perhaps, the trajectory of fate has already changed, and the future of these people is no longer something she can control.

Zhang Yue has already gotten up and is washing his face.

Xu Yuan followed along and told Zhang Yue about Cheng Zhicheng's plan to become his disciple.

Zhang Yue heard this and said, "This Cheng Zhicheng is really cunning when it comes to studying. He even thought of becoming my disciple. However, I don't think my uncle will agree."

Zhang Yue didn't know why Xu Wenxian wouldn't agree, but based on his understanding of Xu Wenxian, he knew that Xu Wenxian would not agree.

Xu Wenxian is a solitary person and rarely interacts with others.

Zhang Yue still remembers what Zhang Qingyi told him about the past.

At that time, Xu Wenxian was only seventeen years old. Zhang Qingyi carried him out of the pile of dead bodies and brought him home.

After Xu Wenxian woke up, he refused to eat or drink for three days, then gave him all the money he had and said that he was going to Beijing.

Then, I got lost in the desert.

Later, Xu Wenxian found that he could not leave the desert, so he just stayed.

Over the years, Zhang Yue rarely saw Xu Wenxian talking to outsiders.

He is always gentle and polite yet distant.

In Sishui County, I feel out of place.

"I think so too, but if Cheng Zhicheng is sincere enough, maybe father will change his mind." Xu Yuan said.

"can you?"

"maybe."

After Xu Yuan finished making the wish, Zhang Qingyu just happened to call the two of them to have dinner.

The school caught fire, so there was no need to go.

But Zhang Yue still has to go to the martial arts hall.

Several people were eating breakfast, and Cheng Zhicheng was kneeling there. Zhang Qingyu saw it, kicked Xu Wenxian, and advised: "Kid, get up and eat first, kneeling will hurt your knees."

"I won't get up unless Uncle Xu agrees." Cheng Zhicheng shook his head stubbornly.

"Look at this child..." Wen Shufang hadn't finished her words when she saw Zhang Yue eating a steamed bun. Her tone suddenly turned sour. "How come Zhang Yue can't learn even a little bit from others! Yuan'er is still the best."

Several people were talking, and Cheng Zhicheng remained kneeling.

Zhang Qingyi said, "Wenxian, please let the child get up. It's cold, don't let him kneel and hurt his legs."

Xu Wenxian suddenly thought of his legs.

He put down his bowl and chopsticks and asked Cheng Zhicheng, "If I don't accept you today, will you just kneel there?"

"Yes."

"Then why do you insist that I take you in?"

"The national exam is my only chance to change my fate. Now I am not living for myself. I must take the national exam. I want to give justice to the dead."

Cheng Zhicheng's eyes were full of determination. He looked at Xu Wenxian and spoke again: "Uncle Xu, I am not alone. There are more than a dozen wronged souls behind me. If even I give up, then there will be no one to seek justice for them."

Everyone in the room knew that Cheng Zhicheng was talking about the fire in the private school.

Wen Shufang said, "I heard about it when I left home this morning. The county magistrate investigated the case overnight and came to the conclusion that it was a fire. Someone in the school accidentally knocked over a candlestick. It was not arson."

"I heard about it, too. It is said that every household was compensated with one or two taels of silver. Now people are not allowed to discuss this matter. Those who disobey will be taken to the government office and beaten with a stick." Zhang Qingyu sighed deeply.

Not to mention them, everyone in Sishui County knew that it was not a fire.

But once the county magistrate made the decision, it became a fire.

What's a pity is that more than a dozen lives were lost, but in the end only one or two taels of silver were gained.

How sad it must be for the parents who lost their children.

Zhang Qingyu and Wen Shufang both put down their chopsticks.

Zhang Qingyi, who had been silent the whole time, said: "We can just talk about this at home. We have just moved to Sishui County, so we must not cause trouble."

Several people nodded.

What Zhang Qingyi said was right, and now the matter has become very clear.

The county magistrate did not care whether it was arson or accidental fire.

In short, the incident at the private school was an accident and no one needs to pay for it.

Cheng Zhicheng kowtowed again and said, "Uncle Xu, please believe me, it really wasn't an accident, it was someone deliberately set the fire!"

"Is it a fire? Do you think I can't tell?"

Xu Wenxian asked back.

He looked at Cheng Zhicheng and his words became much more serious.

"Child, I want to tell you that the people who can be protected by the county magistrate must be rich or noble, and must even be people from the capital. If you want to seek justice, have you ever thought about how difficult and dangerous this road will be?"

Hearing Xu Wenxian's words, Cheng Zhicheng immediately straightened his back and said, "I know, I am not just doing this for them, I am doing this for myself. Wei Chenggong is not worthy of being the magistrate of Sishui County! I want to replace him and be a good official!"

Cheng Zhicheng's voice was sonorous and powerful.

Xu Wenxian added: "Then do you know that my leg was also broken while seeking justice?"

Xu Wenxian moved slightly, revealing his left leg.

"Child, it's good that you have perseverance, but you are young, don't live with hatred. Besides, your uncle Xu is hiding here because he has offended someone. If you accept me as your master, I'm afraid there will be more trouble in the future. Listen to your uncle's advice and go back."

Xu Yuan looked at Xu Wenxian secretly.

She saw tears in Xu Wenxian's eyes.

Zhang Yue was also observing quietly.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was a little weird.

But the adults didn't say anything, and Zhang Yue didn't dare to ask, so he could only wait anxiously.

After hearing what Xu Wenxian said, Cheng Zhicheng was silent for a moment, then he said, "Uncle Xu, once a teacher, always a father. I recognize you as my master, so you are my father and I am your son. I will seek justice for your hatred, resentment, and injustice!"

After Cheng Zhicheng finished speaking, he kowtowed again and said, "Please accept me, Uncle Xu! I will definitely study hard."

Xu Wenxian was silent. He looked at Cheng Zhicheng, his thoughts drifting away little by little, until they landed on a decade ago.

"Xu Ze, it's not that I won't help you. You also know the current situation in the capital. Now that the new emperor has just ascended the throne, you want to re-investigate the Xu family's case. Isn't this courting death?"

"Xu Ze, give up. Take good care of yourself. You are the last person in the Xu family. The bloodline of the Xu family cannot be cut off with you."

"Xu Ze, I didn't have anyone arrest you and put you in jail because of our past friendship. Please don't make things difficult for me, okay?"

Wen Shufang was already crying. She held her handkerchief and said, "This child is pitiful, Wenxian, just agree to it. It's just one more child to eat. You taught Yuan'er the same way, so isn't it the same to teach this child?"

After hearing Wen Shufang's words, Xu Wenxian came back to his senses. Cheng Zhicheng was still looking at him with a firm expression.

Just like him, who had once been at his wits' end.

Xu Wenxian's heart was moved, and he finally said, "Child, get up and bring your book here tomorrow."

Xu Wenxian gave in.

Cheng Zhicheng was so happy that he wanted to get up. However, because he had been kneeling for too long, his legs were numb and he fell down again before he could get up.

He still said happily: "Thank you, Master. Thank you, Master!"