Priceless: A widow with a baby asks the prince to marry again

"Prince Duan Chu Shiyu passed the imperial examination at the age of seventeen! He is the youngest person ever to pass the imperial examination! He is also the only prince to do so! Where else can he go to take the imperial examination?!"

On the return carriage, Yue Qianzhang's brows were furious and his voice was stern!

Yue Ziqian remained silent but his face was full of anger. He never thought that coming to this remote Dongshan Village, he would know such a ridiculous thing in the world!

Madam Liu's uncle admired people who were well-read, and he started talking to them freely after a short conversation. They tried to cover their expressions, but every word he said made them more shocked and angry.

They had also heard that Prince Duan was seriously injured, and it turned out that it was Madam Liu who rescued and cared for him. But since then, Prince Duan's actions were not what a gentleman should do!

They were just around Jinyan City, and they were well-informed and could get some information about the court. How could they not know that Prince Duan would immediately dispatch troops to suppress the bandits as soon as he returned! This was not amnesia as Liu Ronggui thought! This was clearly a deliberate deception!

If he claimed to have lost his memory just to prevent his identity from being exposed and causing danger, it would be understandable. But even from Liu Ronggui's few words, it was clear that Prince Duan was learning from others and gradually imitating the behavior of Madam Liu's late husband!

Madam Liu had refused to recognize him as her deceased husband from the beginning and asked him to come up with another name to distinguish him. However, various coincidences and Prince Duan's intention to confirm it led everyone in the village to believe that the so-called Qin Yi was the returned Qin Lie!

Madam Liu knew that he was not her deceased husband, and perhaps she had no other choice. After Prince Duan had barely recovered from his injuries, she resolutely drove him away. When she drove him away, she even did not take his gold, silver and other valuables, which showed that she was not greedy for fame and fortune.

But more than half a month after Prince Duan left, he returned in a brocade robe, riding a horse and bringing people with him!

Madam Liu already has a future goal, which is to send her young son to Heguang Academy. She also has a deep love for her late husband. Why would she voluntarily follow Prince Duan?

When Prince Duan came that day, Madam Liu left early the next morning. She left in such a hurry, which shows how tough Prince Duan was!

Liu Ronggui thought that Qin Lie was still in love with his wife and children and couldn't let go, but Yue Qianzhang and his son knew his identity as Prince Duan and thought it was ridiculous!

The life-saving grace was repaid with plunder and robbery! To destroy the reputation of others!

Madam Liu must have expected that they would hear such absurd words, so she told them not to agree or refute them. I am afraid she knew that she was powerless to resist, and she did not want to be involved, but she was afraid that she would cause trouble for her relatives and friends in the village...

"I was wondering why we asked Madam Liu to come over to diagnose the pulse that day, but Prince Duan stepped forward and objected in a stern voice... I thought it was because Madam Liu was good at deceiving the Lord that Prince Duan showed great concern for her."

Yue Qianzhang gradually calmed down his anger and sighed, "How could I have known that it was Prince Duan who had her shackled in his hands, and she had no choice..."

"Father, are we just going to sit back and do nothing?" Yue Ziqian said frankly. If he did nothing about this absurd thing, he would probably feel uneasy.

Yue Qianzhang, however, looked depressed and said with a guilty look on his face: "I am an incompetent father... They are both treacherous and cunning, but this world belongs to the Chu family after all. The father is the king, and the son may be the future king."

Yue Ziqian was young and energetic, but he was not reckless or ignorant. When he heard this, his face was filled with sorrow, and he was unable to close his eyes to hide the anger in them.

"More importantly, even if we can reveal the truth and let the world know the hypocrisy of Prince Duan, Madam Liu has been taken away for nearly two months. Even if she is free, her reputation is ruined..."

Yue Qianzhang sighed again: "It's better to hope that Prince Duan can have some true feelings and treat Madam Liu well in the golden cage."

There was silence in the carriage for a long time. Although the simple carriage was stable, it moved slowly. However, it arrived at the foot of the academy mountain before dusk.

"But I have not yet repaid my wife and children for saving my life." Yue Ziqian suddenly said in a cold voice.

The carriage stopped, and neither the father nor the son moved.

Yue Qianzhang looked deeply at the resolute and serious expressions on his and his son's faces, and suddenly he smiled with relief, like an ordinary kind old man.

"Ziqian, do you know why I gave Heguang Academy to Madam Liu?"

Yue Ziqian said nothing and waited for his father's answer.

"This academy is the most valuable thing to us in the eyes of the world. If we are short-sighted and greedy for external things, we will be happy to accept it. Although we have lost everything we have worked so hard to build, from now on, all the kindness can be returned to strangers, so as to avoid entanglement in the future."

Yue Qianzhang asked in a deep voice: "Do you know what is the most valuable thing for us?"

Yue Ziqian thought for a moment and then answered, "A lifetime of learning and effort."

"Yes, if I were to repay Qiong Yao, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to understand the taste of it. But between the lines of today's words, and a little bit of the past, we can get a glimpse of Madam Liu's character."

Yue Qianzhang said in a sonorous and powerful voice: "To repay the great kindness of a gentleman, I should devote myself to him and do my utmost!"

"Father is right. I am planning to go to the capital. Even if I cannot help Madam Liu escape from prison, I can at least be on guard nearby. If Madam Liu falls into desperate situation, I will spare no effort and risk my life to save her!" Yue Ziqian said solemnly.

Yue Qianzhang nodded in agreement, his eyes full of thoughts, and then said: "If you go to the capital, take your wife Lin Qingzhi with you, otherwise it will be inconvenient for you as a man, and don't make Prince Duan jealous, which will put Madam Liu in danger!"

Yue Ziqian also understood the key point, but he said hesitantly: "Then take Chong'er with you. Chong'er is too young to leave Qingzhi."

"Are you worried that your father can't take good care of Chong'er? Just leave a grandson to accompany my old bones!" Yue Qianzhang complained with a puff of his beard and eyes wide open.

"My eldest brother is the magistrate of a province more than a hundred miles away. Any of my three nephews can come to accompany you. Why bother to restrict Chong'er?" Yue Ziqian smiled. His father doted on his son too much.

"Hmph, your eldest brother is obsessed with his career, and his three sons are also tainted with the spirit of currying favor with the powerful. It makes me upset just by looking at them!" Yue Qianzhang snorted with disdain, and then his eyes were filled with thought, as if he had thought of something.

"Although I only took a quick look at him that day, I also felt that Madam Liu's youngest son was very smart. Even if Liu Ronggui exaggerated, he should have some talent. Go to the capital and see if you can find an opportunity to guide him... It would be a pity if he became a person like the Chu father and son who would do anything to achieve his goals!"

"I will do my best, my son." Yue Ziqian responded, and then said, "Then I will hand over the course of my studies to other teachers, and then we will set off in a few days."

Yue Qianzhang smiled and said, "Don't worry. You have already passed the imperial examination and have gained a reputation for talent, but you didn't have the desire to pursue an official career before and didn't take any more exams. Although this trip is not for fame, it would be difficult to do things without an official position... It just so happens that you can apply for the provincial examination these days. The autumn examination of this prefecture is next month. You can take the provincial examination first, and then take the joint examination next year after the results are announced. This will allow you to come to the capital with a legitimate reason."

Yue Ziqian was stunned for a moment, then raised his hand to touch the black scabs that had not yet fallen off.

"You only have a few small spots on your face. They won't be noticeable after the scabs fall off. If you don't meet someone who deliberately makes things difficult for you, you will be fine." Yue Qianzhang didn't care about his worries. He turned around and sighed, "But Chong'er, your face is covered with spots... You probably won't be able to take the imperial examination."

Yue Ziqian felt distressed for a moment, but then he said with relief: "It is a blessing to be alive and well. If he really likes to study, he can study even if he doesn't take the imperial examination. Besides, he is naughty and active, so it doesn't seem like he has the aptitude to study."

"That's right. Being safe and sound is a gift from heaven. I am even more grateful for the opportunity brought by Madam Liu! When you go to the capital in the future, don't worry about who the general is. First, do your best to repay his kindness, and second... do something for the common people." Yue Qianzhang said earnestly.

"The son remembers his father's teachings."

The river flows eastward, and several large ships were carried away by the turbulent water for several days.

Chu Shiyu happily pulled little Qin Hao off the boat. There would be no more water traffic ahead, so they didn't have to worry about the torn note for a while. Moreover, Liu Rusi and the other two finally no longer had to carry those annoying backpacks!

Because the three backpacks had never been used, Liu Rusi finally packed them into the luggage on the boat, and only let Xiao Qinhao and Caiyun carry some silver with them.

Liu Rusi was in a good mood. She had finally learned a little bit of pulse diagnosis skills. In the past few days, under the guidance of Doctor Ma, she had felt the pulses of almost everyone on the ship! Although the only difference that could be clearly diagnosed at present was the difference between men and women, which seemed meaningless, it was a good start!

In the future, by comparing the pulses of a large number of ordinary people and different patients, you will be able to master this skill slowly - this is why Chinese medicine is a subject that requires the accumulation of experience. Without a teacher to guide you in accumulating experience, it will be difficult to get started no matter how many books you read.

Then, their happiness took a turn.

An imperial edict delivered by a carrier pigeon disrupted Chu Shiyu's plan.

A few days ago in the capital, urgent news about the Xingzhou River bursting its dike reached the court.

"Your Majesty! Xingzhou has been hit by floods. Tens of thousands of acres of fertile farmland have been submerged and harvested, countless houses have been destroyed, and the people have been displaced. I suggest that you immediately allocate funds to transport grain and send capable people to lead the disaster relief to reduce the subsequent damage of the disaster!"

The emperor nodded and said, "That's right. Do you have any candidates to lead the disaster relief?"

"Your Majesty, I believe that if the prince comes in person to provide relief after the disaster, it will surely comfort the people affected by the disaster and make them appreciate the emperor's great grace!"

"Well... in your opinion, which of my sons is suitable to go to Xingzhou?" Emperor Chu Tianming looked like he was ready to accept advice.

"I recommend the Eighth Prince! The Eighth Prince is on his way to the southwest border, and he is not far from Xingzhou these days! Your Majesty wants the Eighth Prince to serve at the border to hone him, and this kind of natural disaster is the best test of one's character and ability, and it can also give the Eighth Prince some experience!"

The minister who recommended the prince spoke sincerely. The emperor sent the eighth prince to the border and gave the external reason that it was a training exercise. Even though everyone knew that it was not the case, the emperor's words made it clear that it was the case.

The emperor closed his eyes slightly, as if thinking seriously for a while, then shook his head and said: "Shi Qi is young and has not experienced anything. If the situation in the disaster area is a little more complicated, he may not be able to cope with it. Then, it will delay disaster relief. He is not able to take on this important task."

Suddenly, many ministers in the court looked grim, but some ministers looked more lively.

The Minister of Personnel stood up and bowed, saying, "I recommend King Kang! King Kang defeated the Oirat in the northern battlefield in the past, which proves that King Kang is capable and can take on important tasks. Moreover, King Kang's fiefdom is not far away, and King Kang is the eldest son, which best reflects your majesty's attention to the disaster!"

"No, Kun'er is in poor health. There is often a major epidemic after a major disaster. If he gets infected with the disease, wouldn't I lose my beloved son?" The emperor refused bluntly.

The official's face suddenly became uglier than those of the ministers before. Others didn't know what was wrong with Prince Kang's illness, but how could the emperor, with so many eyes and ears, not know? But it was so on the surface, and it could only be so. Did the emperor still not want to reuse Prince Kang?

The emperor looked around the crowd. Were there no followers of Chu Shiyu standing up?