Quick Transmigration: Leisure

After listening to Xia Youmi's analysis, Song Heng's eyes brightened.

He was originally a free-spirited young man who received excellent instruction from renowned teachers from a young age, excelling in both literature and martial arts. During the dynasty's golden age, due to political disagreements, his father and brothers suffered malicious harassment from military officials in the court.

Driven by passion, he resolved to forge a path for his family as a military general.

At the time, his father neither supported nor opposed him. He only told him to be careful in everything he did, because the most dangerous thing is the human heart.

He was well-versed in military strategy and treated his subordinates with respect. Despite the high praise he received, he remained sober-minded. Finally, through steady, step-by-step progress, he honed his character, trained elite troops, and gradually gained the respect of the people. It seemed that he was just one more achievement away from becoming a universally revered hero.

But driven by his closest relatives, it ended tragically, leaving him with the broken debts of two hundred families.

Before he could even report the battle situation, the capital had already made its decision. His recklessness, impetuousness, and arrogance were the conclusion of it all.

Do you know why I'm helping your uncle?

"I don't know."

Song Heng understood that Xia Youmi hadn't told the whole truth, because they couldn't have guessed that this was the result of his own negligence.

“At that time, your uncle was not my personal guard. But at the critical moment, he desperately squeezed his way in. He even broke out of the formation.”

Xia Youmi's heart skipped a beat. Was there something else going on here?

"In the end, only he and I received reinforcements. Although he was seriously wounded, he could have survived if he had received timely treatment. But he only handed over the strip of cloth and refused to return to camp."

Using one's remaining life to exchange for protection. This scheming is out in the open, and may not necessarily be comfortable for others.

Now, some of the doubts have been resolved.

Dan Guo came in and poured more hot tea, which eased the atmosphere somewhat. Song Heng took a sip and sighed softly:

"It's my fault. I was too suspicious and didn't think things through. I knew that sending people to Chang'an would attract the attention of those persistent people, but I still did it."

Xia Youmi hesitated and asked, "Then, Yang Ergou?"

"It's just a deliberate test from various parties."

The words were ambiguous, and Xia Youmi wanted a definite answer. However, given the occasion, it was difficult to speak directly. She could only probe the other side of the coin.

She gave a genuine smile and, without keeping everyone in suspense, said:

"Forgive my ignorance, but if we hadn't pursued Yang Ergou back then, would you feel that we were birds of a feather with him? Or that we were bought off to work for him?"

Song Heng nodded approvingly, without any pretense.

That's illogical.

But upon closer reflection, isn't this exactly the reality?

The Yang family sent someone to test whether they could make a good knife. Xia Youmi interfered, which also revealed their allegiance to Song Heng. This led to Song Heng intervening to deal with Yang Ergou. If they hadn't pursued the matter, the Song family wouldn't have trusted the Wang family so easily again.

Therefore, in the original storyline, Wang Shaoyan might still have become the scapegoat. However, the Song family used their gratitude to offset the offense, and in the end, only indifference remained.

They ignored the fact that the Wang family was slandered and easily wiped out by the male lead and male supporting character.

Xia Youmi got what she wanted and confirmed that it was Yang Xie's faction that had attacked them. She then prepared to return and immediately find her second brother to have a clear talk.

Perhaps sensing her intention to persuade them, Song Heng still reminded her:

"Your explanation won't solve the problem."

“Your cousin has been targeted again since he failed the exam. I'm afraid he has already fallen into a trap this year. If this continues, he will be under constant coercion in his future career as an official.”

"In addition, the Yang family has placed bets in multiple places. Yang Jiuniang and the second son of the Pei family are already engaged, and now they are probably discussing their plans together."

Xia Youmi was shocked again, both by her own shallowness and by Song Heng's unexpected length of explanation.

Song Ningqian, who had been watching the drama unfold for a while, couldn't help but laugh when she saw her like this:

“My elder brother never meddles in other people’s business.”

The implication in his words pleased Song Heng. However, he did not bring up the matter again.

Xia Youmi was extremely grateful, thanking him profusely.

Only after startling Song Ningqian into wanting to chase him away did he laugh and flee.

Wait until people leave.

She sized up her brother; he looked respectable and much more mature than before, having lost his former纨绔 (wán kù, a spoiled, dissolute air). But Miss Xia had absolutely no interest in him.

"Tsk tsk, brother, you still have some shortcomings."

Stop joking!

Song Heng glanced sideways at his younger sister, whose face was full of pity for him, and remained noncommittal.

"I think you could try a different style!"

As he spoke, he ran out first, afraid that his older brother would revert to his childhood bear-like behavior and actually give him a flick on the forehead.

......

Meanwhile, Xia Youmi went to the Pei residence.

Such a prosperous family should, by all accounts, belong to the same faction as the Song family. Both are civil officials and powerful, aristocratic families that have weathered a century of storms without decline. Why would they ally with that ill-fated, trouble-prone maternal relative?

She cannot share a brain.

After wandering around and making some inquiries, I decided to hold the event during the Dragon Boat Festival.

This time, she was well-prepared. First, she contacted Mr. Gu, her second brother's teacher, to inquire about the change in subjects. Additionally, a servant from the Pei family delivered a message to the Yang family. Xia Youmi also asked Zhao Xin to meet with those who had participated in the rescue efforts on the battlefield.

I also went back to Wangjia Village.

Amidst her busy schedule, Xia Youmi gained some new insights.

For example, why would someone suddenly propose marriage?

Perhaps, her repeated actions demonstrated her value, allowing her to be protected from being implicated by Wang Shaoyan.

Dragon Boat Festival, by the Qujiang River.

The restaurant had just opened, and there weren't many customers. Xia Youmi pushed open the door to the private room, and inside sat Wang Shaoyan, whom she hadn't seen for two months. He sat alone, looking unfamiliar.

"Second brother."

"Miniang."

Xia Youmi smiled and didn't pursue the matter of how she was addressed.

After a cup of tea, we finally got down to business.

"Second brother, let's skip the formalities. I know that others may have already told you a lot about this. But could you please put aside those prejudices and let me tell you the whole story?"

Wang Shaoyan met Xia Youmi's sincere eyes. He knew that this younger sister had never liked to cause trouble.

Such careful handling suggests that the matter is of great importance.

He is not an unreasonable person.

However, he suffered neglect from his mother in his childhood. Although his clansmen helped him, they didn't confide in him, so he could only suppress his emotions. Later, everything collapsed, and he was powerless to hate the world. It wasn't until the setbacks in his studies that he descended into the abyss and developed inner demons.

He dared not say it, but he was jealous of his younger sister.

The other person's heart was so pure that no evil could grow within it. Even knowing that they had already joined the enemy, they still tried every means to save them.

He nodded in silent response.

Seeing this, Xia Youmi began her story, starting with how the sage wanted to reduce the influence of aristocratic families. Her Wang family, like fish caught in the turmoil of a giant wave, were implicated. She spoke of her second uncle's good intentions and the Yang family's probing. These were past events that had been resolved but hadn't been properly discussed with her second brother. Then she went on to the case she was involved in, saving the princess and her entanglement with the county government.

The evil and despicable nature of the Yang family are fully revealed in this story.

Then there's his own situation. He was tricked into switching to the Mingjing examination. It's not that this examination was particularly bad, but rather that it was easier to manipulate. It primarily tested fluent recitation of Confucian classics and their commentaries. He, however, was caught cheating and passed the exam, with evidence remaining. If he actually became an official, unless he served the Yang family to the death, his entire family would be exiled.

And then there's Jiu Niang and Er Lang, who are together today.

Point it out to him, and he will see the two of them meet, and everything will become clear.

Xia Youmi choked up at the end.

Rhubarb fell victim to his cruelty.

unambiguous evidence!