Female Supremacy and Rise to Power: Lin Shu's Imperial Examination Adventures

Lin Shu was unaware of the situation here; she was currently on her way home with Feng Zhao.

Both of them were pondering what Qiu Shu said. If it was really as she said, then the origin of opium could be roughly determined.

After a moment's thought, Feng Zhao asked, "I wonder if Miss Lin has heard of the opium case in Jiangnan?"

Lin Shu raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. Was it time to lay her cards on the table?

"To be honest, I was sent by the imperial court to investigate this case, but I was ambushed and killed en route, so I had to conceal my identity..." Before Lin Shu could respond, Feng Zhao stared at her and continued:

"Tonight, I originally intended to seek Prefect Qiu's assistance, but now it seems that this matter is likely related to them, therefore..."

"So, Guard Xiao wants my help?" Lin Shu asked with certainty.

“Yes. News of my assassination attempt should have already reached us. My aunt should arrive in Mengzhou Prefecture soon. Before that, I hope Miss Lin will cooperate with me to thoroughly investigate this case.” Feng Zhao looked at Lin Shu with a determined gaze.

Lin Shu looked up and met Feng Zhao's gaze. "Okay."

Even if Feng Zhao didn't speak up, Lin Shu would never sit idly by and allow such a thing that devours people's life essence to circulate in the world.

The two were still figuring out how to catch them red-handed, unaware that Chen Jin, who had just escorted them out, had intended to return through the side door after they left, but had inadvertently overheard their entire conversation...

……

The next evening.

The residence of Prefect Qiu, the courtyard of Qiu Ze.

"Young Master, Jin noticed that the guards beside Lin Shu seem to have two faces." After school, Chen Jin hurried to Qiu Ze's courtyard.

"What do you mean? Two faces?" Upon hearing Chen Jin's report, Qiu Ze suddenly sat up in bed, his face filled with alarm: "Could it be disguise?"

Thinking of this, Qiu Ze could no longer sit still. No wonder the body hadn't been found for so long; it must have been saved by Lin Shu. Then what about Qiu Shu's words at the flower-viewing banquet last night...?

"Oh no! That idiot Qiu Shu!"

Qiu Ze cursed under his breath and called out towards the door, "Someone come here!"

"What are your orders, Master?" A man and a woman, dressed as maids and servants, pushed open the door and entered. Judging from their steady steps, they were clearly martial artists.

"Tell Mother that 'things have changed, and we should be open-minded,' and she will know," Qiu Ze said to one of the maids.

"Yes."

Afterwards, Qiu Ze turned to look at Chen Jin kneeling on the ground, pursed his lips, smiled slightly, and gently stroked her face, saying softly, "Jin did very well this time."

After a brief pause, her brows furrowed and a worried expression on her face, she continued, "However, I'm afraid Lin Shu can't stay! Ah Jin certainly won't let me down, right!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Jin hesitated for a moment, then looked up at the sorrow in Qiu Ze's eyes, just like when he had been asked to help him put the treasonous letter into Wu Ming's room. He gritted his teeth and nodded, replying, "No."

"I knew it, Ah Jin is the best behaved." Qiu Ze was very satisfied, and his smile was as radiant as it had been back then, which made his already average appearance even more radiant.

Then, as if just remembering something, he fixed his gaze on Chen Jin and said:

"Oh, right! If I remember correctly, the day after tomorrow is a day off. Ah Jin should invite her 'close friends' for a get-together. Don't forget to bring this item..."

After saying that, he handed Chen Jin a porcelain bottle.

“This…this is…” Chen Jin’s hands trembled slightly.

"Don't worry, it's just a regular sleeping potion. How could I bear to let Ah Jin's hands get stained with blood!" Qiu Ze reassured Chen Jin for a moment before turning to the servant beside him.

"Ah Jin doesn't have a page yet, does she? This person is a bit slow-witted, but Ah Jin can make do with him for now."

"Thank you, young master." Chen Jin understood that this person was to monitor him to ensure the matter was completed.

"Okay. Go now, I'll wait for your good news."

……

Two days later.

At the entrance of Shangyang Academy.

"Ah Shu, would you do me the honor of having a casual meal at Bazhen Pavilion tonight?" Chen Jin rubbed his hands together, feeling a little awkward.

"Huh? Why didn't you call me when you went to the Eight Treasures Pavilion?" Before Lin Shu could answer, Li Yun'er squeezed between the two of them and said with a resentful look.

"Ah...this..." Chen Jin didn't know how to answer. He cautiously glanced at the pageboy beside him. Seeing the pageboy's warning look, he became even more flustered.

Seeing this, Lin Shu said to Li Yun'er, "A-Jin probably has some lessons to ask, and you might not be able to sit still if you go." As she spoke, Lin Shu subconsciously glanced at the page.

"Ah! Yes, yes, that's exactly what I was thinking. I'll definitely make a special trip to invite Sister Li next time." Chen Jin readily agreed, but when she looked up, she met Lin Shu's eyes. Looking at Lin Shu's all-knowing gaze, she felt a little guilty.

"Hmph, next time it depends on my mood. Go, go, go! Don't get in my way..." Li Yun'er waved to the group, telling them to leave quickly.

After Lin Shu and the others left, Li Yun'er muttered with some disappointment, "When did they become so close?"

……

The Eight Treasures Pavilion, a private room on the second floor.

Once all the dishes were served, Chen Jin's page excused himself to fetch some wine and returned to the door, deliberately inviting Feng Zhao, who was standing there, to join him for a meal: "This lady, please come in and have some food with us!"

Lin Shu exchanged a glance with Feng Zhao through the door frame, then looked at Chen Jin, who seemed a little guilty, and said, "Come in."

"Yes."

Once everyone was seated, the pageboy began pouring wine for them.

Feng Zhao watched the page's actions and sighed inwardly, "Impressive skill! He even managed to produce the Yin-Yang Pot." (The Yin-Yang Pot, as the name suggests, has two wine vessels, one Yin and one Yang, which the person pouring the wine can control at will.)

Seeing that the others were only eating and not drinking, the page gave Chen Jin a wink. Only then did Chen Jin somewhat awkwardly pick up his wine cup and say:

"Ah Shu, thank you for your help many times in the past. This glass of wine is for you... and this sister, I also want to toast you..."

After saying that, Chen Jin drank it all in one gulp.

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhao and Lin Shu also raised their glasses...

Seeing the two drink it, the pageboy behind them breathed a sigh of relief.

Lin Shu and the other woman, noticing his actions, exchanged a fleeting look of disdain...

"Huh? Why is this wine so intoxicating?" Feng Zhao had just finished speaking when two loud thuds were heard, and the two of them collapsed onto the table.

Chen Jin was about to speak when the page stopped him. Only after the page confirmed that the wine in their glasses was indeed empty did he give the order to the door:

"Tie him up and take him away."

Then, he turned to Chen Jin and said rudely, "This is none of your business, get lost."

"I...I'll go with you to see the young master!" Chen Jin lowered his head, concealing the emotions in his eyes, and said timidly, "After all, it's something the young master entrusted to me, so I should go and see him..."

"Whatever you want!" the page said impatiently to Chen Jin, seeing that the person was already stuffed into a sack.

Everyone boarded the carriage together...

……

The carriage stopped shortly afterward.

Chen Jin got out of the car and was filled with surprise. How could it be... Nachuan Academy?

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