This is endless!
Lin Miao recognized Dong Hu and Zhao Wu at first glance. Last time, he hoped shaking them off would make them back down. He didn't want to cause trouble at the Scripture Pavilion for fear it might negatively affect his exams.
This has turned into a sticky situation, like a plaster stuck to him, making Lin Miao's heart fill with a burst of anger.
So, he had to move forward first anyway, having noted down everything he needed.
Just as he left, Dong Hu and Zhao Wu arrived at the spot where Lin Miao had been copying medical texts: "Gentleman, did you see the young gentleman copying medical texts here just now?"
Su Ze was also a smart person. Seeing Lin Miao avoid these two, he knew Lin Miao didn't want to meet them, so he replied irritably, "I didn't notice."
"Weren't you just talking to him…" Zhao Wu, with his impatient disposition, asked before Dong Hu could speak.
Su Ze snorted. With his status as a scion of the Su Family, no one dared cross him in Dongshan City.
Two mere Bone Forging Realm martial artist servants were nothing he would concern himself with.
"Forgive us, Mr. Su, for disturbing you." Dong Hu clearly recognized Su Chen, understanding that the person in front of them was not someone mere Bone Forging Realm martial artists like them could afford to offend.
"Mr. Su…" Zhao Wu seemed to realize as well. Though he didn't recognize Su Ze, seeing Dong Hu's respectful attitude, he knew the person was someone not to be angered. He quickly bowed and said, "Mr. Su, please be generous. I have eyes but failed to see, and have offended you. I beg your pardon."
"Forget it. I'm not going to bother with you." Su Ze waved his hand, signaling them to get lost.
The two walked a bit farther away.
Zhao Wu lowered his voice to complain, "Mr. Dong, why didn't you remind me just now?"
"Your mouth is too fast, I couldn't stop you. What do you expect me to do?" Dong Hu replied helplessly, spreading his hands.
Zhao Wu gave his mouth a slap: "It's my fault for being quick-mouthed, but why is Mr. Su also taking the medical qualification exam this year?"
"Who knows? Our young master is participating, the Su Family's young master is also participating, and I heard the Zhong Family also sent someone to Dongshan Prefecture for this medical qualification exam!"
"What, even someone from the Zhong Family?" Zhao Wu, who joined the Ye Family much later than Dong Hu, naturally knew fewer people and knew less.
"I've heard, just heard, that the Seventh Miss of Baoan Hall's Xu Family intends to find a husband after the medical qualification exam." Dong Hu said softly.
"Is it the Seventh Miss of the Xu Family, Miss Xu Qixi, who could recognize a hundred herbs at three years old and was familiar with Mr. Zhong's classics at five?"
"Yes, that's her. Miss Xu is sixteen this year, having reached the age to be engaged. The Xu Family intends to find her an ideal husband. The conditions set by the Xu Family are that he must be under twenty-five years old, handsome, and at least possess a 'medical qualification'!"
"No wonder so many young people are taking the 'medical qualification exam' this year, it's all for Miss Xu."
"This is just something our Patriarch mentioned casually; don't go around spreading it. If the Xu Family hears, it'll be troublesome." Dong Hu said.
What Dong Hu and Zhao Wu didn't know was that behind the corridor pillar where they were secretly talking, someone was standing, listening to their conversation intently.
It's always good to know who your adversaries are, to know both yourself and the enemy!
Taking the 'medical qualification exam' as a way to find a spouse feels a bit like catching a son-in-law from the list of top scholars, but this doesn't have much to do with him as he already has someone he's promised to.
Who is this "young master" they're referring to, is it that richly dressed gentleman she and her senior sister encountered at the Scripture Pavilion the other day?
At such a young age, with black-ringed eyes, dull empty eyes, he looked like someone who indulged excessively, yet he dares to make advances towards her senior sister.
Courting death indeed.
As the two walked away, Lin Miao stepped out from behind the pillar, watching the two's backs, his eyes flashed a murderous intent, and he seemed deep in thought.
Better not to alert the opponent for now, to avoid exposing himself. After all, the opponent doesn't know his identity or residence yet.
Getting into conflicts before the 'medical qualification' exam would certainly be disadvantageous for him.
He simply wants to obtain a 'medical qualification', not to become the center of attention and acclaim.
...
Ye Mansion, backyard.
"Young master, we saw him today, but we lost him again!"
"Useless! Once could be forgiven, but how is it the same the second time? What do I keep you for if you just eat and do nothing?" Ye Xizhao pointed at Dong Hu and Zhao Wu, berating them furiously.
"Young master, that guy is very fast, and he seems to have noticed we were looking for him. Today, he came to the Xinglin Institute alone, so it's our lack of capability."
"Incapable, incapable, that's all you say. If you're so incapable, what's the point of having you two?" Ye Xizhao, with a flick of his hand, smashed the teacup beside him onto the ground.
"Go investigate, go find him, I want you to bring that girl back for me!" Ye Xizhao ordered, his face somewhat twisted.
"Yes, young master!"
Having to serve such a young master, Dong Hu and Zhao Wu were also helpless.
...
Leaving Xinglin Institute, Lin Miao went to the eastern market, checking a few shops that sold paper, finding none that were both white and easy to write on while also being cheap.
Although papermaking isn't an advanced technology, it took the ancients many years to develop good and inexpensive paper.
Sometime soon, I'll have to try this out.
If he could create good and cheap paper, it could benefit the scholars of the world, including those like him studying medicine.
After haggling with the shopkeeper for a long time, he finally bought some good-quality hemp paper, almost running out from home.
Returning to his home in Xiuyue Square.
When he saw that the courtesan Shi Yin from Huaye Tower was still at home and hadn't left, he immediately revealed an unhappy expression: "Miss Shi Yin, why haven't you left yet, do you plan to freeload in my house?"
"Junior brother, it was I who let Miss Shi Yin stay." Sun Youwei quickly stepped in to smooth things over and explained.
Lin Miao frowned deeply: "Senior sister, haven't I explained to you before, Miss Shi Yin cannot stay in our house."
"Junior brother, Miss Shi Yin is alone and sick, where do you want her to go? Our father taught us when he was alive, to make it convenient for others is to make it convenient for yourself. If we drive her away, she has no money, and her illness isn't cured, what if she encounters some villain?" Sun Youwei said.
"But what do we do about it, Huaye Tower is right next door; do you know who Qin Yanran is?" Lin Miao, knowing Sun Youwei had a soft heart, asked back, "If she knows Shi Yin is next door and is cured, she will feel that her goodwill in handing over the indenture was met with deceit and calculation, what then?"
"But we haven't deceived or calculated."
"Do you think she'll believe you? My foolish senior sister!" Lin Miao said, taking a cup from the table, pouring some water, and taking a sip.
"Youwei, Mr. Lin, I understand your worries. I will return to Huaye Tower once I'm well." Shi Yin unknowingly appeared behind the two, overhearing their entire conversation.
"You want to go back?" Lin Miao and Sun Youwei were taken aback. She has gained her freedom, why go back, is there really such a foolish person under heaven?
"Yes, if I have nowhere to go, then what's the point of freedom?" Shi Yin sighed faintly, "At least returning to Huaye Tower provides a shelter from the wind and rain. If luck has it, maybe I can find someone to entrust my life to, which is far better than having freedom but nothing else."
This statement indeed can be considered a clear understanding of the world.
Lin Miao fell silent. If Shi Yin, when well, returned to Huaye Tower, it wouldn't be a bad solution. At least it wouldn't incur any resentment with Huaye Tower.
Madam Qin Yanran, the owner of Huaye Tower, is a formidable character; of course Lin Miao had done some research on this neighbor. It's impossible to own a brothel in Dongshan City without some background; a woman wouldn't accomplish such a big enterprise without being a tough character.
The indenture, should it be returned as well?
"This…" Shi Yin's eyes showed a flicker of struggle; this was her long-sought freedom. If the indenture was returned, her fate and life would once again be under someone else's control.
"Junior brother."
"Senior sister, don't think me cruel, unless Miss Shi Yin thinks this through, even if she returns, her life won't be any better." Lin Miao said.
"Junior brother, why not let Miss Shi Yin stay?"
Don't even think about it!
This is what Lin Miao said in his heart, though he couldn't say it out loud.