Chapter 869 - 871 Chess Skill Finals, Second Brother Falls Ill_1
"Seeing how much fun you’re having, I even envy those scholars," Jiang Yichun said with some emotion after they went back inside.
He was only twenty-two years old this year. Had it not been for that Jiang Family incident, he might also be studying and taking part in the Imperial Examination, perhaps even becoming a member of the Chang’an Academy delegation.
But he lost his parents at a young age and was left to wander, only able to join the imperial secretariat and practice martial arts day after day, then to handle one dangerous mission after another. Bai Ruozhu felt a sourness in her heart when she thought of this. Since she had known him, she had seen him go through several perils, but what about the years she had not known him?
"Achun, I always feel that there is something suspicious about what happened back then. Your father was probably framed. I do not mind the rumors, but I also cannot bear to see you slandered. Let’s send someone to investigate the incident from that year, perhaps we can clear your father’s name even after his death," Bai Ruozhu said softly, pulling his arm.
Jiang Yichun’s expression changed. His visible power, as well as the support he had behind the scenes, were sufficient for an investigation, but he had not touched this matter, treating it as if it were a forbidden zone. He dared not think about it or peel back the layers to see the truth because he feared the final outcome would wound him again.
Bai Ruozhu caught onto his thoughts, leaned into his arms, and said, "Then let me investigate secretly. I will tell you once I have results." Or if the results were not good, she would never bring it up again.
Jiang Yichun thought it over, then finally nodded gently.
That night, Jiang Yichun talked in his sleep again, and Bai Ruozhu, a light sleeper, woke up easily and heard his dreams clearly.
"Father, you wouldn’t do that kind of thing, right? But why didn’t you explain anything back then, allowing that old man to kick you out of the house?"
"I don’t believe it; you’re not that kind of person. But why have you never explained?"
"You said one wrong move cost you the game. Which step did you take wrong?"
Bai Ruozhu understood Jiang Yichun’s emotional knot from what she heard. His father was caught in an act of infidelity back then, but he hadn’t offered a single explanation. Even when being expelled from the family, he remained silent, as if he had truly done something wrong.
However, Bai Ruozhu sensed that her deceased father-in-law was not that kind of man, considering the fact that he was so good to his children, willing to spend time with them, and teach them, it seemed unlikely that he would do such a thing.
Moreover, Jiang Yichun had no siblings; his parents only had him. Until the family fell into trouble, his father did not take any concubines, which was enough to prove he was a good man.
There was also another point that puzzled Bai Ruozhu: when his father left the Jiang Family in despondency, if he had given up on himself, why would he agree to let Jiang Yichun suffer with him? And even when he was on his deathbed, he did not mention sending Jiang Yichun back to the Jiang Family. Wasn’t he worried about the dangers a twelve-year-old might face wandering outside?
Or was the Jiang Family actually more dangerous?
Bai Ruozhu felt it was very necessary to investigate the Jiang Family thoroughly.
The competition continued the next day. The Chess Skill contest was rapid elimination.
Tu Ying’s chess skills were not bad; she won three consecutive matches and entered the top eight, gaining some prestige for the Beiyu Study Palace. When she came off the field and found Bai Ruozhu, she saw that woman who had made snide remarks not far away and deliberately said aloud, "Ah, I didn’t do well, but getting the chance to compete is enough for me to be content."
Bai Ruozhu pursed her lips and snickered. Tu Ying was playing coy, acting humble despite having a bargain. The Chess Skill competition was open to all, and in the end, 63 people participated. Someone drew a lucky bye in the first round, advancing them as if it were a 64-entrant battle. Tu Ying making it to the top eight already proved she was a real expert. Among those who entered the top four, there were no women; another woman from Xuanlang City also only made it to the top eight just like Tu Ying.
She gave Tu Ying a thumbs up and said, "I didn’t see it coming that your chess skills were this impressive. You’re definitely a heroine among women!"
Tu Ying felt slightly embarrassed by the praise and whispered, "Chess skill is like military tactics; I wanted to be a female general when I was young, so I put a lot of effort into my chess skills."
"You still want to be a female general?" Bai Ruozhu was taken aback. Tu Ying’s ambition was quite progressive for women in ancient times.
Tu Ying lifted her chin proudly and said, "Yes, I still do, and I’ll have the chance eventually."
Bai Ruozhu opened her mouth, feeling that the battlefield was too dangerous. She wanted to persuade Tu Ying to give up on this idea, but in the end, she decided against it. Everyone has their own dreams, and it wasn’t her place to destroy someone else’s because of her own beliefs.
Tu Ying was eliminated, leaving four people on the field to continue the competition, one of whom was Bai Zepei.
"It’s a pity you didn’t defeat that Chen Zhong; otherwise, you could have faced your second brother to determine the winner," Tu Ying said with a sense of regret.
Bai Ruozhu chuckled, thinking that if it really came to a showdown between the two, Tu Ying might secretly want to let her second brother win.
"Eh, Chen Zhong?" Bai Ruozhu glanced at the man facing her second brother and suddenly remembered the bully, Chen Qiang. Chen Zhong was the one squeezed out of the ’Four Talents,’ and who was Tang Feng’s half-brother from the same father, right?
Bai Ruozhu whispered to Tu Ying about the relationship between Chen Zhong and Tang Feng. Tu Ying took a close look at Chen Zhong’s face and whispered, "He doesn’t look like him, lacking Tang Feng’s aura and backbone, not even close."
Bai Ruozhu snorted with laughter, "Tang Feng’s mother, Madam Lianluo, is a female scholar, and under her guidance, Tang Feng naturally stands out."
The two continued to chat quietly, and soon the two matches on the stage had concluded, with Bai Zepei winning once more.
"That’s great, second brother is going to compete for the championship!" Bai Ruozhu exclaimed excitedly.
Tu Ying was also very happy; the members from the other Study Palaces looked proud as well, except for Dang Youshen who snorted sourly on the side. However, everyone else was on such a high that they didn’t notice his disdainful snort.
It wasn’t until Bai Zepei stood up to bow and prepare for the next match that Bai Ruozhu noticed his face was somewhat pale, causing her heart to rise to her throat.
"Headmaster Wen, will the competitors be allowed to rest before the final match?" Bai Ruozhu quietly asked Headmaster Wen.
Headmaster Wen’s expression changed, "Normally, no. Is there a problem with Zepei’s health?"
Bai Ruozhu nodded slightly, "My second brother had an internal injury before and he has been taxed by the journey all the way here. Now, seeing his pallor, I fear he might not be able to hold on."
Headmaster Wen and Mr. Zhang became anxious. Mr. Zhang frowned and said, "It would have been better if Zepei hadn’t suffered that injury."
The judges in the arena had already announced that Bai Zepei and Tang Feng were advancing to the final match to vie for first and second place, while the previously defeated Chen Zhong would battle it out to determine third and fourth places.
Bai Zepei in the arena quietly pressed his hand to his chest. Although his expression remained unchanged, his complexion grew even more unsightly.
Bai Ruozhu clenched her fist quietly; no, she had to find a way to help her second brother!