In a rural villa in Baihe County, Xu Ming stood outside the fence.
Inside the courtyard, a woman was scattering bran, while a few chickens pecked eagerly at it. These chickens appeared to be well-raised, probably about one or two years old.
Two children, no more than six or seven years old, were crouched in the yard playing with mud. Among them, a little girl with a ponytail spotted Xu Ming, her eyes lighting up instantly. She spread her arms wide and ran toward him, shouting, "Brother Xu! Brother Xu~~~"
The little boy, seeing Xu Ming as well, happily followed suit. "Brother Xu, why are you here?"
The two children opened the gate and bounded joyfully toward Xu Ming. Xu Ming patted their heads and said, "Of course, I came to see you."
The prime minister's grandson was named Fang Wan, and his granddaughter Fang Qianqian. Their names were chosen with remarkable casualness—Xu Ming even joked that if the prime minister had a third grandson or granddaughter, they might have been named Fang Bai (meaning "Fang Hundred").
During previous journeys, Xu Ming often took the siblings along to play, such as hunting game in the wild, which made them adore this elder brother.
"Greetings, Top Scholar."
Madam Fang, who had just set down the basin of bran, stepped forward and curtsied slightly to Xu Ming.
"Junior pays respects to Madam Fang," Xu Ming responded with a formal bow.
Though Madam Fang was in her fifties or sixties, she appeared no older than thirty. Her looks were not exceptionally beautiful but of above-average charm. Yet, the grace and maturity shaped by the years lent her a lingering elegance.
Initially, Xu Ming thought Madam Fang might be a concubine of the prime minister, only to learn she was his legitimate wife—and the only one at that.
Madam Fang smiled. "Is the Top Scholar here to see my husband?"
Xu Ming nodded. "There are some matters I wish to consult with Elder Fang."
"My husband has gone to the fields. If you're in a hurry, Qianqian can take you there," Madam Fang suggested.
"Thank you for the trouble," Xu Ming replied, not declining the offer.
"Brother Xu, this way, this way!" Fang Qianqian wiped the mud off her hands onto her skirt and happily grabbed Xu Ming's hand, leading him toward the fields.
A quarter of an hour later, Xu Ming saw an old man in the fields. Wearing a straw hat, with his sleeves and pants rolled up, he was planting rice in the paddy. Around him were others also busy with farm work.
Perhaps none of them could have imagined that among them was Wu Kingdom's prime minister.
Xu Ming removed his shoes, rolled up his trousers and sleeves, grabbed a bundle of rice seedlings, and stepped into the field to help.
Fang Qianqian wanted to join but remembered how her poor planting technique earned her a scolding from her grandfather the day before. Reluctantly, she found a shady spot to squat, observing ants and occasionally looking for tiny frogs.
Fang Ling noticed Xu Ming planting seedlings skillfully and said nothing, continuing with his work.
Half an hour later, the two sat by the roadside to rest. Fang Ling took a sip of water and handed a gourd to Xu Ming.
"Thank you." Xu Ming tilted his head back and drank deeply.
"I didn't expect the Top Scholar to know how to farm," Fang Ling remarked with a smile.
For a young man born into an aristocratic family, it was surprising he had even seen rice seedlings, let alone knew how to farm.
"During my years within the Blood Asura Battalion, there was a mission where I helped an old farmer in a village," Xu Ming replied.
In truth, Xu Ming's farming skills came from his past life's experiences.
"On the contrary, I didn't expect an elder like you to still work in the fields," Xu Ming said, looking at Fang Ling.
"What's so surprising about that?" Fang Ling took a sip of water. "In the past, I juggled studying and farming. Now that I'm back, naturally, I must grow some food to eat."
He wiped his mouth and continued, "So, tell me, boy, why are you here? Struggling to deal with the four powerful families of Baihe County?"
"Yes." Xu Ming nodded. "Recently, my third brother found a breakthrough. However—"
"However, this so-called breakthrough seems like a dead end?" Fang Ling interjected.
"We discovered that the scholar who had his leg broken in the past is actually the current Imperial Scholar, Yu Ping'an," Xu Ming explained.
"I've been wondering—why hasn't Yu Ping'an reported this matter to the Emperor? Is it because he's protecting his reputation, or does the Li family have some leverage over him? I heard you had some interactions with Yu Ping'an in the past?"
Fang Ling gazed out at the fields. "I've spoken with all three of you top-ranked scholars from your examination class. After all, barring any surprises, you'll be the ones steering Wu Kingdom's court in the future. I wanted to see what kind of people you are and what kind of characters you possess."
Xu Ming asked, "And what's your impression of Yu Ping'an?"
Fang Ling chuckled. "After talking to you, I found you to be someone who holds no regard for the monarch. For most people, the king is the supreme authority, but you're different—you look down on him.
"As for Xu Pangda, after our conversation, I saw him as a mender. When the court is inevitably thrown into chaos by the likes of Xiao Mochi and others, Xu Pangda will be the one to pick up the pieces. He's capable of restoring order, even in the aftermath of a complete mess.
"Yu Ping'an, though, he's a madman. He gave me the feeling that no matter what he does in the future, it won't be too extreme. He doesn't care about his reputation. Whatever he sets his mind to, I feel he'd go through with it, even if it means destroying himself in the process.
"But there's one person who restrains him. That person is also his only weakness.
"If what you've said is true, and Yu Ping'an really was that scholar who had his leg broken, then the reason the Li family still survives is likely because of the girl by Yu Ping'an's side."
...
Meanwhile, in a courtyard near the Hanlin Academy in the capital, Yu Ping'an, enjoying a day off, sat in the yard teaching a young girl.
At first, the girl listened attentively, but as time passed, the lecture became a lullaby. She began to nod off, her head bobbing like a little chick pecking at grains.
Eventually, her head drooped, and she couldn't resist laying it on the table, falling soundly asleep.
"This little one," Yu Ping'an chuckled, carefully picking her up and carrying her to the bed in her room.
Even as she was lifted, the girl didn't stir.
Looking at her peacefully sleeping form, Yu Ping'an gently tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Don't worry. You'll live a good life. Even if it means owing that Top Scholar another favor, your Brother Yu will make sure of it."