The Wife Is First / 妻为上 (You Own My All)

Chapter 99: Eating Vinegar

"Elder Brother Zhaoran, no need to be so polite." Mu Hanzhang came forward to help Qin Zhaoran up and invited him to sit wherever he wished (remember seating in reception halls has rank). "I haven't seen you since the qionglin banquet. Unexpectedly, you went to Luzhou and became the county magistrate there."

Qin Zhaoran lowered his eyes. "The politics in the capital are complex. I don't want to wade in those muddy waters."

"That's true." Mu Hanzhang smiled. "Wang Ye also considered this, so he didn't urge you to stay." At that time, Jing Shao heard that they were classmates. It was entirely out of respect for his Wang Fei that he invited the top scholar to their house for a drink. Later, although Qin Zhaoran didn't come, Jing Shao didn't really care (it is generally disrespectful to refuse the invitation of someone above you in status). Such words demonstrated Mu Hanzhang's habit of pushing all the good deeds onto Jing Shao.

Hearing this, Qin Zhaoran sighed. "Zhaoran was insolent, and failed to live up to Wang Ye's good intentions." He was able to come to Luzhou, a populous and affluent place, completely because Jing Shao specifically asked someone to take care of him so that he could achieve good results. He knew this very well, so he wasn't in a position to say anything.

Mu Hanzhang smiled. The two had studied together when they were young. Even if they hadn't seen each other for several years, they still felt close in their hearts. He asked about Qin Zhaoran's situation after he left schooling under the Mu family.

"We made a promise to study for another three years and try together, but unexpectedly, you got married." Qin Zhaoran lowered his eyes and covered the melancholy in his eyes.

Mu Hanzhang smiled but didn't respond. He took a sip of tea. There was a freshwater spring that flowed in the new residence, and the tea made with it was particularly fragrant. "How did you know I was in Pingjiang?"

Speaking on this topic, Qin Zhaoran's face suddenly became serious and he looked around.

Mu Hanzhang saw that he had something to say, so he waved the servants out. A guard left by Jing Shao was unwilling to leave. However, he was glared at until he slowly moved to stand outside the door.

"Don't go to Luzhou for the time being." Qin Zhaoran frowned and looked a little worried.

"Why?" Mu Hanzhang put down the tea cup and also turned solemn.

"Someone threatened my career as an official and told me to arrest you," Qin Zhaoran said slowly.

Mu Hanzhang immediately tensed and his right hand subconsciously went to the handle of his Hanzhang treasure sword.

"Don't be afraid." Qin Zhaoran naturally saw Mu Hanzhang's defensive action and smiled bitterly. "I'm just a scholar, not to mention how strict Cheng Wang's guard is here. If I wanted to hurt you, why would I come here in person..." Speaking up to this point, he couldn't help but lower his voice.

Mu Hanzhang returned to his senses and looked at Qin Zhaoran a little apologetically. "I was on the battlefield with Wang Ye for a long time; some habits die hard. Brother Zhaoran, please excuse me."

'Yo, why are you standing here by yourself?" the
right protectorate general behind Jing Shao rushed over with a smile and asked the guard.

"The Marquis and the Luzhou county magistrate
are talking in secret. This subordinate wasn't
allowed in the room," the guard said aggrievedly.
"Bastard!" Jing Shao kicked the guard aside. He had ordered him to protect the Wang Fei at all costs, but now the Wang Fei was locked in the same room with another man, yet he didn't seem very concerned. Thinking this, the joy he had felt while fighting on the battlefield suddenly dissipated, and was replaced with anger instead. As soon as he pushed open the door of the main hall, he saw Mu Hanzhang sitting very close to a well-dressed young man. They looked very happy chatting together!