Chapter 92

 After the Cannon Fodder Gong Turns to Farming, He Gets a Happy Ending with the Aloof Male Lead (Transmigration)

"No, it's nothing." Having said that, Lu Changsheng was startled to realize he had betrayed a moment of weakness in front of a junior; his expression darkened inwardly, though outwardly he maintained the air of someone who cherished talent.

He then stated the purpose of his visit.

"Lord Qingyuan?" Lu Lizhi seemed surprised, a fleeting look of confusion flashing across his eyes.

This reaction immediately aroused Lu Changsheng's suspicion.

In truth, he had investigated extensively over a long period—he had even managed to deduce exactly when Lu Lizhi had first become involved with his neighbor, Jiang Baiye—yet he remained unable to confirm with certainty whether Lu Lizhi was, in fact, Lord Qingyuan.

After all, Elder Yi and Shopkeeper Ning interacted with many people daily; Lu Lizhi was hardly the only possible candidate.

"I heard that Lord Qingyuan is a young master of your noble household?" Lu Lizhi’s cool, clear voice, paired with his ethereal, aloof beauty—reminiscent of a flower atop a high, inaccessible peak—gave one the distinct impression that he was speaking nothing but the truth.

Lu Changsheng was stunned, his mind racing. If Lu Lizhi really were Lord Qingyuan, how could he remain so calm and polite upon meeting the grandfather of the very man who had usurped his identity? Merely kicking him out would have been a mild reaction!

Furthermore, investigations into his past and background had yielded no evidence linking him to the identity of Lord Qingyuan.

The only exception was his exceptional talent—though even that was a matter of opinion. It was quite possible that Prefect Yan had deliberately cultivated this image for him, aiming to build a reputation that would pave the way for future imperial examinations and social connections.

From Lu Changsheng’s own perspective, however, he did not care for the style of Lu Lizhi’s essays.

They were too aloof and austere—seemingly crafted to project an air of nonconformity—with many passages that were baffling to the reader; yet, one had to admit that the style was vastly different from that of most others.

It was a style entirely unto itself; perhaps it was precisely this unique approach that had garnered so much special attention.

Simply because it was novel.

Lu Changsheng had read Lu Lizhi’s essays but remained unimpressed.

Yet, he found the storybooks written by "Qingyuan Jun" utterly captivating; the prose, the choice of words, and the profound insights into life made even an old man like himself feel inferior by comparison.

How could the two possibly be the same person?

He had never encountered a scholar capable of completely shedding their own established style—especially one as distinctive as that—to produce work with such a radically different feel.

If Lu Lizhi knew his thoughts, he might well have explained that there is such a thing in this world as "exam-taking strategy."

In the context of the eight-legged essay examinations, Lu Lizhi was far too shrewd to write in a dull, conventional manner; instead, he would find unconventional paths within the strict rules and constraints to leave a deep impression on the examiners.

That alone was the first step toward success.

As Lu Changsheng left the Jiang residence, his pace quickened involuntarily; he did not wish to linger a moment longer, feeling as though the visit had been a waste of time.

Then again, it hadn't been entirely in vain—now that he knew Qingyuan Jun was not the same person, everything else would be much easier to handle! "Next, I need to find out who 'Qingyuan-jun' is and proceed as planned..." Lu Changsheng settled into his carriage and let out a long breath, regaining his confidence; the gloom and jealousy that had weighed on his heart dissipated by half.

He couldn't let that fellow reap all those benefits—that would simply be too unfair!

"You never actually said you *weren't* Qingyuan-jun, did you?" In the main hall, Jiang Baiye mused over the implications. "That shows he was subconsciously denying the possibility; the moment you hinted at it, he couldn't wait to convince himself it was true."

"It just goes to show how wary he is of you—and how desperately he hopes you *aren't* that person!"

Lu Lizhi simply said, "What a nuisance."

He regretted revealing his identity to such a man; now the fellow was pestering him relentlessly, and if he failed to get what he wanted, he might well resort to smearing Lu Lizhi's reputation.

"What did this man do in my past life?" Lu Lizhi suddenly wondered.

Without Jiang Baiye’s help, his path certainly wouldn't have been as smooth as it was now.

Jiang Baiye answered candidly without overthinking it, prompting Lu Lizhi to wonder if this guy’s past life had really been as unremarkable as he claimed.

If so, how did he know so much about him?

Jiang Baiye would, of course, never tell him the truth: that they were characters in a book.

In that other world, they had long since forged their own paths as living, breathing individuals, unbound by the so-called "laws of the book," thereby breaking through every shackle and preordained trajectory. That afternoon, Lu Lizhi visited Yongyuan Bookstore. As Shopkeeper Ning instinctively brought out paper and a brush—and ground the inkstone for his use—a clear, cool voice, like the sound of a mountain spring, rang out:

"You mentioned that a number of scholars imitating the style of 'Master Qingyuan' have recently appeared on the market?"

Shopkeeper Ning was so startled that his brush clattered to the floor; his jaw dropped, leaving his mouth agape. "Y-y-you..."

After a long moment, he took a deep breath, his face beaming with sheer delight. "You can speak! That’s wonderful—congratulations! This is truly a joyous occasion!"

Lu Lizhi accepted the congratulations with a smile. Even after regaining his voice, he remained a man of few words; habits formed over so many years are not easily broken.

To see someone become a whole person, able to express themselves freely—it changed the way others viewed him, shifting the pity and affection they once felt.

It was like someone you knew well who had a few flaws—flaws that made them feel approachable.

Once those flaws were gone, a sense of distance would suddenly emerge.

Of course, those closest to Lu Lizhi didn't feel this shift so acutely; Shopkeeper Ning excitedly ran off to drag Old Master Yi over.

Old Master Yi, who had been habitually bickering with Ning over his clumsiness and impatience, was suddenly struck dumb when he heard Lu Lizhi speak.

Just like that, the shock spread from one to the other.

After explaining what he wanted to do, and receiving solemn assurances from Shopkeeper Ning and Old Master Yi, Lu Lizhi collected his monthly share of the profits and headed home.

He had barely arrived when he found himself the focus of countless pairs of excited eyes. That evening, Lu Lizhi found himself the subject of the family's high spirits as they tirelessly and repeatedly made requests—

"Come on, Lizhi, call me 'Mother'!"

"Mother..."

"Yes, yes! And 'Father'—hurry and call me Father; say it a few more times."

"..."

Lu Lizhi felt a surreal sense of déjà vu, as if he were a toddler just learning to babble, delighting the whole family so much they were beaming and slapping their thighs in admiration.

Others seized the opportunity to chime in—

"Since the whole family is here, you might as well call me 'Husband' right now."

"Just call me 'Divine Doctor' and I'll consider it thanks enough."

"Thank you, Doctor Pang, for curing my muteness!" Lu Lizhi offered his sincere gratitude.

Doctor Pang was pleased. "No need for thanks; just have your husband cook up a few delicious dishes for me—that’s all I ask!"

Even someone as cool and composed as Lu Lizhi couldn't help but blush, his ears turning a delicate pink. This was especially true given the public setting and the memory of the wild intimacy they had shared over the past few days—lingering moments where they had been thoroughly enveloped in each other's scent...

Although Lu Lizhi didn't glance at Jiang Baiye once throughout the exchange,

Jiang Baiye was thoroughly delighted. He immediately stepped in to shield Lu Lizhi: "Stop teasing him. Come and help me out instead; we’re making a feast tonight to celebrate, and I can't handle it all by myself."

The crowd dispersed amidst the hubbub. Lu Lizhi was naturally sent off to read, but before leaving, he noticed Granny Li sitting quietly to the side with a gentle smile; unable to resist, he stepped forward and respectfully kowtowed to her. He was grateful for her care and protection over the years; at long last, the clouds had parted to reveal the moon.

Lu Lizhi declared earnestly, "If you don't mind, from this day forth, I shall call you Grandmother."

Granny Li was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly helped him up, her eyes welling with tears. "Good child, having you say that is enough."

However, Lu Lizhi noticed something she had hastily pulled out of her basket.

It was a piece of soft, delicate fabric in a tender hue—reminiscent of the fresh buds sprouting on branches in early spring—and it lacked the texture of the silk or fine cloth typically used for handkerchiefs.

Noticing his gaze, Granny Li proudly showed it off: "Look at this little garment I made for the baby. It’s suitable for either a boy or a girl. If the child is born with fair, tender skin like yours, this color will look absolutely exquisite!"

Lu Lizhi blinked in bewilderment.

Granny Li continued enthusiastically, "Tomorrow, I’ll have Baiye’s mother join me in making more; we need to have plenty ready. Babies grow so fast, you know. We’ll need to prepare diapers, too—we can’t let our little darling go without; everything has to be the best!"

Lu Lizhi finally couldn't help but ask, "Where is this child coming from?"

The clan elders had mentioned adopting a child from the extended family for them to raise, but Jiang Baiye had never agreed to it, and Lu Lizhi himself lacked the capacity for it; surely, they wouldn't have taken it upon themselves to make the decision?

"Is it a child from one of the Jiang clan families that they no longer wish to raise?" That was the only possibility Lu Lizhi could think of, and his heart stirred at the thought. Having a few more children wouldn't be out of the question.

Granny Li shot him a glare. "You’re capable of bearing children yourself; why would you ever adopt someone else's to raise? Any child of yours and Baiye’s would surely be incredibly smart and adorable. I simply must live long enough to watch the little ones grow up!"

As Granny Li kept up her rambling, Lu Lizhi’s face flushed crimson. "I can't conceive..." If it were possible, it would have happened long ago.

"I have a feeling it’ll happen this time—though the timing of your imperial exams is a bit of a concern..."

Unable to listen any longer, Lu Lizhi turned and hurriedly walked away.

"That boy—he’s actually blushing!"

Once outside, Lu Lizhi couldn't help but stroke his remarkably flat stomach—a gesture that was fast becoming a habit. It was one thing for Jiang Baiye to tease him about it in bed, but to hear Granny Li speak with such certainty was unexpected.

That evening, after another hearty feast, Lu Lizhi felt stuffed. In a daze, he imagined his belly looked a bit rounder, and he even gave Jiang Baiye—who was rubbing his stomach—an inexplicable kick.

"It’s all my fault for making the food so delicious; I’ve turned our Lizhi into a little ball," Jiang Baiye soothed, catching one of his feet and planting affectionate kisses all over it.

With the corners of his eyes turning pink, Lu Lizhi murmured, "It really is your fault."

He pulled his foot away and turned onto his side to read.

Not wanting to disturb him, Jiang Baiye placed a bowl of ice chunks nearby and fanned the cool air toward him. The summer night was long, and the two exchanged occasional whispers. Jiang Baiye rested his head on one arm, sometimes glancing at the contents of the book Lu Lizhi was reading; the sight of page after page of Classical Chinese made his head feel like it was about to explode.

Eventually, he drifted into a deep sleep.

Lulled by the sound of Jiang Baiye’s heavy, steady breathing—and having finished his reading for the day—Lu Lizhi found a comfortable spot beside him and fell soundly asleep as well.

The seventh day of the seventh lunar month marked Qixi—the Qiqiao Festival—which folklore also held to be the birthday of Lord Kuixing, the deity of examinations and literature.

On this day, "Liushui Renjia" (Waterside Homes)—located in the southeastern corner of Nanyuan County, the most remote area under the jurisdiction of Chongzhou Prefecture—officially opened for business after a period of promotional hype.

Many acquaintances came to show their support on opening day. Even Dong Chengying of Shanyao Pharmacy—who had once been at odds with Jiang Baiye—and Xu Biao—who had tried to seize Jiang Baiye’s house and land—rushed over, curious to see exactly what kind of venture he had cooked up.

There had been plenty of talk about the grand, bustling preparations lately.

What was most infuriating was that Jichun Medical and Pharmaceutical Workshop had also successfully established itself in Chongzhou Prefecture during this same period.

After a brief preparatory phase—and before they had even begun processing their own medicinal herbs—numerous pharmacies and clinics had already placed orders with them. This single move cost the long-established Shanyao Pharmacy thirty percent of its business!

That was not to mention the impact on other pharmacies and herb merchants; all told, Jichun had managed to turn a handsome profit before even officially opening its doors.

Dong Chengying simply refused to believe that Jiang Baiye could be that capable—rising to prominence after handling the epidemic and then managing to launch so many new ventures on top of that. He stepped out of his carriage alongside a crowd of curious merchants, locals, and wealthy notables who had gathered for the spectacle; the moment he set foot on the grounds of the Xian Estate, he was dazzled by the sheer scale and splendor of the place.

"Good heavens! A tract of land this vast—easily the size of a dozen villages—and he actually bought it all!"

"Word has it he only managed to acquire it after receiving his title as a landed gentleman; still, given the events leading up to this, he timed his grand opening perfectly."

He was the one who had built the flood-diversion channel—bringing irrigation water to his fields and creating scenic ponds—and he was the one who had cured the epidemic. Consequently, the roads were bustling with traffic, as many fellow professionals and those who had benefited from his aid arrived to show their support.

On this day, while many might not have known that a unique new restaurant was opening here, they did notice that numerous pharmacies and medical halls had closed their doors for the occasion.

Even the wildly popular Hanmo Pavilion and Yingchun Hall had hung up "Closed" signs, their proprietors having traveled from afar to attend the event.

"I can understand Yingchun Hall showing up, but I’m baffled as to why Manager Qian from Hanmo Pavilion is here!"

Upon hearing that someone from Hanmo Pavilion had arrived, Dong Chengying was electrified and hurriedly tried to find a way to curry favor.

Hanmo Pavilion had recently instituted a new rule limiting reservations for tables and private rooms to a three-month window—and those slots were snapped up in the blink of an eye.

Dong Chengying hadn't managed to secure a single reservation; he hadn't heard a storytelling performance in ages and was absolutely itching for one! However, by the time the people from Hanmo Pavilion arrived, the crowd had already swarmed forward en masse; there was simply no opportunity left for him to show off.

Surrounded by the throng, Shopkeeper Qian beamed with a ruddy glow and spoke modestly: "Our restaurants and teahouses have been closed these past few days specifically so we could come join the excitement and learn a thing or two here at Liushui Renjia. Elder Yi is here today as well—who knows? He might just have a surprise in store for everyone!"

The crowd erupted in cheers. "Is Elder Yi going to perform storytelling here?"

"Heavens! If that’s the case, I’m staying right here and not leaving."

"I never imagined such a wonderful surprise awaited us. I knew coming here was the right choice—it made the hours-long journey well worth it!"

Dong Chengying listened eagerly, itching to make his move. Meanwhile, Xu Biao had taken a stroll with others who were curious about the surroundings, and he was inwardly alarmed by what he saw.

He hurriedly whispered to his companion, "Whatever you do, don't cross the people here. This place is destined to become a major landmark in Chongzhou!"

His companion thought, *...Isn't it a bit too late to be saying that now?*

Xu Biao had long since put his past unsavory deeds out of his mind; gazing at the layout of the leisure estate—with its hills, waters, and charming dwellings—he felt a surge of burning ambition. If he could replicate it, he would stand to make a fortune...

However, before he could even devise a plan to steal the experience and ideas behind the Xian Manor, a succession of officials arrived: the Magistrate of Nanyuan County, the Prefect of Chongzhou, and the current Prefect of Lingzhou—Prefect Yan, who had been promoted just a few months prior. Even the officials who had once overseen the construction of the flood-diversion channel came to pay a visit.

They all knelt in respect.

Xu Biao completely abandoned his scheme.

Such a large number of officials was not something he could easily win over, and the powerful figures backing Jiang Baiye were not merely interested in a single estate like Xian Manor or the "Liushui Renjia" business.

Jiang Baiye’s status had long since become immeasurably high.

The value he embodied and his own capabilities made him someone whom ambitious people sought to befriend.

Prefect Yan, however, had come primarily because he received a letter from Lu Lizhi, intending to show his support for Jiang Baiye. Once the formalities were over, he immediately turned his attention to Lu Lizhi.

"So, you’ve finally regained your voice!"

"Your student pays his respects, Teacher."

Prefect Yan, in high spirits...

In high spirits, he immediately tested the young man on a few of his academic subjects right there on the spot.

Lu Lizhi: "..."

The teacher and student stood beneath the pavilion, exchanging questions and answers with solemn earnestness; their interaction drew the attention of quite a few people who had come to feed the fish.

Among the onlookers was a group of scholars—classmates from the academy—whose refined manners and cultured speech set them apart. Catching snatches of the conversation, they paused in their movements, unable to resist listening more closely.

Just then, Prefect Tu of Chongzhou Prefecture, having heard the news, strode over and exclaimed, "Well, well! If it isn't my old friend Yan—long time no see!"

Here it comes—the person he detested most was making a grand, swaggering entrance. Prefect Yan inwardly cursed the man as a persistent nuisance.

"I never expected to run into you here," Prefect Yan said, offering a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"It’s not so surprising, haha—after all, this is my turf. What *did* surprise me, though, was finding out that a brilliant talent from your Xuanhe Prefecture has been doing such big business right here in my Chongzhou Prefecture. He’ll practically be one of *our* people soon enough."

*Look at the smug look on his face.*

"Business knows no borders; who knows, Jiang Baiye might even expand into Lingzhou Prefecture someday." Prefect Yan wasn't just bluffing, either; if push came to shove, he’d simply send Lizhi to handle it—that lad would have no choice but to go, hmph!

"True enough. Once he gets to Lingzhou, he might even earn you some political credit and help you secure a promotion." Prefect Tu could barely mask the sour note of envy in his voice.

Come to think of it, Tu had actually started out with a better hand than Yan Ya. Yet, in the years since, Yan Ya had distinguished himself in Xuanhe Prefecture and was now once again outshining him. After all, while Chongzhou was superior to Xuanhe, it still paled in comparison to the prestige of Lingzhou.

Prefect Yan felt smug inside but kept his expression composed as he looked at the handsome, refined young man standing behind the other official. "This must be Huanwen, is it not?"

Tu Huanwen stepped forward and offered a respectful scholar's salute. "Greetings, Uncle Yan."

Speaking of his nephew, Prefect Tu couldn't help but swell with pride. "Our Huanwen is sitting for the provincial examinations next month."

"What a coincidence—my student is taking them next month as well." Prefect Yan had been waiting for this very opening; he could barely suppress a broad grin.