Chapter 68 Reporting

  Reading books. This is a very strange term for Jiang Xia. He was an orphan since childhood and grew up in an orphanage. At the age of five, he was adopted by the leader of a gang called "Beggars' Sect". According to the rules, at that time, Jiang Xia should have been crippled and then sent out to beg. However, because Jiang Xia looked really cute, the leader tried to dress him in tattered clothes and send him out to beg, unexpectedly, it had an amazing effect, so Jiang Xia was spared from being crippled.

  At the age of eight, the leader began to organize people to learn "techniques", so-called "techniques" are stealing things, and those who can join this "team" must be the elite in the "Beggars' Sect". Fortunately, Jiang Xia was selected to enter the "team". In this team, Jiang Xia quickly emerged as a talented individual, his fingers were agile, and his thieving skills were extraordinary. He soon gained the appreciation of the leader and became a "star member" of the "Beggars' Sect". On one mission, Jiang Xia stole an old man.

  And this old man was actually Qianmen Changlao Shangguan Yunlong.

  Shangguan Yunlong brought Jiang Xia into the Qianmen Sect, where he underwent a long period of brutal training. After his debut, Jiang Xia solved several major cases in a row and quickly became one of the most prominent figures within the Qianmen Sect. In the end, Shangguan Yunlong and the sect leader competed for the position of sect leader, with Jiang Xia assisting him in obtaining the position. As a result, Jiang Xia naturally became Shangguan Yunlong's successor, and after Shangguan Yunlong's death, he became the youngest sect leader in Qianmen history.

  Looking at Jiang Xia's experience, perhaps in just over 20 years, he has already experienced everything that ordinary people cannot experience in a lifetime. Perhaps in the end, he lived a very glorious life, but it is undeniable that every moment he was also very cautious. Even when he was with Wen Yueshen, Jiang Xia did not forget to guard against her coming at him with a knife when he was most relaxed.

  He arrived in the Great Ming, he became a very ordinary person in the Great Ming Dynasty, not worrying about food and drink, nor having to worry when the police would come to arrest him or have enemies seeking revenge. This unspeakable ease made Jiang Xia extremely intoxicated, now hearing Li Dongyang say that he should go to Guozijian to read books, Jiang Xia couldn't help but burst out laughing. He didn't think that one day he could make up for the regret of not having read books.

  This smile, Jiang Xia unintentionally pulled the arrow wound on his right chest, and he was so painful that he inhaled cold air. At the same time, Cui Nianslave, Cui Ruxue, Zhu Houzhao, and Li Dongyang were frightened, and they all showed concern one after another.

  The days of recuperation were spent in great comfort, with Cui Ruzhen and Cui Nianslave personally helping him get out of bed every morning, then accompanying him to the courtyard to bask in the sun and rest. During his rest, Cui Ruzhen would use her learned finger techniques to accurately and flawlessly administer acupuncture and massage, while Cui Nian would recite the Four Books and Five Classics or other historical classics for him.

  What a wonderful life, Jiang Xia really wishes that his injury would never heal. Unfortunately, the better one's mood is, the faster their injuries heal, and under Cui Ruxue and Cui Nianshu's careful care, Jiang Xia was able to recover from his injuries in just fifteen days.

  This morning, Jiang Xia was still fast asleep. Cui Ruxue and Cui Nianslave, one holding a set of new clothes, shoes, socks, and the other carrying washing utensils, pushed open the door and entered Jiang Xia's room. Cui Ruxue placed the clothes, shoes, and socks on the headboard, then gently shook Jiang Xia and called out: "Big Brother Jiang, Big Brother Jiang, it's time to get up! You have to report to Guozijian today."

  Jiang Xia opened his eyes dazedly, and with a lazy tone, he called out: "It's Ru Xue, come, keep Jiang Ge company for a little while longer."

  After finishing speaking, Jiang Xia stretched out his hand and wrapped it around Cui Ruxue's waist, then in one motion, he pulled her onto the bed. Before Cui Ruxue could react, Jiang Xia had already climbed on top of her, lowered his head, and kissed her red lips. At this moment, Cui Ruxue's mind suddenly went blank, she didn't know how to react, only knowing that a numb and tingling sensation was spreading throughout her body.

  "Cough...cough..." Choi Yeon-soo's heart was filled with a sense of loss, she had originally wanted to leave and let the two of them be together, but for some reason, she cleared her throat twice.

  I'm worried that Jiang Xia will miss the deadline for reporting to Guozi Monitor. Yes, that's it. Cui Nianshu kept telling herself in her heart, but the more she said it, the more she felt that this reason was not very convincing. At this moment, there is still plenty of time before the deadline, even if they are asked to do something... uh, there is still time.

  "Ah!" Hearing Cui Nianu's cough, Cui Ruxue suddenly remembered that Cui Nianu was still in the room watching. She immediately pushed Jiang Xia away from her body and said awkwardly and nervously: "Jiang Dage, it's...it's getting late."

  Jiang Xia saw Cui Ruxue staring at him with a tense gaze, and he suddenly remembered the two coughs. Jiang Xia was startled awake, and when he looked back, he only saw Cui Nianslave standing there with a reddened face, her expression somewhat unpleasant.

  Jiang Xia immediately got up from the bed without saying a word, then picked up his clothes and shoes to put them on. Perhaps due to nervousness, he spent half a day trying to dress but couldn't get it right. In the end, Cui Ruxue couldn't bear to watch him struggle anymore and got out of bed to help him tidy up his clothes.

  Jiang Xia then washed and dressed under Cui Nian Nu's service, tidying up her hair and clothes. After confirming that everything was fine, both Cui Ru Shuang and Cui Nian Nu nodded in satisfaction. The two accompanied Jiang Xia to the front hall for breakfast, where the three of them didn't say a word at the table, still feeling awkward about what had just happened in the room.

  Jiang Xia didn't dare to look at the two of them, while drinking millet porridge, he thought to himself that it's about time to bring these two girls into his room. If this drags on any longer, even if there are no problems, his body won't be able to hold up. Thinking of this, Jiang Xia's mind recalled what happened in the room earlier, Cui Ruxue's soft lips, and his right hand pinching her breasts...

  No way, no way, can't take it anymore...

  Jiang Xia silently recited the Heart Sutra several times in her heart before she was able to suppress the re-emerging dragon head phenomenon from below.

  "I've eaten, see you tonight when I get back, I'm leaving." Jiang Xia said to Cui Ruxue and Cui Nianslave.

  "I'll send you." The two women said in unison.

  Jiang Xia nodded and smiled after glancing at the two women: "Let's send them together then."

  When they went out again, Jiang Xia suddenly kissed Cui Nianshuai accurately and swiftly, leaving Cui Nianshuai stunned on the spot. Jiang Xia pinched Cui Nianshuai's cheek and smiled, saying: "One person at a time, no favoritism."

  After finishing speaking, Jiang Xia turned around and ran out of the door.

  After leaving Xiangyang Mountain Villa, Jiang Xia saw a horse-drawn carriage waiting for him, and the driver was Zhong Bin.

  Jiang Xia smiled and asked: "What? Are you sending me away to study?"

  Zhong Bin nodded, still with that cold and unfeeling expression. He said briefly: "From now on, I'll be the one to send you."

  Jiang Xia heard this and excitedly waved his fist, saying: "This is great, with you accompanying me, in that Imperial Academy I can still walk sideways? If I don't like someone, I'll knock them down, if someone doesn't like me, I'll still knock them down, hahaha..."

  "Just sending someone off." Zhong Bin's casual remark instantly extinguished Jiang Xia's fantasy of becoming the top student in Guozi Jian.

  Got on the horse cart, all the way in silence, and being with Zhong Bin, this guy who is a wood element in the zodiac, was boring to the extreme. Jiang Xia even silently arranged Zhong Bin in her heart, thinking that if Zhong Bin married a wife in the future, would he also be like this and not love speaking? Even if it's usual for him not to speak, then at some special time wouldn't he say anything either?

  Mrs. Zhong asked: "Husband, are you uncomfortable? Why... there is no sound at all?"

  "Hmm! Ha! Hmm! Ha......"

  "Hahaha...". Thinking of this, Jiang Xia couldn't help but burst out laughing. Zhong Bin completely didn't understand why there were still people in this world who could be so strong that they could make themselves laugh, and if he knew what Jiang Xia was thinking, his long sword would probably have drunk fresh blood again today.

  The Imperial Academy is located on Jixian Street inside Andingmen Gate in the capital, as the highest institution of learning in the Ming Dynasty. The site covers a vast area and the buildings are also very magnificent, living up to its name as the highest institution of learning. Along a wide stone road, Zhong Bin drove his horse-drawn carriage and sent Jiang Xia to the main gate of the Imperial Academy, Jixian Gate.

  It was probably the time when the students went to school, and Jiang Xia saw many students holding books entering Ji Xian Gate. At the entrance of Ji Xian Gate stood two guards who looked like officials, and each student entering Ji Xian Gate would show them their nameplate, and only after they nodded could they enter.

  Zhong Bin accompanied Jiang Xia as they walked over together. He took out a letter from his bosom and handed it to one of the guards.

  After the guard received the letter, he pulled out the letter paper and took a look. The letter was written by Li Dongyang to Jing Gui, with his official seal as Minister of Rites on it. The guard took one glance and was startled. He had been serving as a guard for many years, but this was the first time he saw someone reporting for duty with a recommendation letter from the Minister of Rites. Even letters from the Vice Minister of Rites were rarely seen.

  The guard bowed with his fists and made a gesture of invitation, then stepped aside and said: "Young master, please enter."

  Jiang Xia nodded and said, "Brother, no need to be polite. In the future, I'll often come here to read books, please take care of me." After finishing speaking, Jiang Xia quietly handed over two 50-tael banknotes from his sleeve. Although he hadn't studied before, he understood that it's better to bribe these people in advance, so if he accidentally caused any trouble or got into a fight, they wouldn't give him too much hassle.

  The guard didn't expect that Jiang Xia, holding the letter of recommendation from the Minister of Rites, would still be so quick-witted. He was clearly taken aback, and Jiang Xia smiled and said in a low voice, "A small token of goodwill, please accept it, two brothers."

  The guard took one look and was shocked in his heart.

  " Fifty taels?" The guard was taken aback, he had encountered people giving him silver and gifts to take good care of them before, but the most they would give was a few taels, where did this person come from, handing out fifty taels just like that? Such a large sum of money, it's not just enough for the guard to take care of him, even if he were to serve as Jiang Xia's attendant.

  The guard smiled and nodded, saying: "Young master is too polite. My name is Wu Gang, and this brother's name is Yuan Dailin. We both work at the Imperial Academy. If you have any business in the future, just give us orders."

  "Thank you, big brother. If I were to say that I'm in charge, I wouldn't dare, but from now on, we'll be seeing each other every day and it's inevitable that I'll have to trouble the two of you sometimes." Jiang Xia said with a smile.

  "Thank you, young master." Wu Gang said with a fist in his hand.

  "I'll see you later, Wu and Yuan." After saying that, Jiang Xia bowed to the two of them with his fists clenched and was about to leave.

  He took two steps and turned back to look at Zhong Bin, seeing that Zhong Bin was standing there motionless. Jiang Xia asked: "What's wrong? Aren't you going to follow me in?"

  Zhong Bin shook his head and said, "Taifu doesn't allow me to enter Guozi Jian with you."

  "Taifu?" Wu Gang and Yuan Dalin were both startled, they saw that the letter of introduction was written by Yin Jian, although they had already guessed that Jiang Xia's background was impressive, but they did not expect that Jiang Xia was actually a direct descendant of the Taifu family. Wu Gang suddenly felt some regret, that one hundred taels of silver... seemed too daring to accept.

  "Oh." Jiang Xia nodded and directly entered the Imperial Academy.

  After Jiang Xia walked far away, Zhong Bin finally took out his own Jin Yiwei token from his bosom and said to Wu Gang and Yuan Dali: "I am Zhong Bin, the deputy commander of the Jin Yiwei. This person is someone whom the current emperor has specifically entrusted me to protect with great care. Do you understand what you should do now?"

  Wu Gang and Yuan Daling were so frightened that they almost lost their souls. The two of them immediately nodded like chickens pecking at grain, saying: "Understood... understood..."

  Zhong Bin nodded slightly and said, "Remember, just report this matter to your superiors and don't let the other officials in Guozijian know about it, especially not that person from just now. Do you understand?"

  "I understand, I understand..." Wu Gang and Yuan Daling said again, both of them had already broken out in cold sweat behind their backs. In such a short time, this monitor has already shown that he has the Minister of Rites, the current Taifu, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and... ...the current Emperor standing behind him. The two of them secretly wondered if this wasn't the current Emperor's illegitimate son? No, no, the Emperor is still young, how could he possibly have such a big illegitimate son? That...

  Two guards speculated that this person must be the emperor's brother, who had come to study at Guozijian under an assumed name.

  Wu Gang hastily took out the two precious banknotes from his bosom and handed them to Zhong Bin, saying: "Sir, I didn't recognize you at first glance. These banknotes..."

  "The young master has given it to you, so just take it."

  After finishing speaking, Zhong Bin turned around and left.

  After Zhong Bin drove the horse cart away, Wu Gang and Yuan Da Lin finally breathed a sigh of relief. Only then did they realize that their backs were already soaked through.

  Just as Jiang Xia had just walked into the Ji Xian Gate, he was looking around at the scenic buildings in the Imperial Academy when he suddenly heard a shout: "Ha! It's really heaven helping me, I didn't expect to run into you here, you scum. What's the saying? Heaven has a road that you don't take, hell has no gate but you charge right in, hahaha..."

  Jiang Xia turned his head and looked over, and in his heart he couldn't help but say silently: "Is it him?"