Volume 1, Chapter 29: Jiang Xian Took Qiao Xun's Hand

Jiang Xian tilted her head slightly and arched an eyebrow at Qiao Xun. "Don't you understand what I'm implying? Noble families and clans usually have connections with seasoned feng shui masters or enlightened hermits. For a powerful master, altering a person's destiny is a simple task. Think carefully—did your streak of misfortune begin exactly three years ago? Before that, was your life not smooth sailing, without a single setback?"

Qiao Xun was stunned, unable to collect his thoughts for a long time.

Although Magistrate Yu and his son had once approached him, trying to make him miss the qualifying examination so he could act as a proxy for Yu Zhiyi—a capital crime—Qiao Xun had refused them without a shred of hesitation.

Ever since then, he had been framed at the county academy, leading to a falling out with Shen Juntang. He was constantly targeted by Yu Zhiyi and his gang of wealthy young masters, walking on eggshells in the academy. Yet, Qiao Xun remained as upright as a pine, focusing solely on his studies and ignoring the suppression from the Yu family. Whenever a genuine issue arose, he would seek out Instructor Wang or Proctor Li; after all, Junxi County was not a place where Magistrate Yu could cover the sky with one hand.

In truth, the younger Qiao Xun had been too impulsive, relying on his pride. It was only as he grew older and experienced more that he truly understood the weight of power. Even a mere seventh-rank magistrate could wield absolute control, turning black into white.

Having entered the county academy at thirteen as the top scholar of the prefecture, his youthful spirit had been ground away over the past six years.

Now, Qiao Xun no longer cared to explain himself, even though Yu Zhiyi had passed the provincial entrance exam three years ago and was studying in the prefecture, and Magistrate Yu had been promoted to the position of Magistrate-Assistant in Qingzhou City. Qiao Xun remained trapped in the county academy, his academic progress stalled.

After enduring so many setbacks, Qiao Xun’s drive to study was no longer just to prove himself, but to hold his head high. He hoped that one day, he would ascend to the imperial court, becoming a sharp blade to clear away the corruption, sweeping away vermin like the Yu family and restoring the right of free study to all scholars in the land.

Hearing Jiang Xian’s analysis, Qiao Xun furrowed his brows slightly. "Are you saying the Yu family hired a master to steal my destiny? That is why Yu Zhiyi is now enjoying the success that was once mine, while I, having had my fate stolen, have suffered endless misfortune and academic stagnation?"

"I’m just providing an analysis; believe it or not, that is up to you," Jiang Xian thought to herself. This bookworm—she had spelled it out so clearly; if he didn't believe her, there was nothing she could do.

But since Qiao Xun had offended such powerful people, could that be why he had rejected her?

At this thought, she couldn't help but inwardly grumble. Which emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty decreed that an unmarried eighteen-year-old girl is a criminal? What a deranged law! Men don't face jail time for remaining unmarried at eighteen!

Qiao Xun suddenly recalled how, while reading, his mind would sometimes go blank, unable to recall the knowledge he had learned. He had always assumed it was due to extreme stress and long-term suppression, but now, it seemed exactly as Jiang Xian had suggested.

That was why Yu Zhiyi had transformed from a pampered son of a wealthy family into a top scholar, and now, the provincial top scorer of the Baiyun Province. That supreme glory was built upon the knowledge he had worked so hard to accumulate.

The Yu family members were truly despicable!

Qiao Xun bit his cheek, his blood boiling. His fists clenched tightly, and a fierce, burning hatred erupted in his eyes.

Suddenly, Qiao Xun leaped from the donkey cart, rolling several times on the ground, which gave Jiang Xian and the others a terrible fright.

"Student Qiao, are you trying to get yourself killed?" Jiang Xian shouted in surprise.

Qiao Xun then bowed deeply to Jiang Xian, performing a formal salute. "A single conversation with you is worth ten years of study. I am deeply grateful for your reminder; it is like a bolt of lightning clearing my mind. I know what I must do now. Should I ever succeed in the future, I will surely repay this great kindness!"

With those words, Qiao Xun stumbled toward the direction of Junxi County.

Jiang Xian’s forehead was instantly covered in black lines. She thought, *This bookworm isn't going to storm into Junxi County to confront Yu Zhiyi, is he? He wouldn't do something that stupid, right?*

"Big Brother Niu, stop the cart!"

Jiang Xian was uneasy. She couldn't let him sell her out; she was just a small-time hunter and dared not get involved in such affairs, especially since Junxi County was far from the reach of the imperial court—a place where noble clans and magistrates could do as they pleased.

Chen Daniu stopped the cart. Jiang Xian instructed Tangtang to stay put so she wouldn't fall off. Tangtang nodded obediently.

Jiang Xian leaped off the cart and caught up to Qiao Xun in a few strides, grabbing his arm. "Student Qiao, you aren't going to confront the top scholar Yu right now, are you?"

Qiao Xun turned to look at Jiang Xian’s worried face, then subconsciously glanced at the hand holding him. Her small hand was rough but strong as a pair of iron pliers, gripping him firmly.

It was the first time a woman had held him like this... Her hand was soft and warm, and the touch of her fingertips against his palm sent a jolt of electricity straight to his head. The sensation left him tingling, and Qiao Xun’s face flushed to the tips of his ears.

Seeing his intense gaze, Jiang Xian subconsciously let go and cleared her throat. "I know, men and women shouldn't have physical contact. I didn't mean to!"

"You certainly know a lot, Miss Jiang. But in your eyes, am I really so impulsive and brainless?" Qiao Xun couldn't help but smile slightly as he steadied his emotions to explain.

"I only want to go to the county academy to retrieve some things. If the Yu family is plotting against me, they must have done something to me. The only place they could have reached me is at the academy. In cases of witchcraft or curses, the perpetrator usually leaves behind evidence in the place closest to the victim. I must find out what they did and see how to resolve this stolen destiny. What were you thinking?"

Jiang Xian couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"You didn't explain yourself! I thought you were rushing to the county town to confront the top scholar. If you sold me out in the process, I’d be doomed."

"That, I would never do. Even if I were to confront the Yu family one day, I would never betray you!" Qiao Xun said, his tone solemn and righteous.

"That’s good then!" Jiang Xian felt a bit more at ease, though she scanned Qiao Xun’s disheveled appearance.

"Dealing with the Yu family isn't a one-day task. Why the rush? If I were you, I’d go home, take a hot bath, rest for a few days, and think back to when everything started going wrong. Look for the clues, don't just charge into the academy like a fool. Aren't you afraid of alerting them and inviting even worse retaliation?"

Qiao Xun’s eyes glimmered with admiration. Looking at Jiang Xian, he felt as if she were glowing. It was as if he had been trapped in a dark, murky forest, and a beam of light had descended from the sky to guide him toward the exit.

Recalling his mother’s mention of the marriage arrangement and Jiang Xian’s advice, Qiao Xun found himself inexplicably less resistant. At the very least, in his eyes, Jiang Xian was far superior to those delicate, sheltered young ladies. If she could be his partner for life, perhaps it would be a great blessing!

Qiao Xun sincerely apologized. "Forgive me, Miss Jiang. Yesterday, I wanted to help you avoid the government decree, but I refused precisely because I feared the Yu family’s schemes would implicate you. I never expected you to put aside the past, save my life today, and guide me to clarity. I have no way to repay this debt. If you are not opposed, I am willing to help you get through this crisis. Once the decree is avoided, we can divorce whenever you wish. I will take all the blame upon myself; I will never tarnish your reputation!"

Since the Yu family dared to use such dark means, they would undoubtedly be extremely discreet. He probably wouldn't find anything immediately, so he might as well calm down and plan for the future. Besides, Jiang Xian had said she was lucky; if he could use her good fortune to offset his own, he could turn things around faster and deal with the Yu family.

Some things cannot be solved by avoidance; one must face them head-on. Neither matter could be accomplished overnight.

Jiang Xian hadn't expected that Qiao Xun had refused her only because he feared involving her in danger. But now, she did have her concerns. If she were alone, she wouldn't be afraid, but with her entire family’s lives at stake, she had to carefully consider the proposal of a cooperative marriage.

"Let's go back to the village first. The Yu family is currently riding high, and with your current capabilities, you cannot contend with them. It is better to plan slowly. As for the marriage, we'll talk about it in a few days," Jiang Xian said, feeling a bit weary as she yawned.

Every word and action of hers seemed unique to Qiao Xun.

He nodded firmly, his eyes—deep as cold pools—darkening slightly. He murmured to himself, "Very well, I will listen to Miss Jiang. Naturally, we must plan this carefully!"

After helping Qiao Xun onto the cart, he shed his previous "walking corpse" state and closed his eyes to rest. Jiang Xian, exhausted from the day’s activities, embraced Tangtang and leaned against the side of the cart to nap.

An hour and a half of bumping in the donkey cart left Jiang Xian feeling like she was falling apart, but they finally reached the village. After her profitable trip up the mountain, she decided she needed a good few days of rest.

Because the cart was full of goods, Jiang Xian didn't ask Chen Daniu to drop Qiao Xun off, instead letting him off at the arch bridge so he could walk back to Huanxi Village.

As the cart drifted away, Qiao Xun stood on the bridge, watching the retreating figure. That elegant silhouette lingered in his heart, and he found it difficult to tear his gaze away, his heart stirred by ripples.

His mother had suggested a marriage with Jiang Xian. Such a unique, insightful, unconventional, and heroic woman—entirely different from the sheltered ladies of the inner chambers—surely there wasn't a second one like her in all of Junxi County.

If such a clever and spirited girl were to be married into someone else’s home...

Qiao Xun lowered his eyes, lost in thought, before suddenly turning and hurrying toward his house. The Qiao residence was right by the bridgehead, and just as he rushed through the door, he ran into his mother, Madam Wang, who was just about to head out.