Volume One, Chapter Five: The Man Who Grew Into Jiang Xian's Heart

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The woman, as if facing a formidable enemy, awkwardly rubbed her nose and defended herself, “Why are you all looking at me? I’m telling the truth. Ever since he passed the initial scholar’s exam, his luck has been terrible. Every time he takes an exam, something goes wrong. Even eating a meal, he ends up choking and has to see a doctor. My family’s home is right next to the Qiao scholar’s—how could I not know? Now, the entire village says Qiao Xun is ruined. With his cursed luck, he’ll never pass the provincial exam or become an official in this lifetime!”

The crowd sighed in sympathy.

Indeed, it was quite tragic. To support a scholar with the whole family’s effort was already as hard as reaching the heavens.

Yet, Qiao Tongsheng, gifted but fated to die young, had been plagued by misfortune from the start. It seemed his life would end this way.

Some had thought Jiang Xian and Qiao Tongsheng made a good match, but upon hearing he was a cursed soul, they immediately dismissed the idea.

Jiang Xian was such a fine young lady. Even unmarried, she could adopt a simple-minded girl—she shouldn’t be ruined by a cursed man!

Jiang Xian and Qiao Xun were unaware of the villagers’ thoughts. The two walked to the front of the crowd, where the village head stepped forward to greet them.

There is a saying: all professions are lowly except for scholars. In those days, even scholars without official titles were respected and held in higher regard.

“Qiao Tongsheng, we truly appreciate you traveling such a long way. Our village’s Chen San and his wife don’t want to continue fostering the simple-minded girl anymore. Miss Xian took pity and volunteered to adopt the child. Here, take a look at this transfer document. Once it’s completed, I’ll take it to the county office to make everything official!”

Qiao Xun did not expect the village head to treat him with such respect—unlike the people of Huanxi Village or even his own relatives.

In the past, when he was in his prime, everyone respected him as a man of letters.

But ever since passing the first scholar’s exam, bad luck struck before every test, causing delays. For three consecutive years, he failed to achieve any success. The villagers’ gazes gradually changed, many taking pleasure in his misfortune.

Qiao Xun became even more reluctant to face the townsfolk. He studied diligently, yet no matter how hard he tried, he always faltered at critical moments. He had been frustrated and wondered if it was fate—perhaps heaven did not want him to continue the path of scholarship.

But in front of the village head and villagers of Taoyuan Village, Qiao Xun regained a flicker of confidence.

Because they genuinely respected scholars—no mockery, no disdain, no schadenfreude.

Qiao Xun bowed politely to the village head with a slight nod and a formal salute.

Startled, the village head hurriedly returned the salute with a grand bow.

Qiao Xun, composed and dignified, spoke in a deep voice, “Village head Chen, there’s no need for such formalities. Miss Jiang and I have already agreed that once the document is completed and signed, we will promptly go to the county office to report the change. There’s no need to delay; it’s better to avoid unnecessary troubles!”

“Qiao Tongsheng is right. Quick, bring over the tables and chairs! Where are Chen San and his wife? Hurry them out to sign the documents!” The village head bustled about, and with many helping, the tables and chairs were soon ready for Qiao Xun to draft the paperwork.

Chen San and his wife had gained nothing and were ridiculed by the villagers. Ultimately, they lost the simple-minded girl they had raised for three years.

At the moment of signing, the couple felt a twinge of regret.

But Zhao Jinniang, eager to save three years’ worth of tax silver, pushed her husband to sign immediately.

Their family was now among the wealthiest in Taoyuan Village, owning a brick-and-tile house and forty acres of land. These assets were to be divided among their two beloved sons—they could not afford to waste resources on a losing proposition.

The simple-minded girl was not even their own flesh and blood, making her even less worthy.

The village head, acting as the notary, signed his name and stamped his handprint. After Jiang Xian also signed and sealed the papers, as Qiao Xun suggested to avoid prolonged uncertainty, the village head called for Chen Daniu, who owned a donkey cart, to take them to the county seat.

Taoyuan Village was located twenty miles northwest of Junxi County. Walking from the village to the county seat took about two hours, but by donkey cart it was only about an hour.

Jiang Xian was planning to sell some wild game at the market, including a wild boar and a basket of other goods. Generously, she gave Chen Daniu thirty wen as payment for the cart.

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Chen Daniu’s donkey cart was usually used for grinding mills and only occasionally transported people to the county market on market days. Rain or shine, the fare was two wen per person, seating five or six passengers. A full trip earned twenty wen at most.

Jiang Xian’s generous payment of thirty wen delighted Chen Daniu. He quickly pulled out two oil-paper umbrellas, typically used on rainy days, and handed them to Jiang Xian and the others.

“It’ll be windy and cold soon. Use these umbrellas to shield yourselves. Don’t let Qiao Tongsheng catch a chill!”

The winter wind was sharp and biting; it stung the face. Jiang Xian gratefully accepted.

“Thank you, Brother Daniu!”

“No need to thank me, Xian. We’re from the same village—there’s no need for formalities.”

...

After an hour and a half, they arrived at the gates of Junxi County. The towering city gate loomed like a giant beast lying in wait. The three-zhang-high stone arch stood majestic. Above the lintel, the characters for Junxi County were finely carved. Two rusty iron chains hung on either side. Beneath their feet was an iron pearwood bridge, worn smooth by time but still gleaming with a deep, cold luster.

Currently, entering the city did not require a toll, but livestock had to pay five wen. Chen Daniu had to take the donkey to graze nearby and promised to return at the agreed time to pick up Jiang Xian and company.

Jiang Xian was the first to disembark, slinging the basket on her back. She effortlessly lifted the heavy sack tied in the hemp bag onto her shoulder. Qiao Xun, sitting in the cart, was astonished.

Could this be the legendary strength described in books?

The village head teased, “Qiao Tongsheng, are you surprised by Miss Xian?”

Qiao Xun took a moment to regain composure and nodded slightly. “Yes.”

“She’s a strongwoman in our village. Her strength surpasses that of five men!”

“...Very well!” Qiao Xun finally managed to say.

As they spoke, a harsh and unpleasant voice echoed nearby.

“Well, well, isn’t this the literary star who descended to earth but tried to cheat on his exams, Qiao Tongsheng? How dare you show your face in the county seat? Planning to take the provincial exam a fourth time? We thought we’d never see you here again.”

Laughter broke out.

Jiang Xian watched Qiao Xun’s expression visibly darken to its lowest point.

Qiao Xun stood tall and proud, unwilling to appear weak. He lifted his head and turned to the group mocking him, replying forcefully, “The County Tutor and the County Magistrate have already vouched for me at the examination hall. The accusation of cheating during the provincial exam was a frame-up and holds no weight. You all spout nonsense. Are you implying that the County Tutor and Magistrate are accomplices helping me cover up the truth?”

His words silenced the group.

They could mock Qiao Xun, a poor scholar, without consequence, but mocking the County Tutor and Magistrate? Even if given ten lives, they wouldn’t dare to publicly slander them.

Jiang Xian glanced at Qiao Xun’s strong counterattack and thought to herself that this unlucky man still carried some spirit—truly a scholar.

She then looked at four or five young men wearing scholar’s robes, who looked about the same age as Qiao Xun. They carried a good amount of newly purchased stationery, presumably assisting the county school.

The leader was a pale-faced youth dressed in the white scholar’s robe of the county school, wearing black boots with gold threads, a jade pendant and scented sachet at his waist, and a bone fan tucked on the side. His appearance indicated a wealthy family background. The youth had delicate features and striking peach blossom eyes, yet those eyes now brimmed with mocking challenge, his brow darkened with a crimson tint.

Though noble and wealthy, misfortune had recently befallen him.

Jiang Xian vaguely recognized the youth but couldn’t recall exactly where she had seen him.

The other scholars were of average appearance, their brows pale, indicating common folk. Aside from their robes, they wore no other valuable or elegant items. One even had a robe worn thin and patched at the hem.

Powerless and without standing, yet they clung to the wealthy scion to mock their peers. Jiang Xian’s eyes flashed with disdain.

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She hadn’t expected such cliquish bullying in the county school of the Great Xia Dynasty. Indeed, where there are people, there is always a world of intrigue.

The noble youth seemed unfazed by the County Tutor and Magistrate’s endorsement, sneering coldly, “So what if the County Tutor and Magistrate vouch for you? If you truly didn’t cheat, why were you barred from entering the provincial exam hall and expelled? Isn’t it because your hands aren’t clean?”

“Shen Juntang!” Qiao Xun interrupted coldly.

Shen Juntang?

Jiang Xian was surprised. Seeing Shen Juntang again, the name and face matched. She thought to herself that this insolent brat was the son of Shen’s elder brother. No wonder he looked familiar.

Shen Juntang was fearless, raising his chin disdainfully to glare at Qiao Xun. “I’m not deaf, why are you shouting so loudly?”

“You’re asking a question you already know the answer to!” Qiao Xun tried to argue further.

Jiang Xian didn’t have time to waste. The county office would close by dusk; if they delayed, no paperwork could be completed, and she’d lose time selling wild game. Today’s trip would be in vain.

“Hey, hey, stop talking. Listen to me first!” She stepped forward, carrying the wild boar before her, standing between the two men. The boar’s wounds sprayed blood with every thrash, causing Shen Juntang to retreat nervously.

“What a rude woman! Carrying a wild boar, be careful! You nearly splattered my clothes with blood!” Shen Juntang frowned in disdain.

Jiang Xian shot him a sharp glance. Truly, a young master’s spoiled arrogance.

She patiently asked, “Tell me, is your elder brother Shen Junxi the young master of Songhe Hall?”

“Who are you? How do you know my brother?” Shen Juntang eyed her suspiciously, scrutinizing her from head to toe. He wondered how his brother could know such a coarse village girl.

Though her face was quite pretty, just somewhat sunburned.

“I’m Jiang Xian, a hunter from Taoyuan Village. A couple of years ago, I saved your brother’s life. Since then, whenever I hunt, I gather medicinal herbs and send them to Songhe Hall. We became acquainted through that. Today, could you please show some courtesy and not make things difficult for Qiao Tongsheng? I still have business to attend to.”

Then Shen Juntang recalled. Two years ago, his brother was transporting rare herbs to Qingzhou City when bandits attacked near the city outskirts. His brother said he was saved by a heroine with immense strength. Not only did she refuse any reward, but she also became a supplier of medicinal materials for Songhe Hall.

Shen Juntang admired chivalrous heroes and had pestered his brother to introduce him to the heroine who single-handedly drove off a dozen bandits. But Shen Junxi was always busy, promising the opportunity would come later.

Never thought he would meet her here today. His eyes sparkled with admiration and excitement.

“So you’re the heroic Miss Jiang! My brother told me stories of how you bravely drove off a dozen bandits with a single punch. I’ve always wanted to meet you in person to thank you for saving my brother, and for helping Songhe Hall. I never expected to meet you today!”

Looking at the wild boar on Jiang Xian’s shoulder, he slapped his forehead. “No wonder a young woman like you has such strength. That boar must weigh a hundred or two hundred pounds!”

After speaking, Shen Juntang hurried over, pushing aside Qiao Xun who was standing nearby. He whispered a warning, “Miss Jiang, you’re such a kind-hearted person. How can you associate with that scoundrel Qiao Xun? He’s no good. Don’t be fooled by his charm.”

Jiang Xian: “...”

When was she ever fooled by Qiao Xun’s charm?

Though, admittedly, Qiao Xun’s appearance did appeal to her heart.