Chapter 11: A Talent for the Top Scholar

The carriage came to an abrupt halt due to a sudden, sharp shout from the passenger inside.

The driver yanked hard on the reins, nearly startling the horses.

Old Patriarch Zhang swayed violently from side to side, striking his forehead; he let out an involuntary hiss of pain.

"My Lord, are you alright?"

Zhangbai, the attendant following closely by his side, reached out and used his own body as a cushion to intercept the impact.

Only after the Patriarch was steady did Zhangbai turn to low-voiced, angry reprimand the servant driving outside.

The driver offered a flurry of apologies, begging for mercy.

"Forget it."

Old Patriarch Zhang took a deep breath and exhaled slowly and silently.

"It is not his fault."

It was himself who had been driven to distraction by a mysterious sound that had begun to ring incessantly in his ears.

Yet, looking at Zhangbai, it seemed the man hadn't heard anything at all.

He couldn't help but wonder if his own mind had been unsettled by Song Lan's words, causing him to suffer from auditory hallucinations.

"...That child from Qingtong Alley, have you paid any attention to him? Is his scholarship truly that good?"

Suppressing his disgust, Old Patriarch Zhang asked Zhangbai with a hint of hesitation.

Zhangbai looked surprised.

However, he quickly set aside his hesitation and followed the lead: "I have heard a few things."

"It is more than just 'good.' I heard he has the talent of a top scholar..."

Since Zhangbai had not accompanied Old Patriarch Zhang into the prison to visit Zhang Chi, he had not heard Song Lan's deliberate instigation.

At this moment, he was simply speaking his mind.

"The talent of a top scholar."

Old Patriarch Zhang savored those four words in his mouth before letting out a cold laugh. "You actually believe the mutual flattery common in the streets?"

He found it hard to believe that the illegitimate son could truly be destined for greatness.

Unaware of the underlying nuance, Zhangbai thought his master simply disbelieved him and hurried to explain.

"Oh! My Lord, you wrong me!"

"It is truly not that this old servant wishes to flatter anyone, but that young master living in Qingtong Alley really does possess some ability."

"Currently, the stone notice board in front of the Scholar's Pavilion in the capital still displays the examination papers he completed."

"Everyone says that if it weren't for his terrible luck—always encountering accidents during exams—he would likely have been the Imperial Scholar long ago."

"Even Lord Su Wenheng, who presided over the examinations twice, has expressed his regret to anyone who will listen after passing by the Pavilion and seeing those papers!"

Upon hearing the name of the Chief Examiner, Su Wenheng, Old Patriarch Zhang's expression instantly grew much more serious.

"Such a thing exists?"

If even Su Wenheng felt it was a pity, then the boy likely possessed genuine talent.

Su Wenheng was famous for his appreciation of talent and his uncompromising impartiality.

"Indeed!"

Zhangbai said casually, "Most people in the capital know of this!"

*Then why has no one told me?*

Old Patriarch Zhang frowned, voicing his confusion.

Zhangbai was quite astonished. "Did Young Master Chi not tell you?"

He froze for a moment, then explained obliviously, "It was actually Young Master Chi who came to me. He said that since the young man's studies have progressed so well, perhaps he could use this opportunity to plead on his behalf to be allowed to officially rejoin the clan. If he truly makes something of himself in the future, it would be the glory of the Zhang family."

"Therefore, Young Master Chi said he wanted to tell you personally."

"Since it didn't seem like a major matter, and since you are usually unwilling to hear news regarding Qingtong Alley, I didn't take it to heart."

*Could it be that Young Master Chi didn't say anything?*

Zhangbai belatedly realized that he might have made a mistake.

"My Lord..."

He looked at his master tremulously. Seeing that face, which rarely showed emotion, now turned as dark as ink, his heart grew increasingly uneasy.

"Go and investigate the reason why he missed his examinations."

Old Patriarch Zhang already had his suspicions.

He simply refused to give up until he saw proof.

"And have a copy of his examination papers transcribed and brought to me."

Zhangbai immediately responded with a solemn expression.

***

Learning from the feedback of resentful energy that Old Patriarch Zhang had begun investigating the illegitimate son, Song Lan hummed a tune in a good mood.

Just as she was about to turn the corner of the alley, she collided head-on with a hard chest.

*Hmm?*

She blinked, looking up at the familiar face before her, somewhat surprised. "What are you doing here?"

It was as if he wasn't even looking where he was going, walking straight into her.