Chapter 338: Chapter 338

338 Return to Hometown

Before departing, they went to Prince Liang’s Mansion to bid farewell. However, Prince Liang was not at the mansion at the time, so they left a message and departed.

Unexpectedly, after Prince Liang returned, he actually pursued them.

After dismounting, Pei Yuanqing approached them with a smile. "Haha, you’ve all become so accomplished."

He immediately lavished them with praise. Reaching out, he patted Qiao Muchen’s shoulder and said, "Work hard after you get to Suzhou. I have high hopes for you."

After speaking with Qiao Muchen, Pei Yuanqing turned to Zhao Zhitong and said with a smile, "This young girl is quite capable. You’ve done me a great favor this time."

His words carried a double meaning.

Zhao Zhitong and the others naturally assumed Pei Yuanqing was referring to them rescuing him.

However, Pei Yuanqing was actually referring to the matter of bringing down the King of Chu, Pei Siqing.

He had found the Twelfth Crown Prince’s corpse much earlier, but he had no way to prove the remains belonged to the Twelfth Crown Prince. If he had rashly informed the emperor, he feared he might have been counter-accused.

Therefore, he hadn’t intended for Qiao Muchen and the others to know about the remains. He had only planned to use the evidence of the King of Chu colluding with Zhuo An and others like him, and framing loyal officials, to make the emperor lose faith in the King of Chu.

He hadn’t expected, however, that Zhao Zhitong would directly sketch a portrait of the Twelfth Crown Prince from the skull. This, in turn, drove the King of Chu to such desperation that he immediately rebelled.

Now, the King of Chu truly had no chance of recovery.

Thinking of this, he marveled inwardly at how this young girl, Zhao Zhitong, possessed such remarkable abilities.

After exchanging a few more words with Pei Yuanqing, they prepared to bid farewell and depart.

Zhao Zhitong smiled and said, "Uncle Pei, we’re leaving now. Please take good care of yourself."

Pei Yuanqing waved his hand, smiling as he bid them farewell. "Go on, go on."

After this, Zhao Zhitong and the others prepared to leave. However, their departure today was destined to be fraught with complications.

Indeed, they had just bid farewell to Pei Yuanqing and hadn’t even boarded their horse carriage when someone called out to stop them again.

The newcomer, clad in fine attire and riding a spirited horse, galloped towards them, appearing extremely urgent.

The horse halted before them. Before it even stood steady, the rider eagerly leaped from its back and excitedly greeted everyone, "Young Master Qiao, Miss Zhao, Miss Wei..."

They all recognized the newcomer; it was none other than Lieutenant Feng, Feng Kairui, the eldest grandson of Feng Wuji.

Seeing his haste, Zhao Zhitong asked, "Lieutenant Feng, you seem to be in quite a hurry. Is something the matter?"

Feng Kairui scratched his head and smiled. "Sort of. I’m looking for Miss Wei." The only person among them addressed as Miss Wei was, of course, Wei Shulan.

Hearing that he was looking for her, Wei Shulan stepped forward and looked at Feng Kairui with a puzzled expression. "Lieutenant Feng, what business do you have with me?"

Feng Kairui was quite excited. "Miss Wei, it’s about the small crossbow weapon you used in the Imperial Palace during the recent rebellion. Do you happen to have the design schematics? Could you possibly give me a copy?"

Seeing Wei Shulan’s perplexed expression, Feng Kairui explained, "My grandfather saw that small crossbow today and was extremely interested in its power and range. He mentioned that if a larger version could be designed, it could be used in the border garrisons to deal with the Xiongnu who raid the frontier villages."

He finished, saying excitedly, "That’s why I pursued you, to ask about it."

Feng Kairui had indeed galloped all the way here. Fınd the newest release on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚑𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚑𝙣𝙚𝙩

Previously, while quelling the rebellion in the Imperial Palace, he had noticed the compact yet immensely powerful weapon in Wei Shulan’s hand. Afterwards, he had sought out Wei Shulan, hoping to borrow it for a closer look.

He was well aware that this was somewhat presumptuous, but the weapon had truly captivated his interest, which was why he had taken the liberty of asking to borrow it.

He had initially thought she might get angry or be unwilling to lend it to him. To his surprise, however, Wei Shulan was exceedingly generous. After hearing his request, she not only gave him the small crossbow directly but also explained how to use it.

Today, while he was in the courtyard examining the crossbow, his grandfather happened to see it. And that led to him riding out of the city in pursuit.

After listening to Feng Kairui, Wei Shulan smiled. "Oh, so it’s about that. I designed that weapon myself, so naturally, I have the design schematics. As for modifying it into a larger version, it might be better to make it a composite bow. That’s a weapon I’m currently researching; it has immense power, a long range, and requires very little strength to draw. Even a child could draw it."

"Yes, I’m almost finished with the design schematics. Once they’re complete, I’ll have someone deliver them to the General’s Mansion for you."

Hearing this, Feng Kairui’s eyes lit up with excitement. "That’s truly wonderful! If this bow can be successfully made, the people of the borderlands will be spared from the harassment of the Xiongnu! On behalf of the borderland people, I thank you in advance!"

At this moment, hearing his words, Wei Shulan’s eyes also brightened slightly. She had loved tinkering with such contraptions since she was a child.

However, aside from Zhao Zhitong and the others, who had always encouraged her to bravely pursue what she loved, many people in her family and those around her couldn’t understand her passion.

Although she never voiced it, doubt had slowly begun to creep into her heart, making her wonder if these creations of hers were truly useless.

But now, hearing that a weapon she designed could help the people of the borderlands, she felt as if she had found her purpose. A spontaneous surge of strength welled up from within her.

Pei Yuanqing, who hadn’t yet departed, now looked at Wei Shulan with surprise.

This young lady, who always quietly followed Zhao Zhitong and seldom drew attention, could actually design weapons?

And from what Lieutenant Feng said, the weapon sounded rather impressive.

If Zhao Zhitong and the others weren’t about to leave, he would have wanted to inquire about it in detail.

He glanced at Feng Kairui and decided he would have to get the details from him later.

After bidding farewell once more, Zhao Zhitong and the others set off on their journey back to their hometown.

This time, no one else came pursuing them.

They arrived safely. Before their return home, they had already written and sent letters back to their families.

Furthermore, Zhuo An had fallen from power. His collusion with the medicine merchant Niu Baishun to sell counterfeit medicine and take kickbacks had also been exposed. As a result, Niu Baishun also lost his standing and was imprisoned.

News of this affair spread rapidly throughout Anyang County, along with the news that Qiao Muchen and Zhao Yue had achieved high scores in the imperial examinations.

Consequently, the moment Zhao Zhitong and the others arrived in their village, they were surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of villagers.

Zhao Village and Xiaoyi Village had each produced a Jinshi scholar—a momentous event that brought great honor to their ancestors and benefited their entire clans. Naturally, the villagers lined the paths to welcome them.

While many offered congratulations, others were naturally filled with envy. The jealousy of the members of the Zhao Family Old House was practically palpable, almost oozing from them.

Their eldest grandson, Zhao Ji—whom they had always touted as being destined to become the top scholar—had never even passed the village examination and remained a mere scholar to this day. How could they not be consumed by jealousy?

At this moment, the family in the old house watched the lively scene in the distance, their expressions growing increasingly grim.

Zhao Cai glanced at her dispirited elder brother and complained angrily, "Brother, didn’t you say you were confident? And Teacher even praised your writing! How could you fail to even pass the village examination? It’s utterly shameful! Now, Mr. Zhang from the county town will surely look down on me. It’s all your fault!"