Chapter 285: Chapter 285
The sandalwood frame and green jade pendant slowly unfolded to reveal a landscape painting of mountains after rain on the fan surface. Beneath the serene emptiness of the Zen temple lay an indescribable vibrant vitality, with just a few brushstrokes demonstrating the painter's profound skill.
Yet no one could tell that this seemingly "ordinary" folding fan had moments ago precisely pinned a grown man against the wall.
Reaching out to take the fan from the other person, An Ning didn't deny it:
"Both of you truly have keen eyes! I am Zhao Zi'an. If you don't mind, you may simply call me Zi'an."
She then lightly tapped the folded fan and gestured toward the empty seats nearby.
To better blend into the crowd and observe the excitement, An Ning wore only a simple ivory-white plain straight gown today, layered with a snow-purple gauze outer garment. Her dark hair was tied back with a single white jade hairpin. Combined with her exceptionally refined appearance, one might initially mistake her for a recluse cultivating in the mountains.
The flowing wide sleeves as she moved her hands conveyed an indescribable ease and natural elegance...
Su Zizhan, feeling he had found a kindred spirit, immediately brightened.
Soon, hearty laughter echoed from the room:
"It was Brother Zihou who deduced your location based on the trajectory of the fan's flight!"
"Indeed, Brother Zhang truly has remarkable perception!"
Meeting the sudden gaze from the person across from her, An Ning suddenly chuckled meaningfully.
Unfortunately, Su Zizhan didn't notice anything unusual at that moment. Under An Ning's slightly curious questioning, he proceeded to explain the incident next door.
Although the commotion seemed quite significant, the matter itself wasn't really that serious, though it wasn't entirely trivial either.
Simply put, shortly before the examination, two scholars, perhaps feeling overly nervous, decided to share a drink together. Who would have thought this drinking session would lead to trouble?
The other unfortunate party in the dispute with the unlucky Mr. Wen was a scholar surnamed Yang.
After their first drink, everything seemed fine initially. But the next day, he began experiencing stomach discomfort, followed by nausea and vomiting. Even though they promptly sought medical help, the various treatments more or less affected his performance in the subsequent day's examination...
If he had passed the current imperial examination, it might have been acceptable. But he failed, while the friend who invited him to drink achieved success on the golden list, enjoying momentary glory and satisfaction.
How could anyone tolerate this!
Most importantly, fearing it might affect their performance two days later, neither had drunk much that day. Moreover, although the dynasty's wine wasn't particularly strong, it shouldn't have caused such severe vomiting and diarrhea.
Thus, upon reflection, Scholar Yang grew increasingly suspicious after returning, immediately developing conspiracy theories. This led to the earlier farce, which nearly cost someone their life...
To be fair, his reasoning seemed quite plausible...
Taking a light sip of the clear tea in her cup, An Ning casually remarked:
"Aside from drinking, did that scholar consume anything else that day? Particularly anything in large quantity?"
"Oh, right!" Su Zizhan immediately recalled:
"Brother Yang had earlier given us all persimmons made by his family!" His face showed admiration as he added:
"I heard they were made from persimmon varieties specially improved by the official's estate. Just a few trees grown in their courtyard produced enough fruit to last the entire family for several months, so they've been storing them in the cellar..."
An Ning couldn't help but cough lightly.
She never expected she might be partly responsible for this situation:
"Ahem, both of you should know that some foods are naturally incompatible. Persimmons particularly shouldn't be eaten in excess, especially on an empty stomach, and even more so when combined with wine..."
While not as dangerous as the modern combination of antibiotics and alcohol, and certainly not permanently damaging, for these scholarly gentlemen of that time, it was probably quite challenging enough.
Sipping her wine, An Ning didn't know what to say. What unfortunate luck...
"There's actually such a consideration! Brother Zi'an is truly knowledgeable." This time, it was Zhang Dun who spoke before Su Zizhan could.
The man raised his eyes, his strikingly beautiful phoenix eyes fixed steadily on the person before him:
"Earlier when I retrieved the fan downstairs, I happened to admire your painting, Brother Zi'an. In my humble opinion, it seems to contain Daoist essence. I wonder if Brother Zi'an might be a fellow practitioner?"
Before An Ning could respond, Su Zizhan beside him pointed at someone and laughed heartily:
"Brother Zi'an, you probably don't know, but this Brother Zihou here is particularly fond of these practices. Even just days before the imperial examination, this person still practiced breath control and fasting!"
His gaze shifting between the two, Su Zizhan laughed again:
"Haha, everyone says Zihou you're filled with purity, possessing an immortal's grace and demeanor. But today I've met a true banished immortal."
"Brother Zi'an, could you be a disciple from some mountain hermitage?"
"And that skill you demonstrated earlier - could it be a legendary secret technique from your school?" Such as projecting internal energy outward...
The more he spoke, the brighter Su Zizhan's eyes became.
Well, who didn't have dreams of martial heroes in their youth?
Alright, this proves that even legendary literary giants probably read those miscellaneous storybooks circulating among the common people.
Secretly grumbling inwardly, An Ning maintained a spring-like warmth on her surface:
"Brother Zizhan jokes. I'm hardly a renowned master or exalted figure. If there's any secret to it..."
Meeting their curious gazes, An Ning lightly laughed and uttered four words:
"Practice makes perfect..."
The two men beside her: "..."
As night approached, after dragging her little companion around for a round, and under Sima Xiang's urgent urging, An Ning finally leisurely headed toward the palace direction.
Watching their departing figures in the crowd, even the famously bold and free-spirited Su Shi couldn't help feeling deep regret:
"If not for status constraints, with Brother Zi'an's talent and learning, his achievements in this examination would surely have matched ours. What a pity, what a pity..."
"Truly worthy of Bianjing, it really gathers outstanding people!"
Clearly, due to the Zhao surname and the demeanor and knowledge An Ning displayed earlier, he had misunderstood, thinking she was some clan offspring of the imperial family.
The great poet Su was currently regretting they might not work together in the future, even feeling inspired to compose a poem on the spot in his emotional state.
Zhang Dun beside him: "..."
After a moment of silence, Zhang Dun wordlessly brushed off the hand resting on his shoulder:
"Brother Zizhan, do you know why the current official holds such prestige among the court ministers, why his orders are rarely opposed throughout the court..."
"Aside from his thunderous methods and exceptional wisdom, there's another point. It's said that during the palace coup in the first year of Jiayou, when rebel leaders held numerous ministers and their families hostage, attempting to use them as bargaining chips with the current official..."
"The result... Heh!" The man chuckled lightly: "The result was three arrows shot simultaneously by the current official from over several dozen meters away, each striking the throat and heart of the rebel leaders! Not a single arrow missed!"
Exactly the same technique as demonstrated today.
Facing Su's eyes widened in shock, after a moment, this rather sarcastic friend finally laughed heartily:
"Brother Zizhan, rest assured. Your earlier concerns are unnecessary. I believe we'll soon see this 'Brother Zhao' in the court before long..."