Chapter 6 (1/2)
The Dumbfounded Uncle
“Hey! How did the salt turn to silver?” the young woman in yellow robes named Caiwei asked.
There was a moment’s hesitation before she offered a sugarcane to Xu Qian. “Here, have some.”
‘Is she bribing me?’
The two men were long gone when Xu Qian looked up. After some thought, he replied, “I came across some old text that mentions the secret transformation of salt into silver.”
The young woman’s eyes widened. “Which text? Where did you find it? Who is the author?”
It was a high school textbook and the author was the Education Ministry? Xu Qian said, “The text was damaged and lost but I remember the contents.”
A sharp intake of breath was heard. “Quick, tell me what you know.”
Xu Qian let out a sigh. “I’m not in the mood to be someone’s teacher. My life is still in peril.”
The young woman rolled her eyes at him and said, “You’re a crafty person. The Imperial Astronomers have no sway in the courts. You will have to wait for the Emperor’s orders with regards to your punishment. There is no point bargaining with me.”
“You guys could take me in. The Principal Imperial Astronomer has some clout in the courts and asking for a prisoner shouldn’t be a problem,” Xu Qian said.
He had to secure an escape route for himself in the event the silver taels could not be recovered.
The young woman in yellow robes gave Xu Qian a onceover. “You’re clearly born a martial artist. Why do you want to be a cultivator?”
Cultivation required an early start to build a strong foundation. Xu Qian was a tad too old to be transitioning from a martial artist to a sorcerer.
“I don’t need to have a significant role. I truly do admire the Principal Imperial Astronomer and wish to serve him,” Xu Qian said earnestly.
“Then, tell me about the contents of that damaged text.” A flicker of light danced in the young woman’s black, almond-shaped eyes.
In his past life, Xu Qian had only seen eyes this unblemished on children.
“The contents are a tad complicated. Verbal teachings will be difficult as I will have to go into details for you to get the whole picture.” Xu Qian put out the bait.
Chu Caiwei rolled her eyes and said indignantly, “I am the brightest in alchemy in the realm.”
Xu Qian chanted from memory, “Hydrogen, helium, lithium, beryllium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, neon, sodium, magnesium, aluminium, silicon, phosphorus…”
What was the man saying? The young woman frowned and said, “You’re trying to trick me. Anyway, the Imperial Astronomers only accepts young disciples.”
She snatched the sugarcane from Xu Qian’s hand and left in a flurry.
‘I am young…’ Xu Qian had wanted to argue, but then he understood. The disciples of the Imperial Astronomers were selected at birth.
Damn, the path of his choice was blocked.
…
Xu Qian spent the next two days fearing for his fate in the jail cell.
He was worried the silver taels would not be found in time. Once he was banished from civilization, the return of the tax money would have changed nothing.
He was also worried about Governor Chen’s character. What if the man went back on his word and claimed full credit for the breakthrough?
Xu Qian had done all he could as a lowly prisoner—the rest was up to fate.
He knew the horrors of a feudal society.
“Let the fates be the judge…” he moaned to no one in particular.
Clang!
The metal door at the end of the corridor swung open. A jailer appeared before Xu Qian’s cell with a torch in hand, the other hand was pulling out a key. “Xu Qian, you have been set free.”
The news was melodious to Xu Qian’s ears. He clenched his fists to contain the happiness he was feeling. “They found the silver taels?”
“Come with me to sign the papers, then you’re free to go.” The jailer eyed him suspiciously before saying, “You’re one lucky man.”
“How about my uncle?” Xu Qian asked.
“Pipe down! Don’t ask so many questions.” The jailer was in a foul mood and he chased Xu Qian out of the cell with the torch.
An official from the courts arranged for his release papers. After putting down his signature, the jailer handed him the clothes he was wearing when he was arrested.
A bailiff escorted him out through the back of the Jingzhao City courts.
As Xu Qian stepped out onto the quiet street, the sun began to rise from the east.
…
Clang!
Xu Pingzhi was roused by the sound of the metal door. He opened his bloodshot eyes.
The dirty and disheveled man bore a striking resemblance to Xu Qian. On the other hand, Xu Pingzhi’s own biological son—Xu Xinnian—was the handsome outlier.
In the opposite cell laid his wife, Li Ru. She was also startled by the sudden noise. Fear was etched into her weary face.
The husband and wife stared at each other—they were separated by metal bars and a corridor. Li Ru spoke first, “I would rather die than enter the entertainment house.”
The woman was 35 years old and still a beauty at her age. Even after spending five days in jail, the filth and fear did not mar her countenance.
What was the entertainment house?
It was a woman’s hell.