Chapter 143: Chapter 143: Xirong County Magistrate! Seventh Prince of the Great Qin Dynasty!

Xirong County, Commandery Mansion.

"Old Xiao, look here, these are the brand-new combinations of Ancient Shell Script radicals and characters, sent by County Magistrate Fu Chang, County Magistrate Liu Sitong, and Lord of the Classics Feng Yuan, who presided over the Mountain Scripture deciphering in Baiyuan County."

"All of these were worked out by Chu Ming. I’ve told you, his talent in Ancient Shell Script is exceptional, every bit as good as mine—yet you still wouldn’t believe it."

Shen Yu pushed several sheets of paper toward an elder about his own age.

The old man wore an official’s robe; picking up the papers to look them over, a rare hint of surprise swept through those eyes once calm as still water.

"Old Shen, tell me honestly, how long has Chu Ming been exposed to the Mountain Scripture?" the old man asked, his voice low.

"I won’t hide it from you. It’s true, I secretly let Chu Ming see the Mountain Scripture early, but only a day earlier than Fu Chang and the others; in fact, not even a whole day. If you really want to know how long Chu Ming has been exposed to the Mountain Scripture..." Shen Yu’s gaze shifted, "At most, half a month."

"Half a month..." The old man’s face turned thoughtful. "If Chu Ming managed to summarize these radicals and character combinations in only half a month, then..."

"What do you think?" Shen Yu pressed anxiously.

The old man chuckled softly: "Old Shen, ever since that incident all those years ago, I’ve never seen you care so deeply about anything. Clearly, you are very fond of this Chu Ming."

Ever since learning that the Inspectorate intended to accuse Chu Ming of treason, Shen Yu had hurried to Xirong County to find this old friend.

This elder was none other than Shen Yu’s old companion, the former Crown Prince’s Tutor, who had been demoted to County Magistrate of Xirong for insulting His Majesty—Xiao He.

After hearing Shen Yu speak of Chu Ming’s talent, Xiao He agreed to help, but only to supervise the Inspectorate’s investigation of Chu Ming, not to vouch for his innocence outright.

Shen Yu, of course, was unwilling. Supervising the Inspectorate’s investigation of Chu Ming was still tantamount to suspecting Chu Ming.

Who could guarantee how the Inspectorate would investigate, whether the evidence would be fabricated, if someone would resort to deceit or threaten Chu Ming’s life during the process?

Xiao He may indeed be County Magistrate of Xirong County, but he could not possibly keep watch over the Inspectorate at all times.

How could Shen Yu rest easy?

Thus, for several days he had alternated between coaxing and pressing Xiao He, hoping he would protect Chu Ming just as he once shielded Shen Yu himself.

But there had been reasons why Xiao He chose to protect Shen Yu then, even at the cost of demotion. Shen Yu was Xiao He’s true confidant—his closest friend. Xiao He could not simply stand by and watch Shen Yu lose his head.

Moreover, the main reason Shen Yu escaped execution was due to his own contributions and talent with Ancient Shell Script.

Xiao He’s justification for saving Shen Yu had been: if someday there was a character in Ancient Shell Script that none could decipher, only Shen Yu might succeed.

Combined with Xiao He’s status as Crown Prince’s Tutor, this had barely managed to spare Shen Yu’s life.

But Chu Ming had no ties to Xiao He; though he possessed talent in the Mountain Scripture, his performance throughout Xirong County was far from brilliant. It was only for Shen Yu’s sake that Xiao He agreed to supervise the Inspectorate’s case.

"No more nonsense, Old Xiao. If you protect Chu Ming this time, whatever you say in the future, goes," Shen Yu urged impatiently.

"Heh, Old Shen, those are your words, not mine." Xiao He set down the papers, poured some tea, laughing: "To have condensed these new Ancient Shell Script radicals and combinations within half a month—Chu Ming’s talent truly rivals your own. He is worth me stepping forward on his behalf."

"But..." Xiao He gently rotated his teacup, pondering aloud, "I must first test him."

"You don’t trust me." Shen Yu’s expression changed. "How do you plan to test him?"

Xiao He rose and walked to the desk aside, smiling softly: "Since Chu Ming’s gift lies in deciphering the Mountain Scripture, the test must be on Ancient Shell Script."

He drew from the very bottom of a pile of books the Mountain and Sea Great Wilderness Scripture·Mountain Scripture, turning to a little past the halfway mark:

"There are seven hundred pages in the Mountain Scripture. The furthest deciphered so far is page 377; the characters on this page are entirely new, but share many things with those before. I won’t make it too hard. I’ll select ten characters from this page, provide their radicals and partial explanations. If Chu Ming can identify six or more, I’ll step forward to protect him."

"Which ten characters?" Shen Yu asked.

"That I cannot say. You already sneaked the Mountain Scripture to Chu Ming once; who’s to say you won’t do so again?" Xiao He held the Mountain Scripture, his gaze flickering. "But I can tell you, these ten characters are no easy task. Even you, Shen Yu, may not recognize five."

Shen Yu fell silent.

Xiao He looked at him, and added: "Let me tell you as well—even without my intervention, Chu Ming should be fine."

"Hm?" Shen Yu’s brows rose.

"Chu Ming has already left Baiyuan County and come to Xirong, though he’s not in the county city, but at the Tiger Armor Army encampment."

"Chu Ming has a steward by his side, named Fang Xiao, correct?"

"And then?"

"That Fang Xiao, for meritorious service in the campaign to suppress the Blood Evil Sect, was promoted to Centurion. But while traveling to the Tiger Armor Army post, he suddenly reached Enlightenment."

"Enlightenment?!" Shen Yu’s eyes flickered.

He knew of Enlightenment; in Martial Arts cultivation there was Enlightenment, and likewise for scholarship.

"Martial Arts Enlightenment. News from the Tiger Armor Army says this man has already been taken by Xiang Yue—Commander Xiang—as his Personal Attendant."

"So, even if I don’t step in, with his steward’s status as a Tiger Armor Army Personal Attendant, none dare lay a hand on Chu Ming."

Personal Attendant!

The anxiety Shen Yu had carried for days finally eased away.

A Personal Attendant to Xiang Yue, a position comparable to the commander of the Tiger Armor Army—even the county magistrate must greet such a one with a smile.

"Old Xiao, did you know this all along?" Suddenly recalling his own words just moments before, Shen Yu felt he’d been tricked.

"Not all along—I only learned it this morning."

"..." Shen Yu stared at Xiao He, his expression constantly shifting. "I take back what I said before..."

"No can do. Once spoken, words are like water thrown out—never to be gathered back," Xiao He replied, smiling. "Remember, whatever I say, you must do."

"..."

"Oh right, I must tell you this in advance." After a few laughs, Xiao He’s face suddenly grew solemn: "The Seventh Prince and Fifth Prince will be arriving at Xirong County within a few days."

Shen Yu froze a moment, then replied unpleasantly, "Don’t worry, I won’t show my face." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Back then, he’d insulted His Majesty and not a few princes, including the Seventh and Fifth.

"Yes."

...

Three days later, Xirong County Government.

Night fell; the moon was not quite full, and a chilly breeze drifted in through the window. County Magistrate Xiao He sat with bowed head, deciphering the Mountain Scripture.

"Grand Tutor Xiao is as diligent as ever, I see."

Suddenly, the door to the study was pushed open, and a man in golden robes strode in with steady steps.

That voice...

Xiao He’s writing hand froze at once. He rose hurriedly, cupping his hands in a bow: "Your Seventh Highness, this old official... is now only the county magistrate of Xirong."

"Heh, in my eyes, Grand Tutor Xiao will always be the Grand Tutor."

The Seventh Prince, hands clasped behind his back, walked to the desk, his gaze settling on Xiao He—especially noting the whiteness of his hair at the temples. His tone deepened: "Grand Tutor Xiao, you have aged greatly."

Xiao He maintained his composure, returning the bow: "Thank you for your concern, Your Seventh Highness."

The Seventh Prince waved his hand, his eyes dropping to the documents on the desk: "Father and Eldest Brother often inquire after Grand Tutor Xiao as well."

’Father’ referred to the present ruler of the Great Qin Dynasty; ’Eldest Brother’, to the Crown Prince.

Xiao He hastened to bow deeply toward the heavens: "My thanks for His Majesty and the Crown Prince’s gracious concern."