CHAPTER 1753: CHAPTER 1753: EXQUISITE INGENUITY

The next day, Zhulan took the newspapers she missed and attended the book club. She read quite a lot yesterday afternoon, and her head was now aching, her brows furrowed.

Su Xuan asked, "Mother, are you feeling unwell?"

"Hm, I’ve been too busy lately and haven’t been keeping up with Empress Dowager Chen’s novels. I read quite a bit yesterday."

As a fake book enthusiast, she didn’t want her cover blown; she still wanted more of Empress Dowager Chen’s autographs!

Besides, she couldn’t afford to lose face if her cover was blown; how would she face Empress Dowager Chen in the future!

Su Xuan exclaimed, "Didn’t you send every issue of the newspaper to Qi Prince Residence?"

"I want Empress Dowager Chen’s autograph."

Su Xuan fell silent. Her mother-in-law was a fake book enthusiast who had fooled everyone in the capital. She subscribed to many newspapers each issue, and who in the capital didn’t know Mrs. Hou was a devoted book lover.

Even Su Xuan, who liked Empress Dowager Chen’s stories and had written letters, humbly accepted her loss!

Zhulan cleared her throat, "The stories by the Empress Dowager are indeed good."

Su Xuan smiled, "Yes."

The Empress Dowager’s stories had pierced many men’s hearts, exposing many sordid thoughts!

The place where Empress Dowager Chen hosted the book club was an estate, sizable in area. As Zhulan entered the courtyard, she looked around, her eyes slightly widened, "The architecture here is quite unique."

The Female Officer explained with a smile, "Every time the Empress Dowager writes a story, she presents the classic scenery from the story here in the estate."

Su Xuan recognized many sceneries, "The Empress Dowager is very meticulous."

Zhulan also admired her. If the estate were to open in the future, it would be a place where book enthusiasts came to take photos. It showed the Empress Dowager had been preparing for the book club for a long time.

As they passed each scenic spot, even a fake fan like Zhulan could identify the books corresponding to each scene. What amazed her were the paintings; each scene had a framed painting portraying the story from the Empress Dowager’s novel.

Su Xuan, suppressing her excitement, said, "I’ve truly broadened my horizons."

The Female Officer smiled, "The Empress Dowager says there are four seasons in a year; each season will have a book club event. Today, there’s also an opening highlight."

Zhulan was thinking it could be turned into a paid event, with considerable income each year!

Upon reaching the garden, many people had already arrived. The Empress Dowager’s books were very popular among the female relatives of the officials. The first book club invitation was lenient, and Zhulan spotted many acquaintances.

Zhulan nodded to her acquaintances and walked to Empress Dowager Chen’s side, "It’s lively."

Empress Dowager Chen gestured for her to sit, "I’ve put a lot of thought into this."

Zhulan had a good position, clear not just because of her status, but more because she was the top fan!

Su Xuan went to her younger sister’s side, "Younger sister, you came early."

Xue Han replied, "Lin Xi insisted on coming early?"

Su Xuan looked at her daughter and others, who had already gathered around Lin Xi, "Empress Dowager Chen’s stories are very popular, and even the girls at home like them."

Xue Han smiled at her daughters and nieces, "It’s good for the young girls to read more."

Su Xuan nodded in agreement. Empress Dowager Chen came from a noble family, with a rich life experience, and her wisdom was reflected in her novels. Those with good understanding could learn a lot.

Zhulan also came up with some suggestions. She might not write novels, but she was experienced, and she had to maintain her reputation as the top fan!

Empress Dowager Chen was so pleased she almost took notes, "I knew you understood me best. In the future, you don’t have to subscribe to the newspapers. I’ll sign and send them directly to you."

Zhulan kept her composure, "No need, buying them myself gives a sense of accomplishment."

Empress Dowager Chen’s expression became softer, "Then I’ll save this Silver Coin."

Zhulan felt relaxed inside, she had finally managed to bluff her way through.

The book club was friendlier than a tea party, with the ladies discussing their favorite stories in groups. The estate itself was a scenic place, like a treasure hunt for those visiting for the first time.

Yu Wen and a few others joined Lin Xi, Yu Wen exclaimed, "The Empress Dowager’s thoughts are so meticulous, it would be even better if this weren’t a private estate."

It would be nice to visit any time.

Lin Xi knew more, "This is the estate Empress Dowager brought with her as dowry."

So don’t think about it being open to the public.

The group stood in the gallery, admiring the exquisite paintings, each girl immersed in admiration.

After a while, this side became quite crowded, and Lin Xi and the others prepared to leave. They were met by several girls coming towards them, but before Lin Xi could get close, the girls had already stepped aside.

Yu Wen, keenly sensing Lin Xi’s gaze, asked after they walked away, "Did you recognize someone?"

Lin Xi recalled the investigative information, confirmed there was no one nearby, and whispered, "There was a Ms. An just now, who came to the capital last year. Her ancestral home is Chuanzhou Province."

Yu Wen instantly thought of her father’s trip to Chuanzhou Province. She assumed the Qin Prince Residence also got the news due to a Chuanzhou issue. She cast another glance after recalling what she had heard.

Ms. An and the others let out a long breath after walking away, catching the attention of Ms. Jiao beside her.

Ms. Jiao asked, "Are you okay?"

Ms. An shook her head, indicating she was fine. She admired her own boldness. The longer she stayed in the capital, the more she realized who she shouldn’t calculate against.

Ms. Jiao spoke with a tone of envy, "In the capital, the ladies are ranked by status. In the Prefecture City, when we hadn’t come to the capital, we were the admired daughters of officials, but only after arriving did we realize how small our world was."

Ms. An pursed her lips, feeling unwilling. She had clearly made it to the capital.

In Xiao Liu Village, Chang Zhi, wearing simple long clothes, looked every bit the scholar. The young servant also dressed as a bookboy. Chang Zhi got off the carriage, gazing at the dilapidated courtyard before him.

The houses in the courtyard hadn’t been repaired in years, with one side already collapsed and uninhabitable.

The young servant called out, "Is anyone there?"

After a while, a pregnant woman came out of the intact part of the house, followed by a seven or eight-year-old girl.

The young servant, smiling, said, "Madam, we were passing by and would like to trouble you for a cup of water."

The woman pursed her lips, "There is water, but it’s inconvenient as my husband is not at home."

The young servant said, "We’ll just wait in the courtyard."

The woman moved with some difficulty, as she was quite far along in her pregnancy. The little girl ran off to the kitchen to boil water.

Chang Zhi spoke, "I noticed some paper in the courtyard. Is there someone in the family who studies?"

The woman’s hand stiffened for a moment, "Yes, my husband is a scholar. He went to help someone write letters and will be back later."

Chang Zhi had arrived the day before. He had specifically made inquiries in the county town and then met the male owner of this house, who was helping tally accounts at the time.

Upon asking, he heard many stories. This male owner was twenty-eight, famous in Xiao Liu Village for his early wisdom and good talent in reading. Confident at sixteen, he participated in the exams. The first county exam was passed, but the rank wasn’t high; he failed the second one.

He then participated two more times, failing the second stage each time. It required a lot of Silver Coin to leave home and participate in the prefectural exams. Even the county lord’s mutual guarantee needed Silver Coin, and after several failures, the family had no more Silver Coin.

After saving up for two years, he continued to test, but couldn’t even pass the county exam. His brothers at home caused a ruckus, eventually leading to a family split.

Chang Zhi’s recollection ended as the little girl came out with cups. The woman said, "These are the few intact cups we have at home; please don’t mind them."

Chang Zhi didn’t mind. Having traveled with his teacher, he had endured much harder times. He took out some candy from his pouch and handed it to the little girl, "Thank you for your effort."

The little girl looked to her mother. The woman paused before nodding, "Thank you."

Chang Zhi had no intention of leaving; he had come at a precise time, waiting for the male owner to return to confirm his suspicions.