Chapter 93: Finally, It Arrives

Note: If you want the continuity of this story consider to join Pãtreon/Flokixy to access advance Chapters and To Support The Daily Update The wind howled fiercely, whipping snow into a frenzy as it swept across the mountains and villages. Ancient trees groaned under its force, their bare branches creaking and roaring like angry beasts in the cold. Layers of thick snow clung to the pine boughs on the surrounding hills, their weight causing occasional chunks of snow—large as a palm—to fall silently onto the already snow-laden ground. On the snow-covered official road, a horse-drawn carriage sped forward, its wheels crunching through the icy path. "Brother, how much longer? This cold is unbearable!" A sweet yet impatient voice called out from inside the carriage. The man driving the carriage clenched his teeth against the biting wind and replied, "Not far now! We’ll be in the capital soon!" Even those few words sent a chill racing down his throat, freezing him to the bone. He shivered involuntarily. Suddenly, an odd bump appeared in the otherwise smooth road ahead. "Whoa!" The carriage came to a halt. From within, a curious voice asked, "An'er, why are we stopping?" The man squinted at the lump protruding from the snow. As he drew closer, his eyes widened—it was a person! And judging by their clothing, a woman! She lay motionless, dressed in white, almost blending seamlessly with the snow around her. Only her jet-black hair distinguished her from the frosty landscape. The carriage curtain was pulled back, revealing an elderly woman and a young girl inside. The girl, about eleven or twelve years old, wore simple but clean clothes—not indicative of wealth. "An'er, don’t bother with her. Let’s go! This weather will freeze us alive! Once we reach your aunt’s house, I’m going to drink a big bowl of chicken soup just to warm up," the old woman grumbled. The girl chimed in eagerly, "Exactly! Mother, didn’t you say Auntie’s family is wealthy? When we get there, we’ll have meat every meal and beautiful clothes and jewelry!" The old woman scolded affectionately, "You’re so shallow! Once your brother becomes the top scholar, we won’t need anything from your aunt. By then, noble daughters and even princesses will come flocking to him! Who knows, maybe one day we’ll even become relatives of the emperor himself!" At the thought of such a glorious future, the wrinkles on the old woman’s face seemed to rearrange themselves into a blooming chrysanthemum. Had anyone overheard this conversation, they might have laughed until their teeth fell out. Even if Zhao Hu’an were to pass the imperial examination and become a zhuangyuan (top scholar), he’d likely start as a seventh-rank official in the Hanlin Academy—a long way from wielding power or influence. Climbing the ranks in the competitive capital city wouldn’t be easy. The capital wasn’t particularly vast, nor was it small—but it was densely populated with officials and nobility. One could easily trip over a prince or duke while walking down the street. Standing out among them required extraordinary effort. Zhao Hu’an seemed oblivious to his mother and sister’s chatter. His attention remained fixed on the unconscious woman before him. Gently brushing aside strands of her hair, he froze in shock. This... this face! It matched the woman from his recurring dream! For months, he had been haunted by the same vision: himself dressed in fine robes, holding a beautiful woman by the door. Inside the room stood another woman, chained and bloodied, her face marred by a long scar. That image had replayed endlessly in his mind, but he had dismissed it as mere fantasy. Yet here she was—the very face from his dreams! Determined to uncover the meaning behind these visions, Zhao turned to those in the carriage and declared, "Mother, I want to save her!" The old woman’s expression darkened. "Save her? Are you mad? We can barely afford to feed ourselves, let alone take care of some stranger!" "An'er, once you become the zhuangyuan, you can have any woman you desire!" she added dismissively. Seeing his mother’s misunderstanding, Zhao quickly explained, "Mother, do you remember the dream I told you about? She looks exactly like the woman from my dream!" The old woman gasped. "Such a coincidence?" Zhao nodded solemnly. Zhao Yu Yan, the younger sister, tilted her head thoughtfully. "Well, if Brother insists on saving her, let him. After all, he’s bound to become the zhuangyuan soon. Think of her as an early purchase—a maid to handle chores for us." After all, she wouldn’t need to cook, fetch water, or wash clothes anymore. As the future sister of a zhuangyuan, she envisioned herself marrying royalty, and she needed to keep her hands soft and pristine. After a moment’s consideration, the old woman relented. "Fine, take her along. But she’ll stay outside the carriage—we’re cramped enough as it is." Zhao Hu’an nodded and carefully lifted the unconscious woman, placing her against him at the front of the carriage. With that, they resumed their journey toward the capital. In the Shangshu Mansion Su Li had just finished lunch with Lady Su and returned to her courtyard to rest when Siqin entered with news. "Miss, Xu Ge has sent word. Su Yue set fire to Lichun Courtyard and escaped. Someone rescued her, and they’ve taken refuge in Judge Liu Ji’ang’s residence at the Astronomical Bureau." "The Astronomical Bureau judge?" Su Li echoed, recognizing the name immediately. Liu Ji’ang’s wife, Xue Shi, was Zhao Hu’an’s aunt. In her past life, Liu Ji’ang had been one of the Sixth Prince’s most trusted allies. Though only a sixth-rank official, his position at the Astronomical Bureau granted him significant influence. "What did the rescuer look like? Where exactly did they find her?" Su Li asked sharply. Siqin hesitated. "Xu Ge didn’t mention that. Shall I inquire further?" Su Li nodded curtly. Siqin soon returned with more details. "Miss, Xu Ge says the rescue happened on the outskirts of the city. The rescuer was a handsome young man traveling in a carriage with an elderly woman and a young girl. Our people were too far away to overhear their conversation." Su Li’s eyes narrowed slightly. Zhao Hu’an... You’ve finally arrived. It seems fate has brought you and Su Yue together once again in this lifetime. But this time, Su Yue is no longer the daughter of a prestigious family. How will you treat her now? And without me, Su Li, funding and supporting you, will you still rise to prominence? Will you still earn the favor of Emperor Junhui? No member of the Zhao family will escape my vengeance! In her past life, she—a minister’s daughter—had married into the Zhao family, humbling herself to please the old woman and her bratty daughter-in-law. Yet instead of gratitude, she faced nothing but disdain and hostility. That old hag thinks her son is perfect, does she? I’ll make sure she sees him groveling like a dog beneath her feet. And Zhao Yu Yan, who fancies herself destined for royalty? Oh, I’ll show her exactly what she truly is. "Miss? Are you... alright?" Siqin ventured cautiously, sensing the oppressive aura emanating from Su Li. Snapping out of her thoughts, Su Li replied calmly, "I’m fine. Tell Xu Jin to continue monitoring them—including the man who saved her. Report any developments to me immediately." "Yes, Miss. I’ll inform Xu Ge right away." Once Siqin left, Su Li calculated the remaining days until the imperial examinations. With everyone now gathered, it was time to begin preparations. Reflecting on the exam questions from her past life, Su Li recalled how she had gone to great lengths to obtain a copy of Zhao Hu’an’s answers. Those answers had brought him immense glory in her previous life—but this time, they would bring him ruin. Top scholar? Ha! Not in this lifetime. Seated at her desk, Su Li began writing furiously. Soon, the paper was filled with characters. "Mo Yun." "Miss?" Folding the sheet neatly, Su Li handed it to her servant. "Go and carry out this task for me..."