The Passerby Hidden Guard Picked Up the Villain [Transmigration] - Chapter 18

From that day forward, Xiao Hongyin began his studies at Qingsong Academy.

Spring passed and autumn came; harvests were gathered and winter stores were set. In the blink of an eye, three years had vanished. Relying on his extraordinary intelligence, Xiao Hongyin thrived at the academy, even earning the nickname “The Hidden Jinshi” among the scholars.

As the nickname grew in popularity, people inevitably began to ask when he would sit for the imperial examinations. Xiao Hongyin never answered. He would simply pack his brushes and paper in silence and walk away, leaving behind a back that was impossible to read.

Over these years, more and more commoners had come to settle in Xizhou, making the city markets even more bustling than before. Walking through the streets, Xiao Hongyin was frequently forced to slow his pace by the surging crowds. He kept his gaze fixed ahead, estimating how much longer the walk would take, when the whispers of several young ladies reached his ears.

“Quick, look! That gentleman over there is so handsome.”

“I only stole a glance just now, but guess what? His eyes look like precious gems.”

“Judging by his appearance, he must be just the right age. I wonder if he is wed.”

“How about this? I will go back and speak to my father about sending a matchmaker!”

Unaware that the ladies were discussing him, other passersby who overheard the commotion also stole glances, their eyes filled with admiration. Among them happened to be a matchmaker who, with a thick skin, squeezed her way in front of Xiao Hongyin.

“The young master looks truly elegant,” she asked. “Might I ask your age, and whether you are betrothed?”

Xiao Hongyin replied calmly, “I am twenty-six, and I have an old wife at home.”

Hearing this, the matchmaker laughed, thinking he was intentionally teasing her. “A gentleman with your looks is eighteen at most. I have been a matchmaker for many years and have never misjudged an age. Are you truly wed?”

“My wife is fierce; I dare not say more.”

Seeing the crowd growing larger, Xiao Hongyin tapped the tips of his toes lightly and leapt onto a nearby rooftop, drawing gasps of amazement from the onlookers.

Xiao Hongyin could not care less about their wonder. After leaping across several roofs, he dropped into a deep alley and returned to his courtyard with practiced ease. Upon pushing open the door, he saw He Yanzhi lying in the yard, basking in the sun.

Xiao Hongyin went inside to put away his books, then walked over to He Yanzhi. He gently lifted the cattail leaf fan covering the man’s face, prompting an annoyed “tsk” from He Yanzhi.

“What time is it and you are still sleeping? Get up and walk around.”

Seeing no reaction from He Yanzhi, Xiao Hongyin pulled a small bowl from behind his back and placed it before him. A refreshing, cool fragrance wafted toward his lips. Forced by circumstance, He Yanzhi opened his eyes and saw the iced curd before him.

“Where did you get the silver?” He Yanzhi sat up with a yawn, took the bowl, and shoveled a spoonful into his mouth.

A sweet chill spread through his body, making He Yanzhi shiver involuntarily. Logically, since his body was afflicted with “Cold Poison,” he should not be eating chilled food. However, the texture of the iced curd was so good that it reminded him of his life before he transmigrated into the book. This kind of trendy snack was quite expensive; he did not know how Xiao Hongyin had obtained it.

Xiao Hongyin spoke candidly, “I did some ghostwriting for my classmates, one tael of silver per piece.” He had started this business a long time ago and had accumulated a fair amount of silver over the years, more than enough to buy the occasional treat.

Seeing Xiao Hongyin’s proud expression, He Yanzhi silently took a large bite. Since he stopped working at the magistrate’s office, He Yanzhi had lived like a “salted fish” on the remaining dozen or so taels he had, plus the three hundred taels he got from “Dry-Well Throat.” He spent his days eating, drinking, and sleeping, occasionally practicing swordplay with Xiao Hongyin. Life was extremely comfortable.

As life became comfortable, his appearance followed suit. Due to a lack of exercise, half the muscle He Yanzhi had worked so hard to build had faded. He had grown leaner, and thanks to the rich diet, his skin had become fairer and more delicate. Lying in the chair, from a distance, he looked like a pampered young master from a wealthy family.

Xiao Hongyin did not know exactly how much silver He Yanzhi had saved. Seeing He Yanzhi’s lazy lifestyle and lack of restraint in daily spending, he had once worried about their future. Fortunately, he had found his own way to earn money, sparing them from worrying about basic necessities. It had to be said that since He Yanzhi had idled down, he had become even better-looking than before. Xiao Hongyin subconsciously curled his lips into a smile.

A knock sounded at the door. Xiao Hongyin went to open it, and Yang Kuan walked in carrying a chicken.

“Who is it?” He Yanzhi asked, his head buried in his iced curd.

Xiao Hongyin replied, “Big Yang and a chicken.”

Yang Kuan let out a dissatisfied “Hey!” and snapped at Xiao Hongyin, “You brat, your wings have grown strong, haven’t they? You won’t even call me ‘Brother.’ And what do you mean ‘Me and a chicken’? It is me bringing a chicken. Some ‘Hidden Jinshi’ you are; you have eaten all your books!”

“No difference.”

He Yanzhi finished the iced curd. Xiao Hongyin took the empty bowl to the kitchen while He Yanzhi told Yang Kuan to take a seat. “It is not a holiday or a festival; why are you bringing a chicken?”

Yang Kuan found a stool and tied the chicken to one of its legs. The chicken promptly let out two clucks.

“Listen to you. Can’t I visit a brother if it is not a holiday?” Yang Kuan spoke with a bit of gloom, sighing, “Look at you, you went and broke your own rice bowl, leaving me all alone at the magistrate’s office. I do not even have anyone to talk to during the day.”

He Yanzhi felt an odd shiver. He exposed the truth, “You mean you have no one to give you ideas anymore.”

Yang Kuan immediately grinned. “Brother He truly understands me.”

He Yanzhi lay back in his chair. Yang Kuan moved his stool closer and said, “You know the Minister of Works, Lord Shen Hai, right? A few days ago, he was found to have embezzled eight thousand taels. In a fit of rage, the Emperor ordered the execution of his entire clan, nine generations.”

Being ousted for corruption was common, so He Yanzhi was not surprised. However, he had some impression of the name Shen Hai. “Lord Shen was a famously honest official. How could he embezzle eight thousand taels?”

Yang Kuan slapped his thigh. “Exactly! If you ask me, he must have been framed!”

He Yanzhi raised an eyebrow. “What are you getting so excited for? Even if nine generations are executed, it will not reach the Yang family tree.”

Yang Kuan sighed. “Brother He, you do not know. Before I joined the magistrate’s office, I worked as a guard for Squire Shen. This Squire Shen is the legitimate son of Lord Shen’s paternal uncle. He is famously kind-hearted. When I was living on the streets, he gave me a meal; he was a great benefactor to me. Now he has been implicated. The magistrate’s office was ordered to seize his assets and family, and the Prefect just happened to hand this task to me.”

“I see.” He Yanzhi understood. “You want to save Squire Shen’s family. You want to find an opening to swap them out and let them go.”

“If only it were that simple.” Yang Kuan’s expression turned pained. “That man is incredibly stubborn! He will not leave, and he will not let his family leave either. He is forcing his whole household to let me take them to be beheaded. You tell me, how am I supposed to do that?” In his excitement, he kept moving his stool forward until he was almost touching the lounge chair.

This was indeed a difficult situation. This was the first time He Yanzhi had encountered such a thing, and he could not think of a strategy immediately. Yang Kuan had no choice but to take the family back to the jail first, letting Old Li and the others look after them.

“What does his family think?” He Yanzhi asked.

Yang Kuan let out a cold laugh. “What else could they think? They follow Squire Shen! It is that five-year-old daughter I pity; she understands nothing, yet she is going to have her head chopped off.”

He Yanzhi countered, “Seeking death is Squire Shen’s idea. The others might not feel the same. You should find a chance to test them.”

As soon as he said this, Yang Kuan’s eyes lit up. He leaned in close and whispered, “How should I test them?”

He Yanzhi began explaining the method to him. Halfway through, Xiao Hongyin’s voice suddenly rang out from behind.

“Yanzhi.”

He Yanzhi was forced to stop. He looked back to see Xiao Hongyin standing behind them, his expression slightly displeased. Yang Kuan was only halfway through listening and urgently urged He Yanzhi to continue, but he was blocked in the middle by a certain someone who separated him from He Yanzhi.

“Come inside to eat.”

He Yanzhi looked up, squinting at Xiao Hongyin against the light. Hearing that the meal was ready, he nodded and stood up from the lounge chair. Once He Yanzhi stood up straight in front of him, he realized the boy had unknowingly grown to be the same height as himself. Not long ago, he still had to look down at him; now, he felt a sense of his authority crumbling.

Looking at Xiao Hongyin’s frame, he was no longer as thin and weak as before; he had become tall and sturdy. His face was almost the same, still just as handsome, but the delicate, smooth lines had become more defined, adding an inexplicable air of allure.

He Yanzhi thought about how he had not only raised a refined young man but also taught him martial arts and cooking. He felt a swell of pride.

“You brat, what is the rush to eat? Let your brother finish what he was saying!” Yang Kuan’s view was completely blocked, so he had to stand up and walk around them.

“Knock them unconscious, open the cell door. Do what needs to be done. Whether they leave or not is their choice; it has nothing to do with you.” Xiao Hongyin gave him a look of disdain. He thought to himself that if such a simple matter required bothering He Yanzhi, he would have to install a door bolt another day.

“So that is how it is.” Yang Kuan had just listened to He Yanzhi explain a long string of causes and effects that made his head spin. He had not expected Xiao Hongyin to make him understand in a single sentence. Amidst his realization, Yang Kuan was stung by the look in his eyes. “I am your sworn elder brother after all, can’t you show me some respect?”

Xiao Hongyin ignored him and went to the kitchen to serve the rice. He Yanzhi patted Yang Kuan on the shoulder. “You will get used to it.”

He Yanzhi could not remember when it had started, but Xiao Hongyin no longer called him “Brother Yan.” His heart felt strangely empty. He sighed silently; a villain is a villain indeed, showing no sentimentality at all.

The three of them went inside to eat. Yang Kuan praised Xiao Hongyin’s cooking repeatedly and was begrudgingly allowed an extra piece of meat. As they chatted about various things, He Yanzhi casually asked, “Are there many cases lately?”

Yang Kuan chewed as he spoke. “It is alright. No major cases, but there are rumors that someone from above is coming. No one knows what for.”

The table of food was quickly cleared. Suddenly, Xiao Hongyin spoke up. “The teacher said I have come of age. I do not need to go to the academy anymore.”

Hearing this, He Yanzhi put down his chopsticks and fell into thought.

“Isn’t that great? You are at the age to take the exams. Pack your things and bring back a Zhuangyuan title for Brother He.” Yang Kuan did not think much of it. He let out a burp and poured a cup of wine to celebrate in advance.

Xiao Hongyin looked at He Yanzhi silently. To him, an official career was a good path for revenge, though the risks were high; one wrong move could lead to being crushed to pieces. Over the years they had spent together, Xiao Hongyin could see that He Yanzhi had no interest in court politics and had more or less prevented him from contacting anything related to the imperial court, likely because he did not want him to seek revenge.

Xiao Hongyin’s view of He Yanzhi had long since changed; he would not use He Yanzhi as a stepping stone for vengeance. Therefore, this opportunity could not be missed. Even if He Yanzhi disagreed, he intended to try.

“Fine. We set off in three days.”

He Yanzhi also poured himself a cup of wine and downed it in one go. Xiao Hongyin looked at him with some surprise, only to hear He Yanzhi say, “We are going to Dongzhou.”