When he got home, Cao Xi was counting the money.
Qin Zhao was confused, "How come it was all turned out?"
"Now that you have won the top prize, you must report your work in Beijing. I want to buy a small courtyard. It is not good to live here in Qiqige."
After she finished speaking, there was no reply. Cao Xi looked up and found that Qin Zhao was in a low mood, his eyes were red, and he stared at her but hesitated to speak.
Cao Xi: "What happened?"
"The emperor appointed me as the magistrate of Luzhou"
Cao Xi was shocked in his heart. The invasion of Luzhou by foreign enemies made people panic. How could Xiaobai, who had just entered the official career, be allowed to go there in a deserted and chaotic place.
After withdrawing his thoughts, Cao Xi pretended not to care and continued to count the money.
"I'll go wherever you go. There's so much trouble in the capital, it's not as comfortable as being at the head of the place."
Qin Zhao hugged Cao Xi and said, "I thought I won the top prize and you wouldn't have to run around from now on. Who knows, things are unpredictable."
...
A month later, Qin Zhao and Cao Xi were preparing to hit the road to Luzhou.
Luzhou City and Qizhou City are next to each other. Qin Zhao wants to leave early and stay in Qizhou City for a few days before continuing to Luzhou City.
Qi Qige will report to the Ministry of Etiquette, which will be their real farewell.
"I want to open Runxiang Garden to Luzhou City"
Although Qiqige's shops are located all over the country, he never takes risks because Luzhou City is located in a remote location and is often invaded by foreign enemies.
Qin Zhao: "It won't be too late for me to find out the situation in Luzhou first."
The previous governor of Luzhou City died in the war, and now Luzhou City must be in a dilapidated state.
Qin Zhao thought about Xun Mao and frowned slightly, and told him: "You are in the center of the powerful. Remember to be careful and don't take sides in the future. I didn't know Xun Mao's true identity before. Now you must not speak openly and confide in him like before."
Qi Qige: "Don't worry about me, but you are far away and I am beyond my reach, so be careful."
The reason why he wanted to do business in Luzhou City was because he couldn't worry about Qin Zhao.
Qin Zhao: "I will write to you when everything is settled."
Qi Qig: "Well, I hope everything develops in a good direction."
Before leaving, Qi Qige handed Cao Xi the income from Runxiangyuan and mahjong this month.
Cao Xi: "Too many?"
Qi Qige: "A poor family has a way of getting rich. Prices in Luzhou are now ridiculously high, so be prepared."
Cao Xi took out the excess and handed it to Qi Qige.
"I know you are worried about us, but we cannot accept this extra money. From now on, you should take care of yourself when you are alone in the capital, and don't forget to eat when you get busy."
Qi Qige's nose was sore. He lowered his head to hide his emotions. After a while, he said with a playful smile: "Worry about what I do, will I be able to live in a prosperous place without starvation?"
No matter how long the words are, there is a time to say it all, no matter how long a farewell is, there is a time to leave, just when the three of them waved goodbye.
Old Marquis and Xun Mao hurried over.
Qin Zhao and Cao Xi got out of the car and saluted, "I see the prince."
Xun Mao stepped forward and helped Qin Zhao up, "Get up quickly, it's a long way to go, remember to be careful."
Qin Zhao: "I will live up to the great trust of the court and do my best to manage Luzhou City."
Xun Mao stepped forward and patted Qin Zhao on the shoulder.
"I trust you"
Seeing that the two of them were talking about the same thing, the old Marquis took off the bronze medal from his waist and handed it to Qin Zhao.
"If you encounter danger in Luzhou City, you can take this token and go to the Army and Horse Department of Luzhou City to find General Zhang Meng. He is my grandson."
Qin Zhao took the token with both hands and put it in his arms.
"Uncle, I have made you worry so much."
The old marquis glared at Qin Zhao.
"What do you mean, you are my most proud disciple"
Seeing that the sky was turning white, Xun Mao said to Qin Zhao: "Let's set off early before dawn and try to reach the station before dark."
Qin Zhao and Cao Xi saluted and said goodbye to everyone. The carriage staggered towards Luzhou.
.............................
The prosperous scene gradually faded away, and fertile fields and mountains filled the field of vision.
"Let's sell the house when we go to Qizhou this time."
Cao Xi rested his head on Qin Zhao's shoulder, and the two held hands with each other, both feeling a little depressed.
"Keep it. Luzhou and Qizhou are close to each other. You can go back and have a look when you have time."
Now that Qin Zhao and Cui Zhizhou are equal, there is no need to care about Mrs. Cui's attitude. Besides, that house carries too many memories, and Qin Zhao can't let it go.
When Cao Xi heard that there was still a chance to go back to live, his depressed mood was instantly relieved. She sat up straight and looked at Qin Zhao with eyes full of joy.
"The house will be damaged if it remains empty. If not, let's buy a servant to take care of it."
Qin Zhao couldn't help laughing and pinched her nose.
"If you like it, I'll buy an old man to look after the house."
Hehe, Xiaojia doesn’t need to be sold. Cao Xi is in a good mood and feels that the journey is not that difficult.
The sun was just setting when we arrived at the inn. The boy driving the carriage was given to him by Qi Qige and his name was Chestnut.
"My wife's inn has arrived."
Not long after, Qin Zhao lifted the curtain and got out of the car. The people at the post station saw a carriage coming and ran out quickly.
Qin Zhao handed the official letter to Yi Cheng, and after confirming his identity, Yi Cheng led the two of them to the guest room.
There was a knock on the door, and the postman asked outside.
"Sir, the food has been prepared. Do you want to eat it in the bedroom or go to the front hall?"
Qin Zhao and Cao Xi were packing things. When they heard the question, they said, "Bring it to the house."
Not long after, the postman brought the food in with a tray.
Cao Xi ate the ribs and praised: "I didn't expect that the food at the inn is quite delicious."
Qin Zhao smiled and gave her another piece of ribs.
"This is not as delicious as what you made."
"Hey, that's just your eating habit."
Cao Xi ate the pork ribs served by Qin Zhao and felt more delicious.
There was no talking all night, and after breakfast the next day, the three of them started on their way again.
.....................
Besides, Cui Zhizhou of Qizhou City was stunned by the imperial edict from heaven. The emperor traveled thousands of miles to deliver the edict, just to reprimand him for his lax governance. Cui Zhizhou was puzzled. He first told his children and wife not to go out, and then wrote a letter to ask questions in the capital. My friend, what does the emperor mean by this?
The news soon spread that Qin Zhao, the new champion of the imperial examination, sued Mrs. Cui Zhizhou, broke into the house and forced his wife to divorce, and threatened to divorce her.
The emperor was furious after hearing this and ordered Cui Zhizhou to rectify his family tradition. If similar incidents happen again, he will be removed from office and never be reinstated.
Knowing the whole story, Cui Zhizhou looked livid with anger and found Mrs. Cui with the imperial edict and letter.
"You are so talented that you can attract the emperor's attention."
Mrs. Cui was puzzled. She had been grounded for many days and felt depressed. Now Cui Zhizhou was accusing her indiscriminately, which was like adding fuel to the fire.
Mrs. Cui threw the show in her hand, glared, and asked, "What do you mean?"
"What do you mean, you can see for yourself."
Cui Zhizhou handed the imperial edict and the letter to Mrs. Cui. After reading it, Mrs. Cui's face turned pale with fright, and her hand holding the letter kept shaking.
She hurriedly grabbed Cui Zhizhou's sleeve.
"I didn't know things would turn out like this. Who would have thought that a small candidate could actually win the top prize?"
Mrs. Cui hated Qin Zhao for holding on to the matter, and was also afraid that the emperor would really dismiss Cui Zhizhou as an official. She suppressed her dignity in her thoughts for a long time.
"I went to him and his wife to apologize. It shouldn't affect your career."
"Now that the bridge has been tied, it may be difficult to untie it by apologizing, but it is better than doing nothing."
Cui Zhizhou picked up the showpiece that was thrown on the ground, "Qin Zhao was granted the title of magistrate of Luzhou. There is no return to that place. You don't have to panic too much. Your apology is also for the emperor. No matter how much you hate it in your heart, you must endure it."
"Don't worry, I won't do anything wrong when it comes to your career."
When going to Luzhou City, you must pass by Qizhou City.
Cui Zhizhou ordered his servant to squat at the gate of Qizhou City, a hundred miles away. When he saw Qin Zhao, he must notify him immediately without delay.
