HBBMAWH Chapter 45

"County magistrate, these two deeds are not completely identical; one of them is fake," Jiang Manyue declared loudly. The entire hall fell silent; those with keen eyes stretched their necks to get a better look, while those with poorer eyesight couldn't discern much.

Upon hearing Jiang Manyue's resolute voice, Yan Cai instantly felt a sense of relief. A heavy burden was lifted from his heart. He looked up at Jiang Manyue, with a profound trust in those eyes. Jiang Manyue could naturally sense Yan Cai's gaze.

Very good. He liked it a lot.

"Oh?" County Magistrate Xu sat up straight, leaning forward slightly. "I see them as identical. Why don't you tell me where the differences lie?"

Jiang Manyue continued, "Of course, they are different. It's just that the county magistrate failed to notice."

County Magistrate Xu was taken aback, finding the young man quite audacious. Such arrogance from a discarded son of the Jiang family. If it weren't for his fear of the Jiang family, he would have slapped the guy right there.

But due to Jiang Manyue's attitude, County Magistrate Xu harbored a bit of doubt. Was there truly something different? Glancing to the left, he saw his nephew, Chen Yi, nodding at him from the entrance.

It should be fine. County Magistrate Xu didn't care about who won or lost, but the fact that these two men were so unyielding, refusing to offer any money, angered him.

"Since you claim there are differences, then tell me where they are," County Magistrate Xu demanded.

Yan Cai craned his neck, also examining the deeds for a long time. On the surface, there seemed to be no difference, but he could feel that one of the papers was older. However, this perception was based on his ability, making it challenging for others to accept.

Nevertheless, since Jiang Manyue insisted there were differences, there must be.

Jiang Manyue approached, his steps steady and forceful. Yan Cai noticed that ever since Jiang Manyue could walk again, his gait and strength had been different from ordinary people.

Before, Yan Cai had struggled to pinpoint the difference, but now, in the courtroom, he suddenly realized that Jiang Manyue's walking posture resembled that of a soldier.

It was as if he had encountered those military personnel in the base. Different from ordinary people who underwent the transformation into evolved individuals, they exhibited more orderliness, even in their steps. Regular routines, even in the apocalypse, included morning exercises every day.

Jiang Manyue also wakes up an hour earlier than him every day, and it seemed like he had increased the intensity of his exercises. This aspect was still uncertain for Yan Cai. However, one day, he leaned against the window and overheard Jiang Manyue muttering something about strength in the courtyard.

Jiang Manyue picked up the two deeds, pointing to a specific spot and said, "This is the evidence."

County Magistrate Xu sneered: "What kind of evidence is this? It's just one word."

"Please look at the way this character is written and compare it with the other one," Jiang Manyue replied.

County Magistrate Xu took a closer look and saw that the wooden characters of "Qingqu" in the deed provided by Yan Cai had a very short horizontal stroke, swiftly falling like a waterfall, while the character in the Yan family's deed had a much longer stroke, flowing like a cascade.

"What kind of evidence is this?" County Magistrate Xu dismissed, "The characters on the deed are handwritten, and different people may write characters a bit differently."

Jiang Manyue gave a cold sweep, a hint of coldness in his eyes.

"The Tea Mountain was given to the Yan family by the 11th imperial ancestor of the current dynasty. At that time, the official documents were written in the Zanhua style, created by the calligrapher of the previous dynasty. One characteristic of Zanhua is that the horizontal and vertical strokes of the character 'Qingqu' abruptly break off, while the current writing style is Zhu Wen style. This is a script created by calligraphy masters of the current dynasty, and although it is similar to Zanhua style, there are subtle differences, such as this vertical stroke that appears to be like a lingering white ribbon, indicating a lingering sentiment."

Jiang Manyue raised both deeds, showing them to everyone present. His actions, as if he treated the courtroom as his own territory, made the county magistrate feel stifled. He was about to reprimand him, but everyone present surprisingly accepted it naturally and didn't find it inappropriate.

Whether literate or illiterate, people crowded around to scrutinize. Their eyes widened, seemingly able to understand what was written.

However, some discerning individuals did notice the difference.

"So that's how it is! I didn't even know..." People exclaimed, "Indeed, those who have read books know so much."

Yan Cai was very happy and proud when he heard others praise Jiang Manyue. Although he has not read many books, he now seemed as dazed as those confused commoners.

"The Tea Mountain was bestowed upon the Yan family in the early years of the current dynasty, and the script used should be Zanhua style, not Zhu Wen style. This is the evidence."

The situation was unfavorable, and the county magistrate anxiously glared at Chen Yi, who was standing behind the entrance. This guy had assured him that there would be no problem.

County Magistrate Xu had it all planned out. When he presented the second deed, Jiang Manyue's expression would surely be worth watching. With no way out, he would naturally take the money out and settle the matter obediently.

Chen Yi also looked in disbelief. He really didn't know that the popular fonts back then were different from what they are now.

The deed he presented was something he had forged, even replicating the official seal that had been abolished back then. The Yan family did not expect that he would take the initiative to offer them his help.

What he was originally proud of was his good calligraphy in Zhu Wen style, which was praised many times by the teachers in the academy. Little did he expect that, at this moment, it would backfire.

County Magistrate Xu wasn't well-versed in calligraphy, and he had no idea about the script used in official documents in the past. Upon hearing Jiang Manyue's words, his immediate reaction was to angrily accuse him of talking nonsense.

"I'm not talking nonsense..."

"He's not talking nonsense."

Two voices rang out simultaneously. Yan Cai recognized one of the voices; it was Jiang Manyue from his family. The other voice sounded somewhat familiar and made him uncomfortable. This unexplained chorus of agreement was quite annoying.

Jiang Manyue was even more displeased than Yan Cai because the owner of the second voice had been staring at Yan Cai since appearing, the same person he had encountered in the teahouse that day, the one who pretended to be noble - Master Zhu Yuchuan.

Zhu Yuchuan's eyes were fixed on Yan Cai, and Yan Cai's gaze also fell on him, but it was a little cold. Zhu Yuchuan shivered, feeling that the weather was still a bit cXierli, wondering why he suddenly felt so cold.

"Master Zhu?" County Magistrate Xu surprisingly recognized Zhu Yuchuan. Zhu Yuchuan's father was the governor of Linhe, with a higher official position than him, and Qingqu was under the jurisdiction of Linhe, subject to its control.

This is much more practical than Minister Jiang, who is far away. At least this Master Zhu is the beloved son of the governor and won't be left unnoticed in Qingqu. Not only is Master Zhu highly regarded, but he also came to Qingqu for the purpose of pursuing education.

Zhu Yuchuan is a highly regarded figure for the autumn examination, much more famous than his own nephew, Chen  Yi. So, the attitude of County Magistrate Xu has improved significantly. Nevertheless, even with that, County Magistrate Xu is extremely displeased with the sudden appearance of Zhu Yuchuan. What does he take himself for in the courtroom?!

However, Zhu Yuchuan's attitude is quite good. Before speaking, he first sought approval from the magistrate, which somewhat saved his face.

​"Zhu style was created by the ancestors of the Zhu family. I have learned it since I was a child. What Master Jiang just said is indeed true. I can testify to this."

Lady Yan became anxious upon hearing this. That Young Master Chen Yi clearly said it could be passed off as true. But now, the public opinion had shifted, and even the county magistrate's expression was turning dark.

Of course, County Magistrate Xu knows which one is true and which one is false, but Jiang Manyue and Yan Cai haven't given him any money yet...

"My Lord,, the evidence is clear. All documents from the Yan family are fake, and those from my wife are genuine. It's obvious at a glance. Please make a swift decision," Jiang Manyue respectfully raised his hand in a salute, but only he knew how dark his hidden expression was.

This person cannot be kept.

With things reaching this point, County Magistrate Xu waved his hand, releasing them. However, the two members of the Yan family were punished with a severe thirty-board beating to vent his anger.

Zhu Yuchuan, who had willingly helped Yan Cai, was now being overly attentive. His enthusiasm along the way left Yan Cai feeling overwhelmed, unsure whether to listen or ask him to be quiet.

Moreover, he is going home, why is this guy following him? Also, his husband was already emitting an intense cold aura, couldn't he feel it?

It wasn't that Zhu Yuchuan didn't feel it. He rubbed the back of his hands and felt that the weather was getting colder again today.

"Thank you." Yan Cai suddenly stopped and thanked Zhu Yuchuan very solemnly.

Such a formal expression of thanks... Zhu Yuchuan immediately adjusted his collar, shaking his head, saying it wasn't necessary.

"Thank you, but we have to go home now."

"Huh?"

"We're going home to see our son. You don't need to accompany us; please go back." This was a straightforward way to drive someone away.

But Zhu Yuchuan seemed to be immersed in the impact brought by the word "son," oblivious to Yan Cai's straightforward dismissal.

Jiang Manyue glanced at that guy's silly and dazed state, then nudged Yan Cai to leave.

"Hey? But..." that guy was still there. It might be impolite to leave directly. After all, he did help.

"Don't bother. He probably can't hear anyway."

"Okay, okay." Yan Cai nodded, then turned to look at Zhu Yuchuan, who was standing there in a daze. Yan Cai's gaze seemed uncertain, and he said to Jiang Manyue, "I think that guy seems a bit silly."

"Yeah. Silly, doesn't look smart."

Zhu Yuchuan came to his senses, finally pulling himself out of the impact of the mention of their 'son'. Seeing Jiang Manyue and Yan Cai already walking away, he quickly shouted for them to stop.

"Yan Cai! Young Master Yan! Please wait!"

"Hurry up. Ignore him." Jiang Manyue urged with a cold face, quickening his steps.

"It's not good like this."

"There's nothing wrong... you!" Jiang Manyue stumbled as Yan Cai forcefully grabbed him, almost losing his balance and stumbling, but he quickly steadied himself.

"Are you okay?" Yan Cai looked concernedly at Jiang Manyue's lower body. "It seems like you're not in good shape."

Being questioned about his health made Jiang Manyue's expression worsen. He clenched his fists, alternating between gripping and releasing. Unnoticed by Yan Cai, Zhu Yuchuan had caught up, shouting as he ran.

"Young Master Yan, can I invite you to Cuiwei Pavilion to enjoy tea with me tonight?"

"That's inappropriate..." Yan Cai's reply was drowned out by Zhu Yuchuan's louder voice.

"I'll be waiting for you, don't be late."

I'll be waiting for you. Keep waiting! Jiang Manyue gave Zhu Yuchuan a cold glance and directly led Yan Cai away.

"Not going. My wife doesn't have time to deal with you."

Yan Cai rubbed his hands. Although he didn't want to go, it was not a good idea to refuse directly like this. After all, the man had just helped him. In terms of courtesy and gratitude, it wasn't right to be cold.

"We have more important matters tonight," Jiang Manyue said solemnly.

"Ah?" Yan Cai looked at him suspiciously, wondering if he was trying to come up with a temporary excuse to make him miss the meeting.

"It's true. The county magistrate can't stay. Tonight, we're going to take something from him."

"Take something?"

"Yes, something that can send him to jail." Jiang Manyue said, changing his tone, he then added, "So, you can't go see that guy tonight."

While the initial part sounded like a serious matter, the last sentence made it sound less so.

Reluctantly, Yan Cai chose to believe it. As a gesture of gratitude, he had someone bring a box of tea from his home to Cuiwei Pavilion for Zhu Yuchuan as an offer of thanks at least.

Unexpectedly, this led to a misunderstanding.

The author has something to say:

"My writing might not be great, but I will try my best to round it off well. I've written some stories with terrible endings before and don't want to repeat the same mistakes. Although I still don’t write well, I will try my best. Only by working harder can you make progress.

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