In front of the Lin Mansion. Wang Mochuan had brought a letter, intending to present it. But surprisingly, there wasn’t a single person to receive the letter. The area before the door was in complete chaos, with servants scurrying around, visitors lacking proper guidance, the Daoists performing the rituals unsure of where to set up the mourning tent, and some servants seemingly pushing and shoving with a Daoist child. As they were speaking, a street argument broke out. Many old family friends had come to pay their respects, but most were blocked at the door at this moment. Wang Mochuan was about to send the driver to inquire, when a familiar student approached and said, "Brother Wang, you may not know this, but Brother Lin Yuan has disappeared without a trace." Inside the mourning hall’s coffin, a strange thing was hiding; whenever someone went up to pay their respects, it would ask, ’Are you the one who killed Lin Qi?’ Wow, it scared everyone half to death at the time. Then, out of nowhere, a little Daoist leading a donkey walked in, ignored everyone’s objections, and lifted the coffin lid, claiming there was a demon inside. As it turned out, a red fox leapt out of the coffin, dashed to Lin Uncle’s front, and scared him into a faint on the spot, then the demon vanished without a trace. The little Daoist slapped a talisman on the donkey and then vanished along with it. Oh, what a morning full of strange happenings; wouldn’t the mansion be thrown into chaos?" Wang Mochuan was stunned upon hearing this; they had only arrived a bit later than others, yet they missed out on such significant events at the mansion. Of course, Wang Mochuan had no intention of reveling in the misfortunes of others or gloating. With Lin Qi’s recent passing, the Lin Family was already in mourning, and now with these incidents occurring, and Lin Yuan inexplicably missing, Wang Mochuan worried for the elders of the Lin Mansion. "How is Uncle Lin now?" Wang Mochuan sighed and asked first. The eager student named Meng Hui stepped forward, but lowered his voice and said, "Some relatives from the Lin Family’s countryside have come, saying they want to help the Lin Family take charge of the situation. The Lin Family’s two elder sons, one dead and one missing, leaving only a seven- or eight-year-old illegitimate son at their knees. Right now, they are arguing; if Uncle Lin doesn’t wake up, it will depend on Auntie’s capabilities." In other words, Lin Father has yet to wake up. Xu Wenyuan, who was listening on the side, became both worried and anxious, and hurriedly said, "What should we do now? Should we still go to send off Brother Lin Qi on his last journey? Shouldn’t we go in to help Uncle Lin?" "Help with what?" came a slightly hoarse but authoritative voice. The group quickly turned their heads to see a middle-aged scholar in casual blue attire walking down the steps of the Lin Mansion, precisely the County School Instructor they were all familiar with, Wu Zhengze. Everyone hurriedly bowed and greeted him, addressing him as Master or Teacher. Even those Daoist children arguing with the Lin Mansion servants on the street quieted down. Wu Zhengze approached slowly, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and remarked lightly, "Matters of the family, what right or reason do you have to interfere?" All the students hung their heads in silence. "Every problem arises from trying to stand out, and you, with your youthful ignorance, are you not afraid of doing harm while intending good?" Wu Zhengze admonished them a bit, and finally said, "Go on, enter and pay your respects to Lin Qi, send him off on his final journey, and then return to your own studies. I recall, today isn’t a day off." With these few words, he arranged things clearly for them, and although the chaos in front of the Lin Mansion remained, it seemed disconnected from the County School students. The students who hadn’t yet paid their respects to Lin Qi quickly hurried up the steps, entering the Lin Mansion in a rush, without waiting for anyone to announce them, to offer incense and condolences to Lin Qi. Inside the mourning hall was just as chaotic, with several groups seemingly confronting each other at a glance. The group ignored all this, focusing on completing their tasks, then swiftly bade farewell to Mrs. Yu and left. Chen Xu mingled among them, going through the motions as if attending a crowd, and then left the Lin Mansion with the flow. Throughout, everyone was silent until they walked out of the Lin Mansion gate again; only then did someone suddenly let out a long exhalation, saying, "In two or three days, a family’s fate can change so dramatically; truly, the affairs of the world are unpredictable." Yes, indeed, the affairs of the world are unpredictable. Everyone couldn’t help but sigh, feeling a heavy heart. Chen Xu also felt the impermanence; he came to the Lin Mansion to pay respects today, thinking he’d encounter some curves, and while there were indeed twists, they seemed unrelated to him. He became an observer; the Fox Demon had fled before he arrived, and Lin Yuan "vanished," making the entanglements between the Lin brothers and him seem like a dream. Chen Xu felt a thorough awakening, as if from a dream. At this moment, he felt perhaps he understood the phrase "the affairs of the world are unpredictable" more profoundly than any of his peers. The matters of the Lin Family thus concluded, just as the County School students indeed left in groups back to the school, only Chen Xu was called upon by Wu Zhengze. Chen Xu boarded Wu Zhengze’s carriage, and the normally stern teacher appeared somewhat relaxed inside, kindly asking Chen Xu, "How’s your leg injury? Will it heal before the official exam?" "Replying to Master, my leg injury has largely healed, and will surely be healed before the exam," Chen Xu answered promptly. Wu Zhengze nodded, saying, "I discussed with the other teachers, this year it’s best to go to Prefecture City half a month early. The exam starts in one month; we’ll gather the team and set off in five days. If you’re set on taking this year’s exam, you should register at the County School now. As for the five-man security bond, don’t worry; once registered, the school will arrange it." Wu Zhengze’s meticulousness lifted Chen Xu’s spirits, and he quickly said, "Thank you, Master." Having said that, noticing the carriage’s atmosphere becoming too somber, Chen Xu added, "May I hitch a ride to the County School with Master’s carriage? I’ve recently made some rough tea, which I’ll gift to Master later; I hope Master won’t disdain it." Wu Zhengze glanced at Chen Xu lightly, hearing this. The look was rather complex, overtly expressing disdain. Ah, that’s Wu’s character. He disdains common things, including all the students at County School with their diverse traits and varied flaws. Yet despite his disdain, Wu Zhengze’s conscientious and responsible nature isn’t compromised. So, Chen Xu never fears him; seeing his master’s sidelong glance, Chen Xu instead laughed and said, "Master, this tea tastes really good; I won’t give it to others, only to you." Wu Zhengze sighed, saying, "Alright, you still have the leisure to make tea, it seems years of setbacks haven’t dampened your spirit. Read complete versıon only at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝕟𝕖𝕥 This is very good; with such a nature, regardless of your success in the exams, your future will surely not be poor. Since you intend to give it to me, then send it over later." Chen Xu’s eyes immediately lit up, showing joy. Though reluctant to accept gifts, in receiving them, he found great happiness. Chen Xu had a slight scheme; he planned to gift "worry-relieving tea" to Mr. Wu, expecting to hear praise from him. And to explore Wu Zhengze’s daily "likes" limit. Planning ahead, even while still in Jichuan, Chen Xu’s thoughts were already on his future resources in Prefecture City.