Chapter Sixteen: One Heart

  All along, Han Jing had thought that his sister was being paranoid, blaming some coincidental events on Liu Shi and her mother. But now he finally understood that he was the foolish one. If it weren't for his sister's sharp mind and careful investigation to gather evidence, he would still be suspecting his own sister and speaking up for those despicable people.

  "Big brother, why get so agitated? Your own house also has such eyes and ears, it's just that you haven't noticed them." Han Jiang Xue calmly said to Han Jing: "In any case, big brother, remember this, for important matters, except for Qing Mu, don't easily trust anyone in your household!"

  At first, Han Jiang Xue asked her uncle for people, one of which was to let the two siblings take their strengths and weaknesses, and at least have someone they could absolutely trust by their side. After all, Liu's family can buy anyone, but no matter what, it is impossible to buy Qing Mu and Zi Yue.

  "Sister's words, big brother must remember well. Big brother is really ashamed, not only did he fail to protect his sister properly, but also repeatedly ignored her reminders. I'm so stupid! Han Jing was filled with regret, thinking that because of Liu Shi and her daughter, he didn't believe his own sister, and felt even more self-reproach."

  "Big brother, no need to be like this. It's not your fault, it's just that they pretended too well. In the past, wasn't I also deceived by them just like you?" Han Jiang Xue comforted: "I know big brother can't just overturn everything he has seen with his own eyes all these years because of my few words, so I took this opportunity to first reveal some real evidence. Big brother has indeed been studying and reading books for more than half a month now, and since I don't need to participate in the literary examination, it's impossible that you were just looking at books and planting flowers."

  At this point, the hearts of the two siblings naturally drew closer together. Han Jing glanced at Shui'er with an expression that seemed to say he would make an example out of this servant who had eaten his fill and then turned against him, warning others not to dare commit such treachery in the future.

  "Master, I know who the mistress has arranged to be a spy in your room. I am willing to confess everything, just please spare my life, Master and Miss!"

  Although Shui'er was nervous, he wasn't stupid and his mind was still quick. He soon took the initiative to expose the mole on Han Jing's side, hoping to make amends and receive a lighter punishment.

  They were all sold by Liu's family long ago, and because for so many years, the Han siblings have been extremely trusting and obedient to Liu's family, so Liu's family didn't arrange too many spies.

  After handing over everything, Shui'er begged again.

  Han Jinghuo was furious, and at the moment he hated that he couldn't drag out the water boy and the spy in his house to beat them to death. However, he was stopped by Han Jiangxue: "Zi Yue, take the water boy down first and do as I said earlier."

  Zi Yue nodded and quickly pulled out Shui Er again, who had already been scared to the point of being half dead.

  "Sister, are you going to let this servant girl off so lightly?" Han Jing said with great discontent, "In my opinion, I should first beat this servant girl half to death, and then take people to report Liu's true face to Father..."

  "Does big brother think that just because of a single word, Father will believe us?" Han Jiangxue retorted: "Don't forget, Liu Shi and Father have been husband and wife for so many years. To be honest, between us and Liu Shi, he believes in Liu Shi more! Moreover, how could Liu Shi possibly sit back and wait for death? Who knows, when the time comes, she might turn the tables on us with a barrage of accusations, and our actions will become evidence that we are trying to cause trouble, all under the guise of 'being good'!"

  A few words instantly made Han Jing's mind much calmer, his sister was right, even he had spent half a day before finally believing that Liu was not a good person, let alone his father.

  "What does the sister want to do?" Han Jing naturally regarded Han Jiang Xue as the mainstay, seeing her calm and composed face, she must have already had a plan.

  Han Jiangxue furrowed her brow slightly, as if in thought, but after a moment she said: "Wait!"

  "What?" Han Jing asked back, not entirely understanding.

  "The last time Liu hit the horse is enough to show that she has already harbored malicious intentions towards you and me, brother and sister. She will inevitably take other actions. We secretly observe the changes, only when we find more and stronger evidence of Liu's harm to others can we truly expose her face and make Father believe!"

  "So, big brother, for now we can't alarm the enemy, neither Water nor the eyes in your house should let Liu Shi discover that we already know. Otherwise, next time she arranges new eyes to appear, it will be even more troublesome. In our daily lives, we must secretly guard ourselves well, not only to protect ourselves but also to reverse our image in Father's heart and gain his trust. Only then, when the time comes and we have enough evidence to expose Liu Shi, Father won't be blinded by his prejudices against us."

  When he heard this, Han Jing didn't say a word, but kept nodding in agreement, not just agreeing, but also admiring!

  Han Jiang Xue looked at his brother, who was finally of one mind with him, and said emotionally: "Brother, you are the eldest son of the Han family, the future of the Han family is all on your shoulders! As long as you become stronger, those evil spirits will not have a chance to harm people, and you can truly protect the people you want to protect!"

  She didn't rush to mention that her mother's death might also be related to Liu, for now her big brother wasn't truly mature enough to calmly accept all of this, and she still had many things she hadn't figured out, so it was better to take things one step at a time.

  Time went on, and thanks to Han Jiang Xue's calm handling of the situation, Liu Shi didn't take what happened at the flower appreciation party too seriously, thinking it was just a normal squabble between children, making some idle noise. After all, Han Jiang Xue had always been like this, so such a reaction was considered normal.

  Han Yajing would often enter the palace to read, and after returning, she would occasionally still come to find Han Jiangxue as before, calling her "sister" this and "sister" that. On the surface, it seemed as if nothing had happened at all. The Han family's home was as peaceful and warm as ever.

  Han Jing is now studying more diligently than ever, and the time for the double trials is getting closer and closer, with only three short days left.

  That day, Han Jiangxue specially let Ziyue go and bring Qingmu to his own courtyard, handing over a paper note that had been written in advance.

  After reading what was written above, Aoki was puzzled and hesitated for a moment before asking Han Jiangxue what these were for.

  "These are the exams for Wenwu this year." Han Jiangxue also didn't hide it, and said straightforwardly: "In the last few days, you grasp the method and degree flexibly, let Big Brother have some contact in advance, don't make him suspicious. With Big Brother's current level, as long as he can get a medium score in this year's Wen exam, it's already good enough for him. If it's too good, it will only harm him."

  It's a coincidence that she can remember the two major exam questions in this year's composition test, because the content of the poem is related to her name, and the article is related to archery, which she loves. Later, even her father joked about it, so the impression was particularly deep.

  It was for this reason that she had her elder brother participate in the literary examination this year, so as to encourage him to work harder and strive for progress, while also taking the opportunity to change people's fixed impression of him.

  An average score is the best result, which will not arouse suspicion due to sudden prominence and bring trouble. Instead, it makes people more likely to believe that such a score is indeed related to my brother's hard work and diligence nowadays. Moreover, this score can also better motivate my brother, making him more confident and self-reliant.

  Upon hearing this, Aoki immediately understood the implication of Han Jiangxue's words and didn't ask where these questions came from. He nodded in agreement and promised to do as told, because he knew that the current young mistress was no longer the impulsive and reckless girl she used to be.

  Three days later, the double trial in the palace finally officially kicked off. The annual imperial examination was not only a self-showcase for these young nobles of this age group, but also for the noble women of the capital.

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