Their Story, it must be so bloody.

Ming Qing walked towards the painting and calligraphy store.

Lu Gaosheng walked out of the painting and calligraphy store.

Recognizing each other, both of them stopped for a moment.

Zhang San was seeing Lu Gaosheng out, so he saw this scene.

How to put it.

Combining the obscure relationship between these two men and Bai Fang, Zhang San had an intuition.

Their story must be very melodramatic!

......

......

Brushing past Ming Qing, Lu Gaosheng did not say anything, just glanced at the tofu store’s direction, and then left, with a group of officials following him.

As for Ming Qing, he looked back at Lu Gaosheng’s back and whispered: Is this the person you mentioned?

......

......

Zhang San had met Ming Qing several times. Although every time Ming Qing came to the store and randomly bought a few paintings, then hid in the corner, secretly gazing at Bai Fang.

Zhang San did not understand, is it necessary to look at a woman for an hour even if she looks good?

However, after seeing Lu Gaosheng off, facing Ming Qing’s arrival, Zhang San still cupped his fists and said, "It's brother Ming again, are you here to buy paintings again?"

Zhang San pretended he did not see the previous scene at all.

Ming Qing obviously did not have the sophistication and shrewdness of Lu Gaosheng. He said to Zhang San, "Yes, yes."

Then the two entered the store.

Ming Qing first looked at Zhang San and found that although Zhang San's complexion was not very good, his movements were still natural, so there should be no major issues. However, remembering Bai Fang's urging, Ming Qing still asked, "Shopkeeper, your complexion is a little bad, is your body okay?"

Zhang San asked, "Why does Brother ask like this?"

"Don't hide it from the shopkeeper, she is a friend of mine. Because she is grateful that the shopkeeper helped her yesterday, she asked me to come and ask if you need any help?"

Zhang San thought inwardly: You officials' and generals' offspring, stay away from me, that is the biggest help!

However, Zhang San still showed a 'grateful' look on his face, and laughed, "After resting for the whole day yesterday, my injury has improved a lot. Moreover, there is not much physical work in my store, no need to trouble Brother."

Ming Qing nodded without saying much. In fact, his mind was not here.

Hesitantly, Ming Qing looked back and peeked at the neighboring store through the small window on the wall. Bai Fang was busy working, sweating all over her head. But Ming Qing knew that even if he went over, Bai Fang would not let him help, but would anger her instead.

Thinking of Bai Fang's childhood lung disease, Ming Qing couldn't help worrying.

Unlike Lu Gaosheng, Zhang San could clearly see the concern and worry on Ming Qing's face. Coupled with previous contacts, it was obvious that this Ming Qing was a simple-minded person.

However, this might be an opportunity to probe further.

Zhang San tentatively asked, "Brother seems to care a lot about the 'friend' next door?"

Ming Qing turned his head back, smiled awkwardly and said, "Yes, after all, we have known each other since childhood."

Zhang San asked, "Is she Brother's sweetheart?"

Ming Qing's eyes showed surprise. He did not expect Zhang San to ask so directly.

Ming Qing hesitated for a moment, remembering Bai Fang's gratitude to Zhang San, and when the housekeeper told him about yesterday's events, he did mention that it was Zhang San who came forward to help Bai Fang and her mother in time. In fact, he was also grateful to Zhang San in his heart.

The simple-minded Ming Qing thought of this and felt at ease. He said, "Well...yes, we knew each other when we were young, and were childhood sweethearts."

Zhang San wondered, "That's strange. I see Brother as a talented person. Could it be that you still can't get the beauty's admiration?"

Hearing this, Ming Qing smiled and said, "The shopkeeper flatters me. To tell you the truth... I am similar to the shopkeeper in this regard. The shopkeeper once said that he did not pass the county exam. Although I was fortunate enough to pass the county exam and prefectural exam, I have failed the provincial exam for many years. Although I have achieved some minor success over the years, I still find it difficult to advance my career."

Hearing this, Zhang San was puzzled inwardly.

Strange.

It seems that this Ming Qing may have nothing to do with the Grand Master of the National Academy Ming. Otherwise, a close relative of the Grand Master of the National Academy, if he wants a top rank, with his background, passing the exam would be easy, let alone deliberately failing.

Ming Qing seemed to be lost in disappointment and past memories.

He looked through the small window again and looked at the woman, whispering, "When she was young, she often said that her father and mother were both martial artists, rough and vulgar. Although she also liked it, she said she hoped her future husband would be a talented man, just like the Grand Counselor Lin Yu, who ranked top three in the imperial exam a hundred years ago."

"I remembered these words, and then studied very hard, wrote articles, and did academic work. Unfortunately, I finally realized that I didn't have the ability. Although I relied on..."

Ming Qing didn't say the latter words.

Although he was simple-minded, he still knew what could and could not be said.

What Ming Qing implied was that he could have easily achieved fame and rank relying on his family status. But he was very clear about Bai Fang's personality. If he achieved fame and rank through fraud and deceit, even if he ranked first in the exam, Bai Fang would not look at him.

Speaking of this, Ming Qing couldn't help but smile.

He mocked himself, "When I was six years old I started learning, and when I was young I promised her that I would definitely rank first in the exam in the future. But the first provincial exam when I was sixteen, I didn't pass. Later, because of some things... she left.

In the following ten years, I studied every year, took the exam every year, hoping that when I became famous all over the world, she would know that I did not forget the promise we made when we were young. Unfortunately, I failed every year. When I met her again six years ago in Tianruo City, everything was already different."

At that time, the girl who was a teenager more than ten years ago had become a married woman.

The boy who had accomplished nothing in more than ten years was still a boy.

Looking at Bai Fang through the small window, Ming Qing didn't know how to help her.

Every time they met, he vaguely felt that although she was still beautiful, Bai Fang was no longer as simple and naive as before.

It seemed that there was a deep anger and hatred in her heart that others could not see.

What exactly did she do during the six years in Tianruo City?

Ming Qing pounded his head hard, as if blaming himself.

If I had passed the exam when I was sixteen and become what she liked, would it be different today?

When Ming Qing saw Bai Fang's haggard appearance when they met again six years ago, this was the only thought in his mind.

"Sigh." Ming Qing let out a sigh, trying not to think too much.

Hearing all this, Zhang San conjectured a lot based on knowing that Bai Fang was the daughter of the former General Who Pacifies the South.

Undoubtedly, the forces who Pacify the South and Pacify the North were the strongest elite troops of Dawu Country. Therefore, the family members of these two generals must have lived in the Imperial Capital City as long as they were in office.

You can understand it as "protection", you can also understand it as a "hostage".

Anyway, it's almost the same.

Even so, the family members of a regional commander were definitely upper class figures in the Imperial Capital City. Ordinary officials in the capital city might not even be able to meet them.

Since this Ming Qing was a childhood sweetheart of Bai Fang, the possibility that he was the son or relative of the Grand Master of the National Academy Ming seemed to have increased.

Zhang San thought to himself: I still have to leave, but listening to Lu Gaosheng, it doesn't seem so easy. But why is he targeting me?