TFWYH – Chapter 488 Provoking Public Outrage

Perfect!

Tang Wan casually tossed the charcoal aside and nodded in satisfaction. Only then did she go buy the famous glutinous rice cakes to treat her handsome husband.

Time passed bit by bit, and the ship was about to set sail.

But Gu Chengwen still hadn’t returned.

His servant was extremely anxious and even blocked the boatman from departing.

If it were an ordinary person, he wouldn’t have been able to stop them.

But this was the prime minister’s grandson—the boatman didn’t dare offend him.

As nearly fifteen minutes passed, the passengers’ dissatisfaction grew louder and louder. Unable to bear it any longer, the boatman asked again, “Where exactly has your young master gone?”

“How should I know? Anyway, if my master doesn’t return, no one is allowed to sail,” the servant said arrogantly, shooting Tang Wan a subtle glance.

The boatman grew anxious. “How can that be? There are many scholars on board heading for the imperial examinations. If we delay them, it may provoke public outrage!”

“Who dares?” the servant sneered, craning his neck and glaring at the passengers—especially those dressed like scholars.

But everyone has a temper; no one is made of clay.

With his attitude, even those cautious of the prime minister couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Boatman, set sail! If I miss my exam, I’ll hold you responsible!”

“What’s he acting so arrogant for? Just a dog servant—by status, I, a licentiate, am more honorable than you!”

“I’ve prepared for three years—three years! If I miss the provincial exam, I’ll have to wait another three years. What can you use to compensate me?”

…

The scholars all spoke at once, openly criticizing the servant.

The servant panicked, repeatedly shouting “Insolence!”

Heh… if they missed the exam, their future would be gone. Without a future, who would still care about some prime minister?

Oh? Could the prime minister compensate them with official posts?

So what if they were being insolent?

The servant had only one mouth—he couldn’t out-argue so many scholars.

Some of the more hot-tempered ones even tried to grab the oars…

Up on the third floor, Ling Yu and Tang Wan watched the scene with great interest. Tang Wan was even cracking sunflower seeds as she watched.

Ling Yu glanced at her and said calmly, “It really has nothing to do with you? I think I saw that man follow you earlier.”

“Of course it has nothing to do with me!” Tang Wan said innocently, blinking her bright eyes. “If you don’t believe me, look at how sincere I am.”

Ling Yu chuckled and tapped her head. “You… think things through next time. If that man never returns, we’ll be delayed too.”

Tang Wan pouted and muttered under her breath, “Who knew he could sleep that long…”

“Hm?” Ling Yu raised a brow. “Who can sleep that long?”

“No one, no one…” Tang Wan quickly waved it off.

Just then, the servant below suddenly waved excitedly toward the shore. “Young master, over here!”

Everyone looked over and silently breathed a sigh of relief.

That troublesome figure had finally returned.

Uh…

But what was going on?

They saw Gu Chengwen being chased by several burly men, his face bruised and swollen, looking utterly miserable.

By the time he ran onto the ship and got closer, everyone stared blankly at his face… and his back.

Poor Gu Chengwen hadn’t even noticed the strange looks. The moment he boarded, he urged the boatman to set sail immediately, claiming he had encountered lunatics.

The boatman gave him a complicated look but still ordered the ship to depart.

The burly men chasing him were furious, standing on the shore and shouting curses.

“You damn pervert, stop right there!”

“You think you can just leave after hitting me? I’ll curse your ancestors, you shameless bastard!”

“If you ever come back to Meihua Town, I’ll beat you every time I see you!”

…