The next second.
Han Zongyuan appeared beside Chen Nan out of thin air.
He was wearing official robes, his face full of authority.
He gave off an aura of imposing dignity: "Release the person, and perhaps I can give you a lighter punishment. Otherwise, I don't mind killing you all on the spot."
As the magistrate of Tongcheng County, he absolutely would not allow anyone to abduct a civilian woman in his territory.
And it was Chen Nan's maidservant who was being abducted.
A hint of disdain appeared on the old woman's wrinkled face: "You are Han Zongyuan, the magistrate of Tongcheng County, aren't you? Do you know who is behind me?"
Han Zongyuan snorted heavily, "I don't want to know."
Old Woman: "Even if you don't want to know, I must tell you."
"The person behind me is called Song Qitian."
Upon hearing this.
Han Zongyuan's expression changed drastically.
He naturally knew who Song Qitian was.
He just didn't expect this old woman to be Song Qitian's subordinate.
The old woman continued: "My purpose in coming south this time is to find Song Daren's daughter who was lost in the common folk, so there is no such thing as forced abduction of a civilian woman."
"So, do you understand?"
"You shouldn't be foolish enough to prevent Song Daren from reuniting with his daughter, right?"
Han Zongyuan was speechless.
He hadn't expected that the maidservant by Chen Nan's side was actually the daughter of Master Song who had been lost among the common people.
Chen Nan also hadn't expected that Song Ziwei's relatives had come looking for her.
He looked at the pitiable and helpless face in the carriage: "Since your relatives have come looking for you, then you should go back with them!"
Although he didn't want Song Ziwei to leave.
However.
He wasn't foolish.
He could see that the situation was unfavorable to him at this moment.
If he insisted, disaster would surely befall him.
After all, even Han Zongyuan was so wary of these people.
"Young Master, I don't want to go back."
"I have no relatives."
"Even if I do, it's Madam and you!" Song Ziwei's tears streamed down, her eyes full of helplessness.
She had heard that the Song family was powerful.
They were like overlords in Guangling Prefecture.
But even so, what of it?
Even though she was greedy for money, in her heart, the moment she was abandoned, her relatives had all died.
Only the Young Master and Madam were her true kin.
Chen Nan's heart ached, but he gently comforted her, "Be good, go back with them. I'll come to see you after some time."
Song Ziwei pursed her lips, trying hard to control her tears.
But the tears slid down her cheeks uncontrollably.
She had never been separated from the Young Master in her life.
She couldn't help but feel reluctant.
"Young man, you don't seem to have taken my words to heart!" the old woman snorted heavily. "If you dare to disturb my young lady's life, I don't mind killing you!"
Chen Nan stared fiercely at the other party, engraving her appearance in his mind.
This old hag had to die.
However.
This person was very powerful.
With his current strength, he was no match for her.
"Proceed back to the manor!"
The old woman left behind a parting word and swaggered away from Tongcheng with her entourage.
Only after they disappeared from sight did Chen Nan retract his gaze.
He didn't know when he would see Song Ziwei again after this parting.
Han Zongyuan said in a low voice, "Song Qitian is the Daotai of Guangling Prefecture, the same as Master Yuan, both are fourth-rank officials."
"Their positions are equal."
"Although the Daotai's power is not as great as the Prefect's."
"However, the Daotai can impeach the Prefect."
"And the most important point."
"Song Qitian's mentor is the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty."
Chen Nan felt his head was about to explode.
He hadn't expected Song Qitian's background to be so formidable.
However.
He enjoyed challenges.
It's just that.
Wasn't Han Zongyuan from the Grand Tutor's faction?
Why was he telling him this?
Chen Nan couldn't figure it out.
So he stopped thinking about it.
He returned to his new home dejectedly.
At this time, his mother was chatting with two newly hired maids.
Chen Nan told her about Song Ziwei. Wang Mengqing's face showed sadness upon hearing this.
She hadn't expected Song Ziwei's relatives to come looking for her and take her away.
Normally, she would have been happy for Song Ziwei to find her relatives.
But now.
There was only endless worry.
If the other party truly cared for Song Ziwei.
Then they would have surely brought her to bid farewell.
Or say a few words of gratitude.
After all, it was she who had raised Song Ziwei.
But now.
The other party forcibly took Song Ziwei away, without even a farewell.
It was not difficult to infer that even if Song Ziwei found her birth parents.
Her situation would not be too good.
Chen Nan saw his mother's inner worry and said softly, "Mother, don't worry too much. The Yin Messenger assessment is starting soon. I will work hard to pass the exam and then request Master Han to assign me to Guangling Prefecture."
Becoming a Yin Messenger and heading north was part of Chen Nan's original plan.
After all, Fengdu City was to the north.
It was just that.
An additional goal of finding Song Ziwei was added to his original plan.
------
For the next few days, Chen Nan diligently studied, improving his knowledge.
His mother also tried her best to accept the newly hired maids and housekeepers.
Trying to keep herself busy so as not to think about Song Ziwei.
On the third day.
He went to extract the penicillin.
After all, no one else could do this, so he had to handle it personally.
Otherwise, the penicillin would lose its original value.
Fortunately, they knew how to extract the final penicillin.
Otherwise, after seven days.
This penicillin would definitely lose its value.
After all, the cultivation period for penicillin was seven days.
And he had to participate in the Yin Messenger selection on the day the penicillin was extracted.
He had no time to attend to this penicillin at all.
In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the Yin Messenger selection.
Ten thousand people competing for a single spot, the competition was exceptionally fierce.
Chen Nan was quite puzzled.
It was clearly a competition to become a Yin Messenger.
But it was made to seem like an imperial examination.
To be honest, even in the feudal era of the human world, the imperial examination did not have such grandeur.
The Yin Messenger selection was divided into three rounds.
The first two rounds were written exams.
Scheduled for the morning and afternoon respectively.
The third round, the martial arts test, was scheduled for three days later.
Before the exam, everyone finally learned the questions.
Some were happy, others were worried.
Because they knew the questions in advance.
Chen Nan appeared relaxed, but he did not hand in his paper early.
He was afraid of attracting attention.
After all, if you already knew the questions, and finished in three to five minutes.
It would surely attract attention.
If this matter was investigated, it would be troublesome.
After completing the afternoon exam.
Chen Nan left the examination hall. As soon as he walked out, Xia Youwei came to meet him, asking how the exam was and if he was confident of standing out.
After all, she knew Chen Nan well and knew he didn't have much academic knowledge.
Chen Nan didn't make any bold claims. The two chatted and laughed as they headed to where the penicillin was being cultivated.
He wanted to see how much penicillin had been extracted this time.
After all, this penicillin was money!
Upon arrival.
He keenly noticed that Wu Wangshi and the others, who had been happily anticipating a good harvest, were all frowning.
It was as if something major had happened.
Chen Nan felt a sense of foreboding: "Sister-in-law, why are you all frowning? Has something happened?"