Chapter 115: Jiang You, You're Finished

Bai Yan remained silent for a long while before muttering, "If the rabbit represents me, then what about myself? What fate do I carry?"

Jiang Chengyan tilted his head, lowered his gaze, and with a captivating tone asked, "What do you think?"

"I carry wealth too! Great wealth!" Bai Yan giggled.

The moment Jiang Chengyan released his hand, she began bouncing around again.

...

Jiang You’s fortunes were indeed rising day by day. The imperial court had issued a clear decree: for young men like Grandfather Jiang who had served, not only could they receive a sum of silver themselves, but one of their children could also enjoy this benefit. Now that Jiang’s father had passed, naturally the entitlement fell to him.

Thus, these days he wore an unmistakable glow of happiness, while Mrs. Qian busied herself even more frequently with trips to the county town, eager for him to recuperate fully and father a robust son.

Time flew swiftly amid their bustling days, and soon the day arrived for Jiang You to report for duty in the county town.

Early that morning, Mrs. Qian unusually rose early to prepare a lavish breakfast. "Eat well today. Before taking office, they require a health check to make sure you don’t miss a meal and affect your performance."

"After the check-up, you can visit the county magistrate—there’s no rush. You should receive your payment today—one hundred taels of silver!" Mrs. Qian grew more excited as she spoke.

Jiang You earnestly tidied his clothes before beginning breakfast.

Despite rising early to prepare, he still arrived quite early in the county town.

---

He wasn’t alone; seven or eight others awaited the doctor’s examination as well.

Only after passing the health check could they officially assume their posts.

Jiang’s father had been overjoyed these past days, sensing a fortunate turn of events.

"Jiang You!"

Just as Jiang’s father was lost in thought, the civil official called out his name. He responded promptly and hurried forward, sitting before the elderly doctor and extending his arm for a pulse diagnosis.

The doctor, clearly advanced in years, noticed several small red bumps on Jiang You’s arm just as he began to feel his pulse.

"When did these little bumps appear?" The doctor called Jiang You aside, also summoning the civil official as a witness.

Jiang You was no stranger to the world; he immediately sensed something was wrong with his health.

He looked down at the rows of small bumps on his right arm, puzzled.

When the doctor asked, he could not provide an answer.

"Doctor Qi, is there a problem?" the clerk inquired.

Doctor Qi nodded thoughtfully. To avoid misdiagnosis, he began to feel Jiang You’s pulse again.

---

Yet, the expression Doctor Qi finally wore left no doubt for the clerk: the diagnosis was certain.

"Doctor, say something! I’m perfectly healthy," Jiang You said, growing uneasy.

Normally, passing the health check was a formality—how could he be stopped now?

"Have you recently visited a flower house?" Doctor Qi asked gravely.

Jiang You shook his head. "Those flower houses have all shut down. How could I have gone?"

Seeing Jiang You’s firm expression, the clerk and Doctor Qi exchanged a glance, and Doctor Qi asked again, "Then have you recently... come into contact with any unusual women?"

Jiang You was taken aback by the question.

Noticing his hesitation, Doctor Qi knew with high probability he had hit the mark.

"Jiang You, you have contracted a venereal disease. In this condition, you cannot take up this post."