Chapter 354 The Imposing Young Master

The carriage moved smoothly, leaving the beautiful spring scenery of Dahe Village behind.

There was only one official road from Ping'an County to Huzhou, and the carriage had to stop after traveling for less than half an hour.

Shen Zheng, who was sitting outside, said, "Auntie, there are people blocking the way ahead. Let's take a break first."

Cheng Wanwan couldn't wait to stop and rest. She had been bouncing around in the carriage for half an hour, and her head was spinning and her stomach was extremely uncomfortable. As soon as the carriage stopped, she jumped off and breathed in the fresh air outside, which made her feel much better.

She had sworn never to travel far from home again after her trip to Nanyang City, but it hasn't been long since then, and she's already forgotten the pain.

If Sidan takes an exam in the future, her mother will definitely accompany him. There will be too many long trips in the future, so she will never make any more promises lightly.

Perhaps because she had taken motion sickness medication, she felt much better after resting for a while, and that's when she was able to focus on the convoy ahead.

“It’s Qian Hui and Zheng Wangfeng,” Shen Zheng said casually from the front of the car. “These two are just going to Huzhou to take an exam, and so many people are seeing them off. It’s not like they’re saying goodbye forever, why make such a big fuss? Tsk tsk.”

Cheng Wanwan nodded; it was indeed quite exaggerated.

Ten members of the Qian family and more than a dozen members of the Zheng family stood on the only official road, reluctantly bidding farewell.

“My lord, half a month is far too long…” A young girl tugged at Zheng Wangfeng’s sleeve and said hesitantly, “I will accompany you to Huzhou, so that we can look after each other.”

Another girl came over and said, "If the older sister goes, then the younger sister will go too."

At the same time, a young girl with a slightly protruding belly walked over, her face filled with sorrow, and said, "What if the child in my belly misses its father? Perhaps I should go with him too..."

Zheng Wangfeng was surrounded by three concubines, which gave him a real headache.

Cheng Wanwan was also slightly surprised. She recognized the girl with the protruding belly as Zhang Po Niang's niece, named Li Xiuhong.

When Li Xiuhong used tricks to marry into the Zheng family, Granny Zhang always boasted that her niece was doing very well in the Zheng family. Now that we see it, she really is doing quite well.

Li Xiuhong wore a gold hairpin, a silk dress, a gold bracelet on her wrist, and a green thumb ring. The fact that a concubine could dress like this was enough to prove how much she was favored by the emperor.

However, Zheng Wangfeng hasn't even married a wife yet, and his concubine is already pregnant. Will the Zheng family really allow this child to be born?

“Brother Zheng, you can’t be so heartless and cold-blooded.” Shen Zheng jumped off the carriage. “Since your three concubines can’t bear to part with you, then take them to Huzhou. Anyway, the Zheng family’s carriage is big enough. Come along, come along.”

Li Xiuhong suddenly turned her head and saw Shen Zheng walking over. Then she saw Cheng Wanwan. At first, she wanted to run away because everyone in Dahe Village knew how she got to this point and what kind of life she used to live. She was reluctant to meet her old acquaintances.

She was about to bend down and hide in the carriage when she smiled. She was now the beloved concubine of Zheng Wangfeng, the son of the magistrate of Fenghuang County, and was carrying Zheng Wangfeng's first child. If she gave birth to a boy, she would become a noble concubine and would no longer be a slave to be sold off by the mistress of the house.

Her future is bright, so why should she hide away out of guilt?

Thinking of this, Li Xiuhong puffed out her chest, fiddled with the gold bracelet on her wrist, and looked smug.

"Go back, all of you." Zheng Wangfeng suppressed his displeasure, his voice turning much colder. "Are you just here to make yourselves a laughingstock?"

It is considered romantic for a man to have concubines, but if concubines gather and become entangled, it becomes a romantic debt, which is not a good thing if it gets out.

The concubines were adept at reading his expressions. Seeing that he was getting angry, they immediately turned around and got into the carriage. Li Xiuhong followed them into the carriage.

Zheng Wangfeng cupped his hands in greeting to Shen Zheng: "Brother Shen, it's been a long time since we last met. You look a bit darker than before."

“What do you know? This is a healthy skin tone.” Shen Zheng raised his chin. “You’ve been stuck here for fifteen minutes. Hurry up and leave, don’t delay everyone’s journey.”

Just then, Old Master Qian led Qian Hui over from the front.

Old Master Qian was a businessman, and he was very polite to these children of officials: "It's been a while since I've seen Young Master Shen, and he's become even more dignified and imposing."

Qian Hui twitched his lips: "So dark-skinned, where's the imposing presence? Grandfather, you're just praising me blindly..."

"Shut up!" Old Master Qian lowered his voice. "What did I say to you when I left?"

Qian Hui shut up reluctantly. His grandfather said he didn't expect him to pass the imperial examinations, but only that he make friends with people who could pass them.

However, he didn't think Shen Zheng could pass the exam; they were all spoiled brats, and their abilities were about the same...

Shen Zheng waved his hand: "It's getting late, Mr. Qian, please have the caravan set off quickly."

Old Master Qian raised his eyes and looked at the back of the convoy, then suddenly froze: "Young Master Chen, is that woman Madam Sui?"

He had never met Lady Sui, but the woman's demeanor was completely different from others; she was clearly a noblewoman, and it seemed that Lady Sui of Ping'an County was the only noblewoman in the surrounding area.

Before Shen Zheng could reply, Old Master Qian led Qian Hui over.

"I, Qian, have met Madam Sui!" Old Master Qian's attitude was extremely humble. "Is Madam Sui also going to Huzhou?"

Cheng Wanwan nodded: "I'll take my nephew to take the imperial examination."

“That must be Cheng Zhao, the nephew of Lady Sui.” Old Master Qian laughed. “The headmaster of Nanfu Academy once said that Cheng Zhao will definitely pass the imperial examination and become a Xiucai. I would be satisfied if my grandson was half as good as Cheng Zhao.”

Cheng Wanwan gave a few dry laughs.

Although she handles interpersonal relationships well, she still felt somewhat awkward standing there receiving flattery.

Just as she was about to find an excuse to get into the carriage, Old Master Qian spoke up, "Madam Sui is now a seventh-rank official's wife, how can she ride in such a simple carriage? Why not get into the Qian family's carriage? It's spacious inside, with soft cushions, so you can lie down and rest. You can take a nap and wake up in Huzhou..."

"No need," Cheng Wanwan politely declined. "I've never been to Huzhou before, so this is a good opportunity to see the scenery along the way. It's getting late, let's set off quickly."

Old Master Qian wanted to try to persuade her further, but Cheng Wanwan was adamant and turned around to get into her own carriage, so he had no choice but to give up.

The caravan finally set off. At the front were the carriages of the Qian and Zheng families, followed by Cheng Wanwan and her group. Behind them were other students going to take the imperial examination. Those who could afford to travel by carriage were all from wealthy families. Some students from poor families carried a bundle on their backs and a load of books on their shoulders, walking to Huzhou. Cheng Wanwan admired these students.

Because Cheng Wanwan gets carsick, they traveled towards Huzhou at the slowest possible speed. The carriage ended up far behind, and what should have been a two-hour journey took them a full three hours.

Finally arriving at the gates of Huzhou City, Cheng Wanwan's face turned deathly pale. She dared not stay in the carriage any longer and quickly got off. Lu Yingxue was in better condition and helped Cheng Wanwan walk into Huzhou City.

Huzhou is the prefectural capital of Ping'an County. It is very prosperous and bustling. Because the prefectural examination and the provincial examination are held at the same time, students from all directions arrive early, making it even more lively.

"Madam Sui!" Old Master Qian was waiting inside the city gate. He greeted Cheng Wanwan as soon as he saw her. "All the inns in the city are full. Why don't you stay at my Qian family's villa for a few days, Madam Sui?"