32 Chapter 32

◎Who am I to you◎

Two years later.

A tall scholar was standing in front of the carriage and saying goodbye to his family.

I saw that this person was wearing a long green gown and a headband of the same color on his head. He had a handsome face and picturesque eyes. When he spoke, the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned with a faint smile. His pair of peach blossom eyes sparkled like gems in the sunlight, and he exuded a scholarly air.

From a distance, he looks like a gentle and kind student.

This person is Jiang Jingyun.

Time flies, and two years have passed in the blink of an eye. The boy who was once a little immature has grown up completely, with a face full of scholarly spirit.

Jiang Jingyun has now finished his mourning period and is preparing to take a car to the provincial capital to take part in this year's college entrance examination. He is currently standing at the intersection saying goodbye to his family.

Uncle Jiang patted his shoulder, his voice as kind as always: "It's a long journey to the capital. This is your first time traveling far away, so you must be careful and put your own safety first in everything."

I wanted to tell him not to be nervous, and that if he failed this time, it would be the same the next time. But then I thought it was unlucky to say that, so I opened my mouth but nothing came out, and I didn't know what to say. The two of them just stood there staring at each other.

Just when things were awkward, the aunt who was helping to pack the luggage came over with a small note in her hand.

Li didn't know many words, so she only wrote a few words on the paper. It listed some things that she had learned from Madam Sun that a scholar must bring with him before taking the exam. She checked with Jiang Jingyun nervously, "Have you brought all the documents? And paper and pen... um..."

Jiang Jingyun patiently answered them one by one: "I have already put the three things, the confession, the mutual agreement, and the pledge, close to me. I have also brought the paper, ink, brush, and inkstone that I usually use. I have also put some common cold medicines that the doctor ordered in the box. I have also brought the two sets of new clothes that you made for me..."

"That's fine. There are many inconveniences when you go out, so you still have to bring everything with you." The aunt nodded with satisfaction, thinking about turning around and going to the carriage to check again, but then she thought of another thing, "Why not bring some of our pickled cabbage, if you can't get used to the food outside, it can be used to go with the meal... and this..."

Looking at his aunt who was constantly adding things to his bag, Jiang Jingyun didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Aunt, I've brought everything. There's no room for the carriage. Besides, I have money with me. I can buy anything I need in the city."

The aunt was still worried and kept mumbling: "Nothing outside is as good as what we have at home..."

"Don't worry," Jiang Jingyun comforted her, "If anything happens, isn't Brother Xiao here with you?"

"Pooh, pooh, pooh, children's words should not be taken lightly. The strong wind will blow them away. This time everything will be smooth and nothing will happen!" The aunt made Jiang Jingyun say "Pooh" three times on the spot, and then pulled him to touch the wood at the door before letting it go.

Xiao Muyan is a steady and down-to-earth person. He takes good care of Jiang Jingyun on weekdays, sometimes even more considerate and meticulous than their elders. He will accompany Jiang Jingyun to the provincial capital and will definitely take good care of him. Thinking of this, Li felt relieved a little, stepped aside, and gave the space to Jiang Jingyun's three younger brothers and sisters.

Jiang Jinglin and the other two had been waiting nearby. When it was finally their turn, the second brother Jiang Jinglin rushed to Jiang Jingyun first with his agile figure, recited a few auspicious words from his elementary school teacher, and shouted with great vigor, "Brother, I wish you a smooth career and success in the imperial examinations!"

Jiang Jingyun looked at his silly second brother. He had eaten well in the past two years. Jiang Jinglin also practiced martial arts with Xiao Muyan all day long. He seemed to be growing fast. Now he was as tall as him and looked stronger. However, he looked a little bit fierce. He reminded him worriedly, "When I'm not at home, you are the oldest brother in the family. Remember to take good care of your younger brothers and sisters. Don't act willfully. If you have any problems, ask your uncle for help. If you can't do anything, wait for me to come back to deal with it. Do you understand?"

Jiang Jinglin nodded obediently. Jiang Jingyun thought for a moment and added, "You can learn how to do business with your eldest cousin, but you can't fall behind in your studies. If you can't pass my exam this year, you can continue to go to elementary school with kids who are several years younger than you!"

"Ah..." Jiang Jinglin had a bitter face, which was exactly the same as his elder brother's expression when he was doing his homework. Even his reluctance to see his elder brother going on a long journey faded a little. He responded with a sullen "I know", and then stood aside dejectedly.

The third brother came up next. Jiang Jingfeng was different from his second brother who had ADHD. He was quiet and introverted, and he admired his eldest brother who was good at both studying and making money. He pulled Jiang Jingyun's clothes and looked at him with sparkling eyes: "I wish you a successful start and great success... Come back soon..." The last few words were spoken so softly that they could not be heard.

Jiang Jingyun smiled and patted his head: "I will be back after the exam. I will bring you some local specialties from the city."

"Brother, I want a wooden sword!" Jiang Jinglin, who had been feeling depressed just now, immediately interrupted excitedly when he heard there was a gift.

"Okay," Jiang Jingyun agreed and looked at Jingfeng, "What do you want?"

"I don't want anything in particular... If possible, please bring me some books..." Jiang Jingfeng has no other hobbies. He likes to read books on weekdays. He can stay there with a book in his hand for an entire afternoon.

"No problem." Jiang Jingyun also agreed and then looked at his youngest sister Jiang Qingrong.

The younger sister was still young and could not compete with her two older brothers. She could only wait with red eyes. After a long time, Jiang Jingyun's eyes fell on her. She handed him the sachet that she had been holding for a long time: "Brother, this is the first sachet I learned to embroider from my aunt. There is also a peace charm in it that I prayed for in the temple. You carry it with you, and it will bless you to have a safe and smooth journey."

Jiang Jingyun reached out to take it. The embroidery lines on the sachet were a little rough, but you could still see that there were a few green bamboos embroidered on it. He leaned in and smelled a scent of mugwort. He couldn't help but smile. It seemed that their family practiced pragmatism to the end.

He gently touched his little sister's head and said softly, "Thank you for the sachet, little sister. I will definitely wear it well. Can I bring you some beautiful silk flowers and embroidery thread when I come back?"

"Yeah." The younger sister's voice was choked with sobs. Among the three, she was the one who was closest to Jiang Jingyun. When she thought that she wouldn't see her eldest brother for a long time, she couldn't help but shed tears.

Jiang Jingyun picked her up, took out a handkerchief from his arms and wiped her tears, whispering: "Brother likes the sachet very much, can you embroider another one for me later? By the time you finish, brother will have returned from the capital."

"Okay," the little sister replied obediently, looking at Jiang Jingyun with tears in her eyes, "What style do you want?"

"Hmm... orchid?" I have never seen my sister learn this move before. It will probably take at least a month for her to learn it, and he will be back by then.

In fact, Jiang Jingyun didn't want any sachet, he was just worried that his little sister would cry all day and no one would comfort her after he left, so he simply found something for her to do to divert her attention.

"Orchid..." The younger sister sobbed. She was not very good at needlework, but since her brother liked it, she would definitely embroider it. In order to see her brother sooner, she had to embroider faster this time. After thinking about it, she confirmed with her elder brother, "Then you must come back after I finish embroidering."

"Yeah, no problem," Jiang Jingyun assured.

After coaxing his sister, Jiang Jingyun stood up to look at the sky. The sun was almost up in the sky. If he didn't leave now, he would probably not be able to make it to the inn along the way to rest in the evening. Fortunately, his eldest and second cousins ​​were busy with their business and didn't come over, otherwise he wouldn't know when the delivery would be made. He simply turned around and jumped on the carriage, waving goodbye to his family: "It's getting late, I should leave, don't send me off, I'll be back soon."

A few people ignored him and followed the carriage closely until they could no longer see the people and then slowly stopped.

Jiang Jingyun looked at the gradually blurred figure, then he put away his pretending to be nonchalant expression and sat down beside Xiao Muyan, who was driving the carriage, in a depressed mood.

"Missing home?" Xiao Muyan had been standing silently by the side, waiting patiently for him to say goodbye. Seeing that he was a little unhappy, he turned his head and asked him.

Jiang Jingyun sniffed and said stubbornly, "No, no one would miss home right after leaving home."

"Well," Xiao Muyan didn't expose him, but patted his head and comforted him, "We will be back soon."

Jiang Jingyun shook his head to get rid of the hand on his head, frowning and pretending to be dissatisfied: "Why do you still have the bad habit of touching people's heads? I told you that you won't grow taller!"

"Don't you also like to touch Jinglin and the others' heads?" Xiao Muyan chuckled softly, "Have you grown taller in the past two years?"

"How can they be the same? I am showing my love for the younger generation. You are not my elder!" Jiang Jingyun snorted and retorted. He did not forget to answer the latter sentence. He stretched out two fingers to indicate a short distance and emphasized, "Of course I have grown taller. I am only a little shorter than you now."

"Oh, then what am I to you?" Xiao Muyan didn't care about his false height and looked at him straight. His dark eyes seemed to be able to see through people's hearts.

Jiang Jingyun was choked by the straightforward question, and his heartbeat slowed down. He didn't dare to look at the person next to him. He looked around and pretended to look at the scenery along the way. He said vaguely: "Of course he is a good neighbor and a good partner..."

"Is that all?" Xiao Muyan suddenly turned and moved closer to him.

The sound of their breathing was audible, and Jiang Jingyun was so frightened that he leaned back unconsciously to distance himself. His eyes widened like a frightened deer, and he stammered, "Yes... yes... what else?"

Xiao Muyan did not reply to him. He turned around and continued to drive the carriage without speaking again along the way.

Seeing that the person stopped questioning, Jiang Jingyun breathed a sigh of relief, and his violently beating heart slowly calmed down. However, looking at the lonely look on the face of the person walking beside him, he inexplicably felt a sense of guilt in his heart.