From now on when the results are announced, you will have a seven-day break before taking the provincial examination.

Today was the day Huo Jinqian was to take part in the provincial examination. Early in the morning, Gao Zhijun escorted him to the largest examination hall in the city.

This is not the previous Imperial Examination Hall, but the largest Imperial Examination Hall behind the government office.

The previous chief examiner could not supervise the exam, so an examiner sent from the capital was in charge of the exam.

Gao Zhijun handed the instant noodles to Huo Jinzhou, who then brought Qingshuang, Meishuang, and several maids to fry the noodles and prepare meat fillings. They were already selling them in Taizhou, primarily to candidates taking the provincial examinations.

A piece of bread sells for one or two taels, and this price can make a lot of money. Anyway, those people are not short of money.

The provincial examination also lasted nine days and consisted of three sessions.

Huo Jinqian did not bring any dry food this time, but only instant noodles, which cost thirty yuan and a large bag.

The rice seedlings had been planted, and the cassava and sweet potatoes had been sown. Minister Liu planned to return to the capital tomorrow with the Minister of Agriculture and his men to report. His wife stayed behind to return to the capital with Gao Zhijun.

Taking advantage of the time, Gao Zhijun took her mother and grandmother to play in the mountains. The mountains she went to were places she had never been to before.

Gao Zhijun gave Liu Ningchu, Minister Liu, and the Minister's wife a sachet each containing snake-repellent herbs.

"Mom, grandma, grandpa, let's have a picnic here at noon."

Gao Zhijun sat in the car and pointed outside.

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

Liu Ningchu said.

Qinglong parked the carriage, Gao Zhijun helped Liu Ningchu get out, and then helped the Shangshu's wife get out.

Canglang helped Minister Liu get off the carriage.

"Mom, grandma, grandpa, you guys rest here for a while, we're going into the mountains to find some food."

Gao Zhijun said to Liu Ningchu, Minister Liu, and the Minister’s wife.

"Tianlang, Polang, you must protect the Madam, the Old Master, and the Old Madam."

Gao Zhijun continued to instruct.

"Zhijun, go ahead and don't worry!"

Liu Ningchu said.

"Don't worry, Princess! We will definitely protect the old master, the old lady and the lady."

Tianlang and Polang assured.

Gao Zhijun led Canglang, Qinglong and Moxue to the left.

While walking, search for treasure carefully.

When Gao Zhijun saw herbs, she would stop to dig them up. When she saw fruits, she would ask Qinglong and Canglang to pick them.

After walking for a long time and catching two pheasants, Gao Zhijun led them to the right.

There are no herbs on the right either; the villagers must have dug them all up.

"Ouch, what is this thing? It really hurts."

Qinglong was pricked by a strange plant and screamed in pain.

"Let me see what it is."

After hearing this, Gao Zhijun hurried over.

There are all kinds of things in the deep mountains. She was afraid that Qinglong would be stung by some poisonous creature, which would be dangerous.

"Look, miss, it's this ugly thing."

When Qinglong saw Gao Zhijun coming, he pointed at the ugly plant in front of him and said.

Gao Zhijun looked over and her eyes lit up, her heart filled with joy.

Oh my god! What did she see? Whatever she thought came true. Is she possessed by a koi fish?

I was just thinking about making rouge, and now I’m thinking about making cactus. I hope I will become rich.

But it’s strange that cactus grows in the mountains. Shouldn’t it grow in the desert?

There are cochineal insects on the cactus, so I’ll make cochineal tonight.

"Qinglong, this isn't an ugly thing, it's a good thing. You've done a great deed today, so I'll give you a big chicken drumstick at noon."

Gao Zhijun happily praised Qinglong.

If it weren't for Qinglong, she might not have discovered the cactus.

"Miss, can I eat this ugly thing?"

Qinglong asked Gao Zhijun in confusion.

Not only does it look weird and ugly, it also has a small roundworm growing on its body.

"Yes, it clears away heat and toxins, strengthens the spleen and stomach, and beautifies the skin. Also, do you see that little bug on it? That's a good thing. It's called cochineal, and it can be made into rouge."

Gao Zhijun explained excitedly.

"Miss, it really is that good."

Mo Xue looked at the cactus in disbelief.

She had the same idea as Qinglong, thinking that this ugly thing was useless.

"Well, I'll make rouge for you tonight."

Gao Zhijun said.

"Everyone, be careful. Help dig it up and take it back to plant. We'll be relying on it to open our rouge shop in the future."

After Gao Zhijun finished speaking, she carefully dug up the cactus. She wanted to dig up all the roots of the cactus.

The cactus is not very tall and has three or four large pieces of flesh.

Qinglong, Canglang and Moxue followed Gao Zhijun's example and dug cacti.

Gao Zhijun cut the vines and began to weave a large basket, putting the dug cactus into it.

After digging all the way through, there was almost a basket full.

Canglang followed behind with the basket on his shoulder and continued walking.

We found some cacti along the way and dug them up.

Gao Zhijun was very satisfied with the nearly two baskets of cacti she had, and she returned with Qinglong, Canglang, and Moxue.

On the way, we caught two pheasants and three rabbits.

After meeting up with Liu Ningchu, Qinglong and Moxue began to skillfully handle pheasants and rabbits.

"Zhijun, what are these things? They look weird, and the bugs on them are disgusting."

Liu Ningchu asked Gao Zhijun with disgust.

"Mom, don't look at its ugly appearance, it is a treasure, its whole body is a treasure."

Gao Zhijun said happily.

"Baby? Is it edible?"

Minister Liu asked Gao Zhijun anxiously.

The edible things this granddaughter finds are all weird and ugly. This one can’t be edible, right?

"Of course you can eat it. It can clear away heat and toxins, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and beautify your skin. If you don't eat it, you can use the worms on it to make rouge. It also has another use: it can be used to wash your hair. Isn't it a treasure all over the body?"

Gao Zhijun introduces its functions and effects.

"Is it really that good? Can it really be used as rouge?"

The Shangshu's wife still asked in disbelief.

"Is it true? I'll make rouge tonight, and you'll know once you try it."

Gao Zhijun has always believed that using facts to prove everything is better than you saying a thousand words.

"I trust you!"

Seeing that her granddaughter was so sure, the Shangshu's wife chose to believe her.