Chapter 41 Travel

Su Zhaoshi naturally understood what Su Fengzhang understood. What made her angry was that Zhang didn't know how to read people's faces, and she used her elder's airs to suppress her son from time to time, without acting like an elder at all.

Although she was angry, Su Zhaoshi still gave Uncle Su an extra piece of cloth the next day, saying that it was to make swaddling clothes for Su Caozhang's unborn child.

She knew clearly in her heart that her family was small and that they relied heavily on her second uncle's family. She was also happy to visit them more often. As long as Zhang didn't go too far and said anything sour, she would just pretend not to hear it.

The county examination and the prefectural examination were held close together. Yuexi Village was not far from Qingzhou Prefecture, but they still had to set off early. Su Fengzhang had to set off for Qingzhou without resting at home for a few days.

Unlike Hushan County, Qingzhou is a long way away and one would have to stay there for a long time. Su Zhaoshi was worried, so she not only asked him to bring a large amount of banknotes, but also packed up everything he could take with him.

So when he went out, Su Fengzhang had to pack a lot of bags, and Su Zhaoshi even added a small jar of pickles to his luggage.

"Madam Wei just made this. It tastes just right. I don't know if you can get used to the food in Qingzhou. If not, try some pickles. But don't eat it too often. It's not good for your health."

Motherly love is hard to resist, so Su Fengzhang had to take it with her.

This time it was his second uncle Su who sent him there. He had accompanied Su Dianli to Qingzhou Prefecture for the imperial examination in the past. Although many years had passed, it was still much better than never having been there, so he took the responsibility immediately.

If it weren't for him, Su Zhaoshi probably wouldn't be able to rest assured.

Su Caozhang followed the two of them. After arriving at the pier, Su Fengzhang and the other person had to take a boat, and he had to drive the car back.

He was very unhappy about this and kept arguing with his father along the way: "Dad, why don't I go with Erlang? I'm young and strong, and I can read the list faster than others."

Uncle Su sneered, "Come on, you're all talk and no action. With your limited strength and stubborn mind, if you go with him, you don't know whether Erlang will take care of you or you will take care of Erlang."

Su Caozhang was unhappy and muttered, "You are still old."

Second Uncle Su gave him a chestnut and scolded him, "I've been to Qingzhou, so I'm familiar with the place. Besides, I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice. During the autumn harvest, I can do the work of two of you."

"You just know how to brag." Su Caozhang only dared to complain in a low voice. If he annoyed his father, he might beat him up.

Yuexi Village is not far from the pier in Hushan County, and we arrived there quickly.

Before Su Fengzhang got out of the car, he heard Wenzhu's voice: "Fengzhang, here, here."

He ran over excitedly, smiling and shouting, "My dad is already on the boat. Come, I'll help you."

"What a big ship." Su Caozhang exclaimed.

A large ship was moored at the Hushan County dock. People came aboard one after another, and dock laborers were also carrying things onto the ship.

Su Fengzhang and his companions didn't need to hire any laborers. The four of them finished moving the items in a short time.

It was not until the boat was about to leave that Su Caozhang reluctantly got off the boat.

Wenzhu rubbed his arm and cried out in pain, "Fengzhang, what did you put in your bag? It's so heavy."

"Maybe you are lucky and moved to the pickle jar." Su Fengzhang laughed.

"Are these pickles made by Madam Wei? Give me some when the time comes." Wen Zhu said with a smile.

However, seeing Su Fengzhang's relaxed look, he felt a little envious: "In the past three years, you have grown taller and stronger than me. Alas, it's all because of my father's short stature. I'm afraid I will never grow taller in this lifetime."

Su Fengzhang laughed and pinched his arm. "You can't do this. Taking an exam is also a physical activity."

"I can't do anything about my height, but I can gain strength through training. If you are interested, why not train with me?" Su Fengzhang suggested.

When Wenzhu heard this, she quickly shook her head: "No, no, I can't bear that hardship."

He had thought about it before, but he couldn't bear the hardship of getting up before dawn every day to run like Su Fengzhang, and then hanging stones on his arms to practice calligraphy after running.

Su Fengzhang even retorted: "Xiao Zhu'er, practice makes perfect. You won't feel tired after exercising like this every day."

"I definitely won't be able to get used to it, and it won't be natural." Wen Zhu laughed, fearing that Su Fengzhang would really force him to exercise, so he quickly dragged him to meet Mr. Wen.

"Hey, wait..." Su Fengzhang was pulled out by him, and before he could say anything, he bumped into someone.

"Ah! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, are you okay, brother?" Wen Zhu also apologized hurriedly.

The man who was knocked to the ground by them staggered before he could say anything, but the servant behind him frowned and cursed: "What's wrong with you? Don't you have eyes when you walk?"

"Xiao Yi, be careful with your words." The master stopped the servant and said with a bow, "Fang is fine. I was so eager to protect my master that I said something bad. I am here to defend him. Please don't take it to heart, brothers."

"Master, it's obviously their fault..." Xiao Yi shouted reluctantly.

Seeing that he was being reasonable, Su Fengzhang smiled and said, "It was indeed our fault. If we had walked more carefully, we wouldn't have bumped into anyone."

Wenzhu also said, "It's my fault. I forgot we were on a boat."

Mr. Fang smiled. He looked a couple of years older than them, with a thin, T-shaped figure and a hint of depression between his brows. However, he spoke and acted with a calm demeanor. "Then we can say that we have become acquainted through fighting."

"No, it should be called 'no encounter, no acquaintance.'" Wen Zhu laughed, "Mr. Fang, I'm Wen Zhu, and this is my good friend Su Fengzhang. We're on the same path, so we're destined to meet. Let's sit down and have some tea and chat."

"It turns out to be Master Wen and Master Su, my name is Fang Yu." Fang Yu also introduced with a smile.

Seeing that he was also dressed as a scholar, Su Fengzhang asked, "Mr. Fang, I am about to take part in this provincial examination, and Wenzhu is going to take part in the academy examination in August. Is Mr. Fang also a candidate?"

There were quite a few people on the boat. Su Fengzhang saw several familiar faces, all of whom were going to participate in the scientific expedition.

After hearing this, a hint of melancholy flashed across Fang Yu's face. He just shook his head and said, "My sister and I are going to Qingzhou to visit relatives."

Just at this moment, a voice came from the cabin at the back: "Brother, what happened?"

The voice was crisp and sounded like that of an underage girl, probably the sister he was talking about.

"Nothing." Fang Yu turned around and called out, then said, "Master Su, Master Wen, I'll take my leave first. We still have a long journey ahead. We can talk again when we have time."

After he left, Wen Zhu lowered her voice and said, "This Mr. Fang looks so dignified and gentle. I thought he was a scholar, but I didn't expect he wasn't."

"The scholar is definitely a scholar, he just didn't take part in this provincial examination." Su Fengzhang said, this kind of literary style is created by poetry and books, it is impossible for an illiterate person to fake it.

Wen Zhu said, "Any scholar wouldn't want to achieve academic success. Could it be that he couldn't even pass the county exam? Well, I don't think I've ever seen him."

"There are so many scholars in Hushan County, you can't have met them all."

"I've seen most of them. Those who are talented and learned will definitely know them."

"There's also a possibility that this Mr. Fang has already passed the imperial examination and is not on the same level as us."

Wen Zhu shook his head: "Impossible, if he passed the imperial examination at such a young age, how could I not know? Besides, how could a juren be so miserable? Just look at my father and you will know."

Mr. Wen was a juren who was not good at scheming, but he opened his own private school and lived a very comfortable life. This is how a poor scholar can become a rich juren.

Su Fengzhang patted his shoulder and said helplessly: "Okay, we just met by chance, why are we grumbling about others?"

Wenzhu thought about it and agreed. It was because he had a wide circle of friends that he would find it strange to see a scholar with a strange face.

On the other side, Fang Yu walked into the cabin and met his sister's gaze which was concerned and a little worried.

This little girl looked like she was three or four years younger than Fang Yu. She was in her prime, graceful and charming, and quite stunning.

He smiled and said soothingly, "I just accidentally bumped into two people. They were scholars going to Qingzhou to take the exam."

Xiao Yi started to yell, "You're still a scholar, but you're not steady at all. You almost knocked the young master over."

Fang Yu frowned and said helplessly, "Xiao Yi, how can you be so exaggerated? Besides, the two young masters have also apologized."

Xiao Yi was still muttering: "If it's damaged, can they afford to pay for it?"

"Xiao Yi, why don't you go and see if the luggage has been packed." It was Sister Fang who spoke.

"Okay, miss." Although he was Fang Yu's servant, Xiao Yi obeyed Fang Yu's sister's words.

After he left, Fang Yu asked, "Linlang, do you have anything to tell me?"

"Don't worry about the people on the boat. They are all students going to Qingzhou to take the provincial examination. Their ancestors for three generations have all been well-educated."

Fang Linlang sighed and looked at her brother: "Brother, I'm not worried about this."

"I want to ask you how you are going to place Xiao Yi."

Fang Yu was stunned for a moment, frowned and asked, "What's wrong with Xiaoyi?"

Seeing that he still didn't understand, Fang Linlang bluntly stated, "Brother, Xiao Yi has been with us for many years, and I know he's loyal, but you also know his temper. We don't know whether this trip to Qingzhou will bring good or bad luck. We can barely protect ourselves, let alone him."

"But, but he is my servant." Fang Yu said, "When we hid in Hushan County, the others ran away. Only he was young, but he was willing to endure the hardships with us."

"That's why we have to make plans for him," Fang Linlang said. "If he follows us, will you be able to protect him, or will I? With his temper, something bad will happen sooner or later. It's better to give him more money and let him start a small business in Hushan County. Then he can get married, have children, and live a peaceful life."

Fang Yu didn't dare to look into her sister's eyes. Finally, she hesitated and said, "Let me think about it again."