Chapter 117 Disagreement

“If they go to the prefectural city, the village head can just send a message. There’s no reason not to help,” Song Yushu said. It was just a small favor, and he could help.

"Then I'll thank you on their behalf!" The village head was satisfied with the reply and thought more highly of Song Yushu. He chatted more enthusiastically with Wei's father and the others.

"Since you couldn't make it back for the Mid-Autumn Festival, your father said that we should wait for you to come back so that everyone can celebrate together. That's why we've saved all the good food for you!"

After the village head and his men left, the Wei family began preparing food, with each dish prepared according to the Mid-Autumn Festival menu. Wei's mother did not let Song Yushu cook, but instead had her keep Wei's father company and the others company.

Song Yushu made up for the Mid-Autumn Festival reunion dinner at the Wei family's house, and also received a Mid-Autumn Festival gift from Xue Huai'an.

They only stayed in the village for two days before heading to the prefectural city. Zhou Chengyu's ten-day leave was not that long, so traveling took up most of their time.

"You'll probably be gone until the New Year. Take good care of the two little ones. Your parents are doing fine at home, so you don't need to worry about them," said Mother Wei, who had packed a lot of things for her to take with her. If the carriage hadn't been too full, she probably would have had to bring even more things.

"Mother, don't worry, we've established ourselves in the city now and won't let your two grandsons suffer," Song Yushu said. She saw that Wei's mother was reluctant to let them leave, but there was nothing she could do. At least she would have to wait until Zhou Chengyu finished the imperial examination before she could settle down.

"Send back more letters when you go to the prefectural city. Don't keep Master Xue waiting too long. It's not easy for him to wait for you either," Mother Wei rambled on for a while. It was only because Father Wei was worried that if they were delayed too long, Song Yushu and the others would have to camp in the wilderness that he urged them to set off.

Leaving the familiar county town, Zhou Chengzhu and Zhou Chengyu were somewhat downcast, and the three of them didn't talk much in the carriage.

Upon arriving in the prefectural city, Zhou Chengyu had no time to think about anything else. He went straight to the academy, while Song Yushu and Zhou Chengzhu opened a shop to do business.

"Boss Wei is back. I haven't seen your restaurant open for several days," said the owner of the fabric shop across the street, carrying a basket of fruit.

"You're too kind, Madam Xiao. I just got back and haven't prepared anything to give you back. Come over tomorrow and I'll treat you to a meal," Song Yushu said, taking the basket of fruit and exchanging a few pleasantries with her.

After Xiao Niangzi returned, several shop owners brought her gifts, which surprised Song Yushu. After all, she had only nodding acquaintances with the shop owners in the vicinity at first, so their politeness was a pleasant surprise.

However, she can only return the gift two days later, as she just returned from the county town and hasn't made any preparations yet.

Zhou Chengyu only learned about the rankings of the ten-day exams at this time. He had ranked high in the past few exams and was successfully assigned to Class A. Liao Yunfei and one of his roommates were also assigned to Class A. Only another person ranked lower and was assigned to Class B.

"That kid Mao'an, I always tell him to read more books, but instead he hangs out with that group of people who always skip class. I've seen him doing it several times. Sure enough, his ranking has dropped in the last few exams. We were supposed to go to Class A together, but he ended up being assigned to Class B."

Liao Yunfei initially tried to comfort him, but the man didn't learn his lesson and slipped out again in the blink of an eye.

"Alright, stop talking. Mao'an is already upset about being assigned to Class B. If he hears you say this when he gets back, he'll definitely make a scene!" Another person quickly advised Liao Yunfei to say less.

"Hmph! We agreed to go out together, but he stood us up. Does he really think those people are good people? I heard they frequent brothels. Although Mao'an's family is well-off, they can't afford to waste his time like that! No, I still have to have a good talk with him when he gets back!" Liao Yunfei became more and more worried as he thought about it.

Because of Mao'an's absence, the group lost interest in strolling around after their meal and returned to the academy early. Mao'an, whom they were talking about, didn't return until dark, reeking of alcohol.

"Hey! Where have you been? I haven't seen you all day. Did you go drinking with brothels?" Liao Yunfei thought he smelled too bad, so he woke him up and told him to take a shower.

"Don't bother me! What's wrong with drinking and carousing? I'm seventeen this year, and I'm engaged. It's time to... go and see the world!" Although Mao An was a little drunk, he was still quite clear-headed and could at least talk back.

"You should go to these places less often in the future. Now that you're engaged, you should be more restrained," Zhou Chengyu said, seeing his current state and worried that his playfulness would interfere with his studies.

"What's the point of talking to you? Lots of people go to brothels, what could possibly happen? Alright! I'm already annoyed, so stop talking and let me get some sleep!"

Zhou Chengyu and Liao Yunfei exchanged glances, but decided not to meddle any further.

After going to the brothel, Mao An became so engrossed in his studies that he forgot all about his homeland. He barely spoke to Zhou Chengyu and the others, and they only saw each other once a day in the evening.

Seeing that he was unrepentant, Zhou Chengyu rarely associated with him until Mao'an suddenly announced his marriage and invited them to a banquet, which was the only time they managed to get together.

"My wedding is in three days. Don't forget to come then. You promised to give me gifts, and I haven't forgotten!" Mao An said, and it was a rare moment when he rekindled his old friendship with Liao Yunfei and Zhou Chengyu.

Knowing that Zhou Chengyu would be attending a banquet at his classmate's house in three days, Song Yushu prepared a gift for him. It wasn't particularly valuable, but it wasn't cheap either; it was just something a scholar would use.

Zhou Chengyu and Liao Yunfei went over together. At this time, Mao An was wearing the groom's wedding clothes and greeting guests at the door, his face full of joy.

The group congratulated him, handed him gifts, and then went inside to find seats.

Unfortunately, the people sitting at their table were the same group who usually took Mao'an to skip school and go to brothels. Suddenly, the group lost their appetite for all the dishes on the table.

If it weren't for the fact that today is Mao'an's happy occasion, Zhou Chengyu and his group would have left long ago. It would have been fine if the two groups had been able to coexist peacefully, but that group of people were so irresponsible and foul-mouthed that they were actually discussing the girls in the brothel while talking about someone else's marriage.

"Maoan has lived with you guys for so long, no wonder you always find it boring! You're all still so young, all you do is tell people to bury themselves in books. If it were me, I couldn't stand it either."

"Exactly, I heard you used to look down on us for going to brothels! You're such hypocrites."

"The girls in the brothel are fair-skinned and beautiful, much better than the old scholar with his wrinkled face. Mao'an is such a charming fellow. He only went a few times and he captivated Miss Yue in the brothel. I heard that he got married today, and Miss Yue cried several times!"

"I wonder if Mao'an's wife is as fair as Miss Yue. If she isn't, wouldn't he have suffered a huge loss!"

"So what? She's just a prostitute. You can't marry her and make her your wife, can you? At worst, you can keep her outside and enjoy the blessings of having two wives!"

"Hahahahaha..."