Qin Zhao knew the truth about this family: Ah Qi was devoted to serving his master, while Xiao Yuzi only ate, drank, and had fun every day, caring nothing about anything else. In the end, Jing Li was the only one seriously worrying about making a living.

That's too much.

The empty cabin before him reminded Jing Li of all these things, and he became distracted for a moment. Qin Zhao noticed and said, "What are you daydreaming about? Come here."

The cabin was originally filled with simple beds for travelers to rest. Now that Qin Zhao had chartered the boat, he naturally removed the extra beds and placed a table by the window, where he leaned against to enjoy the scenery.

The scenery on both sides of the river from Jiangling Prefecture to the township is very beautiful, but unfortunately I can't enjoy the wind and can't even go to the deck, so I can only feast my eyes here.

There was a small teacup on his table with the water just boiling. Jing Li walked over, opened the lid and sprinkled a handful of tea leaves into it.

"Your tea-making skills are getting better and better." Qin Zhao said.

"Of course, I've been learning this for a long time." While waiting for the tea to be brewed, Jing Li sat down opposite Qin Zhao. "I have to learn more about these things, so that you won't despise me in the future."

Qin Zhao raised his eyebrows: "What nonsense?"

"I'm just kidding." Jing Li winked at him. After a moment, he poured out two cups of tea. "Your Highness, please have some tea."

“…”

Qin Zhao was helpless.

Perhaps because he had guessed it in advance, Jing Li accepted his identity without any obstacles, but Zhong Zhong's reaction made Qin Zhao a little uncomfortable.

Through the window, you can hear the laughter of the little fish on the deck, it seems they are having a lot of fun.

Qin Zhao said, "If Yuzai likes to take a boat, we can go north by boat."

"Really?" Jing Li's eyes lit up and he nodded. "Going by water is better. It's more comfortable than riding in a carriage. A carriage makes you ache all over. And I've asked around. Is going by water faster than riding in a carriage?"

"It will probably be a few days faster."

In this era, going to Beijing to take the imperial examination was actually a very risky thing.

Many people had never traveled so far since they were born, and were unfamiliar with the route. Furthermore, many places had no official roads, so there was no telling how many dangers they would encounter along the way. Even without considering these, there was still the threat of bandits.

Jing Li had heard that some highway robbers would specifically target the scholars going to Beijing to take the exams in the months between the end of the provincial examinations and the beginning of the metropolitan examinations.

Therefore, many people died in foreign lands before they could even reach the capital.

Going north by boat is a relatively safe option.

Of course, the price is also higher.

Even taking the cheapest cargo ship would cost several times more than a carriage. Not to mention a dedicated merchant ship, where the price for a single night was equivalent to a night in a Jiangling inn.

Unless you are a wealthy family, you will never be able to afford these expenses.

This is also the reason why Jing Li had never considered taking a boat north before.

But now...

I heard that the Gu family owns dozens of merchant ships and cargo ships.

Jing Li's abacus beads clattered in his mind. Qin Zhao saw what he was thinking and said, "When we get back to the village, I'll send a letter to Gu Changzhou and ask him to prepare it."

Jing Li nodded in agreement and asked, "When do we set off?"

Qin Zhao didn't answer immediately.

Jing Li asked, "I think you want to go to the capital as soon as possible, right?"

Qin Zhao tilted his head to look out the window, as if trying to hide some emotion.

After a while, he said softly, "...Yes."

"Are you..." Jing Li hesitated for a moment, then asked cryptically, "A little worried about the matter mentioned in the letter?"

Qin Zhao's reaction might have fooled others, but not Jing Li. Ever since receiving the letter, Qin Zhao had been troubled.

What is he worried about?

Are you afraid that the little emperor is pretending to be sick this time and that something unexpected will happen?