Chapter 59 Jiang Ji departs, reluctant to leave.
Ye Li and Jiang Ji entered the main room one after the other.
Before Ye Li could even stand up straight, she was pulled into a familiar embrace.
However, Jiang Ji was still carrying a string of coins in his hand, which jingled in front of Ye Li as he moved.
Ye Li couldn't help but laugh and said, "Let's put the money down first."
It weighs eight pounds; how could anyone kiss such a string of coins?
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ji put his arm around his shoulder, and the two went into the west room.
Jiang Ji put the money on the table, and before he could even look at Ye Li, Ye Li took the initiative to wrap her arms around his waist.
He raised the corners of his mouth, then gently hugged Ye Li and placed her on the table.
One is standing.
One is sitting.
The setting sun bathed the slightly ajar window behind Ye Li in orange hues, with some sunlight also filtering into the dim interior.
Ye Li sat in the light, a bright smile on her face. The scene was so vivid and lively that it instantly captivated Jiang Ji.
So the lips lingered, not yet parting.
Ye Li was now smug. He stretched out his arms and wrapped them around Jiang Ji's neck: "Am I really that good-looking?"
These words brought Jiang Ji back to his senses, but Jiang Ji always loved watching him show off.
Especially now.
With Jiang Ji as the dividing line, behind him was a dimly lit room, while in front of him was a bright and warm scene, enough to dispel all the gloom of the past.
Everything from the past six years has become insignificant and trivial because of the arrival of the person before me.
Jiang Ji chuckled, cupping his face in his large hands and examining him with tenderness, his gaze revealing deep affection and burning warmth.
Even someone as thick-skinned as Ye Li gradually blushed under that gaze.
He was unusually shy, which amused Jiang Ji, who was even more delighted. He cupped Jiang Ji's cheeks in his large hands and gently rubbed them a couple of times before kissing him.
The moment their lips touched, the two, who hadn't been close for a long time, felt a slight tremor in their hearts and couldn't help but move closer. The last time they were this close was a month ago!
They opened their mouths simultaneously, chasing each other's tongues.
The familiar scent made them instinctively close their eyes to focus on the kiss.
This kiss was devoid of any ulterior motives; the two simply wanted to use this contact to soothe the longing that had been surging in their hearts for over a month.
However, the timing is clearly wrong now.
In the courtyard, Jiang Ya, smelling the increasingly rich aroma in the air, could no longer resist and shouted loudly towards the main room, "Brother Li, is the chicken soup ready?"
Too impatient, he didn't wait for Ye Li's reply before getting up from the small stool and running towards the main room while shouting, "Brother Li, Brother Li, the chicken soup smells so good, is it ready yet?"
The shouts, growing louder as they approached, forced the two people inside to let go of each other.
Just as the two were wiping the water off their lips with handkerchiefs, Jiang Ya rushed in: "Brother Li! Brother Li!"
Jiang Ji stepped forward, bent down, and pressed down on his small shoulder.
Ye Li took the opportunity to jump off the table.
He was small, and his view was completely blocked by his older brother. He tilted his head and looked into the room: "Where's Brother Li?"
"Here it is." Ye Li walked over with a smile, raised her hand and patted his little head: "Little glutton, let's go, it should be ready soon."
Upon hearing "It's done," Jiang Ya immediately disregarded everything else and exclaimed happily, "It's been stewing for so long, it must be ready by now!"
He even counted on his little hands and said, "Two chickens, four chicken legs, one for each of us!"
He gets to enjoy a whole chicken leg all to himself!
His big eyes sparkled, and Jiang Ji found it amusing: "Quickly thank Brother Li, all the good days our family has had are thanks to him."
"Thank you, Brother Li!"
Jiang Ya immediately shouted loudly, and added, "Brother Li, I will definitely take care of you when I grow up!"
Ye Li was surprised by his unexpected remark and immediately laughed. While leading him outside, she asked, "Good boy Ya, can you be filial to me now?"
"Sure!" Jiang Ya nodded her little head, but her face showed confusion: "Brother Li, how can I be filial to you?"
"Hmm... If you behave well, that's being filial to me."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ya immediately became proud, since he was already very obedient.
It turns out he had always been filial to his brother Li.
But the good life in the family was indeed brought by Brother Li, so he couldn't just be filial to him in one aspect. He looked up at Brother Li and said, "Brother Li, I will not only be obedient in the future, but I will also collect more firewood!"
Ye Li laughed heartily, "Good, good, good girl."
Jiang Ji was somewhat gratified.
With him away, his two younger brothers will have to shoulder the burden.
Fortunately, we'll have the results soon.
It will be soon.
The family thoroughly enjoyed their dinner.
When Ye Li was stewing the soup, she added some pieces of watermelon rind. As the soup simmered for a long time, the watermelon rind almost completely dissolved into the soup, which not only neutralized the greasiness of the chicken soup itself, but also added a touch of sweetness.
In the village, people stew chicken, and one chicken can fill a large pot with side dishes. But Ye Li only put in watermelon rind and no other vegetables. The four of them ate a piece of flatbread and a piece of chicken, which was extremely luxurious.
The four of them finished off the two chickens. Jiang Mai and Jiang Ya were so full that they played in the yard for a while before reluctantly going to wash up at Jiang Ji's urging.
Jiang Ya originally wanted to sleep with Ye Li and Jiang Ji, but Jiang Mai persuaded her to go back.
With parting imminent, Big Brother and Brother Li must have a lot to say, but they won't disturb them!
The two little ones were well-behaved and went to sleep obediently, finally giving Ye Li and Jiang Ji some time and space to be alone.
After cleaning up the kitchen, the two went to the small shed to take a bath together.
In the dark, the two did nothing in the small shed and soon wrapped themselves in large cloths and went back to their room.
Jiang Ji was about to get down to business, and the road was still bumpy. Ye Liyuan didn't intend to exhaust Jiang Ji's energy, but Jiang Ji wasn't as weak as he thought. He was an eighteen-year-old boy who had been eating and drinking well for the past six months. What was a three-day ride in a mule cart?
Therefore, after returning to the room, Jiang Ji asked Ye Li to sit on the high table next to the kang (a heated brick bed), and the two of them made love on the table.
However, since they were going to the county town the next day, Jiang Ji didn't make him do the splits; the posture was quite ordinary.
Later, they moved to the kang (a heated brick bed), and used only one posture: facing each other.
Today, for the two of them, spiritual connection is more important than physical pleasure; how can it be called love if they don't look at each other's faces?
If you don't look at the other person a few more times now, how will you cope with missing them when you're apart later?
The two looked at each other, kissed, looked at each other again, and kissed again, repeating this process until it ended.
But the night is too short.
The two of them will go to the county town tomorrow.
They hastily wiped themselves down and reluctantly went to sleep.
The next day, Jiang Ji went to Jiang Tong's house early in the morning to bring back the oxcart.
Looking at Jiang Tong's impressive new house, Jiang Ji felt genuinely happy for Jiang Tong's family, but nothing else.
His house was indeed old, but he had no intention of renovating it.
It doesn't leak, and it's cool in the summer. I can live here for at least another ten years.
Furthermore, this house still holds memories of him and his parents, so he had no intention of building a new house.
He led the oxcart home, where Yeli had already prepared breakfast.
After breakfast, the two made tofu, the two little ones went out to cut grass, and he and Ye Li took more than 100 catties of copper coins to the county town.
First, they went to the money exchange to exchange copper coins for silver ingots, and then the two went to the private school to pack up books and writing materials.
The private school only started its holiday today, and Jiang Ji went home early yesterday, so Master Han is still teaching.
After waiting for a while, once Mr. Han finished his get out of class, the two went to his office to return the money they had spent on renting the car.
Ye Li also brought some tofu puffs and preserved eggs; he had specifically asked Ye Liang to keep two jin of them yesterday.
Master Han had a kind and benevolent appearance, but he was actually not very old, only in his forties. Moreover, he passed the imperial examination at the age of thirty, and Jiang Ji always regarded him as a role model.
Master Han encouraged Jiang Ji with a few words, and praised Ye Li for her virtue, saying that since Jiang Ji got married, not only has the food improved, but he has also become much more peaceful and composed, without the previous bitterness and tension.
Of course, Master Han overlooked Jiang Jigang's outburst when he got married.
These words greatly increased Ye Li's goodwill towards Master Han.
His keen observations show he is indeed a caring teacher.
After returning from the private school, the two went to buy some daily necessities, such as washbasins and tooth powder. Now that they had everything they needed, they wouldn't need to buy any more after arriving in the prefectural city.
Moreover, the anniversary of Jiang's father's death is approaching.
Jiang Ji was still in the prefectural city at that time, so the two of them decided to go and pay their respects today.
After their shopping spree, the two returned home to find that Ye Liang and the two little ones had already eaten lunch.
In the afternoon, Jiang Ji and Ye Li led the two little ones to the Jiang family ancestral graves to pay respects to Jiang's father, and then bid farewell to Jiang's mother, praying that their elders in heaven would bless Jiang Ji to return as a scholar.
After returning from the cemetery, villagers came over one after another.
This time, none of them brought any copper coins, which was enough to express their feelings. They came over to chat casually. Although they were not good at reading, Jiang Ji was already the most learned person in Yezaopo.
Moreover, conditions are better now, and studying no longer requires Jiang Dahe and the Ye family to tighten their belts, so they can relax and just do their best.
Ye Li and Jiang Ji both remembered the villagers' kindness.
A short while later, Bao Beiyuan and Gong Lisheng arrived in their mule carts.
The two men gave Jiang Ji a set of writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, just like the villagers would. They also told Jiang Ji to relax and do his best.
Jiang Ji was deeply moved to receive so many blessings at once.
These days are so good they seem unreal.
The whole world is full of good people!
However, when Bao Beiyuan and Gong Lisheng left, he pulled Bao Beiyuan aside and told him to take care of himself. He said that he had punished himself enough and that Bao Beiyuan would never want to see Bao Beiyuan tormenting himself like this.
Upon hearing his words, Bao Beiyuan smiled and said, "Don't worry about me. I know what I'm doing. Just focus on your exam, and I'll be waiting for your good news."
"Really, you do your best. If I can't pass the exam myself, you have to let me have a brother who is a scholar."
I hope my brother will become a dragon!
Jiang Ji: "..."
He took a breath, about to try to persuade him again, but Bao Beiyuan turned and prepared to leave.
He even called Ye Li over and asked her to pull him away.
Bao Beiyuan jumped onto the mule cart and urged Gong Lisheng to hurry up. Jiang Ji had no choice but to suppress his worries.
Never mind, I'll try to persuade him again when he returns from the prefectural city.
After Bao Beiyuan and Gong Lisheng left, Ye Liang finished frying tofu puffs and noodles. Ye Liang had already given them all the necessary instructions. Since the two families lived far apart, Ye's family would not be able to come to see them off tomorrow.
Ye Liangliang reassured Jiang Ji that he didn't need to worry about things at home or in the fields.
After giving his instructions, he carried the tofu puffs on his back and left.
The courtyard fell silent.
Jiang Ji looked at Ye Li, who smiled at him and said, "Let's go back and check our luggage to see if anything is missing."
It doesn't lack anything.
Compared to last time, Jiang Ji brought an extra small burlap sack this time, filled with daily necessities.
The basket was now full of silver, and quite heavy.
Everything really did get better, except for him passing the imperial examination and returning as a scholar.
Dinner was a bit light tonight. Ye Li cooked pumpkin soup, steamed white flour buns, and stir-fried shredded pork with green peppers. When traveling far, it's best not to eat anything too greasy.
After dinner, the two little ones went to bed obediently.
Jiang Ji and Ye Li got onto the kang (a heated brick bed). Since they had to get up early the next day, they blew out the oil lamp and went straight to sleep.
However, despite their long efforts, they never met again.
Jiang Ji gave up, opened his eyes, turned over, and looked at Ye Li beside him.
Ye Li wasn't asleep either. Hearing the noise he was making, she turned over and looked at him.
The moonlight softened the darkness in the room, making it barely possible to see the other person's face.
Jiang Ji raised his hand and gently stroked Ye Li's face twice: "Next time we go to the prefectural city, we must go together."
Ye Li beamed with joy at those words; that's what she was thinking about that kept her awake at night.
"Then write in your diary, write about what you see and hear along the way, and your feelings each day. When you return, seeing those words will be the same as if I went to the prefectural city with you."
In the darkness, as soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Ji's eyes visibly brightened.
Jiang Ji then grabbed his hand, which was casually resting on the mat: "Okay."
Ye Li added, "Unfortunately, I'm really not very good at writing."
"Moreover, I stay in the village, repeating the same routine every day. Even though you are far away in the capital, you can deduce what I am doing just by looking up at the sky."
If he is a native of this place.
He couldn't perceive anything wrong with his life.
But he is not the real Ye Li.
Having seen the vast world and having no other entertainment, he only felt increasingly empty inside after his basic needs were met.
Fortunately, there is Jiang Ji.
His beloved husband was truly the greatest source of vitality and the only hope in his monotonous days.
Ye Li didn't show any melancholy when she said this, but Jiang Ji frowned upon hearing it.
Every day is a repetition of the previous day.
Something about what I'm saying doesn't quite sound right.
But that's how the villagers have always been.
Moreover, he never speculates or makes wild guesses about Ye Li.
He simply said, "Then let's go out more often from now on?"
Ye Li was surprised by his response and felt a surge of sweetness in her heart.
You're good at grasping the key points.
However, in this era, it's all the same to Ye Li.
It's not like I haven't watched period dramas in my past life.
Moreover, given the road conditions these days, riding in a car can be so bumpy it'll shake you to pieces.
So Ye Li smiled and said, "No need."
"Why not use it?" Jiang Ji asked, puzzled.
"I'm too busy to get away. Besides, I'm afraid of the bumpy ride." Ye Li only said half of what he meant, and before Jiang Ji could ask any more questions, he smiled and said, "However, it's good that we're next to the Nantong Canal. When we have more money and time in the future, we can take a boat south."
Jiang Ji understood what he meant and didn't press further, simply nodding: "Okay, let's take the boat."
“Since we’ve made a promise, don’t lose sleep. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to travel together in the future. Go to sleep,” Ye Li said.
Jiang Ji responded.
indeed.
Thinking too much is pointless, go to sleep.
He lay back down, and this time the Duke of Zhou came to find him very soon.
Ye Li, feeling sweet inside, quickly fell asleep.
The next day, Ye Li got up and made breakfast first.
Breakfast was ready, and Jiang Tong arrived leading the oxcart.
The prefectural city is located southeast of Beiyang County, so Jiang Ji and the others agreed to meet at the south gate of the county town.
To cross the county town, one would naturally need to use an oxcart.
After breakfast, Jiang Ji loaded his luggage onto the oxcart, and Ye Li, Jiang Mai, and Jiang Ya also got on the oxcart. Of course, Jiang Dahe was also there.
The group arrived at the city gate, which was not yet open. Once the gate opened, they entered the city immediately.
After crossing the main street and arriving at the South Gate, the drivers of the carriage company were already waiting with mule carts and horse-drawn carriages.
Shi Yi, who studied at the same private school as Jiang Ji, was also there.
Jiang Ji introduced himself to the others, but before they could finish exchanging pleasantries, the two government-subsidized students and the remaining three students arrived one after the other.
They all had family members to see them off.
Moreover, besides their group, other students taking the exam also set off today.
A large group of people crowded together, making it quite lively.
But time was tight, and once everyone was there, we had to set off.
The group moved their luggage onto the mule carts at the car dealership; the luggage alone filled two mule carts.
The two students boarded the horse-drawn carriage, while Jiang Ji and Shi Yi boarded the same mule cart.
The remaining three students rode together in a mule cart.
I've already told you what I needed to say.
Jiang Ji's gaze swept over Ye Li, Jiang Mai, Jiang Ya, Jiang Dahe, and Jiang Tong, before finally settling on Ye Li.
He forced a smile, then waved: "Go back, there's a lot to do at home."
The remaining students who were admitted to the Imperial Academy or the subsidized students also sent their families home.
Amidst a chorus of instructions, the mule cart began to move.
Ye Li hurriedly called out, "I'll wait for you to come back!"
Upon hearing these four words, Jiang Mai and Jiang Ya also shouted them out repeatedly.
Now, Jiang Ji's smile deepened considerably.
Ye Li was waiting for him.
His family is waiting for him.
Now it was his turn to put in the effort.
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