When Yang Jinyu was 20 years old, he was outside this city gate with Huo Jincheng and several other young masters in the capital. They rode out of the city on horseback to go for an outing in the suburbs. Two carriages from the Fei Mansion returned to the city from the suburbs. When Yang Jinyu passed by the second carriage of the Fei Mansion, Fei Zitong happened to lift the carriage curtain and looked out.
In a quick glance, the beautiful Fei Zitong caught Yang Jinyu's heart.
After he rode past, he couldn't help but turn his head to look back. Unexpectedly, Fei Zitong was also looking at him. Their eyes met head-on. Fei Zitong lowered her head in shame, hurriedly lowered the curtain and shrank back.
On the night of their wedding, Fei Zitong realized that her shy and charming bow had captivated Yang Jinyu throughout the spring of her twentieth year. Later, Huo Jincheng learned of his feelings and asked Old Madam Huo to propose marriage on his behalf to the Fei Mansion. The Grand Tutor and Master Fei were close friends; in their youth, they had both been among the first two top-ranking scholars after the imperial examinations were reinstated in Dayan State. Since Old Madam Huo had personally come to mediate, Master Fei agreed to the marriage.
As newlyweds, the young couple showed great affection along the way. Jian Ning saw this and was very happy for Yang Jinyu. She took the opportunity to tell Yang Jinyu, "You must thank Uncle Liu very much when you get back. If it weren't for his good advice, your wife would have died."
"Oh, that idea was from Uncle Liu?" Yang Jinyu only just realized today, "Uncle Liu is truly a capable man. Even people from Dayue Country came all the way to look for him."
"Dayue Nation?" Jian Ning raised an eyebrow. "Are you talking about Pei Xiyuan and the others?"
"What do they want to see my master for?" Ding Youtian also asked.
Yang Jinyu shook his head. "I don't know. I went to the bookstore before coming here. Uncle Liu wasn't there. They invited other storytellers. I heard from Chuqi that Uncle Liu went on a long trip. I wonder if he went with them to Dayue Country."
"Brother Ma, have you seen Uncle Liu recently? Have some people from Dayue come to see him?" Jian Ning then sent a message to Ma Fuquan.
Ma Fuquan: [I don't know. Second Brother Guizhi went to the capital. I haven't been back to the village in a few days because of all the things going on here. I'll go back in a couple of days and tell you.]
Jian Ning and Ding Youtian were both puzzled. They didn't know how Pei Xiyuan could invite Blind Liu?
"Could it be that Uncle Liu's family members were lucky enough to survive and escaped to Dayue Country?" Jian Ning thought for a moment and said.
"It would be great if that were the case!" This time in the capital, Ding Youtian wanted to inquire about the matter of Prime Minister Nan, but no one in the capital mentioned it anymore, and he didn't want to be the first to ask. In addition, Blind Liu had repeatedly warned him not to mention himself, otherwise he would want to ask King Pingnan something.
Originally, Jian Ning and his companions had planned to make a detour to Zhuling County to visit Mei Niang's family after entering Dazhou County. The two families had agreed to celebrate the New Year together this year. However, because Jian Ning had recognized his parents, he stayed in the capital to celebrate the New Year with the Prince of Pingnan and his wife the previous year and was unable to go back to keep the appointment. As a result, as soon as they entered Dazhou County, the governor received the news and personally led the local officials to come.
Ding Youtian was the first person in the entire Dazhou County to pass the imperial examination and was also the son-in-law of King Pingnan. When the news reached the Dazhou County governor, he had already informed the soldiers guarding the city and made arrangements early. In addition to local officials, many ordinary people also spontaneously came out to line the streets to welcome them.
The people came here spontaneously just to see the elegance of Princess An Ning and the top scholar because Yang Jinyu presented the Jian family's anti-epidemic pill during the epidemic. The people learned from the notice posted by the government that the anti-epidemic pill was made by Princess An Ning.
It was hard to refuse such a kind invitation, so Jian Ning and his friends had to temporarily cancel their plan to go to Zhuling County. They stayed in the prefecture for a day with Yang Jinyu and his wife. Local officials and the people lined the streets to welcome and see them off all the way. It was even more lively when they arrived in Jin County, as the people had prepared all the New Year's items.
Dragon dancing, stilt walking, and dragon boat racing made the whole thing so festive.
"Thanks to my husband, we are now returning home in glory. In the past, I have only seen such treatment on TV when big stars traveled." Jian Ning whispered to Ding Youtian with a smile.
"Madam, calm down. Don't get carried away." Ding Youtian was not easily surprised by fame or disgrace. He had been frivolous for a while after riding a horse in the parade in the capital. When he sobered up from his drunken stupor, he had already reflected deeply on the pain and touched his soul.
Since entering Dazhou County, he has always used the case of Magistrate Hu's family being wiped out to remind himself. He often thought that those corrupt officials were not necessarily greedy when they first came to power. Many of them just held power for too long, and with the flattery and fawning of those around them, they gradually relaxed their vigilance and gave rise to greed.
People only curse corrupt officials, but few will criticize those who provide fertile ground for them. Therefore, the more enthusiastically everyone welcomes him, the calmer he feels inside.
"Don't worry, my husband. As long as you don't wander off, I won't wander off either. If you do wander off, I will pull you down." Jian Ning smiled. In the past, she was extremely disgusted with Ding Youtian always saying "husband", but today she unknowingly kept saying "wife".
It can be seen that if you stay in an environment for a long time, it is easy to be assimilated.
Ding Youtian, wearing the official robes of the top scholar parading through the capital, was riding on his horse. He glanced meaningfully at Jian Ning, who was also wearing the imperial robes. "Then I thank you, Madam. From now on, Madam, please keep an eye on me and don't let me lie in the clouds and get down."
Jian Ning's imperial title was self-earned. She was granted the title of Princess when she was conferred upon her for her contributions to the state and the people. The title of Imperial Consort was something the Meng family had coveted for decades. If the relationship hadn't been severed, and Ding Youtian had achieved the top spot in the imperial examination and ascended to a fifth-rank official position, the Meng family would have been eligible for the title of Imperial Consort.
It’s a pity that she ruined her own imperial decree with her own hands!
Before Ding Youtian and his companions even reached Baisha Town, Dingxian Village was already buzzing with excitement. The town leader had already taken his men to Dingxian Village to set up everything. When Ding Youtian and his companions arrived in Baisha Town, nearly everyone, young and old, poured into the streets. This was a town honor. Ever since the news of the town's top scholar spread, business was booming in every shop, big and small.
A banner with the words "Zhuangyuan Village" has been hung on the plaque at the entrance of Dingxian Village. The gate of the former Ding family's old house is also decorated with flowers made of red silk, and the words "Zhuangyuan's Home" in large letters are pasted on the door. The head of the village and the clan leader have gathered all the young and old in the village at the village entrance, and firecrackers are ready.
Except for Old Ding and Mrs. Meng who were crying at home, everyone in the village was looking forward to the arrival of Jian Ning and Ding Youtian's family with joy.
Ding Youtian and the others were on horseback. Wherever they passed, people kept kneeling down and shouting, "Greetings to the number one scholar! Greetings to Princess An Ning!" Jian Ning had initially shouted at the top of her lungs that there was no need to be so polite, but it was completely useless. She could only smile and nod continuously.
The cheers on the street grew louder and louder. Suddenly, a man with disheveled hair rushed out of the alley. He waved his hands and ran while laughing wildly, shouting, "Haha, I got into high school! I got into high school!"
Ding Youtian seemed to hear some noise. When he turned around, he vaguely saw Mo Mingyue running by with her skirt lifted up.
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