Li Xiangkang had just stepped onto the official road when he heard the sound of carriages and horses behind him. At first, Li Xiangkang didn't pay any attention. After all, it was an official road, and anyone could travel on it.
However, the guards whispered a reminder: "Fourth Young Master, the carriage behind us seems to have been following us the whole time."
Li Xiangkang, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them upon hearing this and asked, "Is there any danger?"
The guard shook his head and said, "No, although the driver was a trained fighter, his martial arts skills were not high."
Li Xiangkang closed his eyes again and said, "If that's the case, then we don't need to worry about him."
The guards nodded in agreement, but did not lower their guard.
The madam entrusted them with protecting the fourth young master, so there can be no mistakes.
Although they are nominally guards, they are actually trained according to the standards of secret guards. Even though this is their first time on a mission, they absolutely cannot tarnish their reputation.
Li Xiangkang and his companions drove their carriage forward, but the people in the carriage behind urged them on, "Hurry up! Ding Qiao, go faster! I think that carriage in front looks like Brother Kang's."
If it really is him, we can keep each other company on the road.
"It's all my fault. I didn't discuss it with Brother Kang beforehand. If we had, it would have been so much better if we had gone together."
The person in the carriage behind was none other than Ding Xiu from the Ding family.
He felt he wasn't good enough and hadn't originally planned to go to the prefectural city to take the exam.
But Master Ding and his wife insisted that he try, saying that if he passed the exam, it would be incredibly lucky for their Ding family.
Because of Old Mrs. Ding's favoritism, Little Fatty Ding doesn't really trust the Ding family's ancestors.
Madam Ding knew about his worries and comforted him, saying, "I heard that the fourth young master of Ming Zhaoshuo's family is going to the prefectural city to take the imperial examination."
Everyone says you two are good friends. But the gap between good friends shouldn't be too big.
What if one day he passes the imperial examination and you haven't even passed the preliminary examination? How can you two be considered good friends?
"If you go to the prefectural city to take the exam this time, even if you don't pass, at least you'll have gained experience, and maybe you'll pass next time."
Ding Xiaopangzi found Madam Ding's words very reasonable, so he quickly asked Madam Ding to pack his things and then sent the family's best martial arts master to accompany him to the prefectural city.
Ding Xiu got onto the official road and saw in the distance that the carriage in front looked like the Li family's.
However, the carriage in front was moving too fast, and they couldn't catch up no matter how hard they tried. Ding Xiu was getting anxious, so he urged them to hurry up.
Ding Qiao also wanted to catch up with the carriages ahead, but their horses weren't up to the task, so there was nothing he could do.
So he said, "Young Master, this is already the fastest."
If all else fails, try shouting a couple of times and see if the people in front can hear you.
Ding Xiu thought this was a good idea. If it were Li Xiangkang, he would definitely stop and wait for them.
So, Little Fatty Ding disregarded his image and, gripping the carriage frame with both hands, shouted loudly, "Hey, is that Brother Xiang Kang up ahead? If so, please wait for me!"
Sure enough, the people in front slowed down when they heard Ding Xiu's voice, and finally stopped on the side of the road.
Upon seeing this, Ding Xiu was overjoyed and said, "It really is Brother Kang! Quick! Let's hurry over there and not keep Brother Kang waiting."
Ding Qiao quickly drove his carriage to Li Xiangkang and the others' carriage.
Li Xiangkang had already gotten off the carriage.
As soon as Ding Xiu got off the carriage, he gave Li Xiangkang a bear hug. Luckily, Li Xiangkang had been practicing martial arts for many years; otherwise, an ordinary person would not have been able to withstand Ding Xiaopangzi's hug.
Li Xiangkang said helplessly, "Brother Xiu, you really should lose some weight. If you continue like this, it will affect your health."
Ding Xiu said nonchalantly, "I don't want to lose weight. I ate my way up one bite at a time."
Seeing that Li Xiangkang's face darkened, he quickly changed his words and said, "Brother Kang, you know how difficult it is to lose weight."
I get so hungry if I skip a meal that I feel anxious.
Don't worry, I'll definitely try to lose weight after I get back from the prefectural city.
Li Xiangkang's expression softened upon hearing this. He genuinely considered Ding Xiu a friend and was naturally acting in his best interest.
Li Xiangkang looked at Ding Xiu and asked, "Didn't you say you wouldn't participate this year? Why are you still going to the prefectural city?"
Ding Xiu didn't hide anything and repeated what Madam Ding had said to Li Xiangkang.
Li Xiangkang laughed and said, "Although Madam Ding meant well, good friends are good friends. They shouldn't be mixed with interests, and it has nothing to do with status or position."
I consider you my friend. Whether I'm poor and destitute or successful and prosperous in the future, as long as your original intentions remain unchanged, we'll always be good brothers.
Li Xiangkang's few words moved Ding Xiu to tears.
He knew Li Xiangkang was telling the truth. Given their current status, he was no longer worthy of being brothers with him, but Li Xiangkang had never looked down on him.
That's why he has to work even harder; he doesn't want people to laugh at Li Xiangkang for having a good-for-nothing brother.
After catching up, Ding Xiu, fearing it would delay their journey, urged Li Xiangkang to hurry on their way.
Li Xiangkang glanced at the sun and said, "Let's wait a little longer."
Ding Xiu asked, somewhat puzzled, "Wait for what? Brother Kang, it doesn't matter whether I take the exam or not. But if I mess up your exam, my father will skin me alive."
Li Xiangkang glanced at him disdainfully and replied irritably, "What a loser! Where did your ambition go?"
I arranged to go to the prefectural city with Xu Hui; he'll probably walk a bit slower.
Ding Xiu shut his mouth after Li Xiangkang mentioned Xu Hui.
They all knew about Xu Hui's situation; his father was frail and sickly and needed to take medicine all year round.
His mother made a living by washing clothes for others, and for the first two years, his school fees were partially waived by the school and were basically covered by his family selling their land.
Xu Hui was also very hardworking. In addition to studying hard, he would also copy books in his spare time to earn some money to supplement his family's income.
They had agreed to go to the prefectural city to take the exam together. Given Xu Hui's family's circumstances, they certainly couldn't afford to rent a carriage, so Li Xiangkang offered to give him a ride.
Xu Hui did not refuse. Ever since Li Xiangkang was framed by Chen Teng and Xu Hui came forward to testify, the three of them had gotten along well.
Li Xiangkang and Ding Xiu would occasionally lend Xu Hui a hand, sometimes even helping him copy books.
Just as the sun was high in the sky, Xu Hui hurried over, carrying a basket on his back.
He was still wearing the same faded clothes from washing, and on his feet were newly made cloth shoes with multiple layers of soles. He ran over, covered in sweat, and said apologetically, "Brother Kang, Brother Ding, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Li Xiangkang smiled and replied, "Brother Xu, there's no need to feel apologetic. We just arrived too."
"Alright, it's quite sunny now, and too hot outside. Let's talk about it in the car."
Xu Hui didn't stand on ceremony and got into Li Xiangkang's carriage.
Seeing this, Ding Xiu also climbed up, and the carriage visibly sank down.
Ding Xiu felt a little embarrassed, but he quickly put on a thick skin and said, "The three of us can discuss our studies in one carriage. As the sage said, 'Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me.'"
Although Li Xiangkang and Xu Hui looked disgusted, they both made room for him without realizing it.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com