At this moment, Huichun Hall.
In the wing room with two doors, Liu Baolong and his wife Ning were having delicious breakfast tea, with two maids standing beside them to serve them attentively.
Although Ning is now in her forties, she has taken good care of herself. If you ignore the wrinkles around her eyes and neck, her face is almost the same as that of a young woman in her early twenties. Her hair is piled high with a jade hairpin, making her look dignified, beautiful and elegant.
This is exactly: a middle-aged woman is graceful and charming, with a figure as beautiful as a peach.
"Xiao Cui, what's going on outside today? There's all this noise, beating drums and gongs, and setting off firecrackers?"
"To answer Madam, I heard the guard say in the kitchen this morning that our Yongning County seems to have produced a top scholar!"
Ning was immediately surprised when she heard this: "Oh! Is that true?" Then she turned to her husband Liu Baolong and said, "How about we go and pay a visit as well?"
Liu Baolong waved his hand, looking very worldly-wise: "If he really is the top scholar, there's no need to rush like this."
Ning didn't understand what he meant and asked in confusion, "Why is that?"
The other party replied, "Which of these top scholars isn't Wenqu incarnate? He's the only one who has been chosen as the world's most talented scholar for three whole years. Each of them will do great things in the capital in the future. Their glorious return home is just a passing fad. They'll be back in Xujing to take up their new post soon. So, they don't have much to do with Yongning County."
"Huichuntang has been established here since my great-grandfather's generation. Now it's been passed down to me for four generations. It's a century-old institution in Yongning. From the county magistrate to the beggar, everyone comes to me for medical treatment. There's no need to rush to curry favor with the number one scholar right now. It seems a bit utilitarian and doesn't reflect the century-old heritage of Huichuntang."
Ning thought it made sense, so she asked, "What do you think, my husband?"
Liu Baolong put down his spoon and stroked his beard. "When the number one scholar holds a banquet, Huichuntang will definitely be on the invitation list. By then, we can prepare generous gifts and go along with the flow. Wouldn't that be calm and graceful, and leave a lasting impression?"
Ning smiled and praised, "My husband is really thoughtful. Xiao Cui, kill an old hen and stew it with ginseng and wolfberry for Master to nourish his body at noon!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Xiao Cui said softly again.
As she spoke, Ning seemed to recall something and turned to ask the maid beside her, "I remember Zhao Liu arranged a marriage a few days ago. It seems the wedding is today!"
"That's right, ma'am. Zhao Liu also said that he would bring his wife and family here today to kowtow to you and the master. He said that without Huichuntang's support over the years, he, Zhao Liu, would not be where he is today."
Hearing this, Liu Baolong smiled with satisfaction and nodded, saying, "I've watched Liu'er grow up. He has a good character and knows how to be grateful. If he were illiterate, I might have taught him some medical skills."
Xiao Cui's mouth was as sweet as honey, and she began to speak well of Zhao Liu: "Who says it's not true? Zhao Liu praises you and Madam every day in front of the servants, so that we can learn to be grateful."
Liu Baolong was delighted by what he said and asked with a smile, "I heard that Liu'er's wife is his childhood sweetheart?"
"That's right, sir. They're both in good company! I've seen that girl before. She's incredibly pretty. Zhao Liu's wife has been keeping her virginity to him for so many years, just waiting to enter the bridal chamber on their wedding night!"
Ning and Liu Baolong both nodded in satisfaction, saying that it was very good.
"Xiao Cui, go to the accounting office and withdraw ten taels of silver. Think of it as a red envelope from Huichun Hall to Liu'er!"
"Xiao Cui thanks the Master and Madam on behalf of Zhao Liu!"
Liu Baolong seemed to remember something and turned to look at his wife beside him: "How about we rest in Huichun Hall for a day and go to Liu'er's wedding banquet?"
Ning thought for a moment and nodded in agreement: "That's fine. Master has been overworked these days. It's a good opportunity for him to relax today."
So, Liu Baolong ordered his men outside the door to post a notice that the business was closed for one day, and then informed everyone to wait for Zhao Liu's family to arrive and then go to the wedding banquet together.
Upon hearing this, several security guards came running over to ask if they could bring their sisters or parents along, so that their whole family could share in the good news.
Liu Baolong did not make things difficult for them. Based on the principle that happy events should be celebrated with great fanfare, he approved it with a wave of his hand.
For a time, Huichun Hall was filled with joy, and everyone was busy preparing for Zhao Liu's wedding.
——
However, when Zhang Ling arrived at the City God Temple, the first person he saw was the Yongning City God.
The two sat down and drank tea, chatting slowly.
After chatting about this and that and exchanging pleasantries, the Yongning City God began to get to the point.
"Does Your Majesty know who the number one scholar is?"
Zhang Ling nodded and said, "Three years ago, I happened to meet Ning Caijun in the mountains. At that time, he was in dire straits. He thought he could live with his relatives, but he encountered a series of shameful things instead."
"Then the Supreme Lord should know the purpose of Ning Caijun's return."
"It's nothing more than revenge and washing away shame."
The City God in red robes looked troubled and said, "Your Majesty should know that his title of number one scholar was not obtained through legitimate means."
Zhang Ling picked up the cup and took a sip of tea, then slowly recounted what he saw when he arrived.
"When I ran into Ning Caijun by chance on the street this time, I noticed three kinds of demonic auras. One of them was the yellow weasel I'm familiar with. I guess their fates have long been compatible."
"As for the other two, one looks like a tree, and the other looks like a beast!"
The City God said meaningfully, "That makes sense. A mere weasel demon wasn't enough to allow Ning Caijun to achieve consecutive top three places in the imperial examinations, become a top three Jinshi, and even become the top scholar! This couldn't be explained without the involvement of a powerful demon."
Zhang Ling looked around the City God Temple and found that the patrolling judges, generals and ghosts were all gone. He couldn't help but ask curiously, where did all these people go?
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