Chapter 88: Scholar Asks for Directions
088 Scholar Asks for Directions
It was drizzling on the day Chen Jingxuan left Ping'an Town. His master carried him to the front of the crowd with a whisk in his hand. Xiang Jiannan had to put on a smile and pretend to be happy.
Today is a big day. Even if you are reluctant, you cannot look sad.
A few days ago, he went to Ping'an Temple in person to discuss the departure time with the master. Old Man Chen agreed with his suggestion very much. He felt that the young Taoist priest could bring good luck to his son. There were so many people anyway, and one or two spots would not make a difference.
"Thank you all for coming to see me off today. If my Jingxuan can make it on the list this time, I will definitely not forget your kindness."
When Xiang Jiannan came to his side and was about to leave, Old Man Chen immediately bowed.
He says similar things every three years. In fact, apart from the Chen family, there are very few people who take him to heart.
Firstly, Chen Jingxuan's results in the provincial examinations were not very good. Secondly, because of the little thoughts between people, if he just joined in the fun, whether he passed or not, could he really expect the Chen family to repay him in the future? If he didn't come out, he would lose face.
"It's getting late, Third Young Master, you should get in the car early."
Seeing that Mr. Chen was very emotional after he finished speaking, Pei Dafa immediately advised loudly that he, as the mayor, had always done such things, and today was no exception. A group of people warmly saw Chen Jingxuan and others off to the carriage. Because they were afraid that Xiang Jiannan might suddenly want to escape, Gao Yuan was watching behind him.
Feeling a bit like being forced into marriage, Xiang Jiannan got into the carriage with Chen Jingxuan and avoided the luggage and leaned against the window to find his feet.
Even if they had to carry so many books with them to the capital county for the exam, the scholars of the Great Zhou Dynasty had a very hard time. Because Xiang Jiannan had the memory of Chen Jingxuan's previous exam, he didn't care about the fact that his whole family, young and old, went to the exam together.
Only a poor scholar would be alone, but Mr. Chen almost moved his house there.
"Little Taoist priest, have you been to Shou County a few days ago?"
Chen Jingxuan and Xiang Jiannan each occupied a direction. After sitting down, his face remained calm. Although it was very lively outside the car, he, as the protagonist, did not seem to be affected at all.
Having failed the exams several times, Chen Jingxuan was the only one who could understand the feeling of frustration. If he returned disappointed again this time, the scene would definitely turn into another one. What people say is really scary.
"Yes, but I didn't stay for a few days."
As he spoke, Xiang Jiannan touched the seal hanging around his waist. He was not in a very good mood to chat.
He had nothing much to say to Chen Jingxuan. Although this scholar was in Ping'an Town, he always belonged to another world. Fortunately, the two of them understood each other tacitly and quickly went about their own business after saying a few words.
Chen Jingxuan continued to read the books in the carriage, while Xiang Jiannan looked out the window holding the seal.
The master said that today is a good day for traveling. No matter how I look at it, I feel that the old Taoist priest is lying. The rain seems to be getting heavier. If the trip is delayed, Xiang Jiannan will probably be the first to take the blame. He asked me to go to Shou County with him. Could it be because of this reason? I was worried and it was hard to say. I could only follow the carriage and bump a little bit. I thought it shouldn't be the case.
It was unknown how many hours they traveled eastward. It was not until it was dark that Xiang Jiannan woke up from his coma. The most comfortable thing when riding in a car is to sleep, especially on a rainy day, which gives people a very wonderful feeling.
The sky and the earth were mixed with mist, and those water droplets washed the reality like a dream.
The rain did not get heavier; on the contrary, it seemed to be getting lighter.
Why did it stop? He was enjoying the scenery outside the window when he suddenly felt the car stop. Xiang Jiannan did not react much until he saw Mr. Chen walking up from behind. Then he decided to get out of the car to check.
It's troublesome to look out of the car window and crane your neck.
"Then, scholar, are you going to Shou County to take the exam?"
Xiang Jiannan had just bent over and pulled open the curtain when he heard Mr. Chen ask a question. He saw a man standing in the middle of the road ahead. Judging from his clothes, he did look like a scholar.
A person, maybe he wants to hitchhike? He stuck his butt out and didn't jump off in a hurry. Seeing Mr. Chen and others coming forward to ask questions, Xiang Jiannan just looked at the figure in front of him and felt that it was somewhat familiar, but he couldn't see clearly. The drizzle blocked his vision.
"Is the person sitting in this car a member of the Chen family?"
Ignoring Mr. Chen's questions, the scholar who was blocking the road with clear words suddenly moved a few steps closer to the crowd. This made Xiang Jiannan shudder all over, and also made Mr. Chen and others feel uncomfortable.
They felt that this scholar had ill intentions and seemed to be looking for trouble with Jingxuan.
It's him!
Looking back at Chen Jingxuan who still had no reaction, Xiang Jiannan could only grit his teeth. He saw clearly the appearance of the scholar who blocked his way. With the skills of Old Master Chen and others, he probably couldn't even handle it with a wave of his hand. Although he was afraid, he had to bite the bullet and jump off the carriage.
There is no point in hiding. If sparks really do fly, Xiang Jiannan won't be able to escape.
"I am Chen Jincang, scholar, are you acquainted with my Jingxuan?"
"Mr. Chen!"
Seeing that Mr. Chen seemed to be getting impatient with the scholar who blocked his way, Xiang Jiannan couldn't help but feel anxious after getting off the car. The man in front of him was someone who should not be provoked. He hoped that he would not get angry because he had met him several times.
Please...you...collect_6Ⅰ9ⅠBookⅠBar (Six\\\Nine\\\Book\\\Bar!)
Otherwise I won’t be able to catch it.
If only the master were here, these two people once had a very secret transaction.
"It's you."
As soon as he heard the sound, he recognized Xiang Jiannan, who didn't look wet at all. After the little Taoist priest came in front of the crowd, the scholar who blocked the road suddenly smiled. He became particularly happy because of the ugly faces of the crowd, and the corners of his mouth rose:
"Where's your master?"
"In the temple."
"Does the young Taoist priest know him?"
Hearing that Xiang Jiannan and the scholar who blocks the road seemed to know each other, Mr. Chen's uneasiness was slightly relieved. If they knew each other, he wouldn't have to be so nervous. This scholar who blocks the road should not have any bad intentions.
It is important to hurry on your way and not stay too long.
"The person sitting in the car is none other than Chen Jingxuan, the third son of the Chen family."
Not knowing what the scholar's intention was in blocking the road, Xiang Jiannan admitted after some politeness that the pale-faced scholar who fished in the stinky ditch was the ruthless man who beat the monks of Baofo Temple without any chance of fighting back on the night of expelling the water monster. This time he was blocking the road, it was obviously intentional.
"May I ask that young man from the Chen family, what route did you take to take the exam this time?"
The voice towards the carriage suddenly rose several pitches, and the pale-faced scholar asked another question. This question made everyone in the rain turn around and look at the carriage. They all wanted to hear how Chen Jingxuan would answer.
After waiting for more than ten breaths, they heard a response from inside the car, which seemed to be irrelevant. However, the people outside the car were greatly encouraged. They saw the pale-faced scholar with a look of satisfaction on his face. He laughed a few times towards the sky, and his figure quickly disappeared in the drizzle. When they wanted to find him again, he was gone.
(End of this chapter)