Chapter 64 Waiting for the Results: Isn't that Lord Lin's father? Why is he back...?
"Hoo-hoo," "Clunk-clunk—"
Before dawn, Yao Ruyi was awakened by the sound of Yao Deshui dragging his cart in the yard. She yawned and opened the window to see Yao Deshui dragging his little cart to the edge of the vegetable garden, craning his neck to reach the large water vat for watering the vegetables, and gulping down water.
In less than a month, Yao Ruyi fed it to 30 jin (15 kg), doubling its weight. Its body also stretched by more than two and a half inches (about eight centimeters), and its shoulder height increased by nearly two inches (about six centimeters). Fortunately, she and Zhou Jumu had left a mortise and tenon hole, otherwise its little cart would have been unusable.
I never imagined donkeys could grow so fast!
At night, it no longer fusses for milk. Before going to bed, Yao Ruyi mixes a trough of soybean meal for it and sprinkles it with finely chopped fresh green grass. After such a hearty midnight snack, it can sleep soundly through the night until dawn. Uncle Cong gets up early and puts it on the cart, and it will search the yard for water to drink, waking people up in the process.
And it was truly a donkey that had become a spirit. Twice when it was hungry, it ran to the kitchen door, put the ladle on the ground, and brayed at her, one after another, with a hint of grievance in its voice, as if saying: "Human, even a donkey is starving!"
It could eat a lot, and the donkey dung it produced also increased. So Yao Ruyi cleared out a space for Yao Deshui behind the side gate, where the dogs used to sleep.
She gathered some thatch and bamboo poles and built a simple donkey shed. Now, Big Yellow and its pups no longer live here. Little White and Little Yellow's dens have been moved to the eaves of the courtyard gate and the entrance of the general store. Big Yellow guards the gate of Zhixingzhai, while Iron-Packed Gold sleeps in Grandpa Yao's room.
As for the dog, it's practically a roaming roam. There's a cat bed on the shelves of the general store, and climbing frames and hanging baskets are everywhere in Zhixingzhai, many of which were made for it by the students themselves. That's not all; even Dr. Jiang's house has a sleeping basket for it—it goes to Dr. Jiang's door to bark on weekends.
Dr. Jiang's lion cat would jump up and pry open the door latch, and the dog would sit there wagging its tail, waiting for the lion cat to open the door for it. On its days off, it would eat and sleep with that lion cat, and they had a very good relationship.
After cleaning and tidying up the place that used to house the cat and dog kennels, it's now perfect for Yao Deshui to live in.
After it started eating hay, it became less suitable to stay in the shop, as it was probably unclean and might smell of hay. Moving it out was something it was happy to do, since the shop was mostly dark.
Yao Deshui, being a donkey, was actually somewhat afraid of the dark.
The weather in April was even warmer. It rained every two or three days, but it no longer felt chilly; instead, it got hotter day by day. A while ago, Yao Ruyi went to the perfume shop with Grandpa Yao and the others and took a thorough bath. After the bath, she felt as if she had lost two pounds from head to toe.
Upon waking this morning, Yao Ruyi had already put away her quilted clothes and changed into a light spring shirt. She hadn't bought many new clothes this year, and was still wearing the same light green jacket from last year.
She stepped back a few paces, allowing the small bronze mirror on the table to reflect her entire body. The figure in the mirror became clearer, and she looked at it, finding it somewhat familiar, and a wave of bittersweet emotion washed over her.
I still remember when she first wore this outfit last year, she had only recently entered this world in the book. She was thin and her complexion was poor. At that time, her only goal was to try her best to survive in this world. She diligently braised two hundred tea eggs, carried them to the door to sell, and was still uneasy, afraid that she wouldn't be able to sell a single one.
They are still worried about not being able to pay the mortgage next month.
Back then, I would get up early every day to make braised eggs and grilled sausages. I was so busy that I would often fall asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow at night, not even having time to dream before dawn broke again, day after day.
It seems that we didn't even have time to savor the bitterness before we got through it.
But today, wearing the same dress again, she had recovered her health; her face and waist had filled out, and the dress, which had previously hung too loosely, now fit her perfectly. Not only her body, but she had also earned enough to buy two shops. The little jar under the woodshed where she used to hide money was long gone.
She exchanged the twenty-odd strings of cash that Grandpa Yao had originally received for a silver ingot and put it back in his room as it was. She also learned from Uncle Cong how to deposit money in a money exchange and exchange it for paper money and a deposit book, which are now carefully stored in a hidden drawer on the inside of her bed.
In fact, she had already accumulated three hundred strings of cash in her ledger, and there were about five hundred strings left, which were the funds to support the two shops. The money came in and went out every month, and it couldn't be touched.
Every morning, Yao Ruyi would open the drawer, kiss her thick ledger, and then carefully lock it. Only after feeling at ease would she begin to wash up and go to the front to tidy up the two shops.
Nowadays, the actual work in the shop is handled by Uncle Cong, Three-Inch Nail, and Cong Xin. At Zhixingzhai, there are also Sister Jiuwan, Grandpa Yao, and a few of Meng Boyuan's students helping out.
Yao Ruyi mostly took care of the general store herself. She would get up and first check the accounts, then go to Zhixingzhai to note down the goods that needed to be replenished, and find two familiar idlers to deliver messages to various shops. The rest of the time, she would wander around the two shops, and if she saw that any place was short-handed, she would lend a hand.
Business has been exceptionally good lately, with even people from outside the Imperial Academy frequently coming to patronize the business. This has caught Yao Ruyi somewhat off guard, and goods are constantly running out. When things get busy, it often goes on until late at night, and she even has to drag Lin Wen'an along to do the accounting. Luckily, he is very good at math; otherwise, Yao Ruyi probably wouldn't even have time to sleep.
There are fewer people today than usual.
Yao Ruyi slowly tied her hair up, arranged the goods in the general store neatly, and opened the window panel facing the alley. A cool and moist morning breeze rushed in. The morning mist in the alley had not yet dissipated, and there were few people on the wet bluestone road.
Taking advantage of a rare moment of leisure, Yao Ruyi lit a small charcoal stove and decided to grill a starch sausage for herself. She poured in the meat paste, and amidst the sizzling sound of the oil, slowly flipped it with bamboo tongs. Soon, the hot, fragrant aroma of charred oil rose and gradually filled the small shop.
The news had spread far and wide that the results would definitely be released today. Many students and neighbors rushed to the examination hall before dawn to wait. However, although the news had been circulating for some time, no one really knew if it was true or not. For the past few days, people had been shouting "The results will definitely be released today," but each time they were disappointed. This "crying wolf" trick had been played out again and again, and the results were still nowhere to be seen.
To prevent anyone from having connections or impersonating another, the date of the results announcement was kept secret. If it was suddenly posted, no one would know. However, it was customary to announce the results about a month after the spring examination. Around those few days, servants from wealthy families and idlers hired by others would sleep day and night against the walls or in nearby teahouses near the examination hall.
There are many more students like this, waiting day after day.
Yao Ruyi leaned against the window, leisurely munching on a starch sausage that had been roasted until its skin was crispy and cracked. Occasionally, when customers came to buy mixed vegetable soup or breakfast, she would hold half a sausage in her mouth and quickly and efficiently prepare it.
Just as he dropped the copper coins into the money box in the counter, he saw Lin Weiming, Meng Boyuan, and Cheng Shujun strolling out of Cheng Niangzi's house at the alley entrance.
They wanted to buy a few coriander-flavored instant soup dumplings to take to Zhixingzhai to eat.
She knew them well, and turned to take the neatly stacked oil paper packages from the shelf against the wall. While deftly wrapping the dough, she glanced at them and asked curiously, "Hey? Why are you all so calm today? Aren't you going to join the fun on Gongyuan Street?"
“I’m not going, I’m not going…” Lin Weiming waved his hand, his face showing exhaustion. “The past few days, I’ve been going to the examination hall with my father every day, squatting there all day long, waiting in vain.” His voice was also listless. “When I saw the Imperial Guards patrolling in the distance, my heart would jump into my throat; when I realized they were just passing by, I would lose heart and have to squat back down against the wall to count ants. I just couldn’t bear it.”
He absolutely refused to go again today. But his father was unwilling to give up. The day before yesterday, Lin Weiming had told his father about his essay and the gist of the exam questions. His father listened and thought that although it wasn't outstanding, it was decent enough. He didn't dare to dream of a good ranking, but he thought there was a chance of making the list. Lin Si Cao was filled with great hope, and this morning he made an appointment with Master Meng to check the results for him and his second brother.
Meng Boyuan, standing next to him, scratched his head, chuckled, and looked a little embarrassed: "I reckon I'll most likely fail the exam. Everyone says they predicted the questions, but I don't remember any of them at all?"
He took the exam for three days and answered the questions quite seriously, even biting his pen until it was worn and dented. When he came out, his father rushed up to him, grabbed his arm and asked him how he did. He also told him to hurry home and memorize the exam paper so that Dr. Yao could review it and see if he had any hope of passing.
At that moment, he didn't know how to answer, because... he took a nap after the exam, and his mind was a complete mess. When he woke up, he had almost forgotten what he had written.
He remembered how delicious the rice cakes in the exam bag were, and how good the melon seeds and pine nuts in the "daily dried fruit" packets were... especially the neck pillow and eye mask, which were really good items. He slept very comfortably in the exam room and slept until dawn. He was only woken up by the gong and bell ringing to signal the start of the exam, when he was poked awake by the water and fire sticks of the local soldiers.
The father and son hadn't seen or spoken to each other for several months. Now, looking into his father's eyes, which were bloodshot from staying up late and looking forward to the day, yet surprisingly bright, Meng Boyuan felt a tightness in his throat. He swallowed hard a few times, but the truth was stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word.
Seeing his father's evasive gaze and stammering, the light in his eyes gradually dimmed, as if he understood something. Strangely, this time his father didn't immediately launch into a tirade or grab a cane to whip him as he always did. Instead, he sighed deeply, raised his large, bony hand, and patted his son's shoulder lightly twice: "Father knows. You tried your best. That's enough, that's enough!"
This unusual calm and tolerance was even more terrifying to Meng Boyuan than a beating or scolding. He was so flattered and frightened that his mind went blank, and he subconsciously raised his hand to touch his father's forehead.
He doesn't have a fever, so what nonsense are you talking about so early in the morning?
Enraged, Master Meng slapped his hand away. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, he roared, "You brat! I think you're asking for a beating! You're the one who's sick!"
Meng Boyuan grimaced as he rubbed his reddened hand, then wiped away the spit that had been sprayed all over his face, but he also breathed a sigh of relief.
That's right, that's the tone his father should have.
Yao Ruyi couldn't help but laugh when she heard Meng Boyuan's words. Her eyes crinkled at the corners, and she waved to him. When he came closer, she lowered her voice and said with a hint of mischief, "Meng Si, do you know? Your father used to sneak into Zhixingzhai to see you quite often."
Meng Boyuan was truly terrified this time, his eyes widening in shock: "Wh...what?"
“Really,” Yao Ruyi nodded, her voice even lower, “He comes almost every day, hiding behind the screen or in the corner of the tea room. Once you almost saw him, and he even hid in the outhouse, just so you wouldn’t see him.”
This is...this is terrifying! Meng Boyuan felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. So, his father already knew about his two quarters of an hour of studying and two hours of playing divination with his classmates? Even worse, he was secretly writing his "The Tibetan Fox Fairy's Tale of Gratitude" under the low table in the study!
He had already finished writing the first three acts, and was writing the part where the fox spirit from Tibet transformed into a burly man with a thick beard like steel needles and chest hair as thick as wild grass, scaring his benefactor so much that he turned tail and ran away... He had originally planned to finish writing it quickly and sell it to a brothel after the announcement...
It's over, it's over! This is even more painful than failing the exam. His face turned pale, and he nervously clung to the windowsill, asking, "Putting everything else aside, did my father see what I wrote?"
Yao Ruyi gave an embarrassed, awkward smile, her eyes darting around. "Well... I'm afraid... he's already seen them all." She glanced at Meng Boyuan's instantly pale face and quickly explained, "A few days ago, you lent it to your classmates to pass around. They were rushing to the study hall and didn't put it away properly, leaving it on the tea table. Your father, well, he sat there, holding that book, reading it for a whole afternoon. Uncle Cong told me about it later, and that's how I found out. But don't worry, Uncle Cong said your father chuckled several times after reading it..."
Meng Boyuan was struck dumb, staggering backward a few steps. A surge of shame and indignation rushed to his face, as if his skin had been peeled off and he had been exposed.
"Don't panic too much," Yao Ruyi said, seeing his unsteady state. She quickly tied the wrapped dumplings with hemp rope and handed them to him, trying to comfort him. "I think your father's temper has changed a lot these days. He doesn't seem angry."
Meng Boyuan accepted the document with a long face. Yao Ruyi smiled reassuringly and turned to hand the other document to Cheng Shujun, who hadn't spoken yet. She also asked with concern, "Brother Cheng, with your talent, this shouldn't be a problem, right?"
When the exam results were first released, Yao Ruyi didn't dare ask the students how they did.
Cheng Shujun had been silently observing Yao Ruyi chatting and laughing with Lin and Meng. Having received his mother's comforting words before the exam, his mind had calmed considerably. He knew he was out of the running, no…
Perhaps his hidden feelings, along with the unspoken words, sank to the bottom like a pebble thrown into a mighty river, without even a ripple—perhaps he was never truly involved. He was too timid; he has no one to blame but himself.
Yet now, standing before her, listening to her clear voice, especially that resolute and concerned "Cheng Dalang," it felt as if the scabbed wound in my heart had been suddenly torn open, and a dull, aching pain spread through me.
To conceal his emotions that were about to burst forth, he could only quickly lower his eyes, his thick eyelashes casting a small shadow under his eyes. When he reached out to take the oil paper package, his fingertips were slightly cool, his throat bobbed, and he squeezed out a very faint, almost indifferent "hmm".
"That's good." Yao Ruyi didn't notice anything unusual, assuming that he was naturally calm and that it was normal for him to be preoccupied with the results of the exams. After all, compared to the boisterous Lin Weiming and the impetuous Meng Boyuan, Cheng Shujun was known as a "well-behaved boy who loved to read" among the young students at the Imperial Academy.
The three paid the copper coins, then, carrying the packets of coriander soup cakes that emitted a strange aroma, turned and entered the still bustling Zhixingzhai across the street.
Although many people went to check the results, Zhixingzhai was still bustling with activity. After all, which official's son didn't have a few servants and family members at home? Most of them had sent their servants out to run errands. For example, Geng Hao was sitting in a rattan chair by the window today, all high and mighty. Even Geng Niu and Geng Ma were not by his side. Instead, they were serving him like servants. It seemed that Geng Ji and Geng Tu had been sent to squeeze into the crowd outside the examination hall.
As soon as Meng Chenglin and his two companions stepped across the threshold, they saw Lu Fang waving vigorously at them from beside the tea table at the back. Lin Weiming, familiar with the place, picked up the steaming copper kettle from the small red clay stove by the door, and asked Uncle Cong, who was preparing milk tea for customers behind the counter, for three rough earthenware bowls before walking over to Lu Fang's table and sitting down.
Upon seeing that the oil paper package they had opened was full of bright green flatbread, Lu Fang immediately let out a scream, pinched his nose as if avoiding a snake or scorpion, and complained in a muffled voice, "You three! Why are you eating this again! If I had known you were going to poison me, I wouldn't have invited you to sit with me!"
As Lin Weiming skillfully placed the flatbread into the bowl and poured boiling water into the copper kettle, he shook his head in bewilderment: "Coriander is such a heavenly delicacy, and you don't eat it? It smells good enough on its own, but it's even more delicious when made into soup flatbread!" As he spoke, he lowered his head and greedily took a deep sip from the bowl, his face full of ecstasy, "Mmm! It's truly the best taste in the world!"
"It doesn't smell good at all! It stinks!"
"So you don't eat coriander when you eat hot pot?"
"I won't eat!" Lu Fang said firmly, rubbing his bottom against the bench and desperately shrinking into the corner, his face full of disgust.
Lin Weiming then cheekily squeezed closer to him, only to be punched and kicked aside by Lu Fang. Meng Boyuan, who was already caught up in the chaos of his own death, rushed over to join in the commotion when he saw the two of them playing around.
Cheng Shujun, feeling utterly dejected, was pushed against the wall by his three friends who had inexplicably started rolling around together. He angrily punched each of them, saying, "What's wrong with you so early in the morning?!"
"Who told you to just stand there daydreaming!" Lin Weiming complained, then stopped teasing Lu Fang and instead pounced on him with a sly grin, tickling his armpits. "Come on! A smile makes you look younger! You're definitely going to pass the imperial examination, so why are you always frowning like that!"
Cheng Shujun was the most composed, but also the most ticklish. His face turned red from being tickled, and he frantically tried to defend himself. Later, he couldn't stand it anymore and started to fight back. He pushed Lin Weiming down onto the table and was about to twist his arms behind his back when Meng Boyuan behind him seized the opportunity and jumped down on top of him, making a human pyramid of three.
"Cough cough cough... My soup noodles, don't bump into them..." Lin Weiming reached out with difficulty from the bottom and moved the bowl of soup noodles a little further in.
Lu Fang, who had just crawled out from under the table, was not about to let go of this good opportunity to "kick someone when they're down." He chuckled, exaggeratedly took a few steps back, and then plunged forward.
The other classmates who entered the tea room exchanged knowing, mischievous smiles and eagerly rushed forward, rubbing their hands together.
"Ouch!"
"You're crushing me!"
"Who stepped on my foot!"
Soon, a mountain of people piled up on Lin Weiming.
"I'm going to die! Get up! Why are you all pressing on me?! My bones... my bones are going to break! It hurts so much!" Lin Weiming screamed like a pig being slaughtered at the bottom of the "mountain", struggling with his limbs to try to throw off the group of bastards on top of him.
"Dr. Yao is here!" someone exclaimed.
The boys, who had been piled up like a small mountain, scattered like birds and beasts. Lin Weiming was finally rescued, his hair and clothes a mess. He groaned as he got up from the table, his monkey-like face contorted in pain. Lu Fang laughed uncontrollably: "Karma! Karma is just as it should be, Lin Da!"
Lin Weiming glared at him angrily, too lazy to argue anymore, and plopped down. He picked up his bowl of coriander soup dumplings, which had escaped the disaster, with lingering fear. Luckily, the dumplings hadn't been knocked over by these bastards.
The strong, distinctive aroma of coriander once again filled the air. Lu Fang, as if facing a formidable enemy, immediately pinched his nose and scurried to the counter. Beside the counter stood a slightly plump man in a pale white robe, holding a half-eaten bowl of mixed vegetable soup and carrying a familiar Yao Ji tea bag. He was somewhat nervously buying milk tea from Uncle Cong.
Seeing Lu Fang's suspicious gaze sweeping across his face, the man visibly stiffened and turned his face away guiltily.
He wasn't wearing the Imperial Academy's uniform, but only a moon-white casual dress, and... his square face, which rivaled Dr. Yao's, was truly unforgettable for Lu Fang.
Lu Fang suddenly had a flash of inspiration and pointed at him, shouting, "Good heavens! It's you! From Biyong Academy! The one who sat opposite me during the exam! The one with the shifty eyes staring at my paper! Help! A spy from Biyong Academy has infiltrated!"
"Who's staring at your test paper! You're making false accusations!" The square-faced man was Kang Hua. He didn't care about anything else and suddenly turned around, his face flushed red, and retorted urgently.
"You were watching me! Don't think I didn't know, your eyes were practically popping out of my test paper!" Lu Fang said, hands on his hips, looking menacing.
"I...I just saw all those novelties on your desk! Who cares what you write!" Kang Hua blurted out in a moment of panic, his voice rising. "I can write myself. I've been on the top list every year at Biyong Academy. I don't need to look at your papers!"
Lu Fang gave a blank "Oh," glanced at the examination bag and food on his body, and suddenly realized, then sneered, "No wonder! So you saw that my stuff is useful and specially sneaked into our Imperial Academy's territory to buy it today? Tell me! Who brought you in!"
Kang Hua's identity and purpose were exposed in public, making him the target of everyone's criticism. When the other students from the Imperial Academy in the tea room heard that he was from the Biyong Academy, they all cast scrutinizing, wary, and even unfriendly glances at him.
Kang Hua's forehead was covered in a fine sweat. His neck was stiff, and his Adam's apple bobbed nervously a few times before he stammered a soft explanation: "...I...I came in openly and honestly! My uncle's cousin's paternal uncle's aunt's younger sister's second son is studying at the Imperial Academy. I...I asked him to bring me in."
Lu Fang snorted, then pinched his nose and sat back down, ignoring him.
Too many students from Biyong Academy and other academies had infiltrated the area lately, and this person wasn't the first. Lu Fang simply recognized him, which was why he had shouted it out. Then, realizing this man was a "fat sheep" coming to deliver money to Yao Xiaoniangzi, he decided not to press the matter further.
Just then, Uncle Cong handed the prepared milk tea to Kang Hua.
Seeing Kang Hua carrying a tray, looking out of place surrounded by students from the Imperial Academy in the tea room, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet, Lu Fang, unusually kind, gestured with his chin at him: "Hey, come and sit down!"
He also cleverly arranged for Kang Hua to sit next to Lin Weiming, who reeked of coriander, so that he could use him to mask the smell.
Kang Hua felt extremely uncomfortable mingling among the students of the Imperial Academy. His back was even sweating. The two academies had always been rivals, and he was afraid that he would be dragged out in a sack at any moment.
Fortunately, although the surrounding gazes were probing, they were not malicious, which eased his anxiety slightly. He carefully sat down next to Lu Fang, picked up the bowl of warm milk tea, and tentatively took a sip.
His eyes widened as soon as he took a bite.
It's so good...so delicious!
Even someone like him who doesn't like tea couldn't find fault with this milk tea. The aroma of milk and tea blended perfectly, it was smooth and sweet, and the tea flavor was refreshing without any bitterness. He couldn't wait to take another big sip and sighed with satisfaction.
He buried his head in his food, enjoying the crispy rice cakes he had just bought, completely absorbed in the meal.
These rice cakes, which have long been sold for the exorbitant price of eighty coins a bag outside, are still clearly marked as being priced at forty coins on the wooden sign of Zhixingzhai! Kang Hua was quite surprised when he saw it.
Aside from the food and drinks, the stationery shop next door was even more captivating, making him linger there.
Kang Hua was already afraid of being discovered by the people at the Imperial Academy, so he got up very early today and asked a relative to help him sneak in before the Zhixingzhai opened.
As soon as he entered, he plunged into the stationery shop. He spent the better part of an hour browsing among the dazzling array of novel and unique writing implements, paper, inkstones, thread-bound books, and exquisite ornaments. His legs ached, and his purse was much smaller. He stuffed his newly bought satchel to the brim before finally leaving, satisfied but reluctant.
But by this time, the Zhixingzhai teahouse was already bustling with people. He glanced through the window and felt a strange sense of guilt, so he didn't dare to go in. Instead, he slipped away to the general store across the street and bought a bowl of steaming hot and flavorful mixed vegetable stew. He also specially ordered the "rice-wrapped meat" that the guy across the street in the examination hall was eating.
Everything was delicious, and he ate until he was stuffed. He became even more curious about the lively tea room in Zhixingzhai. So even though it was already bustling inside, he forced himself to stay calm and walked in.
Upon entering, I saw they were selling snow cakes, so I immediately bought three bags. Following the old man's recommendation, I also bought a cup of "Sheng Sheng Oolong" to try.
Although he was discovered at this point, Kang Hua was so satisfied today that his satisfaction was tinged with a hint of jealousy: These people from the Imperial Academy are living such good lives, aren't they?
Looking at Kang Hua's "worthless" appearance—holding the milk tea bowl, squinting his eyes, and looking completely satisfied, as if he wanted to lick the bottom of the bowl clean—Lu Fang felt a strange sense of superiority and let out a soft laugh.
He stopped looking at him and was about to pull Cheng Shujun to go over the policy essay question that had left him feeling uncertain in the exam room again when he saw Cheng Shujun staring intently at the entrance of Zhixingzhai with an incredulous look in his eyes.
Lu Fang felt puzzled and followed his gaze, peeking towards the doorway.
A pair of strangers were walking past the entrance of Zhixingzhai.
The man was about middle-aged, with a long face, tall and thin build, a cold and hard expression, and a sparse beard under his chin. He wore a faded gray cloth robe with worn edges and led a similarly dusty and dull-colored old horse.
Several bulging, mud-splattered coarse cloth bundles were haphazardly draped over the horse's back. The saddle and bridle were old, and the horse's mane was tangled and messy. Both the man and the horse looked like they had just returned from a long journey, and it was impossible to tell what their background was.
The woman beside him was slender and graceful, appearing to be no more than sixteen or seventeen years old, yet she already wore a fashionable high bun. A carved silver butterfly hairpin adorned her hair, and small pearl pendants dangled from her earlobes. She wore a light red Hangzhou silk jacket paired with a pale yellow embroidered skirt, and in the hazy morning mist, she shone as brightly as a newly blooming peony.
Her features were strikingly similar to the middle-aged man's; both had long, narrow eyes with slightly upturned corners and a subtle crease on their thin eyelids. Her calm phoenix eyes, however, possessed a more lively and curious quality than the man's.
The two not only looked alike, but Lu Fang also felt inexplicably familiar with each other. He felt as if he had seen such striking features somewhere before.
The two were clearly father and daughter. As they passed the entrance to Zhixingzhai, the young woman paused slightly, her eyes widening as she looked around at the newly renovated Yao family mansion and the adjacent shops: "The Yao family has become like this! Oh! They've even opened a study here..."
Her gaze swept over the plaque hanging above the entrance of Zhixingzhai with that of the middle-aged man. They were somewhat taken aback by the inscription and the couplets on either side, as if they recognized the person who wrote it.
They glanced again at the students coming and going, and even craned their necks to look towards Zhixingzhai, their expressions revealing a similar curiosity. Lu Fang didn't recognize them, but Cheng Shujun murmured in a very low voice:
"Isn't that Lord Lin's father? Why is he back...?"
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Kang Hua: Wearing a Meituan (a Chinese e-commerce platform) outfit, sitting among a bunch of Meituan (another Chinese e-commerce platform). [Newbie]
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