Chapter 55 Even if you're a man, you'll grow old and lose your beauty.
The autumn wind is blowing and the chill is getting stronger. Time flies by and it's already August. There are only five days left until the college entrance examination.
Xu Jinnian was to travel to Jinling, the capital of the prefecture, to take the imperial examination.
Qingzhou City is not far from Jinling; it takes only half a day to get there by boat downstream.
Watching the man pack his bags, Sheng An couldn't help but say, "Why don't I come along too?"
She had already witnessed the prosperity of Qingzhou City, and she longed for the cultural and scenic beauty of Jinling.
"Not this time."
Xu Jinnian tied up his bundle, walked over, took Sheng An's hand, and sat down: "We can go to Jinling anytime. When we have some free time, I'll take you there for a special trip."
Sheng An had only mentioned it casually, but having received his promise, she didn't press the matter further: "Then you must keep your word, I'll remember that."
Xu Jin smiled and said, "When have I ever lied to you?"
Sheng An thought about it carefully and realized that there didn't seem to be any, so a pleasant smile appeared on his face.
She got up, opened the cabinet, took out a small box and handed it to Xu Jinnian: "Here are ten taels of loose silver and four ten-tael silver notes. Take them with you."
Luckily, I made a fortune at the Ding family's place; otherwise, I really wouldn't have been able to scrape together fifty taels of silver by setting up a stall.
Xu Jinnian did not accept the money: "I won't be staying in Jinling for too long this time. Twenty taels of silver will be enough."
Without a word, Sheng An stuffed him into his arms: "Easy travel is easy, so eat and stay well there and get plenty of rest. It won't affect your performance in the exam."
Although she had never participated in ancient scientific expeditions, she had learned some things about them from historical documents in her previous life.
Scientific expeditions test not only one's intellect but also one's physical fitness.
“An’an, I…”
Xu Jinnian's eyes, as cold as stars, shone as he gently pulled Sheng An into his arms: "You are always so thoughtful, considering everything for me."
Sheng An smelled the faint scent of ink on the man, raised her face to gaze at his impeccable face, and couldn't help but sigh: "Looking at your face, I can't help but be thorough."
Alas, she wasn't like this in her past life.
The employees gossiped about her behind her back, saying that a woman like her would eventually divorce even if she got married, and that she was not a good wife because of her personality.
At the time, she quite agreed.
Unexpectedly, after time-traveling, I got slapped in the face.
Beauty can be a trap!
"So it turns out that An'an's favorite face is my husband's..."
Xu Jinnian's eyes were filled with laughter, like tiny starlight twinkling in the night sky: "It is for An'an's sake that I must protect this love, so that An'an will not have anyone else in her eyes."
Sheng An glanced at him, her eyes blatantly defiant: "So confident? No one is beautiful forever, but there will always be beautiful people. Even if you are a man, you will grow old and lose your beauty one day."
Xu Jinnian was not intimidated at all, and the smile in his eyes deepened: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Even if I grow old and faded as a wife, I will still be the most beautiful one in An'an's memory."
Sheng An's eyes widened, almost popping out of their sockets: "Xu Jinnian, what's your skin made of? It's pretty thick."
How come I never noticed before that this guy is shameless and narcissistic?
Has my bias against him become so strong that it blinds me?
This is terrifying!
"No matter what it's made of, An'an will like it, won't she?"
Xu Jinnian's smiling eyes were filled with Sheng An's reflection. He gently lifted Sheng An's chin with one hand and tenderly kissed her: "Just as I will love An An no matter what she looks like."
Sheng An was so overwhelmed by the kisses that she was completely captivated by the man's sweet talk.
A demon, definitely a male demon!
Sheng An thought vaguely, unable to help but complain in his mind.
This guy's words have become increasingly sweet, and his kissing skills have improved by leaps and bounds, completely unlike the awkwardness and unease he had on his wedding night.
Ugh, she couldn't think about it anymore, she was about to lose control!
The next day was sunny and cloudless, a perfect day for travel.
After breakfast, the family set off in an oxcart and arrived at the ferry crossing on the river.
Tan Zhenlin was already waiting, surrounded by several burly guards, with a large pile of luggage next to him, making it look like he was moving house.
Seeing the oxcart slowly approaching, Tan Zhenlin, who had been feeling bored, suddenly brightened up and greeted the people on the oxcart with a big smile: "Grandpa Sheng, Grandma Sheng, Uncle Xu, sister-in-law, and Old Xu."
The elders liked the sweet-talking and charming younger generation, and they all responded with smiles, "We are late, sorry to have kept you waiting."
Tan Zhenlin quickly replied, "It's not late, it's just that I arrived too early."
Amidst the laughter and conversation, two more large carriages arrived; they were Xu Jinnian and Tan Zhenlin's other two senior fellow disciples.
The two senior brothers were named Fang Qingzhou and Ye Yunhua, and they were also accompanied by several servants and guards.
Compared to the unrestrained Tan Zhenlin, Fang Qingzhou and Ye Yunhua were relatively reserved, and they stepped forward respectfully to greet the three elders, speaking with great deference.
Looking at the three young men who were just as outstanding as his own son, Xu Chenglin couldn't help but sigh, "It's a blessing for Jin Nian to have you three fellow disciples."
The old man was so happy that he didn't notice that as soon as he said that, the three people in front of him twitched their lips in unison and looked at Xu Jinnian with meaningful eyes.
Having Xu Jinnian as their junior (senior) brother is a blessing for them.
Xu Jinnian seemed oblivious as he whispered in Sheng An's ear, "An'an, thank you for everything that happened at home while I was away."
Sheng An patted him on the shoulder: "Don't be so formal. I wish you a safe journey and all your wishes come true."
Seeing Xu Jinnian's gentle and reluctant manner, even though they had seen her several times before, Tan Zhenlin and the other two still looked as if they had seen a ghost.
That sly fox is such a good actor!
No, this guy's gentle and refined demeanor is just an act for them; he's truly tender and affectionate towards his beloved wife.
Look at this sickeningly sweet scene, it's unbearable to look at!
The three of them refused to admit that they were jealous.
After explaining everything that needed to be explained, Sheng An and the others stood on the dock, watching the four people board the passenger ship step by step, and gradually disappear from sight as the river flowed on.
On the ship, Xu Jinnian watched as the people on the dock turned into four small dots, and finally, when he could see nothing at all, he turned around and went into the cabin.
Tan Zhenlin and the other two were chatting when they saw him return silently. Tan Zhenlin rushed over and said, "Quickly open your bundle, your sister-in-law must have stuffed you with something delicious!"
Since the last ten-day break, the three of them shamelessly went to the Xu family's house for two meals, and the sister-in-law has been asking Old Xu to bring delicious food to the school from time to time.
Sometimes it's a side dish to go with rice, sometimes it's fresh fish and shrimp, and sometimes it's fragrant tea eggs... In short, everything is so delicious that you'll lick your fingers.
Old Xu is going on a long trip this time, so his sister-in-law will definitely prepare some delicious food for him.
Xu Jinnian glanced at Tan Zhenlin expressionlessly, about to tell him to go cool off somewhere else, when his two bundles appeared in front of him the next moment.
Looking up, she saw the awkward yet expectant faces of Shang Qingzhou and Ye Yunhua.
Xu Jinnian: "..."
He took a deep breath, his face growing increasingly sinister, as if he were about to get up and beat someone up.
Finally, Xu Jinnian opened the blue bundle, took out a small bundle from it, untied the strap to reveal several tightly wrapped oil paper packages, and tossed one to each of the three: "These are all."
Tan Zhenlin and the other two were overjoyed, accurately catching their oil paper packages and eagerly opening them.
In an instant, a mouthwatering aroma of braised meat filled the entire cabin, attracting even the servants and guards at the door to peek inside.
Wow, it's braised peanuts!
Tan Zhenlin exclaimed in surprise, grabbed a peanut, peeled off the shell, threw the kernel into his mouth, and squinted his eyes as he chewed.
He looked so thoroughly enjoying himself, as if he were feasting on a table full of delicacies.
Fang Qingzhou and Ye Yunhua didn't linger either, and began to eat with great relish.
Savoring the salty and savory flavor, Fang Qingzhou praised Sheng An's skills: "Even the most ordinary peanuts can be transformed into a delicacy that people crave in their hearts when they are in my brother and sister-in-law's hands."
Ye Yunhua put his arm around Xu Jinnian's shoulder, looking like a close buddy: "Ever since I met you, sister-in-law, you've been my brother for life!"
Xu Jinnian pushed them away with a cold face, silently put away the small bundle, and put it back into the large bundle, not giving them another chance to ask for the remaining braised peanuts.
Tan Zhenlin pursed his lips: "Old Xu is getting stingier and stingier. Sister-in-law is still the best."
When he returns to Qingzhou, he will definitely visit his sister-in-law to thank her.
Yeah, I'll just grab a free meal while I'm at it, hehe.
Fang Qingzhou and Ye Yunhua had the same idea, but they didn't dare to say it to Xu Jinnian's face, because they really didn't want to see his cold face all the way.
Meanwhile, Sheng An returned home and began tidying up the house.
As she tidied up the study, she noticed that two pens were missing from the pen holder and one inkstone was also missing. A strong sense of longing suddenly welled up in her heart.
Sheng An took a deep breath and patted his face: "No, no, it's really not that bad!"
We've only known each other for three months, but I've shared a bed with this person for those three months, so it feels strange now that he's gone.
She wouldn't toss and turn at night, unable to sleep, because of a man.
Xu Cuilian came over when the study was only half-finished.
However, Xu Cuilian seemed to be in a bad mood. She hurriedly said a few words to Sheng An and then pulled Xu Chenglin into the room.
After a while, Xu Cuilian came out, her face back to normal, and smiled as she spoke to Sheng An: "Jin Nian is not home these days. If there is anything at home that needs help, just go to your aunt's house and ask for help."
Sheng An quickly replied, "I've got it."
Xu Cuilian was very satisfied and couldn't help but complain to her: "If Da Kui were half as worry-free as Jin Nian and had a wife like you, I would have lost half of my hair."
Sheng An comforted him, saying, "Cousin Da Kui is capable and filial; such people are hard to find even with a lantern. With you and Uncle-in-law in charge, Cousin Da Kui will surely find a wife who suits him."
When her eldest son was praised, Xu Cuilian's eyes lit up with a smile, but she still said with disdain, "Don't mention that dim-witted thing. The matchmaker has introduced a lot of girls to him lately, but he's driven them all away one by one."
Sometimes she really wanted to sew her eldest son's mouth shut so he would stop spouting nonsense in front of the girls.
Sheng An wiped away non-existent sweat from his forehead and continued to praise people in different ways: "Good things come to those who wait. With cousin Da Kui's abilities and such a good mother-in-law as your aunt, a good daughter-in-law will come sooner or later."
Under her barrage of compliments, Xu Cuilian's smile grew wider and wider, and she finally left in high spirits.
Sheng An breathed a sigh of relief and was about to continue tidying up the study when Xu Chenglin called out to her, "An'an, Dad has something to discuss with you."
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