Xu Liang was about to say no when he suddenly turned around and looked at the kitchen through the fence.
The kitchen door was open, and Xu Jinshi was rinsing the wild vegetables with water before groping to start a fire, her movements becoming increasingly careful and slow.
A flicker of pity crossed Xu Liang's eyes as he looked at Hu Dayu, a look of embarrassment on his face. He gritted his teeth and asked, "Could you possibly cure my mother's eyes?"
"That's simple. But you really have no other desires? Like fame, fortune, gold, silver, and beautiful women?"
Xu Liang was overjoyed to hear that he could cure his mother, but after hearing what he said next, he shook his head, bowed to him, and said in a much more relaxed tone: "Thank you for saving my mother, Brother Hu, but I will strive for my own success in my studies."
Xu Liang then asked what he needed to prepare for the eye treatment. Hu Dayu said there was nothing. They went back into the courtyard and coaxed Xu Jinshi to stop what she was doing and come for treatment first.
Not long after Hu Dayu performed the spell, Xu Jinshi cried out "Ah!" and subconsciously covered her eyes, which were involuntarily filled with tears. Then she slowly opened them and said with uncertainty and surprise, "I think I saw the light."
Xu Liang bowed and thanked Hu Dayu again.
Before leaving, Hu Dayu glanced at Xu Liang one last time, and after confirming that he had no ulterior motives, he decisively severed the ties of gratitude and then gradually walked away.
001 was puzzled as to why Xu Liang let Hu Dayu leave so easily, without even asking for anything in return.
"The two have different roles. When Hu Sibai was rescued by Xu Liang, he was initially a pet, then a family member and friend, and the relationship became closer. Hu Sibai did not act out of a desire to repay the favor. In the beginning, for example, when he was looking for food, treating Xu Jinshi's eyes, teaching Xu Chengzong a lesson, or catching a notorious bandit, he took the initiative to help as a family member or friend."
"As for Hu Dayu, you see, Xu Liang was initially wary of him. Both sides clearly knew that this was about repaying a debt of gratitude. Given Xu Liang's current temperament, he would rather suffer a loss than ask for a large sum of money and take advantage of others."
"So he still accepted the Ganoderma lucidum and ginseng, and now he wants to treat his mother's eyes?"
Di Xiu pondered for a moment: "The provincial examination is approaching, and he needs to concentrate on preparing for it. However, his family's circumstances require him to consider making a living. The Ganoderma lucidum and ginseng can be sold to raise money and alleviate his immediate needs. As for treating his eyes, he has always been a filial son."
001 has mixed feelings.
The current Xu Liang is indeed quite good, but the one from later on was really memorable. 001's current mentality is a bit like the dilemma in some novels when the protagonist is reborn and encounters a still innocent villain or enemy.
Emperor Xiu attributed it to being too immersed in the role.
Besides, 001 also had some doubts: if Hu Sibai hadn't interfered, would Xu Liang still have turned into that annoying person?
...
Xu Liang ate lunch at home, put away all the Ganoderma lucidum and ginseng that Hu Dayu had brought, except for the large Ganoderma lucidum, which he put in a bamboo basket, carried on his back, and walked to the county.
Unfortunately, he ran into Xu Chengzong.
The latter, upon seeing him, was reminded of the humiliation he had suffered repeatedly. He would stir up trouble even when there was none. Those around him, seeing which way the wind was blowing, pulled and pushed, causing the bamboo basket to fall to the ground, revealing the Ganoderma lucidum inside, which caused quite a commotion.
After all the commotion, the medicinal herbs were taken back by Landlord Meng and kept as family heirlooms.
This Ganoderma lucidum is at least two or three hundred years old. It's not the rarest one, but its head is amazing. It was sold for three hundred taels of silver by the wealthy landlord Meng.
Xu Liang was happy that he no longer had to worry about making a living, but when he noticed the restless eyes and small actions of some people, his happiness dissipated, and all that remained was worry.
He tucked the money into his sleeve, clutching it tightly in his hand, and began to worry that it would be stolen by a thief, or that it would be snatched away by some rogue on his way home.
He suddenly felt the silver notes in his hand were burning hot. He wandered around the county for a while, worried, and thought he should spend some of them first.
He planned to renovate his leaky house, so he hired someone, bought some materials, and spent three taels of silver.
Even building a large courtyard like the one owned by the landlord Meng would cost less than a hundred taels of silver in this small place, let alone renovating a small house with three bedrooms and a kitchen.
He bought a set of writing implements, two sets of clothes for himself and his mother, and splurged a little by buying a piece of maltose candy for his mother who had suffered most of her life. He couldn't bear to waste a single penny of the rest.
Xu Chengzong had once again lost face to Xu Liang, this poor scholar, today. He had planned to beat him up when he was alone, but seeing how Xu Liang hesitated and stingy after getting the money, touching this book and looking at that book in the bookstore, seemingly wanting it but unwilling to spend the money, Xu Chengzong gradually became impatient and also a little curious.
"What are you doing? You're just wandering around and not going back."
Xu Liang frowned when he saw him, ignored him, put down his book, and prepared to leave.
Seeing him clutching his sleeves tightly, Xu Chengzong asked in bewilderment, "Are you afraid to go back because you're worried someone will rob you?"
"If you apologize to me, I'll have someone send you back, how about that?" He waved his fan, looking quite smug.
Xu Liang's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at him and sneered, "If someone is robbed of their money under the magistrate's jurisdiction, it only shows that the county's public security is poor, and the magistrate will probably not look good either."
"That's completely unreasonable of you. People commit evil deeds without morals, yet you blame my father for not disciplining them properly?"
“The county magistrate is the official in charge of educating the people. He is like a parent to the children. If the children are not taught, it is the father’s fault. What is wrong with that?” Xu Liang emphasized the word “parent” as if he were not doing so.
Xu Chengzong felt that he was being insulted indirectly, but he couldn't find fault with him. However, he was increasingly unhappy. He closed his fan, flicked his sleeve, and said angrily, "You don't know what's good for you. Who cares about you? If you get robbed, you'll definitely be the unluckiest one."
Xu Liang finally bought a book, carefully placed it in front of his chest, and decided to go home.
It takes more than half an hour to get home from the county. If he doesn't go back soon, the night road will be even more dangerous. He went to the blacksmith's shop and came out with a stick in his hand.
On his way back, he encountered a local ruffian who saved his money, but he still lost some money.
When Di Xiu came down the mountain again, Xu Liang's family had already built a house with blue tiles and raised five or six chickens in the yard.
Xu Jinshi was still sitting at the door weaving bamboo baskets, her eyes were clear, and she had a smile on her face. A small black dog was lying at her feet.
These all seem to overlap with the timeline.
With Hu Sibai gone, Xu Liang met Hu Dayu, which ironically brought many things forward.
001 sighed, saying that although he seemed to lack the protagonist's halo, he actually still had it.
Di Xiu remained noncommittal, squatting outside the examination hall waiting for Xu Liang to come out.
After the final exam, Di Xiu waited for him to come out and then cast a spell to prevent him from wandering around outside. He went straight home and missed his first encounter with Meng Liniang.
This was the first time Di Xiu had seen Xu Liang face to face. He glanced at him and said to 001, "He must have been a great benefactor in his past life, with merits to his name."
001 muttered to itself, "You still have merit to accumulate, so why haven't I seen any spiritual herbs fall from the sky to help you overcome your tribulation and transform into a human?"
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