Chapter 414 Accompanying Xu Qingye to the Provincial Capital
After breakfast the next day, Song Yuntang began to pack up.
She was going to accompany Xu Qingye to the provincial capital to take part in the autumn examination.
Xu Qingye came to help.
"Tang'er, if we're only staying in the inn for two nights, you can bring less stuff. You'll need to be searched before entering the examination room, and you won't be able to bring too much stuff in. You'll have to bring everything back later, which is a hassle."
Song Yuntang said as he packed, "I didn't bring any unnecessary things, but I definitely have to bring things like a water bottle and dry food. I also have to bring a change of clothes. I have to bathe and change clothes in the inn before entering the examination room. Otherwise, I won't be able to bathe for the next nine days, which is very uncomfortable."
As she spoke, she took out the indigo cloak she bought for Xu Qingye last year from the closet.
"You should also take this cloak with you. It's cold at night and there are no blankets in the dormitory. With this cloak, you won't be afraid of getting cold."
"And also writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone..."
After a moment, she looked at Xu Qingye.
"Take another look at what books you want to bring. Is there anything you've forgotten? Don't worry about bringing too many things. We have a carriage anyway, so it won't take much effort to bring them back."
Seeing how thoughtful she was about him, Xu Qingye felt his heart was filled. After he sorted out the things Song Yuntang brought, he took out a few books from the bookshelf.
"Just bring me a few books that I read often. Tang'er has thought of the rest very carefully. It's enough."
Jiang helped the two of them load the things onto the carriage while giving instructions to Xu Qingye.
"Qingye, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just do your best. If you feel uncomfortable in the examination room, you must deal with it in time. Don't force yourself to bear it. Your parents just hope that you can be safe and healthy."
Xu Qingye agreed to all of them.
"I know, mother."
Jiang looked at Xu Qingye and Song Yuntang.
"It's going to be the busy farming season soon. We still need people to work on the fields at home. Mom is worried about your father being alone at home. We'll go back with the mule cart that's delivering goods to the county town."
Xu Qingye and Song Yuntang looked at each other, nodded and said, "Okay, I'll come back to help my parents after I finish the exam."
"You don't need to help. After this year's autumn examination, there will be another imperial examination in March next year. Your parents will take care of the family affairs. Just focus on your studies." Jiang smiled at the two of them, "Go early and make arrangements early. Be careful on the road."
Song Yuntang climbed onto the carriage first.
"Mom, let's go now. You should be careful when you go back."
"Oh, I see."
After watching the carriage disappear from the street corner, Jiang turned around and went back to the yard.
…
When we arrived at the provincial capital, it was not yet past the si hour.
Song Yuntang took Xu Qingye directly to the inn that Song Jinsheng had booked for her in advance.
This place is only two streets away from the examination hall. Most of the people staying in the inn are candidates taking part in the autumn examination, and they are all dressed like scholars.
The inn was very quiet. People coming and going were in a hurry, and the atmosphere was a bit tense.
After putting everything in place, Song Yuntang asked Xu Qingye to read in the house, and he took Xia Ning to the Mingyue Tower branch opened by Manager Miao in the provincial capital.
It was just time for dinner and many diners came to Mingyue Tower.
The shopkeeper here did not know Song Yuntang, nor did he know that she was the head owner of Mingyue Tower. The one who received Song Yuntang was a servant of Mingyue Tower.
"Sir, what would you like to eat?" the waiter asked enthusiastically.
Song Yuntang said as he walked, "Prepare one meat dish, two vegetable dishes and one soup for me. I want to take them away."
The servant hurriedly gestured to the only empty seat in the hall to invite someone in.
"Please take a seat here and wait for a moment. I will ask the kitchen to prepare it for you."
Not long after Song Yuntang sat down, several acquaintances came into Mingyue Tower. Among them was Li Xiuran, the legitimate son of the prefect of Yingshan City. He had met him once before when he was treating the prefect's wife at Li's house.
There are brothers Lin Jingyao and Lin Gengshi who I haven’t seen for a long time.
In addition, there were two women.
One of them was Li Xiuran’s sister Li Yuyao. Song Yuntang didn’t know the other one, but seeing that she looked somewhat similar to Li Xiuran’s sister, she should also be a girl from the Li family.
When the servant saw that the visitor was the prefect's son or daughter, he hurried forward to greet them.
"Please come in, my dear guest."
"Are there any side rooms?" Li Xiuran asked.
The servant bowed.
"I hope Master Li will forgive me. The autumn examination is approaching and the rooms are in short supply these days. It is true that there is no room left."
Li Xiuran didn't make things difficult for him.
"It doesn't matter if it's gone, we can just make do in the lobby."
The servant looked around and finally, his eyes fell on Song Yuntang.
After saying "wait a moment" to the people in front of him, he came to Song Yuntang's seat with an apologetic tone.
"My lady, there are many guests today and there are no seats left in the restaurant. A few more guests have just arrived and your meal is almost ready. Can you please make it easier for them? I can arrange a quiet seat for you to sit and wait for your meal."
He said, pointing in the direction of the door.
Song Yuntang was sitting at a round table, which could easily accommodate five or six people.
Originally, she just wanted to buy some food and go to the inn to have dinner with Xu Qingye. Now the servant's attitude was quite good, and she was the boss here, so of course she wouldn't mind having one more table of guests.
Following the servant's gaze towards the door, he was stunned for a moment when he saw a few familiar faces.
When Li Xiuran saw Song Yuntang, he felt that the girl looked somewhat familiar.
After a little thought, I finally turned around.
He came forward to greet warmly.
"Doctor Song, what a coincidence."
Song Yuntang smiled and stood up.
"Mr. Li, what a coincidence."
"Miss Song is also coming to Mingyue Tower for dinner?" Li Xiuran asked.
Song Yuntang shook his head, "I ordered a lunch box, it should be ready soon, this seat will be reserved for Master Li and your friend."
Li Xiuran felt a little embarrassed.
"We took up Doctor Song's seat right after we arrived, which is a bit unfair."
Li Yuyao and the girl next to her nodded slightly to Song Yuntang.
"If Doctor Song hasn't eaten yet, my sister and I can wait a little while and share a table with Doctor Song nearby."
Song Yuntang smiled calmly.
"Mr. Li and Miss Li, don't feel bad. My husband is still waiting for me at the inn, so I won't share the table with you guys."
Li Xiuran laughed when he heard it.
"In that case, then there will be no delay in the reunion of Dr. Song and your husband."
Lin Gengshi looked in the direction of his elder brother. Ever since he learned that Song Yuntang had been repeatedly framed, mocked and slandered by Lin Zhaozhao, and that she was not as bad as Lin Zhaozhao said, he felt quite guilty for what he had done against Song Yuntang in the past.
I even regretted listening to Lin Zhaozhao's instigation.
Listening to the conversation between Song Yuntang and Li Xiuran just now, Lin Jingyao quickly realized that she should have accompanied Xu Qingye to the provincial capital to participate in the autumn examination.
Her thoughtfulness and concern for Xu Qingye made him feel upset.
He was very reluctant to admit his feelings for her, but even if he tried to avoid her, her face would still appear before his eyes from time to time when it was late at night.
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