The braised pork knuckle had cooled down, so it wouldn't drip oil anymore. Cheng Yue wrapped it in oil paper and put it back in the basket before taking it out and handing it to Xuanhuai Daoist.
"The box contains a good luck charm. Put it in a red cloth bag and carry it with you."
Just as Master Xuanhuai was about to leave after taking the basket, he turned back and added, "This couple doesn't seem very smart. What if they don't know how to use it and it wastes my talismans?"
Cheng Yue immediately realized that this referred to the congratulatory gift he had brought when he arrived. "Thank you, Master!"
She used to believe in such things rather than dismiss them, and having experienced time travel herself, she now held metaphysics in even greater awe.
Master Xuanhuai nodded almost imperceptibly, then turned and strode down the mountain in a few quick steps.
The family stood at the gate and watched Xuanhuai leave. As soon as he was gone, Wu immediately pulled Cheng Yue and asked, "Daughter, was the master talking about Xiao Jun just now?"
I hadn't even finished my question, how did he know who I was asking? And the implication was positive, wasn't it?
She was too embarrassed to ask again earlier because her daughter gave her a meaningful look; otherwise, given the ambiguity of the question, she would have asked another question.
The master is all about prophecy. Cheng Yue patted her mother's hand, "Yes, don't worry, the master is talking about Xiao Jun."
This means that as long as Xiaojun stays true to his original aspirations and principles, he will definitely have a brighter future!
Fortunately, she said nice things, which put her parents, brother, and sister-in-law at ease. If she had said something unpleasant, she really didn't know how they would have reacted.
Upon hearing this, Madam Wu was overjoyed; she could finally rest easy!
Xiao Jun has been sensible since he was a child. He is kind-hearted and knows how to be grateful. Putting aside everything else, he can definitely stay true to himself!
Mr. Cheng was so excited he couldn't express it. "It seems Xiao Jun is destined for good fortune. As long as he doesn't slack off and works hard, he'll definitely have a bright future!"
His regret was that he couldn't read books, but Cheng Jun had shown great interest in learning since childhood, so he turned his attention to his grandson.
If Cheng Jun doesn't have the talent, that's fine; he won't force it. After all, it's his dream, and no one has the responsibility to make it happen for him.
But Cheng Jun is talented, so they are willing to do everything in their power to support him, hoping that he can live a better life and have no regrets.
Cheng Yang and Liu Shi took a deep breath, "I hope Xiao Jun will not let down all the hard work he has done over the years."
It wasn't just Cheng Jun who had a hard time studying; Cheng's father and Wu Shi had a hard time too. If it weren't for supporting Cheng Jun's education, why would they have to live so frugally? At their age, they still had to find ways to earn money.
For Mr. Cheng and Mrs. Wu to do this much is truly a blessing for Xiao Jun, and even more so for them.
Uncle Cheng the Second and Uncle Cheng the Third were also beaming with joy, "Xiao Jun is much better at studying than his older brother was back then, he'll definitely make it!"
If they can pass the exam, it will truly bring honor to their ancestors! As their grandfathers, they will be so proud!
Uncle Wu laughed loudly, "It seems our family is going to produce a scholar!"
The eldest aunt rolled her eyes at her disdainfully, "What? There's a 'Juren' above 'Xiucai'! I bet all you know is 'Xiucai'!"
Uncle Wu scratched his head. "Really? Then let's take the imperial examination to become scholars! Haha!"
My aunt said she didn't want to talk, that she didn't understand anything, and was just like a simpleton, believing whatever others said.
After being interrupted by Uncle Wu and Aunt Wu, Mr. Cheng and the others were no longer so excited. "Although the master has a promising future, the most important thing is his own hard work! This matter is not up to us; it all depends on him!"
Although Cheng Jun has passed the county examination, there are still the prefectural and provincial examinations to come. Passing the county examination is already extremely difficult, let alone passing the provincial examination. How many out of a hundred people can pass it?
Uncle Wu nodded, "That's true. None of our villages combined have ever produced a scholar. Brother-in-law, you've already achieved a very impressive feat by becoming a student of the lowest level!"
Although he didn't understand the matter of studying, he had heard people talk about how many people went mad because they failed the exams, not to mention those who studied until their hair turned white. The hardships they endured were unimaginable.
Thinking of this, the eldest uncle suddenly had a jolt, "You can't put too much pressure on the children! If they pass the test, great; if they don't, it's no big deal. You can't push them to the point of making them sick."
Cheng Yang said, "Don't worry, Uncle! We won't. Anyway, we have enough to eat and drink now, and we're not afraid of not being able to make a living. We don't necessarily have to make him achieve anything great."
Xiao Jun was easygoing; he wasn't one to dwell on things, and even if he failed the exam, it wouldn't matter—he could get over it quickly!
"That's good. Xiao Jun is a good kid! It's good that he understands!"
His aunt laughed at him, "You're such a roughneck, but you're actually quite meticulous. Don't worry about things like that; the kids are much more calculating than we are!"
Uncle Wu chuckled a few times, "Of course! Oh, let's not talk about this anymore. Yue'er, we should go back now, or it'll be too late."
Dalinggou is far away. They set off before dawn and it took them almost two hours to get to Houshui Village. Now that they're going back, they won't get home until evening.
Mr. Cheng chimed in, "We should go too. Since we came together, let's go together!"
Honey, you can take your time tidying up the house. We'll head back now!
Although we didn't manage to gather any medicinal herbs today, we're truly happy to see such a beautiful new house!
Even at a time like this, he's still thinking about medicinal herbs; he really can't stay idle for a single day.
Cheng Yue had originally intended to let them stay for a day, but it seemed impossible; the medicinal herbs were more important than her!
"Alright then, take the groceries from the kitchen with you before you go. Your son-in-law will take you there in an oxcart later!"
Wu's uncle and aunt repeatedly refused, "No need, no need! It's not far at all, it'll only take half a day to get home. You should focus on moving and tidying up the house today!"
They must have only gone to deliver it because they were far away. This is so inappropriate. It saves them the trouble. Chen An won't get home until late by himself!
Uncle Cheng the Second and Uncle Cheng the Third also disagreed, but they couldn't say anything. It was obvious that Cheng Yue's main purpose was to send off Wu's uncles, who lived not far away and were just passing by.
"It's still early, the oxcart will be faster than walking, and we'll be back in time for dinner! Ah Yue, go get the food, I'll go get the oxcart now!"
After Chen An finished speaking, he went to the cowshed next door. Seeing this, Wu's uncles and aunts could not say anything. If they did not agree, the situation would remain deadlocked.
The family had no choice but to follow Cheng Yue into the kitchen. Suddenly, her second aunt slapped her forehead. "Oh dear! I forgot something! Yue'er, we still have the things you took last time. We were planning to bring them back to you this time, but I forgot about them when we left this morning!"
Cheng Yue thought something had happened, but upon hearing this, she simply laughed and said, "Second Aunt, that's for you. Keep it for yourselves. Besides, it's not from me; it's my mother's thoughtful gift!"
Madam Wu chimed in, "Second sister-in-law, your sudden outburst startled me! You should eat and use what you need; otherwise, it might end up in a rat's belly!"
Cheng Yue glanced at her mother. Why did those words sound so familiar? Were they even using her own rhetoric?
"That's true. Let's go back and eat it then. We can't let the rats get away with it. We'll give you a return gift when we've earned some money!"
The aunts chuckled, almost forgetting that they would also be able to give return gifts in the future!
Cheng Yue packed the food for them, and the family exchanged a few more words before being taken home by Chen An in an oxcart.
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