Chapter 84 Returning home after a short separation, returning to the village to say goodbye

On the 25th, the county examination ended.

Liu Mingan followed a group of scholars who were either worried or happy out of the yamen. For a moment, he felt that the sunlight was a bit dazzling.

There were many people waiting outside the door. When they saw their own scholar coming out, they immediately rushed over and greeted him with concern.

"Son, you have suffered a lot. Go home and your mother will make you something delicious..."

"Husband, how did you do in the exam this time? You should be able to pass..."

"Sir, you will definitely pass this time. The master and the mistress have asked a fortune teller to tell you..."

The greetings continued, and Liu Mingan looked around in the crowd, but did not see the person he thought about day and night.

When he reached the door of his house and saw the smoke rising from the kitchen, Liu Ming'an suddenly felt like he was the wanderer who had not returned home for a long time. At this moment, after going through untold hardships, he finally returned to the warm harbor.

Jiang Ning was just pouring the stewed chicken soup out of the pot. When she heard the sound of the door being pushed open, her hands paused, and then she curled her lips slightly.

After serving the food on the table, Jiang Ning walked out of the room. Liu Ming'an was striding across the yard towards her.

"Are you back? Let's eat." Jiang Ning leaned against the door and said to the dusty Liu Ming'an.

Jiang Ning had been with Liu Ming'an every day for the past nine days. Naturally, she knew that he had not eaten well or slept well. In addition, he had been doing high-intensity mental work, and now he looked very haggard. So early this morning, Jiang Ning went to buy a chicken to stew soup, preparing to nourish his body.

Liu Ming'an heard Jiang Ning's voice, stopped, and stood there quietly looking at her.

"What's wrong? Don't you recognize me?" Jiang Ning looked at Liu Ming'an who was motionless, raised her eyebrows and asked.

The next moment, Liu Ming'an took two steps at a time and walked to Jiang Ning, opened his arms and hugged him tightly.

"Jiang Ning, I miss you very much."

A slightly low voice rang in her ears. Jiang Ning's heart trembled, and she hugged Liu Ming'an back and replied, "I know."

The two hugged each other for a moment, and Jiang Ning stepped away from his arms and looked carefully at the man in front of her.

There was obvious dark circles under his eyes, bloodshot eyes, a somewhat unhealthy pale complexion, a light stubble on his chin, and he seemed to have lost some weight.

A feeling called "heartache" grew in her heart. Jiang Ning reached out and touched Liu Ming'an's face, and said in a soft voice: "Have a good sleep after dinner. We can talk about anything after you have rested well."

Liu Ming'an took Jiang Ning's hand, brought it to her lips and kissed it, and said softly: "Okay."

On the dinner table, Jiang Ning served Liu Ming'an a bowl of chicken soup and added spiritual spring water to it without making a sound.

"Jiang Ning, I think I did well in the exam, and I should be able to pass." Liu Ming'an chatted casually while eating.

"You will definitely pass!" Jiang Ning said firmly.

"Do you believe in me so much?" Liu Ming'an looked at Jiang Ning and smiled, with tiny lights in his eyes.

Jiang Ning didn't say much, just "hmm".

In fact, Jiang Ning was so sure because after finishing the second exam, she went to listen to the conversation between the two old men who were marking the papers.

At that time, the two elders held Liu Mingan's examination paper and praised it highly. One of them said frankly: "This scholar's level is far ahead of others. It is incredible that Baoji County can produce such a person!"

After reading the paper carefully, the other one also agreed: "As long as his third poem does not insult the court and does not make a mistake in his position, even if he hands in a blank paper, I think he must have a place in the provincial examination list of Baoji County!"

After dinner, Liu Mingan inexplicably felt that he seemed to have recovered a lot of energy. He went to the kitchen to wash the dishes, and then helped Jiang Ning to tie her hair. Finally, he was urged to go to bed.

Liu Mingan slept until the next morning. Jiang Ning saw that he was sleeping soundly and did not call him for dinner.

After waking up from a full sleep, Liu Ming'an felt refreshed, sharp-eyed and clear-headed, as if he had been reborn.

"It's the 26th today, and we'll be leaving this place in five days."

Jiang Ning put down the book in her hand and said casually. She had never seen the scenery outside Lingshan Town since she came to this world. The road ahead was unknown, and she didn't know what the final result would be.

Liu Ming'an looked at Jiang Ning's slightly frowned brows, stretched out his hand and pressed her brows, and slowly said, "It's okay, I'll always be with you."

Jiang Ning looked at his gentle eyebrows, sighed in her heart, and forced a smile.

Liu Ming'an is optimistic by nature and thinks of everything in a positive way. Jiang Ning is exactly the opposite of him. She can always assume the worst and worst results, and then prepare for it mentally.

Jiang Ning is worried now, worried about her true identity.

If she is like the dumb lady, a slave in a wealthy family who has made a mistake, this would naturally be the best outcome. Even if she is the descendant of a criminal, or has been in prison for eight years for murder and arson, Jiang Ning thinks it is not so bad.

The only thing she is worried about is that she was sold because of the so-called "great immorality". What if the original owner is really an unfaithful woman, then doesn't she still have a husband?

When Jiang Ning thought of this possibility, she felt sick, and this is why she was worried.

Liu Ming'an didn't know what Jiang Ning was thinking. He lowered his eyes and thought about something. After a while, he said, "Jiang Ning, accompany me back to Lotus Village in two days. I will say goodbye to my parents."

Jiang Ning said "Okay".

So the day before the provincial examination results were announced, Liu Ming'an took Jiang Ning, carrying the prepared candles, paper money and some snacks for the memorial service, and returned to Lotus Village.

When the two returned to the village, it was just noon and the smoke from cooking was curling.

Liu Ming'an looked at this small village where he had lived for 19 years, and when he thought about leaving, his eyes were filled with nostalgia and reluctance.

"I've known for a long time that I would leave Lotus Village. My father never let me do farm work since I was little. He was determined to make me study hard and take the imperial examinations to become an official. I don't know where he got such a strong belief..."

"I didn't think this place was good before, nor did I think there was anything wrong with it. It seemed that except for my third aunt who cared about me a little more, I had no relationship with other people. Now that I think about leaving, I suddenly feel that this small Lotus Village looks pretty good..."

Liu Ming'an's tone was quite emotional, as if he was talking to Jiang Ning, or talking to himself.

Jiang Ning did not answer. A caged bird longs for its old forest, and a fish in a pond misses its old home. Most people have a deep attachment to their homeland. She will never be able to empathize with this emotion, and can only remain silent.

Following Liu Ming'an all the way to the cemetery at the foot of the mountain, Jiang Ning watched him squat in front of his parents' graves and walked away to avoid disturbing them.

Liu Ming'an was burning paper money while talking. Half an hour later, Jiang Ning saw him stand up. She thought the worship was over, but she never expected Liu Ming'an to walk to her side, take her hand and say softly: "Jiang Ning, I just told my parents that I met a girl I want to spend my life with. Will you accompany me to meet them?"

Jiang Ning would naturally not refuse. She and Liu Ming'an had a sympathetic relationship, and it was right for her to meet her parents. Although they were facing a cold tombstone, for the living, it was always a thought.

After leaving the cemetery, the two went to visit their third uncle's wife.

The old man had always treated Liu Ming'an as his own grandson. Knowing that they were about to say goodbye, he couldn't help but tear up.

"Ming'an, you have a promising future. Your parents in heaven will be pleased... Take care of yourself out there. I'm waiting for the day when you return home in glory..."

Liu Ming'an listened to the sincere advice of his third aunt and nodded repeatedly.

When the two of them set foot on the road to leave the village, Liu Ming'an turned around and took another look at this place.

"Let's go." After a moment, Liu Ming'an said.