The two discussed the chili peppers for a while, and then talked about their hobbies. When they learned that Sister Cao also liked doing business, the two got along even better.
"Wow, I didn't expect this trip to be so worthwhile. I actually met someone as compatible as you, girl. I won't be bored in the days to come." Only now did the two realize that they had been chatting for so long, and it was almost noon.
"I need to hurry back, it's almost noon, and my husband is waiting for me to eat." She finished speaking and was about to leave.
"Sister, don't worry, why don't you have lunch here? Just have your maid tell him. We've finally gotten along so well, so why don't you have lunch with me later?" Xi Chun was still enjoying the conversation and wanted to invite her to stay for lunch so they could continue chatting.
"Never mind, I'll go back now. We can continue our conversation tomorrow." Mrs. Zeng was clearly hesitant, but she left in the end.
Fu Changfeng returned after hearing that Xichun's guests had left. He then asked Zhu Nian to bring the food over so that he could eat with Xichun.
"I haven't seen you this happy in a long time. What's wrong? You get along well with this Madam Zeng?" Fu Changfeng was curious when he saw her obvious joy. He had been busy studying these days and hadn't had much time to spend with Xichun. Seeing her happy made him happy too.
"Indeed, Sister Cao and I really hit it off. They're from Danzhou Prefecture, and I never expected that her favorite food would be the chili peppers produced in my workshop. Don't you think that's fate?"
“Is that so? We really are kindred spirits. If you two get along well, I’ll visit Brother Zeng after the exams. It would be a good opportunity to make a friend and see what kind of people his family is.”
Fu Changfeng supported their relationship; he hadn't seen Xichun so happy in a long time.
"Okay, then I'll be waiting. Don't worry about these things these days, just focus on your studies. I've prepared everything for you and your brother. After you've eaten, see if there's anything you're missing. I'll ask Sister Cao for more advice."
"Hey, I think my brother wasn't focused on the exam this time. He's better at making connections. I only saw him at night. Although making friends is important, he should still study more so that this trip won't be in vain."
Fu Changfeng decided to wait for his older brother to come back and persuade him to also focus on his studies.
Xi Chun had no say in this matter; it was best for the brothers to handle it themselves. Her current focus was only on their exam supplies and making friends with Sister Cao.
Over time, the two became good friends. Xichun also learned about the difficulties and limitations faced by women doing business in this era, which helped her find some ways to cope with them.
Before long, the provincial examinations would begin. Xichun instructed the servants in the household to stay up late tonight so that they could relax for eight or nine days after Fu Changfeng and his elder brother Fu Changjin were sent to the examination hall.
Fu Changfeng and Fu Changjin went to sleep peacefully, while Xichun woke up at midnight and busied herself with the servants, carefully checking everything. She then had two bowls of clear soup noodles with the aroma of lard cooked before having the two men woken up.
It is now the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), the moon has not yet set, and the moonlight shines on the earth. On a normal day, this would be the time when people are sound asleep, but tonight is different; they are going to line up at the examination hall.
Around dawn, all the registered candidates were to enter the examination hall, and some who lived far away had already set off by then.
Fortunately, they were not far from the examination hall, so they decided to walk there. After packing all their things, Xichun and several maids and servants escorted the two of them out of the gate and headed straight for the examination hall.
At this time, the streets were bustling with people, mostly scholars coming to take the exam and their families seeing them off. Carriages passed by, and people were packed together, making it as lively as the streets during the day.
"There are so many people! I didn't expect there to be this many, but now I've seen it for myself." Even Xichun couldn't help but exclaim.
"Wife, why don't you go back first? There are too many people here, and I'm worried about the danger." Fu Changfeng couldn't help but feel worried when he saw the number of people.
"It's alright. By the time you go in, it will be almost dawn. We'll go back after it gets light."
After finally squeezing their way to the gate of the examination hall, it was almost time. The early autumn morning was still a bit chilly, but fortunately they were all wearing thick clothes, and after walking for a while, they didn't feel cold anymore.
Bang bang bang!
The officials at the entrance of the examination hall struck a gong, drawing everyone's attention.
"In the thirteenth year of the Wude era, the provincial examination of Yizhou Prefecture will officially begin. All students must line up in order to enter!" With the official's voice, all candidates automatically took their baskets and went to stand in line.
“I’m going there too. Be careful at home. Be especially careful if you encounter strangers. If anything happens, seek help from the authorities,” Fu Changfeng whispered to Xichun.
"Okay, I know. You go quickly and be careful with the test basket. Don't let anyone take advantage of your weakness." Xi Chun had heard Sister Cao say that someone would put prohibited items in the test basket, which would reduce the number of competitors.
When Fu Changfeng's name was called and he underwent the inspection, Xi Chun looked at the sunrise that was about to rise in the distance and breathed a sigh of relief. Just getting into the examination hall had already made her very nervous.
I just hope the weather doesn't change and that the two of them can get out safely.
After returning home with her entourage, Xichun instructed the servants to close all the doors and not to go out except to buy groceries. She even stopped visiting Sister Cao, as the security situation in ancient times was not like that of modern times, and Xichun was worried about being targeted by petty thieves.
Mrs. Zeng had the same idea, and the two of them tacitly avoided talking to each other, instead keeping the doors and windows tightly closed.
Sure enough, not two days later, some thugs came knocking on the door, but they were scolded by the servants through the door and didn't dare to cause any trouble, so they slunk away.
We were just waiting for them to return safely, but on the sixth day after they arrived, the weather changed drastically. The wind was howling and the temperature dropped considerably.
"Young Madam, the weather has turned cold so early this year. It's getting chilly now. I wonder if the young master and the others are cold in the examination hall." The maid rubbed her hands together, trying to warm them up.
"I'm afraid it's cold. Although they're wearing quite a few light clothes, who can say for sure about the weather? No, quickly send someone to the clinic to invite a doctor in advance. When the young masters come out, have the doctor come to our house beforehand." Xi Chun was worried that the two of them would catch a cold, so she called a servant and instructed him to do it quickly.
However, quite a few people had this idea. Fortunately, Xichun spoke up in time, and Zhunian went to invite a doctor in advance. Xichun asked someone to inform Sister Cao, who also took it seriously and found a doctor as well.
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