Xichun held her two children and said goodbye to them reluctantly. This trip would mean she wouldn't be back until at least March next year.
"You can go with peace of mind. We'll take care of the child at home. The imperial examination is the most important thing. Be careful on your journey." Madam Fu took the child from Xichun's arms and comforted the two reluctant couple.
"Yes, don't worry. With your in-laws taking care of the child, he will be fine. We're just waiting for you to come back." Madam Wang also brought her family to see them off today.
"When Taozi goes this time, Xichun, you can just tell him to do the work. It's not easy to have this opportunity to go to the capital and see the world, so he can't go for nothing. He has to take good care of you first." Taozi had wanted to go to the capital for a long time, but if he went alone, no one would feel at ease. So when he learned that Xichun and the others were going to the capital, he ran back early to explain his thoughts.
"Father, Mother, Uncle Ma, Aunt Zhang, please don't worry, we will definitely come back safely. Thank you all for your help at home." Xi Chun was afraid that the two children would start crying, so after saying that, the two got into the carriage and left.
They arrived in Weibei County and met up with Taozi, who was waiting there. Taozi had already opened a restaurant in Weibei County, and it was thriving. His efforts in Weibei County over the past two years had truly paid off.
Even if he leaves now, there are reliable people in charge of the shop, so there's no need to worry about being taken advantage of or sabotaged in secret.
"Sister Xichun, brother-in-law, you're here! I've been waiting for you here since yesterday, and thankfully you've arrived."
Taozi always appeared calm and composed in front of outsiders, but in front of Xichun, he still seemed a bit carefree and irresponsible.
"Didn't we agree to leave on the first day of the lunar new year? What are you waiting for so early?"
"I was just worried that you wouldn't wait for me. If I missed you, where would I find you? Sister Xichun, I'm an adult now, so don't worry. Leave me to take care of you when we get to the capital."
"Alright, then we'll have to rely on Taozi." Fu Changfeng joked with a smile.
With the help of acquaintances, the journey became much easier. They finally met up with the scholar Zeng, who was waiting for them, upon arriving in Yizhou Prefecture.
"Sister Cao, I knew you would go. Now we can keep each other company."
When Xichun saw Madam Zeng, she also went up to greet her warmly.
"Hehe, I was thinking you would go too. It would keep us company. Besides, none of us have been to the capital, so we don't know what it's like there. I'm still worried about you."
"Yes, that's what I think too. It's a long journey, so it's better to have more people."
With time of the journey pressing, everyone exchanged a few casual pleasantries and then hurried off to rest, as they would be setting off together the next day.
Before dawn, Taozi and Zhunian had already fed their horses a good amount of hay.
As they set off, Xichun noticed that there were quite a few people on the road, some of whom were dressed as scholars like Fu Changfeng and his group, suggesting they were also heading to the capital for the imperial examinations.
"Greetings, everyone. My name is Lin Jinqun. You two gentlemen look familiar. May I ask if you were both candidates for the imperial examination in the tenth year of the Mingli era, and whether you were also on your way to the capital to take the exam?"
During the lunch break, a scholar-looking man greeted Fu Changfeng and his companion.
"So it's Brother Lin. We are indeed the Juren of the tenth year of the Mingli era. This is Brother Zeng. My surname is Fu. Brother Lin's name sounds quite familiar. Could it be that you also passed the Juren exam in the same year as us?"
Upon hearing his full name, Fu Changfeng recalled the list he had seen and guessed his intentions; he must also want to travel together.
"Hehe, that's right, that's right. I only dared to come and speak because you two gentlemen look quite familiar. In that case, would you two be so kind as to allow me to travel with you? We could keep each other company?"
"Of course, Brother Lin. Have you eaten yet? If you don't mind our humble food, why don't we eat together?"
"Hehe, it is truly my fault for disturbing you at this time. If it is my fault, how could I dare to look down on you? Thank you both."
And so, their advancing column grew even larger.
Lin Jinqun is younger than Fu Changfeng, but he is also a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations), so his future is naturally limitless.
People were more genuine at this time, probably because of the prosperous era, and there was still trust between them.
Lin Jinqun, a scholar who passed the imperial examination, set off with only a coachman and a servant. Upon learning that they had brought their families, Lin Jinqun made a special trip to greet them.
"You shouldn't have the heart to harm others, but you can't be without the heart to guard against others. You should still be careful with the friends you meet along the way."
Seeing that the group had been talking the whole way, Xi Chun took the opportunity during their stay at the hotel to give Fu Changfeng a heads-up.
"Don't worry, my wife. Brother Zeng and I have already made plans. Although this Scholar Lin seems harmless, I have discovered that he has a close relationship with that servant. You should keep an eye on him in the meantime."
Fu Changfeng's words caused quite a stir, and Xichun finally realized that there was something wrong with the scholar Lin.
They rarely saw the servants of the Lin family doing chores. Xi Chun had only seen one before and thought the servant had a effeminate appearance. Perhaps it was because he had been in an environment like Weinan County for a long time. Xi Chun had not thought of it in that way for the time being.
"You mean they really have it?"
"This is also a matter of personal preference, and we can't judge it. However, when we talk about it, we find that we have some differences in our views, so both Zeng and I feel that we should not get too close to this person."
When Fu Changfeng told Xichun about Lin Jinqun's habit of prying into other people's private affairs, Xichun also felt that this person was not someone to befriend deeply.
"You two understand, that's all. Anyway, our most important task this time is to go to the capital for the imperial examination. Everything else has to wait. We can't let anyone take advantage of us."
After that, they encountered other candidates on their way to take the imperial examinations. After getting to know these other people, they parted ways with the candidate named Lin.
These people were mainly those who had passed the imperial examinations in the tenth and seventh years of the Mingli reign. The examinations were held every three years, which consumed a lot of their youth.
Some of them were already in their fifties, but for the sake of their pride, they were determined to continue taking the exam.
"Alas, my wife passed away during the imperial examination two years ago. I was busy keeping vigil for her and missed the exam. Now I'm in my fifties, and if I don't go, it will be a regret for the rest of my life!"
Everyone showed admiration for the old man, but the next second, when they saw two still charming women in their thirties stepping out of the old scholar's carriage, they instantly understood.
“Sir, you’re writing this, it’s been so hard for us sisters to find you.”
"Hehe, let's chat with my young friends. You must be hungry. Go quickly and buy me some soft and tender food while you're at it. My teeth are loose, so I can't eat what you young people like to eat anymore."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
