Chapter 465
Unlike the freezing cold, sparse sand, and little rain of Longyou Dao, the climate of Qianzhong Dao was pleasant. Although it was still not as livable as Jiangnan, Qianzhong Dao in June was cooler than Jiangnan.
"Ancient trees shade the coolness of June, secluded flowers offer fragrance through the seasons…"
The carriage moved slowly along the official road. Zhan Feiyu also recited poetry at a leisurely pace. Although the journey was arduous, after traveling for more than half a month, she had gotten used to it.
"Miss, we'll reach Liu County in half an hour," said He Sheng, who was driving the carriage. After spending more than half a year in Longyou Dao, He Sheng was unaccustomed to the vibrant greenery along the official road. It was no wonder Miss was interested in reciting poetry.
Liu County was not far from the prefectural capital of Qianzhong Dao. Zhan Feiyu lifted the curtain and looked out. The gentle breeze brushed her face, and her eyes were filled with green. "Green rice fields in June, a thousand acres of emerald springs intertwined. At first glance, I thought I was back in Jinlin Village."
"Miss, are you homesick?" He Nuan, who was doing needlework, couldn't help but look up at Zhan Feiyu, who was leaning out of the carriage window. More than half of her body was already out of the window. After all, Miss was just a young girl. She had been away from home for more than half a year. Thinking of Jinlin Village, He Nuan was unsure if Zhan Feiyu was homesick.
Zhan Feiyu was momentarily lost in thought. She sent a letter home every month, but she had only received one letter back in half a year, written by the fourth brother of the village chief.
The village's vegetable business was doing very well. Every household had not only reclaimed wasteland but also raised many chickens and ducks. These were sent to restaurants in Shangsi County, and every household's finances had improved considerably.
Now, the "Mei Ren Zhuang" workshop had also expanded its scale. Not only could the villagers work in the workshop and receive wages each month, but villagers from neighboring villages also wanted to come and work.
Jinlin Village had almost doubled in size in just over a year, with houses being built outside the village.
Because of the village's prosperity, the Zhan clan was now thriving. The old clan leader and the elders had great prestige in their words and deeds. Regardless of whether they had been close to the old Zhan family or had grudges, they all now respected the old Zhan family.
However, compared to the people in the old house, the real beneficiaries were the Li family who had moved out.
"My father has moved back to live with my mother. I heard from my elder brother that my parents have been taking medicine to regulate their bodies." Zhan Feiyu didn't not miss Li Shi, but whenever she thought of the people in the old house and Zhan Laoda's filial piety, her longing was diminished.
Now that she knew they were doing well, and might even have another biological child, Zhan Feiyu was relieved, and her longing was suppressed to the deepest part of her heart.
Perceiving the fleeting melancholy in Zhan Feiyu's smile, He Nuan hesitated and gently comforted her, "After the provincial examination, Miss will go to the capital. Scholar Gu and Seventh Master will also be there."
Compared to the people of Jinlin Village, He Nuan felt that Scholar Gu and Yin Wuyan were Zhan Feiyu's true family, even if they were not related by blood.
"No, when I go to the capital, I'll be studying under my teacher's watchful eye every day." Zhan Feiyu smiled like a carefree young girl. "For this trip to Qianzhong Dao, my teacher sent me to Linjiang Academy and didn't let me slack off for a single day. I just hope the master won't make me write poems all day."
Linjiang Academy was the largest academy in Qianzhong Dao. The academy was built on a mountainside and was famous for being adjacent to a river on one side. Unlike the prefectural school and other academies, Linjiang Academy also admitted female students.
However, the academy did not treat them differently. Women who wanted to study at the academy had to take the same examination as others. If they passed the assessment, they could enroll. The daily lectures were also the same. As for whether they could keep up with the progress or participate in the imperial examinations in the future, the academy did not concern itself with it.
In the end, the academy was only responsible for imparting knowledge, teaching, and resolving doubts. Because of this, female students at the academy were rare. Whether it was an official family or a scholarly family, they usually had clan schools, and their families could afford to hire tutors for private lessons.
After all, if they were not taking the imperial examinations, there was no need for educated women to master the Four Books and Five Classics and be proficient in current affairs and policy theories. It was better to spend more time on qin, qi, shu, and hua, and learn how to manage a household. This was the way for women in the inner chambers to establish themselves.
The carriage entered the city gate as dusk fell. Lanterns were hung on the shops on both sides of the street. The market was still lively, with people coming and going, indicating that it was more prosperous than ordinary counties.
"Ah Sheng, you go find an inn first. Ah Nuan and I will walk." Zhan Feiyu stretched her stiff body. After sitting in the carriage all day, she preferred to get out and walk, and also to see the night market of Liu County.
If they had not left the territory of Longyou Dao, He Sheng would not have dared to let Zhan Feiyu and He Nuan act alone. After all, Miss had made too many enemies. Not to mention the remnants of the Jin family and Commander Xie, who was escorted back to the capital, even the princes in the palace might secretly make a move.
However, they had been on the road for half a month without any incidents. Moreover, Qianzhong Dao was the territory of the Qiu family, so He Sheng did not need to worry about Zhan Feiyu's safety.
If those people really wanted to make a move, they would have ambushed them halfway. They would never act in Qianzhong Dao, lest they fall into the hands of Lord Qiu, which would be a complete loss.
"We will stay at Changxing Inn tonight," He Sheng instructed He Nuan a few words before driving the carriage towards the inn.
"Ah Nuan, let's go." Zhan Feiyu eagerly walked forward, the rich aroma making her stomach rumble.
He Nuan smiled at this and said, "The food here is all seasoned with chili. Miss, you can't eat spicy food!"
"Ah Nuan, you're such a spoilsport!" Zhan Feiyu complained immediately, puffing out her cheeks and stretching her neck to look at the small stalls ahead. Unfortunately, the reddish color made Zhan Feiyu stop. "I'll have some without chili, and some fermented rice."
Although June was not hot, the iced fermented rice, along with the soft-boiled red beans, made Zhan Feiyu's appetite whet. "Ah Nuan, go find us a seat. I'll come over after I buy it."
Before He Nuan could answer, Zhan Feiyu followed the crowd towards a small stall not far away. The stall was crowded with people, so the taste must have been good.
He Nuan glanced at it and saw that the people secretly protecting Zhan Feiyu had already blended into the crowd and followed her. He Nuan also felt relieved and walked towards another stall.
"Big sister, can you help me get my bamboo dragonfly?"
Her clothes were tugged. Zhan Feiyu looked down at the little girl with twin buns in her hair. The girl looked about four or five years old. She pointed to the alley behind her.
Seeing Zhan Feiyu's kind expression, the little girl smiled and spoke a little louder, her voice milky, "My bamboo dragonfly is stuck in the wall, and I can't reach it."
Although this was a market street, the alleys behind it were residential areas. It was likely that the little girl was playing alone in the alley.
Zhan Feiyu nodded, "Lead me there."
After turning two corners, the alley could still hear the noise of the market, but there were significantly fewer pedestrians. Zhan Feiyu followed the direction of the little girl's finger and looked. The wall was old and dilapidated, so there was a crack about an inch wide. One of the wings of the bamboo dragonfly was stuck in the gap.
Compared to the four or five-year-old girl, Zhan Feiyu suddenly felt that she was tall. With a raise of her hand, she took out the bamboo dragonfly. "Here you go."
"Thank you, sister." The little girl took it and ran towards the deeper part of the alley, likely going home.
As Zhan Feiyu turned to leave, a woman with a cloth wrapped around her head suddenly walked out of a nearby alley. She looked to be in her thirties, wearing a gray dress with patched cuffs and a bundle on her shoulder. At first glance, she looked like an ordinary woman who was about to go out.
As they brushed past each other, the woman suddenly reached out and grabbed Zhan Feiyu's arm. "Er Ya, didn't Mother tell you not to run around in the street? Follow Mother to find your third uncle."
Before Zhan Feiyu could speak, the woman shouted towards the entrance of the alley, "Child's father, Er Ya is found. It's getting dark, we need to hurry, otherwise it will be dark by the time we get to third brother's house."
At the woman's shout, a man in short clothes hurried over from the entrance of the alley. He was not tall, only about half a head taller than the woman. He was dark and thin, looking honest and simple, no different from the farmers on the street.
On the left and right, the woman and the man sandwiched Zhan Feiyu in the middle. At first glance, it looked like parents who were worried about their child running around and had to keep them under their watchful eye.