Nian Jiaojiao, using a trembling, altered voice, mimicked the image of Wang Lantian bullying the weak and fearing the strong:
"I, I am Wang Lantian of the Wang family in Taiyuan. If you dare to touch me, my father will never forgive you!"
After speaking, Nian Jiaojiao continued in a straightforward tone, providing narration:
"At this moment, Wang Lantian’s legs trembled as he stuttered."
Xingyun, listening intently, looked at Nian Jiaojiao with increasingly bright eyes.
*Wife is truly amazing!*
*Not only is the story exciting! But she's also so good at telling stories!*
*Even better than Second Brother!*
Thinking this, Xingyun couldn't help but lean closer to Nian Jiaojiao.
The others were absorbed in the story, paying no attention to Xingyun's actions.
...
As night deepened, after nearly two hours of narration, Nian Jiaojiao’s throat felt dry. She finally reached the end:
"Liang Shanbo helped Wang Yunzhi impersonate the bride, while Zhu Yingtai helped Xie Daoyun impersonate the groom."
"You must know that Zhu Yingtai, disguised as a woman, infiltrated Nishan Academy. This time, his help also restored his male identity. They recognized each other at the wedding. Liang Shanbo, surprised, asked Zhu Yingtai, 'Why are you dressed like this?'"
Nian Jiaojiao stopped, and those listening remained expectant for more.
After a long silence, Nan Qing broke the quiet:
"Does this episode end here?"
Nian Jiaojiao replied affirmatively:
"Yes!"
"Very good. Leaving a cliffhanger like this will maintain the book's popularity," Nan Qing said. Although curious about the continuation, the fact that it piqued his interest meant this book would surely captivate readers.
Nian Jiaojiao looked at Nan Qing with some surprise.
*As expected of a respected figure. Even living in a remote village in ancient times couldn't hinder their keen insight.*
Xingyun, oblivious to business matters, once again asked in disbelief:
"There's no more?"
Nian Jiaojiao replied with amusement:
"That's right, the book ends here."
Xingyun continued to murmur:
"There's still so much I don't understand. When Liang Shanbo saw Zhu Yingtai in male attire, did he recognize Zhu Yingtai as a man?"
"Uh... that's for the next part. You'll have to wait for my next book."
*Spoiling things is not a good habit.*
Nian Jiaojiao had her principles.
Today, Yu Chuan was in the master bedroom. As the three brothers left, Xingyun chattered to the sharp-witted Nan Qing:
"Second Brother, do you think Ma Wencai is a good person or a bad person? He's not good to Zhu Yingtai and Liang Shanbo, but he's also very harsh to the big villain Wang Lantian..."
Along the way, Xingyun asked and answered his own questions, while Nan Qing smiled faintly, offering no reply.
...
The next day.
Nian Jiaojiao boarded the morning ox cart and took a seat in the carriage.
The carriage was noisy.
Perhaps it was the day the exam results were to be posted. Even before the ox cart departed, the carriage was already full, and Nian's mother was among them.
"Jiaojiao, are you going today to..."
Nian's mother was about to ask if she was going to check the results, but considering the crowded and noisy carriage, she stopped herself.
People inside the carriage began to urge:
"Driver, start quickly, it's so crowded, so many people!"
"Yes, yes, it's full inside, no one else can squeeze in."
Outside the carriage, people were still arriving and trying to board.
The driver stopped them:
"Madam, the cart is full. Please come back early tomorrow."
Those who couldn't get on the cart were displeased:
"Tomorrow? How can we make it by tomorrow? Today are the exam results, there's no point in waiting until tomorrow!"
Several people behind chimed in:
"Yes, please think of a way to let us in. My niece passed the Tong Sheng exam, and I'm going to see the results. If my niece passes, it will be a blessing for our Qinghe Village!"
This person was rather amusing. Not to mention whether her niece would pass, but even if she did, unless she was the top scholar, the others had little significant value.
Therefore, it couldn't really be called a blessing.
Three or four aunts, seeing the driver refuse, forcefully squeezed into the carriage. Instantly, groans of discomfort filled the carriage.
"Oh dear, don't push, don't push, my old back!"
"Wuwuwuwu~ Mommy, Mommy!"
"Hey! You're crowding my child!"
The scene became chaotic. Nian Jiaojiao felt a headache. Sitting by the window, she pulled back the curtain to get some fresh air, but was spotted by Fang Fang, who had just arrived near the carriage.
"Hey! Isn't that Nian Dabao! You're running to the city so often now, taking the cart every few days. Have you struck it rich?"
Hearing Fang Fang's barbed words, Nian Jiaojiao rolled her eyes, wanting to ignore her.
But though she didn't want trouble, Fang Fang became more insistent.
Fang Fang's eyes darted around, looking at the two aunts who still couldn't squeeze in. With ill intent, she said:
"Oh, today is a good day, with the Tong Sheng results being posted. Surely, the mothers here have juniors who are so eager to go to the city. I think those who are idle might as well do a good deed and give up their seats."
Hearing Fang Fang's words, the carriage suddenly fell silent. Everyone thought in unison:
*Right, why didn't we think of that?*
Thus, they began to look for targets:
Juniors, unrelated to the exams...
Nian Jiaojiao saw everyone gradually turning their gaze towards her, knowing Fang Fang's scheme had succeeded.
She felt a bit speechless, not expecting to encounter moral blackmail even in ancient times...
One aunt spoke up:
"Nian Dabao, why don't you get out and help? We are all from the same village."
"That's right, that's right!"
Seeing that everyone had reached an agreement, Nian Jiaojiao inwardly rolled her eyes. It was easy for them to say when they weren't the ones sacrificing.
Though she understood the situation perfectly, she smiled and said:
"Everyone, listen to me. If I can help the aunts, I am naturally willing..."
Before Nian Jiaojiao could finish, Nian's mother quickly came to her defense:
"Hey! What are you doing! Do you think my Dabao has no one to rely on? Why should my Dabao give up his seat?"
Those who had heard Nian Jiaojiao's willingness to give up her seat were immediately displeased when Nian's mother objected:
"Nian, your Dabao is willing to give up his seat, you can't stop him from doing a good deed!"
"Exactly, exactly!"
Nian's mother's plump face turned red with anger, and just as she was about to argue further, Nian Jiaojiao interrupted:
"Mother, I have my own plans."
Nian's mother, however, thought Nian Jiaojiao was disagreeing with her and unwilling to accept her kind offer, so she sat aside dejectedly and remained silent.
Nian Jiaojiao looked at everyone and continued:
"I am willing to give up my seat. However, as you can all see, I have already lost so much weight. This small frame of mine doesn't take up much space in the carriage. If we want the anxious aunts outside to board and the carriage to travel normally, we need to make space for three people."
At this point, Nian Jiaojiao smiled and surveyed everyone's faces, saying:
"I wonder which of the aunts and aunties would be willing to give up their seats with me and contribute to the unity of our Qinghe Village?"