"As for San Chi Niang's doubt, Nian Jiaojiao said calmly:
'I simply prefer quiet and do not wish to be disturbed.'
San Chi Niang felt a sense of reverence.
She had not expected that this young girl, barely a teenager, would possess such a detached and indifferent state of mind towards fame and fortune.
It was no wonder she could write such excellent books at such a young age.
After chatting for a while, as Nian Jiaojiao needed to catch her carriage home and did not want to waste any more time, she handed over the manuscript in her hand:
'Here is this manuscript, please take a look.'
'Ah! Yes, yes...'
San Chi Niang wiped her hands on her cotton jacket and received the manuscript with reverence.
For a moment, the only sound in the room was the rustling of pages. After a while, San Chi Niang exclaimed excitedly:
'The story is so novel, I truly fear it will have many young men reading it through the night!'
With that, she pondered for a moment, took out ten taels of silver from her embrace, and offered it: 'This ten taels of silver is a small token of my appreciation, please accept it, Nian Niangzi.'
Nian Jiaojiao shook her head:
'We already agreed on a division of profits, there's no need...'
Before Nian Jiaojiao could finish, San Chi Niang forcefully placed the silver into Nian Jiaojiao's embrace:
'Nian Niangzi, please don't be so polite, I'll be at ease if you accept this silver.'
Nian Jiaojiao was somewhat speechless.
After all, they had known each other for too short a time to fully trust each other.
Just like in her past life, why did patients give doctors red envelopes for surgery?
Was it not for peace of mind?
Thinking this, Nian Jiaojiao did not take the silver back out to return it to San Chi Niang.
After bidding farewell to San Chi Niang, Nian Jiaojiao, carrying the freshly earned ten taels of silver, headed towards the county yamen.
Her previous savings were about thirty taels, all of which were entrusted to Yu Chuan for safekeeping. She had only brought enough for the carriage fare. Now, she could buy some snacks on the way back.
She had also noticed that the dietary standards of the residents here seemed similar to the 1960s and 70s in her past life; there wasn't much variety, and the focus was just on filling one's stomach.
Furthermore, men in Da Yue seemed to be like young girls in her past life, having a fondness for sweets. The last time she went shopping, she had seen many men queuing up at a small shop called 'Tang Ren'.
Nian Jiaojiao walked forward with strides, her thoughts drifting. She walked along a long straight road, turned a few corners, and finally reached a bustling area.
At this moment, in front of the large notice board at the county yamen entrance, people were discussing animatedly.
'This is truly strange, who could be the top scholar this time? Why haven't they come forward to claim their prize? Let us see which scholar is so accomplished!'
'Are there any female scholars in our Qingshui Town surnamed Nian who are particularly accomplished? We've never heard of any!'
'Yes, yes. The list has been posted for half the day, and the yamen officials have called out several times. The County Magistrate wishes to personally meet them, what an immense honor!'
'Nian Jiaojiao? Nian Jiaojiao! Come out quickly, new top scholar!!!'
As soon as Nian Jiaojiao arrived at her destination, the sharp-eyed Nian Mu finally spotted the belated Nian Jiaojiao at the entrance. She excitedly strode up to Nian Jiaojiao and called out loudly:
'Jiaojiao! Jiaojiao! Jiaojiao!!'
Nian Jiaojiao's ears rang slightly from the repeated shouts. She dug at her ears and said:
'I can hear you, lower your voice.'
Nian Mu paid no heed, grabbed Nian Jiaojiao's shoulders, and shook her desperately. She became somewhat incoherent:
'Jiaojiao, do you know, you you you, how could you, no, it's you, there's no other person named Nian Jiaojiao coming out, it's you, it's you, isn't it?'
Nian Jiaojiao felt dizzy from the other's actions and words. She struggled to break free from Nian Mu's grasp:
'Mother, calm down. With you acting like this, I don't even know what's happening.'"