Indeed, Tong Ziyao's words stirred something in Mother Nian.
Though she valued this son, her daughter was ultimately more important.
What if her daughter could pass the imperial examination?
Seeing Mother Tong lost in thought, Tong Ziyao knew she was considering it. He didn't rush to speak, quietly awaiting the outcome.
Tong Fu, standing by with her mouth agape, grew anxious.
How could her third brother betray her?
Have her take the imperial examination?
Why not have her ascend to heaven?
Tong Fu wanted to speak but was stopped by Tong Ziyao's stern gaze.
Mmm…
Third brother is so fierce!
…
The next day.
The Tong family's departure involved no less than three carriages.
The first and third carriages were filled with the usual belongings of the Tong siblings. The middle carriage carried the two siblings.
Pulling down the curtain, Tong Fu said aggrievedly,
"Third brother, what will I use to take the imperial examination in three years?"
Tong Ziyao, holding a book in his right hand, lowered his arm and looked at Tong Fu, saying slowly,
"Your brain."
Tong Fu: …
"Third brother, you're bullying me again. Don't think I don't know why you want to go to Fengcheng with me."
"Oh?"
Tong Fu smiled mysteriously:
"Heh heh! Is it because you don't want to get married at all? So you found an excuse to come out with me!"
Tong Ziyao did not answer Tong Fu's words. He raised the book in his hand and continued reading.
Meanwhile.
Rong Wan Alley.
The Nian Residence.
"No need, no need. Just travel light."
Nian Jiaojiao shouldered her pack, testing its weight. It felt just right.
Inside, she had packed only two sets of clothes, a brush, some silver, and a letter of recommendation.
"Wife Lord, aren't you bringing any books?" Xing Yun asked curiously.
"I brought them, they're right here!"
Nian Jiaojiao smiled and pointed to her head.
Her good memory made even traveling convenient.
"Wife Lord, aren't you bringing more silver?"
Nian Jiaojiao had only taken the twenty taels for registration from Yu Chuan, along with thirty taels for living expenses.
Nian Jiaojiao shook her head.
"Five taels of silver are enough for an ordinary family to live on for a year. While I'll have many expenses while studying away from home, the main costs are food and lodging at the academy. Thirty taels are more than enough."
Then, Nian Jiaojiao instructed Yu Chuan and Xuan Yi,
"Remember to collect money from Third Aunt every month. I gave her the fourth manuscript yesterday, and the previous ones are still generating profit."
Seeing them nod, Nian Jiaojiao then said to Xing Yun,
"I told you to eat pig liver every day. After I leave, don't miss a single day, understand?"
Even though she had endured hardship before, eating pig liver every day turned Xing Yun's small face into a bitter gourd.
Nian Jiaojiao glanced at the expressionless great lord and asked,
"Has your eye gotten any better recently?"
Nan Qing blinked and shook his head.
Nian Jiaojiao quickly comforted him,
"It's okay, it's okay. It's only been half a month! Keep at it every day, and you'll see results eventually!"
Nan Qing: …
Are you trying to punish me in different ways?
He detested eating animal offal the most.
It reminded him of his unpleasant past.
…
Nian Jiaojiao rented a carriage to travel to Fengcheng with a merchant caravan.
The carriage fee was 2 taels, and the caravan's protection fee was 2 taels, totaling 4 taels.
However, not long after the caravan left Shanshui Town, they encountered some bandits on the road.
Fortunately, the caravan Nian Jiaojiao was with had guards and strongmen, and they all passed through the ordeal safely, albeit shaken.
However, the incident so soon after their departure made the caravan members even more cautious.
"This is strange. Has the public security really deteriorated this much? How many times has this happened?"
Many people in the caravan began to murmur amongst themselves.
After a day of travel, everyone gradually grew weary. Nian Jiaojiao was dozing off in the carriage.
Suddenly, a chill swept over her, jolting her awake from her daze.
Once awake, Nian Jiaojiao couldn't fall back asleep for some reason. She lifted the curtain to look outside and saw that it had started to rain lightly.
The spring rain was as fine as hair, drifting down, inexplicably adding a touch of haziness to the surroundings. Especially under the overcast sky, everything seemed less real.
Sigh…
Nian Jiaojiao sighed in her heart.
Winter was short, and spring had arrived, yet why did she feel a sense of melancholy?
Just as Nian Jiaojiao was lamenting the passing of winter and the arrival of spring, the rain outside intensified, and the caravan had to find a place to take shelter.
However, there was nowhere to rest around them. After searching for a long time, the caravan finally found a dilapidated temple.
The moment Nian Jiaojiao saw the rundown temple, coupled with the stormy night, she felt as if lonely ghosts might appear from anywhere.
And when she saw the words "Lan Ruo Temple" written on the crooked plaque by the lightning flash,
Nian Jiaojiao felt her whole being collapse.
Her entire being collapsed.
Collapsed.
Asped.
Could Nie Xiaoqian appear?
Well, no.
In this world, it should be male ghosts.
Then wouldn't she be the unlucky scholar?
As Nian Jiaojiao's imagination ran wild, she followed the crowd into the temple with her pack. After they had settled down, the group began to gather around a fire for a simple meal.
According to the agreement with the caravan:
Within villages and towns, meals were self-provided.
In the wilderness, meals were provided by the caravan.
Nian Jiaojiao accepted a flatbread and a pot of water from the caravan, gnawed on them messily, and soon couldn't eat anymore.
The caravan had designated night watchmen. After dinner, Nian Jiaojiao found a relatively clean haystack nearby and lay down.
Just as Nian Jiaojiao was in a semi-conscious state, she was once again jolted awake by a chill.
Since she was already awake, Nian Jiaojiao decided to go outside to relieve herself. However, as soon as she reached the doorway, she heard someone speaking softly outside the temple.
Nian Jiaojiao glanced around but found that the two night watchmen had disappeared.
Although a little scared, she couldn't suppress her curiosity and took a few steps forward.
At this moment, she heard a gentle male voice:
"Two ladies, I am truly not a bad person. I merely encountered heavy rain on the road and wanted to seek shelter in the temple."
Wait, why was there a man's voice?
In this desolate wilderness, where did a man come from?
Nian Jiaojiao had already been apprehensive about this temple called "Lan Ruo Temple," and now hearing a man's voice, she instinctively felt she had encountered a ghost.
Otherwise, what man would be so audacious as to come to this desolate wilderness at such a time?
At this moment, the two night watchmen were frowning at the man before them, secretly on guard.
Most women, upon encountering a weak man, would be unable to resist helping, but these two night watchmen were different.
Having traveled extensively for many years, they had seen all sorts of people.
At this time, at this location, the appearance of a lone man might hide some terrible danger.
After all, a man traveling alone in the wilderness would not dare to approach a group of women.
Moreover, the man before them not only approached them proactively but also intentionally revealed his handsome features.