Chapter 286 - Furongzhou

County Magistrate Wang said, “I always hear Zijin talking about you. Now I see that you are all good men and have learned a lot from others. I am very impressed. I have specially prepared this banquet to send you off. I hope that you will be able to do well on the exams.”

Su Chong, Su Hua and Zhou Heng bowed to County Magistrate Wang.

“Thank you for your praise, Lord Wang. Thank you for your blessings.”

Su Hua said to County Magistrate Wang with a humble smile.

County Magistrate Wang had a good reputation. Su Chong, Su Hua, and Zhou Heng respected him very much.

It could be said that he treated Liu Zijin as his son and helped him with all his might. He even let Liu Zijin know how to manage Anping County. These were rare good things for Liu Zijin.

Liu Zijin and Wang Huilan also smiled. Liu Zijin said, “Thank you for your blessings, Father. I won’t let you down this time.”

County Magistrate Wang nodded happily and said, “Okay, okay, let’s not talk any more. Let’s eat and drink well.”

County Magistrate Wang smiled kindly at Su Xiaolu and said, “Miss Su, just tell me what you like.”

This young lady was amazing. She was already a divine doctor at such a young age.

Su Xiaolu smiled too. “Thank you.”

County Magistrate Wang’s family was rich and the chef was good, but in Su Xiaolu’s heart, her third sister’s culinary skills were better.

After eating and drinking her fill, she went back to rest.

They woke up early the next morning, packed their things, and prepared to leave.

The servants of the residence also brought the horses that had been fed and set up the carriage.

Liu Zijin and Wang Huilan got into the wagon that County Magistrate Wang prepared for them. Wang Huilan couldn’t bear to part with County Magistrate Wang, but County Magistrate Wang didn’t feel reluctant at all. He waved his hands and said, “Go now. We can talk when you come home.”

Wang Huilan’s eyes turned red. She had never been so far away from home.

This trip took more than a month.

County Magistrate Wang urged the coachman to leave. He pretended to be okay, but he almost burst into tears.

Liu Zijin held Wang Huilan and said to County Magistrate Wang, “Father, don’t worry, I will take good care of Huilan.”

Wang Huilan reluctantly lowered the curtain. She leaned against Liu Zijin quietly, feeling very down.

Last night, County Magistrate Wang asked her to go with Liu Zijin.

Wang Huilan was confused. County Magistrate Wang said, “Silly girl, Liu Zijin is going to make a name for himself. It is a good thing that you are with him. With you around, he will be sober.”

There was definitely no problem with Liu Zijin’s knowledge this time.

If Wang Huilan didn’t go, who knew what kind of women would pounce on Liu Zijin after the rankings were announced? They had too many tricks up their sleeves. What if Liu Zijin couldn’t withstand them?

He might as well let his daughter accompany him.

Wang Huilan wasn’t stupid. After thinking about it, she understood her father’s painstaking efforts.

Liu Zijin wrapped her arms around Wang Huilan’s shoulders gently. It was so quiet that only the sound of wheels rolling could be heard.

After leaving the city, Liu Zijin said to Wang Huilan, “When we see the beautiful scenery on the way back, I’ll get ink for you. How about you send a letter back for Father to see?”

Wang Huilan nodded. “Alright.”

Liu Zijin turned her head and kissed Wang Huilan’s ear. “Don’t worry. When the time comes, Chong and Hua will be more popular than me. They’ve never been married.”

Wang Huilan blushed. Nothing could be hidden from Liu Zijin.

Liu Zijin was so smart. He knew everything.

Liu Zijin smiled lightly and casually picked a book from the bookcase to read.

The journey was very boring.

Su Xiaolu and the others were in another carriage. After eating, Su Xiaolu got out of the carriage and walked.

When they stopped to rest and eat, Su Chong and the others compared poems.

1

Passing through the forest, Su Xiaolu went hunting.

Passing by the lake, Su Xiaolu went into the water to catch fish.

She was quite happy.

She did not expect Wang Huilan’s culinary skills to be good. She took out the internal organs of the fat lake fish and smeared a layer of salt on them before roasting them. She burned the scales on the outside and peeled them off when she ate them. The fresh fish meat was revealed. The salty taste was just right. A fish was nearly a kilogram, and Su Xiaolu could eat an entire one.

Wang Huilan even knew how to cook chickens.

In the past ten days, Su Xiaolu had become familiar with Wang Huilan. It was no wonder that Liu Zijin liked her. Who wouldn’t like such a gentle and kind woman?

As long as one knew when to advance or retreat, no one would dislike them.

As for Wang Huilan, she realized that Su Xiaolu did not know how to cook and could not braid her hair. Coincidentally, she knew how to, so she took care of Su Xiaolu.

Su Xiaolu liked to practice her swordsmanship. When she passed by the forest, she would pick herbs and apply some to her body. There were no mosquitoes around her. If she ate some herbs with food, she could sleep better at night.

At noon on the 21st of July, they arrived at Furongzhou.

By the time they arrived at Furongzhou, Wang Huilan knew many herbs and acupuncture points. This was very useful to her.

The carriage entered Furongzhou. After paying the entrance fee, they found an inn to stay in.

They immediately asked for hot water to wash up.

After a hot bath, Su Xiaolu changed into clean clothes and went out to eat with Su Chong and the others.

During the meal, Su Chong and the others discussed what they were going to do in the next ten days.

Su Xiaolu ate a piece of braised pork and was very satisfied. She said, “Big Brother, Second Brother, I’m going to Qinglian Monastery to pick herbs. I might not be back for a few days. Don’t worry about me.”

She had inherited Minggu for so many years and had yet to officially show her face.

Now that she was out, she wanted to go and take a look. She wanted to see if there were any people seeking medical treatment and if there were any difficult illnesses. She wanted to treat them and earn some money.

Su Chong and Su Hua were immediately worried.

Wang Huilan said, “Don’t worry. I’m fine. I’ll accompany Xiaolu and pray for you guys too.”

Su Xiaolu was about to say no when Wang Huilan said to her with a gentle smile, “I’ll take good care of Xiaolu. Xiaolu is already familiar with me, right?”

Seeing Wang Huilan’s expectant look, Su Xiaolu couldn’t bear to refuse. She nodded. “Yes.”

After dinner, they went shopping together.

Perhaps it was because it was close to the examination, Furongzhou was very lively and there were many scholars.

Most scholars were well-mannered and dignified. They looked at each other and even cupped their hands in greeting.

Some of them were holding fans that looked very elegant.

Su Xiaolu bought many small things. As she walked, she got separated from Su Chong and the others.

Realizing that she had gotten separated, Su Xiaolu did not panic. It was not like she could not find the way. When she saw the hairpins sold by the roadside, the workmanship was very good. Su Xiaolu bought a few hairpins for her mother and sister.

When she sensed that someone was staring at her in the dark, she frowned and looked up at the third floor of the teahouse by the street. Her eyes met with the person by the window. With just one look, the person closed the window and blocked Su Xiaolu’s line of sight.

Su Xiaolu pursed her lips and muttered softly, “Tsk, I don’t want to see you either.”