364 Arriving in Town
On Nanhe Street, there was an outstanding peach blossom tree in front of the Wang Family Steamed Bun Shop. Those who were familiar with it recognized that this was the same tree used by the Wang Family last year.
The peach blossoms bloomed brightly, and a fragrance wafted everywhere.
Many children were circling under the peach blossom tree. Some couples even hung red strings on the peach blossom tree, treating it as a lover’s tree.
There was a long line in front of the Wang Family Steamed Bun Shop, and everyone went to collect the free buns.
There was no other reason. Wang Chuangui’s name was on the list of successful county examinees announced yesterday.
If one passed the county level imperial exam, they would be a scholar.
Originally, the children of Old man Wang’s family thought that with a total of eight of them participating in the exam. Other than their Second Uncle, at least three to four of the other seven people would be able to pass, right?
In the end, reality poured cold water on them.
After three rounds of examinations, their small bodies could not withstand it at all. they couldn’t even look at the questions anymore.
The first examination would take two days. They would each be locked in a small room and could only bring their own food.
Even if it was early spring, there would still be some strange smell from any food that was left on the second day.
What they could bring were only steamed buns, steamed dumplings, and some dry fruits.
Even with the water that Little Ah Yu had secretly filled for them, they could not withstand it. It was mainly because their minds could not take the harsh schedule.
After the first exam, Wang Liulang and Wang Qilang shouted that they would definitely not participate in the following exams.
After the second exam, Wang Sanlang, who was originally very healthy, fell seriously ill. He lay on the bed with a high fever and could not wake up at all.
If not for Little Ah Yu using the nutrient solution, Wang Sanlang’s body would have collapsed.
It was mainly because he was too tired and frightened.
In the third exam hall, the other Wang Family boys managed to hold on, but the questions exceeded their education standards. Wang Wulang did not even understand the questions.
The final outcome was naturally self-evident.
On the other hand, Wang Chuangui, an uncle who was already past 30 years old, had an extraordinary calmness and he endured all the harsh conditions.
Coupled with his hard work and the credit of Little Ah Yu’s Myriad Spirit Water, he still passed the exam.
However, his ranking was not good. It was the second last place.
After knowing this result, Wang Chuangui heaved a sigh of relief. However, Old Madam Wang expected better from him. “I’d rather you fail the exam! How dare you laugh after receiving such a lousy ranking? Get lost and go to the study to revise more. Three years later, when you take the imperial provincial examination, you have to either fail or get into the top three!”
There was actually an imperial provincial examination next year, but Old Madam Wang knew that even if she forced Wang Chuangui to take that examination, he would not be able to perform well.
He might as well wait two more years for the next one.
At that time, he would have learned most of what he needed to learn. His results would not be too embarrassing.
Wang Chuangui also looked embarrassed. “I understand.”
He turned around and buried himself in the study to read.
On the other hand, Wang Chuanfu was very happy. After asking Old Madam Wang, he directly organized everyone to provide buns and steamed buns for free on the Flower Festival.
Anyone who went to the shop could receive a portion.
If someone wanted to play tricks, it was not impossible to collect a few more portions. They could just continue to line up at the back.
After eating at the Wang Family Steamed Bun Shop for so long, the people in town were already used to the taste of their buns. Many people would buy a large portion every day for the entire family to eat.
Now that it was free, it was naturally better.
In the end, when Ouyang Pei and the others arrived, they realized that this town was really crowded.
They could not squeeze in at all.
There were people holding peach blossoms in their hands and walking around with peach blossoms stuck in their heads.
Their carriage could not enter at all, and the guards behind could not push the people around them away.
Seeing that Ouyang Changjing, who was pretending to be a guard, was about to be pushed away by the crowd, Ouyang Pei hurriedly got out of the car.
He said to the coachman, “Find a livestock stable and park the carriage first.”
The coachman responded and took the wide carriage away.
Ouyang Pei walked to Ye Yuncang’s side. “You’re familiar with this place. You’ll lead the way here.”
Ye Yuncang was about to speak when he was interrupted by a loud shout beside him.
“Benefactors, don’t be anxious. Everyone has a share!”
“Come, come, come. These Peach Blossom Talismans can protect your wealth and fate. These Peach Blossom Talismans that allow one to live a carefree life are personally made by the Grandmaster of Puji Temple. They’ve been blessed and prayed for in front of the Buddha for 81 days. You only need 10 copper coins to bring one back! You definitely won’t lose out!”
“Benefactor, I see peach blossoms on your face, but it’s not the main reason. This Peach Blossom Talisman can protect you from malice and help you encounter a real good person.”
Hearing a familiar voice, Ye Yuncang looked up and saw Yuan Zhi at a glance.
What a coincidence.
“What are you looking at?” Ouyang Changjing walked forward.
“I saw an acquaintance. I have a place to stay tonight.” Ye Yuncang smiled.
They originally planned to spend the night in town, but from the looks of it, the restaurants and inns in town should be filled already.
Perhaps they would not even be able to move out of the courier station.
For some reason, there were actually people from other places in this originally cold town.
It was really rare.
Yuan Zhi was originally happily promoting his Peach Blossom Talismans when he suddenly heard someone exclaim.
There was even a woman who said shyly, “That person just now was so handsome. I wonder if he’s married. If not, I kind of want to marry him.”
Another woman said, “The person beside him is not bad either. He has sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. One look and you can tell that he’s very righteous. He’s the kind of person Father said I could marry.”
Yuan Zhi felt that these words were a little familiar. It seemed that when he went out with his junior brother back then, he had also encountered this kind of bold woman.
His heart skipped a beat as he looked up. He really saw the person in front of him who had turned supposedly to ashes.
“How dare you come back!” Yuan Zhi’s face twisted.
This dog had tricked him into owing a huge debt, causing him to run around, asking for alms everywhere.
This time, for the sake of the Flower Festival, he, who had never liked to draw talismans, drew in front of the Buddha for a full ten days. The large number of Peach Blossom Talismans almost covered the Buddha.
When he said that he’d drawn in front of the Buddha for 81 days, he did not exaggerate at all. He didn’t spend one day less on the task.
It was all for the sake of being able to sell them today so that he could make up for the debt.
Ye Yuncang chuckled. “Senior Brother, there’s no need to be angry. A monk has to be calm.”
“Try saying that again. I’ll let you know why our religion consists of an angry Vajra!” Yuan Zhi stopped selling Peach Blossom Talismans and rolled up his sleeves, wanting to rush over.
Halfway through, his vision blurred and he saw two banknotes flashing in Ye Yuncang’s hand.
Taking a closer look, they were actually two 1,000 denominations!
“Today, I’m going to bring my friends to Puji Temple to stay for the night. I wonder if it’s convenient for Senior Brother.”
Yuan Zhi snatched the banknotes and instantly stuffed them into his shirt. He smiled like a benevolent Maitreya Buddha. “Junior Brother, what are you talking about? The Puji Temple is your family to begin with. Moreover, Buddha is merciful towards all living beings. As long as you have a request, there’s nothing I can’t agree to.”
Beside him, Ouyang Pei was amazed.
As expected of the companion who tricked him until his face was covered in blood when he was young.
This was really a little overboard.
In the next moment, his expression changed.
He touched his waist and took out the money pouch to take a look. To his surprise, he realized that two banknotes were missing.
“Ye! Yun! Cang!” Ouyang Pei gritted his teeth.
Looking again, Yuan Zhi had already finished packing up the stall and was pulling Ye Yuncang forward affectionately.
Ouyang Changjing patted his shoulder and comforted him. “It’s been a long journey. We’ll talk about the other things later.”