Chapter 125 - 126: Prefecture City
Deng Yuanhang fiddled nonchalantly with the cup in his hand. "Well then, I’ll stay and have some fun here for a couple more days. I can also help wait for news. But you’ll have to take a letter back for me, just to let my family know I’m alright."
"Of course," Zhou Ping said gratefully. If it weren’t for his elders at home that he had to worry about, he really would have liked to take this opportunity to explore the Prefecture City.
Deng Yuanhang leaned over and draped an arm over Ancient Wen Heng’s shoulder. "What about you, Wenheng? Want to hang around for a couple of days before heading back?"
Ancient Wen Heng replied, "I was thinking the same thing. I’ll be counting on you for the next two days, Senior Brother Deng. I’ll write a letter in a bit, and I hope you two brothers can help me deliver it."
The two quickly replied, "Of course."
Deng Yuanhang slapped his chest heartily. "I know this Prefecture City like the back of my hand. I’ll take you around, Wenheng, and I guarantee you won’t want to leave."
Wang Biyi cleared his throat. "Don’t forget what I’ve taught you. There are some places you shouldn’t go. You need to be mindful of that.
As it happens, I also have a couple of old friends to visit. So you two junior and senior brothers can look after each other. If you run into any trouble, remember to mention the headmaster’s name."
After all, Lü Sheng was an Advanced Scholar. Even though he didn’t spend many years in officialdom, he had taught quite a few students.
Ancient Wen Heng and the others naturally agreed. After seeing off Zhou Ping and Li Hesen, who were in a hurry to get home, Deng Yuanhang grabbed Ancient Wen Heng to begin their tour of Dao City.
It was only today that Ancient Wen Heng learned that his unassuming senior brother’s family actually ran an escort agency.
"Traveling all over the country, these escorts don’t have it easy," Deng Yuanhang said as he led him through the courtyard and out of the escort agency.
"Then why did you ask Zhou Ping and the others to carry a letter for you before?" Ancient Wen Heng was genuinely puzzled. Logically, an escort agency would have plenty of manpower; he couldn’t believe they wouldn’t be able to deliver a single letter.
"You have to help me keep this a secret. Not many people at the academy know my background yet, you know?" After speaking, he gave a playful wink.
Ancient Wen Heng smiled, pressing his lips together. ’The ways of the world are truly everywhere. Even when everyone is buried in their books, people are still divided into different classes.’
Ancient Wen Heng said, "My lips are sealed, but you’ll have to bribe me properly."
"But of course! Come on, pick whatever you want at Tianfu Restaurant. Your senior brother is really splashing out today." Deng Yuanhang slung an arm around his shoulder. "But when you go back, you have to bring me pastries a couple more times. Ever since I tried the ones from your wife’s shop, nothing else compares.
If those pastries didn’t have such a short shelf life, I’d have sent some to my grandmother."
Ancient Wen Heng replied, "Now that the weather is cold, they can last a few more days, but the texture won’t be as good."
Deng Yuanhang’s eyes suddenly lit up. "Actually, we could go into business together. Your wife has such amazing skill, and my family has shops everywhere. If she provides the secret recipe, we’d make a fortune!"
Ancient Wen Heng wasn’t so naive. "Those recipes were part of my wife’s dowry. It’s all up to her."
The idea, once sparked, wouldn’t leave Deng Yuanhang’s mind. "That’s no problem. When I go back, I’ll persuade my sister-in-law myself. It’s a real shame for something so delicious to be stuck in a small county."
Ancient Wen Heng pointed toward Tianfu Restaurant up ahead. "Looks like we came at a bad time. How about we go somewhere else?"
A few burly men were standing at the entrance, glaring menacingly at the passersby.
Deng Yuanhang also stopped in his tracks. "Well, it looks like it’s not me being cheap after all. How about I treat you to a bowl of wontons at the street corner up ahead?"
Ancient Wen Heng turned and stared at him. "Senior Brother, you can’t be that stingy, can you? How about I treat this time? You’ll just owe me."
"Owe me, you will! But you said it, this meal is on you. In that case, I’ll have to get a large bowl of wontons..."
Ancient Wen Heng said, "...Heh, I’ll get you two large bowls."
In just one short day together, the two, who had initially been somewhat distant, were now able to joke around with each other.
Just as Ancient Wen Heng sat down at the stall, he noticed a familiar figure hurrying past.
He couldn’t help but frown. ’Gu Yuanlei is dressed respectably enough, but why does he look so haggard?’
"What is it? See someone you know?" Deng Yuanhang followed his gaze but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.
Ancient Wen Heng shook his head. "I probably saw wrong. Are you sure one bowl is enough? Want another one?"
"Stop messing around. If we don’t eat now, the soup will get cold." After saying that, Deng Yuanhang blew on his hands. ’Eating outside in this weather is... bracing.’
＆
「Fu County」
Jin Qianqian was clearing the empty trays from the counter. Sister-in-law Xiang had to leave early today for personal matters, so she had to clean up by herself.
Just as she was about to take the trays to the back courtyard, someone else walked in.
"I’m sorry, we’re sold out of pastries for today. If you need anything, please come back tomorrow."
"You must be Mrs. Gu, correct?"
Jin Qianqian looked up at the stranger before her and nodded. "I am. How can I help you?"
"I’m one of Ancient Wen Heng’s senior brothers. He asked me to deliver a letter to you. I’ll just leave it here." Li Hesen placed the letter on the counter, his gaze landing on the empty trays. ’I’d heard that Ancient Wen Heng’s wife ran a pastry shop,’ he thought. ’Looks like business is excellent.’
A smile spread across Jin Qianqian’s face as she thanked him profusely. "Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother. Can I pour you a cup of tea?"
Li Hesen quickly said it wasn’t necessary. Just as he was about to take his leave, he suddenly blurted out, "Do you need me to read the letter for you?"
Jin Qianqian was taken aback, but she quickly understood. She shook her head repeatedly. "My husband has been teaching me. I should have no problem reading the letter, so I won’t trouble you, Senior Brother."
Li Hesen’s face immediately turned red. He gave a slight bow and hurried away.
Jin Qianqian scratched her head. ’I don’t think I said anything wrong. Why did he get so embarrassed?’
At the same time, she felt a wave of relief. ’It’s a good thing I’ve been reviewing traditional characters recently. Looks like I still need to practice my calligraphy more, so I won’t have to rely on others in the future.’
Spreading the letter open, Jin Qianqian finally understood why Ancient Wen Heng was lingering in the city. But as long as everything was fine, she could set her mind at ease.
＆
On the day the results were to be posted, Wang Biyi dragged Ancient Wen Heng and Deng Yuanhang to the entrance of the county government office to wait early in the morning.
The area was already bustling with people waiting for the results. No matter how early they had arrived, they could only watch from a distance.
"They’re out!" The crowd suddenly grew agitated, with everyone scrambling to push their way to the front.
Mr. Wang wasn’t surprised. Grabbing one of them in each hand, he also tried to push forward to get a look.
Ancient Wen Heng grabbed his arm in return. "Teacher, we’ll find out the news sooner or later. Why don’t we wait until the crowd thins out a bit before we go?"
’With all this pushing and shoving, the risk of being trampled is too high. There’s no need to take that kind of chance.’
"What do you young people know? This atmosphere is part of the experience! You’ve worked hard for so many years, don’t you want to know the results as soon as possible?"
Deng Yuanhang shook his head honestly. "It’s just as Wenheng said. The results are already decided. Seeing them sooner or later won’t change anything."