High-class maid

Chapter 198 Sending Congratulatory Gifts

Mr. Ouyang's eyes flashed, and he said, "What time is it now? You still want to trick me into crying? Humph, once you go to the capital, don't come back. I still have to worry about you while you're in Nanjing."

Song Wenyang chuckled to himself; how could he not know that the old man was just being stubborn? He said...

"After I have settled my marriage, I will bring you to the capital so that you can live out your retirement there."

Mr. Ouyang was sweetly flattered and began to look forward to it, but he still stubbornly said...

"Forget it. If you bring me to the capital, your grandfather will be furious. That old man has been arguing with me his whole life. If he hears this, he'll definitely call you an ingrate."

Song Wenyang smiled but remained silent. In his previous life, he died from a curse before he could repay those who had helped him. In this life, he was determined to plan carefully.

On the third day at dawn, at the entrance of Ouyang Academy.

"The journey to the capital for the imperial examination will take ten days. To prevent seasickness, you will be traveling on dirt roads. There is no need to be too nervous. If you pass, do not be proud. If you do not pass, there is nothing shameful. Just consider it as gaining experience."

Mr. Ouyang looked at the students who were about to participate in the scientific expedition and spoke earnestly.

"Yes, disciples will follow your teachings." The students replied respectfully.

Looking at this group of people, each one was full of vigor and eager to try their luck in the imperial examinations, just like him when he was young. How wonderful it is to be young!

“Master Li will go with you. Every year he leads a group of students to participate in the imperial examination, so he knows the rules of the spring examination. If you have any questions on the way, feel free to ask him.”

Mr. Ouyang introduced the man behind him. His surname was Li, he was over thirty years old, and he was a capable and lean man.

"Alright, everyone, let's set off. I wish you all a bright future and a successful start." Mr. Ouyang didn't want to say too much; he'd rather use that time to read more books.

Everyone bowed to Mr. Ouyang. Their fates would be decided on this trip; whether it would be good or bad, it was all up to them!

"Two students share one carriage. If you have any business, please go to the first carriage to find me, Li. I hope you will all behave yourselves. No matter how important the matter is, we can discuss it after the imperial examination."

Master Li looked at them and gave them a rude awakening. It wasn't that his words were harsh, but rather that in previous years, some students would frame their classmates just to have one less competitor during the imperial examinations, so he had to speak frankly beforehand.

As luck would have it, Song Wenyang and Wu Xunzhi were assigned to the same carriage. They glanced at each other's light luggage and smiled at each other.

“It seems Brother Wu didn’t bring too much with him,” Song Wenyang said first.

“That’s right. I only brought two changes of clothes and a few books. The rest of my belongings are silver,” Wu Xunzhi said.

Song Wenyang nodded in agreement, saying, "As the saying goes, 'A poor family should be rich on the road,' it's always good to bring more money. I wonder what books Brother Wu has brought?"

“I brought the Analects, the Spring and Autumn Annals, a collection of poems, and my own annotations,” Wu Xunzhi said, taking things out of his package.

Seeing that the other party had not held anything back, Song Wenyang admired him even more. This person was either naive and didn't think too much, or he was confident in this scientific expedition.

Clearly, Wu Xunzhi was the latter.

The two then discussed their views on the upcoming imperial examination. Song Wenyang felt even more admiration for Wu Xunzhi. No wonder he was able to become a high-ranking official in the court in his previous life; such a talent was indeed rare.

For some reason, Wu Xunzhi's mind was filled with that round, smiling face. She was so lively and innocent, and every time she appeared, she brought hope to her boring world.

I wonder if she still remembers me? I wonder if she's promised to someone else?

Meanwhile, Shan Tao, whom Wu Xunzhi was thinking about, was on her way to the Minister's Mansion with Shen Xing'er's family.

"Husband, aren't we being too stingy with what we've prepared?"

Inside the carriage, Wang asked Shen Kun anxiously.

"No, these glass cups are novel. If we give them something too expensive, it would be inappropriate for our status."

Shen Kun looked at the set of colorful glass cups on the table. It was Xing'er's idea. Rather than giving her something expensive, he thought it would be better to give her something novel.

After a bumpy ride, the four arrived at the Minister's residence.

"Oh, isn't this Granny Wang? Xing'er, it's been a long time! Shantao, did you come together?"

The old woman at the gate was still eating melon seeds when she saw the four of them. Her eyes lit up and she greeted them all at once.

"Yes, dear sister, it's been so long, you still look so energetic! These are pickled vegetables I made myself, please don't mind them."

Wang collected her thoughts and, while getting her some snacks from home, replied to her.

The old woman looked at the jar full of pickled vegetables, her smile becoming even more genuine, and she replied...

"What do you mean by 'energetic'? I'm still the same as always. But you, you've gained quite a bit of weight."

"Really? I've been doing nothing at home all day, of course I've gained weight!" Wang touched her face; it seemed she would have to lose weight when she got back!

"So, what brings you here today? Are you here to deliver a congratulatory gift to the young master?" the old woman asked, seeing the gift box in Shen Kun's hand.

"Nothing can be hidden from you, elder sister. I heard that the young master is getting married, so I came to deliver a congratulatory gift. Please inform him of the marriage," Wang said with a smile.

"Okay, you wait here! I'll go run an errand!"

The old woman tossed the melon seed shells down. Wang Shi and Shen Xing'er were always good at getting things done; they would bring her things every time they returned to the mansion. Now, she had only made a trip, so she could just let it go.

"Uncle, Aunt, Xing'er, please wait here. I'll go in first."

Seeing that someone was relaying a message for their family, Shan Tao felt relieved. She hadn't gone in earlier because she was afraid the old woman would make things difficult for them. If the old woman didn't want to run errands, she would go to the First Madam's courtyard herself.

“Go, child,” said Madam Wang.

“Go ahead, come visit me again next time you have a vacation!” Shen Xing’er said.

"Okay, I understand!" Yamamo waved to them and walked towards the inner courtyard.

The three of them waited for a while in a small house next to the gate of the mansion. This house was specifically used by the servants of the mansion to meet their relatives and friends. Inside, there were stools, tables, fruits, and tea.

During this time, several groups of people came to give gifts. They would leave the gifts in a hurry and leave. The steward, who was keeping accounts, skillfully had the servants carry the gifts away and then wrote down the gate number of the mansion on a piece of paper.

"I didn't expect the manor to be so busy these days. I wonder if Madam has time to see us." Madam Wang saw that everyone was in a hurry, clearly busy with the young master's wedding.

“Mother, don’t worry. Even if Madam is too busy to see us, we still have to inform her! It’s important not to be impolite.” Shen Xing’er squeezed Wang’s hand to comfort her.