Chapter 54: Strange news on the way to Beijing

It was another dull year of New Year. In the past, every year, the Ji family had to celebrate the New Year, but this year was the first year after Ji Moshu cured his illness. Although Mr. Ji was not here, he had many bad things, at least the atmosphere of the New Year was pretty good.

A brand new and festive red lantern was hung on the Ji Mansion, with the words "Red Joy" and a couplet written by Ji Moshu himself were pasted on both sides of the gate.

The grand and grand pen tip and generous fonts, the couplets seem to reflect each other with the two red and black lanterns hanging under the porch, making the already majestic Ji Mansion look even more grand.

Because of getting married to the Su family, Ji Moshu was cured again and was happy. Mrs. Ji was very happy this year and even laughed out a little wrinkles.

Although Su Niang was very happy, her smile was always far-fetched and she often stayed in the yard and didn't come out. Ji Moshu didn't think much about this, but just thought that she had not eased her relationship with Mrs. Ji and was nervous, so she let Su Niang go.

After the Chinese New Year, March is approaching, and Ji Moshu is about to set off to take the exam.

The examination was held by the Ministry of Rites, which means that she had to go to Beijing. It was not as good as going to Jiangnan. The journey was long. She would make an appointment with other juren to go to Beijing for the exam together. The journey was probably half a month, but compared to those poor students who hiked north to the wind and slept in the open, she was already in good condition, and what made her happy was that Su Niang followed her.

Originally, I would not take care of my family when I went to Beijing for the exam. On the one hand, the journey was long and I might encounter robbers on the road. Kun was so delicate that he was inconvenient. Most people often went there alone, even if the children of rich families were just taking care of a few servants.

Compared with the provincial examinations that scholars took, those who went to Beijing to take the exam were all Juren. Even if they didn’t pass the exam, they could settle down near the capital with their ability and vision. If they passed the exam, they had to wait for the palace examination. After the palace examination, they had to wait for the Ministry of Personnel to assign a position. After the position, they had to rush to take up their posts. This time is very tight. Often, people who have overcome difficulties and won the Jinshi have no time to take care of their families.

This is also the reason why the students often criticize that they have never heard of each other since they entered Beijing and have been married for many years after they left.

However, it is obvious that Su Niang is not a pity person in the play.After all, as the daughter of Miss Su San, she cannot be compared with ordinary people as the daughter of the left prime minister.

Just like usual, the loving mother's hand thread and the wanderer's clothes were on her body. Because Ji Moshu was about to go north, the capital was not warmer and moister than Jiangnan. The climate there was cold and dry, and Ji Moshu was weaker. Mrs. Ji seemed to have triggered some switch. She had obviously cured her illness, but she was very worried whenever Ji Moshu wanted to travel far away.

The noble lady even made a girl's red hand, tailed her clothes and sewed a warm jacket for Ji Moshu, and told Ji Moshu to keep her warm, but as for Su Niang, there was nothing.

Boxes of clothes and food were piled onto the carriage. For safety reasons, I didn't dare to bring too much money this time. I just got a simple carriage, but I hired two experienced Yuzhou bodyguards to escort it.

Before leaving, there was still a scene of mother and daughter farewell. Of course, this time, Mrs. Ji was inevitably dragging Ji Moshu to tell her how to prevent Su Niang and not be deceived. She even stuffed a bottle of pills with a serious look on her face. It is said that it was Gujing pills, so she would take one pill when she was in the room, so as not to be controlled by the fairy and could not affect her studies. The targeting of the words was almost overflowing, which made Ji Moshu both embarrassed and helpless. She could only get into the carriage as if she was running, and told Chunhua to get on the road quickly.

Sitting in the carriage and let Su Ying avoid Xuanyuan, Ji Moshu carefully surrounded Su Niang, who was a little depressed, with an apology on her face.

Sorry, my mother is like this. She just cares about me and has no malice.

Haha, you can see it.Su Niang sneered, feeling depressed, as if she had a breath, she couldn't come out.

Are you angry?Ji Moshu asked carefully.

Humph, what do you think?

Only Su Niang's cold snorkeling and understatement made people unable to find out their emotions. Ji Moshu was ashamed, what happened to Su Niang?

Fortunately, after two days of travel, Su Niang's low pressure was relieved and they successfully entered the official road.

There are quite a lot of people on the official road, including business trips in the past, and students like them who went north to Beijing to take the exam.

Walking on the official road far away from the villages and towns, there is only one road here, and you have to avoid noble people from time to time, so you will naturally walk and stop. The already modest dirt road quickly makes people dizzy.

Uncle Zhao, can’t you go around it?Ji Moshu lifted the curtain and asked the bodyguard walking in front.

This happened to be the road where all the official roads gathered, so it would be great to walk through this section. As for Uncle Zhao, I dare not. I promised that my wife would have to send the lady to the capital.It is normal to gather around the world, there are many people, so it’s better to go out.As for detours, don’t think about it. Uncle Zhao has been escorting people for most of his life, and I have seen countless roads.I might as well tell you that in addition to the relatively safe official roads, there are indeed many private roads to walk on, but those who smuggle roads are all extrajudicial madmen, for example, look there.Uncle Zhao, who was riding a horse in front, turned around and said that he was the escort hired by Mrs. Ji. Although he was also a child of Yuzhou, he did not choose to go to business with his ability and unwilling to participate in profit entanglement, but followed the escort agency. Now he is a household escort hired by Yuzhou and has rich experience.

But the road is so dizzy that it is okay to go back after a little.Ji Moshu turned around and saw that Su Niang looked bad and was a little anxious. She was okay, but Su Niang was born with a noble family, so she was very guilty of following her hardships.

This is not a place that can be circled just by circling. If you are dizzy, it will be better if you come out and breathe, and you will naturally feel dizzy when you sit in the carriage.

But this.

Ji Moshu wanted to say something, and Su Niang's words rang out first.

No need, just lift the curtain a little.

Su Niang.

Ji Moshu supported Su Niang worriedly and asked her to lean on her, and she became even more upset about this. She had known that she would not agree to Su Niang following her. She heard that Su Niang was going to follow her into Beijing, but she was so happy but forgot that the mountains and rivers were far away. Tianyuan's foundation was better than Kunze, and Su Niang was a daughter of a daughter, so how could she suffer such hardship?

Okay, it’s not your fault, just lift some curtains.Su Niang's voice was weak. She had never felt so uncomfortable before. In the past, she was almost chasing people when she went out, and even when she was in a carriage, everyone gave way. How could she be so embarrassed?

At this time, the carriage paused again, and a desire to vomit suddenly rushed to her throat. She turned dizzy and tilted directly into Ji Moshu's arms, and her face turned pale in an instant.

Uncle Zhao, stop first.

Wait ~ Hey?Miss.

Uncle Zhao looked at the lady who was holding Su Niang and ran away, and quickly got off the horse and followed, while Su Ying also hurriedly followed, and Chunhua had to drive the carriage and was anxious.

Ji Moshu didn't think too much. She only knew that Su Niang was uncomfortable and hugged Su Niang. She hugged Su Niang quickly to the shade of the tree not far away, sat on the ground, leaning against the big tree to bathe in the early spring sunshine, away from the crowd and the noisy spirit seemed to have improved suddenly.

Su Niang, will this be better?She gently rubbed Su Niang's eyebrows and fed the slices of ginger and dried fruits she brought into Su Niang's mouth without caring about the frequent glances of the people around her.

Su Niang had just recovered and was immediately angry and funny. She pretended to be angry and pinched Ji Moshu for a moment, what are you doing? You have to rush to Beijing for the exam, but you are resting here.

There is no difference between walking for half a day and not leaving. Don’t take a break first. What do you think now?Ji Moshu didn't think so much, she handed the water bag in concern.

Su Niang was not polite, and just took Ji Moshu's movements and drank water in small sips. The clear water seemed to be able to drive away all fatigue. After eating some sweet and sour fruits, Chaos's mind seemed to come alive in an instant.

It's much better, Mo Shu, it's dragging you down.

What do you say, do you still need to eat?This orange is also good.While speaking, Ji Moshu peeled another orange and thoughtfully broke off the flesh and fed it.

The young lady is still a little weak, and it is difficult to walk along the way.Uncle Zhao and another bodyguard, Uncle Wu, came over and saw the young lady sitting on the ground sighing.

Uncle Zhao, isn’t it good to walk along this small river?Ji Moshu looked around and saw a river not far away. Considering the water source, the official road often tried to build it at a high place near the river. It happened that there was a small river nearby, with fewer people and quieter here.

After all, I am a scholar, and I know how to walk along the water.To be honest, turning along this small river is a good private road. Originally, the one I chose to build the official road, but later it was shelved and became a private road.Uncle Zhao sighed.

Huh? Then why don’t you leave? There is no need to worry about the robbers when it is so close to the official road. Ji Moshu looked puzzled. She knew that the official road was safe, but the private road was also indispensable. The private road was not only the base for the dormant party members, but also the secret transmission during the war. It only lacked some security, or it was not security, but lacked supervision.

I heard that the other end was too close to a forest. There was a miasma in that forest, and there was no way to survive even if people were close to it.

miasma?Ji Moshu repeated it, which was so much a metaphysical noun.

Don’t believe it, this aisle pays the most attention to Feng Shui.These miasma forests, or deep caves where ghosts live, are taboos for road construction and even more taboos for travel.In the past, when I was a escort, I went to a village where there was a cave on the mountain of the village. It was said that there was a god inside, and they called it the cave master.In order to protect the cave owner, the village has to choose the right Huanghua Kun'er to offer it to the cave owner every year. Some people don't believe it and don't offer it for one year. The village will suffer from disasters next year. The whole village is infected with a serious disease. The barefoot doctor in the village cannot cure it. Guess what happened later?Uncle Zhao kept it a secret.

Chunhua listened with relish and asked quickly, "What's wrong?"

Later, every household in the village offered a good Kuner, with a total of more than a dozen people. After that, the people who were infected in the village were cured for no reason, and even the barefoot doctor couldn't figure it out.

After Uncle Zhao finished speaking, Chunhua looked contemptuous. Isn’t this just taking human life into consideration?Sure enough, the village man is the village man.

Ji Moshu and Su Niang also sneered and couldn't help but show a look of praise at Chunhua.

Hey, I said that after studying, you scholars felt that you knew astronomy and geography. I was also young and frivolous in the past, but I had traveled a lot and heard countless weird rumors. If there is evidence to doubt things that are unclear, if there is evidence, I will remain awe.Uncle Zhao's dark face couldn't help but turn red.

Do you remain awe without evidence?Ji Moshu was thinking.

Uncle Zhao’s words are reasonable, but this is also a bottom line. For example, if you give Huang Hua Kun'er to the cave master, you are careless about human life and have no human nature. Such things cannot be described as awe.Ji Moshu was skeptical about this. Henan Shangshu also traveled around the world and often heard about these things, but she felt that there were no ghosts in this world. If there were ghosts, then someone would definitely be pretending to be ghosts. What kind of cave owner? Maybe there were beasts or people in the cave.

You scholars are stubborn and stubborn. If you can find out the truth, you will be willing to give up the disadvantage. If you can't, then everything will be a talk on paper, right?Although his experiences were joked by others, Uncle Zhao did not see any annoyance. In his opinion, no one would think that this was God's will until his thoughts were gone.

Uncle's words made Mo Shu teach me.Ji Moshu bowed, but Su Niang's eyes became sank after hearing this.

After a break, I talked about some strange and strange things, and everyone has recovered their mental strength, so naturally they have to hurry back.

After walking for a few more days, she walked out of the crowded mountain road. The road conditions improved, but Su Niang seemed depressed all the way. Ji Moshu didn't know what happened, but she thought it was a waste of time. After all, it would be a bit difficult for Su Niang to be a daughter of a daughter. Seeing this, she tried her best to buy some tea and jerky from a passing vendor to try to make Su Niang feel better.

That night, they failed to arrive at the next inn and could only stay in a dilapidated temple near the official road. Ji Moshu asked Su Niang and Su Ying to sleep in the carriage, while he was preparing to sleep outside with Chunhua and two studs to play on the floor.

Although she had good intentions, how could Su Niang be willing?

Before he got out of the carriage, Ji Moshu was pulled back into the car. There was not only Su Niang in the carriage, but Su Ying. Ji Moshu was naturally extremely restrained. He knew that it was Su Niang's kindness and was not easy to refuse, so he could only let Su Niang be separated in the middle, and he didn't dare to breathe.

One night, she was almost so restrained that she dared not turn over. She kept her back to Su Niang, facing the carriage, as if she was thinking about her mistakes. In the end, Su Niang took the initiative to wrap her waist and gently rubbed her back, and then she relaxed and fell asleep in a drowsy way.

In the second half of the night, something commotion came outside, awakening the three of them.

What's wrong?Ji Moshu lifted the curtain of the car and found that Chunhua and the two bodyguards had woken up.

Miss, I heard that someone was robbed not far away, so Miss should not come out. It is far away from the city and it is not peaceful.Chunhua came over and said nervously.

Has been robbed?Ji Moshu was shocked. This was near the official road, and he was openly robbed on the official road?

That's right, it seems that the caravan that had walked past was robbed in the woods not far away, perhaps because they had suffered evil.Just stay in the carriage with peace of mind, let’s move faster and leave this area tomorrow.Uncle Zhao's serious voice also came.

Ji Moshu naturally knew the dangers. Originally, her mother said she wanted to hire a whole team of escorts to escort them, but most of them were safer and would also attract more attention. Now the two escorts hired are rich in experience, which is the safest.

She hurried back to the carriage, put down the curtain, and surrounded Su Niang with a serious look on her face.

Don’t worry, Niang Su, we will leave here tomorrow.

Puff, as for it?It’s you that you don’t feel nervous. It’s getting late. I’ve been rushing for another day. Go to bed quickly.Su Niang seemed to be unaffected at all, or she didn't take it seriously at all. She pressed Ji Moshu on the couch, and Ji Moshu was nervous all the way. How could she take the exam?

Niang Su, aren’t you afraid?Ji Moshu couldn't adapt, as if Su Niang was not afraid of anything.

What's there to be afraid of? We don't have gold, silver and jewelry, two have no money, three have not even enough food, only this empty carriage. Compared with those caravans, we are so poor that the robbers look down on us.You should go to bed quickly. You have to walk for a long time along the way, and you always spend your time taking the exam and affect your performance.Su Niang pressed Ji Moshu on the couch again. In order to prevent Ji Moshu from being unhonest, she slept directly into Ji Moshu's arms and fell a soothing kiss on the neck next to her cheek.

Su Niang...

Go to sleep.

Um.

Ji Moshu felt a little dizzy when he was kissed, and he forgot that Su Ying was on the side. She hugged Su Niang back, so how could she not be tired after a day of travel? Now that Su Niang is in her arms, she is very at ease.

The next day, the first ray of sunshine in the morning fell and everyone woke up.

Su Niang and Ji Moshu were a little confused and slept all night. Although they finally slept, they only slept for a few hours, and they felt even more tired after sleeping.

Although my body is getting tired day by day, I still have to continue my journey.

Chunhua brought them today's breakfast, with a few boiled eggs, a piece of air-dried meat, a few white steamed buns and a pickle. It was really simple and simple, but the hungry two still feasted.

After taking it, the water bag was filled with water and then set off again.

As she walked, Ji Moshu noticed a figure walking alone not far away. The girl was wearing a plain long gown. The long gown looked a little old and washed white. Her thin body seemed to be blown away in the wind. Because of the rushing hair, she was also a little messy. Although she was dusty, she recognized who it was at a glance.

Gu Wanyue?

The girl turned around and saw the carriage coming from behind. Who was not Ji Moshu sitting on Xuanyuan?

When she saw her classmates, she suddenly turned red with restraint, and her every behavior showed a sense of embarrassment.

When I approached Ji Moshu, I realized that Gu Wanyue seemed to be a little thinner than what I saw in the academy in February. Perhaps because of the journey, her hands, which had always been clean, are now dirty, and she is holding a bite of dry and hard steamed bun on it.

Ji Moshu?

Are you heading north alone?Ji Moshu jumped out of the car, did Gu Wanyue actually walk?

It is already early March, and the imperial examination this year has been delayed for a while, and the examination will not start in April. It will take about a week to go by carriage, but let alone walk, you have to spend all your energy on the way. So how do you take the exam?

Well, the convoy I took on was robbed last night, and now there is no carriage that I can take, so I can only walk to Yongzhou to take a look.Gu Wanyue was very disappointed. The carriage she robbed last night was the ride-sharing she asked someone to introduce. If students from this poor family want to take the exam, they have to ask about these round-trip convoys like this. Generally, they would be willing to take a ride with them if they gave some money. The convoy she was on could have sent her to the capital, but now she has been robbed and the travel expenses are taken in, which is simply off guard.

Ji Moshu frowned, how can I catch up when I walk?She went back to the carriage and said a few words to Su Niang, then she came out and said, "Come up, we will do it anyway, but you can only sleep outside at night."

this.Gu Wanyue bit her lip, making her even more embarrassed.

OK, get in the car.Ji Moshu pulled Gu Wanyue into the car without saying a word. This man was so stubborn that he was stubborn.

Gu Wan got into the car and seemed even more restrained.

Sitting in the carriage, she realized that Ji Moshu had brought his family. There were two young women in the carriage, both of whom were wearing veils. Ji Moshu was sitting aside and hugging one of the women, which should be Ji Moshu's wife.

Although there were outsiders, Su Niang was not restrained, but leaned in Ji Moshu's arms as weak as a boneless person.

Because it was Kun, Su Niang and Su Ying surrounded Gu Wanyue's veil before they got into the car. Ji Moshu didn't say anything, but just sat next to Su Niang, intentionally or unintentionally separating Gu Wanyue's gaze.

In fact, she doesn't want to bring new people with her family, but Gu Wanyue will definitely delay the exam, and it is not easy for poor students.

Are you a poor student?Suddenly, Su Niang asked this question.

Um.Gu Wanyue was a little embarrassed and her hands were unconsciously tugged.

It is rare among poor students.Su Niang said lightly again, the problem of the dominance of the gentry is almost every dynasty. The gentry is in charge of the gentry, but it is separated from the people. How do such people manage the civil and civil and military affairs in the court often have a party dispute, and all the civil and military officials and those who do practical things are excluded.

If you meet a monarch who is unclear, the weather may be good. If you encounter a disaster year, you will be the king of the country that is destroyed.

Facing Mrs. Su's words without emotion but seemingly commented, Gu Wanyue felt a little bitter in her heart, but she also respectfully bowed. Since ancient times, it is rare for poor families to have a noble son.

It is rare, but now you pass the imperial examination. Although you have not become a tribute scholar, you are also qualified to be an official. Can you tell me what plans do you have for the future?Su Niang was still indifferent.

Upon hearing the plan, Gu Wanyue was stunned at first and was a little unresponsive.

In fact, she had never thought about what to do, she only knew that she would take the exam, and she would talk about it after passing the exam, but if she really passed the exam, she didn't know what to do. Most of the Master's examinations were court affairs and folk issues. Looking back, it seemed that the imperial examinations had never guided students to think about what to do in the future, but more of the person's character and experience, which was similar to being ignorant of the world and talking about Chinese and foreigners.

Haven't thought about it?Su Niang saw through what Gu Wanyue thought at first sight and was a little disappointed.

I have never thought about it. In the past, I studied just to make my family live a better life.Gu Wanyue bowed again.

I heard that I just wanted my family to live a better life, but this was said by a Juren. It would be fine if he was a scholar or a child. Is this still the wish after reading so many books?

Su Niang frowned, you are too selfish.

Who in this world is not doing things for their own selfishness? Isn’t it also selfishness from another perspective?Unexpectedly, Gu Wanyue actually refuted it, but the angle was sharp.

Ji Moshu couldn't help but feel sweaty. In fact, she also agreed with this trick.

You are honest.Su Niang snorted coldly.

I just want to make my family live a better life, but over the years, because I have to study, my family's conditions are getting worse day by day. The whole family is offering me one. Although I passed the exam, it means I have to continue studying, so I am only twenty-two years old, I have not started a family or a career, and my mother at home has not lived a good life since I was studying, and even my brothers and sisters are dragged down by me. Now I am going to Beijing to take the exam, not to mention whether I passed or not. This money alone is saved from the gap between my teeth, but it was gone overnight last night, and I can't see the future path clearly.Gu Wanyue's eyebrows and eyebrows were filled with deep sorrow. Although her words were dull, every word in it suppressed a strong sense of guilt.

This is a psychological situation that many poor students will experience. Scholars from poor families seem to be born guilty. Rather than studying, they are punished, but this punishment is invisible and intangible.

Tsk, your thoughts.Su Niang frowned and looked at Ji Moshu, who had been silent on the side. Moshu, do you have any opinions?

Ji Moshu was so shocked that he was trembling when Su Niang called him, as if he was scared.

What do you think so enchanting.Su Niang smiled and pinched Ji Moshu's hand, not caring about the outsiders in the car, and leaned directly into Ji Moshu's arms.

Knowing that this guy started to play the rude and rudeness that made people feel troubled, Ji Moshu instinctively hugged Su Niang considerately. It was only March now, and he was heading north again, and the colder he went north.

After thinking about it, she said.

I didn't think about this, you know it. My wish is to stay at home and guard your mother, and you.

……

Su Niang quietly pinched the soft flesh on Ji Moshu's waist, angry and annoyed. Is there no capable person in this country?

There are no talented people?

Neither one or two should be glorious and have no ambitions, so just do nothing and treat it. After death, it is a flood.

It is everyone's innate wish to be filial to the bed, and their descendants surround their knees, but wishes and reality are often biased.Merchants need children who study to gain the right to speak in the court. The Ji family is only one child, and they often go to do business if they can’t study. The children of Yuzhou who entered the court will protect their business, so that the business gang can last forever.If I could gain a foothold in the court, the people of Yuzhou would be proud of me. Of course, for me personally, entering the court as an official does not mean that there is nothing to do.For example, I came from a business family and would naturally want to open up trade across the country. If I can, I would try my best to open up new roads, not only waterways but also landways, but only roadways can make business prosperous.Ji Moshu frowned in pain, but he still honestly expressed some of his thoughts.

Gu Wanyue thought about it and was inspired when she heard it. The gloom of her eyes faded and revealed her brilliance. She had a similar effect. Coincidentally, after hearing what you said, I think if I could be an official in the future, I like to improve water conservancy and irrigation and try to make farmers eat enough.

Su Niang smiled a little cunningly, what a guy, both rural and commercial evil spirits.

By the way, Niang Su, what are you asking about this? Ji Moshu realized it later.

Nothing is wrong, aren’t you going to take the exam?After you have passed the test, there will be a palace examination. I think people who like to do practical things today will be able to do things. If you can only talk big, you will definitely not be able to serve the country.Su Niang replied casually.

Yeah?Compared to Gu Wanyue's joy, Ji Moshu was more confused. Today, he treated Henan Shang, who was diligent in developing water roads, and God knew what was waiting for her when he went to Beijing to take the exam. However, when she saw the smile on the corner of Su Niang's mouth, she couldn't say anything disappointed, but was infected, so she thanked her wife's auspicious words.

In the following days, the group was still bumping in the carriage. The road was too far, and Su Niang couldn't bear it anymore. She felt dizzy and saw that Ji Moshu had a heavy shadow. Fortunately, Ji Moshu prepared some more cooling oil and oranges in the previous city, otherwise Su Niang would be dizzy.

Finally, they arrived in the capital April before.