161-170

Chapter 161

It would have been better if he hadn't said it. Once he said it, Wang Qin's mind was completely aroused. Thinking that he could earn his parents the title of a scholar's parents, he was full of energy. He grabbed Huang Yuwen and Gu Lin and went to review his lessons now.

Lin Zhen put the hot drink in front of them: "Don't worry now, drink something first."

This was made by Lin Zhen when he was bored at home with peanuts and other nuts. It was rich in fragrance, explosive in calories, and not too sweet. Even Lin's father and others couldn't help but drink two or three cups.

Several people held cups, their brows relaxed, Huang Yuwen raised her round face and said to Lin Zhen: "Uncle Lin's food is always so delicious. I still remember the first time Gu Lin took us to eat in the snack restaurant. We ate a lot of spicy hot pot, sour plum soup and milk tea."

Wang Qin was also impressed, but he was more impressed by other things. He said to Lin Zhen: "In fact, when Gu Lin asked us to play at his home, we all thought he wanted to push us into the alley and beat us up, but he didn't expect that he said we were his friends in front of you."

Poor him at that time, he really thought that Gu Lin and them didn't know each other, and regarded him as a friend. He was scared when Gu Lin said that he would string him on a skewer like spicy hot pot.

Lin Zhen couldn't help but smile. He remembered this incident. When Gu Lin just went to Xu Fuzi's school to study, he was ridiculed by Wang Qin and others because of the name Gu Shuanzi. He didn't want to solve it himself, saying that he could do it. The next day, he took Wang Qin, Huang Yuwen, Chen Xing and others home.

Of course, he could see that this group of friends were as insincere as can be, but looking at the bunch of children who were obviously being led by Gu Lin like sheep, they pretended to know nothing.

Children have their own way of playing, so what's the point of him, an adult, getting involved.

Talking about the past, Lin Zhen thought of the little follower who was from a poor family and followed Wang Qin: "I remember Chen Xing's family lived in the town. He has been studying with Master Xu for the past few years. I don't know how he is doing."

Wang Qin shook his head: "I haven't seen him since we went to the prefectural city and he returned to Anyuan Town."

"But he is smart and his knowledge is only slightly worse than Yu Wen, so there should be no problem."

"By the way," Wang Qin clapped his hands, "He must not know that the provincial examination will be reopened this year!"

The four of them went to the prefectural city to take the Tongsheng examination together. In addition to Wang Qin, Gu Lin, Huang Yuwen and Chen Xing all passed the examination.

Gu Lin followed Lin Zhen to do business in the prefectural city. The families of Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen directly sent slaves and money to let them live in the prefectural city and concentrate on their studies.

But Chen Xing returned to Anyuan Town after taking the Tongsheng exam, and they haven't seen each other for several years.

Lin Zhen also poured himself a cup of hot drink and said, "Then we must find a chance to tell him that if he misses this provincial exam, he will have to wait another three years."

"Well," Huang Yuwen and Wang Qin nodded, "We will send someone to look for him. As long as he is still in the town, there will be news soon."

After talking for a while, Wang Qin remembered that his parents and brothers and sisters at home would definitely ask him to find a girl and have a few children to amuse them.

His mother was really scared this time. Not to mention going to the prefectural city to take the exam, even coming to Liyu Village was promised by him again and again, and he would only come out with Huang Yuwen.

He was liked by his parents since he was a child, and his brothers and sisters also doted on him. Although he was often beaten for being naughty, his family never restrained him.

The reason why he went to study with Master Xu was that his father was inspired by Huang Yuwen's parents and thought it would be great if there was a scholar in the family. If the ancestors had made achievements in the imperial examination, the Wang family would have changed their family lineage.

But the Wang family was wealthy, so it was not necessary for him to study. Compared with studying, his family wanted him to have enough food and clothing, and it was okay to be a less dandy boy.

"Ah..." Wang Qin grabbed his head and gulped down the hot drink.

Huang Yuwen said, "I'll go back with you later."

Wang Qin was so happy that he almost jumped up and put his arm around Huang Yuwen's shoulders.

With Huang Yuwen around, he was not panicked!

Several people sat together and chatted, and agreed to go to Master Xu on the eighth day of the first lunar month to wish him a happy new year. If everything went well, Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen would follow Gu Lin to the Lin family to review their lessons that day.

As for Zhong Yan, he now found a job in the county government and read books in his spare time.

Wang Qin was anxious to go back. After sitting for a while, he pulled Huang Yuwen and Zhong Yan to leave. He greeted Lin Adie and Lin Zhen sweetly. Lin Adie looked at the many gifts they brought and hurried back to the house to get some as return gifts.

Wang Qin and the others were not polite. They picked up the things and walked out of the house: "Uncle Lin, we are leaving now. We will come in two days."

"Okay, Mom can't wait for you to come. You are not allowed to bring anything next time."

"Got it."

Wang Qin was the most lively. Huang Yuwen was always soft and quiet, and Zhong Yan was still the same as before. It could be seen from the steps of the three people walking out of the house.

Suddenly, Wang Qin, Huang Yuwen, and Zhong Yan looked at Lin Xiaoyao who walked in from outside the yard, and their expressions were different.

"Uncle Xiaoyao," Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen saw him and walked over to take the things in his hands, "Yuwen and I felt a little uncomfortable because we didn't see you just now."

None of them would forget that it was Lin Xiaoyao who carried the food and water from Liyu Village, so they could walk back alive. They were inexpressibly grateful to Lin Xiaoyao.

"It's almost lunch time, why don't you eat here before leaving?" The two of them were quick and took the plow in Lin Xiaoyao's hand, leaving him no time to react.

It hadn't been used for most of the last year and was broken, so before the Chinese New Year, they went to Ma the carpenter to order a new one.

Wang Qin said, "Yuwen and I want to review with Gu Lin. We are busy going back to discuss with our family and pick up some things."

"Uncle Xiaoyao, why don't you go to town with us? The town is very lively these two days, and there are many vendors setting up stalls."

Huang Yuwen also said, "There are already people selling lanterns on the street, all kinds of them. I will take my sister and you to go shopping together."

In fact, the age difference between Wang Qin, Huang Yuwen and Lin Xiaoyao is not that big, only six or seven years old, but Lin Xiaoyao looks at them like children.

"Then I will clean up a room with your Uncle Lin later and wait for you to stay." Lin Xiaoyao didn't say anything polite to the two of them. They took the shovel when they wanted, and went to the water tank to scoop water to wash their hands.

Zhong Yan, who was with Huang Yuwen and Wang Qin, naturally saw him. Zhong Yan bowed and saluted him: "Uncle Xiaoyao."

Lin Xiaoyao also nodded, washed his hands, poured out the water, and walked past him.

Lin Xiaoyao said to Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen who had put away the plow, "We won't go to town. It will be the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in a few days. I will go with your uncle Lin then."

Today is the sixth day of the first lunar month, and there are still nine days before the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen thought about it and agreed. The town will be more lively during the Lantern Festival. Then everyone can get together.

The two said goodbye to Lin Xiaoyao and Lin Zhen, walked out of the Lin family's yard, and got on the carriage at the stone bridge by the river.

In the carriage, Huang Yuwen and Wang Qin couldn't help but look at Zhong Yan.

On the way, they all knew that Uncle Xiaoyao went there for Zhong Yan. Although Uncle Xiaoyao didn't say a word and treated everyone the same, his eyes couldn't lie.

Huang Yuwen and Wang Qin thought that they had contact when they were in the capital city at first, but they didn't expect that one was colder than the other, from the road to the home, and it seemed that they had no contact at all.

Wang Qin couldn't hold back his words and wanted to ask, but Huang Yuwen quietly pulled his sleeve.

Wang Qin held back his words.

Arriving at the town, Zhong Yan got off the carriage first, and Huang Yuwen accompanied Wang Qin home.

The Wangjiadian residence is located on the east side of the most prosperous part of the town. It is a quadrangle with two entrances. At the entrance is a screen wall with a picture of fish playing with lotus leaves. After the screen wall, you can see the main hall for entertaining guests, and on both sides

of the main hall are the side rooms. The corridors on both sides of the main hall are connected to the backyard, and there is a row of porches behind the backyard.

The servants in the courtyard saw Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen coming back, and greeted them attentively: "Master, Master Huang."

"Where is my mother?" With Huang Yuwen, Wang Qin was very confident.

He just asked, and before the servants could answer, Mrs. Wang came out from the corridor on the left, followed by her sister Wang Yu, who had been married for several years.

Seeing him coming back with Huang Yuwen by his side, Mrs. Wang hurried over and said, "Did you encounter anything on the way there and on the way back? Let me see."

Mrs. Wang pulled him, looked up and down, left and right, and finally held his head and pondered from side to side.

Wang Qin blushed and quickly held her hand: "Mom, I'm fine. The town is not far from Liyu Village. It only takes about an hour by carriage."

Wang Qin was raised by his brothers and sisters. He was very happy to see his sister come back: "Second sister, you are back. Stay a few more days this time. My parents and I miss you very much."

Wang Yu's face, which was shrouded in a layer of sadness, stiffened for a moment, and nodded: "Okay, I'll stay a little longer this time."

Wang Qin was immersed in the thoughts of how to convince his mother and did not notice anything unusual. He let Madam Wang hold his hand and winked at Huang Yuwen. After Huang Yuwen stood beside him, he said: "Mom, we went to Uncle Lin's house today. You must remember the friend Gu Lin I told you about. He is reading a book."

"I heard from him that the county magistrate specially sent someone to inquire about the news. The provincial examination in the prefecture city will be reopened next year, so the prefectural examination should also be held--"

Madam Wang understood what he meant and said simply: "You talk about Yuwen and Gu Lin all day long. How could I not know."

"If you don't want to go to the capital, forget it. Just stay at home and learn to collect rent from your brothers."

"Our family doesn't need you to feed them. As long as you don't do anything bad that will ruin our family fortune overnight, your father and I will do whatever you want."

Wang Qin didn't expect that his mother would shut him up just as he opened his mouth. She grabbed Mrs. Wang's sleeve anxiously and said, "Mom, you used to nag me every day to study harder and have a better future. I want to make progress now. Gu Lin is so knowledgeable. If I study hard with him, maybe I can get the title of scholar."

Chapter 162

"If I say no, it means no," Madam Wang was determined. She reached out and felt the temperature of the back of his neck to make sure he was not cold. She said to Wang Qin, "Your brothers have just come back. You go meet them and get familiar with the rents that the family needs to collect. Then go with them after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month."

Wang Yu was several years older than her younger brother Wang Qin and loved him very much. Seeing his dejected look, she whispered, "Go first and talk later."

Huang Yuwen also said, "Your mother is in a good mood now. It's useless for you to say anything. Find a solution from your father and brothers."

Wang Qin nodded, and took Huang Yuwen and his sister Wang Yu to follow Madam Wang towards the main house.

As soon as they entered, Master Wang and his elder brother rubbed Wang Qin's head and shoulders, and then greeted Huang Yuwen: "Yuwen will stay at home tonight. I just happened to have the mushrooms you like to eat today, so I bought a basket."

"Take the rest back to your father, he also likes it."

Wang Qin pulled his head out of his messy head: "Dad, Yuwen's house is next door, why do you live in our house."

Master Wang pushed his head back: "Go away, it's none of your business."

"..." From childhood to adulthood, Wang Qin has been accustomed to his parents' love for Huang Yuwen, which came from nowhere. He said "oh", grabbed Master Wang and his elder brother to a corner, and told them that he wanted to go to Lin's house to find Gu Lin to review his studies, and then go to the capital city to take the exam. Master Wang had failed to get

his eldest son, so he placed all his hopes on Wang Qin, the youngest son.

But influenced by Madam Wang, he also felt that there was no need to force Wang Qin to study.

Huang Yuwen quickly said, "Uncle Wang, Gu Lin is well-educated and is the top student in Huaishan Academy. The teachers all think he is a sure winner in the provincial examination."

"I have decided to go to his place to review my studies together. Although Xiao Man will not take the provincial examination, but only the prefectural examination, it is definitely right to study together."

"You and your aunt didn't see that he was grinning at Uncle Lin's house and said that he wanted you and your aunt to be the parents of a scholar."

Master Wang and Big Brother Wang looked at Wang Qin, who was almost as tall as them and still had a childish face. They felt so comforted in their hearts. They naturally had a reason to dote on Wang Qin.

This kid was sweet-mouthed and knew how to handle things. He smiled even when he was beaten and didn't bear grudges. He

was also sensible.

The idea of ​​Master Wang and Big Brother Wang, who originally just wanted Wang Qin to stay safe and sound, was shaken a little. Suddenly, Madam Wang, who was avoided by them, came over and said, "I knew you hadn't given up on this idea."

Madam Wang was the boss at home. Master Wang and Big Brother Wang immediately gave Wang Qin a helpless look.

Wang Qin immediately circled around his mother like a little tail, but even though his lips were almost broken, Madam Wang still didn't change her words. She only hesitated for a moment when Huang Yuwen said that, but she quickly hit back.

Suddenly, Wang Yu, who had been standing aside, said, "Mom, let Xiao Man go."

Madam Wang: "Why are you fooling around with him? If he gets into trouble again like this time, what should I and your father do!"

Wang Yu's tense expression suddenly relaxed when she returned home. She said in a trembling voice, "Mom and Dad, I have divorced Liu Ming... I have been divorced by Liu Ming."

She originally wanted to give herself a more decent explanation, but she gritted her teeth and said the most unbearable side of herself.

Everyone in the room was shocked. There was silence for a second. Then the voice of surprise and anger almost blew the roof off.

"Yiyi, what did you say!" Madam Wang held Wang Yi's hand tightly, not believing what she heard.

Master Wang and Brother Wang also frowned fiercely.

After the most difficult words were spoken, Wang Yi's heart suddenly felt relieved. She said in a dry voice: "Liu Ming wrote a letter of divorce, divorcing me from the Liu family on the grounds that I was not dedicated enough to serving my parents-in-law."

"Bullshit!" Madam Wang cursed. Everyone in the street knew the temperament of her Yiyi. She was the most gentle and virtuous. If Liu Ming had not been a juren at that time, the Wang family would never have taken a fancy to him.

Mrs. Wang was so angry that her chest was heaving violently. She pulled Wang Yu and said to Mr. Wang and Brother Wang: "Call someone. I want to let the Liu family see that my daughter is so easy to bully!"

Mr. Wang and Brother Wang shouted to the yard without saying a word: "Butler Lu, call everyone in the yard!"

Wang Qin also rolled up his sleeves and said, "Dad, Mom, Brother, I'll go with you."

Mrs. Wang raised her eyebrows: "Yu Yu is your sister, how can you not go? And take our Wangcai with you!"

The hesitation and grievances on the way home after being thrown a divorce letter by her husband and being turned upside down by her parents-in-law in front of outsiders disappeared at this moment.

Wang Yu blinked and held the violent Mrs. Wang.

Mrs. Wang glared, but her voice was gentle to her children: "Why, you still want to live with that bastard, don't you?!"

"Mom, how could I live with him, it's just..." Wang Yu hesitated and said, "Liu Ming hooked up with the concubine's daughter of the prefect in the prefectural city, so he couldn't wait to divorce me and wanted to marry the concubine as soon as possible. Our family has money, but we are not officials. I'm afraid that going to his house will cause trouble."

Mrs. Wang has a bad temper, but she is not stupid. Liu Ming is a juren. If he gets an official position in the future and turns against them, it will be a disaster.

But how can she bear this breath? Her good daughter has done nothing wrong, but she was divorced, and she made room for the next person.

The atmosphere froze for a while.

Mrs. Wang gritted her teeth and said, "I still don't believe that he can't be cured. Go and invite all the mourning bands in the town and the villages to sing around his Liu family for ten days and a half months."

Everyone in the room laughed out loud. This method was really mean. The new bride was in a hurry to get married, and she would never forget it for the rest of her life.

"And your dowry, our family must bring back everything."

Wang Yu married in a town more than 30 miles away from Anyuan Town. So many people from the Wang family went there in a grand manner. Huang Yuwen's parents next door heard about this from Mr. Wang and Mrs. Wang, and directly asked Huang Yuwen to take the Huang family's servants with him.

Four or five days later, the news that Wang Yu, the eldest daughter of the Wang family, had returned from her husband's house spread throughout Anyuan Town. Along with it, the news that the Wang family had invited funeral bands on a large scale also spread. As long as they played funeral music, no matter how good or bad they were, they would be asked to play for two taels of silver a day for half a month.

For a time, all the funeral bands within a hundred miles of the surrounding area went to Liu's house. The deafening funeral music shook the whole town.

But Mrs. Wang, Mr. Wang, and Wang Qin were not happy. If there was a successful candidate like Liu Ming in the family, how could this matter be let go? It would be a light matter to tear him upside down.

This time, Mrs. Wang and Mr. Wang were not so resolute when Wang Qin proposed to go to Liyu Village to study with Huang Yuwen and Gu Lin. What's the use of having money? When facing a successful candidate and the daughter of the prefect, they could only bear some anger.

It's better to have someone in the family who is on the road to the imperial examination.

On the other hand, the servants sent by Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen to inquire about Chen Xing also reported back that Chen Xing's family did live in the town, but at the westernmost end of the town.

Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen went there in person. Their homes were on the east side of the town. They had never been here before. When they suddenly came here, they thought they had taken the wrong road.

All I saw was a dense mass of low houses crammed together, making it seem like there was no place to even step.

Wang Qin asked the servant beside him, "Are you sure this is the right place? Are you asking the wrong person?"

The servant said with certainty: "Mr. Chen is very famous in this area. He often writes letters for the neighbors. Almost most people know him."

"And I described Mr. Chen's appearance to the people around me according to what you said. It is indeed the person you are looking for."

People are divided into different classes and circles. When Lu Pu heard that the person Wang Qin was looking for was here, he didn't believe it at first. Their Wang family is one of the best families in the town, and they are all the same. They have never seen such a poor family like Mr. Chen's family, so he confirmed it again and again.

Lu Pu led the way in front, leading Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen through the winding alleys that could only accommodate one person. After half an incense stick, they arrived in front of an extremely dilapidated house.

"Mr. Chen, this is Mr. Chen's house. Please wait first. I will knock on the door."

Wang Qin waved his hand to let him leave: "I will do it myself."

The two are friends. Although their friendship is not as close as Gu Lin, they have been following him for two or three years. It is not good to be arrogant.

Wang Qin personally went forward to knock on the door: "Is anyone there?"

"Excuse me, is anyone there?"

Footsteps soon sounded in the house. Chen Xing, who opened the door, saw Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen outside the house. He was not expecting anything and was a little stunned.

Chen Xing looked ordinary, but he had the temperament of a scholar after years of studying. The weather was cold in early spring, so he wore a thin winter coat that was almost not a winter coat. His face was slightly pale and his body was thin.

"Master Wang... Master Huang... What are you doing..."

A six or seven-year-old child suddenly appeared behind him. He had a pointed chin and wore thicker clothes than Chen Xing, but with patches on top of patches.

The child was very afraid of strangers. He looked at Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen with a pair of eyes that looked particularly big because of his thinness, and hid behind Chen Xing shiveringly: "Brother..."

Chen Xing touched the child's head, "Don't be afraid, these two brothers are not bad people, you go back to the house first."

The child nodded and turned to run into the house.

Chen Xing stepped aside and said, "Master Huang and Master Wang, please come in and sit down. It's just that the house is small and there is no complete place to sit. You don't have to--

" Wang Qin frowned, "We are friends after all. Why are you so distant?"

"..." Friends.

Chen Xing never used these two words to describe himself, Wang Qin, and Huang Yuwen. Not only do relatives have to pay attention to the matching of family backgrounds, but also friends.

He may not be able to get what Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen can easily discard in ten or twenty years. He can't play with them, can't talk with them, so what kind of friends are they?

Chapter 163

Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen entered the house and sat on the unpainted, crude stools. This room was not only where the Chen family cooked and ate, but also had a stone bed against the wall at the back, covered with hay, a mattress, and a neatly folded quilt.

Chen Xing poured a bowl of boiled water for each of them and said, "What do you... want to see me for?" He originally wanted to call Master Wang and Master Huang, but under Wang Qin's gaze, he changed it to you.

Wang Qin picked up the bowl and took a sip of water, as if he didn't see the room. He looked at him and said, "We went to Liyu Village to see Gu Lin a few days ago. He brought good news. The provincial examination that was missed last year in the city will most likely be reopened. Yu Wen and Gu Lin are already scholars, so they will definitely participate. I also have to prepare for the provincial examination, so I specifically asked you if you want to join me."

"By the way, after you passed the examination for a student, you returned to Anyuan Town. I don't know if you took the examination for a scholar later."

Wang Qin always spoke his mind without beating around the bush.

Chen Xing didn't expect that what he was going to talk about was this matter. His hands on the table suddenly clenched: "Are the provincial examinations going to be reopened? Last year..."

Wang Qin said: "Last year's situation, it would be a great punishment to go, you probably didn't go."

Chen Xing shook his head: "No."

He didn't go at all. Since he passed the examination, he stayed in Anyuan Town. His father, grandfather, and grandmother passed away one after another, leaving the family with little money. Most of the time, Chen Xing was copying books day and night, and there were piles of letters written for others on the table.

He could only barely support his mother and younger brothers and sisters, and couldn't afford the travel expenses and expenses to go to the capital.

Moreover, his mother was sick, and it was even more impossible for him to leave his younger brothers and sisters to go to the imperial examination.

Thinking about it, Chen Xing's shoulders slumped down, as if a heavy burden was pressed on him, and his pale face seemed to be covered with a layer of fog, making it difficult to see clearly.

Huang Yuwen was more thoughtful. He said, "With your knowledge, it's a pity that you can only be a scholar. If you can pass the exam and be assigned to a place, it will be much easier for you and your family."

"Chen Xing, actually my family also helped some students and gave them some money for their studies. However, if they succeed in their studies, they should provide some protection to the Huang family within their ability."

"If you have this idea, I will tell my father when I go back. You can get some money like them to deal with it first."

The Huang family is as rich as the Wang family. Every year, they will allocate some money to build bridges and roads, repair temples, and spend some money on a few talented students. As long as one of them makes achievements, it will be a sure win for the Huang family.

Chen Xing didn't expect Huang Yuwen to mention this to him.

He suddenly raised his head and looked at Huang Yuwen: "But, but I am not very sure about the provincial examination."

"If you say you are absolutely sure, I can't mention this to my father. There are so many students who can read and write in ancient times, but how many can really pass these tests? If you fail three times, the Huang family will naturally not waste money on you anymore."

Chen Xing stood up and bowed to Huang Yuwen: "Thank you."

Chen Xing likes to study and wants to study. He is only truly happy when he holds a book and looks at those words. Last year, he looked at the direction of the city countless times, wishing that God would give him a bunch of wings so that he could fly to the city and participate in the provincial examination.

Even if there was a drought later, the provincial examination in the city would probably not be held as scheduled, and he regretted it.

What if he waited another year? He still couldn't go.

Huang Yuwen's words just now were like a huge and powerful hand, pulling him out of the quagmire that almost drowned him. He can go to the city, and he can at least have a few chances.

He agreed with Chen Xing to go to Huang's house to get the silver tomorrow, and then go to Lin's house in Liyu Village after the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month.

After leaving Chen Xing's house, Wang Qin kept looking at Huang Yuwen, and after leaving Chen Xing's house, he said, "Why don't I remember your family helping students? How could your family hide something from my family?"

Huang Yuwen glanced at him and continued walking on the road under his feet: "I just made it up."

"?"

"Just made it up?" Wang Qin suddenly realized that Huang Yuwen saw that Chen Xing's family was too poor, and wanted to help him, but he used this roundabout method.

Huang Yuwen said, "Chen Xing is a good student. As I said just now, it's a pity to stop here. I'll help him so that he won't be in such trouble."

"Then you should have asked me to come along, he is also my friend." Wang Qin was a little annoyed that he didn't think of these things. It was hard for him to notice these little things around him.

Huang Yuwen said, "It is precisely because I know you will interfere that I did not name him. We treat him as a friend, so we cannot treat him like a servant at home, rewarding him with silver, clothes and food, which will hurt the relationship."

After he said this, Wang Qin understood that Huang Yuwen was taking care of Chen Xing's self-esteem.

After all, even when Chen Xing followed him, he did not directly ask him for anything. He had that intention because of poverty, but he still could not suppress his self-esteem.

Wang Qin exhaled, "Fortunately I brought you here today, otherwise, I might have just waved my hand and asked the servants at home to buy things for his family, and then asked him to follow Gu Lin."

"Otherwise, why do you think I followed him?" The two walked out of the narrow alley one after the other and got on the carriage to go home.

The next day, Chen Xing went to Huang's house as promised to take a sum of silver, and wrote an IOU in addition to the agreement with Huang Yuwen.

Chen Xing stood outside the Huang family's house, and after saying goodbye to Huang Yuwen, he tightly held the purse wrapped in silver in his hand.

In a blink of an eye, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival, arrived. Every household not only had to eat Lanterns, but also made lanterns and lit a lamp in the room and on the ground, implying a bright and smooth year.

The Lin family cooked Lanterns early in the morning, with peanut fillings, sesame fillings, and pure flour dumplings without anything stuffed in them.

After eating Lanterns at noon, they walked slowly to the town in the afternoon.

Everyone heard that in order to celebrate the end of the drought, the town would hold a big Lantern Festival this year. The county magistrate also paid out of his own pocket and asked the craftsmen who made lanterns in the town to make many beautiful lanterns, so that everyone could have a good time.

So there were a lot of people going to the town this time. Except for those who were really inconvenient to walk, all the elderly people in Liyu Village who were ill went.

On Lin Zhen's left is Lin Xiaoyao, on his right is Gu Lin, and in front of him are Lin Zhuzi and Lin Shitou, who are growing up and full of energy, jumping all the way without stopping.

Lin Huaixiang, Lin Chunxiang, Lin Xingxiang and other girls and boys rarely have the opportunity to go to town. Now they are so excited that their faces are red. They keep asking Sister Lin and Sister Lin what the town is like and whether the houses are bigger than those in the village.

Sister Lin and Sister Lin have been running Zhen Youwei Snack Shop in the town for the past few years. They are very familiar with the streets in the town and can name some famous streets.

Lin Zhen said from behind: "Sister-in-law and Sister-in-law, I think we should let the three of them help in the shop after the snack shop business starts this year. They are all our family businesses. They can broaden their horizons and not be afraid of people in the future. They can also help you with your business." "

They have all learned Chinese from me for a few days, so they can handle these things without any problem. "

As he spoke, Lin Zhen turned his head to look at Lin Chunxiang, Lin Xingxiang and Lin Huaixiang: "You haven't forgotten the words and arithmetic I taught you, right?"

When the three children heard Lin Zhen say in front of their mother and father that they could go to the shop in town to help, they were so happy that they stuttered: "No, we haven't forgotten, we still remember it."

The three children are already quite old, and in the village they can only marry people of their age. The eldest and second sister-in-law of Lin have secretly looked at and compared several families. They plan to get in touch with them first to find out the situation in the man's family, as well as the temperaments of the elderly and children, and then marry the children off in a year or two.

But after Lin Zhen said this, and looking at the eager eyes of the children, the two of them were a little shaken. It is always good for children to grow up and gain experience, just like the pillars and stones in the family. They looked dull before, but after learning the craft from Ma the carpenter and working in the shop for several years, they looked smarter than other children in the village.

Sister-in-law Lin thought about it and nodded: "Okay, I'll listen to you, Brother Zhen. When the shop in the town opens, I'll take them three there."

"Wow."

"We can go to the town!"

"Thank you, mother!"

"Thank you, father!"

The three children did not forget Lin Zhen, and said to Lin Zhen with a smile: "Thank you, uncle."

There were many people on the road. At first, it was only the villagers of Liyu Village. Slowly, as they got closer and closer to the town, people from Datianzi Village, Wayao Village, and other villages gradually gathered together.

Lin Zhen was a celebrity in the surrounding area. From composting to the shop in the town, plus his fame, most people knew him. Even if they didn't know him, they would know him if they mentioned Brother Zhen of the Lin family.

Soon, they arrived at the town. Before they reached the fork in the road, Lin Zhen and his friends heard the noisy sound. At this time, the sky was gradually getting dark. The light of the lanterns in front of them reflected different colors due to the different lantern papers.

Red, green, white, and pink, it was like a colorful flower blooming in the town.

Those who were familiar or unfamiliar with Lin Zhen greeted him, "Brother Zhen, we are leaving first, have fun."

"Brother Zhen, we will talk about you another day."

"Brother Zhen, if there is any way to make a fortune, don't forget us."

My goodness, that scene is something that ordinary people can't compare to.

Lin Xiaoyao laughed at the side: "People are afraid of being famous, pigs are afraid of being fat, Third Brother, you have to be careful."

Lin Xiaoyao's words were not groundless. Just a few days ago, on the first day of the first lunar month, someone used Lin Zhen's name to cheat and even cheated the Lin family.

At that time, the person kept saying "I am Lin Zhen", which made the whole family laugh to death.

Chapter 164

And the liar probably heard that Lin Zhen had fair skin, so he applied a layer of powder on his face and neck. When he winked, the powder fell down like an avalanche.

At that time, not mentioning Lin Zhen, the other members of the Lin family were very happy. After teasing the liar for a while, they handed him over to the village chief, who asked the village chief to contact the township to deal with it.

As soon as they entered the three-way intersection, the overwhelming bustle came over them. The gorgeous lanterns were piled high, and the originally spacious intersection was packed with people. Not even a needle could be inserted

. The Lin family had already agreed on the way here. Brother Lin and Brother Lin would each take Sister Lin and Sister Lin and the children to play. Father Lin and Father Lin would go together, and Little Lin would be free and easy by himself. Lin Zhen originally wanted to go with Little Lin, but Gu Lin was quick-witted and said first that he would go with him.

He said that, and Lin Zhen's plan fell through.

So now everyone dispersed, Lin Zhen stood in a slightly loose place some distance from the intersection, glanced at Gu Lin from the corner of his eye, and walked inside.

In an instant, Lin Zhen felt that he was overwhelmed by the excitement.

Men and women, young and old, parents with children, young boys bravely handed the lotus lanterns to the girls they liked, and everyone had a happy smile on their faces.

After the drought, everyone obviously cherished the present day more.

At first, Lin Zhen was still thinking about Gu Lin behind him, and gradually immersed in the excitement. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he squeezed through the crowd with difficulty to the mask stall that flashed in his eyes.

"Customer, buy one for your child, it's fun to wear it." The vendor greeted enthusiastically, and handed Lin Zhen a little ghost mask that almost everyone in the Dayu Dynasty knew.

Lin Zhen looked at the little ghost mask in the vendor's hand, which was a little weird and cute, and suddenly he was embarrassed to say that it was bought by an adult like him.

The vendor saw Lin Zhen's expression and realized that he had misunderstood. He kept saying, "Sorry, sorry, I thought the child was yours."

After he said that, Lin Zhen realized that there was a child standing next to him, and the child's family quickly came over and grabbed the child and slapped him on the butt.

It seems that the child's family is going crazy because of the child.

Suddenly, a hand reached out from the side, took an extremely ferocious ghost mask from the stall, and put it on Lin Zhen's face.

Lin Zhen subconsciously stepped back, but his back touched someone. He turned his head and saw Gu Lin's profile, sharp eyebrows, high nose, thin lips with a very light color.

Lin Zhen's back was half pressed against his chest, so close that he could even smell the smell of soap on him.

His skin suddenly tightened, and he quickly raised his feet forward.

"Don't move." Gu Lin was now a little taller than him, and his breath fell on his neck. He put the evil ghost mask on Lin Zhen's face and tied a knot behind his head.

Gu Lin also picked up a similar mask from the stall and put it on his face, holding Lin Zhen's hand and walking through the crowd.

Covered by the mask, Lin Zhen's vision suddenly narrowed a lot, and he could only see the small piece of the frame left for his eyes.

He looked at Gu Lin, who was wearing a long robe, a silk belt around his waist, and his long hair was tied up high with a headband. He struggled several times in Gu Lin's hand but couldn't get out. Instead, Gu Lin held it tighter and tighter, and their fingers rubbed and entangled.

Suddenly, the surging crowd was like a drop of water dripping into an oil pan, and it exploded with a bang. Everyone squeezed forward, as if they wanted to see something. Many children were carried by the adults at home and rode on their necks.

"Wow, it's so beautiful, my mother's lantern is so beautiful!"

"Why is that hibiscus lantern like this? This year's flower god is still that beautiful girl."

"..."

Because Lin Zhen deliberately distanced himself from the two, he stood a little bit behind, with only one hand held by Gu Lin, and he couldn't see what was happening in front of him at all, and what everyone was watching.

Suddenly, Gu Lin's palm fell on his shoulder along his arm, and the other hand separated the crowd, half-embracing him and bringing him from behind, and picked him up with one hand.

In a short moment, Lin Zhen's eyes were infinitely stretched. His hand was tightly grasping the clothes on Gu Lin's shoulders because of the sudden weightlessness. The arm sitting under the pigu was solid and powerful.

And he finally saw the parade of lanterns that made everyone exclaim. One by one, or four or eight people carried or held, on the beautifully decorated racks, there were lanterns of flowers, animals and figures. The small ones were only as big as a fist, and the big ones were more than ten feet high.

The most eye-catching was the hibiscus flower lantern on the rack carried by eight people. The overlapping petals were complicated and complex, and the craftsman also cleverly made the color of the lantern change realistically.

The girls and boys holding and carrying the lanterns were all young people with delicate and decent looks. The beautiful lanterns, beautiful people and beautiful scenery made people feel happy when looking at them.

After so many years here, Lin Zhen rarely thought about modern things. The grand scenes presented by modern technology were a little blurred.

He was fascinated by the bustle in front of him, which was purely displayed by manpower and skills, and lingered on the lanterns.

Lin Zhen's body, which was originally stiff because of Gu Lin's sudden hug, became relaxed. He pointed to the largest hibiscus lantern: "Gu Lin, can you see that hibiscus lantern? It's really well made."

"Yes."

"Isn't it beautiful?" Lin Zhen looked down at Gu Lin, but found that Gu Lin, who said that the lanterns were beautiful, was not looking forward at all, but looking up at him.

Through the mask, his pupils, which were darker than those of ordinary people, seemed darker, as if the abyss and the sea were surging in them.

Being stared at by him, Lin Zhen's heart seemed to be held slightly harder by a hand, and he could clearly feel it beating faster.

He subconsciously turned his head away and continued to look at the parade of lanterns.

The long procession of lanterns took more than ten minutes to finish, and walked towards other streets, with people who liked the hustle and bustle chasing after them.

The originally crowded street was a little emptier, and Lin Zhen patted Gu Lin's shoulder and asked him to put him down.

The mask vendor behind them smiled and said, "My dear husband, you really love your husband. You are the only one holding your husband among so many people."

Lin Zhen's face under the mask suddenly became terribly hot, and he jumped off him as if he was running for his life.

Gu Lin's ears were extremely red. He looked at Lin Zhen who was already walking forward, and pointed at the masks on the vendor's stall: "I want all of them, and you don't need to pay for the change."

He put a piece of silver on the stall. When the vendor saw the silver, he hurriedly said, "My dear husband, the masks on our stall are not worth so much silver. I--"

Seeing that Lin Zhen was about to walk out of his sight, Gu Lin picked up a few masks and strode after him.

The vendor was stunned by this good luck that fell from the sky. He looked in the direction where he could no longer see the figure with the silver in his hand, and bowed with his hands clasped together.

Those two good-looking people must be gods from heaven.

Gu Lin quickly caught up with Lin Zhen. Lin Zhen looked at the five or six masks in his hand and asked, "Why did you buy so many?" "I

just picked them up randomly."

"..."

The two walked along the street. Compared with the previous few months, these streets have been completely renewed. There are bright door gods on the doors of every household, and couplets on both sides.

In order to match the scene of the Lantern Festival, lanterns are hung under the eaves, like a winding river of lights, and the pedestrians on the street are like ferrymen on the river.

Lin Zhen and Gu Lin were wearing the same evil ghost masks. They were just children's toys, but they were worn by two adults. Passers-by took a few more glances.

Suddenly, Lin Zhen saw a few familiar figures in front of him. He turned around and raised a finger to Gu Lin's mouth, and touched the edge.

"Ahhhhhh!!!" Wang Qin, who was with Huang Yuwen and Chen Xing, was frightened by the evil ghost that suddenly appeared in front of him, but soon he found that the evil ghost standing in the light and shadow, which made him look very scary, was just a mask. He angrily tried to take off the mask on the face of someone he didn't know.

But as soon as he stretched out his hand, he was caught.

Wang Qin looked up and found that it was Gu Lin, whom he hadn't seen since the New Year's greetings, and the evil ghost who scared him had lifted the mask on his face to his forehead. It was Lin Zhen.

Wang Qin suddenly didn't know what to say, "Uncle Lin, why are you scaring me?"

"It's fun to scare you," Lin Zhen was so interested, and took off the mask on his face, looking at Chen Xing who was standing next to Huang Yuwen, "I haven't seen you for a few years, Chen Xing has grown up so much, and they have told you that this year's provincial examination will probably be reopened?"

Compared with the spirit of the past few days, Chen Xing's eyes now have some light, and his shoulders have become straight, not like being pressed by a thousand pounds.

He looked at Huang Yuwen and Wang Qin, and said: "Yuwen and Wang Qin have told me, and we have agreed that after today's Lantern Festival, we will go to your house to find Gu Lin to review the books together. I will bother you and trouble Gu Lin."

Gu Lin is the youngest of the four, but they really can't call Gu Lin "Gu brother" for the three of them. It's more comfortable to call him by his name.

As he spoke, Chen Xing bowed to Gu Lin, feeling a lot of emotion in his heart.

At that time, he and Gu Lin, one was a little follower beside Wang Qin, and the other was a kid who only knew Thousand Characters and was bullied when he first entered the school.

At that time, Chen Xing actually didn't like Gu Lin. Although he was a poor kid like him, Gu Lin didn't care about Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen's family background. What Chen Xing couldn't understand was that Gu Lin's father was a businessman who was full of money, but Gu Lin never felt ashamed.

Later, Chen Xing was no longer ashamed to mention his family background in front of other people in the school. When the family was really busy, he would bring his youngest brother to the school and let his brother play quietly in the yard.

This was something he wouldn't do before.

Lin Zhen wore a mask and said, "It's more fun to have a lively home. The house has been cleaned up and is waiting for you to move in."

He took the mask from Gu Lin's hand and handed one to each of them.

Wang Qin had already noticed that Gu Lin had a mask in his hand, and he put it on his face when he saw Lin Zhen take it.

Huang Yuwen and Chen Xing looked at each other and smiled and took it in their hands.

Chapter 165

The four children were not short in height. The masks covered their childish faces, making them look like adults. They were all wearing scholars' robes, and people stared at them wherever they went.

The girls and boys who came to the Lantern Festival were very bold. They threw handkerchiefs at several people without even seeing their faces, and handed lanterns to several people. And I don't know why, even though they didn't show their faces, the girls and boys who threw handkerchiefs at Gu Lin and came to him with lanterns to ask his name were the most.

"This girl, I already have a lover." Gu Lin's eyes behind the mask looked at Lin Zhen who was watching the show next to him, and said to another girl.

This girl looked cute and lively. When she heard Gu Lin say this, she wrinkled her nose: "It's such a good day today. If you have a lover, why don't you ask him out to watch the lanterns? Sir, you are not lying to me, right?"

She had been watching from the side for a long time. The behavior of this masked gentleman was really pleasing to the eye, and his voice was very pleasant when he spoke close to her. It would be best if she could be his lover.

Gu Lin said, "My sweetheart is watching the fire from the other side. If I talk too much to the girl, he will be angry."

Seeing that Gu Lin was so serious, the cute girl was extremely disappointed: "Do you really have a sweetheart?"

Gu Lin nodded: "Yes."

"That's presumptuous of me." The cute girl looked disappointed, ran to her little sister and whispered a few words, and soon disappeared in the crowd.

Wang Qin put the mask on his forehead: "Did these girls and boys have a pair of eyes that can see through the mask? Why did they all go to Gu Lin?" It's understandable that they didn't wear masks. In terms of appearance, Lin Zhen is the most beautiful among the five of them, and Gu Lin is the second most popular among the girls and boys.

But why is it still like this when they are wearing masks?

Lin Zhen had the strange feeling of being held in one hand by Gu Lin just now because Gu Lin looked at him and said the word "sweetheart". Hearing Wang Qin say that, he couldn't help but look at Gu Lin and thought to himself, that's because his body proportions are too good. The same long robe on him actually has more natural romance and unruliness than everyone else.

In short, you can tell he has a good face just by looking at his temperament.

Huang Yuwen, who has a round face, and Chen Xing, who has a pretty and decent appearance, smiled and were more interested in the sweetheart mentioned by Gu Lin.

Would Gu Lin, with his personality, also like boys or girls?

It was really hard for them to imagine what kind of person he liked.

The Lantern Festival ended very late, and the moon had already set. There were fewer people on the street.

Lin Zhen and Gu Lin were holding lanterns and snacks bought along the way. They said to Wang Qin, Huang Yuwen and Chen Xing who were also holding lanterns and snacks, "That's all for today. We'll be waiting for you at Carp Village."

The three said goodbye to Gu Lin and Lin Zhen, "We'll go there early tomorrow morning. Uncle Lin, Gu Lin, see you later."

"See you later," Lin Zhen waved his hand that was still conveniently holding the lantern. After the three of them left, he called Gu Lin, "Let's go to the fork in the road quickly. Your Aunt Lin and the others must be waiting."

Just now, they met a stall playing games and accidentally got into the game, wasting a lot of time there. The lanterns in their hands were the trophies for successfully passing the game.

Gu Lin was the first one to succeed among the few people. He was the first to choose the lantern on the stall. He picked the most beautiful one, which is now in Lin Zhen's hand.

Gu Lin nodded and followed him to the fork in the road. Sure enough, Father Lin, Father Lin, and Brother Lin were already waiting at the intersection, and the children were holding lanterns.

The three girls, Lin Chunxiang, Lin Xingxiang, and Lin Huaixiang, and the boy were holding flower-shaped lanterns, while Lin Shitou, Lin Zhuzi, Lin Tiedan, and others were holding little mice, monkeys, and kittens. They were so drunk that their hair was wet with sweat and their faces were flushed.

Lin Zhen handed the snacks in his hand to several children and asked Lin's father and father: "Dad, how long have you been waiting?"

Lin's father smiled and said: "Not long." Lin's father looked at the mask on his head, "Ren Shuanzi is a child, you are also a child, why are you wearing a mask?"

Lin Zhen reached out and touched the mask on his head, and laughed: "In front of Dad, my eldest brother, second brother, and Xiaoyao are all children. Let's go back quickly. It's very late. The chickens will crow when we get home."

It takes an hour and a half from the town to Liyu Village, but the chickens will crow when we get home. Lin's father said: "Yes, we have to go back quickly."

There are other people from Liyu Village here. Lin's father shouted, and several families immediately wanted to go on the road together. It's better to have more people on the road at night, so that they can feel more at ease.

Everyone set off in a lively manner, and the neighbors on both sides chatted as they walked.

There was a candle lit in the lantern in Lin Zhen's hand, and the dim light illuminated the small path under his feet. Suddenly, Lin Xiaoyao walked up to him and looked at the mask on his head: "Third brother, what do you think of Shuanzi?"

"What do you mean? After they study at home for three or four months, they will go to the provincial capital--"

Lin Zhen didn't finish his words, Lin Xiaoyao interrupted him, leaned close to his ear and whispered: "I mean, he loves you."

"Huh--" The lantern was fluttering in the wind, and Lin Zhen's heart was like the candle in the lantern, almost burning the paper used to make the lantern.

His eyes widened slightly, looking at Lin Xiaoyao, "You... when did you figure it out?"

Lin Xiaoyao said, "If I had to say I figured it out, I figured it out when he was applying medicine to your feet, but I thought I was overthinking it. After all, you and him are of the same status... But that day he went home in the rain overnight, I heard the sound and got up, wanting to help you, but I didn't expect to see that scene."

Lin Zhen suddenly wished that the ground could crack open for him to crawl into. That day he was held on Gu Lin's lap, and the two of them even said such words.

Lin Zhen slapped himself on the forehead and rubbed his face hard, "I still don't quite understand, Xiaoyao, I have feelings for him, but those are the feelings of raising him for many years. When I looked at him before, I couldn't have any other thoughts. He is my child. I want to watch him get married and have children in the future, and watch him go further and higher on his own path in life."

Lin Xiaoyao heard the two words he said before.

"What about now? Has it changed?"

Lin Zhen showed a seldom seen confusion in his eyes, and shook his head: "Most of it hasn't changed, but I can feel that this child really loves me."

Gu Lin's direct and passionate love was so direct that no one could ignore it. Lin Zhen wanted to be a wooden man.

Lin Xiaoyao looked at him and suddenly smiled. He whispered to Lin Zhen: "Actually, Shuanzi is a good kid. He is good-looking and well-educated. Even if he is a little cold to others, he is nothing to say to you, the third brother. If you two can really succeed, it's okay."

Lin Zhen's eyes were widened by what he said: "What are you talking about? He is only fifteen years old this year, and I am twenty-six!"

Lin Xiaoyao, who was originally just testing, now understood a lot. No matter what method Gu Lin used at the beginning, his third brother did not firmly refuse when he mentioned this matter now, but said that Gu Lin was fifteen years old and he was twenty-six years old. There was an age difference of eleven years between the two. This shows that in his heart, at least he has thought about this matter a little bit.

Although not much, at least he thought about it.

Lin Xiaoyao said, "Third brother, when you and him go out, who would have thought that you two are from two different generations? You never look your age, I'm afraid you'll still look like this even when you're over 30."

"But that kid, he always has a stern face and doesn't look young at all. He looks more like a clay statue in the Taoist temple. When he gets older, he may look older than you."

"..." Lin Zhen didn't know how the topic turned to who would be older between him and Gu Lin. He opened his mouth to speak, but found that he, who was always eloquent, couldn't find a topic to talk about.

It seemed that no matter what he said, it was a bit strange.

The road under his feet became longer and longer. Those children who could still follow the adults were tired and were carried on their parents' backs. When they reached the fork in the road, people from other villages who were on the road at the same time also separated from the big guys, and the number of people in the team gradually decreased.

Finally, when the rooster crowed for the first time, the people of Liyu Village arrived at the mountain ridge not far from the village.

After playing all night and staying up late to walk on the mountain road for several hours, the younger children on the back were fine, but the slightly older children who walked with the adults were already drowsy.

The big guys casually said a few hellos and walked towards their homes.

The Lin family started a fire to boil water, washed their faces and feet, and went to bed.

Lin Zhen, who had been sleepy for a long time, stepped on the cloth slippers that Lin Dasao made for him, sat on the bed, and his eyes unconsciously saw the lanterns and masks that he had placed on the table before washing his face and feet.

Lin Zhen heard the sound of the door opening next door. He knew that it was Gu Lin, who went to wash last, taking clothes. Gu Lin's cleanliness never distinguished between time, tiredness, and sleepiness. Even at this time, he still had to take a shower and change into clean clothes before going to bed.

Lin Zhen suddenly felt a little indescribable because of the sound of the door opening. He fell on the bed, pulled the quilt over his body, and finally covered his head. Sleep, sleep, he wanted to sleep!

The next day, the Lin family didn't get up early. Not long after dinner, Huang Yuwen, Wang Qin, and Chen Xing came. The three of them rode in a carriage together. The one driving the carriage was not a servant, but Chen Xing. Huang Yuwen and Wang Qin were still sitting next to them watching.

Lin Zhen happened to take the clothes he wore last night to the river to wash. Seeing the three people like this, he stood up from the river and asked, "Why didn't you bring anyone?"

Wang Qin, who saw Chen Xing driving the carriage, jumped down, walked to the stone bridge and said, "It's troublesome to ask someone to come. This carriage will stay in the village. It will be more convenient for us to go to the town."

He was about to get down to help Lin Zhen with the clothes, but Lin Zhen took them in his hands first and said, "Don't get down. We need to find a place to park your carriage and someone to take care of your horses. The road near my house is too narrow and the carriage can't go in." Otherwise, there's nothing wrong with leaving the carriage at Lin's house. With such a big yard, it would be no problem to have a few more carriages.

Huang Yuwen and Chen Xing also came down. Huang Yuwen said, "Uncle Lin, can you show us which family is suitable for the carriage? By the way, hire this family to feed the horses for us and pay them some money a month."

"Let me see." Lin Zhen came up with clothes and looked at the size of the carriage. He quickly thought of Aunt Ma's house in Xialiyu Village. Aunt Ma's yard was also wide, and in order to make it convenient for Ma the carpenter to go out to work, the family also bought a mule. It was just right for his family to take care of it together.

Thinking of this, Lin Zhen said to Wang Qin, Huang Yuwen and Chen Xing, "You can take someone to look after the carriage and the horse here, and the other two can take some things and follow me back. After you bring all your things to my house, you can leave the horse and carriage with your Aunt Ma Min."

Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen were not unfamiliar with Ma Min. The feelings of several people who escaped death together were incomparable to ordinary people.

Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen were very happy to hear that they were going to leave the horse and carriage at Ma Min's house: "I haven't seen Aunt Ma Min since I came back. Is she okay? How's her child? He must have gained weight."

Lin Zhen nodded: "He has gained a lot of weight. He is a little fat boy and can even call people."

"Really?" Wang Qin was surprised. His sisters were not much younger than him. When he heard that such a young child could call people, he wanted to tease them.

He took out the packages for the three people from the carriage and said to Huang Yuwen: "Chen Xing and I will take the things to Uncle Lin's house. You stay here. You have thin arms and legs, and you can't compare with Chen Xing and me."

Chapter 166

Chen Xing first hung Huang Yuwen's package on his shoulders and agreed with Wang Qin's statement: "Yuwen will stay here. This horse has a gentle temperament and will not lose his temper easily. You just need to pull the reins."

When he stopped the carriage, he deliberately parked the carriage near the riverside ridge. There were some newly sprouted grass around the ridge. The horse was now lowering its head to nibble on the grass, with its big ears fluttering, looking very obedient.

Huang Yuwen agreed with the two of them and took the reins from Chen Xing.

Wang Qin and Chen Xing, who had picked up their luggage, followed Lin Zhen and soon arrived at Lin's house.

Brother Lin and his friends in the yard saw the three people and hurriedly came up to take things for Wang Qin and Chen Xing. Wang Qin and Chen Xing pushed and pushed again, but still gave some of the luggage in their hands to them, and kept saying thank you to Brother Lin and his friends.

Brother Lin took their luggage and said, "Your Uncle Lin said a few days ago that you would stay here for a while. The room has been prepared and is waiting for you. The house is small, so you three can only live in one room."

"But we brought two more beds in. If you feel uncomfortable, don't hesitate to come to us immediately."

Wang Qin and Chen Xing shook their heads. Wang Qin said, "I am bothering you Uncle Lin by living here. How can I feel uncomfortable?"

As he spoke, Lin Zhen and Brother Lin had already brought the two to the vacated room. This was originally where Lin Zhuzi lived. Because they were coming, Lin Zhuzi vacated the room and lived with Lin Shitou for a few months.

Wang Qin and Chen Xing went in and saw that the room was not narrow. There were three beds side by side on the left, with curtains between the beds. On the right was a wardrobe for clothes, a table for things, a shelf, and three chairs. There

were not many things, but each one was considered for the three people. It can be seen that they put a lot of thought into it.

Wang Qin, who was a young master at home, also felt warm in his heart. In fact, they came to Gu Lin to review their studies, which was already disturbing Gu Lin. The Lin family treated them like this. If they found any fault with them, they would be considered ruthless.

Lin Zhen pointed to the three beds and said, "You three can sleep anywhere. Let's put the horses and carriages in place first, and then come back to tidy up."

"Okay." Wang Qin nodded, took Chen Xing to put the things on the table, followed Lin Zhen to the river to find Huang Yuwen, and then pulled the horses and carriages to Aunt Ma's house in Xialiyu Village.

When they arrived, Carpenter Ma was doing carpentry work in the yard, while Aunt Ma and Ma Min were outside, and Ma Min was holding the babbling child in her arms.

"Aunt Ma, Uncle Ma, Sister Ma Min, I have something to trouble you with." Lin Zhen was very close to the Ma family, so he was not polite at all. He called people as soon as he turned the corner.

Hearing his voice, Carpenter Ma, Aunt Ma, and Ma Min raised their heads, all with smiles on their faces.

Seeing that they were still leading the horses, Aunt Ma opened the other half of the courtyard door as well: "Brother Zhen, come in quickly, who are these three guys?" Aunt Ma

had never seen them before, but Ma Min was very familiar with them. She came up with the child in her arms and said: "Mom, this is Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen who came back from the capital together. They are both from the town. As for this boy, he should be Wang Qin and Yuwen's friend."

Lin Zhen introduced to Aunt Ma and Ma Min: "This child is called Chen Xing, and he is a classmate of Wang Qin, Yuwen and Gu Lin."

"So he is Shuanzi's classmate, no wonder they look so energetic, come in and sit down." When Aunt Ma heard that the three were all scholars, she immediately looked up to them. Everyone in the village knew that Lin Zhen's stepson Gu Shuanzi was very good at studying and was now a scholar. If he wanted, he could now accept students as a teacher.

Wang Qin, Huang Yuwen and Chen Xing had not heard anyone call Gu Lin Shuanzi for many years, and they were a little confused for a while. This name really didn't match the current Gu Lin.

Lin Zhen said from the side: "Aunt, we won't sit down. We came here to ask you if we can leave the horse and the carriage at your house for a few months. If possible, how much silver would be appropriate for a month?"

Aunt Ma waved her hand and said: "Not to mention a few months, even a year or a few years is fine. Look at such a big yard, I still think it's a little too empty. As for the silver, brother Zhen, do you think your aunt will accept it?"

Lin Zhen knew Aunt Ma's temper, but he had to make it clear: "Aunt, let alone the carriage, the horses here need someone to feed and look after them. You have to give them something. You can't suffer any loss."

"Kid, if you say you don't want it, then you don't want it. I can't take your silver."

"Then I can't leave the horse and the carriage at your house. A horse eats a lot of grass every day. We can't let outsiders suffer any loss, let alone you." The Lin family also fed livestock in previous years. He had seen Lin's father and others feeding pigs and chickens. They couldn't miss three meals a day, and mixing the pig grass was a job.

Aunt Ma's family will definitely take good care of the horse if it stays here, and it will not be delayed for a day or two.

Seeing that he was so stubborn, Aunt Ma had to nod: "Yes, yes, I'll do as you say, just give a hundred coins a month."

"My mule is also fed by two children in the village. A basket of grass is only four coins. Your uncle Ma and I just take the grass to the pen to feed it, and occasionally add some soybeans."

A hundred coins, in the eyes of Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen, is too little, and both of them want to add more.

But Lin Zhen nodded: "Okay, then I'll trouble Aunt and Uncle."

Lin Zhen stretched out his hand to let Chen Xing give him the reins of the horse, and led the horse to the barn that the Ma family had built in the yard. Ma the carpenter went up to help, got off the carriage, and then led the horse to the side and tied it up.

The mule of the Ma family was tied to the other side, and when he saw this horse, he shook his ears.

Carpenter Ma took out a bundle of grass from his backpack and put it on the ground in front of the horse. The grass at this time of year was all freshly grown and very tender. The horse immediately lowered its head to eat the grass.

After finishing their work, Lin Zhen, Huang Yuwen, Wang Qin, and Chen Xing did not leave immediately. They sat on the stool brought out by Aunt Ma and played with the child who could not speak clearly.

"Come, call uncle, uncle." Lin Zhen touched the slippery fat face of Ma Min's child and taught him to speak.

The child was only more than eight months old and was very sensitive to sounds. When he heard Lin Zhen teasing him, his big black eyes immediately looked at him. It is said that children's eyes have never seen dirty things. Sure enough, they were bright and clear enough to melt people's hearts.

Lin Zhen, who had not had her own child for two lifetimes, had no resistance to the soft child. She stretched out her hand and said to Ma Min, "Sister, let me hold you. Guoguo looks so cute."

Ma Min smiled and put her chubby son in Lin Zhen's arms, "He is full today, and his legs and feet are very strong. You have to be careful. I can't stand his kicks."

"It's okay. With strong legs and feet, he will definitely grow up to be a long-legged child." Lin Zhen held the child and carefully adjusted the posture so that Guoguo could rest his back comfortably in his arms, with his two carrot-like legs on his knees.

He looked down at the child and raised his chubby little hand, "Guoguo, come and call uncle. When you grow up, uncle will buy you lots of candies!"

"Ah woo woo." Guoguo moved his hand with the silver bracelet, and the small bells on it jingled, but he didn't speak.

Lin Zhen was not discouraged. He seemed to understand Guoguo's moaning and fiddled with the silver bell on Guoguo's hand: "This sounds nice, right?"

He suddenly covered the small bell on the bracelet and kissed Guoguo's chubby face: "Guoguo, call me uncle, and I will shake the small bell for you. Come on, uncle."

Guoguo, who was waving his hands happily, looked at the missing little bell with his big black eyes. He seemed to be confused about why the little bell that accompanied him every day disappeared. He turned his eyes to Lin Zhen who was holding him and said in a baby voice: "Woo woo."

"Woo woo."

"Hehe, you really called me uncle." Lin Zhen was very happy to tease the child. He immediately fiddled with the little bell on Guoguo's silver bracelet. Guoguo giggled and narrowed his eyes when he heard the bell.

Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen beside him were eager to try. They had been with Ma Min and Guoguo for a while on the road. They had seen Guoguo crying with hunger and could only drink the blood of Ma Min and Lin Xiaoyao. Seeing Guoguo's white and chubby appearance at this moment, it felt very different.

The two moved the stool closer and teased Guoguo.

"Call me brother, Brother Wang."

But Guoguo seemed to like Lin Zhen very much. He was attracted by Wang Qin's voice and turned his head to Lin Zhen, asking Lin Zhen to continue playing the bell-shaking game with him.

Wang Qin was anxious, scratching his head and taking off the jade pendant with a string hanging from his waist, and dangling it in front of Guoguo.

Huang Yuwen also liked Guoguo very much, and asked Guoguo to call him brother.

Children like brightly colored things, and they were soon amused by Huang Yuwen and Wang Qin. Lin Zhen held him to ensure that he would not slide down, and looked at the woodwork in Ma Carpenter's hand: "Uncle Ma, are you making the starting car I told you about a few days ago?"

"Yes, Guoguo is a little fat boy with a very impatient temper. When he wants to learn to walk, you don't let him walk and he will fall down by himself, regardless of whether the ground below is high or not. Your aunt Ma and I are afraid that we won't notice it for a while, so we'd better make this starting car as soon as possible to feel more at ease."

"This is the place, come and see if it's right, I think something is wrong." Ma Carpenter made it according to the drawings drawn by Lin Zhen, but after all, it was the first time to make this thing, and there were some places that he hadn't touched before, so it was inevitable that he was a little confused.

Lin Zhen handed the child to Ma Min, walked to Ma Carpenter and squatted down: "Let me see where it is."

"Here." Ma Carpenter pointed to the blueprint.

Lin Zhen took a look and saw that it was the wheel below that could rotate and change direction. He immediately explained it to Ma Carpenter. After

explaining Guo Guo's starting car problem to Ma Carpenter, and chatting with Aunt Ma and Ma Min for a while, Lin Zhen took Wang Qin, Huang Yuwen and Chen Xing back to the Lin family.

The three of them walked into the room specially prepared for them. There were three beds, one against the inner wall, one in the middle, and one by the window. Each had its own advantages, and there was a curtain to cover it, which did not hinder their own private space.

Wang Qin and Chen Xing both let Huang Yuwen choose first. Huang Yuwen looked around and said, "Then I'll take the one closest to the inside."

After he made his choice, Wang Qin asked Chen Xing, "What about you, Chen Xing?"

Chen Xing said, "I can

choose any one." Wang Qin said, "There is no such thing as both."

Wang Qin realized that Chen Xing was just too accommodating to the two of them. How could this be? Friends should have give and take, and there is no need for anyone to accommodate anyone else.

Chen Xing pointed to the bed in the middle and said, "Let's take the one in the middle."

"Okay, then I'll sleep in the one by the window," Wang Qin said with a smile, "We are pretty much in sync. This is the bed I wanted to sleep in from the beginning."

Huang Yuwen and Chen Xing smiled. The curtain between them was hooked at this moment, not put down. The three of them looked at each other, looking forward to the days of reviewing their lessons that were about to begin.

Chapter 167

In the evening, the Lin family prepared a sumptuous dinner to welcome the three of them. They would stay here for a few months before going to the capital city. It would be better to live under the same roof with the Lin family and get familiar with each other.

The next day, Wang Qin, Huang Yuwen and Chen Xing got up at about the same time. At this time, the sky outside was not completely bright. The sky was like ink dripping into water, showing lead gray.

Wang Qin stretched his waist, lifted the quilt and climbed out of the bed: "I don't know if Gu Lin has gotten up. Let's wash up first and wait and see."

Huang Yuwen, who was sleeping on the innermost bed, had already gotten up and opened the door. He looked at the yard and said, "He got up much earlier than us."

Wang Qin and Chen Xing, who had put on their shoes and were about to put on their coats, walked behind him and saw a figure they were very familiar with in the yard. Gu Lin held an ordinary branch in his hand and danced a set of sword moves that all students of Huaishan Academy would learn.

There was nothing special about this set of sword moves. The teacher of the academy just wanted to use it to complete this course.

Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen also knew this set of sword moves, but compared with Gu Lin's sword moves, both of them doubted whether they knew the same thing.

Lifting, picking, slashing, and sweeping, each movement carried a visible force, and the fragile branches pierced the air, making a sound of breaking through the air.

After one time, he did it again, and again.

Gu Lin was wearing a farmer's short brown, with a separate top and pants, and an ordinary cloth belt around his waist. Because of long-term sword practice, his clothes on his chest, back, waist and abdomen were soaked, and a layer of sweat also appeared on his forehead and neck.

Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen knew from Lin Zhen before that Gu Lin had never stopped practicing at home, but the feeling of hearing with ears and seeing with eyes was completely different.

Lin Zhen, who came out with a mouthwash cup, saw Gu Lin standing blankly at the door. He glanced at Gu Lin who was practicing sword and said, "He will be there for a while. You should wash up and eat first."

Wang Qin, Huang Yuwen and Chen Xing walked up to Lin Zhen and said, "Uncle Lin, does he practice for so long every day?"

Lin Zhen nodded, "Yes, he draws the bow first and then practices sword. He has never missed a day since he went home from defeating the refugee army."

People in the Lin family would get up late or sleep in for some reasons. For example, when the weather was too cold, Lin Zhen would stay in the quilt as long as he could. As long as there was nothing to do, he would never get up before dinner time.

Only Gu Lin had never stopped for a day for several months.

The bow-drawing action with the same angle and height each time allowed Lin Zhen to remember the next sword move and appear in the yard on time every day.

Wang Qin, Huang Yuwen and Chen Xing were silent. The three of them went to the room to get the mouthwash cup and moved a lot faster. After breakfast

, they took the book and started reading. They were originally going to wait for Gu Lin to finish practicing before reviewing with Gu Lin, but now they were stimulated.

Wang Qin, Huang Yuwen and Chen Xing read books for half an hour every day. When they encountered words or sentences they did not understand, or other questions, they would take them to Gu Lin's room to ask him.

The life of reviewing books, which seemed boring to other members of the Lin family but busy to them, began.

After the Lantern Festival, Lin Xiaoyao, who had originally planned to go out to do business, had completely convinced Lin Adie. On the 21st day of the first lunar month, he was ready to go out, carrying the package that Lin Adie had personally packed for him, and leading a gray little donkey.

Lin Adie and Lin's father, eldest brother Lin, second brother Lin, eldest sister-in-law Lin, second sister-in-law Lin, as well as the younger generations in the family, all stood outside the yard to see off Lin Xiaoyao who was about to go out.

Lin Adie's eyes were swollen, and the hand holding Lin Xiaoyao was shaking slightly: "Take care of yourself outside, don't force yourself to do anything. Dad has never thought about how you can be successful, as long as you are safe and sound."

Lin Xiaoyao nodded: "I know, Dad, look at me now, isn't it safer?"

He opened his arms in front of Lin Adie and turned around. He was also wearing a gray, inconspicuous cotton cloth loosely on him.

And the mole on his earlobe, which was in the same position as Lin Zhen, was painted with a black thing made of face cream and charcoal powder, as if there was a black birthmark on the earlobe. In addition, his

height, which was taller than that of ordinary boys, made it impossible to tell his true gender.

Lin Xiaoyao comforted Lin Adie: "If everything goes well this time, I will be back in half a year, and I will bring you some new things from outside."

He said everything that needed to be said these days, and Lin Xiaoyao carried his bag and rode on the donkey.

He had just learned this in the past few days. It was still too tiring to walk on two legs. For his health, Lin Zhen went to the town and bought a donkey that was only one and a half years old. It looked average, even a little ugly, but it had good leg strength and could be used as a means of transportation.

This was also because Lin Xiaoyao was alone outside and didn't want to show off his wealth. Otherwise, Lin Zhen could afford to buy a horse.

Riding on the donkey, Lin Xiaoyao patted the donkey's butt and waved: "I'm leaving, you guys go in quickly."

The little donkey had no pressure to carry a person. Its four hooves clattered on the road outside the Lin family, and soon disappeared at the intersection with Lin Xiaoyao.

The big guy standing in front of the yard became depressed in an instant. Lin Zhen took Lin's father's hand and said, "Dad, don't worry too much. Xiaoyao has been with me for the past few years. He is good at work and has a stable temper. You just wait for him to come back in half a year."

"You are all grown up and have your own ideas. Dad can't stop you." Lin's father was still in a very low mood. He couldn't help but stretch his body to look at the intersection, but it was empty. Except for the neighbors' houses and the old bamboo forest that had remained the same for decades, there was no trace of Lin Xiaoyao.

Father Lin looked at Lin Zhen: "In a few days, you will also leave, and it will be more than a year before you come back."

"..." This is a foregone conclusion, and Lin Zhen cannot change it. He put his arm around Father Lin's shoulders, "I will write to you often. When I settle down somewhere in the future, I will come to pick you and my father up."

Father Lin waved his hand: "Oh, forget it, it's useless to think about it, and it's a waste of your time."

"When the time comes, you should write more diligently when you go out. As long as I know that you are doing well outside, your father and I will feel at ease." "

Okay, no problem, I will send you a letter every ten days or half a month." Lin Zhen helped Father Lin, who looked a little old compared to a few years ago, into the house and sat beside him to watch him make shoe uppers.

These were all made by Father Lin, Sister-in-law Lin, Sister-in-law Lin, and the third brother's daughter and brother at home, especially for him and Gu Lin. Wang Qin, Huang Yuwen, and Chen Xing also had a portion.

Time passed quickly. Taking advantage of the misty spring rain, the farmers in the village hurried to plant this year's sorghum and buckwheat. Because last year's drought scared everyone, almost everyone would go to the land temple to worship before going to the fields.

Every time Lin Zhen walked past the land temple, he could see a lot of incense sticks and various offerings.

After the spring plowing, summer came again. Under everyone's anxious gaze, this summer couldn't be more normal. It rained every ten days or half a month, and the sorghum and buckwheat seedlings in the fields were lush and green.

And it was time for Lin Zhen and Gu Lin to go to the city.

With Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen, Lin Zhen and Gu Lin didn't need to find another caravan to go with them. The two families directly sent people and carriages to form a guard team to escort them to the city.

Wang Qin was walking past Mrs. Wang and Mr. Wang, who were reluctant to leave, and said to Lin Zhen who was standing in front of the palace: "Uncle Lin, you take a carriage, Gu Lin and I will take one, and Yuwen and Chen Xing will take one."

"Okay." Lin Zhen took off his bag. Before he climbed onto the carriage, the servant of the palace had already taken his bag and reached out to him respectfully to help him get on the carriage, calling him Master Lin.

"..." Lin Zhen touched his nose, feeling that the words "Master Lin" really reminded him all the time that he was already 26 years old!

He was not of the same generation as Wang Qin, Huang Yuwen, Chen Xing, and Gu Lin.

Suddenly, Gu Lin, wearing a long robe, came over, took the bag from the servant, reached out and took Lin Zhen's hand, and led him to the carriage.

Lin Zhen was stunned for a moment, and stepped on a stool to enter the carriage.

It must be said that it was worthy of being a carriage of a wealthy family. It was very spacious inside. In the back half of the carriage, there was a fixed couch that could accommodate one and a half people, and the place near the head was a fixed small cabinet that could be locked. In front of

the couch was a similarly fixed table, on which was a wooden rack that could hold a kettle and a cup.

It is possible to make passengers as comfortable as possible on the road, without having to sleep in the open air or get unkempt because of the rush.

Lin Zhen sat on the couch, touching the soft jade-colored quilt, feeling that he had settled down in one place and could spend some time on personal enjoyment. He originally liked to be alone, liked lively places, liked delicious food, and liked to make himself comfortable. He felt a little sorry for himself if he had to suffer when conditions allowed.

Suddenly, the curtain of the carriage hung with wooden strips was lifted, and Gu Lin, who was already half a head taller than him, bent down and walked into the carriage, just like taking growth hormones.

He glanced at Lin Zhen with dark eyes, put his bag in the small cabinet on the couch, and put the bag that Lin Zhen had put on the couch after getting on the carriage.

The atmosphere in the carriage became a little strange for a while, like a fruit that was half ripe, a little astringent, a little sour, and a little cool that could only be tasted after eating it carefully.

Lin Zhen looked at his waist, which looked even thinner when he raised his hand, and the half of his arm that was exposed from his sleeve. Although it was white, it was not at all like the slender arm of a scholar like Huang Yuwen. He couldn't help but move to the side: "Aren't you in the same carriage with Wang Qin?"

Why are you here?

Lin Zhen didn't say the second half of the sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Chapter 168

After so many years with Lin Zhen, Gu Lin rarely saw bright colors on him. He liked black, white, gray and other cold colors, including clothes, shoes and hairbands.

At this moment, Lin Zhen was sitting in the carriage jointly purchased by the Wang family and the Huang family. The quilt was a light jade color, with cherry red branches embroidered on the quilt. The pillows were pine green with tassels hanging on both ends.

Just these bright colors made Lin Zhen's skin look even whiter, and his pure and charming eyebrows exuded a charming atmosphere.

His uncle Lin was a very beautiful boy.

Gu Lin knew this a long time ago.

He pursed his lips, bent over and stood beside Lin Zhen, and said, "Uncle Lin, after I pass the provincial examination, can you give me a chance."

Lin Zhen knew what chance he was talking about. If Gu Lin had just made his mind clear, he would have grabbed the pillow next to him and smashed it on his head to make him sober up.

But after so many things, Lin Zhen's eyes became flickering.

Suddenly, a voice came from outside the carriage: "Gu Lin, have you put away your baggage? We are leaving!"

It was Wang Qin, who was riding in the same carriage with Lin Zhen, who couldn't wait any longer and called Gu Lin.

Lin Zhen looked up at Gu Lin and answered him directly: "Okay, but Gu Lin, I can't guarantee that I can give you the same feelings in return."

He has always been a straightforward person who does whatever he wants to do immediately. The only thing that has been entangled for so long in all these years is that Gu Lin expressed her love to him, and he didn't accept Gu Lin but still remained the same, and so many things happened to him.

In the past few months, Lin Zhen thought about it from time to time, and finally decided to give a reply today.

Gu Lin's emotionless and handsome eyebrows were suddenly filled with warmth and joy. His eyes narrowed slightly, and his thin lips raised a little arc.

Suddenly, Gu Lin leaned over and bent down, put his arms around his back, and pressed Lin Zhen's body tightly against his body: "Uncle Lin, I am very happy."

He has always been taciturn, and the word "happy" has almost never been heard from his mouth.

Lin Zhen, who wanted to push him away, hesitated because of these two words.

Soon, Gu Lin let him go, with obvious relaxation and joy in his voice. He lifted the carriage curtain and turned back to Lin Zhen and said, "Uncle Lin, have a good rest."

Wang Qin, who was waiting for Gu Lin to get on the carriage, felt something was wrong when he saw Gu Lin. It was very wrong. He looked at Gu Lin for a while before he found out where this wrong feeling came from. Gu Lin actually had a smile on his face!

You know, even if he said something funny on weekdays, Gu Lin would be as cold as it could be. If he didn't occasionally have other expressions to Uncle Lin, he would doubt whether Gu Lin was born with that cold face and couldn't make other expressions.

Wang Qin had an expression of "I really want to know" and came close to Gu Lin eagerly: "What's wrong? You went to Uncle Lin just now and Uncle Lin told you something good. You are so happy." The slight arc of Gu Lin's mouth did not fall, and he sat on the other side of the couch. Thinking that he would say something, Wang Qin leaned closer to him, but he didn't hear anything for a long time. He pushed Gu Lin's shoulder and said, "Hey, what's our relationship? Is there anything good that you can't tell me?" "No." "——" Wang Qin seemed to have returned to the first time he visited Zhenyouwei Snack Restaurant. He thought he was Gu Lin's friend, but was rejected by him. Damn!!! He sat far away from Gu Lin angrily.

He missed Yu Wen and Chen Xing so much. How could he be so stubborn to ride in a carriage with this taciturn person with a sawed mouth! "Go." The servant driving the carriage swung the whip in his hand, and the carriage rolled forward. Lin Zhen didn't feel it before leaving Anyuan Town, but once he left Anyuan Town, even if the couch under his butt was soft, he was almost dizzy. Lin Zhen felt that he had overlooked one thing. The so-called official roads of this era were just muddy roads. When rained on and the carriages passed by, there were potholes of all sizes everywhere. It would be strange if the carriages without any shock-absorbing measures did not get shaken. "Bang--" Just after passing a pothole, the carriage wheels sank into another pothole. Lin Zhen, who was sitting on the couch, was almost shaken off the couch .

What was even more unfortunate was that he was shaken a little dizzy in the carriage--Lin Zhen simply got up from the couch, lay on the window, lifted the curtain and looked out the window. The mountains and slopes that were all withered and yellow last time they walked by were all green, with lush trees and flourishing weeds. Cuckoos were calling in the woods. Lin Zhen was fascinated by the sight. Only those who have truly experienced drought would cherish the scenery in front of them. Suddenly, Lin Zhen's butt was shaken off the couch, and his forehead hit the window coffin. He didn't expect to be hit, and he gasped in pain and covered his forehead. The driver outside heard the noise inside and asked as he drove the carriage: "Master Lin, are you okay?" Lin Zhen didn't even have the strength to say he was okay. He simply walked out with the help of the carriage wall and sat next to the servant who was driving the carriage: "I came outside to get some fresh air."

The driver was an old man in his fifties, with gray hair and beard. Seeing that Lin Zhen sat next to him without caring about his master's status, he smiled kindly: "Boss Lin, have you been shaken too much?" Lin Zhen nodded: "I was thinking about taking a nap in the carriage, but I realized I was overthinking it once I left Anyuan Town." Before, they walked from the capital back to Anyuan Town, except for the drought, when everyone was not busy, and it took half a month to get there. Although his feet were a little crippled, at least he didn't have to experience the feeling of riding in a carriage. The old man smiled and said,

"These official roads are still good. If you encounter those rural roads, there are even more potholes. If you accidentally get stuck with a stone, you have to get off the car and lift it." As he was talking, there was another pothole in front. Lin Zhen quickly grabbed the wooden board under his buttocks. With preparation, at least he was not as embarrassed as before, at least he didn't bump into anything. Lin Zhen breathed a sigh of relief and said to the old man, "It's much faster to ride a horse on such a road?" The old man looked at Lin Zhen, who was slender everywhere , and said, "Master Lin can ride a horse?" The only time Lin Zhen rode a horse was when Gu Lin took him back to Anyuan Town. He said vaguely, "I don't think I can ride, I just climb up." The old man nodded and smiled and said, "Riding a horse is fast, but it can't pull things. Riding for a long time will also wear the flesh. Those experienced horse riders have calluses on their legs." Lin Zhen really didn't want to go to the carriage and get dizzy, so he just sat outside and chatted with the old man.

Seeing that there was about to be a big pothole, he quickly grabbed the wooden board. It was more comfortable than being in the carriage. Soon, night fell. There was no village or shop on the road, so the experienced servants found a hillside leeward to stop the carriage. Some of them went to find firewood, while others took out the pots and pans they brought and went to the river to fetch water for cooking. After being jolted in the carriage for a long time and sitting outside for an afternoon, Lin Zhen felt as if his bones were not his own.

He walked to the resting place with a strange step and sat on a stone. Gu Lin, Wang Qin, Huang Yuwen, Chen Xing and others who also got off the carriage were all the same except Gu Lin. Huang Yuwen, in particular, had a pale face and walked step by step. Lin Zhen, who was also in pain, wanted to laugh. He patted the stone next to him and called to Huang Yuwen: "Come and sit."

It was not the first time for Huang Yuwen to ride in a carriage. They had also ridden in it when they went home from the prefectural city before. However, the road this time was particularly bumpy due to several heavy rains, and his buttocks were almost broken into pieces.

Wang Qin and Chen Xing saw that he had such difficulty walking, and they almost lifted him up and put him on the stone next to Lin Zhen. Wang Qin looked at Lin Zhen and Huang Yuwen, and touched his buttocks: "These official roads have not been repaired for several years. I don't know when they will be repaired." It

is not so easy to repair an official road. It requires corvée labor, silver and food.

Dayu had just experienced such a severe drought last year, and it would probably take several years to recover. It is unknown when it will be time to repair this official road.

Lin Zhen majored in chemistry in college. It is not difficult for him to make cement, burn glass and other things. He can write a cement recipe and submit it now.

But he thought about it and decided to give up. He was just an ordinary citizen now. In the ancient times with such strict class system, his recipe might not be handed over to the person in charge of this matter, and he might even be targeted by others. It was uncertain whether it would be a blessing or a curse. When Gu Lin was sent to other places to be an official in the future, he would give him the recipe of cement and let Gu Lin figure it out by himself. After all, he could do whatever he wanted in the territory under his jurisdiction. A blazing fire was burning.

The slaves who came with him cooked porridge, poured several convenient pickled vegetables brought from Anyuan Town into the bowl, and baked a few cakes and steamed buns. Maybe it was because the bumps were too severe that the food in their stomachs fell out. The group was very hungry and ate the porridge cleanly. There was not a single cake or steamed bun left, not even a single pickled vegetable.

Then they got into the carriage to sleep, and the slaves took turns guarding the fire. On the eighth day, Lin Zhen, Gu Lin and his party finally arrived at the city gate of Fucheng. They saw a long queue at the city gate. Some people were carrying loads to sell wild vegetables and small items in the city, some were carrying baskets to buy things, and some were riding in carriages like them. If it weren't for the old city gate that still vaguely revealed traces of the past, it would seem as if the refugee army had never come in, and everyone was living the same as they were now. They had a total of five carriages, three of which were carrying people, and two were carrying the luggage of Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen. After entering the city, Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen asked Lin Zhen: "Uncle Lin, you guys should go to my place to rest tonight, and we'll talk about it after we find a house." The Wang family and the Huang family had sent people to find a house when they decided to come to Fucheng, so they could wash and rest as soon as they got there.

Chapter 169

Lin Zhen agreed without thinking too much. After being bumpy on the road for seven or eight days, his bones were almost falling apart. It was too tiring for him to find a suitable house today and clean it up and move in.

If it weren't for Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen, he would have taken Gu Lin to stay in an inn.

"Okay, I'll go to the pawnbroker tomorrow to ask if there is a suitable house." He originally wanted to take down his luggage, but now he didn't have to. The servants of the Wang and Huang families would send it to their room later.

Wang Qin turned his head and looked at Chen Xing: "Chen Xing, you too, stay at my place today, and when Uncle Lin goes to find a house tomorrow, you should go with him. You came to the city alone, don't be fooled."

Huang Yuwen also said: "Wang Qin is right, you can think about other things tomorrow."

Chen Xing had a total of 40 taels of silver on him. The silver he received from Huang Yuwen was 50 taels. He bought some rice, flour, grain and oil for his family, and prescribed medicine for his mother, spending 6 taels of silver.

He originally wanted to leave ten taels of silver at home, but his mother was afraid that he would not be able to travel well outside, so she only left four taels of silver and gave him the remaining forty taels.

Forty taels of silver may seem like a lot, but the cost of living in the city is also high. For example, if he had not taken a ride with Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen, the cost of the trip alone would have been several taels. Moreover, there were still more

than two months before the provincial examination, and food, clothing, housing and transportation all cost money.

Several carriages drove directly to the house that Wang Qin's parents and Huang Yuwen's parents had sent people to prepare long ago. The two houses were put together, with walls next to each other, and the servants took the luggage into the house.

The two houses were bought by the old housekeeper before. The local servant guarding the gate saw the old housekeeper and hurried to greet him: "Butler Lu, you are here." The servant was very smart. When he saw Wang Qin next to Butler Lu, he immediately bent down and greeted him, "Little Shu greets the young master."

When buying the house, Butler Lu specially bought Xiaoshu from a human trafficker, as well as another family of four servants. Xiaoshu was responsible for guarding the gate, the women of the four were responsible for cleaning the house, and the men were responsible for guarding the yard.

Wang Qin looked at Xiaoshu, who was about the same age as him, and said casually: "Don't be so polite, you are more familiar with this place, take them to put things in order."

"Yes." Seeing the real owner for the first time, Xiaoshu did not dare to be vague for a moment, and hurried to the servants who came with Wang Qin and others to take the luggage, and asked them to take the luggage to the corresponding room.

And the family of four who were bought heard the noise outside and hurried out to greet Butler Lu first.

Compared to Xiaoshu's cleverness, the four members of this family are all honest. Steward Lu said to the woman, "This is the young master. These three are the young master's guests. Xiaoshu has put the luggage in the room. Go and see if there is anything missing."

"Ask your daughter-in-law to make a pot of tea."

"Yes." After Steward Lu's instructions, the bewildered woman and her family finally found a clue and did what Steward Lu said honestly.

This house is not big, but it is in the city, far from the house in Anyuan Town.

Lin Zhen, Gu Lin and Chen Xing are going to see the house tomorrow, but the house they want to see is not this kind of house, but those small houses with independent doors and courtyards, with living rooms and kitchens.

Wang Qin looked at them sitting in the house and said, "This yard is so big, you can all live here, why bother looking for a house and wasting money? Even if I don't have enough space here, Yu Wen is the only one there."

Lin Zhen knew the temper of this kid, he was the most straightforward and thoughtless one. How could living here be the same as having his own little world? He said, "The place we rent is not far from here. When the time comes, you can still go to see Gu Lin whenever you want, just like in Liyu Village."

"It's just not as convenient as before." Wang Qin was a little depressed about this. When he was in Liyu Village, he lived in the same yard after all, and could see each other all day long.

Although the house he rented is not far away now, it is nothing like that time.

Lin Zhen smiled: "There are still two months left. You must all go to Huaishan Academy to take a look. If the academy has already started teaching, wouldn't you stay together all day?"

"Yes, we will go to Huaishan Academy to take a look." When they escaped from the city last year, a huge fire broke out in Dongcheng District. Huaishan Academy is next to Dongcheng District, and it is very likely to be affected. After such a long time, I don't know if it has continued to teach.

After such a bumpy ride on the road for so many days, they chatted for a few minutes and then washed up and rested.

Lin Zhen followed the young woman who made tea for them to the room prepared for him. He saw that the room was very clean. There were desks and porcelain vases with a few flowers in the outer room, as well as tables and chairs for entertaining guests.

Passing the screen is the inner room for sleeping. The large bunk bed is covered with clean bed curtains, and the soft bedding is neatly folded on the bed.

The woman's face was a little red. She had never seen such a handsome boy before. She whispered, "I will wait for Mr. Lin to rest."

Lin Zhen waved his hand and yawned, "No, you go down first."

He was really tired. He took off his coat and shoes while talking, pulled the quilt over his body, and soon closed his eyes.

Seeing that he fell asleep so quickly, the young woman came out of the room quietly and closed the door.

Lin Zhen slept very comfortably. He didn't have to worry about being shaken by the carriage and couldn't sit steadily. He didn't have to be constrained on the couch that could only lie half a person. He could roll around and turn around as he wanted.

But his muscles and buttocks were more sore.

Lin Zhen lay on the bed, rubbed his buttocks and waist vigorously, put on his clothes and shoes and walked out.

This courtyard is not big. After entering the door, there is the main house, on both sides are the side rooms, and in the back there are two servants' rooms where servants live and a place to store sundries.

So when Lin Zhen walked out of the wing room, the young woman who was waiting under the eaves saw him and walked over to him quickly, saying, "Mr. Lin, noodles, steamed buns, and rice porridge are already prepared on the stove. What would you like to have?"

After a good sleep, except for the soreness in his body, Lin Zhen was in good spirits, and his cheeks were flushed after a good sleep.

He said to the young woman without hesitation, "A bowl of rice porridge, please. Do you have pickles?" The

young woman said, "Yes, but I made it myself, so I'm afraid it's a bit crude."

Lin Zhen waved his hand, "It's okay, they're just pickles, how can they be crude or not."

"I'll wash up first, please help me bring the porridge and pickles to the house."

The first thing Lin Zhen did when he got up was to find a toothbrush and tooth powder. He rinsed his mouth and washed his face before he felt that he had really gotten up. Suddenly, when he just got up and was about to put the toothbrush back, Gu Lin, who had come behind him at some point, took the toothbrush and porcelain cup of water from his hand and put them together with his own.

Lin Zhen looked at him and asked, "Do you want to have breakfast together?"

Gu Lin nodded, "Yes."

Lin Zhen then said to the young woman in the wing room, "Please bring me a bowl of porridge in a big bowl, and some more pickles."

Chapter 170

The young woman was very quick. She scooped up the porridge in a bowl that was two sizes larger than Lin Zhen's, and then took a small bowl of pickled vegetables and brought it to the house.

Lin Zhen took Gu Lin to sit at the table, "Eat. After you finish eating, you and Wang Qin and Yu Wen will go to Huaishan Academy. Chen Xing and I will go to the dental shop to look at the house."

He rented the shop in the city where he did business before. The original rent was only paid until the end of December last year, which was long past the deadline.

Moreover, Lin Zhen did not plan to do business in the city this time. If Gu Lin passed the provincial examination successfully, they would go to Kyoto immediately. If not, they would have to make other plans.

Gu Lin held a bowl that was two sizes larger than Lin Zhen's, and ate a piece of pickled vegetables and a few mouthfuls of porridge quickly and politely. He nodded: "Okay."

Suddenly, he put a piece of pickled vegetables in Lin Zhen's bowl: "Uncle Lin, try it. It's delicious."

The pickled vegetables that were pickled in sauce color were made of radish, and they didn't look very good. Lin Zhen paused with his chopsticks and ate the pickled vegetables with the porridge.

The light white porridge suddenly became flavorful because of the pickles. Lin Zhen could tell that the pickles were made of ground dogwood and other seasonings. They were crisp, spicy and fragrant.

Gu Lin watched him eat the pickles he had picked up, and his earlobes were stained with a layer of red.

Everyone got up at about the same time. After they finished breakfast, others got up one after another. Lin Zhen followed what he had said to Gu Lin before and took Chen Xing to the pawnbroker to find someone to look at houses.

It has only been half a year since leaving the city last year. The traces of the refugee army's rampage in the city can still be vaguely seen. Some familiar houses have disappeared, or left traces of the island being burned. Some familiar shops and faces have not been seen.

Lin Zhen has been doing business in the city for five years and is very familiar with the city. He easily found Fang Yazi, who specializes in matchmaking for people to look at houses in the pawnbroker.

Fang Yazi was also very friendly when he saw him, and said with a fist: "Boss Lin, long time no see."

The two looked at each other and were quite emotional.

Lin Zhen clasped his fists in return: "Long time no see, how are you these days?"

"Good," Fang Yazi said, "I can eat, drink and sleep, and I can live another 10 or 20 years."

"What kind of shop do you want to find this time, Boss Lin? Or is it in Sitong Street?"

Lin Zhen waved his hand: "I'm not doing business this time, I'm just accompanying my child to take the provincial examination. I'll make other plans after the provincial examination."

The news that the provincial examination that had to be cancelled last year would be reopened had spread in the city long ago. Even though there were still more than two months before the provincial examination, many students came from all directions.

Gu Lin was quite famous in Sitong Street. He was first-class in knowledge and was the top student in Class A of Huaishan Academy.

Fang Yazi smiled and said, "With Gu Xiucai's knowledge, he should be quite confident. I congratulate Boss Lin and Gu Xiucai in advance."

"There are three thousand scriptures, and who knows what kind of questions will be asked. As long as he can keep his mind steady, it doesn't matter what kind of results he gets." Lin Zhen didn't dare to say in advance that Gu Lin was sure to win the provincial examination. If the person who wrote the questions this year was a big upset, that would be worrying.

He said to Fang Yazi, "I'm only looking for a house to live in this time. One with two bedrooms, a room for reading and writing, a living room for entertaining guests, and a kitchen. The other room can be smaller, just enough for one person to live in."

Fang Yazi has been doing this business in the capital for decades. After hearing Lin Zhen's request, he searched for a suitable house in his head: "Since Boss Lin is just renting, it's easy to find. There are several places on Changning Street. I'll take Boss Lin to have a look."

"Let's go." Lin Zhen nodded and followed Fang Yazi with Chen Xing.

Changning Street is behind Sitong Street and is a little off the beaten track. Therefore, it is not as prosperous as Sitong Street, and there are fewer businesses, only some selling food.

Lin Zhen looked at Sitong Street not far away, and suddenly remembered the family that rented the rough shop to him, and asked Fang Yazi: "Is Mrs. Wu, who rented the shop, okay?"

Fang Yazi sighed: "Mrs. Wu is gone, killed by the refugee army. Her grandson is still young, and now he lives on the rent of the shop."

"..."

Lin Zhen felt a little depressed.

He rented Mrs. Wu's shop for a few years and knew that she was a kind old lady. Her son and daughter-in-law died while doing business outside, and she raised her little grandson alone.

After waiting for a long time for the grandson to grow up and look for someone else, he encountered natural disasters and man-made disasters.

Fang Yazi couldn't help counting some names. They were all people doing business on Sitong Street. Some were from the city, and some came here from other places to make a living. They were all gone.

Fang Yazi opened the door of a courtyard with the key: "This courtyard is in a good location. It is close to Huaishan Academy. The neighbors on both sides are polite. Boss Lin, please take a look and see if it suits your taste."

This courtyard is not big. It is a smaller and simplified version of the courtyard where Wang Qin lives now. Facing the gate is a main hall, and there are wing rooms on the left and right. The kitchen is near the wall of the right wing room, which is shorter and narrower than the wing room.

The ground of the courtyard is made of mud, but it is rammed very flat. As long as it is not a very heavy rain, there will be no mud spots.

Lin Zhen personally went around a few rooms and saw that there was a small room behind the left wing room. When he opened the window, he could see another street. The light was also good.

He looked at the tiles above his head and the corners of several rooms. The tiles did not need to be repaired much, and the corners were not very moldy. It seemed that the people who rented the house often hired people to repair it.

Lin Zhen didn't expect that he was lucky enough to like the first house he saw. He said to Fang Yazi, "This house is okay. How is the rent calculated?"

Fang Yazi liked such straightforward tenants the most. He said, "The house is rented for three months. The rent is three taels and forty wen per month. The owner will come to check the house before leaving. If there is any damage to the furniture and the house, compensation will be required." The rent

of three taels and forty wen per month is not cheap, but on the one hand, this courtyard is large, and on the other hand, it is close to the academy. If you want to find a better one, it may be possible, but it will not be cheap.

Lin Zhen nodded and decided, "Then I will rent it for three months first. Do you have another house? Is there a suitable one nearby?"

Fang Yazi knew that the young man following Lin Zhen also wanted to rent a house, and Lin Zhen had also stated his requirements before, that it didn't want a spacious one, just enough for one person to live in.

Fang Yazi said, "Yes, it's not far from the house that Boss Lin liked. I will take you there now."

Soon, the three of them arrived at the place Fang Yazi said. The house was indeed small, with only one single room and a kitchen that was also built outside, which looked a bit cramped.

But in such a location, it was good to have such a room.

And because the house was narrow, the rent was not expensive, and it was more than half of the money that Lin Zhen rented, one tael of silver per month.

Originally, Chen Xing still thought it was too expensive and wanted to rent a place farther away to save some rent, but Lin Zhen persuaded him a few words, saying that if they lived close, they could take care of each other and it would be convenient for them to go back and forth on weekdays.

In the end, the two houses were rented, and the three-month rent documents were signed.

After renting the house, Lin Zhen took Chen Xing to buy bedding, bowls and chopsticks, and daily necessities. He was quite familiar with the city, and he could always find cheap and easy-to-use necessities in some inconspicuous small shops, saving a lot of money.

It was not until the afternoon that Lin Zhen, who had finally cleaned up the newly rented house, went back to Wang Qin's place with Chen Xing. As soon as

the two entered, they found that the atmosphere in the house was not right. Gu Lin, Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen, who were going to Huaishan Academy, didn't know how long they had been sitting in the house.

Lin Zhen had heard from Fang Yazi that the East City District and the two streets next to it were almost reduced to ashes, and Huaishan Academy was not spared.

He did not force them to cheer up, but turned around and said to the servants who were anxious but had no other choice: "Go and prepare dinner, it's getting late now."

The three of them had studied at Huaishan Academy for several years and knew many faces, such as Wang Qin and Huang Yuwen. They also made many friends. They studied and went outings together on weekdays, and they had feelings for each other.

Gu Lin had a cold personality, and few people knew him well, but several teachers treated him well and treated him like a son or nephew.

After a dull dinner, everyone went back to the house to rest. Lin Zhen and Gu Lin walked out together. Suddenly, Gu Lin said, "Master Yan was killed on the day when the refugee army broke into the city, as well as Master Xing, Master Ma, and Master Liu." After the

refugee army broke into the city that day, they went straight to the prosperous Dongcheng District, setting fires and killing people, committing all kinds of evil. Most of these masters lived in Dongcheng District, and only 40% survived.

Gu Lin continued, "I have been to the homes of these masters. Except for Master Yan's home, there are still people left in the homes of several other masters."

Lin Zhen was stunned: "Master Yan..."

Gu Lin: "Master Yan's family has been killed, and no one survived."

Among the masters, Master Yan is the most severe, but he also loves Gu Lin the most. Lin Zhen and Gu Lin have also been to Master Yan's home to celebrate Master Yan's birthday.

Master Yan's wife could read a few words. She was a gentle and kind woman. She and Master Yan had three sons and a daughter, and seven or eight grandchildren. The youngest grandchild was only a little over one year old at that time. He couldn't walk steadily, but when he smiled, his face was chubby and very cute.

But now, they are all gone.

Lin Zhen could feel that Gu Lin was in a low mood.

It's not that he didn't understand feelings, he was just very sensitive. Even if there was a hint of impurity in other people's feelings for him, he could detect it and immediately isolate them.

Lin Zhen stood beside him, looking at the moon that was already high in the sky, and reached out to stroke his head: "Gu Lin, you have suffered a lot, and have worked your way up from the bottom to where you are now. You understand the relationship and bond between the people, officials, and the court better than others, so I think that you will be a good official who can worry about the people even if you are in a high position in the temple." "

Just like the disaster in the capital, is it really unavoidable?"

"It's just that they sit on the high platform and don't know the life and death, suffering and worries of the people below."

Gu Lin looked at the crescent moon that was not even a full moon with him, felt his hand gently stroking his head, and let out a "hmm" in his throat.