Chapter 724 - 718–719: Dai Ling’s Arrival (Part 2)

Dai Ling: "..."

Seeing Dai Ling silent, the man thought he was worried about something, and with a friendly tone, he laughed and said, "Don’t worry, brother. Our Linhuai Money Shop operates legally and compliantly. If you take a loan with us, we’ll sign a contract, and the loan release is particularly fast. Considering you’re an outsider, collateral will be required..."

The man rambled on and on.

Dai Ling’s ears almost grew calluses from listening. Although he indeed lacked money now and had no place to stay, his experience told him that this so-called loan was definitely full of tricks.

He had already labeled the man as a scammer in his heart, but outwardly he politely said, "No need, I have something to do. I’ll take my leave first."

"Brother, don’t rush. Our shop’s loan interest is really low. If you don’t want to borrow money, we also accept deposits, with very high interest on three-year fixed-term deposits. Don’t leave..." the man said.

Seeing the three of them leaving without looking back, the man had to switch targets.

Though his sales tactics were quite annoying, his efforts helped the onlookers understand more clearly about the loan benefits and deposit interests of the money shop, as well as their convenient policies.

This attracted some locals who wanted to start businesses but lacked capital, and those with some money but afraid of theft.

...

"Old man, may I ask where the palace exam is held?" In the end, the three of them didn’t stay there waiting to see King Wei but instead went to a bun vendor to ask.

The vendor smiled and informed them.

After finding out the location, the three were about to leave when Dai Feng (Guo Feng) didn’t move, his eyes lingering on the bun stall for a moment.

Huang Zhaodi, holding her son’s hand, looked at Dai Ling with sympathy.

Dai Ling crouched in front of Dai Feng, patted his head, and said with a smile, "Xiaofeng, hang in there a bit longer. Once we see your father, you can eat whatever you want."

By this point, he had already spent all his money on the journey. The food he had was prioritized for Huang Zhaodi and her son, and he hadn’t eaten in over two days, so he had no money to buy buns for Dai Feng.

Dai Feng, understanding, said to Huang Zhaodi, "Mom, I’m not hungry."

At that moment, Huang Zhaodi’s eyes reddened, almost bringing her to tears.

"Let’s go."

Just as the three were about to leave, the old man selling buns called them back, took three buns from the steamer, and handed them to each of them with a smile: "Eat, it’s on the house. Consider it a good deed for me today."

Huang Zhaodi couldn’t hold back anymore, tears rolling down her cheeks. She said to the old man, "Boss, rest assured, I will definitely pay you back for this."

"What’s your name, boss? Do you usually have your stall here?" Dai Ling asked the old man’s name.

"No need for that, everyone goes through tough times. A few vegetable buns aren’t worth much." The old man stroked his beard and smiled: "My surname is Liu. You can just call me Elder Liu. I live right behind here."

"No need to be formal with him. His son is taking the palace exam now, destined for great things. He’ll live a comfortable life in the future—a few bun money doesn’t bother him." Another vendor nearby chimed in with a smile.

Elder Liu chuckled; it was indeed a joyous occasion for his family. He saw it as their envy.

"Got it." Dai Ling cupped his hands.

"You asked about the palace exam location; does someone in your group have someone taking the exam?" Elder Liu asked.

"It’s my father." Before Huang Zhaodi and Dai Ling could speak, Dai Feng, busy eating a bun, replied eagerly.

Children are never good at keeping secrets, and compared to adults, they love to boast.

Elder Liu was immediately surprised, looking at the three of them.

Dai Ling knew there was a misunderstanding and hurriedly said, "It’s my nephew. I’m just bringing them to meet him in Xiangyang this time."

"Oh," Elder Liu realized, feeling a bit apologetic as he had assumed they were a family of three.

"Congratulations," Elder Liu first offered his congratulations, then took out three more buns from the steamer. This time, they were meat buns. Faced with the surprised gazes of the three, he smiled and said, "Take them. Maybe in the future, my son and your nephew, your husband will become friends."

Elder Liu wasn’t afraid of being scammed; the other vendor was right, a few buns were no big deal for him.

"Xiaofeng, quickly thank Grandpa." Hearing what Elder Liu said, Huang Zhaodi stopped the formalities and asked her son to thank him.

"Thank you, Grandpa."

"You’re welcome. Such a good kid," Elder Liu said, showing his yellowed teeth in a smile.

After finishing the buns, the three squatted down in an alley not far from the palace exam venue.

...

On another side.

Chen Mo had many admirers in Xiangyang, especially among the scholars.

After Chen Mo attended the shop opening ribbon-cutting ceremony, the townspeople showed great support by depositing money in the money shop, and many chose fixed-term deposits.

One must know, if you withdraw a fixed deposit early, you won’t earn any interest.

After the ribbon-cutting, Chen Mo declined the invitation from Qin Hao and others and returned to the palace exam venue.

During the exam, candidates were not allowed to leave the examination site.

Lunch was provided by the examination site, consisting of two large buns and a portion of pickles per person.

The exam continued until 3:00 PM.

As the sound of the copper gong rang, candidates put down their pens, signaling the end of this palace exam.

The announcement date for the palace exam results was set for mid-month.

Candidates gradually left the examination hall.

Outside the hall.

"Brother Dai?" Guo Ning patted Dai Tu on the shoulder.

After the palace exam ended, Guo Ning finally found "Guo Xian," and eagerly greeted him as soon as he exited the hall.

Dai Tu turned around, looking at the somewhat familiar face in front of him, feeling inexplicably nervous. Fortunately, he was prepared, and asked surprised: "Are you calling me?"

Guo Ning didn’t have a deep friendship with Dai Tu; their interaction hadn’t exceeded a day. Upon hearing such a response, he immediately doubted he had mistaken someone.

"You very much resemble a friend I knew before," Guo Ning said.

"Oh, what’s your friend’s name?"

"Dai Tu." When he said Dai Tu, Guo Ning stared directly at "Guo Xian’s" eyes.

But Dai Tu remained calm, smiled, and said: "What a coincidence, but my name is Guo Xian."

"Oh, Brother Guo, what a coincidence! We share the same surname. I am also Guo, maybe five hundred years ago, we were one family. Brother Guo Xian, where are you from?"

"From Cangzhou."

"I am from Yan State."

After a few exchanges, Dai Tu found an excuse to part ways.

...

Outside the palace exam venue stood many carriages, as many advanced scholars were also noble descendants, and many people gathered outside.

As they saw their friends and relatives coming out, they greeted them with smiles, asking about their performance.

While Dai Ling, Huang Zhaodi, and Dai Feng, standing in the outer crowd, couldn’t squeeze their way in; there were too many people.

Dai Ling thought of a way, asking Huang Zhaodi and Guo Feng to call out, hoping he might hear them.

The three pushed their way forward while calling out.

"Please make way."

"Make way."

"Who is it, stop squeezing, stop squeezing."

Dai Feng was too weak, not only failing to move forward but also being pushed to the ground, wailing either from being stepped on or being scared by the crowd.

Huang Zhaodi had to stop and help Dai Feng up.

And already on a carriage, Dai Tu was embraced by his fiancée Zhang Zhu, asking about how he performed.

For a moment, Dai Tu did not answer, feeling a bit absent-minded as he heard someone calling for him outside, and the voice was particularly familiar.

"It can’t be, it can’t be..." Dai Tu began to worry in his heart.

"Guo Lang, what’s wrong?" Zhang Zhu thought "Guo Xian" didn’t do well in the exam, and though disappointed, she comforted: "Guo Lang, it’s okay. I will always stay by your side."

She then said to the coachman outside: "Let’s go."

As they left, Dai Ling had managed to push forward, barely missing the departing carriage.

The three of them stared intently at the gate, but never saw the person they longed for.