Chapter 616: Imperial Examination Promotion System (25)

Song Yanqing listened to her methodical arrangements, his gaze growing increasingly gentle.

"Wife, there is no need to prepare so much food. Sixty percent of the subsidy issued by the County School goes directly to the Shantang, and three meals a day are provided for free."

Xie Yang certainly knew the County School provided free meals, but how much was the monthly living subsidy in total? Even with only sixty percent going to the Shantang, and even if it wasn't embezzled and was spent entirely on the students, it averaged only two or three wen per meal. It would be good enough just to be full; how could one expect balanced nutrition?

"What they provide for free must be the most basic fare. In the morning, at most a bowl of thin porridge and a coarse grain cake. It's fine to eat that occasionally, but if you eat bland, watery soup every single meal, your nutritional intake will be insufficient; how could anyone stand that? Bring some from home; it will at least supplement your nutrition a bit."

Though, it does seem a bit much, doesn't it?

Xie Yang looked at the two full crates of supplies she had packed, along with the small stove and silver-bone charcoal that needed to be carried separately, and her scalp tingled slightly. Asking a scholar who had no strength to truss a chicken (Song Yanqing:?) to carry two large crates and a large basket of charcoal was indeed a bit of a tall order.

"How about I take you to the County School to register? I'm just idle at home anyway."

"……"

"Hey, why don't we all go as a family!"

Although it was a thought that slipped out, Xie Yang felt this was a brilliant idea: "Haven't Father, Mother, and the little sister never been to Qingfeng City? Let's take the opportunity of taking you to register to go to Qingfeng City for two days of fun as a family?"

"……"

Before this, the furthest the Song family third branch had ever been was Guixiang Town; Qingfeng City was a place they had only heard of by name, never having seen its appearance.

If they hadn't separated the family, even if they had the idea, they wouldn't have been able to get away.

But since they had separated, there was only that one acre of thin land at home. After the millet was harvested and stored, nothing else was planted. Xie Yang had planted plenty of cabbage and radishes at the Farm, so she simply had the land deep-plowed twice and left it to freeze and rest.

Therefore, during this time before the end of the year, there was nothing to keep the family busy.

As for the father-in-law who couldn't stay idle, the pheasants and wild rabbits he hunted in the mountains could be entrusted to the farm manager to look after for two days; there was nothing to worry about.

"Let's go, let's go! Let's all go to Qingfeng City together!"

Just like that, the family of five boarded the carriage heading to Qingfeng City.

Until the carriage drove out of the village and onto the official road leading to the County, Lin Shi still couldn't quite collect her thoughts.

Were they really going to the County?

And accompanying her son to register at the official school?

It felt just like a dream!

"Mother, why do you keep pinching me!"

Song Jinzhi had been enjoying the scenery when she suddenly felt her leg pinched. Looking down, it was her mother. One pinch wasn't enough, and she was pinching a second time, making her tremble in pain.

Lin Shi looked at her blankly: "Ah? Did Mother pinch you? No wonder Mother didn't feel any pain."

"……"

Xie Yang almost laughed out loud: "Mother, do you find it unbelievable that our whole family is out on a trip?"

Lin Shi smiled shyly: "It is a bit; Mother thought she was dreaming."

Song Zhisheng, who had chosen to sit on the carriage shaft because he found the cabin cramped and stuffy, heard his wife's words through the curtain and laughed heartily: "Wife, you've voiced what's in your husband's heart. Is this what scholars often call 'hearts beating in unison'?"

"Pah!" Lin Shi lifted a corner of the door curtain and pretended to spit at the head of the household, "You're at your age and you're not even ashamed."

"Hahahaha……"

Song Zhisheng's hearty laughter carried far away.

Listening to her parents-in-law teasing each other, Xie Yang couldn't help but laugh. She turned her head and her gaze met that of a certain someone who was also smiling. If it weren't for her sister-in-law pulling her to look outside, their eyes might have been locked in a lingering gaze.

"Sister-in-law, look at that mountain, it's so strange, it's actually bright red."

Xie Yang looked in the direction her finger was pointing: "Oh, that's a maple forest. Every late autumn, the maple leaves turn red, making the whole mountain look red."

"So it's called a maple forest, it's so beautiful!"

Xie Yang nodded in agreement; red maples could indeed be ranked among the most beautiful trees.

"If you like it, when there's a chance later, I'll transplant a few maple saplings and plant them next to your room."

Planting a few maple trees around the Side Room would have quite a beautiful atmosphere.

"Does Sister-in-law like them?"

"Of course I like them!"

"Then we'll plant them!"

Listening to the conversation between the two sisters-in-law, Song Yanqing had a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Does she like red maples?

He asked the System in his mind: Do you have maple saplings?

Imperial Examination Promotion System: 【……】

Host, do you want to take a look at my full name?

I am the Imperial Examination Promotion System, not a "pamper-the-wife-and-show-off-affection" system. I won't say anything if you occasionally spend some points to please your wife, but don't spend every point you have on her! Do you still want to shine on the path of the imperial examinations?

The Sub-system didn't want to deal with the love-struck Host and simply played dead.

Seeing that the voice in his mind remained silent, Song Yanqing tried to log into the system interface where he often performed Tasks, skimming through the Task bar, Prop bar, and library, finally stopping at the point Mall.

Sub-system: 【……】

Good heavens! He's really grown some ambition!

The Host it had carefully selected and bound to in this plane, could he really be love-struck? It's all over!

……

At noon, the carriage arrived at Qingfeng City.

First, they accompanied Song Yanqing to the County School to register. After all, the carriage was full of his luggage and items. Once he was settled in the Zhaishe, and they had agreed with the carriage driver to meet at the city gate at noon tomorrow, Xie Yang took her parents-in-law and sister-in-law to tour Qingfeng City.

Although she hadn't been to this County before, she had visited County towns in other ancient planes, and the scale and layout were much the same.

After asking the locals about the liveliest streets in the city, she took her family and headed there.

At the same time, Song Yanqing also began his life of study at the official school.

He was the student with the best Imperial Examination results since the founding of Qingfeng City. Upon first entering the County School, he garnered a host of gazes that were curious, admiring, or envious.

Yet he did not show the slightest bit of complacency or pride; on the contrary, humility and courtesy seemed carved into his very bones. His words and actions remained as low-key as ever.

However, thanks to his wife, he could not keep a low profile even if he wanted to...

"Junior Brother Song, you brought Salted Duck Eggs too? I brought some too! My mother made them... Huh, why is your Salted Duck Egg leaking oil? It looks so tempting! I wonder what the difference is between a Salted Duck Egg that leaks oil and one that doesn't...?"

"..."

Meeting the other person's eager gaze, Song Yanqing exchanged half a Salted Duck Egg with him.

"Junior Brother Song, this braised meat of yours smells so fragrant, which restaurant did you buy it from?"

"My mother-in-law made it; my wife's family runs a braised food stall in town."

"Aha! No wonder it has such perfect color, aroma, and taste..."

"..."

Taste? Have you tasted it?

"Hehe, seeing Junior Brother Song eating with such satisfaction, I imagine it must be delicious."

"..."

What could Song Yanqing say? With the other person's fervent gaze fixed on him, he couldn't even eat his meal, so he invited the other person to try a slice.

"Junior Brother Song, the braised meat your mother-in-law makes is the most fragrant I have ever eaten! I wonder when Junior Brother Song will next return home? Could you help me bring back a pound?"

"..."

I just reported for duty today; when do you think I am going home?