Chapter 6

On the road to Bianjing,

the carriage moved leisurely forward.

Waving his whip, Zhang Cheng sang a Huangmei opera in a clear voice:

"Since I was small, my parents told me, Huangmei opera is not easy to sing; imitating the postures and manners of adults, I have fulfilled my wish."

"To save my dear Li, I left my home; who would have thought I’d top the imperial list? Topping the list, wearing the red robe with palace flowers in my cap—ah, how fresh and new it is."

Twiddling his fingers, Zhang Cheng looked at Feng Suzhen with a face full of smiles, his eyes brimming with teasing.

"Zhang Xinzhi, what is this you’re singing? Why do I feel like something’s not quite right!"

With goosebumps all over, Feng Suzhen looked at Zhang Cheng and couldn't help but ask.

"It's Huangmei opera! Do you like it?"

Smiling broadly at Feng Suzhen, Zhang Cheng asked.

"Cousin, you really sing that well!"

Giving a thumbs-up, Situ Yaozu spoke with a cigarette clamped in his mouth.

"Thank you, cousin!"

Hearing Situ Yaozu’s words, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but laugh.

"Enough, you two!"

Glaring at Zhang Cheng and Situ Yaozu, Feng Suzhen’s face was covered in black lines.

Because she always felt that this "Huangmei opera" Zhang Cheng was singing had something to do with her!

What was this about saving her dear Li and topping the imperial list!

Thinking of this, Feng Suzhen couldn't help but feel a chill all over: "I wouldn't really go and take the imperial exam, would I?"

Just as Feng Suzhen fell into deep doubt, she saw the sky gradually turning gloomy.

"Cousin, it’s going to rain!"

Looking up, Situ Yaozu shouted hurriedly.

"Go ahead and check if there’s anywhere to take shelter from the rain!"

Hearing Situ Yaozu’s words, Zhang Cheng also quickly dropped his flippant attitude.

After all, in ancient times, a cold was no small matter; even a cold or fever could mean one might just pass away!

Driving forward, the three of them found a Mountain God Temple in a remote spot to hide from the rain.

"It’s a good thing there’s a temple here, otherwise we’d be done for!"

Blocking her head with her hands as she ran in, Feng Suzhen’s clothes were already somewhat soaked.

However, the moment she noticed the gaze from the side, she immediately covered her chest with her hands and said: "You, what are you looking at?"

"Are you crazy? I’m looking to see if there’s any firewood. Do you really think everyone likes a flat board?"

Walking up, Zhang Cheng brushed Feng Suzhen aside: "Move it!"

Going to a corner, Zhang Cheng picked up some discarded wooden boards, broke them, and made a simple campfire.

He knew this little trick entirely because before he came to the Northern Song, he loved watching videos of men fixing things.

Things like trimming cow hooves, Aodebiao pulling bananas, outdoor camping, and a hundred ways to survive.

Watching Zhang Cheng show absolutely no interest in her, Feng Suzhen didn't know why, but she suddenly felt a bit angry.

Because even if she didn't understand what "flat board" meant, she could see the disdain in his eyes!

"Cousin, the rain outside is getting so heavy!"

Bringing in a pot of water, the cigarette in Situ Yaozu’s hand was completely soaked.

Looking at Situ Yaozu, Zhang Cheng quickly handed him a bath towel from his storage space: "Wipe yourself off first, don't catch a cold!"

"Thank you, cousin!"

Taking the towel, Situ Yaozu hurriedly began to wipe his dripping wet hair.

Watching this scene, Feng Suzhen actually wanted to reach out too, but felt a bit embarrassed.

Seeming to notice Feng Suzhen’s thoughts, Zhang Cheng handed her a towel backhanded: "Here, don't catch a cold, otherwise it’ll be very difficult for us to manage!"

"Hmph!"

Reaching out to take the towel, Feng Suzhen acted haughty.

Looking at Feng Suzhen, Zhang Cheng didn't say anything and turned to add wood to the campfire.

Sitting before the fire, everyone roasted their wet clothes and ate instant noodles.

"Cousin, this braised beef noodle, where is the beef? Where is it?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng curiously, Situ Yaozu asked in confusion.

"Cousin, there’s no wife in a wife cake either!"

Looking at Situ Yaozu speechlessly, Zhang Cheng didn't know how to explain it.

But just then, Feng Suzhen, who was to the side, said with a smile: "There are no husbands and wives in husband-and-wife lung slices either!"

"And the one riding the white horse isn't necessarily Tang Seng!" Situ Yaozu added.

Laughing happily, everyone started playing word games.

But just then, a thunderclap suddenly sounded in the sky.

"Boom!"

Under the huge sound, the three of them were stunned.

With a cigarette between his fingers, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but poke his head out and say: "Damn, which fellow Daoist is undergoing tribulation here!"

"Undergoing tribulation? Could it be that there really are immortals in this world?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng curiously, a look of surprise appeared on Feng Suzhen’s face.

"I don't know about immortals, but there are definitely plenty of scumbags making vows!"

Sighing, Situ Yaozu spoke like an experienced person.

And just as they were thinking, three figures ran in through the heavy rain.

Leading the children, a woman pulled her son and daughter and said: "I didn't know you were taking shelter here, sorry for the disturbance!"

"It's fine, it's fine!"

Seeing the other party apologize as soon as they entered, Zhang Cheng quickly stood up and said: "Cousin, where’s the towel? Give it to her to wipe off first!"

"Here it is, cousin!"

Picking up the hanging towel from the side, Situ Yaozu hurriedly handed it over.

And seeing the actions of Zhang Cheng and Situ Yaozu, Feng Suzhen also hurriedly said: "Sister, use mine!"

"Thank you, the three of you!"

Seeing the actions of Zhang Cheng and the others, the woman hurriedly expressed her gratitude and said: "Dong Ge, Chun Mei, say thank you!"

"Thank you, sister!"

Hiding behind the woman, the children named Dong Ge and Chun Mei immediately spoke timidly.

"You're welcome!"

Smiling, Feng Suzhen squatted down and helped them rub their bodies.

"Dong Ge? Chun Mei?"

Looking at the woman and the children beside her curiously, Zhang Cheng became suspicious.

Because Qin Huai's children seemed to be called by these names too; could she be Qin Huai?

Arriving by the fire, smelling the aroma of the instant noodles they had just finished, Dong Ge and Chun Mei’s stomachs began to growl.

Slightly embarrassed, Qin Huai took out a parcel and pulled out some dry rations: "Everyone, this is all I have. If you don't mind, please have some!"

Hearing Qin Huai’s words, Zhang Cheng turned around and took out three boxes of instant noodles from his parcel: "Eat this instead, dry rations aren't easy to digest!"

"How can I! I..."

Looking at Zhang Cheng awkwardly, Qin Huai hurriedly refused.

But just then, Zhang Cheng tore open the packaging: "It’s already torn open, it can't be saved anymore!"

"Thank you!"

Expressing her gratitude, Qin Huai also pulled Dong Ge and Chun Mei to thank them.

A few minutes later, watching Dong Ge and Chun Mei eating the instant noodles as if they wanted to stick their heads inside, Qin Huai blushed.

Because she had never eaten anything like this either; it was just too fragrant!

"Sister, did you come from Bianjing?"

Looking at Qin Huai curiously, Feng Suzhen asked.

"Yes, I originally wanted to bring the children to find their father, but..."

Speaking bitterly, a look of sadness appeared on Qin Huai’s face.

And seeing Qin Huai like this, Zhang Cheng understood; she really was Qin Huai.

And if he wasn't mistaken, the people chasing her should be arriving soon.

"Boom!"

A thunderclap resounded.

Outside the Mountain God Temple, a figure walked in slowly, but immediately froze in place.

Because he was none other than Han Qi, the household general of Chen Shimei, sent to hunt down Qin Huai.

But after entering, he discovered that it wasn't just Qin Huai and the children here, but also three strangers!