Chapter 120: Enemies on a Narrow Road

Jiang Li was silent for a moment, then walked to the carriage reluctantly and called out "Wife."

Du Ruo lifted the cloth curtain and was about to jump down, but Jiang Li lifted her gently and held her down like a baby.

When her feet touched the ground, Du Ruo glared at him.

Really, when she was ugly before, Jiang Li didn't hide her away and not let her see people; now that she wasn't ugly, he didn't allow her to come out. What kind of logic was that?

Jiang Li touched his nose and turned his head to look at the sky.

Du Ruo couldn't be bothered to care about him, walked over, and greeted the two dumbfounded young men with a smile: "Second Brother, Young Master Shang."

Jiang Zhan looked at her foolishly, not daring to recognize her for a long time.

Shang Tianyou swallowed his saliva and begged: "Big Sister-in-law Jiang, what kind of good thing did you eat to be reborn? Give me one to eat too."

Pfft, Du Ruo laughed out loud.

"Alright, alright, I'll bring it to you next time; I guarantee you'll want to eat it again after trying it!"

Shang Tianyou was a foodie and definitely couldn't resist the temptation of chili, and the Shang family had a wide network of contacts, so when it spread from ten to a hundred, was she afraid the chili wouldn't sell well?

Just as they were talking, a commotion suddenly came from the academy gate.

More than a dozen students wearing blue and white Confucian shirts were walking out, laughing and talking; vaguely, it seemed they were going to eat together.

Jiang Li's eyes flashed, and he immediately scooped his little wife onto the carriage and stuffed her into the carriage box.

He also called his brother: "Zhan, it's getting late; it's time to go."

Jiang Zhan said "Oh," climbed up using his hands and feet, and turned back to wave goodbye to Shang Tianyou.

Shang Tianyou chased after them and shouted: "Zhan, remember, I'll go to send you to the exam!"

The carriage ran away without a trace.

Shang Tianyou sighed disappointedly, turned back to see those dozen classmates, and immediately got energized again.

"Hey, let me tell you, Zhan's Big Sister-in-law, Du Niang Zi..."

For this accompaniment to the exam, Jiang Li had booked two superior rooms at the Sanyuan Inn near the exam venue very early.

Because the exam date was approaching, the Sanyuan Inn was naturally full.

However, the inn's service was very good. As soon as the carriage arrived at the door, a waiter came up to lead the horse and guide the way, leading Jiang Li and the three of them to the top floor on the east side.

"This is it, guests, please come in." The waiter's face was filled with a moderate smile. "If you need hot water or food, you can tell us, and we will try our best to satisfy you."

You can't judge a person by their appearance, and you can't measure the sea with a bucket.

Who knew if one or two of the people he served would become big officials in the future?

So, regardless of whether they lived in a superior room or a large dormitory, he would just serve them well.

Du Ruo scanned the room twice; the place was spacious and bright, the furnishings were elegant, and it looked quite clean.

"Trouble you, little brother, to help us send more hot water up."

"Alright, guests, it will be sent up in a while." The waiter looked up at her, then quickly lowered his head. "Do the guests have any other instructions?"

Du Ruo handed over a silver ingot and smiled: "My brother is a candidate for this exam, and he likes quietness, so please take care of him, little brother, and don't let idlers come over to make noise."

The waiter took the silver, and his smile became even more sincere. "Don't worry, guests; this is a superior room, few people live here, and most of them are candidates, so there won't be any idlers coming over."

"That's good." Du Ruo nodded and said again: "Also, please take care of the food, little brother; try to send some hot and fresh food over."

The waiter nodded repeatedly.

The two rooms were exactly opposite each other, one was a 'Heaven' grade superior room, and one was a 'Mysterious' grade superior room; the layout was about the same.

Du Ruo looked and saw that the two rooms next door were just 'Earth' grade and 'Yellow' grade rooms; they were quite easy to remember.

She gave the 'Heaven' grade room to Jiang Zhan, hoping he would pass the exam and successfully become a student of the Son of Heaven in the future.

She and Jiang Li lived in the 'Mysterious' grade room.

After putting down the luggage and tidying up a bit, the three of them went downstairs to eat.

After eating, they went to the nearby Scholar Street to start a big shopping spree.

The County Examination lasted for a total of three days, with each session lasting one day, entering in the morning and leaving in the evening, without staying overnight, so they didn't need to bring that much stuff.

Besides the four treasures of the study, it was the exam basket, dry food, scroll cloth, and oilcloth door curtain.

The scroll cloth was mainly to prevent food or ink from dirtying the exam paper.

The oilcloth door curtain was for shielding from wind and rain; the exam shed had walls on three sides, and one side was semi-open. If one was unlucky enough to encounter rain and get the exam paper wet, then it would be a complete disaster.

After buying everything, the group returned directly to the Sanyuan Inn.

Just as they were about to enter the room, a young man came out of the 'Earth' grade room next door, wearing a blue and white Confucian shirt, with a tall figure, gentle and handsome.

Jiang Zhan glanced at him and gave an "Eh." "Brother Xiao?"

Du Ruo's body stiffened, and she turned to look.

Wasn't it exactly Xiao Liangchen?

Uh, did this count as enemies on a narrow road?

Xiao Liangchen also saw them and walked over. He was about to greet Jiang Zhan, but suddenly saw that familiar yet strange face.

He was stunned, looking at Du Ruo blankly for a long time before he moved his lips and called out:

"Aman?"

Du Ruo had no choice but to pile up a smiling face and bow politely. "Young Master Xiao."

Jiang Zhan's suspicious gaze turned between the two, finally landing on his Big Brother.

Jiang Li smiled. "Wife, who is this?"

"Oh, he is Second Brother's classmate." Du Ruo was a bit guilty, thought about it, and added: "He is also my neighbor next door in my maiden home."

It wasn't that she wanted to say it, but it couldn't be hidden at all.

Xiao Liangchen even called out her nickname; could it just be as simple as Jiang Zhan's classmate? Jiang Li wasn't stupid.

Jiang Li was certainly not stupid; he had already guessed who this person was.

Xiao Liangchen, the heaven-favored son who was called one of the 'Two Pride of Xiushan' along with Jiang Zhan, had been recommended to study at Xiushan Academy a few years ago because of his outstanding academic performance and was deeply loved by the teachers.

This was what Jiang Zhan had mentioned to him before, but he didn't expect Xiao Liangchen to be Du Ruo's neighbor.

And, it seemed it wasn't just a neighbor.

"Does Young Master Xiao also live here?" Jiang Li tightened his grip on Du Ruo's hand, interlocking his fingers with hers.

Xiao Liangchen's eyes seemed to be scalded, and he quickly turned his gaze away, his voice sounding a bit unnatural. "Yes, my parents were afraid I would be distracted, so they booked this place for me early."

Jiang Li nodded. "Since that's the case, I won't disturb Young Master Xiao."

Then he signaled to Jiang Zhan: "We have to get up early tomorrow to go to the exam venue, so you go in and read for a while and then rest."

Jiang Zhan always felt that his Big Brother was a bit unhappy, but he had no evidence.

So he said "Oh" and obediently went into the room.

Jiang Li looked at Xiao Liangchen again and smiled: "It's getting late, Young Master Xiao should also rest early; we, the couple, should also go to sleep." ===== CHAPTER 121 =====