Chapter 253

That evening, the family ate a lively departure meal.

Everything that needed to be said had been said, everything that needed to be prepared had been mostly ready; to avoid oversleeping the next day, Du Ruo went to bed very early.

The next day, as the sky was just beginning to lighten, footsteps sounded in the courtyard.

Madam Zheng got up early, had the meal ready, then took a basin of face‑washing water to the room to wake her daughter.

Today we have to go to Xiushan Academy to meet up with the other students; we mustn't be late.

Du Ruo put on the cyan‑cloth dress her mother had stayed up late to sew, casually pinned her hair back with a wooden hairpin, and wore no makeup.

Although she tried to look like an ordinary village woman, her striking beauty still made her stand out.

After a moment's thought, Du Ruo exchanged with the system for a jar of dark‑tanning cream.

This dark‑tanning cream is safe and side‑effect free; a quick swipe on the face and neck makes the skin look as if it had been baked by scorching sun, turning it a dull bronze and instantly reducing the person's brightness.

Thus, her beauty was naturally discounted.

At least she wasn't a stunning beauty at first glance—just a fairly pretty farm woman.

"Mm, not bad, not bad, the effect is awesome." Looking at herself in the mirror, Du Ruo was very satisfied.

She also applied it to the exposed hands, making everything perfect.

Ah, as expected, being too beautiful is also a trouble……

Du Ruo sighed in a humblebrag way.

After breakfast, Zheng Qinghe drove the mule cart to the village lane by the gate; Madam Zheng led Jiang Wan, with Jiang Cheng and the dog following behind, and they helped Du Ruo and Jiang Zhan onto the cart.

Next door, Master Jiang also came out carrying a bundle.

The clan head followed beside him.

Jiang Clan Head patted his son's shoulder and sighed, "Old Three, in a lifetime, strength is one thing, luck another. Remember, no matter how the prefectural exam turns out, in my heart you are truly the worthy top scholar."

"…" Master Jiang kept a straight face, "Dad, do you really think I'll draw a bad number again this time?"

Jiang Clan Head laughed, "No, no, I'm just trying to encourage you!"

Really not cute—can't you just play dumb? You have to spell it out.

Master Jiang ignored his father, walked straight to the cart, and handed the bundle inside.

Just as he was about to lift his leg to climb aboard, he suddenly thought of something, turned back and glanced at the woman a few steps away.

Then he turned around and returned to the clan head's side.

"Did you forget something?" the clan head asked, puzzled.

Master Jiang grunted, fell silent for a moment, then pulled his father to the corner of the wall and lowered his voice, "Dad, I have a favor to ask of you."

Jiang Clan Head felt a bit nervous at his son's solemn demeanor and said, "What is it?"

Master Jiang said, "On this trip I'll be gone for as little as half a month or as long as two weeks; during that time, Dad, please keep an eye on things—don't let… don't let Madam Zheng get married."

"Madam Zheng?" the clan head blinked, "What do you mean?"

He suddenly thought of a possibility, his pupils widening, "You… you wouldn't be…"

Master Jiang nodded, admitting it frankly.

"Yes, I want to marry her."

"Do you want this daughter‑in‑law, Dad?"

"Want? Of course I do! The ancient tree is finally about to bloom!"

Jiang Clan Head's beard trembled with excitement, "Good, good, excellent! Madam Zheng is fine—good looks, good temperament, good heart, good embroidery, and even better cooking skills! Best of all, she's raised a fine daughter, hahaha!"

Seeing Madam Zheng over there looking curiously, he quickly covered his mouth, coughed twice, and barely suppressed his inner excitement.

"Go ahead and take your exam in peace; I guarantee you, no matter who comes to propose, I'll find a way to thwart them!"

Upon reflection, he suddenly felt something was off, his smile fading, "Wait, Old Three, you didn't say you fell into an ice hole and froze that thing, did you? That wouldn't do—we can't do something wicked and hurt someone."

Master Jiang chuckled, "Don't worry, Dad, I won't make her a widow."

Having said that, he didn't wait for the clan head's reaction, turned and strode over, climbing into the cart.

Everyone was aboard; Zheng Qinghe flicked the whip, and the mule cart leisurely headed toward the village entrance, soon only its rear visible.

Jiang Clan Head stood where he was, dazed for a good while, before finally catching on.

You little brat, did you deliberately deceive yourself back then—just to avoid being pressured into marriage by the family, pretending to be a eunuch?

Ah, it makes me furious!

When you return, I'll knock you out with my cane!

The mule cart isn't as fast as a horse carriage, but not by much.

In the blink of an eye, we arrived at the village entrance.

Under the willow tree at the village entrance, where ox carts usually parked, it was empty now except for an old man dozing against the tree.

It was Lao Tietou.

Seeing the mule cart approach, Lao Tietou rose and stood in the middle of the road.

"Young Zheng, would you give the old man a ride?"

It was no trouble; Zheng Qinghe naturally wouldn't refuse, quickly jumping down to help the old man aboard.

Inside the carriage, Lao Tietou glanced around and chuckled, "Well, well, the Jiang Li family's Second Lang, Master Jiang—you're all here!"

Du Ruo laughed and called him to sit, "Uncle Lao Tie, why aren't you pulling passengers today?"

"It's not that the ox said it was tired, so I gave it a few days off," Lao Tietou said solemnly.