Chapter 325: Assisting the Examinee

He Jinglan spoke righteously, "You two have been thick as thieves since childhood, doing all kinds of bad things together—you surely know what he's thinking!"

Faced with his younger sister's pressing questions, He Jinghui merely gave her a deep, inscrutable look, sighed, and walked away.

He Jinglan stood where she was, her heart half-chilled.

Seeing this reaction, did Mu Nan Zhao know to retreat because it was hopeless? Really no chance?!

After turning the corner, He Jinghui sped up; once out of the second gate, estimating his sister couldn't see him, he glanced back and then beckoned a servant over.

"You lot serving in the front courtyard have lately been fixated on……"

He cleared his throat and changed his wording: "Attend to Master An well."

"The inner residence houses the eldest miss and Miss Gu, both delicate guests—don't let a big man barge in and cause trouble."

The servant was an honest sort, and respectfully said, "The master has almost daily reminded us; we dare not be the slightest bit negligent—there are guards at the second gate and outside Master An's door, plus three people rotating to follow him closely."

"These past few days we have never allowed esteemed guests to cross the garden boundary."

He Jinghui nodded, "You must be thorough with him; give him whatever food or supplies he wants, as long as the manor has it."

The servant lowered his head and replied, "Yes."

In an alley near Dongshi, An Qinghe lugged big and small packages, frowning as he complained nonstop.

But he wasn't complaining about the effort of carrying things; rather…

"If I'd known, I wouldn't have stayed at the He household—do the officials and nobles of Daye really have this many rules?"

"I'm staying in the front courtyard; the guest rooms are large and comfortable, and the servants are warm toward me. But!"

"They simply won't let me go inside to see you, citing gender distinctions and concerns for reputation."

"Sometimes I suddenly remember something urgent, want to rush over and tell you, but a crowd stops me."

"At first it was fine; if we wanted to go out for tea, as long as you came out in the morning we could be together all day."

"But these past two days you've been busy in the inner courtyard with Jing Lan over the banquet, so I hardly even see your face!"

Gu Xixi patiently listened to An Qinghe's complaints, then smiled, "You also said your food, clothing, lodging, and provisions are all satisfactory."

"Perhaps big households just have many rules; the idea is that guests follow the host's convenience, so this slight discomfort can be endured for now."

An Qinghe wore a sour face, still fuming, "You don't understand! This isn't a small matter to me!"

Gu Xixi lowered her gaze, her eyes flickered, then she smiled, "If there's something truly urgent, you can have a servant pass a word to the maids in the inner residence, and I'll find out."

She again used a coaxing tone, drawing out the syllables: "An elder brother, couldn't you not be angry? We're going to encourage Brother Zi Chu; after not seeing each other for days, you ought to at least be happy."

An Qinghe instantly turned his anger to joy, "You've made me not angry, so I certainly won't be angry. Besides, Old Doctor Langzhong also said constant anger is bad for the body."

He hummed a little tune, swinging his arms gleefully as he walked forward.

Gu Xixi watched his happy back, couldn't help but smile; this person is still easy to coax, unlike someone…

Thinking of that, she paused, then took a deep breath.

It's utterly unrelated—why on earth am I thinking of him again?!

Jiang Mingyuan was still staying in the original guest room.

When the door opened, he had a full beard, seemed somewhat thinner, but his eyes were clear and spirited.

Seeing who stood outside, Jiang Mingyuan happily laughed, "It's you two—come in and sit."

An Qinghe lifted his hands, full of things, to show him, "We're not here to visit you and add pressure; we just picked up some things to bring, thinking they might be useful when you enter the examination hall."

Jiang Mingyuan first looked slightly surprised, then let out a light laugh.

Gu Xixi glanced sideways, speaking softly, "An elder brother, didn't I tell you to keep a calm mind? Why bring up pressure?"

Jiang Mingyuan laughed, "No problem, no problem—don't judge my somewhat disheveled appearance; I'm just studying and resting indoors, not wanting to go out."

"My three meals a day are sent up on time by the inn staff; I can eat, drink, and sleep—nothing hinders me."

Gu Xixi smoothed her skirt and sat down, "Then that's good."

An Qinghe had already placed everything on the tabletop.

Gu Xixi personally opened each item, explaining as she went, "I figured it would be inconvenient for you to shop alone, so I bought these for you."

"To avoid any omissions in what we bring into the examination hall, I specifically consulted Master He."

"As for the Four Treasures of the Study, your usual set is likely more suitable, so I only bought a spare ink stick."

"The brush washer must be porcelain, plus a bowl for drinking water."

"These are candles for nighttime lighting, four pairs in total."

"This package contains a partition curtain, said to be used to separate and shield examination desks; at night it can also block light."

"Inside is also rolled an oilcloth; the east is ultimately more humid than the northwest, examinees' bunks are rudimentary, so this can be used as a mat to sleep on."

Gu Xixi then picked up another small paper packet but did not open it.

"Inside are a few pieces of dried ginger—don't forget to bring them."

"These fresh ginger slices really aren't superfluous."

"In the metropolitan examination, each candidate gets a single room, half-open at the front, to facilitate invigilators' patrols."

"On early spring nights it's chilly; examinees prepare fresh ginger to avoid the cold affecting their next day's test."

"Moreover, some examinees with poor mental state, when feeling tense, drink hot water with ginger slices to alleviate nausea and dizziness."

While Gu Xixi spoke, Jiang Mingyuan kept his gaze fixed on her.

Warmth flowed in his eyes; he unconsciously smiled with his brows and eyes, as if wanting to engrave this girl into his heart.

"Thank you, Sister Xixi, for going to such trouble."

"I had planned to go buy things this afternoon, but I didn't expect……"

Jiang Mingyuan clasped his hands in a bow, "When I set out, I originally thought I would be a lone stranger in a foreign land."

"But now I have Sister Xixi and Brother An helping hand in hand; the words 'grateful' cannot express my feelings."

"This kindness and righteousness, Brother Zi Chu will remember forever."

An Qinghe laughed heartily and said boldly, "Why be so polite? Your praise makes me embarrassed."

"We three have been friends through thick and thin; I hope we never change in this lifetime."

Jiang Mingyuan was moved, smiling and saying seriously, "I will not change in this life."

An Qinghe started chattering, "Hey hey, actually everything you see was bought by Xixi. But I also bought you a share."

"The examination candidates' food boxes ordered at Dongshi Grand Restaurant are specially prepared for you test-takers."

"Inside are dry rations like sesame hu bing, crispy pastry, sesame oil rolls, plus meat—specially prepared wind-dried chicken, pork jerky, and minced meat made from smoked lamb leg. All of these foods won't spoil after a few days."

"I've arranged for delivery to your door before noon tomorrow; how does that sound? The menu sounds good, right?"

Jiang Mingyuan smiled, "Thank you, Brother An; I'll make sure to eat them well."

An Qinghe frowned again, puzzled, "But I just don't understand why we can only bring meat and dry rations? Why not fruit?"

Jiang Mingyuan explained, "Because the juices might stain the exam papers."

An Qinghe nodded and said, "What if we get thirsty?"

Jiang Mingyuan laughed, "The examination hall provides drinking water; isn't that like buying a water bowl?"

An Qinghe slapped his forehead, "I was so busy worrying about you that I forgot."

Gu Xixi watched them chatting happily, and a warm feeling rose in her heart.

When she transmigrated into the book, she never expected to gain friendship here.

After bidding farewell to Jiang Mingyuan, as the two went downstairs, they heard people in the lobby discussing this morning's case in the Jingzhao Prefecture.