At the entrance to Shiqiao Village, Xiao Mo stepped down from the carriage and hurried back into the village.
"Well, Mo'er, you're back! How did you do on the exam?" Auntie Zhao, who was washing clothes, asked happily when she saw him.
"Pretty well," Xiao Mo replied.
"Did you pass that Gongshi thing, Mo'er? I heard even the lowest-ranking Gongshi can become a local official." Auntie Niu didn't know much about titles like Gongshi; she only knew that passing the Metropolitan Examination meant you could become an official.
"I passed, but the Imperial City won't issue the appointment until two months from now."
"You really passed? Incredible! Just incredible! Our Shiqiao Village is going to produce a high-ranking official!"
"Miss Bai was taken away by an Immortal to become a fairy, and now you're going to become a high-ranking official too. Our Shiqiao Village really has become a blessed place!" Auntie Wang said delightedly.
"Auntie Wang, what did you say? Ruxue was taken away by an Immortal?" Xiao Mo asked, wondering if he had heard wrong.
"Huh? Didn't Xiao Qing write to tell you?"
"No, she didn't." Xiao Mo lowered his head, a thoughtful look on his face.
Just as Auntie Wang was about to say something else, Grandma Qian took her hand and said to Xiao Mo, "Mo'er, go on home first. Xiao Qing should be waiting for you there."
"Okay, Grandma Qian. Aunties, I'll head back first." Xiao Mo cupped his hands in a salute and walked toward the courtyard.
After Xiao Mo had gone some distance, Grandma Qian scolded Auntie Wang. "You just had to stick your nose in."
"How was that sticking my nose in?" Auntie Wang looked troubled. "A living person has disappeared. How could Mo'er not notice? At least he ought to have some