The Mountain Lord Who Craved Incense Offerings, the Confucian Scholar Who Drew Tiger Blood

On the imperial highway, Xuanming watched in silence.

The dark-skinned man hastily waved his hands, repeatedly insisting that he could not accept it. Meanwhile, he told his wife to take some more pickled vegetables from the earthenware jar and give them directly to the scholar.

"Just wild greens we pickled ourselves. They ain't worth much. It's enough that you don't turn your nose up at them, sir. I can't accept such a generous gift."

Taking the pickled vegetables, the Confucian scholar thanked him and put the Osmanthus cakes and steamed buns into his book chest. He carefully savored the pickles, his expression blissful, as though he were eating the finest delicacy in the world.

After eating, he rose and took his leave.

Once he had gone, the dark-skinned villager packed up his bundle, ready to set off, only to discover a packet of Osmanthus cakes and several steamed buns that had suddenly appeared among his belongings. Astonished and delighted, he abruptly realized something, sprang to his feet, and hurried onto the highway. Yet the young Confucian scholar in plain clothes had already vanished. He had only just left, but now there was no trace of him.

Facing down the highway, the man bowed.

"Thank you, sir!"

Returning to his wife and daughter, he opened the paper packet, took out two Osmanthus candies, and gave one to each of them before carefully putting everything else away.

When they set off again, the little girl's pale complexion had improved considerably. The discovery filled the villager and his wife with joy.

Leading his donkey, Xuanming followed behind them and took the opportunity to strike up a conversation with the dark-skinned man. He learned that the man was a villager from near Fengyang Commandery named Qiao Da, and that he was taking his wife