Three days passed in a flash, and the provincial examination was over.
Shiyan insisted on returning with Meng Anci, but was persuaded by Madam Shi's force and could only leave in tears.
The backyard of the government office.
When Madam Su learned that Jin Shanyao come to see her, she was frantic, like an ant on a hot pan. "What should I do? No... I must lock up the money box first."
He immediately realized that locking her money box was pointless; he should lock his mother-in-law's money box instead. So, without saying a word, he rushed to his mother-in-law's courtyard. But even as he rushed, he was still too late.
Then Jin Shanyao, accompanied by two gold-devouring beasts, charged madly toward her mother-in-law.
Madam Su stamped her foot in frustration, "Who let them in?"
The maid looked troubled. "When the old lady heard that Miss Jin had arrived, she insisted on opening the door herself. I had no choice."
Madam Su was heartbroken. She had been eyeing her mother-in-law's dowry for years, and if things continued like this, she wouldn't have to give it to her anymore; she could just give it all to Jin Shanyao.
"I'm going all out... I absolutely can't let my mother-in-law buy talismans today." She stepped forward and had just gotten close when she heard Jin Shanyao excitedly say.
"Little sister, don't move. Let me see how much you resemble your former self. My goodness... you're radiant and full of energy..."
Old Madam Su stood there, opening her arms wide to let her see clearly, "Radiant? Take another look..."
Jin Shanyao two steps back, looked her up and down, and said decisively, "Ba She... is radiating golden light all over."
Madam Su's vision went black, and she almost fainted. In Jin Shanyao's eyes, her mother-in-law was indeed a god of wealth, radiating golden light.
Old Madam Su laughed heartily, grabbing Jin Shanyao it, "I've been waiting for you to come the moment I open my eyes! These useless bunch, not one of them can make me happy."
She twirled her fingers around, and when she saw her daughter-in-law's lifeless face, her eyes widened slightly.
Old Madam Su withdrew her hand and cleared her throat. "Miss Jin, what brings you here?"
Jin Shanyao gave her a knowing look, then took four or five talismans from her bosom and patted them into Old Madam Su's hand. "I've been busy these past few days and haven't been able to visit you. These are for warding off evil and ensuring safety. Take them and use them..."
As she spoke, she turned and took the cloth bag from Meng Anzhi's hand, "There are also some homegrown monkey head mushrooms, all dried. Have the kitchen cook them for you whenever you want."
Old Madam Su said excitedly, "How can this be? I'll have someone bring you the money."
Jin Shanyao stopped her with a sweet smile, "Why talk about money, we sisters? I care about you, and I only wish you well..."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Su straightened her back instantly, glanced triumphantly at her daughter-in-law, and then said, "I'm decades older than you, I wouldn't want to take advantage of you."
Jin Shanyao cupped her hands in his, and said sincerely, "I cherish you... I don't care about those things."
Old Madam Su was slightly taken aback, and her eyes even welled up with tears. Since her husband died, it had been a long time since anyone had said they cared about her. Just for that reason, she couldn't let Jin Shanyao's trip go to waste.
"Go, bring me my money box."
"Little sister, you really don't need to... you really don't need to..."
"Don't stop me, I can't let those who cherish me feel disappointed..."
Madam Su hurriedly stepped forward to support Old Madam Su, "Mother-in-law, I like you too..."
"Go away, I don't care about you..."
Madam Su stood there, stunned. What did this mean...? She was being disliked by her mother-in-law.
The money box was quickly brought over, Old Madam Su reached out and grabbed four or five bills, stuffing them into Jin Shanyao's hands without saying a word.
"Please take this, young lady. Our ancestor has nothing left but these gold and silver."
"Sister, how could I possibly take your money..."
"Oh dear..." Madam Su slapped her forehead. "What kind of generational hierarchy is this?!"
Upon learning that his home had been ransacked, Su Wenqian, without even taking off his official robes, rushed into the courtyard of Old Madam Su like a madman, only to find his elderly mother weeping while clutching a money box.
Su Wenqian was struck dumb. Had he lost not a single penny? He hurriedly checked the money box, but all the silver notes were there, not a single one missing. Wasn't it said that the Jin Shanyao had swept everything away?
"Mother, did Jin Shanyao cheat you out of your money?"
Old Madam Su cried her eyes out, "Money, money, money, all you care about is money! Our feelings for each other are real!" She pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her nose.
"What a kind girl! She didn't accept a single penny, but insisted on giving me five talismans for protection and half a bag of monkey head mushrooms. Do you know the kindness behind this?"
Su Wenqian nodded hurriedly, "I know, I know, we're playing the long game..."
Old Madam Su was shocked, never expecting her son to have such a hunch about Jin Shanyao. Pointing to the door, her finger trembled as she said, "Get out! You're not my son! You can't stand to see me doing well!"
After saying that, she started sobbing again, "It's so hard for a girl to raise two children alone. The little boy is short, wearing coarse linen clothes, and his shoes don't even fit properly."
Su Wenqian had a bad feeling. "So?"
Old Madam Su took a deep breath, "I gave her a few bolts of brocade, and this... your wife still gave me the cold shoulder."
Su Wenqian's mind went blank. His storeroom contained top-grade Yun brocade, each bolt costing ninety taels. "Mother, how many bolts did you give me?"
"I gave them all to her... Never mind, let's not talk about this anymore," Old Madam Su wiped her eyes. "Miss Jin gave me five talismans, take them with you!"
Su Wenqian trembled as he took the talisman and walked out in a daze.
If he could do it all over again, he would never have gone to Willow and Poplar County to ask Jin Shanyao for help; that girl was too ruthless...
"Be careful, sir..." Su Wenqian snapped out of his daze and saw roof tiles hurtling towards him. He tried to block them, but it was too late. He heard a loud thud.
The tiles were shaken to the ground, but Su Wenqian's head was unharmed. Suddenly, his palm felt hot, and when he unfolded the talisman, it had turned to ashes.
Su Wenqian stared at the ashes, his thoughts a complex and unreadable mix...
Back in Willow and Poplar County, Jin Shanyao handed seven bolts of brocade to Qing He, asking her to make new clothes for the whole family.
Qing He hesitated, "Master, this fabric is precious; one foot of it is worth a year's worth of my clothes. Perhaps we should just forget about it."
Jin Shanyao, unaware of the price of Yunjin brocade, disagreed with Qing He's statement, saying, "Since it's expensive, it should be worn even more."
Qing He was silent for a moment, then said, "This servant thinks it's a waste."
The maid in the magistrate's household said that no servant eats what their master eats.
The principle is that the servants should wear the same fabric as their masters.
"Master, we work hard every day, it's a waste for such fine clothes to be worn by us servants."
" Jin Shanyao! Clothes are just for wearing, why are you making them sound so noble? Go and make one for everyone in the family, and no slacking off."
Qing He wanted to say something, but Jin Shanyao glared at her and shut her up.
During the spring planting season, Jin Shanyao the medicinal seeds harvested from White Head Mountain and used his Spiritual Power to sprinkle them all over every corner of Lush Mountain.
They also transplanted some of the newly sprouted medicinal seedlings from White Head Mountain to Lush Mountain.
After inspecting the underground river and taking a walk around the village, they turned back only after confirming that everything was alright.
Jin Shanyao was carrying two pheasants in her hand. She had only walked a hundred meters when she saw Meng Anci riding a horse galloping towards her, arriving in the blink of an eye.
He dismounted, let out a roar, and leaped onto Jin Shanyao, excitedly shouting, "Auntie, I passed the imperial examination! I passed the imperial examination!"
A look of joy flashed across Jin Shanyao's eyes. She dropped the pheasant, grabbed Meng Anci by the armpits, lifted him into the air, and excitedly exclaimed, "You got it?"
Meng Anci's eyes sparkled. "I got it... ah..." Before he could finish speaking, he was tossed into the air by the Jin Shanyao and caught steadily.
Meng Anci was so startled that she giggled, and her whole demeanor instantly became lively.
The title of "Childhood Scholar" was a hurdle in his heart, but he has finally overcome it through his own efforts.