Throughout the day, Meng Anci dared not slack off for a moment and finally managed to keep up with Master Cen's pace.
Shiyan wasn't so lucky. Although he was second in Willow and Poplar County, he wasn't second in the prefectural city, so he had no advantage at all in the Licentiate Candidate Institute.
When school ended in the evening, Meng Anci saw his own oxcart parked next to a group of horse-drawn carts, standing out like a crane among chickens.
Not only did he notice, but all the students noticed; they pointed and whispered about the oxcart.
Meng Anci scoffed. A bunch of people who had never seen Old Niu's strength, only knew how to chatter behind his back. He braced his hands on the cart floor and climbed up with a burst of strength.
He patted the cow's rump, then leaned lazily against Dahuang and slowly walked home.
"Hey, look! His oxcart doesn't need anyone to drive it."
"Yes, if no one's leading the cow, it'll wander into the ditch."
"Stay away from the oxcart, lest it crash into you. You're from a small town, after all; you act recklessly."
The old ox glared at the ignorant humans. "Are your two eyes just for show? Going down the ditch? Bah!"
Meng Anci home, he greeted Jin Shanyao and then plunged into his study, burying himself in his studies. The Licentiate Candidate Institute had made him realize that there are always people more capable than oneself, and that there is always something beyond one's understanding.
He was like a koi carp in Willow and Poplar County; everyone who saw him praised him for being clever and charming. But when he swam across the low-lying areas to a wider region, he discovered that koi carp were everywhere there.
There are many people smarter than him; he is not the most outstanding, and he even needs to work hard to catch up.
The signboard for the Anzhi Hall hung up all day, but no one came to consult doctors or have their fortunes told; not even a beggar appeared.
As darkness fell, Jin Shanyao down the door panel and led Meng Anzhi back to the backyard.
Qing He had already prepared the meal. "Master, why don't you go check on the young master? I called him four or five times, and he only answered but didn't come out to eat."
Jin Shanyao her head in confusion. Had he been bullied at the academy? She pushed open the study door and saw the little guy with a serious expression, writing furiously, though she couldn't tell what he was writing.
Jin Shanyao tapped the table. "Why aren't you going to eat?"
Meng Anci was taken aback. "Auntie, when did you arrive?"
"So you didn't recognize me, a grown man, coming in?" Jin Shanyao chuckled, "What are you writing, so seriously?"
" Records of the Grand Historian," the Prefectural City Academy was different from the one in Willow and Poplar County. There were no lessons here. He had secretly observed his classmates. They were quick-witted and had neat handwriting.
Jin Shanyao up a chair and sat down beside him. "Did anyone bully you today?"
Meng Anci his head, "It's fine, Auntie, don't worry."
"Don't tolerate any difficult behavior. Talk to your aunt. Some unruly kids might not have a problem with themselves, but rather with their parents."
The saying goes, "You have to consider the owner before you hit a dog." If the dog bites him, his aunt will go and hit the dog's owner.
Meng Anci smiled and said, "I know, Auntie, I can train the dog."
What dog are you training?? Has this kid gone mad? His words are incoherent. "Alright, finish your meal before you start training. Qing He made your favorite sweet and sour fish today."
After dinner, the adult and two children sat on the kang table studying the map of Hat Mountain. Meng Anzhi held a cucumber in her hand, occasionally taking a bite.
"Let's build a 'cat and dog temple' for Dahuang and Xiaoli first, otherwise their little brothers won't have a place to live," Meng Anzhi drew a circle on the blueprint.
With a gentle Jin Shanyao, she said, " Anci, add an expense for the Cat and Dog Temple to the budget."
Meng Anci took a brush and carefully wrote it down in the notebook. He looked up at the map and said, "Auntie, this flat area can be used as a drying ground for medicinal herbs."
With no shade and plenty of sunlight nearby, it's perfect for building Second Estate.
"But we used the money to buy mountains and shops, and the rest we need to buy seeds and hire people, so we're a bit strapped for cash."
Jin Shanyao and said, " Hat Mountain has abundant vegetation and is sparsely populated. When I have time, I'll go in and explore. Perhaps there are some hundred-year-old medicinal herbs."
Meng Anzhi took a bite of cucumber. "Okay, I'll go with you to take a look."
"No need. I don't know the specifics of Hat Mountain yet. I'll go scout ahead first."
Meng Anzhi wanted to say something more, but remembering her aunt's abilities, she swallowed her words. The three of them wrote and noted until 7 PM before finally going to sleep.
The next day, Jin Shanyao and Meng Anzhi squatted at the shop entrance, watching the flow of people passing by.
"This can't go on..."
Meng Anzhi nodded silently, "It's time to do something..." After saying that, she got up and went to Meng Anci's room. When she came out, she had a gong in her hand.
She carried the gong and headed towards the street, but Jin Shanyao grabbed her arm and asked, "Where are you going?"
"Call for backup..."
Jin Shanyao's eyes flickered slightly. Since they were calling for people, they should find some influential ones.
She summoned Qing Yang and said, "Go to the government office and tell them that Anzhi Hall is offering free medical consultations to the entire government office."
And I asked Lord Su to convey my feelings of longing for Old Madam Su.
Qing Yang was puzzled. The shop was so close to the government office, so why didn't Old Madam Su visit it herself?
Thinking this, I arrived at the entrance of the government office. I explained my purpose to the gatekeeper and was soon invited into the second hall.
Lord Su, dressed in his official robes, sat behind his desk and asked as she entered, "Speak, what is it?"
He put the case file aside, pinched the bridge of his nose, and ever since Jin Shanyao moved into the prefectural city, he had been on tenterhooks every day. Dealing with her was more tiring than dealing with his colleagues.
Qing Yang: "My lord, my master said that Anzhi Hall is offering a free clinic and has invited everyone in the government office to come and see the patients."
Su Wenqian paused, his hand stilling as he pinched his brow, and asked uncertainly, "No money required???"
"It's free."
Su Wenqian didn't believe that someone obsessed with money could be so greedy.
"Go back and tell your master that I appreciate her kindness, but it's inconvenient for me to leave while on duty, so I won't bother her any further."
Qing Yang: "My lord, my master asked you to pass on a message to Old Madam Su. He would like to invite her over for a small gathering when he has some free time."
Su Wenqian, like a cat whose tail has been grabbed, instantly bristled, threatening... a blatant threat. His eyes widened, startling Qing Yang.
She forced herself to remain calm, "If there's nothing else, sir, I'll take my leave."
"Wait a minute," Su Wenqian called out to her, suddenly having an idea.
"I've thought about it, and since Shopkeeper Jin meant well, it's not good to refuse. So, I'll personally lead a group over, as a way of celebrating her grand opening."
After speaking, he summoned the registrar and whispered a few words in his ear. When Qing Yang and Su Wenqian came out, they saw a group of constables and yamen runners holding knives and sticks, dressed neatly, waiting outside.
Su Wenqian, dressed in official robes, strode confidently toward the Anzhi Hall.
The registrar gave the yamen chief a look, and the yamen chief understood and led his men to block the entrance of the Anzhi Hall.
Not letting anyone near, Jin Shanyao was unaware of what was happening outside. She was carefully taking their pulses when she took a moment to glance outside, and sure enough, the shop was crowded with people.
Jin Shanyao in satisfaction. The book was indeed right; having a powerful figure backing you makes all the difference. The market has opened up.
The next day, Jin Shanyao squatted at the shop entrance, watching passersby point and whisper about her shop, and wondered, "This shouldn't be happening, right?"
Yesterday was so lively, why hasn't anyone come to the clinic today?
Isn't Lord Su enough? Why not invite the King of Hell to try?
Just as she hesitated, Qing He rushed back with a vegetable basket on her shoulder. "Master, has the master sent any news?"
"What news..."
Qing He put the vegetable basket on the ground and whispered to her, "It's all over the streets, saying that someone died in the Anzhi Hall, the whole government office has been mobilized, and they also say that you're already in jail."
She stood up, fanning herself with Jin Shanyao. "Nonsense! When did anyone in our family die?"
Qing He pulled her back, "Why are you shouting so loudly? Squat down quickly..."
Yesterday, a patient came to the door but was stopped at the door by the yamen official, who said that government officials were handling cases and that unauthorized personnel were not allowed to approach.
Upon hearing this, Jin Shanyao's anger flared up. "You, Su Wenqian, dare to scheme against me? Just wait and see how I deal with you!"