On the third day of the tenth month, the examination papers for the scholars were distributed.
Meng Anci brought gifts with him, handed them to the servant, and bowed respectfully to Su Wenqian.
"Thank you for your guidance, sir... Without you, I'm afraid I would have stopped here."
"You flatter me... Study hard, and don't hesitate to ask me anything you don't understand in the future."
Su Wenqian cherished talent and couldn't bear to see Meng Anci the wrong path. He would be transferred from Qingzhou Prefecture in a year, and by then it would be difficult to give him guidance.
A flicker of regret crossed his eyes, but Meng Anci caught that fleeting change.
Without saying a word, he straightened his clothes, took a step back, and respectfully and without hesitation performed a formal apprenticeship ceremony for Su Wenqian.
"Student Meng Anci greets teacher!" His voice was clear and bright, and his movements were crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
Su Wenqian's heart skipped a beat; Meng Anci's ability to read people was truly remarkable.
His gaze fell on Meng Anci, and seeing his impeccable manners and ramrod-straight posture, he couldn't help but laugh.
He was still just a child; no matter how smart he was, he would get nervous. He helped Meng Anci and said earnestly, "Being my disciple is not easy."
Your words and actions must be impeccable. You must not use my name to act arrogantly, domineeringly, or to swindle and deceive. Even if you become an official in the future, you must think of the people. If you are found to be corrupt or accept bribes, don't blame me for cleaning up your ranks."
Meng Anci's heart pounded, and he couldn't suppress the smile on his lips. His eyes shone brightly, and his voice was clear and crisp, "This student will remember your teachings and will never dishonor your reputation."
Because Meng Anci's sudden decision to become a disciple caught Su Wenqian off guard, he had no choice but to take off the jade pendant from his waist and personally tie it to Meng Anci's belt.
"With your intelligence and talent, you will surely be promoted sooner or later. I only hope that you will stay true to your original aspirations and not be blinded by money and lust."
Meng Anci touched the jade pendant, his heart burning with heat. He couldn't remember how he accepted the official document, how he left the government office, or what he said before leaving.
Feeling dizzy, she returned to the Anzhi Hall, looked around blankly, and asked, " Qing Yang, where are my aunt and sister?"
Qing Yang handed the ointment to the customer, casually saying, "Didn't the master say he was going to the estate to collect medicinal herbs this morning? You forgot?"
Only then did Meng Anci snap out of his great surprise. Oh right... his aunt had gone to the estate.
In the back courtyard of the government office, Su Wenqian told Madam Su about taking Meng Anci as his Madam Su.
Madam Su, "Why did you send him back? He could have at least stayed for a meal."
"Why bother with all that formality? I took him on as a student because I value his talent and I'm afraid he'll go astray."
That kid is too smart; I only hinted at that one thought, and he caught me red-handed.
Unfortunately, his actions were too extreme, leaving no room for the other party or himself.
Su Wenqian took a bite of food and said, " Jin Shanyao doesn't know how to teach children. Look at her behavior, she's practically ready to stand in the street with a big knife and shout, 'I'm the boss, the second-in-command, and the third-in-command!'"
Meng Anci is going to follow her around forever; in less than three years... he'll be a real troublemaker too.
Madam Su chuckled. "Alright, if you don't like her, you can let her do whatever she wants... Tomorrow I 'Anci over for a meal and a formal apprenticeship tea ceremony."
"Since we're accepting students, we should be more formal to avoid being laughed at." She then added mysteriously, "What did your mother say before she died? She told you to hold onto the Jin Shanyao..."
Su Wenqian was so startled that he choked on his food and his eyes rolled back. Madam Su quickly poured him a cup of tea and handed it to him, saying, "I was just joking, look how upset you are."
Su Wenqian took the teacup, licked his lips slightly, and then swallowed the food.
He glared at his wife. "The other day, my uncle sent a letter saying that Congxi is getting married and asking Jingzhi and Shenzhi to go back home."
Madam Su, "That child Lu Chi, if he hadn't hidden away when you first went to find Jin Shanyao, Congxi wouldn't have been heartbroken for so long."
"It's only because he ran fast, otherwise I would have given him a good dressing down."
"After his term ends, I'll join you in criticizing him."
Su Wenqian picked up some food with his chopsticks and put it in her bowl. Seeing his wife staring at him happily, he blushed and coughed lightly twice.
He leaned closer and whispered, "Just bear with it a little longer... another six months will be enough."
Madam Su's face flushed completely red. She glared at Su Wenqian and said, "I was just thinking, how come you're so lucky? You can just casually say something and get a genius student."
Su Wenqian was somewhat disappointed; it turned out he hadn't been thinking about it after all... He ate a few bites of rice, not wanting to talk to his wife anymore.
As Anzhi Hall, Jin Shanyao, and Meng Anzhi entered the house, Meng Anci happily greeted them, "Auntie, Sister, I've become Lord Su Wenqian's student."
"What?!" Jin Shanyao thought she had misheard and rubbed her ears. Su Wenqian, that old-fashioned guy, actually accepted Meng Anci as a student.
Meng Anzhi exclaimed in surprise, "Really? Lord Su really accepted you as a student?"
"Of course..." Meng Anci sideways, thrusting his hips forward... exposing the jade pendant to the two of them, "It was a gift from my teacher to me when I became his disciple."
Jin Shanyao gazed at the jade pendant and murmured, "Should I return something?"
Meng Anci scratched his head, "Shouldn't we reciprocate a little?"
"Alright... I understand," Jin Shanyao her hand. Giving gifts is a big deal... She's been in the mortal realm for so long and hasn't given a gift to anyone yet.
We need to check a book to see what it says.
After the three finished their meal, they settled into the study to read as usual... Life is tough, not a single day is easy. After checking the accounts, Meng Anzhi began planning the harvest for tomorrow.
Jin Shanyao a stack of books in her left hand, flipped through them, and placed them on her right. On the paper were written: ten strips of dried meat, a bundle of celery, half a bag of lotus seeds, half a bag of Hongdou, half a bag of red dates, and half a bag of longan.
She stared at the paper for a long time without saying a word. Was this a bit too stingy? But the book said that giving these things as gifts had a good meaning.
Jin Shanyao thought for a moment and then marked the ten strips of dried meat with "one live pig" and the celery with "twenty bundles"... By the time she finished writing everything, it was already dark.
The Jin Shanyao its Spiritual Power onto the oil lamp, making the room brighter so the child wouldn't strain their eyes.
The next day.
Su Wenqian had just sat down when he heard a heart-wrenching squeal from outside the door, followed by a loud thud as something slammed against the door.
The couple exchanged a glance, and were just about to send a maid to see what had happened when a servant rushed in to report.
"Master, master, something terrible has happened! Miss Jin is blocking the back of the government office with a live pig, saying it's a gift for your apprenticeship. Right now, she's raising her fist at the pig!"
"Nonsense..." Su Wenqian jumped up in anger, making the dishes clatter. Madam Su quickly followed, "Husband, let's talk this out, don't get angry."
At this moment, outside the government office, Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci stood beside the oxcart, watching helplessly as their aunt beat up a pig.
"I'll let you run, I'll let you run..."
"Ahhh..." A bloodcurdling scream pierced the pig's heart, all because it had glanced at her among the herd, and she had chosen it...
"Heaven is going to kill me..."
"I'll teach you to yell..." Jin Shanyao twisted the pig's ear and punched it in the face, leaving a fist mark on the pig's head. Jin Shanyao was still not satisfied.
"Didn't we agree that I'd send you to King of Hell, and then help you reincarnate as a tiger...? The deal's done, and now you're going to back out?"
Two more punches followed. "You think I'm a good person??? Hmph... I don't even blink when I kill someone."
"You kill people without even blinking?" With an angry shout, the courtyard gate was suddenly flung open, and Su Wenqian was stunned by the scene before him.