Kong Xiaobao Jin Shanyao to the front of the crowd and shouted, "Dad... Shopkeeper Jin is here!"
Kong Dongsheng, who was clinging to Old Kong's leg, hurriedly asked when Jin Shanyao approached, " Shopkeeper Jin, what did you say to my father...? This morning he suddenly said I was the bastard child of a bandit and demanded that we hand over my mother, or he would die."
Jin Shanyao was stunned. What did she say...? She seemed to have said she was a bandit, no...? Wasn't Old Kong's memory supposed to be fleeting? How much time had passed? Had he still not forgotten?
Old Kong caught a glimpse of the Jin Shanyao and suddenly turned his head.
His eyes blazed with fury as he roared, "You bandit! You've finally dared to show your face! Tell me... where did you hide my Xing'er...?"
Jin Shanyao's lips twitched slightly. "You come down first..."
Old Kong: "No! If you don't hand over my Xing'er today, I'll hang myself at your doorstep!"
Upon hearing this, Kong Dongsheng was so frightened that he clung tightly to Old Kong's leg, "Dad... you're confused, this isn't Shopkeeper Jin's house, this is your house, and it belongs to the Kong family."
Old Kong looked at Kong Dongsheng with unwavering defiance, "You bunch of cunning and ruthless bandits, even if you took my surname, I would never consider you family..." As he spoke, he began to put a rope around his neck.
The scene was chaotic, Jin Shanyao calmly stepped forward, pulled the stool out from under Old Kong's feet, and lifted Old Kong into the air with Kong Dongsheng in her arms.
Everyone was stunned. Kong Dongsheng quickly put his father on the ground. At this moment, the Old Kong looked at the rope above his head, then at the ground...
His plan to hang himself was foiled just like that??
Just as he was stunned, a clear female voice rang out, " Old Kong..."
Old Kong subconsciously turned his head and saw Jin Shanyao raise the stool high in front of him, then slam it hard on the ground with a loud bang, shattering the stool into pieces.
Old Kong jumped in fright, his eyes darting away as he moved closer to Kong Dongsheng's back, a wail rising in his heart, " Xing'er... I'm so sorry, I was threatened."
Kong Dongsheng finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that his father had stopped making a fuss. Ever since his father became confused, there had never been a day of peace in the house. He couldn't hit him or scold him; he could only endure it by following behind his father.
Kong Dongsheng said wearily, " Shopkeeper Jin... how did this happen?"
Jin Shanyao didn't answer him, her cold gaze falling on Old Kong. "Listen carefully... this is your home, your wife is Xing'er... all the children in this courtyard are yours, except Xing'er has been dead for seven or eight years. And I'm not a bandit."
The fear in Old Kong's eyes gradually gave way to confusion. He looked around and when he saw his son and grandson, his eyes dimmed instantly. He didn't say a word, took two steps forward and three steps back, and went into the house.
Just when everyone thought he had finally come to his senses, a heart-wrenching wail came from inside the room, " Xing'er... this Maiden Earth actually impersonated you to get me."
Xing'er... where are you? I can't see you... my heart aches..."
Jin Shanyao stood in the courtyard, looking at the closed door, and suddenly remembered the way he used to go to the grave with dumplings in his hand.
She said to Kong Dongsheng, "Go to the Anzhi Hall and get a dose of calming medicine later. After he finishes crying, brew it for him to drink." After saying that, she turned and left the courtyard.
When they returned to the Anzhi Hall, Zhou Xiaosi was showing Shen Huaiyu around the shop. He greeted her as she came in and then continued explaining the prices of the medicines.
Shen Huaiyu followed behind Zhou Xiaosi, listening intently. After hearing the prices of the various medicinal herbs, she couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Don't you need to look at the bill?"
"No need, I've already written it down."
Shen Huaiyu was immediately surprised. Anzhi Hall had a wide variety of medicinal herbs, and Zhou Xiaosi had actually memorized them all. Moreover, she observed that the girl named Qing Yang was very fast at keeping accounts, knowing the total amount with just a glance.
Anzhi Hall is indeed a place where hidden talents abound; no wonder it has attracted the attention of the Abundant Celebration Hall.
Nine days and six nights passed in the blink of an eye. On the day the provincial examination ended, Jin Shanyao brought Meng Anzhi in an oxcart to pick him up and take him home. Meng Anci was seen carrying large and small bags as he walked out.
Shiyan and Zhao Zhiyuan followed behind him. Shiyan was alright, having practiced martial arts for many years, but he looked unwell. Zhao Zhiyuan was not in such good condition.
He looked as if he had been stripped of his skin, his eyes were dull and lifeless, and he practically dragged his luggage out of the examination hall.
The three families immediately went to greet him. Jin Shanyao tossed the bedding onto the oxcart and said to Meng Anci, "The food at home is ready. Go back, take a bath, have something to eat... and rest for a few days."
Meng Anci softly and sat on the oxcart, lost in thought.
Seeing this, Jin Shanyao didn't say anything. Instead, Meng Anzhi took out a candy and handed it to him. Meng Anci glanced at her, took it, and took a big bite.
The siblings looked at each other and smiled.
Shiyan was about to go over and greet Meng Anzhi when Madam Shi pulled him back by the arm. Shiyan was puzzled, "Mother... didn't you say you'd propose marriage for me after the provincial examination? What's wrong with me going to say hello now?"
The Madam Shi glanced around hurriedly and whispered, "Keep your voice down... I meant after the provincial examination results are released, we'll go to propose marriage... Have the results been released yet?"
"Go home and stay there quietly. Your cousin is coming to stay in the city for a while in a couple of days... you should spend some quality time with her."
Shiyan watched the oxcart drive away and thought that a couple more days wouldn't make a difference, so he gave a nonchalant "oh".
After taking a bath and changing into clean clothes, Anzhi Hall and Meng Anci ate dinner and went straight to sleep. They didn't recover until the next evening.
He went into the study and saw a Luban ball on Meng Anzhi's desk. He picked it up casually and asked, "Have you hired a manager for the shop?"
"Yes, I'm from the South. I used to be the manager of the Abundant Celebration Hall," Meng Anzhi said, glancing up at him. Seeing him twirling the wooden ball in his hand, she smiled and said, "Aren't you going to take it apart and examine it?"
"No... I saw Zhao Zhiyuan when he was playing at the academy. Give me the ball... I'll bring it to him when I have time."
Meng Anzhi nodded and continued reading, not paying any attention to the ball.
The provincial examinations were held in August, the results were announced in September, and the metropolitan examinations were held in February of the following year.
During this time, no one knew how they had done on the exam, and everyone was on edge. Jin Shanyao was worried that Meng Anci would get sick from being so stressed, so she wanted to take him for a walk in the mountains.
The three loaded the food onto the oxcart and headed towards Hat Mountain. Just before leaving the city, they saw Shiyan standing at the city gate, chatting and laughing with a girl.
Shiyan...
Shiyan turned his head and saw Meng Anci, his eyes brightening slightly. " Anci... What a coincidence, I actually ran into you here," he said, his gaze unconsciously falling on Meng Anzhi.
Ruan Xingmian followed his gaze and saw a girl of about thirteen or fourteen years old. She was sitting on the oxcart and her height was not clear, but she was extremely beautiful. She thought about the purpose of her trip.
She smiled and called out, "Cousin, don't keep Aunt waiting."
Meng Anci looked up and saw the girl seem startled, hiding behind Shiyan. Shiyan, oblivious to the subtle change, continued to introduce the girl with a smile.
" Anci... This is my cousin, her name is Ruan Xingmian. She's here to visit my mother... And what brings you all here?"
Meng Anci looked away and smiled, "Let's go on a picnic on Hat Mountain..." After saying that, he looked at Ruan Xingmian again. The little girl was not very old, and her eyes were wet, like a frightened rabbit.
He suddenly laughed, and Ruan Xingmian was puzzled by his laughter, so she tugged at Shiyan's sleeve.
Shiyan understood and bid farewell to everyone, then led Ruan Xingmian home.