Font Size:
Lin Jiabao had grown quite tall compared to three years ago; he was now a budding young man.
Upon seeing Qingli again, he was very happy, although he skillfully concealed his excited feelings, making it hard for anyone to notice.
After arriving at his residence, Qingli handed him the silver, giving him a bit more this time since she couldn’t guarantee she would be able to return in six months.
Upon hearing that she might not be able to come again, Lin Jiabao felt a sense of loss. It was the first time he asked Qingli about her personal matters.
“Are you going somewhere? Is that why you can’t come back?”
Qingli nodded, “Yes, I need to go to Nanyang City for some business. I might not return for a while, so I’m giving you a bit more money to ensure you won’t be short on funds.”
Lin Jiabao nodded, silently repeating the name “Nanyang City” in his mind.
The teachers often said that the best academy in the world was in Nanyang City, and future imperial examinations would also require going there.
Hearing that Qingli was going there sparked an urge in him to visit Nanyang City as well.
After speaking with Lin Jiabao, Qingli was about to leave when he suddenly said, “Wait.”
He hurried to Qingli’s side, a bit nervously opening his mouth, “I still don’t know your name or how to address you. Once I finish my studies, I’ll be sure to repay your kindness.”
Listening to his formal and respectful tone, Qingli chuckled as she ruffled his hair, “My name is Qingli, and you can call me ‘Sister.’ There’s no need for all the formalities; it feels strange. You don’t need to repay me. I’m just fulfilling a request. Just study hard and live well; that’s enough to make your parents at peace, understand?”
Lin Jiabao repeated her name in his mind, feeling it was beautiful.
Noticing he was still being reserved, Qingli encouraged him, “Little one, stop frowning all the time like an old man. Smile more!”
Lin Jiabao forced a smile. Upon seeing it, Qingli shook her head with a helpless grin.
“Alright, I have to go now. I need to catch the carriage. You two take care. If you need help, you can reach out to the little beggars in town. I’ve mentioned your name to them several times, and they will help you.”
Lin Jiabao nodded, “Okay, I understand, Sister.”
Hearing him call her “Sister” made Qingli smile back at him, feeling pleased with how it sounded.
After Qingli left, Lin Jiabao stood at the door, lost in thought for a long time before snapping back to reality.
…
When Qingli arrived at the city gate, Xue Nan was already waiting there. Upon seeing Qingli’s figure, his eyes lit up as he waved, “Li Jie, I’m over here!”
Qingli hurried over, “How long have you been waiting?”
Xue Nan replied, “Not long; I just arrived!”
In truth, he had been waiting for nearly an hour but didn’t want to admit it.
The two boarded the carriage and set off southward.
Without hiring a coachman, Xue Nan drove the carriage himself.
Throughout the journey, Xue Nan chattered away, filling the air with lively conversation.
After a day of traveling, they finally arrived at Furong City. The next stop was Huai’an City, and after that, they would reach Nanyang City.
Qingli had never traveled far before; her previous trips down the mountain had mostly been to places like Xishan City or the town of Nanshui, without venturing beyond those areas.
This was essentially her first significant journey.
Furong City was bustling and vibrant, with wide streets and beautiful buildings. The various shops seemed endless, and the inns were clean and tidy, though the prices were higher than in Nanshui Town.
They rented two rooms, washed up, and tidied themselves.
As evening approached, the streets remained crowded, showing no signs of thinning out.
Upon learning that the area was brightly lit at night and that people could go out to enjoy themselves, Qingli became intrigued. After dinner, she decided to take Xue Nan out for a stroll.
“The night scene in Furong City is truly lively,” Qingli remarked to Xue Nan as they walked through the streets, observing the multitude of people.
This was the first time Qingli had witnessed the nightlife of ancient people; she had always thought that they went to bed as soon as it got dark.
As they wandered through the night market, Qingli inadvertently spotted a stall and stopped in her tracks.
A banner hung in front of it, reading, “Fate and Reincarnation, All is Predestined.”
It was a fortune-telling stall, and sitting in front of it was an elderly man who seemed to be blind, feeling around with a worn pouch as he spoke with the stall owner about his request.
“Master, I just want to know if my son is still alive. I’m old now, nearing the end of my days, and I only wish to see him once before I die.”
The stall owner, a man in his thirties with a small goatee and dressed in Taoist robes, had small eyes that sparkled as he assessed the elderly woman before him.
“Old lady, it’s ten taels for a reading. Payment in advance, then I’ll tell you your fortune.”
Upon hearing this, the elderly woman looked troubled. She placed the money from her pouch on the stall, “This is all I have. Is it enough?”
“I’ve heard you’re quite accurate; please, Master, I truly wish to see my son again. If I could see him, I would die without regrets.”
The Taoist, somewhat disdainfully, opened the old pouch, which contained only a few small pieces of silver.
“Old lady, you don’t even have ten taels. I can’t do a reading.”
The surrounding crowd felt sympathetic. “Master Zhu, you should give her a reading! This old lady is quite pitiful. Her son went out to do business almost two years ago and hasn’t returned or sent any word. She’s in poor health and just hopes to see him one last time. Please, help her!”
The Taoist sighed, “It’s not that I don’t want to help, but our Jiuli Temple has rules. The cheapest reading is ten taels, and I cannot break the rules, or I’ll be expelled from the temple.”
Upon hearing this, the crowd fell silent, unsure of what else to say.
“Then how much more do you need? If not, we can gather the difference for this old lady.”
Someone who couldn’t bear to watch spoke up.
The Taoist’s eyes flickered with interest as he replied, “Five more taels.”
The onlookers were mostly ordinary folk, and while they could scrape together a few coins, five taels was beyond their means.
As the crowd felt hopeless, Qingli approached and placed five taels on the stall.
“I’ll cover this for the old lady. Please do her reading!”
At the same time, a woman from the left had just taken a pouch from her servant, preparing to help the elderly woman, but she was overtaken by Qingli.
When the woman saw Qingli’s face, her eyes widened in shock. The deep black of her eyes grew larger, filled with disbelief.
What was happening? She looked just like me!
The woman unconsciously touched her own face, standing there in a daze, feeling her heart race inexplicably.
On the other side, the Taoist was thrilled to see the silver and, upon noticing Qingli’s face, his eyes sparkled with renewed excitement as he looked her up and down. “Miss, you truly are both beautiful and kind-hearted.”
The elderly woman quickly expressed her gratitude, but her unseeing eyes darted around, trying to find the source of her help.
“Thank you, young lady. If my son returns, I will repay you, but if he doesn’t, I can’t pay back this much money as an old woman.”
Qingli gently reassured the elderly lady, “No need to repay, old lady. I don’t mind this little money. If it helps you, it’s far more meaningful than spending it on anything else.”
The crowd couldn’t help but praise Qingli, while the Taoist, however, looked at her like prey, frequently stealing glances.
Qingli sat down in front of the stall and looked at the Taoist.
“Are you not going to start, Master?”
She regarded him calmly while also observing his features.