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Song Jingyun and Lu Yuming were unaware of the whereabouts of the other students and whether they had already arrived in the capital.
Being students from the same academy, they were quite familiar with each other. In such an unfamiliar place, having a fellow student as a companion would naturally bring a sense of reassurance.
Both Song Jingyun and Lu Yuming hoped to meet with others before the examination.
Feeling a bit disappointed not to see anyone else at the moment, they understood that since all were heading to the capital for the examination, they would eventually arrive there. Once there, they would likely explore places like bookstores, increasing the chances of running into each other.
Thinking this way lightened their hearts.
After chatting for a while and selecting books they wanted to read, they realized it was getting late and bid each other farewell.
Lu Yuming went to find the attendant who accompanied him to the examination, while Song Jingyun headed to the nearby fabric shop to search for his wife.
Song’s Fabric Shop was spacious, with two floors filled with a wide variety of fabrics and ready-made garments, making it a bustling and crowded place.
With so many customers, it was impossible to call out loudly, so Song Jingyun had to carefully navigate through the shop.
The majority of customers in the fabric shop were women, with few men present. A young man like Song Jingyun, with his scholarly and refined appearance, was a rare sight.
Upon entering the shop, Song Jingyun immediately attracted the attention of many, especially the unmarried young ladies who blushed, turned away, or took a few steps back to avoid any unwanted attention.
Despite their attempts to avoid him, they couldn’t help but steal a glance or two surreptitiously.
As the prefectural examination approached, young scholars gathered in the capital for the annual examination.
Although passing the prefectural examination only granted the title of Tongsheng, there were still opportunities for a promising future ahead. As a Tongsheng, one could teach children or engage in copying texts and writing letters to earn a living easily.
Those participating in the prefectural examination were often considered good prospects for marriage.
Therefore, many young unmarried women would take to the streets during this time each year, hoping to encounter a suitable partner and find a beloved husband.
At present, Song Jingyun’s scholarly and refined appearance, along with his handsome face and exceptional aura, made him stand out among the scholars. Naturally, some young ladies blushed and felt their hearts flutter, considering how to engage in conversation with him later.
Some pondered how to orchestrate a seemingly chance encounter.
After all, scholars often believed in fate and serendipitous encounters.
Encountering someone two or three times in a day could be seen as a sign of a destined connection, right?
As some individuals were eagerly preparing to approach him, Song Jingyun noticed Jiang Mixia carefully selecting fabrics. He quickly walked over and greeted her, “Wife.”
“Have you finished buying books?” Jiang Mixia compared the fabrics she held to Song Jingyun’s attire. “You arrived just in time. I found a few fabrics that would suit you perfectly. Take a look at the texture and color, see if you like them.”
Song Jingyun touched the fabric, examined the surrounding materials, and nodded in approval. “Wife, you have a good eye. I find these fabrics excellent as well.”
It seemed Jiang Mixia’s choice aligned perfectly with Song Jingyun’s taste.
Delighted with her selection, Jiang Mixia instructed her assistant to hold the fabrics and proceeded to look for softer materials suitable for making lightweight garments.
The young ladies who had their eyes on Song Jingyun now realized he was already married, which left them feeling quite disappointed.
To think that such a fine young man was already happily married—it truly was a missed opportunity.
Moreover, by the looks of it, the affection between Song Jingyun and his wife was evident. Whenever they looked at each other, their eyes sparkled with love, making it seem like they couldn’t possibly have eyes for anyone else.
What a pity, as although the young man appeared simple in his attire, a closer look revealed the fine quality of his clothing, made of luxurious fabrics with intricate designs—a subtle display of wealth.
Such a family, with a strong foundation and knowledge, was truly a remarkable household…
It was indeed a missed opportunity.
Those who had been curious retracted their gaze, shaking their heads in sighs of resignation.
Unaware of these observations, Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun selected a few suitable fabrics, picked out a set of clothes each, paid at the fabric shop, arranged for delivery, and then returned to the inn.
In the following days, Song Jingyun focused on his studies.
Occasionally, he would meet with Lu Yuming to visit bookstores or teahouses, and even explore some of the renowned academies in the capital to observe how other scholars studied and engage in discussions on various topics.
Since Jiang Mixia wasn’t interested in male interactions of this kind, she was reassured to see Song Jingyun handle these social interactions well, allowing her to concentrate on her own tasks.
First, she paid a visit to Zheng Yuanhe.
Zheng Yuanhe’s family primarily dealt in medicinal herbs and grains. As the eldest son, Zheng Yuanhe was currently in charge of the herbal business.
When Jiang Mixia arrived, Zheng Yuanhe was busy in the medicinal herb shop and promptly invited her to a quiet room within the shop, where a servant brought some tea.
“Madam Jiang has come from afar, and I should extend my hospitality properly,” Zheng Yuanhe smiled.
“Manager Zheng has already been very attentive. I haven’t had the chance to thank you for the inn matters,” Jiang Mixia replied warmly. “These are some homemade pickled vegetables and dried goods from our household. I thought you might enjoy these rustic delights, so I brought them as a gift for you to savor.”
Zheng Yuanhe opened the ceramic jars that Jiang Mixia had brought.
There were pickled mustard greens, the kind that required soaking and then mixed with vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and chopped scallions—crisp and refreshing. They could also be stir-fried with eggs, a rare and delightful side dish.
Dried long beans, soaked thoroughly before usage, could be used in dumplings or stews, intensifying in flavor with each bite.
Chili bean sauce—made with soybeans, peanuts, and chili paste—offered a spicy and fragrant experience, perfect for pairing with noodles or rice.
Just by looking and smelling these offerings, Zheng Yuan’s mouth watered several times. He couldn’t help but lick his lips. “Although we have land, our tenants aren’t skilled at pickling. My mother has been craving the pickled vegetables from my aunt’s farm for a while now. I was actually thinking of where to find some good pickled goods. It’s fortunate that Madam Jiang sent these, truly solving my urgent need.”
“This is truly catering to your taste,” Jiang Mixia chuckled. “Once the madam tastes them, if she enjoys them, I’ll send more your way.”
“I would truly appreciate Madam Jiang’s help with that. If there are more, when you deliver to Zheng’s, please give them to shopkeeper Sun. He will arrange for them to be sent to the capital,” Zheng Yuanhe said with a smile.
(End of chapter)