Ugly girl only wants to farm

Xu Chaoyan looked at him in astonishment and asked uncertainly, "You really gave up? Don't you feel it's a pity? Many people would do anything to get in. Don't you feel regret?"

Shen Siheng scratched his head and glanced at Meng Jiuhe: "What's there to be reluctant about? I'll go alone anyway, and I'll be bored anyway. It's good to stay here and keep Brother Meng and the others company. If anyone bullies you in the future, I can at least lend a hand, right, sister-in-law? More people means more strength."

Meng Jiuhe still looked at Shen Siheng with a look of disdain, remaining silent. His brows furrowed as he finally spoke, reminding her, "Shen Siheng, don't act impulsively. I've heard that Mingyue Academy is one of the top academies in the county, and it's famous in several surrounding counties. You're here to study and pass the imperial examinations, not to travel. So many people are desperate to get into the academy, and you're still so dismissive. You don't know how to cherish this hard-won opportunity."

Without thinking, Shen Siheng said, "I already said I'm willing to go with you. Besides, you're new here and don't know anyone. What if someone bullies you? It'll be better if I'm here to help you. I'll take care of you."

After saying that, he patted his chest proudly.

Meng Jiuhe ignored him and continued to pack up the books. He had neglected his wife for a long time, and his anger had long since dissipated. He was just angry that she was being pushed away by him.

It would be nice to take them out for a stroll tomorrow for the Lantern Festival. These days, my younger sister and wife have been so busy with their business that they haven't had a proper rest at all. A pang of heartache flashed in my eyes.

When Xu Chaoyan saw his gaze fall on her, she immediately smiled, and Meng Jiu waved for her to come over.

"My wife, I'll go out with you tomorrow for the Lantern Festival."

Xu Chaoyan looked flattered. She had originally thought that Meng Jiuhe would refuse the invitation, and she had even planned to sneak out with Meng Jiuxia. She had even researched which walls were easy to climb over.

"Husband, really? Then I'll go tell my sister and the others that we'll go out together tomorrow. After tomorrow, you won't have much time since you're taking the entrance exam. Let's relax a bit tomorrow. Shen Siheng, why don't you stay for dinner today? We can have hot pot today. We still have some of the konjac tofu we made last time."

It snowed during the Lunar New Year holiday, and Xu Chaoyan buried all the konjac tofu in the snow to preserve it. The frozen konjac tofu has a unique flavor and texture, and in modern times it is called snow konjac. It tastes better than fresh konjac.

Upon hearing about konjac tofu, Shen Siheng's eyes immediately lit up: "Really, sister-in-law? Are you sure you want to eat this tonight? I'll go to my family's restaurant and get some dishes over in a bit. I've been craving konjac tofu for so many times. I didn't get enough of it last time. It's much tastier than meat."

After Meng Jiuhe gathered all the books on the desk, he came out and saw his wife and Shen Siheng smiling broadly. He smiled slightly too, pleased to see his wife smiling like that after so long.

Xu Chaoyan went to the Zhang family's place, and Meng Jiuhe quickly called her over, saying with a serious face, "Shen Siheng, we can accept your invitation to go out and have fun, but do you know what I hate most? I haven't settled the score with you for what happened last time. If you cause any more trouble this time, be careful that you will never be able to enter my courtyard again."

Startled, Shen Siheng waved his hands repeatedly, "Brother Meng, I really know I was wrong and I won't do it again. Besides, I didn't bring Qin Zhenzhen here last time. It's just that you're so handsome, she just took a fancy to you."

He muttered those last few words in a low voice, but Meng Jiuhe still heard them.

Xu Chaoyan was still excited. She had never seen an ancient lantern festival before. She had heard that the ancient Lantern Festival was very lively, with activities such as guessing lantern riddles and releasing lanterns, as well as various food stalls. She couldn't help but drool.

Shen Siheng kept rambling on and on, saying that this year's Lantern Festival was the most lively ever. He said that the wealthy merchants had raised a lot of money, and the county school had also put forward a lot of riddles and couplets. If you were lucky enough to get the headmaster's attention, things would be much easier later on.

This is also the purpose of his visit today. Originally, the county school had a fixed number of students to enroll each year. Ordinary families could not afford the tuition. Every year, the county school would also enroll a group of poor students, especially those with excellent grades. In addition to being exempt from tuition, they would also receive extra subsidies. It is said that some local gentry and wealthy merchants were cultivating talents, and some were even cultivating sons-in-law.

So everyone was desperate to get into the county school, but it wasn't as simple as just wanting to get in. Who said the entrance exams were fair and just? Where was true fairness and justice in this era? Money was king, and those who were truly talented might not even catch the eye of the teachers.

After spending time together, he realized that instead of going to Mingyue Academy alone and messing around with those people, it would be better to stay with Meng Jiu and the others. With his and Zhang Xuyang's knowledge, even if they didn't become the top scholar, they could at least become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).

If he befriends them now, he'll become a friend of the Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). Surely his father won't say he's unlearned and incompetent then? Oh, and when I have time, I should introduce Meng Jiu and the others to my father. He really likes learned people.

After hearing his plan, Xu Chaoyan thought about it and realized that what he said made a lot of sense. Anyway, they would make two preparations and try their luck before taking the entrance exam.

She originally wanted to suggest that Meng Jiu use his good looks to seduce him, but Qin Zhenzhen looked at him as if she wanted to devour him alive. Little did she know that her husband had been sulking with her for so long because of this.

She didn't dare to provoke the tiger, so Shen Siheng naturally stayed to freeload again. Tomorrow was the Lantern Festival, and Aunt Zhang had soaked some beans to make some dried tofu and tofu pudding. She would carry the order slips out to sell them, saying that these kinds of interesting things were what young people like. The two of them would just go to the street to enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Xu Chaoyan couldn't persuade them. She knew they were worried about their son and the family's expenses, so she didn't know what comforting words to say. As soon as the Lantern Festival was over, she and her sister would make tofu and set up a small food stall, which should be enough to make a living.

Since that day when Qin Zhenzhen went to the temple fair with them, she has never had the chance to see Meng Jiuhe again.

She sent her maid to inquire about Meng Jiuhe's whereabouts but couldn't find out. She wondered if the man was hiding too well or if they hadn't gone out at all. So she simply told the maid to keep an eye out for the ugly woman's movements and find out who she was. That kind of woman is best dealt with with money.

She was pulling at a tree in the garden in frustration, and seeing that she was almost stripping the leaves bare, the maid quickly stopped her: "Miss, if you keep pulling the leaves off this tree, it will be almost bare. If the master sees it, he will be angry again. Today is the Lantern Festival. How about I take you out for a walk to relax?"

Qin Zhenzhen grabbed a handful of leaves and threw them at the maid: "I'm not going, I'm not in the mood."

The maid knew what was troubling her. Throughout the New Year holidays, the master and mistress had mentioned it several times, saying that the young lady should start looking for a husband after the spring, and it would take one or two years from the time she started looking for a husband to the time she was ready to get married. The young lady was very troubled by this.

Suddenly, the maid had a bright idea: "Miss, didn't we hear that Young Master Meng was going to enter the county school? The county entrance exam is tomorrow. We can just go there and wait for him. We won't have to worry about him running away."

Qin Zhenzhen had almost forgotten about this. A smile suddenly appeared on her face: "Thanks for reminding me, there's a reward today. When you get back, go to my jewelry box and choose something you like."