Kong Xingzhuo looked at Shangguan Fang'er and Murong Qing, and whispered to Xiao Jinheng, "Young Master, what will happen to these two after we leave?"
He knew his young master was kind-hearted and wouldn't leave them to die.
But they had encountered countless refugees along the way, and his young master couldn't possibly help them all!
Xiao Jinheng said indifferently, "This matter has nothing to do with me. If Brother Sanman wants to help, then he can take care of these two people!"
Anyway, the village boy had already said that Brother Sanman would make proper arrangements.
Yun Sanman and Yun Jinhe loaded everything onto the carriage. After everything was ready, they were about to set off.
Unexpectedly, Shangguan Fang'er grabbed Yun Sanman's clothes and refused to let go, looking at him tearfully, "Don't go, if you go, I'll be hungry!"
Little Xi Tian sat on the carriage shaft, swinging her little feet and watching the show.
Third Brother wouldn't be so heartless, would he?
Yun Jinhe persuaded, "Third Uncle, why don't we take them with us? Look at this desolate place, what if we encounter wild beasts or bad people?"
Yun Sanman gave him a meaningful look.
You brat, you've taken a liking to Miss Murong, haven't you?
"Third Uncle!" Yun Jinhe tugged at him again, "Last night Miss Murong said she wanted to be my study companion at the academy, so, so..."
"What?" Yun Sanman's eyes widened. "Be a study companion?"
Murong Qing stepped forward and explained, "It's like this, Bocai Academy doesn't have dormitories or living quarters. Students who study there have to rent houses. I saw Jinhe studying and cooking by himself, and I was afraid he wouldn't be able to take care of himself, so I wanted to take care of his daily life..."
Yun Sanman didn't know what to say after hearing this.
He took out his tobacco pouch, rolled a cigarette, and pondered whether this matter was reliable.
After all, he hadn't figured out the background of these two women. What if something happened if he rashly entrusted Jinhe to Murong Qing?
Although they said they were fleeing from Chen Country, what if someone was chasing them? Wouldn't Jinhe be in danger?
"This matter... this matter, let me consider it again!" Yun Sanman murmured.
"Oh, Third Uncle!" Yun Jinhe saw that Murong Qing was about to cry, and quickly stepped forward to plead, "Actually, I'm also a bit uneasy, but I don't think these two sisters are bad people. Besides, isn't Sister Shangguan holding onto you and not letting go?"
Yun Sanman: "..."
What kind of wolfish words are these?
What do you mean by holding on and not letting go? What if the girl is not married yet? Wouldn't her reputation be ruined?
Just then, Little Xi Tian called out crisply, "Third Brother, it's okay!"
She could tell that Shangguan Fang'er and Murong Qing were not the kind of people who would cheat or deceive.
Besides, they had nothing to cheat.
It was just two carriages and the bedding and food inside.
Seeing that his sister had spoken, Yun Sanman had nothing more to argue about.
"Alright, we'll talk about it when we get to the academy!" Yun Sanman exhaled a puff of smoke and jumped onto the carriage.
Shangguan Fang'er and Murong Qing sat in Xiao Jinheng's carriage.
The journey was relatively peaceful, except for Shangguan Fang'er talking to herself, crying and laughing.
Along the way, they encountered many refugees. They helped those they could, and those they couldn't, they could only let fate decide.
Two days later, the group finally arrived outside the gate of Bocai Academy.
The academy was built on the mountainside. Looking up from below, the majestic main hall stood tall, and the classrooms were arranged in a crisscross pattern. Occasionally, the sound of diligent reading could be heard.
There was a county town at the foot of the mountain, much larger than Heyang County. Merchants and beggars from afar gathered here.
There were countless rows of residential houses, and people holding books could often be seen on the streets. They were all students of Bocai Academy.
"Wow, this academy is so grand!" Little Xi Tian stood at the main entrance of the academy, looking up at the plaque above the gate.
The four golden characters 'Bocai Academy' shone brightly in the sunlight, almost dazzling.
Yun Jinhe rubbed his hands excitedly. If all went well, he would study here from now on.
It could be a year or a half, or even three to five years.
This depended on when he could pass the imperial examination.
"Let's go see the dean first!" Yun Sanman said.
"Okay!" Yun Jinhe nodded.
He asked Shangguan Fang'er and Murong Qing to stay in the county town and only came to the academy with his sister, third uncle, and Young Master Xiao.
Yun Jinhe handed over his documents for passing the Xiucai exam and the recommendation letter from Dean Wei of Jinxiang Academy. The gatekeeper glanced at them and let them pass.
"It's noon now. Our dean hasn't been feeling well lately and his temper isn't very good. You'd better wait until he wakes up before seeing him!" the gatekeeper reminded them.
Yun Jinhe smiled slightly, "Thank you!"
Dean Fan lived in a separate courtyard here, with maids, guards, and a cook.
At this moment, Dean Fan was lying on a soft couch in the study, dozing.
Even in his sleep, he did not forget to pat his old waist and groan.
Yun Jinhe sat in the reception hall waiting. A maid brewed a pot of tea and brought it over, occasionally glancing at Little Xi Tian.
What a cute little girl.
Dean Fan had to lecture in the afternoon and couldn't oversleep. They didn't wait long before he woke up.
Hearing that someone wanted to see him, Dean Fan had someone bring Yun Jinhe and the others into the study.
"Student Yun Jinhe, pays his respects to the esteemed Dean!" Yun Jinhe stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
Dean Fan lowered his head and did not look at Yun Jinhe at all. Instead, he looked at the recommendation letter and Yun Jinhe's Xiucai exam results.
"You ranked first?" Dean Fan narrowed his eyes and looked up.
It was better not to look. The moment he looked, Dean Fan's heart felt like it was being scratched by cat claws, itchy and unbearable.
It wasn't for anything else, but because the young girl standing next to Yun Jinhe was too lovely.
Her soft, rosy, and cute appearance was like a chubby baby jumping out of a New Year's painting. He really wanted to pick her up and dote on her.
Today, Little Xi Tian wore her hair in a bun with a red ribbon, a pink floral jacket made by Sister Shanshan, and embroidered shoes with two peonies. Her round, big eyes were full of spirit, like a spring well gently rippling.
Dean Fan sighed, blaming himself for being old and unable to have children.
Otherwise, he would definitely have a little daughter.
Thinking of this, he patted his waist twice and coughed lightly, "Indeed, the younger generation is formidable. Not bad, not bad!"
"Thank you for your praise, esteemed Dean!" Yun Jinhe cupped his hands.
Xiao Jinheng turned his eyes and raised an eyebrow, asking, "Dean Fan, I heard that Bocai Academy has no dormitories. Is this true?"
Dean Fan glanced at Xiao Jinheng after hearing this.
This time, he could no longer sit still. He stood up abruptly, almost fainting.