It's time to enter the exam. In less than five days, Sister Mao Xiang had already gotten up and taken her family to get busy, and after the clothes and bags, test baskets and all kinds of food were ready to stop, Sister Mao Xiang sent the two of them all the way to the gate, and the housekeeper Lu Er personally drove the test away. Sister Mao Xiang waited until the car turned out of the street and was out of sight, then she raised her hands and bowed several times on her chest, muttering a few words "God bless, God bless", and then reluctantly turned around and entered the door.

Lu Er's car was stopped one street away from the Jungong Courtyard, and the car was not allowed to go any further. Mao Xiang and the others had to get out of the car and walk into the hospital, and when they arrived at the gate of the Gongyuan, the Xiucai who were rushing to take the exam from all over the country were already crowded, and there were always thousands of people. I finally got to the entrance, searched all the way, opened the clothes bag and test basket for inspection, and then hurriedly entered the room to find the number room. Needless to say.

Finally, the three exams were completed, and it was already three days later in the evening.

The gate of the Tribute Courtyard was opened, and the lifters walked out of the Tribute Courtyard in twos and threes, one by one exhausted, and some of the weak ones could not walk far before they sat on the ground.

Mao Xiang was discharged from the hospital first, waited in front of the door and waited for Wang Yihou, and the two walked out of the front street together.

Mao Xiang said to Wang Yi: "Huosheng, the first thing I want to eat now is to have a big meal." ”

Wang Yi said tiredly: "I don't feel hungry, I just want to sleep." ”

Someone in front shouted: "Uncle Young Master, Uncle Young Master!" Mao Xiang looked up and saw that it was Lu Er, the housekeeper of the Lu Mansion, who ran to him while beckoning, and said with a smile on his face: "Congratulations to the two young masters on their discharge, I have been waiting for most of the day to take the two young masters back to the house on the order of my wife." ”

Mao Xiang smiled: "Oh, the two of us are talking about finding a place to eat." ”

Lu Er said with a smile: "Go back to the house to eat, my wife has prepared big fish and meat early, take a good bath first, and then sleep beautifully when you are full." ”

The two followed Lu Er back to Lu Mansion without mentioning it.

When the next day was almost there, Mao Xiang got up from sleep, washed up and came to the front yard with Wang Yi, and Mao Xiang's sister had prepared a hearty breakfast waiting for them. After eating, Mao Xiang asked, "What are you doing these days?" ”

Sister Mao Xiang said: "It's still early to release the list, so you will go to all over Xiangyang Mansion to shop and play in the past few days." ”

Mao Xiang said: "What is the place to go in Xiangyang Mansion?" ”

Sister Mao Xiang said: "Coincidentally, today is the last day of the Guiyuan temple fair, which ended yesterday, but because the township examination was completed yesterday, the government granted an extension for one day, just so that the children can also relax." ”

After speaking, he called Lu Er to prepare the car, and Lu Zhu had already shouted that he wanted to go with his uncle and uncle, so he asked Cuixiang to follow.

Guiyuan Temple is the largest temple in Xiangyang Prefecture, in the west of Xiangyang City, surrounded by businessmen gathered, the market is prosperous, coincides with the temple fair, and is a three-year township test, it is even more lively. The shops in the surrounding streets are open early, and some of them have various stalls in front of them, and the square in front of the temple is also full of tents. Not only people from the city, but also people from the surrounding towns and villages have flocked here these days, some to buy things, some to sell their own goods, and some to see the excitement. In addition to all kinds of stalls, on the square in front of the temple, there are some empty places, juggling, singing, drumming, and books, as well as stalls and rings, and there are crowds of people everywhere, and the voices of people are boiling.

The carriage couldn't get in, Mao Xiang and Wang Yi took the green beads, followed by Cuixiang and Lu Er, and stopped all the way with the flow of people. I bought cotton silk candy for Luzhu, bought a bamboo monkey in colorful clothes that can shake his head and tail, Mao Xiang also picked a jade bracelet for his sister, and picked a few folding fans of Xiangfei bamboo bones, which according to the shopkeeper, are chrysanthemums painted by Xiangyang celebrities. Walking all the way to the temple gate, seeing that the temple is also full of incense, and the smoke is curling, Mao Xiang said to Wang Yi: "Let's also go in and have incense." ”

Lu Erdao: "There are too many people in front, so I will take the young master into it to offer incense." ”

Lu Er led a few people through the crowded crowd, passing through the Tianwang Hall and the Daxiong Treasure Hall in front, and came to the incense hall in the back. The monk in front of the door knew Lu Er, and opened the door to let a few people enter the apse, which was very clean. Lu Er said to Mao Xiang: "Ordinary people are not allowed to come to this apse, only the government and some big pilgrims and family members can enter it to offer incense." ”

Mao Xiang and Wang Yi's mothers both believe in Buddhism, and Wang Yi and Mao Xiang often go to Monk Ran, so they usually encounter temples with pillar incense. There have already been monks holding incense sticks, the two of them respectively finished the incense, at this time the monk came to greet him, saying that the host was in retreat, unable to see guests, he came to invite the two sons to drink tea. Lu Er was also familiar with this monk, so he asked, "There is no one in the guest hall behind, right?" ”

The monk said: "Today is a big temple fair, and it is not a big day, there would have been no monks to worship incense, but it happened that Miss Xue accompanied a friend to play today and rested in it." ”

Lu Er asked, "Is it the young lady of General Schröding's family?" ”

The monk said: "Exactly." ”

Lu Zhu jumped up on the side and said, "It's Aunt Xiangyun!" With that, he ran out.

Lu Er said to Mao Xiang: "General Xue is the commander of Xiangfan County, Zuo Shi, and our master is a world friend, this Miss Xue is the general's own sister, and she often corresponds with his wife, and it doesn't hurt for the uncle and young master to see him." Besides, now that it's past noon, this Guiyuan Temple's fasting meal is also famous, and it's cheap to eat some here. ”

Mao Xiang said: "Then let's have some fasting here." ”

The monk led the way in front and led everyone around into a courtyard. As soon as I entered the courtyard gate, I saw Luzhu holding a girl's hand and welcoming her.

This girl is in moderate shape, wearing an autumn-colored shoulder, a pink dress, a slightly round face, a pair of big eyes, elegant and dignified. Seeing Mao Xiang and the others, she stopped, looked down at Lu Zhu inquiringly, and Lu Zhu said, "It's Uncle Wang and Uncle Wang." The girl turned her head, squatted down and saluted: "I've seen Young Master Uncle, I've seen Young Master Wang." ”

Lu Zhu said loudly to Mao Xiang: "This is Aunt Xiangyun." ”

Mao Xiang and Wang Yi returned the salute, and Mao Xiang got up and said, "I don't dare to be Miss Xue's title." I am Mao Xiang, and this is Wang Yi. ”

Xue Xiangyun smiled and said: "I heard Sister Mao say it earlier, but I didn't dare to disturb before the township test, so I didn't come to the door." It's a coincidence today that my little sister is playing with a sister from afar and resting here. If you're not too presumptuous, have a cup of tea. ”

Mao Xiang said: "When the younger brother first arrived in Xiangyang, the people and land were sparse, so he didn't dare to take the plunge. Now I heard that the girl and her sister are world friends, so they don't think about being stupid and bothered with a shy face. But when she heard that the girl was here with her noble friends, she really didn't dare to disturb Qingyou. ”

Xiangyun smiled and said: "It's okay, although this sister is from a businessman, she is not a vulgar person in the market, and she is well-informed, so she will definitely not let the two sons have a backbone." Please. After speaking, he turned sideways and stretched out his hand slightly.

Mao Xiang nodded and said, "Then bother." Then he walked sideways towards the door.

As soon as he walked into the house, Mao Xiang suddenly stood up. Next to a Guanyin net bottle standing on the right side of the guest hall, a girl in green turned around, she was slender, with long eyebrows and sideburns, a pair of Danfeng eyes, and a smile. There was a feeling of helplessness for a moment, and Wang Yi behind him was also in a trance, and neither of them made a sound.

Xue Xiangyun walked past the two of them, stood in front of the girl in green and said with a smile: "This is Miss Ye Qi, my good sister." He turned his head to Ye Qi and said, "This is Mao Gongzi and Wang Gongzi." ”

Ye Qi smiled and gave a salute: "I've seen Mao Gongzi, I've seen Wang Gongzi." ”

Mao Xiang and Wang Yi hurriedly returned the salute, and Mao Xiang said: "I am fortunate to see Miss Ye, but I just disturbed the conversation between the two young ladies." ”

Ye Qi said with a smile: "Mao Gongzi is polite, I and the two sons came from afar, and now I am fortunate to meet them, all thanks to Sister Yun's blessing." ”

Xue Xiangyun said: "You're welcome, sit down, I heard that the two of you haven't eaten yet, let's use some snacks first, and then go over to eat when the fasting meal is cleaned up." ”

There was already a maid of the Xue family on a round table in the middle of the room, setting up a few plates of snacks and making hot tea. After Xiangyun and Wang Yi sat down, he pointed and said: "These are a few famous dim sum in Xiangyang Mansion, silver silk cakes, goose fat rolls, sesame baked cakes, and mille-feuille cakes, all of which I brought from home, please feel free to use them." After speaking, he took a goose fat roll and handed it to Green Bead.

Mao Xiang and Wang Yi saw that the dim sum was very exquisite, and they were indeed a little hungry, so they ate some of everything. Xiangyun and Ye Qi only drank tea and accompanied each other.

After eating, Mao Xiang took a few sips of tea and asked, "Where is Miss Ye from?" ”

Ye Qi put down the teacup and replied, "From Hexi County." ”

Mao Xiang was a little surprised: "So far? The girl is young and admirable. ”

Ye Qi said: "My family has been in business for generations, and I have followed my father and brother to some places since I was a child, but I don't feel anything. ”

Xiangyun said on the side: "My brother has been in the Hexi Army for ten years, and the Ye family also has iron ore and smelting ordnance in the business, so we have known each other for a long time. I met the seventh girl for the first time, this time she went to Xiangyang with her brother to do business, I hit her off at first sight, so I left her to live in my house, more close, more knowledge. ”

Ye Qi smiled and said: "Sister Yun, this is a joke for me, I am a wild girl, I run blindly outside all day long, my sister doesn't think I'm crazy and stupid, this is my creation." ”

Mao Xiang said: "Miss Ye is so polite, although we are Xu Mei, we are close to the age of weak crowns, but we stay in the poor countryside all day long, and Xiangyang Mansion is the farthest place we have got." ”

Ye Qidao: "The son is full of wealth, how can I compare with women like me, isn't there a saying: Xiucai doesn't go out, he knows the world." The crowd laughed.

Xiangyun said: "I heard Sister Mao say that Mao Gongzi is young and talented, and he is the leader in the hospital examination. ”

Mao Xiang hurriedly said: "How dare you dare, my sister is very protective of my brother, and my words must be biased." ”

Ye Qi's eyes flashed to Wang Yi and said, "Wang Gongzi has a calm heart, and he must also be confident. ”

Wang Yi's face couldn't help but blush, and said: "I am stupid by nature, I am 108,000 miles worse than Brother Mao, the hospital test is already a fluke, this time I only gave it a try to accompany Brother Mao, I don't dare to hope for anything in case." ”

Xiangyun said: "Wang Gongzi is also as humble as Brother Mao. ”

Mao Xiang asked Ye Qi with some curiosity: "Can merchants also smelt ordnance?" ”

Ye Qidao: "Ordnance smelting is managed by the government, and ordinary businesses cannot operate. Hexi County has been fighting for a long time, the loss of weapons is too great, and the government armory has no time to supply, because my family has iron ore, familiar with smelting matters, plus the trust of the government, I am authorized to smelt and build, but it is also under the unified management of the government, and cannot be built and sold privately. ”

Mao Xiang asked again: "Miss Ye came to Xiangfan from Hexi to do business, and it is not easy to run such a long way, right?" ”

Ye Qidao: "I'm nothing, but I just went out with my brother, so I should take a trip." However, it is not easy to do business, with goods, silver and money to travel a long distance, the world is more peaceful, otherwise when you encounter robbers, all things are lost, and you are afraid that your life will be gone. ”

Wang Yi couldn't help but ask, "Has Miss Ye ever encountered robbers?" ”

Ye Qi pursed his lips and smiled: "I'm lucky, I didn't run into it." ”

Xiangyun said on the side: "That's your family's big business, there are special guards, and ordinary robbers who dare to touch the mold." ”

Mao Xiang asked again: "Are there many robbers now?" ”

Ye Qi thought for a while and said: "There are more than in previous years, many homeless people and homeless people gather in the mountains, relying on hunting and cultivating small plots of land to survive, when there is no food, they go down the mountain in groups to rob, and when they grab it, they scatter in a hurry, and the government can't do anything about them." No more than those who really occupy the mountain, we have been in business for a long time, and we all know the scope of their activities. ”

Mao Xiang said: "Then you have to pay for the road from there?" ”

Ye Qidao: "I don't know those rules of the rivers and lakes. ”

Lu Zhu hurriedly asked: "Sister Ye, Sister Ye, are those robbers like the blue-faced fangs staged on the stage?" ”

Ye Qi smiled and said, "Your father specializes in catching robbers, you go back and ask him." ”

Xiangyun poked Lu Zhu's forehead with his finger: "You call me aunt, how can you call her sister?" ”

Lu Zhu said: "She is so good-looking and so powerful, I just want a sister like this." ”

Ye Qi smiled and said to Xiangyun: "Then I will also call you aunt." ”

Xiangyun said: "Torture me!" You good-looking and powerful woman, I call your sister forget it. ”

Mao Xiang asked Xiangyun: "Miss Xue, have you been living in Xiangyang?" ”

Xiangyun said: "My parents died when I was a child, and I have been following my uncle in the capital, and my brother was transferred from Hexi to Xiangfan 3 years ago, so I was not familiar with anyone in Xiangyang, only more with Sister Mao." ”

Mao Xiang arched his hand and said: "I don't know that Miss Xue's parents have passed away, please forgive me." ”

Xiangyun said: "Mao Gongzi doesn't need to be so polite. My uncle and aunt were very kind to me, and my brother loved me even more. I heard Sister Mao say that when the son was young, Lingtang also passed away, and we had some sympathy for each other. ”

While talking, a monk came to invite him, saying that the meal had been prepared and placed in the guest hall next to him, and invited everyone to go.

Xiangyun stood up and said, "We have already deviated, the two sons, please." After a pause, he said: "The seventh girl and I will say goodbye first, and after the list is released, we will congratulate the two sons." ”

Everyone also got up and said, "I disturbed the two girls this time, and I will invite the two girls back to my sister in a few days." ”

As they spoke, Xiangyun and Ye Qi sent Mao Xiang, Wang Yi and others out of the house. When he was about to walk out of the courtyard gate, Wang Yi couldn't help but glance back, but saw Ye Qi's faint eyes looking over, Wang Yi hurriedly turned his head, and his heart was a little dazed.