Chapter 38 - 35: Given by My Wife

The provincial examination was half a month away.

Xiao Mo and Bai Ruxue stood at the entrance to the village, each carrying a small bundle on their back.

Facing them was the village chief and his family.

"Chief, are you sure you won’t give it a try this time?" Xiao Mo asked the village chief.

The village chief was also a Scholar, so he was naturally eligible to take the provincial examination.

"Forget it, forget it." The village chief shook his head. "I’m already fifty years old. I’m not going to bother. Even if I went, it would just be a waste of money on travel. I’d rather use it to buy Ying’er a few nice outfits. Xiao Mo, you focus on your exam. We’ll be waiting for your good news."

"It’s okay if you don’t pass, either. Look at your chief here—he’s been taking it for decades and has never passed. As long as you want to, you can always try again in the future. If it really doesn’t work out, you can do what he did and open a private school. You can scrape by."

Aunt Chen said to Xiao Mo.

Although Aunt Chen was just a woman, she knew that some people could take the exams until they died and never pass to earn the rank of Scholar.

Her own husband, for example.

"I know, Aunt Chen. I’ll just do my best," Xiao Mo said with a smile and a nod.

"As long as you know. Don’t go trying to kill yourself if you do poorly. You still owe my family for a lot of dried rations, you know."

Aunt Chen shot Xiao Mo a look, then pulled Bai Ruxue aside. She seemed to whisper some instructions to her before handing her a face veil.

Half an incense stick later, Xiao Mo cupped his hands in farewell and boarded the horse-drawn carriage.

Bai Ruxue drove the carriage, taking Xiao Mo toward the State Capital.

"Did Aunt Chen say anything to you?" Xiao Mo asked, sitting beside Bai Ruxue.

"Aunt Chen said I’m too beautiful, and that there are many profligate sons of rich families in the county seat. She said I might attract a lot of trouble, so she told me to be careful, to wear the veil once we enter the city, and to never leave your side," Bai Ruxue answered truthfully.

"Mm," Xiao Mo nodded.

’Aunt Chen has a point.’

’With my current status as a mere Scholar, I really can’t protect her.’

’Then again, if we do run into trouble, Bai Ruxue probably won’t be the one in danger.’

’Bai Ruxue herself probably doesn’t even know she’s already a Dragon Gate Realm Cultivator.’

’One more step, and she’ll form her Golden Core.’

’Her cultivation talent is as ridiculous as Jiang Qingyi’s.’

’So, any of those typical young masters should count themselves lucky if she doesn’t devour them.’

’It’s just...’

Xiao Mo glanced at the girl’s profile.

’Qingyi is ruthless and decisive; she’d never let herself be taken advantage of.’

’But for a Demon, she’s far too kind.’

’That’s both a good thing and a bad thing.’

「Six days later」

Xiao Mo and Bai Ruxue entered the State Capital of Jiangnan State.

"Candied haws for sale! Candied haws! Two coppers a stick!"

"Right this way, valued customer."

"Dining in or staying the night, sir?"

"Young Master, you haven’t visited in so long! I’ve missed you terribly."

Upon entering the State City, the shouts of street vendors and merchants from all trades rose and fell in waves, while pedestrians bustled back and forth along both sides of the street. There were scholars in green robes, young masters from wealthy families, and young mothers leading little girls with their hair in tufts.

Seeing all this in the State Capital, Bai Ruxue’s eyes lit up.

Bai Ruxue, who came from the mountains, had only ever been to Shiqiao Village at the foot of the mountain—the most populated place she’d seen. She had never even entered Qingshan City, let alone a State City.

After stabling the horse and carriage, Xiao Mo took Bai Ruxue to find an inn.

Inns had special rates for Scholars taking the provincial examination, so it wasn’t too expensive.

After dropping off their luggage, Xiao Mo walked with Bai Ruxue through the streets of the State City, taking in the prosperity of the Human Race.

Bai Ruxue looked this way and that.

Everything in the city was new and fascinating to the young woman.

"Xiao Mo, I want to eat candied haws!" Bai Ruxue exclaimed, shaking Xiao Mo’s wrist with her fair, delicate hand.

Xiao Mo paid two copper coins for a stick of candied haws. Bai Ruxue lifted her veil slightly and took a bite.

The initial sweetness made the young woman’s eyes sparkle.

But as she bit down, the sourness of the hawthorn made her eyes narrow into slits.

The old man selling the candied haws was also stunned.

’He had never seen such a beautiful woman.’

Bai Ruxue walked on while eating the hawthorns, occasionally holding the stick up to Xiao Mo’s face. "Xiao Mo, you have some too."

Xiao Mo shook his head, indicating he didn’t like candied haws.

Bai Ruxue didn’t understand; she found them quite tasty.

"Steamed buns for sale! Get your steamed buns..."

From the side of the street came the cry of a bun seller.

Xiao Mo couldn’t help but stop and look toward the bun stall.

"Do you want a steamed bun, Xiao Mo? I’ll go buy one for you," Bai Ruxue said.

"No." Xiao Mo shook his head. "I was just reminded of someone."

"Someone?" Bai Ruxue asked curiously.

"It’s nothing." Xiao Mo smiled, shook his head, and continued walking.

Bai Ruxue didn’t think any more of it.

As they passed Cloud Mist Pavilion, Bai Ruxue saw scantily clad women pulling men into the building, practically pressing their entire bodies against them.

Bai Ruxue asked curiously, "Xiao Mo, what is that place? Why are those women wearing so little, and why are they pulling men inside?"

Xiao Mo glanced over and explained, "That’s a brothel."

"What’s a brothel?"

"A brothel is... a place for matters between men and women."

"Matters between men and women? What kind of matters are those? You’re a man and I’m a woman, so can we do them too?"

"..."

"Xiao Mo, tell me, tell me..."

"A young lady shouldn’t ask so many questions." Xiao Mo gently tapped Bai Ruxue on the head.

Bai Ruxue rubbed her head and pouted, muttering, "But I’m a grown-up lady!"

But Bai Ruxue wasn’t upset. She walked up and pulled on Xiao Mo’s wrist. "Xiao Mo."

"What is it?"

"In the future, for those... matters between men and women, you should come find me, okay?~"

Xiao Mo’s brow twitched. He was at a loss for words.

For the next few days, Xiao Mo stayed in their inn room to study.

Even though the streets were lively, Bai Ruxue found them boring without Xiao Mo to accompany her.

Soon, the provincial examination began.

It was time for Xiao Mo to go to the Imperial Examination Hall for the test.

"The Qi Kingdom’s provincial examination lasts for three days. During these three days, Miss Bai, you must remember not to wander off, understand?"

Xiao Mo instructed Bai Ruxue before he left.

"Don’t worry, I’ll be very obedient. Xiao Mo, you have to do your best on the exam, okay?~ It’s fine if you don’t pass, though. Aunt Chen said only a Wenqu Star can pass and become a Scholar, and you’re not a Wenqu Star."

"Well, thank you so much for that," Xiao Mo said sarcastically, tapping Bai Ruxue’s head. "I’m off."

Xiao Mo turned and entered the Imperial Examination Hall.

Before entering the hall, everyone had to be searched. A minor official frisked Xiao Mo thoroughly, patting him down all over.

’This guy isn’t just being thorough,’ Xiao Mo thought, ’he must be from Sichuan and Shu.’

"What’s this?" the official asked, looking at the Snake Scale on Xiao Mo’s chest.

"A Protective Talisman."

Xiao Mo turned his head to the side and glanced at the young woman gazing at him from outside the examination hall’s courtyard.

"My wife gave it to me."