"Not eating anymore." Yang Chuxia glanced one more time before turning her head, "Few have the skills that can match Old Uncle Shenās."
Itās a pity Old Uncle Shen passed away a few years ago, in the same year her granduncle did.
Ye Ziāan asked again, "Do you want to go for a walk?"
"Sure, pull the cart over to the side."
The coachman parked the cart, Ye Ziāan got off first, then helped Yang Chuxia down.
Even though they didnāt bring a servant, their demeanor alone was exceptional, and people couldnāt help but take a look as soon as they got off the cart.
"Want to take a look at Artistry Pavilion?" After all, Xiaxia opened this first shop herself; it holds special significance.
"No, letās not." Yang Chuxia shook her head, "Letās just stroll around the street."
"There are so many more shops than before," Ye Ziāan commented, "The county magistrates in Quanya over the past few years have been good, all doing solid work."
Yang Chuxia chuckled, "Everyone knows this is your hometown, your eyes have been secretly watching. The county magistrates here wouldnāt dare to misbehave."
More than ten years ago, Quanya County produced a Lord Marquis and two prefects, which has almost become a legend here.
Since some of these officialsā relatives still live in Quanya County, over the past ten years, these officials have occasionally returned to visit.
If anythingās amiss and is detected by them, their official position might not be secure. Therefore, even those bold county officers wouldnāt dare stir trouble in their territory.
As they walked, they arrived at the entrance of Wangquan Academy.
The large characters above were proposed by Ye Ziāan. Five years ago, he returned with his twins to pay respects to the ancestors and was recognized by the Dean of Wangquan Academy, who specifically invited him over to propose the characters.
"What are these people doing?" There were many people gathered at the academy entrance, and there were numerous desks lined up, displaying many couplets.
"Every May, the scholars of Wangquan Academy participate in a calligraphy competition. Their competition is different; instead of inviting calligraphy masters or scholars to judge, all the pieces are laid on the tables for passersby to evaluate."
Yang Chuxia became curious, "How can they judge? There are so many students in the academy."
"Of course, not everyoneās work is displayed. Theyāve selected the top twenty studentsā calligraphy. Behind each table is a card; if you think someoneās work is good, mark a stroke on the card, and whoever has the most strokes will win."
"Thatās quite interesting." Yang Chuxia observed a few pieces but commented, "Arenāt they afraid of illiterate folks randomly marking?"
"There are some, but not many." After a pause, Ye Ziāan continued, "Besides, considering Wangquan Academyās status here, no one would dare cause trouble. Unless they donāt want their kids to attend school in the future."
Ye Ziāan pointed out an elder coming out of the academy and gestured with his chin, "Look, thereās usually someone overseeing."
"Are you going to evaluate them?"
"No need." Ye Ziāan pulled her along, "Come on, letās eat something first."
There are more than just the initial two restaurants in Wangquan Town now; after having eaten too much at Heaven Gathered Restaurant in the Capital City, they chose another restaurant and were just about to enter when they ran into a familiar face.
"You wretched boy, canāt you have a bit of sense?" A woman tugged the ear of an eleven or twelve-year-old boy, "Sending you to school and you donāt study properly, always hanging around with hoodlum friends, eating and drinking everywhere. Youāre so young! Learning to indulge in those things already? Youāre just like your father!"