Yue Sihai tugged at his hair, "No matter what, he’s been exposed by me and has no face to stay at Yuekelai anymore."
Perhaps that’s the case.
Zhao Dahe pursed his lips, but he always felt that this matter wasn’t that simple.
Zhao Dahe felt a little embarrassed.
Yue Sihai immediately called for the waiter to bring wine and dishes, "Today, this meal is on me."
After the exam, it’s okay to have a little drink.
After drinking, Yue Sihai became more talkative, and by the end of the meal, he had fully recounted his family’s situation.
The Yue family runs a pork shop, not as wealthy as those rich families, but not too bad either. Otherwise, they couldn’t have supported Yue Sihai to study and occasionally helped Liu Feng.
People who drink are particularly emotional; Yue Sihai hugged a small wine jug and yelled, wondering why Liu Feng, whom he treated so well, would harm him.
Zhao Dahe thought to himself, such matters are nothing more than about fame and fortune.
Or perhaps, there are unknown inside stories.
It’s just that if Yue Sihai himself doesn’t know, then outsiders like them would know even less.
By the end of the meal, only Yue Sihai was drunk.
Li Chang’an and Qin Zheng had the hard task of supporting and dragging him back to his room.
Zhao Dahe breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Meng Yao with grievance.
Meng Yao understood Zhao Dahe’s accusation—why did he have to gain such a sworn brother?
"You helped him yourself, blaming me?"
Early that morning, as soon as she came downstairs, Yue Sihai eagerly introduced himself. Whenever she went out, he would follow, full of enthusiasm.
Some people pretend to be enthusiastic with ulterior motives.
Some are genuinely enthusiastic from the heart.
Though Yue Sihai looked rough, his eyes were clear. Although he talked a lot, it was obvious he was someone worth befriending. Zhao Dahe didn’t have many friends, and on the road ahead, the more friends, the better.
So Meng Yao allowed him to run around for her.
Zhao Dahe was speechless, his mother made so much sense that he couldn’t refute it.
"Mother, shall we pack up and leave early tomorrow morning?" Zhao Dahe said.
"Not waiting for the results?" Meng Yao was a bit surprised.
"Wait for what? Anyway, after the results are out, the government office will send a special person to deliver the message." Zhao Dahe replied.
Usually, people wait for the results after the exams, firstly to see if they made it to the list, and secondly to make more scholarly connections during this time.
Should she say her son’s mental resilience is strong?
Or should she say he’s arrogant and unrestrained?
His calm demeanor clearly shows he’s certain about being on the list.
Young man, confidence is good, just don’t be overconfident.
"Really leaving?" Meng Yao asked again.
"Really leaving." Zhao Dahe confirmed.
"Alright then." Meng Yao didn’t mind since she had taken care of everything that needed to be handled.
Early the next morning, Wen Nuan cheerfully brought water for Meng Yao to wash up, only to find that Meng Yao had already packed her things, looking a bit confused.
"We’re getting ready to leave." Meng Yao said.
"Huh? Not waiting for the results?" Wen Nuan instinctively asked.
Meng Yao repeated Zhao Dahe’s explanation, and Wen Nuan kept nodding, "The young master is right, since the government office is going to send the news anyway. Madam, I’ll go tell my brother, leaving a day early will save a day’s lodging fee!"
With that, she dashed off.
When Meng Yao and the others were moving their luggage to settle the bill, the siblings Wen Shu and Wen Nuan were also carrying their belongings to settle the bill.
The shopkeeper of Yuekelai had a "never seen before" expression.
Having managed Yuekelai for many years and hosted countless scholars, he had never seen anyone leave before the results were out.
Maybe they didn’t do well on the exam, knew they wouldn’t make it to the list, and were afraid of being laughed at when the results are out, so they left early?
Otherwise, there’s no explanation.
After settling the bill, Meng Yao urged Zhao Dahe to say goodbye to Yue Sihai.
Zhao Dahe went reluctantly.
As a result, Yue Sihai came out carrying his bundle as well, cheerfully saying, "I’ve been out for so many days, I miss my parents. It’s good to go back early."
The shopkeeper, with unspeakable complex emotions, handled this departure as well.
At the entrance of Yuekelai, the group parted ways. Wen Nuan, wiping her eyes, told Meng Yao, "Madam, you must not forget our agreement."
Meng Yao smiled and said, "I remember."
Afterward, Meng Yao and the others went to the backyard of the government office. Before leaving, they needed to inform Ren Zhong, and also, Ren Zi’an had to pack his belongings.
Ren Zhong tried to persuade them to stay, but Meng Yao refused.
"Alright then, after the results are out, I’ll send Officer Xu over." Ren Zhong said, then gave Ren Zi’an some instructions.
"Sir, regarding the matter with Chen He?" Zhao Dahe asked.
"The educational authority said that with this person’s character problems, even if he scored well in the exam, his qualification would be canceled. Furthermore, his deeds would be sent back to his hometown." Ren Zhong said.
Zhao Dahe felt relieved with this.
Zhao Xiaohua and Zhao Xiaoshu were studying when Zhao Xiaoshu suddenly jumped off the kang bed and dashed outside.
Zhao Xiaohua followed and yelled, "Xiaoshu, why are you in such a hurry?"
"Mother is back." Zhao Xiaoshu said without turning his head.
Sure enough, the carriage rolled by from afar.
Zhao Xiaohua shouted happily, "Big brother and sister-in-law, mother is back."
Zhao Dajiang and Song Xiu’er heard the commotion and came running out too.
The carriage stopped steadily at the Zhao family’s gate, and Zhao Dahe was the first to jump off, then helped Meng Yao down.
Zhao Xiaohua threw herself into Meng Yao’s arms, eyes red, "Mother, I missed you so much."
Zhao Xiaoshu snuggled up beside Meng Yao as well.
Zhao Dajiang was busy unloading the cart and settling the ash.
Song Xiu’er managed the moving of things with a smile at the corner of her eyes.
"Is everything well at home?" Meng Yao asked, "Did you behave while I was away?"
"Mother, Xiaohua has been very well-behaved. She didn’t miss a thing you asked before you left, and she even helped with the cooking." Song Xiu’er chimed in.
"Why doesn’t mother ask if Xiaoshu behaved?" Zhao Xiaohua pouted.
"You have lots of mischievous ideas. As long as you don’t incite Xiaoshu, he surely behaves." Meng Yao pinched Zhao Xiaohua’s nose.
Zhao Xiaohua felt a little guilty. Overall, she was obedient, but regarding the matter with Han Muchi...
Madam Han approached the village chief, who said they’d visit once her mother returned.
The horse carriage in their household was quite conspicuous, so the news of her mother’s return should soon reach the village chief’s ears.
Zhao Xiaohua decided to confess.
"Mother, I’ve caused you a little trouble."
Meng Yao stretched her limbs and sat down, feeling at ease being back home.
"Tell me, what little trouble?" Meng Yao asked.
Zhao Xiaohua recounted how she met Han Muchi again, what he said, and what she did, without leaving out any detail.
Meng Yao was surprised, really not expecting Han Muchi to be so stubborn? What should be said was clearly stated!
She wanted to say, "Well done," but the thing is, the Han family certainly wouldn’t let this rest easily.
After all, Madam Han treasured her son dearly.