Chapter 336: Eating Is a Blessing
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Candidates who hailed from distant locales had no family members to collect them, leaving them green with envy.
Their steps quickened in response, spurred on by the prospect of returning to their inn for a much-needed wash-up and a hearty meal. Additionally, they had to purchase provisions to sustain them for the next three days.
Soon, they would return to their accommodations and retire early, preparing themselves for the forthcoming arduous challenge.
Of course, there were a few individuals with unwavering willpower who resisted the temptation to sleep early. Instead, they opted to read a bit longer and engage in some last-minute preparations, following a diligent routine akin to a final Buddhist act.
Su Bin’s hunger pangs were undeniable, but he restrained himself, signaling that he could wait.
“There’s no rush; I’ll eat during the carriage ride,” he assured.
Inside the food basket, he noticed a pair of chopsticks.
Qin Zhenzhen must have thoughtfully included them for his convenience.
Among the entire family, Qin Zhenzhen was the paragon of cleanliness. She prioritized hygiene even more than Su Bin did, often instructing them to wash their hands before and after meals.
Yet, during the three days of examination seclusion, he had refrained from washing his hands. It wasn’t due to neglect of hygiene but rather a conscious effort to conserve the water in the vat.
The vat’s water supply had to suffice for nine days, and while it typically proved ample, he couldn’t risk any mishaps. Should he faint from thirst during the examination, the consequences would far outweigh any benefits.
Under these circumstances, eating the bun with his bare hands was unfeasible. Consuming it with chopsticks in public might not align with the refined behavior expected of scholars, but it was a pragmatic choice.
Qin Zhenzhen couldn’t help but suppress a smile, her lips slightly pursed.
Su Bin embodied not only the dignified demeanor of a scholar but also the nobility of a gentleman. Even though he was clearly hungry, he refrained from eating in the street like a common peddler, eschewing the prospect of getting his hands dirty.
“In that case, let’s board the carriage,” she suggested.
Su Ning promptly concealed the food basket, her gaze filled with concern as she regarded her third brother.
Su Bin had endured three days of confinement with only dry rations to sustain him, and the sight of the steaming meat buns had nearly caused him to salivate. However, he refrained from indulging himself, perhaps not wanting to appear as if he were devouring the food in front of his third sister-in-law.
“Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, let’s not delay any further. Fourth Brother is waiting over there. He’s already secured a carriage,” Su Ning urged, tightly holding onto Qin Zhenzhen’s hand.
Her expression betrayed genuine concern for her third brother’s well-being, fearing he might suffer from hunger.
“Agreed, wife, let’s proceed,” Su Bin responded naturally, clasping Qin Zhenzhen’s hand as they headed towards Su Qing’s waiting carriage.
Su Qing had stationed the carriage near the entrance of the Gong Courtyard, and upon spotting Qin Zhenzhen and the others from a distance, he stood within the carriage and waved. “Over here! Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, I’m right here!”
A multitude of carriages had converged to collect the examinees, rendering the scene comparable to the bustling chaos outside a modern college entrance examination hall.
As Qin Zhenzhen and the others maneuvered their way through the crowd, they were taken aback to spot Wang Yizhi.
Wang Yizhi’s countenance appeared far from well. His pallid and emaciated face resembled that of a corpse.
It was evident that his performance in the examination had likely not been favorable. Alternatively, his portly wife might have taken a toll on his health, rendering him ill-prepared for the rigors of three days in confinement.
Accompanying Wang Yizhi was his rotund wife, flanked by a maidservant and two attendants.
Despite her previous intentions to shed pounds – she had even opened an account at Qin Zhenzhen’s establishment, investing a substantial sum – her figure remained as robust as ever, attracting attention.
Initially, she had embarked on her weight loss journey with determination, but eventually, she couldn’t persist. The vigorous exercises at the health center and the hardships of dieting may have both taken a toll on her resolve. Moreover, the prospect of future financial expenses might have further discouraged her from pursuing treatment.
She had evidently heard someone saying to her that indulgence in food was a form of bliss, equating weight loss with the forfeiture of such pleasure..