Next, Song Jinzhao asked Su Luobai about everything from his teacher and classmates to his class situation, and in the end, she didn't even skip over his food, clothing, shelter, and transportation.
By the end of the conversation, Su Luobai's throat was dry.
"If Miss Song feels one tael of silver is too little, once we reach Anyang Prefecture, I will pay another tael."
He could borrow from a classmate then; it shouldn't be a problem to repay it after finishing copying the books.
Song Jinzhao curled the corner of her mouth and shook her head with a smile. "Young Master Su and my younger brother are both scholars. You might even become classmates in the future. How could I accept too much? One tael is sufficient."
Hearing Song Jinzhao agree, Su Luobai's anxious heart finally settled.
He bowed his hands in thanks to Song Jinzhao again. "Miss Song is most generous. If you ever need my help in the future, please do not hesitate to ask. I am quite familiar with Anyang Prefecture."
Song Jinzhao nodded with a slight smile and did not reply.
After resting for a while and finishing their midday meal, the group set off again.
Song Jinzhao pulled Song Qiming onto her horse and whispered instructions: "That Young Master Su passed the county-level examination two years ago. His talent and learning are above average in the academy, so he must be quite good."
"Since we're traveling together, I'll find an opportunity later to switch you to his carriage. Ask what you should ask, seek advice where you should. Earn back the discounted escort fee."
"When you pass the county-level examination, you'll likely enter Anyang Academy to study. Take this chance to establish a connection first, so when you enter, you'll have someone to guide you and won't be completely lost."
Song Qiming understood instantly and nodded vigorously in response. "I understand, Elder Sister."
Two quarters of an hour later, Song Jinzhao turned her horse and approached Su Luobai's carriage. "Young Master Su."
Su Luobai lifted the curtain and leaned his head out. "What is it, Miss Song?"
Song Jinzhao said, "After his nap, my younger brother has become a bit restless. The two children can't concentrate on their books. Could they possibly ride in Young Master Su's carriage?"
Su Luobai agreed without hesitation. "The prefectural examination is imminent; not a moment can be wasted. Please have them come over, Miss Song."
Song Jinzhao's eyes curved into a smile as she gave a slight nod. "Thank you, Young Master Su."
Song Qiming and Song Gaoli, carrying their book bags, jumped down from the cart and climbed into Su Luobai's carriage.
After a while, the sound of conversation between Song Qiming and Su Luobai came from inside. Only after confirming they were getting along well did Song Jinzhao return to follow beside her family's carriage.
Song Shixue lifted the carriage window curtain to look at Song Jinzhao. "Elder Sister, do you want to come in and rest?"
With four people plus an infant squeezed into one carriage, it was a bit crowded. Now that Song Qiming and Song Gaoli were gone, space opened up immediately.
Song Jinzhao tied the reins to the carriage frame, climbed inside, and closed her eyes for a short rest.
Su Luobai lifted the carriage curtain and noticed Song Jinzhao was gone. His first thought was that the child was being fussy, Song Shixue couldn't handle it, and Song Jinzhao had no choice but to go and soothe him herself.
Recalling the news he had heard in Haoyue City, Su Luobai couldn't help but shake his head and sigh inwardly.
Having lost both parents, to take such meticulous care of three younger siblings and still support Song Qiming's studies and imperial examinations was truly not easy.
Song Qiming didn't notice the trace of pity and approval in Su Luobai's gaze as he looked at him.
After several exchanges, he only felt that the other's learning seemed slightly better than their teacher's.
Song Dazhuang, driving the cart, could faintly hear from the carriage behind the explanations of literary phrases by Su Luobai and the discussion among the three.
He couldn't help but inwardly admire how quick-witted Song Jinzhao was.
Agreeing to travel together and protect the other party for just one tael of silver was actually to find Song Qiming a free tutor for the journey to answer questions and clear up doubts.
Even bringing his own son along was simply the best possible bonus.
As the sun was about to set, the sky rapidly darkened, and large swathes of dark clouds drifted over from the distance.
Spotting a red lantern with the character for "guest" hanging under the eaves of a two-story building not far ahead, Song Dazhuang spoke up, "There's an inn up ahead. Should we spend the night there?"
Song Jinzhao nodded.
As the carriages stopped at the inn's entrance, a burly man immediately ran out from inside, his waist thicker than the stump of a century-old tree.
Song Dazhuang looked up at the sign. Running an inn in the middle of nowhere was this profitable?
How much did one have to eat a day to grow that fat?
Su Luobai, Song Qiming, and Song Gaoli got down from the carriage, still talking as they walked, looking like they were getting along very well.
Su Luobai looked at Song Jinzhao and praised, "Qiming has studied for less than two years and already passed the preliminary examination. I tested his learning this afternoon; even I feel inferior to his speed of study."
Song Jinzhao smiled and exchanged pleasantries. "Qiming started later than others, so he inevitably has to work harder. Please continue to guide him more on the journey, Young Master Su."
By now, Su Luobai was quite certain in his heart that Song Qiming would become his classmate in the future, and his attitude had already placed the other within the category of a junior fellow student.
"Not at all, you are too modest, Miss Song."
Song Gaoli took a deep breath, forcibly dispersing a twinge of jealousy that arose in his heart.
This Young Master Su treated Qiming exactly the same way Scholar Zheng did.
Even though they hadn't spent much time together, they took a liking to him easily, with praises flowing like an endless river.
After being led into the inn, they were greeted by a stout, broad-shouldered woman. It was obvious to anyone that the two were husband and wife.
"Are you guests here for a meal or lodging?"
The proprietress spoke while glancing at the Cloud-Piercing Spear held in Song Jinzhao's hand.
Song Jinzhao replied, "Lodging. We need two adjacent rooms."
Song Dazhuang held up one finger. "One room for us."
Su Luobai also requested one room.
By the earthen stove in the kitchen, the couple, both covered in excess flesh, stood together whispering.
The proprietress stared darkly at the meat in the jar. "That girl looks like a martial artist. Don't use this meat when cooking tonight; use pork."
The man nodded. "Don't worry. We'll make our move after they're sound asleep tonight. No matter how skilled she is, she won't wake up after inhaling the knockout fumes."
Song Jinzhao and the others put down their luggage, slept for a while in their rooms, and then went downstairs to eat.
It was precisely dinnertime, yet there wasn't a soul downstairs; the tables were empty.
"What would you guests like to eat?" The proprietress came over to serve them with enthusiastic smiles, the folds on her face bunching up as she spoke, the creases deep enough to trap flies.
Song Dazhuang asked curiously, "Proprietress, are we the only guests in the inn?"
The proprietress replied, "The guests from last night left this morning. Right now, you are the only guests in the inn."
Song Dazhuang nodded. It seemed business wasn't very good, with only four rooms booked. No matter how much they ate, it wouldn't earn much.
Su Luobai looked around. Everything was the same, except the proprietor seemed to have changed.
He had eaten here during his first year traveling to the prefectural city. Later, every time he returned home, he traveled through the night, snacking on the go, and never came here again.
