CHAPTER 258: CHAPTER 257: A HUMAN-LIKE APPEARANCE (FOURTH UPDATE)

The next day, early in the morning, everyone in the Old Mu Family was called to see Mu Dade off.

Even the third branch that had already split off was woken up.

Of course, this group didn’t include Mu Shuangshuang. She had gone to the town to deliver cold noodles with Fengzi before dawn and wouldn’t return until around noon.

The weather, compared to yesterday, was even hotter.

The people of the Old Mu Family stood under the shade of the trees, each one of them overwhelmed by the heat, calling out loudly.

The carriage arranged by Mrs. Jin to take Mu Dade to the county was already waiting early in the morning. But due to the amount of stuff they had to bring, the coachman was getting impatient.

Fifty coins to the county, that was his fare. But with weather this hot, if the horse dies on the way, fifty coins won’t cover it.

"Mr. Mu, Old Mrs. Mu, you should hurry up. It’s been an hour since morning. If we’re not leaving, tell me promptly so I can take the next customer. Don’t just occupy the latrine without using it, and they’re not even a scholar or a Champion Scholar yet."

The coachman knew the status of the person he was transporting, Mu Dade.

Mrs. Jin had deliberately mentioned her husband’s situation to get the carriage rental to find a clean and spacious carriage. She also mentioned her husband prefers cleanliness and won’t just sit in any carriage.

This was why this coachman came to take him.

"How are you talking like that? We’ve paid, so what’s wrong with waiting?" Old Mrs. Mu rolled up her sleeves, ready to argue with the coachman.

"Ha, paying money lets you act high and mighty? If my horse dies from heat on the way, you’re done for!" The coachman responded fiercely.

Mr. Mu stepped forward to mediate, politely saying, "I apologize. It’s rare for my son to go to the county, and since he’s preparing for exams, he has quite a few things to bring."

"Mr. Mu, I only talk to you because you’re polite. I’ve taken exam-goers before, but none of them were as grand as your son.

You know Liu Zian, the first scholar of Qingshan Town, right? I was the one who took him to his scholar exam. He brought nothing but a roll of books, and he still got first place."

The coachman had seen the world and felt the Old Mu Family was already wasting his time. He could cancel the hire anytime without refund.

Mr. Mu’s face turned blue and then white.

To be criticized at his age was indeed embarrassing, but there was no denying Da De was late.

"Second, go see what’s going on with your older brother, why isn’t he ready yet?"

Mu Dazhong, who was originally standing under the shade, naturally didn’t want to step out into the roasting heat.

"I’m not going. The sun is so big, stepping out would fry me. My older brother has hands and feet, he doesn’t need someone to carry him."

Seeing Mu Dazhong’s reluctance, Mr. Mu turned to Mu Danian and said, "Fifth, you’re the youngest here, you go!"

"I’m not going either. If my second brother isn’t going, why should I?"

With both unwilling to go, Mr. Mu reevaluated everyone standing under the shade.

By the old locust tree at the door stood the second branch family, the third wife and two children, and the fourth family along with the fifth. Zhenzhen and Xiangxiang were still sleeping in, and no one woke them up.

Apart from the second and fifth, Yu Si Niang was halfway in the sun, carefully shielding two children like her. Similarly, the fourth one was alone under the sun, protecting his two kids well.

Mr. Mu sighed and finally pointed at Mu Dajiang, "Fourth, go call your older brother. And if he has anything he can’t manage, you help him carry it."

"Alright, I’ll go right away!" Mu Dajiang stepped out and walked towards Mu. Family’s eldest.

After a while, he returned carrying a large bundle on his back, which seemed so heavy that even a man like him was nearly bent over.

He was sweating profusely and gasping for breath.

Nobody wanted to help; Mu Dazhong and Mu Danian acted like they hadn’t seen him, not moving at all.

Finally, Mrs. Liu and Yu Si Niang couldn’t stand it any longer. They ran over to help, preventing Mu Dajiang from being worn out.

"So much stuff. Won’t it crush my horse to death?" The coachman said worriedly.

From the moment Mu Dade’s things were loaded onto the carriage, he felt the wheels of his cart sinking.

Mu Dajiang chuckled and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Sorry, my older brother said he has a bit more stuff and might need a while. He’s willing to pay double."

Upon hearing double the fare, the coachman decided to tolerate it, figuring he’s basically transporting two passengers.

However, while the coachman could endure, Old Mrs. Mu couldn’t. Upon hearing about the extra charge, she rushed forward to argue.

Mr. Mu feared another argument might cause the coachman to leave, so he stopped Old Mrs. Mu, refusing to let her stir things up.

And so, another three incense sticks’ time dragged on, with everyone feeling hot enough for their heads to steam, eager to leave. But without Mr. Mu’s word, who dared to walk away?

"Oh dear, oh dear, I can’t make it, I’m about to die..." Mu Danian clung to the tree trunk, groaning as he feigned illness, just as Mu Dade finally arrived.

Today, he was dressed in luxurious attire, a purplish-red silk suit. His hair was well-tied with a Jade Token covering, even his boots showed hints of gold thread.

This splendid outfit was something none had seen Mu Dade wear before, attracting everyone’s attention, especially Mu Dazhong and Mrs. Lin, who were most obvious about it. Mu Dazhong stared fixedly at the Jade Token on Mu Dade’s head.

As for Mrs. Lin, the few strands of gold on Mu Dade’s shoes glinted yellowly in the sun, so dazzling she couldn’t even bother to wipe her drool.

"Dad, I’m really leaving this time. You and Mom must take good care of yourselves at home. Once I succeed, I’ll come back to fetch you both."

Mr. Mu’s eyes instantly reddened. Having such an accomplished son, he hadn’t lived in vain.

"Well, well, this is the silver your mother and I prepared. It’s not much, only ten taels, but it should be enough for meals in Qianzhou Prefecture. Don’t skimp on the way, spend it however you like!"

Mr. Mu had been holding a worn box all morning, which nobody had paid much mind to before. Hearing it was silver, everyone turned jealous.

A family usually unwilling to buy even a tael of meat suddenly produced ten taels of silver; his dad was really something.

In their hearts, everyone cursed Mr. Mu a thousand times, but Mu Dade still accepted the small black box.

"Thank you, Dad. We’re leaving now; you and Mom don’t need to see us off!"