CHAPTER 168: CHAPTER 168: PRINCE LIANG’S WAIST TOKEN

168 Prince Liang’s Waist Token

Previously, she had felt a pang of regret for giving Zhao Zhitong, that wretched girl, ten taels of silver and two pieces of jewelry. But now, considering Guang Ju Restaurant had given her several hundred taels of silver, she instantly felt like she had struck gold.

The three "big smarties," who had been duped yet were now counting their unearned gains, gloated over Zhao Dong and his family’s anticipated misfortunes while busily planting winter radishes in their vegetable plot. Although it was a bit late for planting radishes, the plot was a potential goldmine; even a low yield could bring in a lot of money!

After finishing their work, the three "big smarties" happily went their separate ways. Zhao Chun even changed the lock on the main gate to one of their own and instructed Mrs. Wang to check on the plot daily, fearing Zhao Dong’s family might discover their scheme and sabotage it.

However, they needn’t have worried. From then on, Zhao Dong and his family never set foot in that old courtyard. They didn’t visit it at all, not even two months later when the radishes had matured.

Later, the "big smarty" Zhao Chun began to feel a sense of unease.

「Of course, that was a story for later.」

At this moment, in the Zhao Family home, Zhao Dong’s family was busy seeing their guests off. Magistrate Li, having official duties to attend to, was the first to leave.

Sir Feng and Pei Yuanqing followed Zhao Dong to the backyard.

As early as September, they had planted cabbages and radishes in the vegetable field in their backyard. With the help of Zhao Zhitong’s Space Water for irrigation, they had already harvested a large batch of radishes last month, all of which were stored in the cellar behind the courtyard.

Zhao Dong opened the cellar lid, picked up a lantern, and descended the ladder into the cellar.

Zhao Zhitong had just finished sending Wei Shulan and Zhao Yue off when she heard Sun Mei say that her father had gone to the backyard cellar. She hurriedly ran to the backyard with Qiao Muchen.

She had always been curious about the dark cellar. When Zhao Zhitong and Qiao Muchen arrived, they were leaning over the cellar entrance, looking curiously inside. Thanks to the faint light from the lantern, they could vaguely make out the structure within.

The cellar descended straight down, but at the bottom, a large space had been dug out on all four sides. The floor, paved with stones, was kept very clean. They couldn’t see any vegetables from above because they were all stored in these dug-out spaces around the sides.

In a short while, Zhao Dong climbed out of the cellar via the ladder, carrying a basket. Boss Feng and Pei Yuanqing each received a basket of white radishes, their faces beaming with happy smiles.

As they were leaving, Zhao Zhitong was reluctant to part ways and coquettishly asked Pei Yuanqing, "Uncle Pei, when will you come next time? Qiao Muchen and I both love listening to your stories about the Capital City."

Qiao Muchen also nodded emphatically in agreement.

Pei Yuanqing chuckled and said to Qiao Muchen and Zhao Zhitong, "There’s no fixed schedule for that."

Seeing the disappointed looks on the two little ones’ faces, Pei Yuanqing added, "However, as long as you both study diligently with your teacher, we can meet in the Capital City someday."

Qiao Muchen and Zhao Zhitong exchanged a glance, curiosity filling their eyes. This was the first time they had heard that studying well could lead them to the Capital City in the future.

Previously, their teacher had only told them that after they passed the county and prefecture examinations, held twice over three years, they would be able to study at the Official School.

Qiao Muchen curiously asked, "If we study well, can we go to the Capital City to study?"

By this time, Zhao Zhitong had already learned the situation from Grandpa Bai, so she immediately replied, "No, after you pass the Township Examination and become a Promoted Scholar, you’ll have to go to the Capital City to take the Imperial Examination! Once you become the top scorer, you can be a judge in the Capital City!"

Qiao Muchen’s eyes sparkled. "WOW! Then you take the exam with me, and we’ll go to the Capital City together!"

But Zhao Zhitong, who had already received information from Grandpa Bai, shook her head in disappointment. "I can’t. I’m a girl, and girls can’t take the Imperial Examination."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Muchen’s enthusiasm instantly deflated.

However, at that moment, Zhao Zhitong cheered up again, patting Qiao Muchen on the shoulder, and said happily, "But it doesn’t matter! I can study with you, and then go with you to the Capital City for the examinations. Once you pass, I will open a pharmacy and become a physician in the Capital City!"

Qiao Muchen nodded, touched. "Zhao Zhuangzhuang, you’re so nice! Let’s study hard together. I will definitely become the top scorer, and you will definitely be the best physician!"

The two little ones actually had a limited understanding of the imperial examinations; they only knew that becoming the top scorer could make one a high-ranking official. But they didn’t know how difficult it was to become the top scorer.

Some people spent their entire lives only becoming Promoted Scholars, like Mr. Meng, who was considered extremely talented. However, due to misfortune, he had been unable to achieve success in the imperial examinations.

Pei Yuanqing, Boss Feng, and the others, who were watching the interaction between the two little ones from the side, couldn’t help but chuckle.

Although they felt the two children were boasting, Pei Yuanqing still patiently encouraged them, saying, "Then you must work even harder. Becoming the top scorer isn’t easy."

Zhao Zhitong instantly looked at Pei Yuanqing, blinked, and asked with an innocent, naive expression, "Is it really that hard? But Qiao Jiaojiao is very smart—he’s as smart as I am!"

Pei Yuanqing chuckled. "Well, the imperial examinations certainly have their challenges. First, you have to pass three rounds of Elementary Scholar examinations to become a Talented Scholar. Then, you must pass the Township Examination to become a Promoted Scholar. Only after that can you go to the Capital City for the Imperial Examination. If you pass that and become a Scholar, you can have an audience with the emperor to take the Palace Examination. The first place in the Palace Examination is the top scorer."

"WOW..."

Both little ones stared wide-eyed, their mouths agape in amazement. So, the top scorer was actually first place!

Now she realized that her step-grandmother had been blowing her own horn, claiming that her grandson Zhao Ji was destined to be the top scorer. Zhao Ji was nowhere near as smart as Qiao Muchen; he was already thirteen years old and had just passed the first-round county examination for Elementary Scholar status and hadn’t even qualified for the Official School yet.

At this moment, Zhao Zhitong knew her step-grandmother had been bragging all along; becoming the top scorer was indeed very difficult.

Seeing the surprised expressions on the two little ones’ faces, Pei Yuanqing took a waist token from his person and handed it to them, saying, "This is my waist token. Keep it safe; I’ll wait for you in the Capital City."

Zhao Zhitong looked up at Pei Yuanqing, blinking with a puzzled expression.

Sir Feng, hearing this, glanced involuntarily at Pei Yuanqing. This token symbolized Prince Liang’s status; giving it to two children was like bestowing upon them an amulet. What was Prince Liang planning?

Although he didn’t understand, he still smiled and said, "Young girl, take it quickly. This is a valuable item. With it, bad people won’t dare to trouble you easily in the future."

Zhao Zhitong looked at Zhao Dong and then, under Pei Yuanqing’s smiling gaze, accepted the waist token.

The waist token was made of pure jade, engraved with beautiful patterns. There were two meandering python patterns on the outer ring, and a few characters in the center that read "Prince Liang."

Qiao Muchen also leaned over curiously, and the two little ones began to study the waist token with interest.