As Nian Jiaojiao was secretly sighing, Zhang Jing straightened her back and softly said to the man:
"Young master, please rest assured. I, Zhang, am a woman, physically strong, and unafraid of this chill."
The man, upon hearing this, quickly lowered his head to hide his twitching lips.
He had been worried about how to approach these people, but unexpectedly, one had foolishly walked right into his grasp. He was delighted.
Seeing the man's demeanor, Zhang Jing mistook it for shyness. Whatever she imagined, a blush also spread across her fair face.
"Young master, don't be afraid. Once the city is sealed, I will take this scoundrel to the officials and ensure she rots in prison!"
The man was deeply moved by her words. At this moment, he finally released his tight grip on her thigh, wiping away his tears as he said delicately:
"Thank you... thank you, young lady, for saving my life. I truly don't know how I can ever repay you..."
Ha, earlier he was clinging to the legs of the caravan guards, and now Zhang Jing, who was draping her cloak over him, had become his savior?
Nian Jiaojiao couldn't listen any longer and turned back into the temple alone.
When Zhang Jing and Chen Jie came in, Jia Fnu reminded the two to stay away from the man.
Bound by the tradition of respecting their teacher, they verbally agreed, but inwardly disagreed.
...
In the afternoon, the rain weakened, and everyone tidied up briefly before setting off again.
The journey had been delayed considerably due to the weather, and everyone was anxious. This was especially true for the merchants, as any delay in delivery times would affect their future business.
The man who had seemed strange earlier had unexpectedly settled down, causing no trouble. At least, he had never approached Nian Jiaojiao for a conversation, which made Nian Jiaojiao breathe a sigh of relief.
At least she could confirm that he wasn't here for her.
When they reached the sealed city, the woman who was suspected of being the scoundrel had escaped. Zhang Jing clamored for everyone to join her in capturing the fugitive, but no one responded except Chen Jie.
Seeing this, Jia Fnu sighed inwardly. She no longer had the heart to advise this student.
She turned her gaze back to Qi Qinghe, her eyes filled with satisfaction.
It seemed that in the future... it would depend on Qinghe.
Qi Qinghe was the student with the highest aptitude and the most diligent and motivated among the students Jia Fnu had taken in over the years.
Moreover, her calm demeanor made Jia Fnu very confident in this disciple.
Although Nian Jiaojiao and the three from the Shanshui Private School were going to study at Shenxiang Academy together, Nian Jiaojiao did not travel with them. Instead, she went to the entrance of Shenxiang Academy alone and handed over the letter of recommendation she held.
Shortly after, Nian Jiaojiao was led by the gatekeeper to a side courtyard.
"Are you Xu Xianmei's daughter-in-law?"
The person speaking was wearing an exquisite scholar's robe, subtly sizing up Nian Jiaojiao as she entered.
Nian Jiaojiao bowed to him and replied:
"Yes, Yin Fnu."
Yin Fnu nodded secretly in her heart.
From her speech to her demeanor, and looking at her handsome appearance, Yin Fnu was very pleased.
"Xu Xianmei has told me about your situation in the letter. Achieving the top scholar in just a few months of study is something I've never heard of. You couldn't even recognize words a few months ago. Can you tell me how you accomplished this?"
Nian Jiaojiao smiled shyly:
"Yin Fnu, I am not talented, and I'm not good at anything else, except for my memory. It's hard to forget anything I've seen even if I try."
A flicker of surprise flashed in Yin Fnu's eyes.
This was eidetic memory, wasn't it?
She had only heard of such people before, but she had never met one in reality.
If this were true, she would truly be a natural talent for scholarship.
Yin Fnu turned and pulled a book from the bookshelf. This book contained recent current affairs collected by her and several other teachers from the academy, along with some of her personal insights. This kind of material was only read by scholars, and Nian Jiaojiao couldn't have seen it.
Nian Jiaojiao took the book handed over by Xu Fnu, knowing that the other party wanted to test her, and immediately began to read.
Yin Fnu watched as Nian Jiaojiao flipped through the pages rapidly, her heart filled with secret amazement.
After a short while, Nian Jiaojiao put down the book and said:
"Done!"
Yin Fnu nodded:
"Begin."
Nian Jiaojiao spent about fifteen minutes reciting the entire book fluently, word for word.
"Excellent, excellent, excellent! Eidetic memory is truly marvelous."
"Jiaojiao, the academy is currently on break. You can come directly in three days when school reopens. I will arrange for someone to take care of it."
Nian Jiaojiao bowed again to express her gratitude.
This time, Yin Fnu stepped forward to help her up and asked with a smile:
"Xu Xianmei and I are close classmates. As for disciples she recommends, I will naturally treat you as a direct disciple."
Nian Jiaojiao was stunned.
Did her father-in-law ask her to become Yin Fnu's disciple? Why hadn't he told her?
Although she was puzzled, she didn't know what was specifically written in the letter, so she dutifully nodded in agreement.
Seeing this, Yin Fnu was secretly delighted.
Xu Xianmei, Xu Xianmei, I will gladly accept the excellent disciple you've sent my way!
At the same time.
Shanshui Town.
Xu Residence.
"Achoo! Achoo!"
"Mother, the weather is so unpredictable, are you catching a cold?"
Xu Xuan looked at Mother Xu with concern.
Mother Xu shook her head, "No, my nose is just inexplicably itchy."
...
Tongfu Inn.
At noon, Nian Jiaojiao, having left the academy, found an inn nearby. She paid for three days' accommodation, placed her luggage in the room, and then found a seat by a window on the second floor.
She ordered three small dishes and a pot of clear wine, leisurely eating while enjoying the street scene, full of ancient charm.
"Tongshou Nian!"
A startled cry interrupted Nian Jiaojiao's pleasant mood.
She saw Zhang Jing and the other two, along with the man rescued by the caravan, walking up to the second floor.
Nian Jiaojiao nodded at them indifferently, showing no intention of engaging in further conversation.
Clearly, Jia Fnu had already left, and the caravan had not taken in the man; instead, Zhang Jing had kept him by her side.
Seeing Nian Jiaojiao's reaction, Chen Jie seemed to recall something, and her smiling expression became awkward.
As for Zhang Jing and Qi Qinghe, they wouldn't greet Nian Jiaojiao at all. The man, now in new clothes, kept secretly observing Nian Jiaojiao.
The four of them sat at a table next to Nian Jiaojiao.
The man asked in a low voice:
"Is that young lady your friend? Why aren't you eating together?"
Seeing that the man's attention was captured by Nian Jiaojiao, Zhang Jing felt a pang of displeasure, but succumbing to his good looks, she patiently explained:
"What friend? We've only met once."
Having said that, she glanced sideways at Nian Jiaojiao and spoke in a voice that Nian Jiaojiao could clearly hear, sarcastically:
"Some people, you know, you see their faces but not their hearts~ They might look decent, but their hearts are as hard as stone!"