After listening for a while, Nian Jiaojiao understood the general story.
It turned out that the man following Zhang Jing discovered that Zhang Jing was not as wealthy as he appeared on the surface, so he planned to abscond with all of Zhang Jing's travel money.
In the past few days, Zhang Jing and the man had indulged in nightly revelries. Zhang Jing also noticed that the man was extremely skilled in that regard, acting like a veteran. Thus, he secretly became wary of the man.
Fortunately, he was prepared. When the woman who had escaped from the caravan earlier ran off with the man and Zhang Jing's entire fortune, Zhang Jing caught them red-handed.
This was what Xin Lian and the others had witnessed.
Nian Jiaojiao secretly shook her head after hearing this.
Zhang Jing had initially been after the man's looks and had never taken any action even after realizing something was amiss, instead enjoying the free pleasure.
Now, accusing the man of impropriety would only make others feel that he deserved it.
However, after indulging in gossip for a while, it was clearly too late to go to the outskirts.
Thus, Nian Jiaojiao and the Tong Fu siblings took a stroll around the city.
"Huh, since when did Fengcheng have a San Chi Bookstore?"
Tong Fu was surprised to see the San Chi Bookstore.
In Shan Shui Town, the San Chi Bookstore was only palm-sized, and now it had managed to open a chain store.
Tong Ziyao, wearing a veil, glanced at the bookstore's plaque and said,
"The San Chi Bookstore has become famous overnight with one book."
This "one book" referred to "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai" written by Nian Jiaojiao.
"I remember my third father has a relative who also opened a bookstore in our Shan Shui Town, and it's a direct competitor to this San Chi Bookstore. Now that the San Chi Bookstore's momentum is unstoppable, my third father will have a headache!" Tong Fu complained.
Tong Ziyao frowned slightly upon hearing this.
Although they were acquainted with Nian Jiaojiao, family matters should not be aired publicly.
"Fu'er, how can you speak of third father's affairs outside?"
Tong Fu was unconcerned. Instead, she hugged Nian Jiaojiao's right arm and said to Tong Ziyao,
"What does it matter? Jiaojiao is not an outsider!"
As she said this, Tong Fu seemed to have an idea. She smiled at Tong Ziyao and said,
"Third brother, why don't you marry Jiaojiao? Then Jiaojiao will truly be one of us!"
A blush immediately spread beneath Tong Ziyao's veil, but his voice remained calm as he chided her,
"Fu'er, cease your nonsense."
He looked at Tong Fu, but dared not look at Nian Jiaojiao's expression beside her.
Nian Jiaojiao took it as a friendly jest and simply smiled, not taking it to heart.
Seeing Nian Jiaojiao's reaction, Tong Ziyao breathed a sigh of relief, but then felt a hint of disappointment.
However, before he could ponder what he was disappointed about, his thoughts were interrupted by the calls from the San Chi Bookstore.
"A poignant love story! The last chapter ended with Zhu Yingtai disguising herself as a man to save her friend in a brothel. What happened in the brothel? Was her identity exposed? The fifth volume of Liang Zhu is now officially on sale!"
Nian Jiaojiao: ...
She had already given all subsequent volumes to Madam San Chi, and Madam San Chi only needed to sell them at the right time.
These sales pitches were thought up by Madam San Chi. Although they were not smooth, "Liang Zhu" already had a considerable fan base, which was enough to arouse the enthusiasm of buyers.
As expected, just as she thought this, Nian Jiaojiao saw almost all the men in Fengcheng rushing towards the San Chi Bookstore, with quite a few women mixed in...
Tong Fu's small mouth gaped open.
"Is it really that exaggerated?"
She asked Tong Ziyao beside her,
"Third brother, have you read this book?"
"Yes."
"Then... you're not buying it?"
Tong Ziyao remained calm:
"Why should I get the book myself?"
Nian Jiaojiao: ...
Tong Fu: ...
...
Academy.
At this time, Zhang Jing's gossip was overshadowed by another more explosive piece of news, which all the students in the academy were discussing.
"Who are in our academy?"
"What a question! The Top Ten Talented Women are definitely on the list!"
"I'm so envious, but I don't have that kind of luck."
"But it is said that talented women on the invitation list can bring one person with them."
"Oh my god, why don't I have a Tong Head like that!"
Nian Jiaojiao and Tong Fu noticed everyone talking animatedly as they entered the academy.
The two walked towards their classmates.
"Lan Shengsheng, what's new?"
"Oh, it's Tong Fu and Nian Jiaojiao. Where have you two been? Why are you only back now?"
"We're not from the outer city, we were just wandering around. The sky darkens so quickly."
"There is something new, but it doesn't have much to do with us."
"Hey, don't keep us in suspense, tell us quickly, tell us quickly, tell us!"
Tong Fu directly "laid hands" on that classmate.
With her cheerful personality, Tong Fu had become familiar with many students in the class in just a month.
Prompted by Tong Fu, the classmate smiled and said,
"Isn't the annual Full Moon Poetry Gathering of our Great Yue coming up? This poetry gathering in Fengcheng invites important figures from Fengcheng every year. Being able to participate in this poetry gathering, and to leave one's name, is truly no less than the fame of a Xiu Cai from the first rank."
The Full Moon Festival is similar to the Mid-Autumn Festival of her previous life, a time for reunion. It tells the story of the man looking at the full moon and his wife, Leng Yue.
However, the Great Yue's Full Moon Festival is not in autumn, but in spring.
Spring is the season for scholars to go on outings and for their poetic inspiration to flow. Holding a poetry gathering on this day has resulted in countless masterpieces for the Great Yue's Full Moon Festival.
"That's right, the Full Moon Festival is coming!"
Tong Fu's eyes lit up, and she turned to Nian Jiaojiao and said,
"I've always heard that the Full Moon Festival's poetry gathering is very elegant, with many celebrities and scholars attending. More importantly, the pastries at the poetry gathering are made by chefs recognized by the imperial chefs, which are simply superb!"
The classmate teased her from the side,
"Oh, you're already thinking about the pastries. Look at your ambition. But we can only think about it. Those who can participate are Tong Heads, Xiu Cai of the first rank, and even Juren."
Upon hearing her classmate's words, Tong Fu looked at Nian Jiaojiao with shining eyes. Nian Jiaojiao turned away to avoid her gaze, and Tong Fu leaned closer.
Stare~
The other classmates couldn't understand.
"Hey, I'm talking to you, Tong Fu, why are you staring at Nian Jiaojiao?"
Tong Fu smiled.
Nian Jiaojiao felt embarrassed.
At this moment, Qi Qinghe passed by and also looked at Nian Jiaojiao with a complicated expression.
She had also received the news.
Only Tong Heads could participate in the Full Moon Poetry Gathering.
And Nian Jiaojiao had taken the position of Tong Head that should have belonged to her.
As Qi Qinghe passed by Nian Jiaojiao, she said in a voice only Nian Jiaojiao could hear,
"Next time, I will definitely not lose to you."
Nian Jiaojiao shook her head as she watched Qi Qinghe's retreating back.
Once they left Shan Shui Town, what was a mere Tong Head to her?
In Fengcheng, there were nearly twenty Tong Heads from the surrounding towns and villages alone.
And the other person was still dwelling on the previous Tong Sheng examination, which was rather narrow-minded.
Her perspective had not broadened~