The sky was clear and the clouds were light, with a perfect spring breeze. Chen Xu stood beside the carriage, with a small stream flowing gently behind him, and bright sunlight filtered through the willow branches, casting a jade-like reflection upon him. He looked at the three women running towards him, covering their faces. The three women were shaken to the core with just one glance from him, feeling a sense of shame and inferiority for some reason. Madam Qiu hastily covered her face with her sleeve even more tightly, lowered her head, and hurriedly quickened her pace. Unexpectedly, due to her hasty steps, she somehow stumbled upon a stone and twisted her ankle, helplessly falling forward with an "Aiyo" and tripping over. Behind her, it seemed that children were laughing: "Pfft, she fell, fell like a big horse collapsing..." Embarrassed, Madam Qiu hurriedly got up and followed the two in front who were running even faster, not daring to cry out in pain. Finally running out of the village, the laughter completely faded away, and Madam Qiu clutched her chest and couldn’t help but look back. In the distance, she saw the green shadows of the distant mountains, the green water by the village, and occasional barking of dogs. Among the crisscrossing roads and houses, the figure of that young scholar in green wasn’t visible anymore. Even though she couldn’t see him, Madam Qiu couldn’t help but say, "Is that the scholar from the Chen family?" The accompanying matchmaker was inwardly annoyed but had to force herself to respond, "Isn’t it so? You were supposed to have a look, but insisted on saying those things..." Yet Madam Qiu mumbled, "Such a talent, really a pity to become a live-in son-in-law for that foolish girl. But if it were him, it wouldn’t be bad to be my son-in-law either." The matchmaker: "..." She wished she could shake all the silly thoughts out of Madam Qiu’s head. In Xiaowan Village, a commotion subsided. A neighbor’s child was the first to notice Chen Xu’s presence, excitedly shouting, "It’s Second Brother Chen! Second Brother Chen has returned." Chen Xu didn’t expect that his simple visit home would somehow make him seem like he was returning with glory. He saw the villagers joyfully, excitedly, and warmly crowding around him. Some people who used to talk about him behind his back seemed to forget all the past gossip, openly declaring, "Second Lang has returned, quick, it’s truly Second Lang, our village’s great talent is back!" Chen Xu frowned slightly, feeling a little uncomfortable. The joyous people quickly made way, and the highly respected Fang Taiye approached with a walking stick. The elderly man’s face, full of wrinkles, seemed to glow with gold, joyfully and gratified, he said to Chen Xu, "Second Lang, you are excellent, extraordinarily talented, earning recognition from the dignitaries of the Prefecture City. You did not fail your parents’ efforts to send you to study, our Xiaowan Village’s future will rely on you now." Then the village head of Xiaowan Village, Fang Xinbai, walked over with a full smile, saying warmly, "Second Lang, come in quickly, Steward Cui has been waiting for you for a long time." Previously, whenever Chen Xu met Fang Xinbai, he couldn’t avoid being ’advised’ by his superior demeanor. It wasn’t mocking or scolding, but a subtle "looking down." But now Fang Xinbai lowered his slightly raised chin, walked over, and tried to take Chen Xu’s hand. "Second Lang, come meet Steward Cui..." Before he finished speaking and managed to grasp Chen Xu’s hand, a figure came like a whirlwind from behind, pushing aside Fang Xinbai. That figure, like toppling a golden mountain or jade pillar, knelt with a thud before Chen Xu! It turned out to be Cui Fu, that affluent-looking steward kneeling before Chen Xu, looking up excitedly, and he started, "Master Chen, this humble one is thrice blessed to meet you on the very first day here in Qihe Village!" Seeing Chen Xu frown again, Cui Fu raised his hand to wipe his face. It turned out that somehow, his face was covered in teardrops from excitement. "Blame me, it’s my fault for being abrupt, startling Master Chen. I am Cui Fu, chief steward of the Yunjiang Cui family. By my master’s command, I brought the carriage to Jichuan County, firstly to pay respects to Master Chen and your esteemed family, secondly with the thought to accompany Master Chen to the Prefecture City for the exams. Since the day before yesterday, after parting, my master praised you highly as a man of unmatched talent and demeanor. Upon receiving the order to come, I hastened my travels eagerly, full of expectations. Just thinking, what kind of immortal character is Master Chen, whom my master praises as a rare talent? Fortunately, I came, and seeing you today, I find Master Chen truly embodies rare grace beyond words, a true gentleman and sage. Meeting you, I am thrice blessed indeed, boo hoo hoo..." At this point, he choked with emotion. For a moment, inside and outside the Chen residence, whether the Chen family members in the courtyard or the villagers surrounding the courtyard, everyone was dumbfounded, as if becoming a flock of geese. This sobbing face of Cui Fu, was it still that well-dressed and prestigious Steward Cui who was once awe-inspiring at the village entrance? No one could utter a word, and Chen Xu remained silent too. He simply glanced around, and the surrounding villagers suddenly felt that they were not facing the young man who had grown up beside them. But rather a majestic mountain, a patch of high sky’s azure cloud, a gust of brisk spring wind. Clearly, that wind appeared mild and calm, yet as it blew past, everyone’s heart involuntarily constricted slightly. Somehow, the revered Elder Fang’s spine seemed to bow further, and Village Head Fang Xinbai’s chin tucked closer to his neck. "Ahem..." Fang Xinbai cleared his throat with courage, hastily saying, "Alright, alright, since Second Lang is back and there is an esteemed guest, everyone shouldn’t crowd around anymore. Go, go, all return, do what needs to be done, don’t cause any chaos." The villagers, hearing these words, felt like they received a pardon. Some said a few polite farewell remarks, others turned and slipped away. They regretted their parents didn’t give them two extra legs, as they wished they had four legs to run faster. The villagers dispersed like a flock of birds and beasts, quickly leaving. Fang Xinbai supported Elder Fang, walking slower only slightly, when Chen Xu behind them said, "Uncle Village Head, Elder, the sun is still up, I won’t keep you two long. At midday, my family will be hosting guests, at that time we’d be pleased if you two elders could join us, would that be alright?" As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Xinbai and Elder Fang turned around, faces filled with uncontrollable delight, Fang Xinbai moreover laughed aloud, no longer lifting his chin or hunching his back. The smile on their faces was more genuine and warm than ever before, "Why wouldn’t it be alright? Of course, we must come. Second Lang, you’re hosting guests, how could we, these old bones, not come to accompany?" Elder Fang stroked his beard, nodding repeatedly, "Good, good, good..." After sending off the village folks, Chen Xu paid silver coins and sent away the carriage and driver that brought him back. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel•fire.net Of course, before leaving, the driver helped him unload quite a few clothing and food supplies from the carriage. These were things Chen Xu had specially bought yesterday, planning to bring part of it back home. Chen Qianshan, Chen Ping, and Chen An quickly came to help pack. Cui Fu also eagerly joined in, instructing his guards to step in and lend a hand. Chen Xu stopped them, gesturing respectfully to Cui Fu, and said only, "Steward Cui, please."