Chapter 199: Provincial Examination

Su Yaoguang climbed out of the carriage, took hold of Zhou Wangshu’s hand, and got on the horse, sitting in front of him.

The carriage is not only cramped but also difficult to move in, unlike being on a horseback where you can enjoy the scenery.

Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu sat in another carriage. The two were drinking tea, eating snacks, with an Attendant Student serving them, feeling utterly at ease.

They watched Zhou Wangshu and Su Yaoguang ride on the same horse and suddenly felt envious.

"Chu Shan, how about after this provincial exam, we also find ourselves a wife?" Chen Buyu said, "Look at this pairing, how happy they are."

Zhong Chushan cracked some melon seeds and said blandly, "What wife, they’re like siblings."

Chen Buyu leaned against the window, sighed lightly, "Some people do everything a couple would under the name of siblings."

Zhou Wangshu wrapped his arm around Su Yaoguang’s waist, suddenly feeling a bit uneasy.

"Have you lost weight recently?" How can your waist be so slim?

Su Yaoguang said proudly, "I recently launched a slimming package. You can shape any part you’re not satisfied with. It seems to be working!"

Zhou Wangshu held the fragrant young girl in his arms, feeling utterly uncomfortable, as if there were bugs crawling in his heart.

Su Yaoguang was completely unaware, lifted her wrist to his nose, "And this fragrance, take a smell, I spent a lot of effort to blend it. The scent is elegant, like it’s innate, and it lingers for a long time. I applied it half a month ago, and it still has a lingering fragrance."

"I brought a lot with me this time, planning to launch it in the provincial capital. By the time you finish your exams, I don’t know how many big deals I’ve closed."

"I thought you insisted on accompanying me to the provincial capital for the provincial exam, but were you really waiting for this? When you told Mother you were accompanying me for the autumn exams, I think it was business you were after!"

"Didn’t I accompany you for the exams?" Su Yaoguang retorted, "I accompanied you and also closed some deals, isn’t it a double win? Shouldn’t you praise me?"

Zhou Wangshu’s eyes twinkled with amusement, "Yes, I should praise you."

"Right!" Su Yaoguang said proudly, "The provincial capital is much bigger than our county town, there are more wealthy people there, making business negotiations certainly easier."

"Sit still, don’t sway back and forth." Zhou Wangshu supported her.

"Sitting for too long makes my butt hurt." Su Yaoguang frowned, "Forget it, I’ll go back to the carriage."

Zhou Wangshu pinched her waist, "You just got on but want to leave, stop dreaming, stay put."

Though he said this, he still turned the horse around, signaling Zhong Chushan to get a cloak from the carriage. He placed the cloak beneath her to cushion her seat, making it much softer.

Su Yaoguang leaned back into his embrace, feeling much more comfortable.

She didn’t really like sitting in a carriage; if she could stay on horseback, enjoying the scenery outside was certainly better.

She adjusted to a comfortable position, leaning into his embrace, feeling sleepy.

Zhou Wangshu realized he was only causing trouble for himself. With Su Yaoguang so softly leaning against him, he not only had to control the horse but also her.

Most importantly, her fragrance kept wafting into his nostrils. At a time when his vitality was at its peak, how could he not react?

And he had to find a way to keep a proper distance to avoid her noticing.

A few days later, they arrived at the provincial capital.

"Yaoguang, we’ve arrived." Chen Buyu leaned out, speaking to Su Yaoguang on the horseback, "Yaoguang can even sleep so soundly on horseback!"

"That’s because our Wang Shu is reliable. See, these past few days, Yaoguang would rather stay in his arms than go back to the carriage, showing Wang Shu’s embrace is indeed a cozy spot!"

Su Yaoguang was entirely captivated by the bustling sight of the provincial capital, missing the teasing of the two.

Instead, it was Zhou Wangshu who felt somewhat uncomfortable. He glanced at Su Yaoguang, realizing this heartless girl didn’t understand the two’s mockery, not paying it any mind at all.

"So, should we stay at an inn, or..."

Su Yaoguang was about to speak when she heard Cui Rong’s voice from across the way.

"Yaoguang..."

Zhou Wangshu glanced downward, seeing Cui Rong emerge from a carriage.

In these few months, Cui Rong and Su Yaoguang had developed an increasingly harmonious partnership, earning more money. Naturally, their friendship deepened as well.

Now, Cui Rong wasn’t the proud, precious person he once was; he was completely Su Yaoguang’s faithful admirer. Zhou Wangshu had been buried in his studies every day, while Cui Rong spent more time with her.

"How coincidental to meet here." Su Yaoguang said from atop the horse to Cui Rong.

Cui Rong’s gaze lingered on Zhou Wangshu’s hand around Su Yaoguang’s waist.

He smiled, "It’s not a coincidence. I guessed you were arriving soon and have been waiting here since the morning. You must be tired from the journey, let me first treat you to a meal."

"Sure, thank you." Su Yaoguang said, turning to speak inside the carriage to Zhang Yingdi and Wang Huanzhi, "Aunt, Uncle, Cui Rong happens to be inspecting a branch here, he’s familiar with the area, let’s follow him for a meal first."

"Alright." Wang Huanzhi agreed, "Thank you, Young Master Cui."

Cui Rong replied, "No need for thanks, Uncle."

Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu cast sympathetic glances at Zhou Wangshu.

Uncle?

This guy might be trouble!

"Yaoguang, now that we’re in the city, riding together like this isn’t appropriate. You should get down." Cui Rong suggested.

"You’re right." Su Yaoguang said, preparing to dismount, but was held back by Zhou Wangshu.

Zhou Wangshu looked at Cui Rong, "She’s tired from the journey, you can just tell us where to eat, and I’ll take her there."

Cui Rong laughed, "It’s not far, we can walk a few steps. If Yaoguang wants to do business, she needs to understand the provincial capital, I can take her on a tour."

Hearing this, Su Yaoguang once again tried to dismount, but Zhou Wangshu held her tightly, preventing her from moving.

She looked back at him, "What’s the matter now?"

"My legs are numb, if you get down, I’ll fall off by myself," Zhou Wangshu frowned, saying in frustration, "Forget it, riding together isn’t really appropriate; you go ahead, don’t mind me."

"Cui Rong, tell us the place for dining, and we will just head there!" Su Yaoguang said, "Entering a new city indeed requires some adjustment."

"Alright." Cui Rong pointed at the tallest restaurant, "That’s the largest restaurant in the provincial capital, owned by my aunt. I’ve reserved a private room, just head straight there."

"Thank you, we’ll head over first and wait for you in the private room." Su Yaoguang said, "I’ll leave my Aunt and Uncle to you."

Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu gave Zhou Wangshu a thumbs-up.

This guy is truly cunning.

Zhou Wangshu held Su Yaoguang and galloped away.

Cui Rong pursed his lips slightly, unhappily glaring in Zhou Wangshu’s direction.

"Young Master, ultimately they are a couple, better to dismantle ten temples than one marriage. Why not find someone else you fancy?"

"Uncle Wang, you don’t understand, they’re not really a couple. Anyway, Yaoguang isn’t romantically interested in him. I still have a chance." Cui Rong got into the carriage, "Let’s go to the restaurant."