This little girl was none other than the daughter of Madam Liu and her ex-husband, Chen Erya. After Madam Liu’s ex-husband passed away, only Chen Erya and her mother-in-law were left in the family. Wang Mazi was a generous and filial person. He brought Chen Erya and Madam Liu to the house and took care of them like they were his own daughter and mother. There were three sugar eggs in the house every day. He didn’t eat them himself, he gave them all. Every few days, he would go to town to cut a pound of pork belly to nourish their bodies. Erya had grown much taller than last year and Grandma Chen could get out of bed and walk around.
Today, Wang Mazi and Madam Liu went to the Yu Family’s workshop early. Grandma Chen stayed in the backyard to peel garlic. She was old and her ears were not good, so she did not hear the commotion at the door.
Erya looked at the person expressionlessly and continued to play with the mud on the ground.
The State Preceptor was not surprised that the little girl did not recognize the thing in his hand. She was a little girl from a poor and remote village. She had probably never seen anything like crispy candy before. The State Preceptor patiently opened the oiled paper wrapped around the crispy candy, revealing a golden soybean pastry that emitted a sweet fragrance.
“This candy is for you. Help me lead the way,” the State Preceptor said gently.
Erya glanced at the candy in his hand and continued playing with the mud indifferently.
The State Preceptor felt that he might be seeing things. Otherwise, how could he see a trace of disdain in the eyes of a little country bumpkin? One had to know that this was something bought from the Capital. She definitely did not recognize it.
“For you.” The State Preceptor refused to give up.
Erya threw away the mud and entered the house. After a while, she also took out a piece of soybean pastry and leaned against the door frame to eat it. Not only was the soybean pastry bigger and golden, but it was also mixed with raisins and nuts. It was obvious that it was much better than the State Preceptor’s soybean pastry.
The State Preceptor was stunned. Uh… Was he in the wrong place? Why would a child from a poor village eat such good food?
The State Preceptor wanted to ask something, but Erya rolled her eyes and left! The old teacher said that those who used candy to coax children were all bad people! She didn’t want to talk to bad people!
The State Preceptor, who really just wanted to ask for directions: “…”
The old teacher was Ah Wei’s elder. After the elder started the village school, Erya also became one of his students. However, today was the village school’s holiday, so Erya stayed at home to play.
“Grandma!”
In the Zhao residence, Qing Yan hurriedly walked in. He was the first to discover the State Preceptor. He was about to go to the workshop when he noticed an unfamiliar carriage at the door. The Yu family’s business had become bigger. Businessmen often came to discuss business, so it was not surprising that they were unfamiliar with carriages. What was strange was that a sage-like man walked down from above. Of course, that was the sage-like appearance in the eyes of outsiders. In Qing Yan’s eyes, he was just posturing a little too much.
Qing Yan’s first feeling was that he was a Gu Master, his second feeling was that he was a sorcerer, and his third feeling was that it was necessary to report this to Grandma.
The old man was preparing for class. When he heard Qing Yan’s words, he pushed open the window and looked in the direction of Wang Mazi’s house. The advantage of the Zhao residence was that he could see any family in the village. It could be said to be an excellent place to observe.
After seeing the State Preceptor’s appearance clearly, the old man snorted coldly. “This fellow.”
“Grandma knows him?” Qing Yan asked in confusion.
At this moment, Yue Gou also walked in. Ah Wei was entangled by the three little fat fellows and did not have the time to notice what was going on in the room for the time being.
The old man said disdainfully, “A charlatan from the royal family of Nanzhao.”
Nanzhao State Preceptor.
In a sense, the State Preceptor of Nanzhao and the Ghost Clan’s priest were actually a profession—-they were both fortune-tellers for the King. They also practiced witchcraft at the same time, but compared to Gu Masters, they were closer to sorcerers. The difference was that the State Preceptor of Nanzhao served the Emperor of a country, while the old man served the head of a clan. In a way, the State Preceptor was deeply superior to the Grand Priest.
However, witchcraft originated from the Ghost Clan. They were the ones who cultivated witchcraft. Those State Preceptors had only learned a little bit of it and were just putting on airs. So the old man did not take the State Preceptor seriously.
“But I heard that you lost to the State Preceptor of Nanzhao during the sorcery competition,” Yue Gou said bluntly.
The old man glared at him. “No one will treat you as a mute if you don’t speak!”
Thirty years ago, the Ghost Clan and Nanzhao had a chance to spar with each other. When the old man was young, he represented the Ghost Clan to welcome Nanzhao’s challenge. At that time, the State Preceptor was not this charlatan, but his master.
