General, Madam Called You To Farm

Chapter 94 – Inspection (2)

“Farewell.” Shen Chuan suddenly thought of something and called out to Su Xiaoxiao. “By the way, Miss Su, do you know a student named Chen Haoyuan? I heard the old man say that there was a time you talked to him for a long time at the gate of the academy.” 

The old man he was talking about was the old man at the back door of the academy. The grandpa who would always find Su Ergou to steal a cake. 

Su Xiaoxiao asked, “What’s the matter?” 

Shen Chuan said, “The academy has several recommended places to study in Fucheng. My father is considering choosing one, either from Chen Haoyuan or another student.” 

  ……

Su Xiaoxiao took the sleepy-eyed Su Ergou out of the academy. 

Chen Haoyuan had just bought an ink stick from the study room from the  opposite direction and saw the two siblings at the entrance of the academy.

-Ink stick 

He furrowed his brow, and there was a trace of disgust in his eyes.

A fellow student followed his gaze and said: “Hey, aren’t those the two siblings who sell the snacks? Recently, there are many people in the academy who have ordered their snacks. I have eaten them once too, the taste is not worse than Jinji’s, and it’s also cheaper than Jinji’s! Brother Chen, do you want to buy snacks too?” 

“No.” Chen Haoyuan said indifferently.

He already knew that Su Xiaoxiao came to the academy to sell snacks.

In the four classes1, the status of merchants was very low. Chen Haoyuan looked down on the small peddlers who smelled of copper from the bottom of his heart. 

1The four classes of ancient China: Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. 

Besides, just a pair of siblings, what good things could they make? 

Even more delicious than Jinji’s?

Who made up that kind of rumor? 

Chen Haoyuan warned, “Don’t buy food randomly in the future! Be careful not to upset your stomach!” 

The fellow student said, “No, it won’t. The snacks they sell are delicious and good, really satisfying!” 

Chen Haoyuan said indifferently, “Just from a glance, it can be seen like you have never eaten any good food!” 

Coincidentally, at this time, Dean Shen also came down from the study room.

He was on the second floor just now, where the students generally could not go up. 

“Dean!” The fellow student noticed Dean Shen first and immediately turned around to salute.

Chen Haoyuan hurriedly regained his composure, then he turned around and saluted respectfully, “Dean.”

“What are you doing standing in front of the door?” Dean Shen asked. 

“We… we were just looking at the pair of siblings who sold the snacks.” The fellow student replied. In any case, he could never say that they were talking about others behind their backs. 

Dean Shen glanced at Su Xiaoxiao and Su Ergou as they were gradually walking away and asked, “Your acquaintances?” 

The fellow student shook his head and said, “It’s not really considered an acquaintance, I just ate the wife’s cakes they sold.” 

-Wife’s cakes / Lao Po Ping (老婆饼)

Dean Shen’s gaze fell on Chen Haoyuan’s face.

Chen Haoyuan calmed down and said sternly, “I don’t know them either!” 

——

When Dean Shen returned to the courtyard, he visited Young Master Xiang first, who had just recovered from a serious illness.

When he learned that Young Master Shen still needed to spend more time recuperating in the academy, Dean Shen said it was his honor. 

He immediately instructed his servants to prepare New Year’s goods. Because the young master was going to stay for the new year, then it had to be different from the one he celebrated with his own family. 

“Dad!” 

Dean Shen had just left the study room when he ran into Shen Chuan who was smiling all over his face. 

Dean Shen looked at the dirt and snow on Shen Chuan’s feet and said coldly, “Where have you been again?” 

Shen Chuan said, “No where. I just get tired of studying and wandering around for a while… The  exam will be in autumn next year, I know what I’m doing!” 

Dean Shen couldn’t understand. Shouldn’t a scholar be more devoted to their duties and without distractions? So how come his son was just like a monkey, always running around all day long? 

If it weren’t for the fact that his son’s studies were not bad, he would have tied him up and beat him ten or eight times. 

Shen Chuan smiled mysteriously and said, “Dad, let me tell you some information!” 

Dean Shen was so annoyed by his son’s unscrupulous appearance, his son really didn’t inherit anything from him. 

Dean Shen said rigidly, “Say it.” 

Shen Chuan smiled and said, “Chen Haoyuan from Class A of the academy is Miss Su’s eldest cousin! Do you want to consider recommending him to go to Fucheng?” 

Dean Shen furrowed his brow and said, “You said, he is Miss Su’s older cousin?”