The more you believe me, the more real it becomes.

Chapter 66 Money Can't Buy the Fragrance of Qiugao (a type of rice cake)

After a moment of stunned silence, Qian Dafu, having made up his mind, cupped his hands and smiled, saying:

“Your father was a renowned scholar in Qingzhou. How could someone from a humble family like mine possibly know of the talented men who could be his students?”

“He Ren County is merely a subordinate county. Sending the esteemed members of the Han family here would indeed be a waste of their talents. Therefore, I am recommending my eldest son without regard to kinship!”

Qian Youcai hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.

The young man in brocade robes also praised:
"Your son is a handsome and talented young man; he will surely be promoted soon!"

Is it politeness, or an implication?

The Qian family was unaware, and even the young master in brocade robes himself was unaware.

As for how things will ultimately turn out, that depends on how much affinity the Qian family has with the Taoist priest.

"Ah, come here, Uncle, your treasured sword!"

Qian Dafu hurriedly smiled and pushed it back, saying:
"Well, since you like it, young master, I'll gladly give it to you!"

"I dare not refuse a gift from an elder, so I will accept it!"

Qian Dafu's answer greatly pleased the young man in brocade robes. Therefore, after accepting the ghost-head saber, he personally unfastened his own sword and handed it to him, saying:
"Uncle, you have gifted me this precious sword, so naturally I must reciprocate. This sword is indeed not as good as yours, which can slay demons and monsters, but it was still forged by a famous craftsman and is worth some money. I am honored to offer it to you in return!"

This was his own idea.

Because compared to the villagers, the Qian family was much more to his liking.

Han had already searched all the villagers, hoping to exchange a piece of the temple roof tile for a talisman to ward off evil spirits and protect his home.

But not only did no one agree, they even had to be very careful with their wording.

They were afraid that if they weren't careful, the mountain god would suspect that they had been coerced or bribed.

Not only are they increasingly out of luck, but they also incur divine punishment.

In short, it was really tough.

They were clearly nobles, while the others were commoners.

But at that time, it really felt like the roles had been reversed.
In comparison, he was also willing to give the Qian family more.

For example, his sword was genuinely forged by a renowned craftsman, and it was worth hundreds of taels of silver. More importantly, it was a gift from the Han family.

"Thank you very much."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the young man in brocade robes looked towards the door and said:

"I just don't know when the chief will be able to come!"

Qian Dafu smiled wryly:

"I don't know either."

The young man in brocade robes said nonchalantly:

"It's alright, it's alright, I'll stay with you and wait for you. It's just that I might have to bother you for a few more days."

"That would be most welcome!"

While smiling obsequiously, Qian Dafu was also helped by Qian Youde to walk towards the door with the young man in brocade.

Clearly, the distinction between host and guest has been reversed.

After glancing at the nearly deserted street, the young man in brocade robes couldn't help but sigh:
"I really don't know what important matter such a highly accomplished Taoist priest is busy with right now."

Just at this moment.

Du Yuan, holding the wrapped rice cake, ate it as she walked to the street corner.

This is the road guarded by the gatekeeper. Due to the street layout, Du Yuan arrived and saw Qian Dafu and the young man in brocade robes.

The other party, however, was completely unaware of Du Yuan.

Therefore, Du Yuan stopped.

He glanced at the 'human footprint' still left in front of the Qian family's gate, and then at the ghost-headed knife beside Young Master Han.

Contacting Du Yuan, who had overheard things on the way, revealed that the Qian family was the unlucky ones last night.

Thinking about it this way, the Qian family knew that what they said was true.

Since that's the case, there's no need to remind them in the past.

After all, the Qian family already knew how dangerous things were.

Thinking of this, Du Yuan immediately turned around and walked in another direction.

Along the way, Du Yuan not only enjoyed local delicacies, but he also inquired about places with lakes, courtyards, and possibly soldiers.

However, halfway there, Du Yuan felt he should inform the Qian family to avoid them waiting indefinitely because of the Han family. He had been extremely kind to the Qian father and son, but he still had a good impression of Qian Youcai and the twelve generations of good deeds the Qian family had done for generations.

Du Yuan waved to a group of children by the roadside.

Because they were strangers, none of the little ones dared to come over, except for one chubby boy who kept staring at the rice cake in Du Yuan's hand and biting his fingers as he walked over.

Du Yuan took out some loose silver from her bosom and gave it to him, saying:
"Young friend, I'll give you some silver coins. Would you please go to the Qian family and pass on a message for me?"

The chubby boy nodded immediately, but then shook his head and said:
"No, no, no."

"Why? This is quite a lot of money!"

But the chubby boy stared intently at the rice cake in Du Yuan's hand and said:

"But what I want is the rice cake in your hand!"

Upon hearing this, Du Yuan said happily:
"But money can buy even more gluttonous rice cakes!"

The chubby boy shook his head repeatedly and said:

"I'll definitely give the money to my parents; we're struggling financially. But the rice cakes will go straight into my stomach!"

This answer left Du Yuan both amused and exasperated.

Is this considered sensible or immature?

It seems like either one is acceptable.

After thinking about it, Du Yuan decided to choose a better one for the chubby boy.

After putting the loose silver into her bosom, Du Yuan took out a larger piece of loose silver and said:
"Then I'll use this, is that okay?"

Based on Du Yuan's experience of eating her way through the years, this slightly larger piece of silver was enough to exchange for several pieces of glutinous rice cake, with some left over for her family.

"I...I still want the rice cake you have."

The chubby boy was still staring intently at the rice cake in Du Yuan's hand, his mouth practically watering.

Du Yuan coaxed patiently, "But this money can get your parents to agree to buy you some rice cakes, and you can even have some left over to supplement your household expenses."

Unexpectedly, the chubby boy shook his head and said, "That's too expensive! I'm just running an errand. My parents said we can't take advantage of others."

These words startled Du Yuan. A child's words are sometimes innocent and uninhibited, sometimes they speak directly to the heart, always revealing a purity untouched by the world.

It can warm your heart.

After receiving the silver, Du Yuan looked at the rice cake in her hand and couldn't help but feel a little worried:
"But this is what I left over; how can I serve my young friend with scraps?"

Du Yuan originally wanted to say that she would go back and buy a few more new ones.

Unexpectedly, the little guy spoke up again:

"That's precisely why I'm not taking advantage of you!"

Du Yuan was overjoyed and patted the little guy's shoulder repeatedly, praising him:

“Good boy, what a good boy! Here, take this. And this is what I want you to tell them.”

He leaned down and whispered a few words in the little guy's ear. The little guy remembered them, immediately held up the rice cake, and shouted to his waiting companions:
"Look! I have some glutinous rice cakes that a kind person gave me. We can share them! After we finish eating, we'll go and pass on a message to this kind person!"

Watching the little ones cheer and gather around, carefully sharing the glutinous rice cake,

Du Yuan and the passersby around her exchanged knowing smiles.

Such childlike innocence is truly rare to see.

As soon as the rice cake entered their mouths, the little ones all exclaimed in surprise:
"This glutinous rice cake is so delicious!"

"Yes, it's so delicious! I've never had anything this good before!"

"It looks like something my uncle brought to my house last month, but how come it tastes so good?"

"It's so delicious, we have to save some for Mom and Dad!"

The little ones didn't understand, but they still left happily.

Only Du Yuan watched them leave with a puzzled look.

Is it really that delicious?
It's probably because they were shared by friends, right?
Turning his head in confusion, Du Yuan was shocked to see an old man, who looked somewhat ethereal and bore a striking resemblance to the chubby boy, bowing deeply to him before disappearing into the light and shadow.

This made Du Yuan suddenly look at her palm, which had just been holding the rice cake.

A faint golden light, like wisps of air, lingered in my palm, slightly illusory yet undeniably real.

After gazing at her for a moment, Du Yuan withdrew her hand, chuckled softly, and left.

"So this is the most suitable way!"

(End of this chapter)