How could someone be unhappy living in a matriarchal society?

Chapter 89 Heading to Kyoto

Aunt Zhu continued to manipulate the abacus, and the final result was indeed ninety coins.

She looked at Chu Ci in surprise and exclaimed, "I didn't know you were so good at math! I thought you were just strong."

For Aunt Zhu, candidates for the martial arts examination were usually not good at arithmetic, so she was quite surprised that Chu Ci could calculate the refund amount so quickly and accurately.

Aunt Zhu looked at Chu Ci and gave her a thumbs up: "You're a really good child!"

Chu Ci humbly replied, "It's alright, it's alright."

After returning the excess money, Chu Ci took Shi An to Master Li's house.

When they reached the door, they found that only the bedroom had the light on.

Chu Ci gently knocked on the door, and soon the Master slowly walked out, leaning on his cane.

After opening the door, the teacher saw Chu Ci and Shi An standing outside. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he asked, "What are you doing here so late?"

Chu Ci replied with a smile, "I came here to say goodbye."

The Master understood his purpose, nodded, and said, "Then come in."

So, the Master led Chu Ci and Shi An into the study.

Chu Ci considerately took out a tinderbox from his bosom and lit the oil lamp on the desk.

The teacher sat in his chair and, after a moment of silence, asked, "That girl from the He family should have given you her visiting card by now, right?"

Chu Ci nodded. The Master paused for a moment, then instructed, "If you can become Old Song's disciple, you must study hard."

"Yes." Chu Ci lowered his head, respectfully indicating that he would follow the Master's teachings.

Master Li stared at Chu Ci for a while before waving his hand and saying, "Alright, it's getting late, go back and rest."

Neither of them were good with words, so Chu Ci stood up and bowed deeply to Master Li, saying, "Thank you for your teachings, Master."

The teacher waved his hand, signaling her to leave, "Alright, alright, go on."

"Yes."

Back home, Chu Ci sorted out some things that she couldn't take with her.

Shi An looked at them with some reluctance, "Although we don't need them, these are good things, we can't just throw them away."

Chu Ci agreed: "That's what I was planning too. I could give it to a neighbor or a friend."

Shi An suddenly had a good idea and said, "We can give the extra rice, flour and donkey to the teacher. She is old and it is inconvenient for her to go out to buy rice. The donkey can carry her goods. These two things are just right for her."

"I'll listen to you," Chu Ci replied.

Shi An then considered what to do with the other items: "The remaining copper basin and some cleaning tools can be donated to the clinic."

Chu Ci looked at her pile of books and said, "Then I can give these unused books to Song Zhao."

After considering it, the two immediately got to work and began organizing the items.

They worked for an hour, not finishing their task until late at night, and then climbed into bed to rest.

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the room through the window. Chu Ci got up early, enjoyed a hearty breakfast, and then, still carrying books, food, and other things they didn't need or could take with them, she hung them on the donkey and led it out.

The Chu Ci first visited the home of the Master.

Li Jing was puzzled to see Chu Ci visiting again and asked, "Is there anything else you need?"

Chu Ci patted the rice bag, a smile playing on her lips: "My family still has plenty of grain left. It's really inconvenient to carry so much stuff on the road, so I'll just give it all to you."

As she spoke, she patted the big, fat donkey beside her, "This donkey is also for you. Please take care of it."

Li Jing understood Chu Ci's good intentions, but he refused to admit defeat: "Oh, so it's because you don't want something that you're throwing it at me."

Chu Ci smiled helplessly and shrugged: "Yeah, I'm just dumping this 'garbage' on you."

As soon as she finished speaking, she carried the rice sacks and other sacks full of grain into the kitchen, then led the donkey away.

Seeing this, Li Jing hurriedly chased after him and grabbed the reins: "Didn't you promise to give me the donkey? Why are you going back on your word?"

"I have no regrets, absolutely not!" Chu Ci quickly explained, "I just wanted the donkey to help me carry some books to my friends."

Upon hearing this, Master Li waved his cane and said, "Now that this donkey is mine, shouldn't you ask for my opinion first?"

Chu Ci was stunned, then nodded repeatedly: "The Master is indeed very meticulous..."

Master Li proudly raised his head, his chin slightly lifted, his eyes revealing a sense of confidence.

He said in a somewhat arrogant tone, "Alright, alright, hurry up and deliver it, just give me the donkey at the end."

Looking at Master Li's feigned arrogance, Chu Ci couldn't help but feel a smile.

No wonder people say that old people are like children; it's true.

After leaving the Master's house, Chu Ci went to the school where Song Zhao was studying, found a student, gave her the books, and asked her to pass them on to Song Zhao.

After completing his task, Chu Ci led the donkey toward the clinic.

When she arrived at the clinic, He Baobao was out on a house call and she didn't see him.

But Li Jiang warmly received her.

Upon learning that these items were a gift from Chu Ci to the clinic, Li Jiang's face immediately broke into a bright smile.

"Thank you for your generous donation, Madam Chu! By the way, I heard you achieved first place in the provincial examination. Congratulations!"

Chu Ci smiled and replied, "Thank you for your congratulations, Mr. Li. I am about to head to Kyoto. I hope you will take good care of me in the future."

Li Jiang nodded quickly to show his understanding: "Of course, of course. Xiao He is our darling now. Don't worry, do your best in the exam. I have faith in you."

"Thank you, Mr. Li. I haven't finished packing my things yet, so I'll be going now."

Li Jiang personally escorted her to the door, saying, "Please take care, Madam Chu. Come back and visit sometime."

Chu Ci smiled slightly, "Yes."

After returning the donkey to the teacher, Chu Ci went home.

At this moment, Shi An was carefully tidying up their clothes.

Chu Ci inadvertently caught a glimpse of the so-called "New Year's gift" that He Baobao had given her before, and couldn't help but cough twice. Then she said to Shi An, "We don't need to take this dress to Kyoto, right?"

Shi An looked at her in confusion and asked, "Why? I think the wife looks great in it!"

Chu Ci was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to answer, and in the end, he let Shi An take it with him.

In the afternoon, after lunch, Chu Ci went to the horse farm.

When Zhou Wu saw her coming over, she greeted her warmly, "Madam Chu, you're quite the celebrity now! You've made my little horse farm so lively. Quite a few people have come over to ask if you practice riding and archery here."