"Mother, this is a laying hen!"
Upon entering the courtyard, Feng Qing'an saw that his mother, Yin Shi, had procured a plump hen that was still clucking, and he couldn't help but shout in surprise.
It was obvious from Yin Shi's actions what was happening. After all, even on the day when the government had sent people to announce the good news, people from miles around had come, and they had slaughtered most of the poultry they were raising. Those that were spared were all laying hens.
"Only an old laying hen can really nourish you. Zhi'er, you sit down and rest for a while. I'll go and make you some chicken soup!"
With a swift motion, Yin Shi held the hen she had cared for meticulously over the years, and mercilessly slaughtered it. After bleeding it out, she used boiling water to remove the feathers, cleaned the innards, skillfully chopped it up, and tossed it into a pot.
Despite the faint scent of raw meat wafting through the air, Feng Qing'an found his mouth watering at the thought of the bountiful dinner he would be having tonight.
"It's great having my big brother back. We can have meat again!"
Feng Qing'an couldn't help but exclaim.
In the era of low productivity and feudal times, the number of days in a year when they could eat meat were few and far between. It was considered a treat to have a few drops of oil or morsel of meat in their meals normally.
Even though their family had prospered due to his big brother, the memory of having meat in every meal and savouring it once every few days felt like a luxury now.
Under these circumstances, how could Feng Qing'an not be craving?
"You greedy goblin! Haven't you had enough to eat and drink these days?"
Yin Shi walked out of the kitchen and heard Feng Qing'an's exclamation and teased him.
"You haven't killed a chicken for me lately!"
Feng Qing'an muttered under his breath.
"If you could be like your brother and win the championship, I'd make you chicken soup every day!"
"..."
Feng Qing'an closed his mouth immediately. Asking him to top the exam was a joke. He knew his abilities well, just managing to pass as a licentiate would be considered a blessing.
Before the system had started, Feng Qing'an had set his goal to be a licentiate, which would meet the lowest standard for becoming an official.
If he had connections and a background, he might even be assigned to a small remote county as a county magistrate. If he had nothing, it was fine too. With awards and recognition, it would not be a problem to be a petty official in the yamen.
This was Feng Qing'an's previous pursuit; to obtain recognition, become an official, and live a modest and peaceful life.
Now, however, Feng Qing'an didn't know what to target as he wasn't sure how much help this Guardian Beast system could provide and how far he could go with it.
Disregarding the system, like before, taking being a licentiate as the target and only seeking to be a county official seemed a bit low, since once he passed the licentiate examination, he no longer could be considered to have no connections or background.
Naturally, Feng Qing'an's current thirst for training far exceeded his desire to pass the imperial examination. If he could fly and traverse the earth, who cares about being an official? To journey across the sea in the morning and wander in the wilderness in the evening, wouldn't that be carefree?
"Big Brother!"
A bowl of aromatic old hen soup blocked Feng Qing'an's intention to discuss raising dogs with his big brother. Not only was there chicken soup on the dining table, Yin Shi brought out all the good stuff from the house to celebrate her eldest son's return home, making Feng Qing'an very satisfied.
"You eat at a slower pace. This is for your big brother. He's been hungry out there for days!"
"Mother, don't worry unnecessarily. My big brother had been traveling for the examination, and has tasted all sorts of delicious food. Look, he has gained quite a bit of weight."
Feng Qing'an's comment, off-the-cuff, led to Yin Shi's immediate slap on the back of his head, but this did nothing to stop him from eating eagerly.
However, while enjoying the soup made from the old hen, Feng Qing'an suddenly thought of something and with great interest, he asked:
"Big Brother, you're the only champion since the founding of Da Jin who tops all six principalities. I heard that after becoming a champion, you have to parade in the city. After your parade in Capital City, you must have received many sachets thrown by noble ladies! How was it? Did any noble lady move your heart?"
Upon hearing Feng Qing'an's words, even the forthright Feng Shouli, who was quietly eating his meal, couldn't help but prick up his ears. As for Yin Shi, she was eagerly waiting for her eldest son's answer.
It was her hope that her son could truly win the heart of a noble lady that made Yin Shi refuse all matchmakers. This would be hundreds or even thousands of times better than those daughters of a wealthy landlord.
"..."
Under the collective scrutiny of his family, Feng Qingping's expression became somewhat helpless as he glanced at Feng Qing'an.
"An!"
"Big Brother, just tell us if there is or isn't any! We won't ask about the others, after all, you're still young and not in a hurry!"
Feng Qing'an added with a laugh.
"...Yes, there is!"
Feng Qingping, well-read in the classics, naturally wouldn't deceive his family members with a lie. After a moment's silence, he delivered an answer that made everyone feel ecstatic and taken by surprise.
"Zhi'er, which lady from Capital City has caught your eye?"
Yin Shi's heart was itching like it was being scratched by a cat's paw, and she couldn't help but ask.
Although her eldest son was not yet fourteen years old, it was the age where he could get married. As a mother, how could she not be concerned about this matter?
"Mother, you haven't been to Capital City. Even if Big Brother tells you, you won't know anything."
Before Feng Qingping could respond, Feng Qing'an interrupted, causing him to earn an icy glare from Yin Shi.
"Father, Mother, An, I have only just met Miss Luo... It is too early to discuss marriage. If we are truly to become husband and wife, I will not keep it from you."
When he spoke of that noble lady in Capital City, Feng Qingping's look was complicated, even his way of addressing her was uncertain.
"That's right!"
Hearing her son say this, although Yin Shi was extremely curious, she knew it was not appropriate to continue asking.
Moreover, she felt rather insecure and somewhat guilty deep down inside. From ancient times, marriages were always made between equals, but the woman her son was interested in was a noble lady from Capital City. As a person, Yin Shi did not feel her eldest son was inferior to anyone. But when it came to background, she was completely dragging him down, unable to provide even the slightest help to her outstanding son.
"Zhi'er, you..."
Feng Shouli, who had been quiet all along, wanted to say something. To him, marrying the daughters of the local gentry would be the wish fulfilled, and a perfect life.
But he also knew that these daughters simply were not on par with his extraordinary eldest son, yet the noble lady whom his son admired truly made this simple farmer feel uneasy. Just the thought made him uncomfortable.
He wished to encourage his son to let go, and choose a daughter of a wealthy family instead. But he also knew, how could he make decisions for his son with his myopic farmer's perspective?