I go to the ancient imperial examinations

Chapter 78
The 26th of the twelfth lunar month is Li Shi's birthday. In the early morning, the candlelight in the kitchen emits a faint light.Zhan Feiyu fished the cooked longevity noodles out of the pot, and put in two fried fried poached eggs.

Zhan Feiyu walked into the hall with a bowl, "Mother?"

After regaining consciousness, Mrs. Li put away the wooden hairpin in her hands in a panic, and hurriedly took the bowl, "Don't burn it."

It is self-evident who sent the wooden hairpin, Zhan Feiyu thought of what Dr. Ji said before.

Li's body is fine, but Zhan's boss was given a sterilization drug. This is also the root cause of the couple's lack of children in seven or eight years. Fortunately, this drug is not a secret drug, but ordinary doctors can't find it.

"Don't frown, mother knows." Li raised his hand and touched Zhan Feiyu's head, with a gentle and loving smile, "If he still faces us in the future, he will talk about it."

Mr. Li took a poached egg and put it in Zhan Feiyu's bowl, and his expression was softer. If he hadn't moved it out, how could there be such a good day?
In Zhan's house, in addition to selling eggs, he occasionally stewed egg custard. Even on his birthday, Mr. Li couldn't eat eggs, and a few children watched.

If the children eat all of them, it will be five eggs, and the Zhan family has more than ten people. If you are born this month, and he will be born next month, how can you save enough eggs.

Looking at Mrs. Li, who was satisfied with a bowl of longevity noodles and a poached egg, Zhan Feiyu concealed the guilt in his eyes, "I listen to my mother."

After the mother and daughter had breakfast, Zhan Feiyu began to read every morning.

After Mrs. Li finished her work, she looked at the sun and took out 30 taels of silver from the cabinet.

"Xiaoyu, mother went to the village's house." Mrs. Li said to Zhan Feiyu, who was studying in the room, and went out.

These three houses were provided by the village. Originally, boss Zhan had two taels of silver as a subsidy for managing the family land, which was used as the rent of the house, but after Yin Wuyan gave Zhan Feiyu 500 taels of silver, she discussed with Mrs. Li and decided to use it The house is bought.

As for the [-] taels of silver that Boss Zhan had, he was expelled from his clan, and he was estimated to have only [-] to [-] yuan in his hand. He couldn't even eat meat dishes during the New Year, and he could have a good New Year with [-] taels of silver.

Mrs. Li shouted from outside the yard, and when she saw the courtyard door was open, she came in, "Aunt Wu, is the village at home?"

"Fengyu is here, come in quickly." The fifth aunt came out of the stove and wiped her hands on the apron, "I know you are coming over and waiting in the house, old man, Fengyu is here."

Village Zheng, who was called an old man, was actually in his early fifties. Seeing Mrs. Li took out three silver ingots of [-] taels, he smiled and said, "It's fine to buy it, you and Xiaoyu can live with peace of mind."

Farmers care most about fields and houses, but if they have these two things, they will be settled.

"Yes, Xiaoyu will be able to copy books next year. She said that she can practice calligraphy and review the content taught by Master Lin. Master Lin also agrees." Even if Li Shi took out 30 taels, there are still more than 400 taels at home. Two silver coins, but she understands the truth that money is not revealed. On the bright side, Xiaoyu copied books and made shoes herself.

"Xiaoyu understands better than us about studying, just don't delay." Compared with those who read dead books, Zhan Feiyu, who understands livelihood, is more recognized by the village Zheng. Besides, Master Lin has agreed, and nothing will go wrong.

"Looking at the New Year's Day, the house deed can only go to the yamen office after the new year." Village Zheng said again.

"Don't worry." Li nodded. The reason why she brought the money now was to prevent people from the village or relatives of her parents' family from borrowing money. There must be a reason not to borrow it.

Can't do the house deed, but the village is going back to the house to write a receipt for Mrs. Li.

Aunt Wu glanced outside the door and whispered, "Feng Yu, I have something to tell you here..."

"What? Betrothed to Xiaoyu?" After hearing this, Mrs. Li was stunned.

Although the landlord Zhu family wanted to order Zhan Feiyu to Zhu Peng before, the Li family didn't plan to consider Zhan Feiyu's marriage so early, it was not too late when he was twelve or thirteen years old.

Aunt Wu patted Li's arm and persuaded earnestly, "Master Lin is Xiaoyu's teacher. There is only one son in the family, and there will be no conflicts between brothers and sisters in the future."

"Furthermore, this is what Mrs. Lin mentioned to me in person. This mother-in-law has taken a fancy to Xiaoyu, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law can get along well in the future." In the eyes of the fifth aunt, this is indeed a good marriage.

The Lin family is a well-know family. The Lin Fuzi private school has accepted more than 20 students, and it costs more than 200 taels a year. After deducting the fees, even if there are 50 taels left, it is better than many other families.

Seeing that Mrs. Li was a little moved, the fifth aunt smiled and continued: "When Xiaoyu gives birth to a child in the future, he will be a major hero of the Lin family. It is only reasonable to live a comfortable life."

No matter how talented Zhan Feiyu is in reading, Mrs. Li never thought of letting her marry into a wealthy family. If the family is not in the right household, it is the woman who suffers in the end.

"I'll go back and talk to Xiaoyu." Mrs. Li did not immediately agree.

Although the children's marriage is the word of the matchmaker, the fifth aunt also knows that Zhan Feiyu is not an ordinary child, and it is normal for her to nod for this marriage.

"Don't be in a hurry, I'll answer Mrs. Lin after the year." The fifth aunt accompanies the village leader to visit Mrs. Lin's place every year on behalf of Jinlin Village and the Zhan clan. The heart of the road is here.

After returning from the village Zheng's house, the Chinese New Year dishes that were to be cooked in advance in the kitchen hadn't been cooked yet, but Mrs. Li's thoughts were all on Zhan Feiyu's marriage.

After reading the book for half an hour, Zhan Feiyu, who came out to rest, held a cup and drank water while warming his hands. Looking at Mr. Li who was sitting on the chair again, he couldn't help but say, "Mother?"

"Xiaoyu." Li Shi was startled, looking at the little girl who was as white and tender as dough, and suddenly said, "Your wife asked the fifth grandmother of the village to give you a kiss, and wants to book you to Xiuyuan."

"What...cough..." A mouthful of water spurted out.

Zhan Feiyu stared at Li stunned, and was really frightened by the news. His black eyes were round and round, like cat's eyes, full of disbelief.

"How old are you, you can even choke when you drink water." Li looked helplessly at Zhan Feiyu, who had a mouthful of water, took out a handkerchief and wiped it for her, and said with a smile, "There are women in one family who ask for it, It's normal for your mother-in-law to see you."

In fact, there are also many people in the village who are talking, not their own sons, nephews, or boys from relatives. Zhan Feiyu is good at reading and beautiful. Who doesn't want to marry such a little girl home.

"Mother, how embarrassing it will be for me to see my senior brother tomorrow!" Zhan Fei's face was sullen and unrequited. For the first time, he discovered that there is something more terrifying than making art, that is, kissing!I'm only eight years old...

Li Shi was also amused by her childish appearance, "You are smart and sensible, and your mother doesn't hide it from you. Master Lin's family is really good..."

Li and Aunt Wu thought about the same thing. They married into someone else's house. In the future, Xiaoyu was bullied by her husband's family, and no one in her own family could support her.

But Mrs. Lin's personality Li Clan completely believed that although she had met Lin Xiuyuan once, she was born from her heart. He was a gentle child who would never bully Xiaoyu.

Even if Mrs. Li said a flower, Zhan Feiyu still shook his head like a rattle, "No, absolutely no!"

She has lived two lifetimes, and her senior brother is just a 12-year-old boy in her eyes. Zhan Feiyu regards Lin Xiuyuan as her elder brother when she gets along with her on weekdays, but getting married is absolutely impossible. She is not a strange aunt who tortures minors !
Seeing the pity on Li's face, Zhan Feiyu hurriedly said, "Mother, in fact, my wife doesn't like me very much."

Although Zhan Feiyu had the most contact with Master Lin in the private school, then Lin Xiuyuan, and finally his wife Wang Shi, but she was not a real child, and her mother's attitude had always been cold, even a little displeased.

Zhan Feiyu knew in his heart that his wife was dissatisfied with her occupying too much time for the master, and although the pen, ink, paper and inkstone were provided by the private school, they were determined later, but the amount that Master Lin gave to Zhan Feiyu was definitely several times that of others.

Not to mention that Mrs. Lin also gave Zhan Feiyu more than 20 books. Although she copied the books in neat handwriting and returned them to Mrs. Lin, in Wang's opinion, Zhan Feiyu still took advantage of the Lin family. .

"What?" Mrs. Li was startled. If Mrs. Lin didn't like Xiaoyu, why would she ask someone to kiss her?
Zhan Feiyu almost patted his chest to promise, and continued to lobby Li from another angle, "Senior brother is frail, and my mother loves my brother the most, and I am not good at taking care of people, so there will definitely be conflicts in the future."

And it's still an irreconcilable contradiction, unless Zhan Feiyu becomes a gentle little girl who takes her husband as her god.

She still didn't say a word. When she passed the exam, women were strong and men were weak. Not to mention whether the senior brother would be unbalanced in his heart, but the senior mother would definitely not be happy to overwhelm the senior brother.

Li only thought that the Lin family had a good family style and a wealthy family, but he didn't expect this.

Xiaoyu looked gentle, but Mrs. Li knew that she was stubborn and indifferent, so she was definitely not on good terms with Mrs. Lin, her mother-in-law.

Seeing Zhan Feiyu staring at him with wide eyes, Mrs. Li smiled and said, "Okay, mother knows, I will go to the village Zheng's house to reject you in two days. You are still young, so it's okay to wait a few more years. "

With a sigh of relief, the frightened self needed to write an art essay to calm down. Zhan Feiyu took the cup and went back to the house, "Mother, I'm going back to read!"

……

28, make the noodles; 29, steam the buns.

In order to avoid embarrassment, Zhan Feiyu ruthlessly brought back ten titles of art and literature, and only said that he would not disturb Master Lin during the Chinese New Year.

After all, there are many things going on before the year, and there are many students who will pay New Year's greetings after the new year. Master Lin has no time to teach Zhan Feiyu. She might as well read and write articles at home.

There was a lot of food to be steamed during the Chinese New Year, and it was inconvenient to wash the steamer at home, so Mr. Li took the bamboo steamer to the river.

The riverside is very lively. The woman who washes things is very happy.

"This New Year's Eve, there are still a lot of people. It's good for the whole family to be lively, otherwise no one will eat chicken, duck and fish." The strange voice of yin and yang sounded, Xiao Yao squinted and looked at Li, seeing Not used to her being held by the villagers, she always has to stab her.

There was a woman who didn't deal with Li's, and she said sharply, "Reunion and reunion, it's not a New Year's Eve if the square table is not full, and you can't even see a single person at the gate after New Years and New Years."

"Sister-in-law Osmanthus, your family is lively every year. The three little sisters come back for New Year's greetings. After the year, you have to go back to your mother's house to visit relatives. This is a prosperous family." Xiao Yao's laughter was particularly harsh.

Without looking at the two of them, Mrs. Li squatted down to wash the steamer.

"She's just jealous. She had a fight with the third family in the morning, and she almost did it." Shanwaziniang whispered to Mrs. Li. Xiao Yao and Mrs. Ma quarreled every day. more powerful.

"It's nothing to do with me." Li's expression was indifferent.

Now that she is living a clean life, Xiaoyu can also study hard. As for Boss Zhan, if he is no longer filial and filial, their husband and wife can still be together, after all, they are not divorced.

Seeing Li Shi's calm appearance, Xiao Yao Shi only felt that a fist hit the cotton, and his angry face was distorted.

"Aunt Li, there are carriages, several carriages!" Suddenly, several children shouted from the river bank.

Li hurriedly stood up and shook off the water droplets on his hands, "I'll go back and have a look."

Xiao Yao's eyes rolled, and Sister-in-law Osmanthus looked at each other. The two of them put their things in the tub and followed.

At the gate of the yard, Zhan Feiyu said to the boy who was driving the carriage: "Please, my brother, thank the shopkeeper for me. I will visit again in the next year."

"Zhan Xiaomeng is very polite. The shopkeeper of my house said that the snow has not melted and the road is slippery, so there is no need to pay attention to these ceremonies." The servant was respectful.

"Xiaoyu, I'll take it in for you." Mr. Zhan opened his mouth cautiously, seeing that Zhan Feiyu had no objection, his eyes filled with joy, and he hurriedly took the gift handed by the servant.

In addition to a set of pen, ink, paper and inkstone, there are also four-color desserts, a piece of light yellow and a light blue cloth, all of which are suitable for Zhan Feiyu to wear.

When Li came over, the carriage of Wenxing Study Studio had just left, and the servant of the next carriage drove the carriage forward.

"Mother, you're back." Zhan Feiyu looked back at Mrs. Li and introduced her, "This is Brother He from Leshan Residence."

"It's too much trouble, little brother." Mrs. Li thanked him warmly.

Xiao He waved his hand, "Madam is too polite, this is a New Year's gift from our boss."

Compared with the New Year's gift from Wenxing Study, the things that Dr. Ji sent are much more valuable. A set of four treasures of the study, eight kinds of cakes, two more jars of wine, two packets of tea, and six pieces of cloth, two of which are darker in color. Obviously for Lee.

In addition, there are two packs of medicinal herbs, Xiao He said: "This is the medicinal herbs for the body prepared by the owner. This pack is for the lady's drink, and this is for Zhan Xiaomengtong. It can be simmered with water. Every ten Drink one pack a day and drink it until nine."

The medicine Li drank was for her body conditioning. When Doctor Ji prepared an antidote to relieve the medicine on Boss Zhan's body, the couple could have a child in the future.

Seeing Boss Zhan and Xiao He delivering gifts to the yard, the villagers who were watching the lively also whispered, "Did you see the material? I asked at Buzhuang before, and it costs [-] taels per horse."

A piece of fabric can be cut into about ten pieces of clothing. Excluding artificial and silk threads, this piece of clothing costs [-] yuan, while the new clothes of ordinary farmers are less than [-] yuan.

The fat aunt nodded, "The little fish can make at least two clothes from that piece of fabric."

"Those six pieces of fabric are worth ten taels of silver?" A greedy woman stared wide-eyed in shock, looking straight at the wine jars, tea and pastries that had not been removed from the carriage, "Then these plus Wouldn't it be four or fifty taels of silver?"

Uncle Wang is a barefoot doctor in the village, and Aunt Wang also knows some herbs, so he took over the words, "The most expensive herbs are those that nourish the body, usually with ginseng tablets."

A medium-quality ginseng costs at least 50 taels.

The others smacked their tongues when they heard this, but Xiao Yao clenched his hands tightly in resentment, his nails tore through his palms, and the head of his family managed to save more than 100 taels of silver in the bank, but in the end he was given by the dead old woman. Take it away!
While Mrs. Li didn't have to do anything at home, someone brought valuable gifts to her door.

The village is standing outside the crowd, just to give New Year's gifts, and he doesn't need him to come forward to support Zhan Feiyu, laughing and chatting with the clan elders around him, "Xiaoyu is really capable now."

The clan is always shrewd and said in a low voice: "Look at that year's ceremony, in addition to the little fish that can be used, there are also wine and tea."

Zhan Feiyu was still a child, so he couldn't use either.

The clan elder looked at the puzzled village Zheng, "That's for the New Year's gift for Xiaoyu. The owner of Leshan Residence is so thoughtful. This is to treat Xiaoyu as his junior."

Both Leshanju and Wenxing Study were given New Year gifts by the servants in the shop, but at last a middle-aged man came down from the first carriage.

Wearing a dark blue long gown, the man bowed his hands to Zhan Feiyu, "Zhan Xiaomengtong is well, my surname is Hong, I'm the housekeeper of the Chen residence, and I give Zhan Xiaomengtong a New Year's gift at the order of my wife."

"Hello Steward Hong." Zhan Feiyu was stunned for a moment, he had never had contact with anyone with the surname Chen.

Seeing Steward Hong, who was more like a scholar than a housekeeper, Zhan Feiyu's eyes widened a little, and then he saluted back with a straight face: "Thanks to the love of the adults, the students deserve it."

Both Li and Zhan boss felt that Zhan Feiyu's attitude was much more serious.

"Mother, this is the housekeeper of Lord Chen's house." Zhan Feiyu gave Li's introduction, and the people in the village who were watching the excitement lost their voices.

And Xiao Yao, who had been babbling and talking sour all the time, seemed to be strangled by someone's neck, and his face suddenly flushed, and he didn't know if he was angry or scared.

Mrs. Zou, the wife of the county magistrate, prepared six kinds of new year gifts. In addition to the four treasures of the study, cakes, and fabrics, there was an additional set of jewelry suitable for little girls.

Butler Hong personally handed a book to Zhan Feiyu, "This is a poem that my adults collected when they were studying in Guozijian in the early years, and it has the adult's approval."

Zhan Feiyu, who had no poetic talent, took it with both hands and thanked him solemnly: "I would like to trouble Butler Hong to thank Master Chen for me. Students must study hard and study hard to live up to the expectations of adults."

When the carriage left, the villagers who held their breath let out a long sigh of relief.

"Xiaoyu, you must study hard..." Muzheng's excited words were incomplete.

Looking at the entire Shangsi County, there are a few people who can get the New Year's gift from Master Chen, and it is also delivered by the housekeeper himself. What a great honor!

"I remember." Zhan Feiyu nodded.

"My God, the county magistrate Chen actually gave Xiaoyu a New Year's gift. No wonder Ma Caikuai was so polite to Xiaoyu last time!" The villagers suddenly understood the key, and looked at Zhan Feiyu even more in awe.

I only heard that the county magistrate Chen valued Zhan Feiyu before, but now everyone has a real feeling.

A few women were planning to enter the house to see what gifts were in the house, but no one dared at the moment. If they accidentally damaged the things that Mr. Chen gave, they would not be able to pay for it if they sold it.

"Okay, I've seen it all, and I've all gone home to work and prepare for the Chinese New Year." Seeing that everyone was still crowding around the courtyard gate, Muzheng had to urge him loudly.

Zhan Feiyu looked at Li Shi who was a little uneasy, and held her hand to comfort her: "Don't worry, mother, I will visit them one by one after the year, so I won't lose my manners."

"Mother doesn't understand this. If there is something you don't understand, you can ask Master Lin." Mrs. Li reminded in a low voice that it would be easy if it was only between relatives.

But these were big families, and the things they sent were so valuable, Li didn't know how to return the gift.

Although everyone didn't want to leave, the village chief spoke up to drive people away, so they could only leave in twos and threes, but this is what they were talking about. They had lived in the village for so many years, and it was the first time they saw such gift-giving, dozens of taels to hundreds of people. A tael of silver, why is it so difficult for them to earn a tael of silver?

"Did you see Xiao Yao's face?" Shanwaziniang said with a smile. The old Zhan family probably regretted their bowels. If Xiaoyu hadn't been adopted out, these annual gifts would all belong to the Zhan family. .

"Well, we didn't know that the old couple was biased in recent years." The woman who spoke also giggled. They were on good terms with the Li family. Now that Zhan Feiyu is prosperous, in the future, they will be able to pull them in the face of the Li family. Home one or two.

Zhan Feiyu and Mrs. Li also turned around and went back to the house, but before their front feet entered the courtyard gate, the sound of hooves rang loudly.

The people from the village who left stopped with a swipe, and the people who walked away couldn't wait to turn around and run back again. Someone is here to give New Year's gifts!

The galloping carriage was stopped, and the young man in the uniform of a sixth-rank military officer with a wild goose ling knife on his waist jumped off the carriage, swept his sharp eyes around, and finally landed on Zhan Feiyu.

"Zhan Xiaomeng Tong is well, my family has something for my subordinates to send over." The young man turned around and moved a large wooden box from the carriage.

The wooden box was heavy, and when it was placed on the ground, it stirred up a cloud of dust, which made the villagers crane their necks to see what was in such a large box.

The young man took another box from the carriage, but the box was much smaller, no more than the size of a book, "Your Excellency is busy with official business, this is the New Year's money given by Your Excellency."

Uh... Zhan Feiyu took the heavy small box, it was definitely not a silver bill, could it be a silver ingot?
"Farewell." The things were delivered, and the young man didn't stay any longer. He turned over and got into the carriage as soon as he handed over. With a flick of the whip, the carriage galloped away.

(End of this chapter)