Good son-in-law of the Ming Dynasty

When Su Mu returned home, he was taken aback when he saw the gate of the courtyard.

This, this, is this going to be like that?

According to his original estimate, Long Zai would definitely create a big scene on the day when the provincial examination results are released. He would invite as many guests as he wanted, and the servants at home should be here early, so that he would be ready to give the happy money to the officials who announced the good news. yes.

Although he hated this guy in his heart, Su Mu admired Long Zai's stereotyped essay very much.A person who can write timeless and fluent writing with considerable aesthetic value can be considered very talented.

As far as Su Mu is concerned, he can write articles so that people can't find mistakes, but if he wants to write beautifully and movingly, he doesn't have this ability.

Judging from the test papers that Long has circulated in the past few days, he will definitely pass, and Su Mu also deeply agrees with this.

Strange to say, the outermost courtyard was quiet, except for a bamboo mat and an incense table in the center.

A burner of incense was lit and a Guqin was placed on the desk.

Long sits cross-legged behind the small table in a snow-white suit, puts his hands gently on the strings, closes his mind, and looks elegant and coquettish.

Standing behind him are two ten-year-old boys, one holding a whisk and the other holding a cattail fan.

I have to admit that Long Zai's dress today is very attractive, like me watching the mountain scenery on the tower, full of pretense.

It is estimated that as soon as the list comes out, before the person who announces the good news comes, he will hold the Yaoqin and play a song flexibly, which will be another elegant event at that time.

Su Mu was stunned for a long time, and then burst out laughing.

This smile immediately destroyed this picturesque situation.

Immediately, a few attendants who didn't know whether it was the Long family or the Prince Ning's mansion rushed out of Long Zai's courtyard, glared at Su Mu, and opened their mouths to curse.

Long Zai suddenly opened his eyes and glanced at them. They nodded and bowed hastily: "Young master likes to be quiet, villain deserves death, villain deserves death."

Then they backed away, one by one hiding in the doorway and carefully watching outside.

Su Mu immediately got tired of it, this dragon has a lot of problems, he wants to act anytime and anywhere, completely disregarding the feelings of the audience.

That's fine, so as not to be harassed by the evil slaves of the Long family, I'll just go back to the courtyard and wait quietly. I don't know when this list will be posted?

Just as he was thinking about it, another servant from the Long family ran in quickly: "My lord, the announcement hasn't come down yet."

"Understood!" Long Zai closed his eyes again and waved his hand gracefully.

"Yes, the villain will investigate again."

"Ah, the list hasn't been posted yet, it shouldn't be!" Suddenly, several people shouted in disorder.

Long Zai was very angry and couldn't help but look back, but saw Xiaodie shouted at the door of the small courtyard: "Young master, why did you come back, and your body is so dirty, come back and change clothes, if you are the one who announces good news Come here, let the officials see it, but it is disgraceful."

"What are you screaming for?" Long's servants at the gate of the courtyard scolded at the same time: "I told you about my son Xijing, you bastard, shut up! That's right, Su Mu is too dirty. , if the good news from my young master comes later, seeing you as a beggar, and treating you as a servant of our Long family, wouldn't it be embarrassing, young master?"

Xiaodie was furious: "It's uncertain who will win and who won't. My son will definitely win later. If Long can't win, what can you say?"

"Haha, will my young master miss it?" The evil slaves burst out laughing as if they heard something funny.

"I don't want to visit. My young master's Shiwen has become so popular in the market. Although Su Mu's poems are well written, they are not suitable for eating or drinking, and they cannot be passed the imperial examination. If you really have the ability, see you in the eight-part essay Zhenzhang. Why haven’t we heard people say that Su Mu is a good writer, so he can write a few crooked poems and obscene words to deceive ignorant idiots.”

Hearing everyone's sarcasm against Su Mu, Xialong didn't say that he hated the noise anymore, and still closed his eyes, but there was a slight disdainful smile on the corner of his mouth.

Su Mu was furious when he saw that the servants of Long's family spoke rudely. Just as he was about to speak, a man's voice suddenly came from the small courtyard: "Su Mu, come in, I have something to say to you."

It was Wu Juren who spoke, and his tone seemed unfriendly.

Wu Juren usually didn't go out, but today he made an exception and came into the small courtyard, which made Su Mu feel strange.

For his sake, he didn't care about arguing with Long Zai and others, when Su Mu saw the small courtyard, he was stunned again.

Not only Wu Juren was there, even Ms. Wu, who hadn't seen both sides since returning to Beijing, was standing at the door.

Both father and daughter looked anxious.

Seeing Su Mu coming in, Wu Juren yelled at his head and face: "Su Mu, you bastard, it's useless for me to value you so much in the past, but I don't think you are an idiot who can't help you, you are so angry, old man, so angry!" Fierce old man!"

Speaking of resentment, the old Juren was trembling all over, and kept poking at Su Mu with his fingers.

Seeing that her father was so angry, and afraid that he would hurt Su Mu, Miss Wu hurriedly took her father's hand: "Daddy, Daddy, don't be angry, you will ruin your body with anger."

This time, the old Juren didn't scold his daughter for coming out to meet Su Mu, and the irritable Xiaodie was not angry, but stood aside with a smile to watch the excitement.

The atmosphere in the small courtyard seemed very strange.

Su Mu was surprised: "Mr. Wu, what's wrong with you?"

"Bah, the imperial examination is such a big event, and today is the day when the results are released, yet you didn't come home overnight, treating your fame like a joke." The old Juren spit all over his mouth.

Su Mu laughed, he also knew that the old Juren was concerned about himself.This situation is like a strict father who is teaching a disobedient son.Suddenly there was an indescribable warmth in my heart, and I explained: "I did have something to delay last night, and I already told Xiaodie about it."

"Shut up!" Wu Juren said angrily, "Last night, the capital city was in such a mess. They set fires and killed people. A gentleman doesn't stand under a dangerous wall. Seeing you in such a mess, it's not bad if you can save a life." Also, even if he was not injured, if he was caught by the government as a villain, he would not be able to explain it clearly for a while."

The old Juren couldn't see the wind and the light, and after talking for a long time, he became emotional again, and suddenly coughed loudly.

Miss Wu hurriedly stretched out her hand to pat her father's vest, and then gave Su Mu a reproachful look.

Su Mu smiled and said, "I'm back now, thank you Mr. Wu for your concern."

"Caring, I care what you do." The old Juren still refused to let it go, and when he was relieved, he scolded again: "What is so important that you have to stay overnight? Can it be compared to your own fame, right? , I have already asked Xiaodie just now, asking if you have prepared the happy money for the happy news later. Xiaodie said that you only have less than two taels of silver left with you, right?"

"Yeah, what's the matter... Oops." Su Mu yelled that something was wrong, and then realized that he had given away all his net worth to Hu Shun to give rewards to boost morale.When he came back, he was in a hurry and didn't take the stolen money. Besides, he didn't want to have any financial relationship with Hu Shun.

Accidentally, I became poor again.

"Two taels of silver is not enough. According to the rules, after winning the exam, the reward will be four taels. It is considered auspicious to make up one Sijihong." Yes, the future imperial examination career will not go well. But don’t worry, the rest of the couple will fill it out for you from their own pockets. You don’t want to pay it back. If you win the exam, find a matchmaker and treat it as my daughter’s dowry. If you don't win... well, well, well, it's up to you, I'd better invite a matchmaker to come over... I owe you this old man in the last life."

"Ah!" Su Mu was dumbfounded.

"Daddy." Miss Wu blushed, and wanted to hide in the house again.

"Stop, what are you running for, wait here, and wait for the good news!" Wu Juren yelled angrily, "Your younger brother is worthless, and you can't count on him, but old man Su Mu is still pleasing to the eye. One wins and one loses and one loses. If Su Mur wins the exam, you and I will be able to rely on him for the rest of our lives. This is a major event that concerns the Su and Wu families, and it cannot be avoided or avoided!"

"Yes, father!" Miss Wu's eyes were red, and she didn't know whether it was joy or worry.

In the courtyard outside, the servants of the Long family all laughed loudly: "It's so shameless that I asked that kid Su Mu to find a matchmaker to propose marriage in front of my own daughter!"

"Haha, I'm so old!"

At this time, the sound of the piano sounded in the yard outside, and the group of evil slaves fell silent.

……

Miss Wu's face turned pale again.

The old Juren had a calm expression on his face, he turned his head and shouted at Su Mu: "Don't you go back to the house to take a bath and change clothes?"

"Young master, just now... Just now Mr. Wu..." Xiaodie quickly wiped Su Mu's face with a towel, and sighed, "The two taels of silver I gave you just now are actually..."

"What is it?" Su Mu asked.

"Actually, the Wu family has long been penniless, and they rely on the Long family for food and clothing. Today, Long Zai didn't ask anyone to deliver rice. I still prepared the lunch and sent it to Mr. Wu." Xiao Xiao Die was a little sad: "But just like that, Master Wu still asked me to pawn his most beloved books and his only winter coat, saying that he wanted to raise enough wedding money for you, young master. Young master, if you marry Sister Wu, you are not allowed to owe others."

Su Mu's heart felt sour, he was speechless.

To be honest, he didn't think it was necessary to give money to the yamen servant who announced the good news.Anyway, as long as he is on the list, his fame as a juren cannot be escaped.

But it is customary to give wedding money, if I don't give it, it will appear that I, Su Mu, have lost my virtue.

For the sake of my Su Mu's fame, the Wu family actually gave away the last bit of their wealth. There is really no way to repay this kindness.

However, I, Su Mu, had made an oath with Hu Ying last night, so how could it be possible for me to marry Ms. Wu as another wife?

Thinking of this, Su Mu's heart was flustered, he sighed, and said: "I may not be able to win the exam, why bother?"

But Xiaodie smiled and said: "Master, it doesn't matter even if you don't win Juren. You have a lot of means to make money. When the time comes, take Sister Wu and Master Wu. No matter where you go, you will always be able to survive. Even if it is temporarily difficult, as long as one family People are together, and this life is always enjoyable. Anyway, I have already collected the money, and it is not easy to return it."

Quickly changing clothes for Su Mu, Xiaodie said she wanted to go out again to see if the list was released, and went out.

Because he was not sure whether he would be successful in the final exam, he was afraid that he would be embarrassed to see the Wu family's father and daughter, and Su Mu couldn't go out, so he could only read a book in the room in a dull mood.

But with so many things on his mind, how could he read the book.

The Guibang for the Beizhili Township Examination was delayed, probably because of the incident last night.

At the same time, candidates from all over Hebei were running around in the capital to inquire and wait.

Even Long Zai's servants kept running in and out, and people kept coming to report: "Young master, you haven't been listed yet."

"Young master, there is no news."

"My lord, everyone is waiting, the governor's office and the Ministry of Rites are also evil!"

……

Encountering this situation, Long Zai replied calmly: "What's the rush, anyway, it's about to come out, just wait."

The sound of the zither in the yard outside was still ringing, and Zhongzheng was peaceful. It could be seen from this that Long Zai had strong confidence in Zhongju.

The matter was so important that Su Mu couldn't help but not care about it. Whenever this happened, he would stick his head out of the window and listen carefully.

I saw the father and daughter of the Wu family sitting in the small courtyard with calm expressions on their faces.

But the ears moved unnoticed.

The weather today is not very good, gloomy.

The wind gradually picked up, blowing down from the roof above, both father and daughter tightened their bodies.

"Father!" Miss Wu exclaimed in a low voice, "Your body..."

Hearing Miss Wu's worried cry, Su Mu looked over intently, but was startled, and saw that Wu Juren's face and neck were covered with red lumps, which turned out to be wind clusters blown out.

But Wu Juren gave his daughter a majestic look, and waved his hand to signal her to be quiet.

Miss Wu nodded, her eyebrows lowered and her eyes pleasing to the eye.

In an instant, something sour and hot surged up in Su Mu's chest.

The weather was more cloudy, and the father and daughter waited in the small courtyard, so small by the dim sky, as if there were only the two of them in the world.

……

It's already four o'clock in the afternoon Beijing time.

At this moment, Xiaodie's voice shook the world outside: "The rankings are released, the rankings are released!"