Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 784 Exploring Flowers ([-])

Cao's house, Xifu, study room.

Because of his younger brother's failure, Cao Xiang tried his best to restrain himself even if he was happy in his heart.Cao looked at this side, but saw it openly, smiled and said Cao Yin: "Uncle said that the official career of the imperial examination is half of the manpower and half of the sky. It is true. Yang De, the Yuan of the current Kehui, was a member of Jiawu Shuntian. Three years ago, he was named Sun Shan. This year It was a blockbuster. Before the exam, there were so many well-known talents, but few achieved their wish. It’s okay to say, but Mr. Qian is a bit lamentable. I didn’t know it, but he has long been famous in the south of the Yangtze River.”

In the end, he remembered that during the exam, there was a seventy-year-old man in the shed next door, who took part in the exam with his grandson. Even if you are on the list, you can't serve the country. Do you have to go on the exam like this as long as you don't pass the exam?"

Cao Yin said with a smile: "What is an old man in his seventies? There was a Shunde Juren Huang Zhang, who was nearly a hundred years old and passed the provincial examination. It has been a good story in the examination field for 30 years. Little 56 Juren, this In the eyes of others, he is already young and tall."

Cao Fu was a little embarrassed by the compliment, and said awkwardly: "There are people outside the people, and there is a sky outside the sky, it's nothing. Before entering the arena this time, I heard that there are a few young people, but they are only thirteen or fourteen years old."

Cao Xiang remained silent, listening to his younger brother talking to his uncle, feeling unreal in his heart.

More than a month after the exam, he also visited Qian Chenqun in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Guild Hall, and communicated privately with several classmates who were taking the exam in the Imperial College, so he was really not sure.

Those who can pass the Juren examination and participate in the general examination are all leaders in various places.

Unexpectedly, it was on the top of the tribute list.

Cao Yin was relieved to see that his nephew didn't push himself to the limit. He turned around, patted Cao Xiang on the shoulder, and said, "There are not many days left in the palace examination. Prepare well, and you will live up to the emperor's grace."

The palace examination must be presided over by the emperor, and those who are listed as Jinshi are the disciples of the emperor...

*
Fuxiang Hutong, the residence of General Fengguo.

Yongquan was so happy that he could not close his mouth from ear to ear, Shu Shujue Luo Shi was also full of smiles.Although they were not there when they got engaged, Cao Xiang followed the etiquette in the first month of this year and came to pay New Year's greetings. They met their son-in-law.There is nothing to say about appearance and character, it's just a concubine with a lower status.

This will be the first place in the test, and the Jinshi fame is secure, how can the husband and wife be unhappy.

Although Cao's family is the first, even if the children do not take the imperial examination, their official career will not be hindered.But this is a Jinshi, that is, a professional class, and there is a family title, and it will be on the rise in the future, and it is just around the corner.

Yongquan couldn't wait any longer, and said with a smile: "Hurry up and ask someone to prepare a backup gift. I'll go to see my third aunt tomorrow and ask the message from my in-laws. Is it possible to set the wedding date? The new Jinshi has a leave, and we will arrange it in April." Marriage is also double happiness."

Shu Shujue Luo Shi heard the words, hesitated for a moment, and said: "Master, this is still in the Empress Dowager's filial piety, is it possible to discuss relatives?"

Yongquan gave her a sideways look, and said: "It's just a question, the Empress Dowager's funeral on 23rd will remove her filial piety, and there is nothing taboo about arranging weddings in April."

After all, she is the daughter of a direct relative, and also the eldest daughter, Shu Shu felt that Luo Shi felt a little bit reluctant, and said: "Master, the eldest girl is only fourteen, do you want to stay for another year?"

Yongquan glared at her, and said: "Long hair, short knowledge! The girl outside the Eight Banners Clan was drafted for marriage at thirteen, and still young at fourteen? This marriage was decided by the in-laws on their own initiative. I heard that now the second master and second grandmother are in charge of the house over there, and the marriage will be settled sooner, so it can be regarded as a peace of mind."

Shu Shujue Luo Shi thought of his son-in-law, aunt and concubine, could not help frowning, and said: "Daughter is so young, it is really distressing to be a concubine when she enters the door. If she doesn't have a son, it will not be pleasing to the eye Yes, it can still be sent."

Yongquan didn't take it seriously, waved his hand, and said: "Marriage is a major event, it is good to have two surnames. Our daughter is a clan princess, a direct wife, what do you care about with an aunt? When the daughter is married, apart from the Cao family, other than the Pingjun Wangfu, Over there at the Duke’s Mansion, they are in-laws. Even Pingjun Wang Fujin should call you ‘in-law’s wife’ when he sees you, wouldn’t it be respectable?”

Shu Shu felt limited by Luo's status, when he met Prince Fujin of Pingjun, he also saluted from a distance; with Cao Yi, he had been in contact twice.

Hearing what her husband said, she also felt joy...

*
According to Cao Yong's intention, he would invite Qian Chenqun to sit in Cao's house after April, after the palace examination was completed.Unexpectedly, within a few days after the tribute list came out, Qian Chenqun handed over a name card to see him.

On Cao Yong's side, after thinking about it, he didn't wait for the guests to come, but went to visit Qian Chenqun in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Guild Hall in person.

In addition to his solid knowledge, Qian Chenqun himself is also a filial son with excellent morals, worthy of the four characters of "a gentleman with kindness".It would be a blessing to the children if he was asked to teach God to bless them for a few more years.

Cao Yong came over in person, and Qian Chenqun was quite surprised, but he also answered him calmly.

Without it, I just frankly talked about the failure and mentioned that I would continue to stay in the capital.If the Cao family doesn't dislike it, they want to go back to the Cao family and sit in the library for two years, and wait for the next subject to take the exam.

On Cao Yong's side, it's something he couldn't ask for.

Seeing that Cao Yong agreed so readily, Qian Chenqun felt a little embarrassed and asked about the new master.

Cao Yongdao: "my father has been in the south of the Yangtze River for many years, and he has been in contact with local talents and scholars. Over the years, he has also written some poems and songs. Now he is an official at home and is planning to sort them out, but there is a shortage of manpower. Master Wen is an old acquaintance of my father. To do this, It's cheap."

After hearing this, Qian Chenqun felt relieved.

When he returned to the Cao family, he was not coveting the power of the Cao family and Shu Xiu, but rather reluctant to part with those few students.Except for Hang Seng who is dull and not suitable for reading, the rest are very smart, especially Niu Niu and Tian You, who can be regarded as Qian Chenqun's favorite students.

The two said a few more words, and they agreed that after Qian Chenqun entered the mansion ten days later, Cao Yong would come out of the guild hall.

Jiangsu and Zhejiang are originally a land of outstanding people. Among the candidates who went to Beijing to take the exam, there were not a few people who were born in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.There are also many candidates from Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces for this tribute list, so the front of the guild hall is very lively, with fellow students and classmates coming and going to congratulate.

Cao Yong was wearing regular clothes and didn't punch eyes.Thinking of Qian Chenqun's calm appearance, he felt a little admiration.

However, he admired his father even more in his heart.After all, he has been an official for many years, and he can know the thoughts of the emperor and courtiers, so he can infer the follow-up of the imperial examination.

On the contrary, Cao Xiang, it seems that these years of hard study have not been in vain, but I don't know whether it is a second-class or a third-class.If you are in the second class, choose a good scholar and enter the Imperial Academy...

*
Not to mention how Qian Chenqun returned to the Cao Mansion, how happy the little guys were.The Zhaojia family of the Eastern Mansion heard the news that the General's Mansion asked about the wedding date, so they didn't want to see him, but they had no reason to shirk.

Before I knew it, it was Longevity Day.

Sheng Jia has already returned to the palace from Tangquan, but due to the national mourning, this year's Longevity Festival did not give a feast.

A few days after Longevity Day, it was the day of Empress Dowager Daxing's funeral.

The four members of Cao's West Mansion all went to the palace to see off the spirit.

When the Empress Dowager's Zi Palace is fired, the national funeral will be over.Kangxi originally wanted Shengjia to send the coffin in person, but because of his health, he couldn't make the trip, so he decided not to shave his head, and the kings and ministers who sent the coffin did not shave their heads either.The ministers in Beijing will shave their heads the next day.

Back from the palace, Cao Yong comforted his mother a few words, and returned to Wutong Garden.

Except for the hat, he took a glass mirror and looked at it for a while, which made Chu Yu stunned.

The national mourning has lasted for more than three months, and the hair of the first half of the hair has grown to more than an inch. Cao Yong touched the top of his head, feeling quite strange.If you don't take a picture of the back, you will look a bit like a later life.

I lived to be 26 in my previous life, and I am already 25 in this life. Looking at my face in the mirror, I am much better than my previous life.The previous life seemed very far away.

Cao Yong put down the mirror, sat on the edge of the kang, squinted his eyes, and didn't want to talk.

Xicai presented ginseng soup, and Chuyu held it with her own hands, and brought it to Cao Yong, saying: "I stood there for a long time, I'm so tired, my son-in-law rests with a bowl of ginseng soup."

Cao Yong took it and took two sips while it was hot, only to see that there was only one bowl, and said: "Why is there only one bowl? Now is the season change, you should also nourish and nourish."

"I use bird's nest with my wife. This ginseng soup is for the master and the forehead." Chu Yu said.

Cao Yong nodded and said: "How is Tianhui these days, did she complain? She loves to sleep the most, and she also takes long naps."

"A few days ago, I was a little tired, and I had to go to bed after dinner. After a long time, I felt less sleepy, and playing games with God Bless and the others, I looked a lot stronger."

This time when Master Qian came back, Tianyou and Hengsheng had a little joy and mentioned the matter of the school several times in front of Tianhui.Since Tianhui was left alone during the day and couldn't see her brothers, she also clamored to go to school.

In terms of age, Tianhui is already four years old.Five years old and seven years old are the ages of enlightenment.

On Chuyu's side, because her daughter is too quiet and doesn't like to talk, she also wants her to be more lively with her brothers.Cao Yong naturally did not object, but felt a little sorry for Qian Chenqun.A great talent who is well-known all over the south of the Yangtze River becomes the king of children.To be honest, Meng Xueyong such a gentleman is really a waste.

However, children are more precious, and no matter how much they are wasted.

For the sake of the children, not to mention Qian Chenqun, even the great scholars in Taixue, Cao Yong is always thinking about it.He has already begun to discuss with his father, and wait a few years to go there to hire famous teachers for the children.

While talking, the children just came back from school, and the brothers and sisters came over to say hello to their parents.

Cao Yong carefully looked at his daughter a few times, indeed looked a lot of spirit.Looking at the crystal lens on her neck, Cao Yong asked: "How do you use this, but it is clearer?"

These are short-sighted glasses purchased from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but there are no double-legged glasses yet, and they are all single-piece, so they are hung on her neck.

Although Tianhui's eyes can see things, her eyesight is insufficient.In the words of later generations, it is amblyopia, and you need to wear high myopia glasses.

After taking medicine and acupuncture for more than half a year, there is no benefit at all.Fang Zhonggong also said that, I'm afraid that's the only way.But he didn't dare to give her the medicine anymore, she was still a child after all.

Although Cao Yong has regrets in his heart, he also knows that it cannot be forced.Besides, compared with the blindness before, it is fortunate now.

Even if parents live a long life, they mostly walk behind their children.At that time, even if the blind daughter was left behind, even if she had a wealth of ten thousand, she might be bullied by someone, wouldn't it be distressing.

"Clear, my hands are sore." Tianhui wrinkled her little nose and answered concisely.

Chu Yu felt sorry for her daughter, and said, "My son-in-law, why don't you learn from others and make a spectacle frame for Tian Hui?"

What Chu Yu meant was to put it on a book so that her daughter would not have to hold up her glasses.On Cao Yong's side, he was thinking about the glasses on his legs.

"Is there any tortoise shell at home?" Cao Yong asked: "No jewelry, but coarse materials."

Chu Yu thought for a while, and said: "I remember there is a box, which was bought by Ama in the early years. I don't like this. I dug it out a few years ago, and I want to make some sets of jewelry to honor my wife. The wife said there are some good ones over there. It was left by my grandmother, and there is no need to remake it, so I just left it untouched."

Cao Yong said: "it's just right, let people find it out, and find a skilled craftsman in the house of internal affairs to make a pair of glasses for Tianhui."

Tianhui listened and pursed her lips, revealing two small dimples.Tianyou hesitated for a moment, then took a step forward and said, "Father, if I find someone to make glasses for my sister, can I also make glasses for my husband? My eyes are not good either."

Cao Yong didn't know this point, although it is not a big deal to get a few pairs of lenses, but the degree of myopia is different, and the required lenses are also different.

The pair Tianhui used was chosen after she took several boxes of lenses and asked her to try them on one by one.

It's a bit troublesome, but Cao Yong still nodded...

*
Cao Yong's tortoiseshell glasses have not yet been completed, and it is the fifth day of April, the period for the palace examination.

It was Cao Xiang's first time entering the palace and seeing Tian Yan for the first time.Sheng Jia visited the south in his early years, stationed in the Cao family, and also summoned the descendants of the Cao family.However, there are only two brothers Cao Yong and Cao Song who have the honor to see you.

According to the rules, before he was released the year before last, he had to enter the palace to see him.But because Shengjia was in Rehe at that time, he didn't have a chance to see Tianyan.

Far away, only a shadow can be seen.

Cao Xiang's palms were sweaty, and he calmed down, not looking at the emperor in front of him, nor at the soldiers around him.

Thinking of his uncle's expectation, his aunt's exhortation, and Luju's gentleness, Cao Xiang's mind became much clearer.Whether it is the supreme majesty of the emperor or the grandeur of the palace, we can wait until the exam is over before thinking about it.

When the Gongsheng students began to write, Kangxi sat on the dragon chair, but turned sideways and asked: "Go and ask, who is Cao Xiang?"

Standing next to him is Zhang Tingyu, a cabinet bachelor and minister of rites.

Zhang Tingyu responded in a low voice, stepped aside, and asked several officials from the Ministry of Rites present.

Because Cao Yin was on duty in the Ministry of Rites before he became an official, his nephew also attracted the attention of several officials.It happened that someone who had met Cao Xiang in Taixue pointed to a scholar in the third row and said, "My lord, that's the one."

Zhang Tingyu looked carefully, confirmed the location, and returned to Kangxi's side.Being able to attract the emperor to ask him personally, could it be that the emperor wants to favor Cao's family?But I don't know if this Cao family's son is knowledgeable and whether he is qualified to be praised by the emperor.

When Kangxi looked over, he could only see a Gongsheng bowing his head and waving his brush, but he couldn't see clearly.He turned his head and said, "I heard that your younger brother is also in this subject, which one is it?"

Zhang Tingyu had already seen his younger brother's location, and when he heard Kangxi's question, he was startled, looked around for a while, pointed to a scholar in the southwest corner, and said: "If you go back to the emperor, it seems to be over there."

Kangxi twitched the corner of his mouth, and looked thoughtfully at Zhang Tingyu.

Zhang Tingyu only felt that his heart was throbbing, and he couldn't tell whether it was surprise or joy...

(End of this chapter)