They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 68 Applying for the Imperial Examination

Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu'er also took this matter very seriously. They not only gave Liang Mingxuan the best seat on the oxcart, but also squeezed in with him to make room for him as much as possible, for fear of crowding him.

"Mingxuan has really made something of himself now!"

"Yes, in the future, when we talk about it, our oxcart will be quite something. It was the one that Mingxuan rode in when he took the imperial examination."

The two women praised and admired Liang Mingxuan endlessly, as if his trip would instantly grant him academic success and a place in the imperial examinations.

Xu Zhichun chuckled inwardly. Concern can cloud judgment, so she wasn't as confident as they were, but in reality, she could trust Mingxuan.

Once in town, they didn't have time to set up their stalls. Liang Mingliang first took Liang Mingxuan and Xu Zhichun to the yamen, and the rest of them accompanied them.

Although they didn't leave home too late, the journey was long, and by the time they arrived, the government office was already packed with people.

A group of yamen runners were maintaining order, making the students who were taking the children's examination line up, with each person allowed to be accompanied by a maximum of one parent while queuing.

Xu Zhichun then told Liang Mingliang and the others to go ahead, saying, "We'll come find you once things are settled here. By the way, Brother Liang, could you please help us buy some pig's head, trotters, and tails later, just like last time? And if you have any pig's knuckles, please get two or three as well. Also, please buy a little over a pound of pork belly for our family."

I'm craving twice-cooked pork.

In ancient times, a pig raised for a year would only weigh about 120-130 jin (60-65 kg). The pig's head, trotters, and hocks were all small; a pig's head would only weigh about 12-13 jin (6-7.5 kg). It might seem like a lot was bought, but the actual weight was quite small.

"I have to do that again—okay, okay, I'll go in a bit!"

Not only did Liang Mingliang's eyes light up, but Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu'er also became expectant.

Making braised meat again? That's wonderful! The meat isn't greasy at all, and it's fragrant and flavorful.

Little did they know that they weren't the only ones eyeing the braised meat. When the stall was set up, many customers looked at it and were quite disappointed not to see any braised meat, asking why there wasn't any.
It's a bit pricey, but it's delicious.

The maids in charge of buying groceries for wealthy families were even more disappointed. Their masters liked them very much. They hadn't set up their stall yesterday because of the rain, but today when they came out to buy groceries, they were overjoyed to see people at their stall from afar. They rushed over as fast as they could, hoping to be the first to pick out a few good pieces of braised meat. But to their surprise, there wasn't any left.

"Tomorrow, tomorrow! It'll be here tomorrow! Come again tomorrow!"

"Making this braised meat is quite troublesome. I didn't go to town yesterday, so I didn't buy any meat."

The customer finally cheered up again, smiling as he bought konjac tofu or bean curd strips. "Will you come at this time tomorrow too? Then I'll come earlier tomorrow, please save me some good braised meat."

Zeng Xiaoyan smiled and said, "Our braised pork pieces are all delicious! They all come from the same pot."

The other person laughed heartily at what he said.

At the yamen gate, Xu Zhichun led Liang Mingxuan to line up to register. The person in charge of registration behind the long table was a clerk from the yamen. Unexpectedly, Master Shao was also sitting next to them watching the scene, and it seemed that he had no intention of leaving.

It is clear that the county magistrate attached great importance to this matter.

Liang Mingxuan was the youngest among all the people in line, and his good looks immediately attracted countless eyes, including Xu Zhichun.

Many people were whispering among themselves.

"Is such a young child also taking the imperial examination?"

"I don't know, maybe it's because I'm queuing up for my older brother."

"That's possible, otherwise we'd be ashamed to death." "Heh, I don't even know if such a young child has memorized the Three Character Classic, let alone touched the Four Books and Five Classics. Even if he were to take the exam, he'd just be there for the fun of it. Brother Gu, you don't really have that much confidence, do you?"

"Haha, how could that be? Just kidding, just kidding."

Xu Zhichun was indignant upon hearing this, and her confidence in her own child instantly soared.

Her child is steady and reliable; his demeanor alone suggests he is destined to be a successful scholar. What do those people know?
A bunch of gossipy fellows, even the village gossips aren't as talkative as them, and they think they can take the imperial examinations?
She gently patted Liang Mingxuan's shoulder, offering encouragement: "I believe in you, you're much better than them."

Liang Mingxuan looked up at her, his eyes bright and clear: "Mm."

A gossipy woman, just two people behind them, objected, "This sister-in-law is too arrogant. Does she think her brother-in-law is better than us? She shouldn't say such things, or she'll make a fool of herself and become a laughingstock."

Several people chuckled to themselves.

Xu Zhichun looked at the man and smiled, "My child doesn't gossip, doesn't look down on others without reason, and isn't arrogant. I just think he's very strong, at least stronger than those who gossip and talk behind people's backs."

Everyone was stunned and fell silent.

The man's face turned red with anger after her rebuke.

Xu Zhichun turned away and stopped arguing. They were in a queue; it wouldn't look good if things got out of hand, and it wouldn't leave a good impression on Master Shao and the others.

When it was their turn to register, Master Shao clearly recognized Xu Zhichun—after all, when his master issued such a decree, only Madam Xu came to the yamen to present it.

The sweet potatoes and potatoes tasted so good that it was hard for him not to remember them well.

When Master Shao saw that she had brought such a small child to register, he was surprised again.

He couldn't help but take a few more glances at Liang Mingxuan, finding him more and more pleasing to the eye.

I must say, this kid looks like a promising talent!

If you are born into a wealthy family, your elders will definitely allocate resources to you without hesitation.

I never imagined there could be such talent in the countryside!

Although they are young, being young is a good thing. Being young is like an uncut gem; if it encounters a master craftsman who can carve and polish it, the gem will one day shine brightly and amaze the world.

When Master Shao saw Liang Mingxuan, he knew that his master would definitely like him.

But let's not rush it. Let's see how he does on the children's exam. We'll find out then.

With so many people around, Master Shao couldn't greet Xu Zhichun directly, so he gave her a slight nod. Xu Zhichun returned the nod slightly.

She wasn't foolish enough to deliberately go over and greet Master Shao; wouldn't that attract attention? What if Mingxuan did well on the exam, and people said he used connections?
Master Shao was initially worried that she would come forward, and he was torn about whether he should get up and walk away to avoid her. But seeing that she didn't seem to have any intention of doing so, Master Shao felt relieved and continued to sit in his chair: she's a sensible person.

After Liang Mingxuan registered, Xu Zhichun led him away. Shao, the clerk, pretended to get up and stretch his limbs. As he did so, he casually walked over to the clerk and casually flipped through the registration information, secretly memorizing Liang Mingxuan's name.

Master Shao nodded almost imperceptibly. "Liang Mingxuan, this child's handwriting is also quite good, but he is young and lacks wrist strength, so it is a bit immature. If he has a famous teacher to guide him and he can concentrate and practice hard for several years, he will definitely achieve great things."

By the way, I'd like to ask for your recommendation votes and monthly tickets.

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(End of this chapter)