Eating big melon is so refreshing

On June 10, around o'clock in the morning, the officials from the prefecture city came to announce the good news like a god, beating gongs and drums and stepping into the city gate. Their appearance instantly ignited the enthusiasm of the villagers, and people came from all directions, gathering around the officials with curiosity and expectation.

"What place did you get in the imperial examination?" The crowd was filled with questions, and everyone wanted to know the exciting news first.

In the eyes of the villagers, Xiao Chunya is not only a tough child, but also a symbol of wisdom. Her intelligence and talent have long been a legend in the town.

The villagers often looked at her with an almost worshipful look, as if they pinned their desire for knowledge and hope for the future on her. Everyone believed that she would definitely pass the imperial examination and bring glory to her hometown.

Zhao Wulang came at full speed, and he led the officials to Zhao Bei's house. Along the way, Zhao Wulang's mood was like the flying dust, excited and anxious. The fourth brother told him to post the good news in the old house. Although the family was divided, the parents were still alive and they had to give them enough face!

"Father, Mother!" Zhao Wulang shouted in a loud voice that seemed to penetrate the sky. "The official who brought the good news is here. Come out and greet him quickly."

The house suddenly became lively. "Hurry, hurry, open the door!" someone shouted, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.

"Set off firecrackers!" someone else shouted. Instantly, the crackling sound of firecrackers resounded throughout the streets, and the festive sound seemed to announce this glorious moment to everyone.

The tenants of the house were all excited, more excited than their own grandparents, and they cooperated very well. They gathered around, their faces filled with excitement and envy.

Zhao Bei's parents heard Wu Lang's call and hurried out of the house. Zhao's father's face was full of surprise and pride, while Zhao's mother was tidying her hair and clothes with her hands as she walked, with tears of excitement in her eyes.

Led by Zhao Wulang, the officials walked into the house. They all looked solemn, holding the good news that symbolized glory in their hands.

The door was crowded with people, waiting for the official to announce the good news.

"Congratulations to Guangning Township Lord Zhao Chunya for taking second place in this college entrance examination!"

"Congratulations to Mr. Zhao Qiulin for getting the 4th place in this college exam!"

The official spoke loudly and handed the good news solemnly to Zhao Bei.

Father Zhao took the good news with trembling hands. Xiaochun'er and Xiaoqiu'er both passed the examination and became scholars, one ranked second and the other fourth. Their scores were so high. According to the laws of Daye, the top ten would be considered as candidates for the imperial examination. In the future, they would not only be able to guarantee the candidates, but also receive a subsidy of two taels of silver every month.

The atmosphere inside and outside the house reached a climax. People cheered and laughed, as if this was their common moment of glory.

The official drank tea, ate some snacks, took the wedding money, and left with a smile on his face.

Zhao Wulang said, "I received the money for building the memorial archway. Dad will find someone to build two memorial archways for scholars when the time is right, and reserve space for another memorial archway for juren."

Zhao Gan looked regretful and said, "It's a pity that the court does not allow women to take the provincial examination, otherwise there would be another memorial archway for the successful candidate in the village."

The top five in the college examination were basically half-way to becoming a juren. Xiaochun'er's good results were wasted, and her journey to the imperial examination had come to an end.

It would have been better if he didn't say it. As soon as he said it, the people in Old Zhao's family all looked unhappy. How difficult it was for the people in the village to get a memorial archway for the title of Juren!

Zhao Wulang ruined the atmosphere. "This time, Xiaochun'er is the runner-up again. She's probably going to be irritable. She's not that keen on taking the exam."

"Good boy, is it because you keep saying you're the runner-up in front of Xiaochun that she's so disgusted?" Zhao Nan said with a look of "I've caught your tail" on his face, "How many people want to get the twelfth place? Even the forty-second can't get in. To be able to get the second place is a blessing from your ancestors!"

Zhao Wulang shrank his neck and ran away, accidentally letting the cat out of the bag. How could he dare to look down on the second place?

"Why are you running?" Zhao Xi came in from outside and caught him. "Wulang needs to contact the chefs who cooked last time. This time the flow of food will take three days and three nights."

"Second uncle, the banquet for scholars lasts three days and three nights, how many days does the banquet for juren last? What about the banquet for jinshi?"

"The Juren banquet will last for seven days and seven nights, and the Jinshi banquet will last for half a month!" Zhao Dong said in a heroic voice, "It's a rare pleasure. This time, I'll invite more old friends to cook together. It's worth it no matter how tired I am!"

Who was the last person who said his old arms, legs and waist were no longer able to support him? A day and a night of swaying in the stream is enough, but can you stand it for three days and three nights?

Zhao Wulang's face twitched. He decided to ask which chef in the city was free. It would be possible for him to make cold dishes in such a hot day, right?

"Old Four, where's the good news? Let me see it." Zhao Dong shouted anxiously and excitedly. Zhao Bei carefully took out the good news and held it in both hands, as if it was a rare treasure.

Zhao Dong called Zhao Lei over and said, "Grandson, come and share in the glory. You can pass the county exam smoothly next year."

Zhao Wulang was about to leave, but when he heard this, he found it funny and turned back, saying, "Uncle, isn't your ambition a little low? Shouldn't you want Lei Ge to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar?"

Zhao Dong glared at him and said, "Wulang, don't be so careless. It's not that easy to pass the examination. It's a blessing from your ancestors that you can pass the county examination."

Zhao Wulang didn't take it seriously and said loudly, "Uncle, you have no ambition. Lei Ge'er is smart and hardworking. It won't be a piece of cake for him to pass the county exam."

"Don't brag. Lei'er's brain is not as smart as Xiaochun'er and Xiaoqiu'er. There is not one person among a thousand who can remember everything he sees." Zhao Dong said, "Lei'er will be able to pass the county exam smoothly next year. It will be even better if he can pass the exam as a student. It doesn't matter if he fails. Just take it as a chance to gain experience. Anyway, the goal I set for him is to become a student."

Without talent and without the guidance of a famous teacher, it took many years for someone like Zhao Ming to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar. So don't put too much pressure on your grandson.

Zhao Dong has a clear understanding of the situation. He knows that even if his eldest grandson works a hundred times harder, he will not be able to surpass Xiao Qiuer, so he can just do what he can. The Zhao family has already done justice to their ancestors by having a successful candidate in the imperial examination.

"Huh? Why are you still standing there? Get to work." Zhao Dong sent Zhao Wulang away. He thought Zhao Wulang would become more stable after marrying Hong, but why was he still so careless?

Wan Zi ran over excitedly, shouting with joy on his face: "Uncle, Dad, Yue has advanced to the Dark Power level!"

When Zhao Xi heard the news, he slapped his thigh in excitement and laughed. He was secretly happy in his heart. The Zhao family had one more Dark Power Stage expert. This was a big boost to the family's strength! Thinking of this, the smile on his face became even brighter.