Quick Wear: Cousin, Come to the Bowl Quickly

Lin Xi embarrassedly reached out from behind the tent to borrow the handkerchief, wiped her face and covered her red and swollen eyes before handing the handkerchief back to Du Xingzhi. Du Xingzhi took it very naturally and put the handkerchief away before speaking again.

"I know that your grandparents and aunt do not agree to our marriage because of your future. I also cannot bear to see you living in hardship because of marrying me, so I made a bet with grandpa." Then he told Lin Xi about the agreement he had made with the head of the village.

Lin Xi objected just as the village head had guessed. "No matter whether you are in high school or not, I have only chosen you for my life. There will be no one else."

Du Xingzhi felt warm in his heart, but he still said to her seriously: "The road to the imperial examination has never been easy. Although I have confidence in myself, there are too many variables in the process. I cannot guarantee that I will pass it in one go. If I fail, I will have to wait another three years. A woman's youth is precious, and I will never delay you for another three years.

"Besides, you were raised by your aunt and uncle, and if you insist on following a poor scholar like me, your life will be difficult. If your life after marriage is worse than before, then what's the point of this marriage?"

Lin Xi couldn't help but tear up when she heard that he was considering everything for her. "But I will never meet someone as good as you, cousin."

Du Xingzhi wanted to touch her head, but he moved his fingers slightly and did not move forward. "Silly girl, the world is so big, and you have only met a few men."

Finally, under Du Xingzhi's careful consolation, Lin Xi agreed. When Du Xingzhi ran into the Du couple on his way out, he bowed and saluted, saying sincerely, "Thank you, uncle and aunt, for allowing me to meet my cousin."

Mrs. Du waved her hand and said, "I just hope that Nannan's choice is right. You must not let her down." After that, she asked Lin Laoer to send Du Xingzhi out.

In the room, Lin Xi opened the curtain and calmly asked the system, "What is the deviation value of the second male lead's fate?"

The system's cheerful voice sounded, "Host, you have modified the second male lead's marriage line, avoiding his lonely life because of falling in love with the heroine. At the same time, because the Lin and Du families did not cancel the engagement, the second male lead will devote all his energy to the imperial examination, and his career line will also be launched in advance. At present, the deviation value of the second male lead's fate from the original plot has reached 70%. I hope the host will keep up the good work!"

Lin Xi nodded to indicate that she understood.

With Lin Xi, his devoted cousin, around, Du Xingzhi naturally won't fall in love with the heroine again. At the same time, according to the system, Du Xingzhi's career line is advanced compared to the original plot. It seems that he will not fail the imperial examination three years later. Then the last 30% deviation value should be to prevent the second male lead from becoming a victim of the political struggle between the male protagonist and the Zuo Xiang faction.

She yawned and lay down again. The singing and songwriting performance just now was really exhausting, so she needed to take a nap.

Time flies, and three years have passed in a flash.

Today was the day when the results of the provincial examination would be announced. Miao, who had been sick and depressed since Du Yan's death, had washed herself up for a rare occasion and sat on a chair in the main hall with a calm expression. However, her hands folded and clasped in front of her belly still revealed her inner nervousness.

Du Xingzhi sat at the desk, holding a copy of Shui Jing Zhu in one hand and picking up a white jade-like cake from a plate with the other hand and putting it into his mouth. As soon as the cake entered his mouth, the unique sweetness of osmanthus filled his mouth, which made him relax his brows.

This pastry was sent by Lin Xi earlier. She picked the first handful of fresh osmanthus flowers in early autumn and kneaded them into the pastry. "My cousin must have been waiting for news impatiently these days. Eat something sweet to relieve his stress." After the provincial examination, she never asked Du Xingzhi how he did, but only cared about whether he slept well and whether he was eating well.

During the three years, the girl grew from a tender bud of the new year into a rose of midsummer. She became taller, with a slender waist, and a willow-like posture coupled with her exceptionally charming face. Many young men in the village and outside the village stared at her. Some of them were from wealthy families and talented people. They asked their sister-in-law, A Niang, to inquire about her, but Mrs. Du always declined on the grounds that her daughter was still young.

Many families who could not eat grapes made up stories: Look at that family, they have a beautiful girl but they don't look for a marriage, they are planning to use her to marry into a rich family. But only Du Xingzhi knew that the girl was only thinking about herself, how could she have room for others?

Fortunately, he did not waste these three years. Not only did he study hard day and night, but he, who had never liked to flatter others, also specifically inquired about the supervisor's preferences before the exam and read his previous articles and essays. Although there was no news yet, he was confident that he would be on the list this time.

Sure enough, at noon, three tall horses rode into Linjia Village. The first one was wearing a crimson round-necked robe, a brocade keshou and a hat, looking very energetic. He tilted his head and asked a few old men who were enjoying the cool under a big tree at the entrance of the village, "Excuse me, sir, does Mr. Du Xingzhi live here?"

There were few strangers in the village, let alone those dressed so richly. An old man with white hair blinked his cloudy eyes and asked, "Who are you, gentlemen?"

The reporter cupped his hands and said in a clear voice, "We are the reporter of Guangnan Prefecture. Mr. Du from your village has passed the imperial examination, and we have come to tell you the good news."

"Oh!" As soon as these words came out, several old men screamed in surprise. The old man who had just responded also quickly replied truthfully. He was quick-witted and nimble, and walked in front of the three people. "Mr. Du's house is at the east end of the village. It's a little hard to find. I'll take you there."

Along the way, many families who heard that Du Xing had passed the imperial examination were alarmed, and the group announcing the good news became larger and larger. When the group arrived at the door of the Du family, the reporter shouted inside: "Congratulations to Mr. Du of your family for passing the Guangnan Prefecture provincial examination and ranking third. Please invite Mr. Du out quickly."

Miao was extremely excited. She tugged at her clothes, combed her temples, and walked out while shouting towards the study, "Do it! Do it!"

Du Xingzhi came out in response. Everyone in the courtyard saw a man in plain clothes slowly walking up to Miao and holding her. When he got closer, they saw that the young man had a tall figure, a handsome face, and a clear and bright look in the corners of his eyes and eyebrows. Although he was wearing plain clothes, it couldn't hide his outstanding demeanor.

The reporter bowed and congratulated, and the crowd escorted Miao's mother and son into the main hall. The red announcement was hung up, and the crowd was amazed. The village head and his son and daughter-in-law came over to help the reporter drink water and rest, and wanted to invite them to dinner, but they waved their hands and refused, saying that they had to go to the next candidate's house to announce the good news. Miao took out some dried fruits and snacks and gave them to the villagers who came to congratulate them. The courtyard was filled with joy and both the host and the guests were happy.

When the second and third reports arrived, the reporters left together. Du Xingzhi looked at the villagers who had stayed in the yard for a long time and said loudly, "Xingzhi can have the current situation thanks to the support of the villagers in the past. I will prepare a humble feast in five days. I hope you will show your favor and don't despise it."