Fast Passage

"I heard that Brother Li married Miss Shen. Brother Li is so lucky. Congratulations."

"Congratulations, Brother Shen is extremely talented. I believe you will definitely pass the provincial examination."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with a few fellow villagers, Li Yu sat down in his seat and did nothing.

When someone came to toast him, he would just casually say a few words and then start eating the food on the table.

At this time, a drunk man rushed up and shouted at Li Yu.

"Why would you, a poor boy, marry Miss Shen?"

Mr. Shen, who had invited Li Yu, quickly stepped forward and stood between the two of them.

"Brother Li, Mr. Chen is drunk. Don't bother with him."

The drunk man was talking with his tongue sticking out and looked agitated.

"I'm not drunk. If you hadn't married Miss Shen, you wouldn't even be able to get in here. I don't know what the Shen family saw in you."

Li Yu smiled faintly and thought to himself, this is a humiliation to me, haha, let you see my eloquence.

"Mr. Shen may have been attracted by my appearance. Someone like you, Mr. Chen, with your eyes, nose, and mouth all different and doing whatever you want, I think any loving daughter wouldn't want her to face that face every day."

"How dare you scold me."

"How could that be? I was just praising Brother Chen. He is unparalleled in appearance, hard to find a rival, and inhumane and cruel."

"you--"

"Why should I? I know I have a beautiful face, a distinguished temperament, an elegant demeanor, and excellent conversation. Brother Chen, a gentleman should not be jealous."

"you--"

"I know I'm very good, but please don't mention it again, or I'll get proud."

"You, you are shameless."

"Brother Chen, your eyesight isn't very good. Can't you see my row of white teeth?"

"What I'm saying is—"

"I know. Poor eyesight is a serious problem. Go see a doctor. If you're fine, I'll leave now."

After saying that, he turned and walked away, leaving behind Chen Xiucai, whose face was red with anger, and a group of stunned people around him.

On the way back, a voice suddenly came from behind.

"Brother Li, wait for me."

Li Yu turned around and saw that it was Mr. Shen who invited him.

"Brother Shen, what's the matter?"

Mr. Shen said with a look of apology on his face.

"I didn't make the arrangements properly just now, please forgive me, Brother Li. The provincial examination is approaching, why don't you come with me so that I can take care of you along the way."

Li Yu thought about it and was ready to agree.

"Okay, I'll be waiting for you, Brother Li."

When he returned home, he saw that the candles were still lit in the room, and Li Yu felt a warm current flowing through his heart.

Li Yugang opened the door, and Qingli happened to look up from the account book. Their eyes met, and warmth flowed.

As the saying goes, the more you look at a beauty under the lamp, the more charming she is. A pair of sparkling almond eyes stared at you. Li Yu felt his heart burning. He went forward, put his arms around his wife's slender waist, and began to complain for comfort.

"My dear, someone is bullying your husband. That young master from the Chen family at the poetry gathering called me a toad wanting to eat swan flesh. I want a kiss, a hug, and comfort."

As he said this, he took the opportunity to kiss Qingli's tender face, and Shen Qingli rolled her eyes at him.

That roll of the eyes directly scratched Li Yu's heart.

"Hey, girl, you actually roll your eyes. That's so cute."

After saying that, he kissed her again. Shen Qingli wanted to complain in her heart. She thought Li Yu was polite and well-mannered at first, but he became more and more childish and clingy.

Qingli poked him in the waist.

"Don't make trouble, I'm still checking the accounts."

"My dear, your eyes hurt when you read the accounts at night. Come, let me rub them for you."

As he said this, he helped Qingli to the bedside and gently massaged her temples with his hands.

Qingli looked at him busying around and suddenly chuckled.

I think that even if my husband doesn’t pass the exam, it’s fine for him to just stay at home. After all, the Shen family has enough food and clothing for him.

A few days later, Mr. Shen invited Li Yu to go with him, and Li Yu naturally went with pleasure.

When they parted, Qingli watched the carriage going farther and farther away, feeling like a piece of something was missing in her heart. She returned home in a depressed mood until the carriage disappeared.

This is the first time I have tasted the bitterness of separation in twenty years, and I did not expect it to be so heartbreaking for such a devoted person.

Li Yu in the carriage did not dare to look back, for he was afraid that seeing the desire to stay in his wife's eyes would make him want to stay.

Among the four classes of officials, farmers, merchants and artisans, merchants have a low status and are constrained everywhere. He goes there not only for his own fame, but also to fight for a bright future for the Shen family.