The journey of the only child of a peasant family to take the imperial examination

When Xiaoyuer arrived at Li's room, Li had already fallen asleep from exhaustion due to crying, and a maid was attending to her.

Seeing Xiaoyuer arrive, several maids were about to bow when Xiaoyuer waved his hand to interrupt them: "Don't disturb the young mistress's rest. Come out and answer her."

When they arrived at the flower hall next door, Xiaoyuer said, "You all know that Young Master Sun has unfortunately passed away. Your mistress is still in confinement. Please take good care of her and try not to let her leave her room or overwork her. If you need any advice, you can come to me or the master."

Also, to the old master and mistress in the backyard, don't tell them what happened. I've already instructed everyone in the backyard; you all need to keep your mouths shut. If news gets to the old master and mistress because of your gossip and something happens to them, being sold off will be the least of your worries. Do you understand?

Seeing Xiaoyuer's cold expression, the servants responded in unison.

These personal maids were mostly brought by Li from her maiden home as part of her dowry. They were all born into the Li family, and most of their family members were still working in the Li family mansion.

Therefore, Xiaoyuer was usually somewhat wary of them. After finishing the story, he continued to give them a few more words of advice: "Once you've entered the Zhang family, you're family members. You must always remember your place and know what you should and shouldn't do."

The second steward understood the implication and chimed in, "Did you all hear what the young master said? No household in the capital would want a servant who betrays his family. Once he leaves the Zhang family, he's dead. Do you understand?"

"Understood!" the maids replied quickly.

When Zhang Heng returned home from the clan school that evening, he learned that his younger brother, who had been sent to Jiming Temple for foster care, had died.

This child, who usually acts like a little adult, paused for a moment, then suddenly burst into a sharp wail.

The crying caused Xiao Zhangzhuo, who was playing in the yard, to start crying as well.

Zhang Zhuo was too young and didn't have much of a concept of life and death. No servants would talk to him about it, or even avoid discussing it with him. So even though he saw people coming and going in the mansion today, he didn't think much of it.

But Zhang Heng was different. He was precocious from a young age. Because he had already started school, he knew that death meant he would never come back and would never see him again.

He already felt sorry for his younger brother, who was sent to a temple to be fostered, and now he was gone before he was even a month old. He didn't know why he was so sad.

The crying attracted Zhang Ping'an and Xiaoyuer.

The two sighed and each picked up a child to comfort them.

Zhang Ping'an raised his hand and wiped his eldest grandson's face, saying softly, "Heng-ge'er, don't cry!"

"Waaah... Waaah, Grandpa, didn't you say you were just sending my brother to live somewhere else for a while? Why did he die?" Zhang Heng sobbed, his eyes blurry with tears, yet he still managed to ask the question.

“My brother just had an accident. Life and death are predestined, so there’s no need to be too attached to it. Maybe he will be reincarnated into a better family and grow up with his parents instead of being left alone in the temple.”

"Do people really get reincarnated? I don't want him to leave!"

Zhang Ping'an paused for a moment before speaking gently, "...He should. I'll burn more paper money for him every Qingming Festival. You're the older brother, and Zhuo-ge'er is crying so hard right now. Could you help Grandfather comfort him? Then, both of you should stop crying, go with the servants to wash your faces, and see how your mother is. She's so heartbroken today!"

"Waaah, okay, Mother went through so much to give birth to him, she must be heartbroken. I'll take my brother and comfort Mother," Zhang Heng nodded while crying.

Zhang Ping'an reached out and patted his grandson's head, feeling very gratified. Perhaps this is the meaning of inheritance; in the process of a child's growth, there are always unexpected surprises and moments that warm the heart.

Although a formal burial could not be held, the Zhang family still put a lot of effort into this small private memorial service. They set a date, invited a master monk from the temple to perform the rituals, and then invited familiar families over for a meal.

The Qian and Li families, among others, felt great regret over this, but they also knew that it was too late to say anything now.

Moreover, in the long run, this may actually be a good thing for the Zhang family.

Meanwhile, the Cui family has been unusually low-key and well-behaved during this period.

Almost everyone in the capital knew that the youngest child of the Privy Councilor Zhang family had died before he was even a month old, proving that his birth chart was indeed unlucky, but it also indirectly proved that the previous rumors that his birth chart was unlucky for the emperor were false.

In the long run, it removed the shadow hanging over the Zhang family and gradually made other colleagues stop believing the rumors and be willing to interact with the Zhang family as they had in the past.

During the morning court session, Zhou Pu even asked a few questions in a pretentious manner, his affected manner making Xiaoyuer want to slap him a few times.

But it's just wishful thinking. Just like Dad said, there's no right or wrong, only different perspectives. I can only blame myself for not being strong enough!

In addition, it was originally thought that there was a great chance that the Qian family cousin would become empress.

Even if it really doesn't work out, it's because Cui Rong is more skilled, and she should accept the consequences of her bet.

Who knew that the one who betrayed him in the end was the little prince whom Xiaoyuer had always thought was on his side?

Just as Zhang Ping'an and his son had predicted, although the young crown prince was not yet old enough to participate in politics, he was the heir apparent, and the court officials were eager to hear his views and opinions on the matter of establishing an empress.

It was also rare for Zhou Pu to question his eldest son in court.

“Your Majesty, I think Consort Cui is more suitable. Consort Cui is virtuous and kind, and has always treated me as her own son.”