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

In fact, everything at home has been packed up, and the family will set off for the provincial capital after Si Ya returns home.

Zhang Ping'an took advantage of his two or three days of free time to visit Liu Shengyuan. Liu Shengyuan's foot was almost healed. Liu's father really found a way to transfer from the town government office to the county government office as an accountant. Liu's mother also came to the county town from the village. Now the two of them take care of Liu Shengyuan together.

"Ping'an, now that you've gone to the provincial capital, I don't know when we'll meet again," Liu Shengyuan said sadly.

"There will always be a chance. I will continue to take the imperial examination, and you should continue to take the examination for the scholar. We will eventually meet again," Zhang Pingan comforted him. He had known for a long time that all good things must come to an end.

"Yes, are you going to take part in the provincial examination next year?" Liu Shengyuan asked.

Zhang Pingan shook his head: "My academic level is average now. I definitely won't have a chance of passing next year's provincial examination. I plan to wait until the next time to take the exam."

"That's four years later."

"Yes, that's why I said we can take the provincial examination together. The academy examination is held twice every three years. You will definitely pass it next time. I will wait for you at the provincial school," Zhang Ping'an said with a smile.

"Okay, it's a deal, we'll meet at the provincial school," Liu Shengyuan also smiled.

On the day when the fourth daughter came back, Xu got up early and asked the fifth and sixth daughters to help her pick vegetables and cook. She prepared a sumptuous meal, not wanting to be looked down upon by her son-in-law from the county town.

Just after noon, Sun Liujin arrived with Si Ya in a donkey cart. The two of them carried a lot of gifts, big and small. Si Ya had a smile on her face, and it was obvious that she had been living well these days.

"Fourth brother-in-law, why are you spending so much money on going back to your parents' home? We are going to the provincial capital tomorrow, and we can't bring too many things with us," Zhang Ping'an said with a smile.

"Hey, these are all food and daily necessities. It will be very convenient to put them in the car. You will have to buy them when you go to the provincial capital, right?" Sun Liujin replied with a smile.

Zhang Laoer and Xu were also very satisfied with their fourth son-in-law. He was as literate and knowledgeable as their own son, and his refined manner was pleasing to the eye.

"Daddy, please set the table quickly. Fifth and sixth girls, please come and help serve the dishes. Your fourth sister and brother-in-law must be hungry," said Xu cheerfully.

"Hey," Wu Ya and Liu Ya responded.

Seeing the large table of food, Sun Liujin smiled and said, "My father-in-law and mother-in-law are so kind to prepare such a sumptuous meal."

Zhang Laoer said, "Hurry up and eat the food. See if it suits your appetite. Don't be polite!"

Sun Liujin is a good person and can talk well. With Zhang Pingan taking over the conversation, the atmosphere was very lively throughout the meal and there was no problem of dull moments at all.

After dinner, Sun Liujin followed Zhang Ping'an to the study to discuss academic matters. He planned to continue taking the county examination next year, and at least become a student, so he wanted his brother-in-law to give him some advice.

Xu took Si Ya into the room and said, "Si Ya, how have you been spending the past two days at the Sun family?"

Si Ya munched on some melon seeds and smiled, "Mother, it's pretty good. My parents-in-law treat me well. My sisters-in-law like to say some mean things, but overall, there's nothing wrong with them. I just ignore what they say."

Mrs. Xu nodded with satisfaction and said, "That's how it should be. No matter what they say, you just need to win your son-in-law's heart. Hurry up and have a child. If you have a son, you'll have a firm foothold in the Sun family. I've always seen you as naive and foolish, but I didn't expect that fools would have good fortune in the end."

Si Ya said coquettishly: "Mom, I'm not stupid!"

"Okay, you came out of my belly, and I don't even know how much you weigh." Xu glanced at her daughter and took a handful of melon seeds to eat. This day was really comfortable.

Si Ya and her husband went back after lunch.

Zhang Laoer had already made an appointment with the people from the escort agency to set off for the provincial capital at noon tomorrow. The whole family went to bed early and got up at dawn the next day.

Erya, Sanya and Jinbao's family all came to the city gate to see him off. Zhang Laoer gave the key to Erya for safekeeping and would give it to Daya when the time came.

Jin Bao was reluctant to leave, but this time he didn't shed tears. "Ping An, you are going further and further away now. I don't know when we will meet again after you go to the capital."

"Aren't you writing storybooks now? The shopkeeper said you have talent and has bought several books from you. When you become famous, come to the provincial capital to write. Then we can be neighbors." Zhang Ping'an could only comfort and encourage him.

"Yeah," Jinbao was still sad.

"Don't be sad, smile, otherwise I will feel uncomfortable in my heart," said Zhang Pingan. He has been accustomed to Jinbao being around for more than ten years. Now he feels uncomfortable to be separated from him and feels empty in his heart.

"I've decided. After I finish my studies this year, I will go to the provincial capital to find you and Shuisheng," Jin Bao forced out a smile that was uglier than crying.

"Well, write to me if you have anything," Zhang Ping'an patted his good brother's shoulder.

At this time, everyone was present and the people from the escort agency were urging them to set off.

Zhang Ping'an sat on the mule cart and looked back, watching the figure behind him getting farther and farther away until it disappeared.

Parting is always sad. Except for Xiaohu, the whole family was in a low mood.

After arriving in the provincial capital after a tiring journey by boat and carriage, Zhang Laoer and Zhang Ping'an first found an inn to stay in. After resting for a night, the father and son went to the provincial school early the next morning.

Although Zhang Ping'an is a new scholar this year and has a letter of recommendation from Master Lin, the number of places in the provincial school is limited. He still needs to take the entrance examination first and then be admitted by the provincial school on a merit basis.

Fortunately, Zhang Ping'an had solid knowledge and passed the exam successfully.

Zhang Laoer finally breathed a sigh of relief and rented a house near the provincial school. The land in the provincial capital was expensive, and houses near the provincial school were even more expensive. Zhang Laoer looked for several days but didn't find a suitable one. Staying in an inn every day was not a good idea, and he was so anxious that blisters appeared at the corners of his mouth.

In the end, this matter was all thanks to Liu Shuisheng. After Zhang Pingan was sure that he could be enrolled in the provincial school, he went to find Liu Shuisheng. The two had a meal together and talked about their recent situation. When Liu Shuisheng learned that Zhang Pingan was still looking for a house, he also said that he would help inquire about it.

Finally, they found a house through their rice shop assistant. It was not far from the provincial school. The monthly rent was 400 wen. It had three rooms and a small courtyard. Overall, it was smaller than the house they rented near the county school. The owner originally had a five-room house, but they built two walls to separate the two main rooms and added a few small rooms. In the end, it became three houses, which were rented out separately. Now it has been rented out to two families.

Although it is small, fortunately, the three families have their own independent space. If you want to get water, you have to go to the well at the entrance of the alley to fetch it. If you don’t want to fetch water yourself, you can pay someone to fetch water. You also have to pay for the night incense every month.

You really have to spend money as soon as you open your eyes. Zhang Pingan couldn't help but sigh that rice is expensive in the city and it is not easy to live there.

The family settled down temporarily in the provincial capital, and Zhang Ping'an was about to start a new life in the provincial school.